• About
    • About HFA
    • HFA Awards
    • Associated Equipment
    • Banners on HFA
    • HFA Analytics Data
    • HFA Audio Setup History
    • HFA Audio Setup Snapshots
    • Sitemap
    • Contact
  • HFA Awards
  • Reviews
    • All Reviews
    • Amplifier
      • All Amplifier Reviews
      • Integrated Amplifier
      • Preamplifier
      • Power Amplifier
      • Phono Preamp
    • Loudspeaker
      • All Loudspeaker Reviews
      • Passive Speaker
      • Active Analog Speaker
      • Active Digital Speaker
    • Digital
      • All Digital Reviews
      • CD Player
      • SPDIF DAC
      • USB DAC
      • Music Server
      • Network Player
      • Digital Recorder
      • Digital Interface
      • Audio Software
    • Turntable and Accessories
      • All Turntable and Accessories Reviews
      • Turntable
      • Tonearm
      • Phono Cartridge
      • Turntable Accessories
    • Cable
      • All Cable Reviews
      • Analog Interlink
      • Phono Interlink
      • Speaker Cable
      • Power Cable
      • Digital Cable
    • Accessories
      • All Accessories Reviews
      • Racks / Stands / Feet
      • Tuning / Tweaks
      • Power Connector
    • Industry Update
  • Insights
    • All Insights
    • Analog Insights
    • Cable Insights
    • Connector Insights
    • Digital Insights
    • Extensionblocks / Filters Insights
    • Generic Insights
    • System Synergy Q&A
  • Specials
  • Show Reports
    • All Show Reports
    • Alkmaar Audio Show
    • Chattelin Audio Systems
    • Dutch Audio Event
    • Enosound
    • HifiDeluxe
    • HifiLive
    • Munich High End
    • XFi
  • Classics
    • All Classics
    • Analog Classics
    • Digital Classics
  • Links
  • About
    • About HFA
    • HFA Awards
    • Associated Equipment
    • Banners on HFA
    • HFA Analytics Data
    • HFA Audio Setup History
    • HFA Audio Setup Snapshots
    • Sitemap
    • Contact
  • HFA Awards
  • Reviews
    • All Reviews
    • Amplifier
      • All Amplifier Reviews
      • Integrated Amplifier
      • Preamplifier
      • Power Amplifier
      • Phono Preamp
    • Loudspeaker
      • All Loudspeaker Reviews
      • Passive Speaker
      • Active Analog Speaker
      • Active Digital Speaker
    • Digital
      • All Digital Reviews
      • CD Player
      • SPDIF DAC
      • USB DAC
      • Music Server
      • Network Player
      • Digital Recorder
      • Digital Interface
      • Audio Software
    • Turntable and Accessories
      • All Turntable and Accessories Reviews
      • Turntable
      • Tonearm
      • Phono Cartridge
      • Turntable Accessories
    • Cable
      • All Cable Reviews
      • Analog Interlink
      • Phono Interlink
      • Speaker Cable
      • Power Cable
      • Digital Cable
    • Accessories
      • All Accessories Reviews
      • Racks / Stands / Feet
      • Tuning / Tweaks
      • Power Connector
    • Industry Update
  • Insights
    • All Insights
    • Analog Insights
    • Cable Insights
    • Connector Insights
    • Digital Insights
    • Extensionblocks / Filters Insights
    • Generic Insights
    • System Synergy Q&A
  • Specials
  • Show Reports
    • All Show Reports
    • Alkmaar Audio Show
    • Chattelin Audio Systems
    • Dutch Audio Event
    • Enosound
    • HifiDeluxe
    • HifiLive
    • Munich High End
    • XFi
  • Classics
    • All Classics
    • Analog Classics
    • Digital Classics
  • Links
scroll down for more
Show Reports, Enosound

Enosound audioshow by Audio Club Premier

Christiaan Punter 14 April 2017 No Comments
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Exclusive audio presented in a truly titillating environment

