Prices listed in CA$.

As soon as the Aidas Truestone Violet Gold cartridge ($11,200), mounted on the CSPort AFU 1-2 linear tracking tonearm ($13,850) atop the CSPort TAT1 Mk 2 turntable (from $42,950), began to play Billy Higgins’ Bridgework—a record so far unavailable in any digital format—a remarkable sense of musical cohesion filled the room. There were no left or right channels, just one immense, seamless plane of sound unfolding on either side of me.

The CSPort turntable fed a CSPort CMT 1 step-up transformer ($2,350) and C3EQM2 phono stage with its optional battery power supply ($18,250 for both). Electronics were handled by the Leonidas MY 25 integrated amplifier ($71,000), driving Audio Solutions Figaro M2 loudspeakers in a custom ART Martini Racing finish (from $20,570/pair). Cabling was a mix of Luna Cables Rouge and Hemmingway, while racks and platforms came from Graphite Audio and Ictra Design.

Also present in the room—but silent during my visit—were the Wadax Studio Player ($57,500), a Synergistic Research Network Switch UEF ($3,200), Audio Solutions Virtuoso S speakers ($58,560/pair), and a JSikora Aspire turntable (from $13,600) fitted with an Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux cartridge ($9,635).

Listening to both the Higgins LP and a recent release by Regina, Saskatchewan–based singer-songwriter Andy Shauf, I heard sound that was vividly colorful, with big, bold imaging, fleshy instruments, spectacular transparency, and vocals to die for.