MOON NORTH by SIMAUDIO
This major Quebec manufacturer had reserved a large room to demonstrate its products from the brand-new MOON North series. For the occasion, a chain had been assembled with the 891 networked preamplifier-music player, the top of the North pre-amplification range. The latter can be controlled by the superb BRM-1 remote control, featuring a touch-sensitive OLED display. This communicates with the Bluetooth wireless protocol, so you don’t need to be in front of the 891 preamplifier to control it. With the same functions, a tablet and smartphone application is also available for browsing your music preferences on the Web, on your computer or on your music server.
The 861 power amplifier powered a pair of sumptuous XB Diamond speakers from Estelon. Needless to say, the sound was exceptional.
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PASSION AUDIO
Cette nouvelle boutique de Châteauguay a ouvert ses portes le 26 octobre 2023. Le propriétaire Martin Leblanc a déjà étoffé son catalogue de produits avec des marques qui ne sont pas très répandues dans les autres boutiques spécialisées en haute-fidélité. On peut y voir et entendre des produits venant de BAT des USA, de Fezz Audio de la Pologne, de Lejonklou Hi-Fi de la Suède, de Shindo du Japon et de Wattson Audio de la Suisse.
This new Châteauguay, Qc boutique opened its doors on October 26th, 2023. Owner Martin Leblanc has already expanded his product catalog with brands that aren’t very common in other high-fidelity specialty stores. You can see and hear products from BAT from the USA, Fezz Audio from Poland, Lejonklou Hi-Fi from Sweden, Shindo from Japan and Wattson Audio from Switzerland.
As for loudspeakers, you can listen to full-range speakers such as those from Cube Audio from Poland, Dutch & Dutch monitoring loudspeakers from the Netherlands, Mofi Electronics concentric loudspeakers from the USA, and open-baffle loudspeakers from Qualio IQ, also from Poland.
In its Audiofest 2024 area, a system comprising a Shindo Auriege preamplifier, a Shindo Montille amplifier and German SON 12639 loudspeakers from Wolf Von Langa could be heard.
The sources were a J.Sikora Initial turntable from Poland, a Wattson Audio Madison LE streamer from Switzerland and an Equinoz DAC from Fezz Audio, also from Poland. All cabling was supplied by Luna Cables of Quebec. To say the least, Passion Audio is truly international.
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PLANÈTE HAUTE-FIDÉLITÉ
For this Repentigny, Qc boutique, it was possible to feast one’s ears on Hegel‘s new H600 integrated amplifier, Hegel‘s Viking CD player, Hegel‘s V10 phono stage and an Emerson LE network player from Wattson Audio. For the analog portion, the source was a Quebec-made 33.2 MK2 turntable from Stable and a Reed 1H tone arm with Clear Cygnus cabling from Cardas.
The loudspeakers on display were MartinLogan‘s electrostatic Expression ESL 13A. All wiring was from Luna Cables, and power was filtered by a Saturn Audio 103C MK2 conditioner. Another of my best listening experiences at Audiofest 2024 in Montreal.
Other Reports will soon follow…