Cayetano Castellano, whom I know from his work for Artesania, called me up a while ago. Would I be interested in covering an audio show at a very exclusive show room he asked. The location would be at Bodega Sommos in Barbastro, near Barcelona in Spain. The futuristic building of this upmarket winemaker would be host to the demonstrations of various exclusive audio brands.

enosound2017_sommos-exterior-001_550pix

You bet I was interested! I am really glad that I went for not only did I hear some audio systems perform like I have not heard them before, the mesmerising environment and the beautiful food and wines also added immensely to the experience.

enosound2017_img_0353_550pix

enosound2017_img_0355_550pix

These SOMMOS letters move horizontally in a parallax-like manner when driving up to the building.

enosound2017_img_0357_550pix

Audio Club Premier is a venture brought into existence to help promote high end audio in Catalunya Spain as well as abroad. Selected products were demoed in an architecturally utterly captivating show room of the Sommos Winery. The location in Barbastro is two hours from Barcelona and four hours from Madrid.

enosound2017_arquitectura-diseno-y-funcion-500x550

The astonishing building that reminds of superlative buildings from Sci-Fi movies is designed by Spanish architect Jesús Marino Pascual and sits in the middle of the Sommos vineyards. It’s an almost magical experience driving on the main road and seeing this building rise from the vineyards, with the Sommos company names sliding left and right in 3D in front of the building.

enosound-2017_550pix

This is where superlative audio, food and wine are combined into a sensuous high end experience.

enosound2017_img_0361_550pix

The first room I visited also contained the most upscale system with the visually striking Elac Concentro speakers. The Concentro cabinet is made from a sandwich of machined MDF layers glued together. Each speaker features four side-firing 10″ woofers, a 7″ front-firing woofer, and an AMT tweeter mounted concentrically inside a 5″ midrange. It reminded me of a Kef Blade with a big appetite:-) Soundwise it was something else though. These speakers had very deep and very solid bass along with a very coherent, clean and upbeat sound with explosive dynamics. Apart from some colouration in the bass (which I attribute to the room and placement) the way that they prevented sounding like a box speaker made me think of big Apogee ribbon speakers, such as my own Divas, only more coherent and much more dynamically expressive.

enosound2017_img_0378_550pix

Left to right: mr Artesania José Luis Lafarga, Cayetano Castellano and SAT’s Marc Gomez.

enosound2017_img_0360_550pix

The electronics in this room were primarily Accuphase (DP-950 and DC-950 transport and DAC) with special mention for the CH Precision P1 and RMD PH-1 audio Phono preamps and the stunning TechDAS Airforce III turntable with a Graham arm as well as the very exclusive SAT arm. Cartridges were Kiseki Purple Heart NS and Ikeda Kai. Alternatively the Aurender W20 was also available as source but I only heard the Accuphase CD player and the TechDAS turntable and both sounded excellent. Especially noteworthy was the exceptional speed stability that I heard, or rather not heard with this turntable. The racks are of all Artesania Exoteryc.

enosound2017_img_0375_550pix

Miguel Carvalho of Ultimate Audio Elite, changing the CD.

enosound2017_img_0363_550pix

TechDAS Air Force III with Kuzma tonerarm (left) and SAT tonearm (right) with Kiseki Purple Heart NS cartridge on top of an Artesania Krion Turntable Platform

enosound2017_img_0364_550pix

Taking the Micro Seiki performance several notches further while operating like a dream and really looking the part, the Airforce III is THE turntable to have. Next to perhaps the Walker Audio Proscenium.

enosound2017_17634462_1362405117153530_6494178273363920692_n_550pix

SAT stands for Swedits Analog Technologies. As Marc Gomez, owner of SAT puts it, “The great majority of audiophiles believe the turntable plays a leading role on the sound reproduction compared to the arm. Consequently, they get as good a turntable as they can afford and do not put as much attention and budget into the arm. The arm however is potentially responsible for far more distortion than the turntable and an improvement in the performance of the arm has a bigger effect on the overall reproduction accuracy of the system”.

