Author Archives: Jim Lee

Focal Maestro Utopia speakers + Sort Kones = bliss

Yesterday Eli and I had the pleasure of helping one of our good clients install a beautiful pair of our Focal Maestro Utopia speakers along with his McIntosh Integrated amp.

The presentation of sound was beautiful.

We then decided to experiment with Nordost Sort Kones underneath his McIntosh. As usual the Sort Kones immediately transformed the music, rendering more details impossible to hear without them. So much fun.

Here, in a couple of weeks we are installing a beautiful home theater for this gentleman using all Focal Utopia speakers along with reference Marantz Components.

It is so good having customers with excellent taste.

The Importance of Vibration Control

Ever wonder why your high-end system doesn’t deliver the musical experience you know it’s capable of? The answer might be right under your nose– and vibrating under your components! Read “The Importance of Vibration Control” to discover.

Bringing the Symphony Home With the Focal Sopra NO. 3

Today I had the pleasure of finishing an upgrade for a long term friend and customer. We replaced a beautiful pair of Apogee on-wall speakers he purchased and had us install almost 20 years ago.

Paul has always been an aficionado of many forms of art which definitely includes music. He frequents the Seattle symphony and knows how it feels to enjoy the “live experience.”

Paul and I sat down two Saturdays ago at our showroom and listened to one of his favorite operas through one of my favorite speakers, the Focal Sopra NO. 3. He was immediately struck by the experience. Amazed by the believable presence of a full size orchestra seemingly in front of us, he decided he must have this experience at home and, as of about an hour ago, he does.

Thank you Paul for your support of our business, and your fine taste in true artistic excellence.

The Art of Sound: Crafting an Audiophile’s Dream in Bellevue

Yesterday, Eli and Michael installed this beautiful music system for one of our favorite clients in Bellevue. The system included the new Mola Mola Makua pre-amp DAC, Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse Stereo Amplifier, Focal Sopra 3 Speakers, Nordost Cabling, AC Distribution, AC Line Conditioning, QKore Grounding System along with Sort Kone Resonance Control Devices on every component.

We need to give these components a few days to break in and acclimate to the room as well as each other. Once this happens, I have the extremely difficult job of dialing the system in and listening to music. I know some of you are feeling sorry for me but please don’t start a go-fund-me account or anything. I’m sure I’ll get through this.

Welcome Eli & Michael

I would like to welcome two new exceptional members to our Nuts About Hi-Fi family.

Eli Marth, pictured left, recently joined our team and moved here along with his wife and baby daughter from the Bellingham area. Eli has several years of experience as a lead Audio Video Technician / Programmer and Installer.

Michael Beringer, pictured right, also has several years experience in the Audio Video installation and calibration world. Michael’s experience includes setting up large indoor and outdoor concert venues as well as professional recording and mastering studio work for dozens of recording artists.

Both of these guys love what we do here at Nuts About Hi Fi and already have exhibited excellence in both setting up our systems and most importantly , customer care and service. We could not be happier to have them.

Jim