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

Ambrosia IV

EQ Audio Video
EQ Audio Video is a powerhouse company serving most of southern Ontario. Edward O'Herlihy was on hand and was most appreciative of the Enjoy the Music coverage of their rooms in the past. Last year at Toronto Audiofest, they had a room large enough to support six vignettes. While their room here was also quite large, they timed their presentation to three well-appointed systems and rotated among them throughout the day.

You were greeted with a large rig featuring both passive focal speakers and the Focal Diva Alta Utopia with ivory felt, an all-in-one system ($260k) that represents an expansion of the Diva concept that wowed the industry just a few short years ago.

Hopefully, you can read the list and pricing of the fine equipment in this vignette.

The system in the middle of the room was a rare opportunity to hear a fine Borresen speaker (T5 Cryo Edition, $213k) driven by something other than Audio Group Denmark electronics. In this case, it was Musical Fidelity. Some Ansuz power conditioning from AGD was used, but cables were from Audience and Cardas. Full systems from Audio Group Denmark were seen elsewhere at the show, but the presentation here showed how successful the Borresen speakers can be when mixed with other brands. Bravo!

I encountered Jacques Rindeau at the show at some point, but came across his fine Oracle Delphi Mk VII Reference turntable by surprise in the EQ room. An Oracle CD player in silver, next to the turntable was also in evidence in the rack.

Talk about being at the right place at the right time, just as I was about to leave the EQ room, Anne Bisson arrived to sing along with one of her albums—always a treat to have a comparison of live vs. recorded.

The third system, at the far end of the room, was playing both times I visited this room and drew a crowd each time. It was a much more approachable system with more moderately priced gear. The ZZ Top LP caught my eye, as I had just heard them (well, Billy Gibbons) live at the New York State Fair, but the Avid Ingenium turntable ($3,599) was silent, as they were using the Naim 333 streamer ($14k). I noticed they were using Artysan cables in this rig, along with an Audience Forte V8 Power Bar ($1500).

Out in the hall, by the Ambrosia III room where the EARVANA FEST was located, I came across the Grado headphone table where there was a lot of happiness apparent.

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