Halgorythme - visit of Feb 21, 2015

[bart]

This is a report about discovering a brand, made by a very driven and passionate music lover, technician and audiophile, in that order.
The last remark is important, because yesterday, I could clearly notice that this man understands what music is, how it has to sound, and how one can get as close as possible to reproduce the musical experience, to convey what is important in the music itself.

Until yesterday, not a single tube based system that I had heard, could convince me that it could come close to the best solid state systems that I have experienced. Let alone equal it.
I do have other insights now.



I have to thank a couple of persons first.

First of all: Cédric Halgrin, the producer, or as he calls himself: créateur. We were received in a very friendly way into his apartment. The session lasted 4 hours.

Second: my beloved wife Meta. The perfect companion. Not only in my musical and audiophile journey! Her photographs are even better now, with her new toy. (Thank you Stephen aka Puma Cat!).

Third: Georges, aka Antipop. This was a first meeting, and unlike the first part of his nickname could make you believe, he is not antipathetic at all.
On the contrary. We had a great time, also afterwards during a cosy dinner. To be repeated.

Fourth: Jérôme, for introducing Halgorythme on AA.


An impression of some gear.



We listened to LPs exclusively.
Cédric has more than 10,000 of them, and thousands of CDs too.

Stay tuned!

[bart]

Source:

Kuzma turntable.



Don't ask me for further details. I'm not a vinyl specialist.
All I can say: it looked good and... sounded good!

[bart]

Phono pre:

Halgorythme.



The metal things over the tubes are some kind of protection?
Georges will chime in I'm sure.

[bart]

The finish of these devices is impeccable and shows the care that has been given to the production.

The pre amp:

Halgorythme:



Look at the tubes.
Year of production: 1926!!

[bart]

Cédric is a collector of old tubes.
They were very cheap only a decade ago, but their price has gone up considerably in the recent years.





I have to admit... tubes are sexy!

[bart]

As I wrote: every detail is gorgeously worked out.
The source selector knob on the pre amp.

[bart]

Speakers:

Harbeth Super HL5.



These speakers are not the best audiophile transducers, but they are very honest to the music.

[bart]

We started our listening session with the 24 Watt monoblocks:

Blocs Monos SE 1605 EML 24W






Impressive tubes...

[Still-One]

Bart
Sounds like a great day.

I see from the photos that your wife is having no issues with her new camera. Nice shots.

[bart]

All kinds of music genres were put on the Kuzma.
Especially the classical and jazz pieces were of interest for me, as these form 90% of our listening time.
Impressions: a very holographic image, deep and quite wide. Instruments very well defined and beautifully rounded.

Cédric choosing records:



Live music from Eric Clapton was transduced equally well.



Georges enjoying the session.