enosound2017_sat-arm-dsc_0154_550pix

As you would guess, the SAT arm’s price sticker is also amazing, but it is apparently something very special. Michael Fremer noted for Stereophile: “The SAT’s sound quality so far exceeded, in every parameter, that of any other arm I’ve heard…”

sat-arm-04a42f93e0-dsc_0112-a_550pix

sat-arm-dsc_0144_550pix

While this arm is placed in a price category that I can only dream of, one must admit that this is a very, very precisely made and beautiful looking arm.

enosound2017_img_0384_550pix

Miguel Carvalho of Ultimate Audio posing with the TechDAS turntable.

enosound2017_img_0398_550pix

Next to ongoing audio demos, there were also tours around the facility with explanations on how the wine is made. Knowing virtually no Spanish I could make out zero of what the kind lady said but luckily Cayetano and his friends were kind enough to slip me some info here and there. What I learned later was that the soil was not really very good but the company has made huge efforts into making it perfect. We would taste the results moments later.

enosound2017_img_0391_550pix

This is a very modern facility. For example this is the wine cellar where only fully automated robotised vehicles are allowed.

enosound2017_img_0392_550pix

Everywhere you look, there’s luscious luxurity.

enosound2017_img_0390_550pix

The tour lady also had lots to say about this area but what it was… beats me.

enosound2017_img_0400_550pix

Ah yes, this was also a very interesting part: the wine tasting. In this futuristic interior we were poured 3 glasses each accompanied by a very nice piece of haute cuisine.

enosound2017_img_0406_550pis

enosound2017_img_0403_550pix

In case you’re wondering: those lamps at the right hand sides of the tables are for judging wine colour and substance.

enosound2017_img_0405_550pix

Ferran Navarro of FN Acoustic Works and Salvador Dangla, audio journalist. Both these kind gentlemen helped me find my way and provided more than a few translations.

enosound2017_img_0409_550pix

It might as well have been a science lab, or a place where they test make up or something, right?

enosound2017_img_0415_550pix

This unassuming setup sounded superbly coherent and amazingly transparent. With the big Elacs it was almost as if the speakers had no enclosure but with the Gryphon Mojo S speakers, this feeling was further intensified. I was really stunned by their neutral yet excitingly dynamic and well-paced performance. Amplification was also by Gryphon, naturally placed on an Artesania rack.

enosound2017_img_0418_550pix

Jorge Gaspar of Ultimate Audio, operating the Gryphon setup.

enosound2017_img_0421_550pix

enosound2017_img_0444_550pix

The Mojos’ treble output can be adjusted in the purest of ways: using externally mounted high precision hot-swappable Duelund graphite resistors.

enosound2017_img_0419_550pis

Aurender A10 (server with integrated DAC), Gryphon Diablo 120 (integrated amplifier with DAC) and Isotek power isolation on an Artesania rack. Simple looking this setup may be, but the sound was simply superb. I will definitely try to get some components from this brand in for review.

enosound2017_img_0423_550pix

This was the third setup that I heard. Seemingly unassuming these Boenicke Audio speakers really surprised me with their super wide and deep soundstaging. They has a smooth and creamy presentation but were also agile and dynamically expressive and the amount of bass coming from these very narrow enclosures was incredible.

enosound2017_img_0424_550pix

Luxman D-08u SACD player, Luxman c-900u preamp and Luxman M-700u power the Kubala Sosna Elation. I’m still relatively unfamiliar with the Luxman brand but I really like what I’m seeing and judging from what I heard in this demoe these are super-smooth operators. BTW notice the special wood version of the Artesania rack? This version will go into production and will be introduced on the Munich audio show.

enosound2017_img_0435_550pix

Boenicke W5 left and W11 right.

enosound2017_img_0433_550pix

The secret to the amazing amount of deep bass that the W11 can produce is visible on its side panel where a massive woofer is placed.

boenicke-internal-1_550pix

The cabinet has a complex maze internally, which works to stiffen the cabinet as well as to provide a special kind transmission line loading for the woofer. The upper driver is a special coaxial design. The same construction is upheld for the tiny W5, so also a coaxial two-way driver, a woofer on its side and also a labyrith inside.

enosound2017_img_0426_550pix

The W11 is a very modestly sized speaker and the W5 is positively tiny.

enosound2017_img_2057_550pix

After listening to the W11’s the Ultimate Audio guys swap to the tiny W5’s and while I’m preparing for thin sound what I am presented with instead is full, sonorous, lifelike sound. Naturally they don’t go as loud or as deep as their large brothers, but what they achieve is truly surprising.

boenicke-w5-main_550pix

Look! They are not small, they’re super-tiny!

enosound2017_img_0438_550pix

Special plated versions of Artesania accessories

enosound2017_img_0439_550pix

enosound2017_img_2023_550pix

The wine shop. I swear: of I did not arrive by plane then I would have brought me more than a few bottles of wine.

enosound2017_img_2031_550pix

enosound2017_img_2029_550pix

In the middle of the wine tasting and audio demos we found time to walk to a restaurant for some nice tapas. Someone recommended a place where they served a special mushroom in rich cream sauce and he brought this story so vividly that I was immediately sold. He explained this mushroom’s name 5 times to me but alas I can’t recall…

enosound2017_img_2038_550pix

Barbastro has a very intimate, romantic feeling about it.

enosound2017_img_2043_550pix

enosound2017_mushroom_img_2045_550pix

I almost finished the dish when I remembered to take a photo of it. It may not look much but this dish had a rich taste like you would not believe.

Update 18 april

Ferran just mailed me to confirm the very rare and exclusive mushroom name: Morchella, or Colmenillas in Spanish and Múrgola in Catalan.

enosound_morchella-ejdzej-2006_550pix

Make sure to visit Victoria Gastrobar when you’re in Barbastro!

enosound2017_img_2047_550pix

And thus ends my Audio Club Premier adventure. I don’t know for sure, but it sure felt like the people of Ultimate Audio, Artesania, SAT and all the others worked extra hard at making their demos top notch. Never before have I attended an audio show where I walked away feeling scared to listen to my own system again.

Show Contributors:

Audio Club Premier
Artesania Audio
Ultimate Audio
SAT

And many others.

YouTube Video Report:

More Enosound

Enosound 2018 Bilbao at Hotel Convent San Roque

Related Posts
Munich High End 2024 Show Highlights
Dutch Audio Event 2023
Munich High End 2023 Show Highlights
Dutch Audio Event 2022
Munich High End 2022 Show Report – Highlights
Munich High End 2022 Show Report – Day 5
Munich High End 2022 Show Report – Day 4
Munich High End 2022 Show Report – Day 3
Accuphase Artesania Audio Club Premier Aurender Boenicke Audio CH Precision Elac Enosound Gryphon Luxman SAT TechDAS
  • Share This:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email
Christiaan Punter Owner of Hifi-Advice.com

Your comment Cancel reply

All feedback is welcome but I may not be able to respond to every comment. First-time comments need manual approval which may cause a slight delay. Avoid using links to prevent marking as spam.

 

Categories

  • Accessories Reviews
  • Active Analog Speakers Reviews
  • Active Digital Speakers Reviews
  • Alkmaar Audio Show
  • Amplifier Reviews
  • Analog Classics
  • Analog Insights
  • Analog Interlink Reviews
  • Analogy Records
  • Apogee Acoustics Company Special
  • Audio Software Reviews
  • Audiophile Insights
  • Cables Insights
  • CD Player Reviews
  • Chattelin Audio Systems
  • Connectors Insights
  • Digital Cable Reviews
  • Digital Classics
  • Digital Insights
  • Digital Interface Reviews
  • Digital Recorder Reviews
  • Digital Reviews
  • Dutch Audio Event
  • Enosound
  • Extensionblocks / Filters Insights
  • Generic Insights
  • HFA Audio Setup History
  • HFA Audio Setup Snapshots
  • HifiDeluxe
  • HifiLive
  • Industry Update
  • Integrated Amplifier Reviews
  • Marantz & Philips Classics
  • Munich High End
  • Music Server Reviews
  • Network Player Reviews
  • Passive Speakers Reviews
  • Phono Cartridge Reviews
  • Phono Interlink Reviews
  • Phono Preamp Reviews
  • Power Amplifier Reviews
  • Power Cable Reviews
  • Power Conditioning
  • Power Connector Reviews
  • Preamplifier Reviews
  • Racks / Stands / Feet Reviews
  • Rhapsody
  • Show Reports
  • SPDIF DAC Reviews
  • Speaker Cable Reviews
  • Specials
  • System Synergy Q&A
  • Tonearm Reviews
  • Tuning / Tweaks Reviews
  • Turntable Accessories Reviews
  • Turntable and Accessories Reviews
  • Turntable Reviews
  • Uncategorized
  • USB DAC Reviews
  • XFi

