Toronto Audiofest 2019

Jean Nantais Turntable, Graham Tonearm, Miyajima Cartridge, Yamamoto Amplifier, Rethm Speakers, Ocelia Cables, Harmonix Accessories

Robert Schryer  |  Oct 19, 2019

The Hearken Audio room was showing the sort of gear that indulges my creative impulses. None of it looked boring, or robotically manufactured on an assembly line. Two of the displayed items in particular snagged my focus: the Jean Nantais Ultimate Lenco analog rig ($US17,500), outfitted with a Graham Audio 12" tonearm ($CAD10,335; only arms of 10.5" or more in length can be used) and a Tru-Lift automatic tonearm lifter ($USD275), a Miyajima Labs Saboten L low-output MC cartridge ($CAD6700), and a pair of 102dB-sensitive Rethm Saadhana speakers ($CAD24,000).

No less artisanal as the former but more subdued in appearance were Miyajima's ETR-KSW SVT step-up transformer ($USD2495), Miyajima's EC5 preamp ($USD4995), and a Yamamoto Sound Craft AO-14 300B amp ($CAD6000), all of it complemented with Ocelia cables and Harmonix turntable mat and footers. A system like this isn't designed to produce prodigious bass, but to communicate the emotional core of the music, which it succeeded in doing with a midrange that seemed to go on forever. On tracks by vocalists Dominique Fils-Aimé and Ane Brun, the sound was exceedingly tactile, and brimming with microdynamics and lingering decays.

COMMENTS
dial's picture
Submitted by dial on October 19, 2019 - 3:24pm

He build the more enormous turntable plynths of the universe. Some used 18" platters, so perhaps is it possible to build something bigger ?

Awsmone0's picture
Submitted by Awsmone0 on October 19, 2019 - 3:39pm

I see a lenco on the right of picture
But what’s the one on the left in the beautiful burl wood

Thx

Ps Nantais spelling wrong in heading though not body of article
PPS you forgot to mention the Thoress phonostage :)

rschryer's picture
Submitted by rschryer on October 19, 2019 - 5:13pm

It is an immaculately refurbished 1960s Lenco.

I saw no Thoress phono stage being used in the playback chain. The SUT was plugged into the Miyajima's EC5 preamp, which incorporates a phono stage.

Awsmone0's picture
Submitted by Awsmone0 on October 19, 2019 - 6:43pm

Interesting the top plate looks quite different from on the right which is the one I am used to seeing
Any more photos from the top? Of that one on the left

Ok so the thoress second shelf on right wasn’t used thx

Anton's picture
Submitted by Anton on October 19, 2019 - 5:35pm

https://www.stereophile.com/artdudleylistening/408listen/index.html

7800 bucks in 2008.

They are amazing at detail! But, the price seems to be more about chasing the market.

Of the few times I feel I’ve ever come close to live sound from a system, it was hearing Louis Armstrong’s head sticking out from one of those speakers. It was alarmingly vivid!

The price paradox continues to puzzle and perplex me.

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on October 19, 2019 - 7:19pm

kinda sounds like Old people living in Florida. hmm

Love this one too: "Lingering Decays" !

I'll be looking to find an appropriate use for this wonderful expression.

Look out HR, there 's Poetry in the frozen North.

Tony in Venice

butch.bond's picture
Submitted by butch.bond on October 20, 2019 - 10:37am

LOVE the idea of the Yamamoto A-014 integrated and wish there were somewhere in NYC where I could hear one.

X