Play it again, Sam.
I first met Tone Imports proprietor Jonathan Halpern in 2003 when I was out hifi shopping in NYC. I was looking for new speakers and within a few minutes of meeting Jonathan and sitting down to listen, the conversation quickly turned to music which has remained a popular topic between us ever since.
One of the tracks I was treated to in the Tone Imports room at Axpona 2026 was an oldie but a goodie and I’d forgotten just how goodie it still is—”The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” the original version from 1972. This relatively simple system featuring my integrated amplifier (not literally but you know what I mean) driving a pair of the overachieving Revival ATALANTE 3 speakers and overachieving Wattson Madison streaming DAC made Roberta Flack and her sadness feel like it was part of the air, more inhaled than listened to.
The System
Revival Audio ATALANTE 3 Bookshelf Speakers: $3125/pair
Leben CS600x Integrated Amplifier: $9995
Wattson Audio Madison Streaming DAC: $4995
Wattson Audio Madison Power S: $2495
Shindo Mr T Power Conditioner: $2995
Box Furniture 4-Shelf Modular Rack: