Bergmann Audio has finally realized the full potential of air-bearing turntables and tonearms. Founded in 2008 by Johnnie Bergmann, this company stands out for its unique approach – every single part is meticulously crafted by Bergmann himself in his atelier located in Hobro, Denmark. Trained as a mechanical engineer, his singular goal was to overcome the drawbacks that have plagued other air-bearing tables and arms. Bergmann offers three different models of tables and two arms. Both the construction and sonic qualities are top-notch, and while they might be expensive, they represent the pinnacle of analog design. The sleek Scandinavian design of his products is an additional plus.

Cinnamon Audio from Portugal manufactures premium digital products, phono-stages, and speakers. Their latest innovation, the Cinnamon Galle DAC, features a proprietary, state-of-the-art quasi non-oversampling scheme, utilizing advanced signal processing methods. At its core is a dual-mono, 27-bit differential resistor ladder with over 430 precision resistors, each boasting a remarkable 0.01% tolerance. The conversion engine functions as a self-sufficient voltage source, eliminating the need for a traditional analog output stage, resulting in an exceptionally short signal path.

Hailing from Poland, Ferrum introduces one of the most innovative DACs in recent times – the Wandla. While this stands as their inaugural standalone DAC, Ferrum has a track record of OEM work with some of the most respected names in audio. The Wandla is built around the widely used ESS chip, but its implementation sets it apart within the industry. Beyond the standard filters, Ferrum has developed its proprietary filters, one of which has become a personal favorite. Notably, you have the option to enhance its performance by adding the Hypsos dedicated power supply. Excitingly, the Wandla has recently secured the prestigious EISA award for the best DAC – a well-deserved recognition.

I am pleased to introduce Gold Note, another impressive Italian brand, to Hi Notes. Established in 2012 near Florence, Gold Note has rapidly expanded to the point where their components are exported to over fifty countries. What sets Gold Note apart is their comprehensive range of products – from turntables and DACs to speakers and amplifiers, they cover it all. Their phono stages are particularly remarkable, showcasing state-of-the-art technology across all price points, ranging from the new PH-5 to the highly sought-after PH-1000.

Goldring is proud to boast over 100 years of rich heritage and expertise. The Goldring is a name closely associated with quality, innovation, and reliability throughout the long history of the gramophone record. While one of the oldest audio companies in existence, Goldring continues to push boundaries at all levels by developing the E series, a set of high-quality entry-level MM cartridges which have received great acclaim. They also forged ahead with MC cartridge development, making use of emerging technologies to create in 2018, the Ethos, their highest performing moving coil cartridge.

From Finland comes Gradient, a speaker brand with a legacy of innovation. When I first operated Hi Notes, I was committed to representing Gradient and Audio Artistry (Linkwitz) speakers—designed to minimize room influence and offer a unique listening experience, far removed from traditional box speakers. Despite their exceptional sound, they faced challenges in acceptance due to their unconventional appearance. Years later, I’ve decided to revisit Gradient. Now led by Atte Salmi, son of the late founder Jorma Salmi, we feature the Gradient 1.4, Jorma’s final design. It represents a groundbreaking approach to speaker-room interaction.

I love great-sounding and reliable products that feature innovative designs. Grandinote certainly meets this criterion with a circuit they have named “Magnetosolid”.  The name of this technology comes from the combination of "ferromagnetic" with "solid-state". By using solid-state components typically used in tube amplifiers, Grandinote managed to combine the advantages of both types of amplifiers while overcoming their respective limitations. These zero feedback, transformer-coupled amps are biased in true class A. Grandinote has been called the “best amplifier in the world” by more than one magazine.

As a freshman at North Texas State in Denton back in 1971, some friends and I went to see Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking film, "A Clockwork Orange." In the movie, there was a mesmerizing turntable playing Beethoven. Little did I know that this turntable would evolve into one that I now own and cherish – the Michell Gyrodec. Referred to as "the most iconic turntable on Earth," the Gyrodec is a sonic tour de force, built robustly and delivering pleasure to countless fans worldwide. Michell offers three models: the Technodec, Gyrodec, and the Orbe. On display at Hi Notes are the Gyrodec SE with the Technoarm and Cusus E cartridge.

