Associated Equipment

This list includes all the HFA Reference equipment, cables, and other accessories frequently used for reviews. It is continually updated to reflect the current state of affairs.

See Audio Setup Snapshots for an overview of the operational components over time.

See the HFA Awards page for a Ranking Order of the reviewed components and their appointed Awards.

Loudspeakers

Magico S1 MkII
Apogee Duetta Signature
Apogee Centaur
Driade Premium Model 9
Martin Logan Fresco
Piega ACE30

Active Loudspeakers

Genelec 8341A

Pre Amplifier

CH Precision L1
AudioGD Master 1
Denafrips Athena
Denafrips Hestia

Power Amplifier

CH Precision A1.5
NuPrime ST10

Integrated Amplifier

Accuphase E-270 with DAC-40

Phono Stage

M2Tech Nash
Manunta EVO Phono 3
Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 + Power Box RS2
Schiit Mani (v.1)

Network Switches and Treatment

Silent Angel Bonn NX + Genesis GX Clock
Network Acoustics MUON
Taiko Audio Extreme Switch
Taiko Audio Extreme Router
Taiko Audio Extreme Power Distributor

Ethernet Cables

Network Acoustics muon Pro Streaming Cable
ValueLine OEM CAT6 cables

Interlinks

CH Precision Balanced Link XLR
Driade Flow Link Reference 808 RCA and XLR
VLAD Epitome XLR and RCA

Loudspeaker Cables

Driade Flow Reference 808
VLAD Epitome

Digital Cables

Network Acoustics muon2 Balanced Digital Cable
Mogami 3080 Neglex
Silent Angel Bastei coax

USB Cables

KingRex Unanimous uArt
Mad Scientist Audio Prime USB
Vermouth Reference

Audio Group Power Installation

Siemens Sitor Cylindric Fuse Cartridge (standard silver-plated fuse and solid silver rod)
GigaWatt G-044 Schuko Wall Socket (three in use)
Standard unshielded 2,5mm solid core copper installation wire

Power Distributors

Pawalle TP-80 (very heavily modded, not recommended in standard form) (used only for Network Switch and Servers)

Power Conditioning

PS Audio PowerPlant P20

Power Cables

GigaWatt LC-2 EVO
GigaWatt PowerSync ULTRA
Vermouth Audio Reference
Belden 19364 with Bals schuko and Oyaide C004 connectors
Block CUL 500 Enamelled solid core copper in PTFE tubing w. OEM Rhodium schuko and Oyaide 004
OEM tinned litze in PTFE dielectric with OEM Rhodium-plated schuko and Oyaide 004
Neotech UP-OCC PTFE solid core copper wire
VLAD Epitome

Equipment Support

HRS EXR Audio Stand & Floor Platforms
Artesania Exoteryc Audiorack
Artesania Carbon Fiber Linear Arm Upgrade
Artesania Panzerholz Floor Interface Discs
Artesania Carbon Fiber Floor Interface Discs
Artesania Aire Floor Platform
Artesania Organic Line Modular Rack
Artesania Organic Line Modular Floor Platform
Artesania ISBAIEBW Standalone Isolation Bases
Artesania ISDIWB Beech Wood Isolation Discs
Artesania Digital Server Platform
Artesania KSH2 Krion shelves
Ansuz Darkz T2S
Ansuz Darkz T2
Ansuz Darkz S2T
Ansuz Darkz C2T
Finite Elemente Cerapuc and Ceraball Universal
Mad Scientist BlackPod Ceramic Mini
Stillpoints Ultra SS V2

Room Treatment

ArtNovion Douro W
R.T.F.S. SiRRAH
R.T.F.S. Big Block
R.T.F.S. Carreau
R.T.F.S. Stripe
R.T.F.S. Ceiling Vane
Acoustic Module Tube Basstrap Premium
SMT Diffuser
T.Akustik Spektrum D20 Diffusor
Vicoustic VicTotem
Hardwood stiffening Bars glued onto all windows

The story of my most recent room acoustics improvements is intended for a new installment in the HFA Setup History. Alas, I have yet to find the time to write it as I have to prioritize regular reviews. In short: each of the 8 ceiling-to-floor glass window sections has 4 horizontal hardwood bars glued on using Bison Polymax kit. These bars are then stabilized using thick wood bars that are screwed into the left and right frames. What this achieved is a strong reduction of the glass panels’ 40Hz resonance that killed much of the right speaker’s low output and also introduced very annoying phase effects at higher bass frequencies.