AXPONA 2011 Coverage

April 18, 2011

Best Room of the Show: YG ACoustics, Veloce and dCS

Some of you may remember that when I heard the YG Acoustics Anat References for the first time at RMAF 2009, I was underwhelmed. I thought the setup and room (and perhaps speakers) were way off. In particular, I noted that the speakers didn’t create a center image no matter where I sat. At each successive show, the speakers have sounded better and better owing both to continuous improvements to the speakers themselves and careful attention to setup and room treatment. At CES 2011, YG Acoustics easily had the most room treatment of any of the manufacturers, including large bass traps in the corners, and it really paid off.

The speakers sounded even better this time around. Dick Diamond told me that the latest iteration - the Anat Reference Signatures ($119,000/pair) - has a new passive circuit in the MTM section, cleverly named the “Signature Circuit.” The speakers imaged beautifully, were detailed but not bright, and had prodigious but well-controlled bass. I would describe them as essentially neutral. If you like a warm sound, perhaps pairing them with tubes would be a good idea. I’ll take them just as they are. I guess marketing can now say that they are the “more perfect” loudspeaker.

The speakers were demoed with a Krell Evolution 402 stereo amplifier, a Veloce battery powered linestage, and a dCS Scarlatti stack. There was an Amazon turntable available, though not in use at any of the times I was in the room. Cables were furnished by Kubala-Sosna.