Moonriver is a relatively new company that has already made a name for itself with its 404 Reference Integrated Amplifier. Hi Fi+ dubbed it the "best amplifier no one has ever heard of" and crowned it their amplifier of the year. The 404 has garnered numerous other rave reviews from the global audio press. Moonriver products not only offer distinctive styling to match their sonic qualities but also feature innovative circuits. Their new 505 phono preamp is expected to be another substantial addition. All Moonriver products are meticulously handcrafted in Malmö, Sweden. Undoubtedly, this is a company to keep a close eye on.

This may be a new name to you but their roots come some of the oldest in audio.  The  Rekkord factory was once home to two of the most well-known brands in German audio. As these two companies moved their production to Asia, the workers at the factory decided to form Rekkord in 1993. Located in the Black Forest in Germany, over 99% of the parts used in Rekkord’s turntables come from within a few miles of the factory. Like so many German brands such as Leica optics and Blüthner pianos, these are true precision products. Rekkord offer both automatic and manual models and most come pre-mounted with an Ortofon cartridge.

We've desired to become a Thoress dealer ever since we reopened. However, a New York City-based dealer represented them in the US. When Thoress appointed a proper North American distributor, we eagerly seized the opportunity. Thoress is best known for its single-ended tubed amplifiers, but their latest products mark a shift in their approach, being hybrid. While there are other hybrid amps on the market, Thoress's designs are quite unique and impressive. We're demonstrating their new EHT Mark II single-ended integrated amp. As one reviewer recently observed, it comes remarkably close to being a straight wire with gain.

Titan Audio, based in Northern Ireland, has carved out a niche in the high-end audio world by creating some of the finest audio cables and power accessories available today. Founded by Geoff Merrigan, Titan Audio began with a simple but powerful mission: to provide high-performance audio cables and power accessories that would not only complement top-tier audio equipment but also take sound quality to the next level. The company's focus on research and development, meticulous craftsmanship, and continuous innovation has allowed it to become a respected name in the hi-fi industry. Their products are designed to improve the transmission of audio signals with minimal interference, distortion, or noise—crucial for delivering a better listening experience.

Unison Research was established in 1987 by a group of passionate audiophiles, with Giovanni Maria Sacchetti at the helm. Sacchetti, driven by a blend of electronics curiosity and his father's musical legacy (as a skilled pianist), committed himself to the study and creation of hi-fi systems from a young age. Following his electronics studies, he spent twenty-five years in the realm of education while simultaneously crafting and refining amplifiers for Unison Research. The company's expertise has grown significantly over the years, resulting in both significant milestones and remarkable value in product development. Notably, these accomplishments have been entirely achieved through an exclusively Italian operation – spanning from design to production.

We are very pleased to introduce Wattson Audio products to our growing customer base. Wattson may be a name unfamiliar to you but their parent company, Engineered S.A., has been producing OEM digital products for some of the biggest names in European audio for twenty years. Wattson digital products are 100% Swiss made with all the precision and quality you would expect. They presently have three products on offer: The Madison, an ultra-compact steaming DAC, and two varieties of their network bridge, the Emerson. On demo at Hi Notes is the Madison. Roon certified, the Madison also offers a headphone amp and lossless LEEDH processing volume control for direct connection to power amplifiers. Not surprisingly, rave reviews and coming in from around the world.

Wolf von Langa speakers are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and innovative audio technology. The Bavarian brand specializes in high-fidelity loudspeakers that blend traditional handcrafting techniques with cutting-edge engineering. While more and more companies are discovering the advantages of field coil drivers, von Langa still maintains a technological advantage in many significant ways. His speakers are easy to drive and pair nicely with many amplifiers we offer at Hi Notes, such as Grandinote, Thoress, English Acoustics, and Unison Research. As with many of the products we represent, you cannot hear these speakers everywhere, and we are the only dealer on the East Coast. On demo is their newest speaker, the Ultima.

These excellent products are also available through Hi Notes: Acoustic Energy, Audiolab, Cyrus, Diptyque, Morrison Speakers, Pangea (on display), Q Acoustics, and QED (on display). If you are interested in additional products or brands, just ask. We have accounts with several distributors that represent a wide selection of brands, including Fidelity Imports and American Audio Video.