There were lots new and tons of goodness in the Well Pleased AV room at Axpona 2026.
Let’s begin with the electronics from a company that’s new to me, Sweden’s Norse Audio and their X1 Mono Amplifiers/X2 Preamp that drove the new Gen 2 version of the QLN Prestige Five loudspeakers with help from the new Merason DAC2 and XACT S1 EVO Server that together created some of the finest-grained and fatigue-free sounds at the show.
When I arrived in room, Mark Sossa of Well Pleased AV was playing a fat Raggae track (I failed to note) and in what has become a custom Mark handed me the iPad remote. A test? I cued up Toots and the Maytals classic “54-46 (That’s My Number)” from their 1969 album Sweet And Dandy, a title that also described my mood once Toots Hibbert & Co hit that beautiful infectious groove hard making it very hard to sit still (but I know better).
I reviewed the original Qln Prestige Five way back in 2022 and these new and improved Gen 2 pair definitely captured my attention. The Norse X1 amp can be run in stereo or mono mode with the flip of a rear mounted switch offering 50 Watts into 8 Ohms in stereo mode in addition to a Bias Mode switch that offers Normal and Low options. From Norse:
Normal Bias: Increases Class A operation for a warmer, richer sound with exceptional linearity
Low Bias: Prioritizes efficiency while maintaining high-quality audio, ideal for extended use or less demanding applications.
Color me interested.
The System
QLN Prestige Five Gen 2 Loudspeakers: $20,000/pair
Norse X2 Preamplifier: $2500
Norse X1 Monobock Amplifiers: $5000/pair
Merason DAC2: $15,000
XACT Audio S1 EVO Music Server: $18,600
XACT Audio N1 Network Switch: $7400
AB-Tech STILL Ethernet Isolator: $3000
GigaWatt PowerMaster Conditioner: $30,000
Next Level Tech Ether Series Speaker and XLR Interconnects
SGR Audi Statement Rack: $5200/per level