May 19 - I think my colleagues would agree that, as audio enthusiasts, we’re living in an exceptionally exciting time—one offering an abundance of great-sounding gear at all price points.

Although I live with extremely expensive reference components such as the $45,000 Kharma Mini Exquisite loudspeakers, the $14,000 Nagra CD player, and Midas Gold Card-expensive Tara Labs cables, the past year has also seen me reviewing a seemingly never-ending series of notably fine “real-world� gear from the likes of Exposure, Vincent, NAD, NHT, Sota, Pro-Ject, Simaudio, Epos, and Rega.

Then there are perennial “best-buys� like the Magnepan MG 12 and MMG speakers reviewed by Jonathan Valin in Issue 177. If I mention so many products, it’s not to rack up some kind of “runners-up� list but to illustrate my opening point. Indeed, all one needs to do is peruse any issue’s Table of Contents to realize that these are very special days for our hobby.  

 

B&W 685 Loudspeaker

$600

bwspeakers.com

I’ll admit to having mixed responses in the past to the speakers made by England’s venerable Bowers & Wilkins. Some earned my admiration; some left me ho-hum. But the 685 knocked me flat. Made at B&W’s own specially built factory in China, the 685 is a model for what an affordable small speaker should be.

It has outstanding top-to-bottom tonal balance, fine bass response that is reasonably extended without resorting to the kind of pumped-up artificiality often used to fool the innocent, a large well-focused soundstage, and an easy extended top end. Savings in labor costs have allowed B&W to put money into performance oriented touches such as more rigid cabinetry, a woven Kevlar bass/midrange driver, and a freshly designed Nautilus tweeter assembly, as well as cosmetic niceties rarely seen at this price.

When it comes to playing music, the 685 is a winner. Whether you’re in the mood to crank up some rock, relax with classical guitar, or sit for an extended session with an opera or symphony, the 685 is both exciting and involving. A superb value that raises the bar for its type and price class. (Reviewed in Issue 176)  

Tri-Planar Ultimate VII Precision Tonearm

$4700

triplanar.com

I’ve awarded previous Golden Ears to this classic of pivoted tonearm design, which in one form or another has been a staple of my system longer than any other single component. The latest version benefits from improved materials, even tighter tolerances, a handy gauge for the VTA tower, plus a few other tweaks that result in audibly superior detail, greater openness, more explosive dynamic range, tighter focus, and greater low-end solidity, as well as improved fit and finish. (Review forthcoming)  

 

TW Acustic Raven One Turntable

$6000

highwatersound.com
Here’s a company to watch. Whether you’re looking at the fully tricked-out, three-motor, $18,000 Raven AC-3 (see JV’s review in Issue 180) or this entry-level model, TW Acustic turntables are exceptionally musical, detailed, beautifully made, and of high value.

Sharing much of the AC-3’s technology— from the high-torque microprocessor-controlled, quartzreferenced DC motor to the specially formulated composite plinth material to the bearing assembly, and beyond—the Raven One is the best high-end turntable value I know of. (Review forthcoming)