BRANDS

  • A&B Systems
  • A10 Audio
  • Aavik
  • Acapella
  • Accuphase
  • AcousticMatters
  • Acustica Applicata
  • Admire Audio
  • Aequo Audio
  • AG Lifter
  • Aidas
  • Akiko Audio
  • Analog Domain
  • Analogy Records
  • Analysis Audio
  • Analysis Plus
  • Ansuz
  • Anthem
  • Anti-Cables
  • Antipodes
  • APL
  • Apogee
  • Apogee Acoustics
  • Aqua
  • Arcam
  • Aries Cerat
  • Artesania
  • ASI
  • Astin Trew
  • atm audio
  • A Tube High Fidelity
  • Audeze
  • AudioAanZee
  • Audio Aero
  • Audio Club Premier
  • Audio GD
  • Audiolab
  • Audiolympic
  • Audiomeca
  • Audio Note
  • Audionote
  • Audio Origami
  • Audio Physic
  • AudioQuest
  • Audio Research
  • Audio Synthesis
  • Audio Technica
  • Auralic
  • Aurender
  • Aurum Cantus
  • Avalon
  • AvantGarde
  • AVID
  • AVIDHIFI
  • Ayon
  • Ayre Acoustics
  • B&W
  • Bals
  • Bang & Olufsen
  • Behringer
  • Belden
  • Benz
  • Bergmann
  • Black Rhodium
  • Boenicke Audio
  • Bowers & Wilkins
  • Bricasti
  • Bryston
  • Burmester
  • Børresen
  • CAD
  • Cardas
  • Care Orchestra
  • CAT
  • CEC
  • Chord Electronics
  • CH Precision
  • Clarisys Audio
  • Classé
  • Clearaudio
  • Concert Fidelity
  • Conrad Johnson
  • Consonance
  • COS
  • Curious Cables
  • D'Agostino
  • DAD
  • Dali
  • Daniël Hertz
  • Daudio
  • dCS
  • Degritter
  • Denafrips
  • Denon
  • Devialet
  • Devore
  • Diptyque
  • Doepke
  • Driade
  • DS Audio
  • Dynavector
  • Dynavox
  • E&T
  • EC-Designs
  • Echole
  • Elac
  • Electrocompaniet
  • Elijah Audio
  • EMAG
  • EMMLabs
  • Emotiva
  • EMU
  • Enosound
  • Ensemble
  • Esoteric
  • Estelon
  • Euphony
  • Exogal
  • Fadel Art
  • Fezz Audio
  • FIM Gold
  • Final
  • Final Touch Audio
  • Finite Elemente
  • FoilFlex
  • Franco Serblin
  • Furutech
  • Fusion Audio
  • Gauder Akustik
  • Genelec
  • Gigawatt
  • GiK
  • Goldmund
  • Graham Audio
  • Grandinote
  • Grimm Audio
  • Gryphon
  • Gustavson Audio
  • Halcro
  • Hanze Hifi
  • Harman/Kardon
  • Harmonic Resolution Systems
  • Harmonic Technology
  • Harmonix
  • Heaven's Gate
  • Hifi-Tuning
  • HiFi.nl
  • HifiMan
  • High Fidelity Cables
  • Hofa
  • Holo Audio
  • Home Audio Fidelity
  • HRS
  • IeGO
  • Ikigai
  • IMF
  • Isotek
  • Jadis
  • Jay's Audio
  • JCAT
  • Jeff Rowland
  • Jena Labs
  • JMF Audio
  • Jorma Audio
  • Jorma Design
  • Joseph Audio
  • JPLAY
  • JVC
  • Kemp
  • Kharma
  • Kimber
  • KingRex
  • Kinki Studio
  • KlinktBeter
  • Kora
  • Krell
  • Kroma Audio
  • Kupp
  • Laiv Audio
  • Lampizator
  • Lapp
  • LAST
  • Lector
  • Leema
