Toronto Audiofest 2026 Show Report Part 2: Hi-Fi Highlights, Great New Gear, And Must-Hear High-End Audio Systems
From the newest turntables and DACs to reference-quality loudspeakers and remarkable tweaks, Part 2 explores exciting audiophile exhibits and presentations.
Toronto Audiofest 2026 Show Report By Rick Becker

Muskoka III

Wynn Audio
In the final room, Wynn Wong is seen here loading a CD into a gorgeous Kalista stack, including transport, streamer, and DAC that was the front end of one of the finest systems at the show. The preamp and new power amp, which uses 211 tubes from Psvane, were from Kondo Audio Note Japan. In a kiosk was a 300B amplifier that uses special tubes from Takasuki with pins from Kondo made with silver and palladium. Kondo also has a similar 2A3 tube with those special pins.

This was at least the second time I've heard an Alsyvox speaker, and all the good things that have been written about them are true. Notably, unlike the Aries Cerat speaker, which produced images of singers and instruments that were larger than life-size, the Alsyvox in this rig produced realistic personas, making the performances more believable.

Wynn introduced me to Masaki Ashizawa, President of Kondo Audio Note Japan, who visited the show and later went to visit Niagara Falls and Kondo dealers on the Canadian West Coast.

In perusing their website, I noticed the Audio Note Gakuoh II amps with parallel 300B tubes that put out 20 watts each, similar to my Eddie Wong monoblocks, except a lot more refined. Very interesting.

We were able to converse in English, and I expressed my admiration for Japan standing tall amid geopolitical conflicts, as well as major Japanese companies joining together to establish a new and unique computer chip industry in light of present-day uncertainty. Later, as we passed quickly in the hallway, we each flashed a smile to the other, acknowledging the pleasure of our previous meeting.

A second system in the room featured the Tidal Piano G3 speakers ($110k) driven by a Karan Acoustics stereo amp fed from a Vinnie Rossi preamp ($70k). An SOtM music server and streamer ($12,800) was the source. I listened to this rig on a second visit to the room, and it demonstrated Wynn's ability to put together a very fine system using multiple manufacturers.

A smaller Avalos speaker than I heard at the Montreal show was on silent display.

A power cord from Crystal Cable's Infinite Dream series was on static display. Enjoy the Music has reviewed some of their more affordable models in the past.

---> Next Page.