RMAF 2019 Show Report Part 2: Balanced Audio Technology, Raidho, Moon by Simaudio, Prana Fidelity, ATC

Walking into the Raidho Acoustics and Moon by Simaudio room, we were met instantly by a big, impressive soundstage.

The Raidho TD2.2 speakers were dialed in well, and some minor sound treatment to the room surely helped, but the soundstage width conversation surely began with the glorious Simaudio equipment, including the Nordost cabling, and ending with the marvelous TD2.2s. 

Upon entering we were greeted with a trumpet track, which I thought was a bold move given Raidho's proclivity for large ribbon tweeters. 

It proved to be the perfect track, however, to show the sweetness in delivery that the new TD2.2 speakers are capable of.

Simaudio's gear list included the Moon Evolution 700i amp, the 780D II streamer DAC, and of course a 610LP phono stage.

Next up was Denver's own Prana Fidelity, showing off an upgraded pair of their flagship Vayu/fs floorstanding speakers, powered by their purna/ma amplifier and purna/ca preamplifier. Now, I wasn't actually told that the speakers were upgraded over the stock offering. But it was hard not to notice the Accuton midranges adorning the beautiful cabinets.

This room had a wonderfully spacious sound, with great clarity in the midrange. Strange, that - clarity in the midrange and a quad of Accutons facing the listener. I hadn't heard the Vayu/fs before, but I applaud the move.

Listening to ATC is always a must for me at audio shows, and their SCM50SE active 3-way speakers were worth the visit at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. The powered floorstanders were fed by ATC's own CD player / DAC / Preamplifier, the CDA2 Mk 2.

Typically transparent midrange met with real bass heft as the ATC folks bumped the gain a bit for our demo. As they say, ATCs like power, and the impression these left was that they are not wanting in that department.