High End 2019 • Best of Show

Sound systems in most rooms at audio shows generally feature loudspeakers of very generous proportions -- in other words, loudspeakers most audiophiles could never fit into their living spaces at home. When smaller models are encountered at shows, the resulting sound is often disappointing, matching budget electronics and streamed music with indifferent setup. Not so with the Gershman Acoustics Grande Avant Garde speakers paired with VTL electronics in a small room with paper-thin walls tucked away in a far corner of Hall 1 of the Munich MOC.

The Grande Avant Garde ($13,000 per pair), at 39.5 inches tall, is almost small enough to tuck under your arm. Powered by a VTL S-200 Signature stereo amplifier ($15,000), a TL-6.5 Series II Signature preamplifier ($18,000) and a TP-6.5 Signature Series II phono stage ($12,500), the system was perfectly engaging.

We listened to several LPs spun on a Wand turntable ($3800) fitted with a Lyra Etna cartridge ($8995). The sound was so dynamic and big that we forgot how small the speakers were.

As is often the case when landing in a room with VTL’s Bea Lam and her excellent choice of vinyl, we never felt the need to listen to CD, although a T&A MP 3100 HV Series deck ($21,000) was available for that purpose. Cabling throughout was Nordost Valhalla 2. This was not a budget system by any stretch, but it demonstrated as well as any in Munich that you don’t have to be big to be strong.