  • Lejonklou
  • LessLoss
  • Line Magnetic
  • Linn
  • Logitech
  • LOK
  • Loudness War
  • Lumin
  • Luxman
  • M2Tech
  • Mad Scientist
  • Magico
  • Magnan
  • Magnepan
  • Mamba Audio
  • Manley Labs
  • Manunta
  • Marantz
  • Mark Levinson
  • Marten
  • Martin Logan
  • Master
  • Matrix
  • MBL
  • McIntosh
  • Melco
  • Melody
  • Meridian
  • Metrum Acoustics
  • Michell
  • MIT
  • MJ Acoustics
  • Modus Audio
  • Mogami
  • Mola-Mola
  • Monitor Audio
  • Monrio
  • Moon
  • Morel Hifi
  • Musical Fidelity
  • Mytek
  • Nagaoka
  • Naim
  • Naiu Laboratory
  • Nakamichi
  • NBS
  • Network Acoustics
  • Niels Setup
  • Nordost
  • NuPrime
  • Ohm Audio
  • Olive
  • Onkyo
  • Onzow
  • Origin Live
  • Ortofon
  • Oyaide
  • Panasonic
  • Paradigm
  • Parasound
  • Pass Labs
  • Philips
  • Pink Faun
  • Pioneer
  • Playback Designs
  • Precision Audio
  • PrimaLuna
  • Proceed
  • PS Audio
  • PUUR AVD
  • PUUR hifidelity
  • Pylon Audio
  • Qln
  • Qobuz
  • Quad
  • R.T.F.S.
  • RAAL Requisite
  • Raidho
  • Reference Sounds
  • Reference Tweaks
  • Rega
  • Rein Audio
  • REL
  • Resonator Stockholm
  • Revel
  • Ricable
  • Roon
  • RTFS
  • SAEQ
  • SAT
  • Schiit
  • Seawave Acoustic
  • Sennheiser
  • Shakti
  • Shuguang
  • Shunyata
  • Shure
  • Signal Projects
  • Silent Angel
  • Siltech
  • SME
  • SolidSteel
  • Solid Tech
  • Sonic Frontiers
  • Sonos
  • Sonus Faber
  • Sony
  • Sooloos
  • SOtM
  • Soulution
  • Sound Anchor
  • Sound Lab
  • Spectral
  • Spotify
  • Stack Audio
  • Stealth
  • Stillpoints
  • Straight Wire
  • SW1X Audio Design
  • Symo
  • Synergistic Research
  • Synology
  • Synthese
  • T+A
  • Taiko Audio
  • Tascam
  • Teac
  • TechDAS
  • Technics
  • The Chord Company
  • Thorens
  • Transparent Audio
  • Trends
  • Tung Sol
  • Unison Research
  • UpTone Audio
  • VAIC
  • van Damme
  • van den Hul
  • van Medevoort
  • Vermeer Audio
  • Vermouth Audio
  • Vibex
  • Vifa
  • Vincent
  • ViRa High End
  • Viva
  • Vivid Audio
  • VTL
  • Wadax
  • Wadia
  • Wattgate
  • Wattson
  • Way Cables
  • Weiss
  • Western Electric
  • WestminsterLab
  • Widealab
  • Wilson Audio
  • Wilson Benesch
  • Winyl
  • Wires 4 Music
  • Wireworld
  • Wolf von Langa
  • Wooden Bull
  • XACT
  • Xavian
  • xFyro
  • Xindak
  • XLO
  • Yamaha
  • Zanden
  • Zesto
  • ZYX

Visit HFA on Social Media

Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

LEGAL

Privacy Policy

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. All rights reserved © 2021 - hifi-advice.com.
  • Contact
  • Home