T.H.E. Show 2023 had a number of really interesting products and it was hard to leave the Gryphon Audio Designs room because there are few systems that could pull off Tool that authoritatively, but we would be remiss if we did not mention the extremely revealing PranaFidelity Dhyana Loudspeakers.
The Dhyana ($19,500) were presented driven by a rather lofty collection of products from E.A.R., PranaFidelity, Townshend and Audio-Technica; the EAR-modified Technics RS-1500 Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck and EAR 324 Phono Preamplifier ($6,095 USD) really stood out as the two components of the system that were having a huge impact on the overall sonic presentation.
PranaFidelity’s purna/ma Power Amplifier ($10,500 USD) can deliver 400 watts/channel (8 ohms) and it felt as if the Dhyana needed a lot of power to really open up in the larger hotel space.
PranaFidelity did not have a lot of information available yet on the loudspeakers; the Dhyana features four 6-inch drivers and a single 1.18-inch tweeter and has a sensitivity rating of 88.5 dB (the rep did not specify the impedance).
What really stood out was the low end control and definition, which was rather superb with bass heavy rock and metal tracks. The midrange and treble were reproduced with a very high level of resolution and detail; Eric Pye and I both felt that the presence and clarity of the system made it one of the top rigs we heard all weekend.
Vocals (via the R-2R deck) had so much presence and smoothness through the Dhyana and the Helius Designs Viridia Turntable ($7,195 USD) running an Audio-Technica AT-OC9XSH Phono Cartridge ($699) was not far behind in performance.
The AT-OC9XSH definitely benefitted from the EAR 324 that added some punch and midrange warmth to this otherwise slightly cool sounding cartridge.
System from T.H.E. Show 2023
- Analog-Vinyl
- Helius Designs Viridia turntable ($7,195)
- Helius Designs Omega tonearm ($3,695)
- Audio Technica AT-OC9XSH phono cartridge ($699)
- E.A.R. model 324 Phono Preamplifier ($6,095)
- Analog-Tape
- Technics model RS1500 –E.A.R. modified (Price N/A)
- Preamplifier
- Townshend model Allegri Reference Mk. II ($14,000)
- Loudspeakers
- PranaFidelity Dhyana ($19,500)
- Amplification
- PranaFidelity purna/ma Power Amplifier ($10,500 USD)
- Total system cost: $61,684 (except for Reel-to-reel player)
For more information: pranafidelity.com
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