Product and Tech Discussion

Focal Utopia Speaker Setup

Utopia in Woodinville

Yesterday I had the pleasure of helping a good client place a new pair of Focal’s Diablo Utopia speakers in his recently finished entertainment room. Over the last year or so, he and his wife remodeled a room in their beautiful home where they could relax and enjoy movies and music.

Brad is not at all new to high end audio. Actually as a young man he worked for a local high end audio dealer. I’ve always considered him as a very astute audiophile. For most of his adult life he has collected some of the best audio/video components available: Aesthetix, Focal, Nordost, Krell, just to name a few. His vinyl collection is also nothing short of impressive.

This entertainment room is on the smaller side and required a main speaker that could create the illusion of a large open sound stage without overloading or confusing the presentations of music concerts. In my experience, this is not an easy task and there are less than a handful of speakers in the audio world that can pull this off.

Focal Diablo Utopia to the rescue!

Brad and I spent over two hours meticulously adjusting and finally pin pointing the exact location within 1/32nd of an inch where they were to live. It was well worth the effort. Brad smiled and said. “It is like the speakers have totally disappeared.”

Thank you again Brad for choosing Nuts About Hi-Fi and thanks also to the incredible engineering team at Focal for making musical Utopia possible in any room.

Edit to Add: I just received a text this morning from Brad. He told me that when his wife came home last night, he was playing music for her to show her the changes we had made. The sound stage was so enveloping she thought he was using the surround system instead of just the Diablos in stereo.

Nordost Sort Kones (AC) – A Customer’s Review

I present to you, a brilliant blog post written by one of our customers. Big thanks to them for taking the time to write this, we couldn’t have said it better.

Customer Review – Nordost Sort Kones – AC

“I have always been a bit skeptical of system tweaks even though I’ve tried a few over the years. Some seemed to work, some not so much…

So, when I was introduced to a number of them at a recent Nordost presentation at Nuts About Hi-Fi, I was dubious.

In the end, in spite of my skepticism, I was impressed enough to buy into one of them – the Nordost Sort Kones (AC). Was it the wine? The presenter’s pretty smile and detailed explanations? Or my ears… As I waited for them to arrive from Nordost, I wondered, and worried, and wondered.

An explanation seems in order:
Sort Kones are cone shaped and made of various metals. System components: pre amp, amp, DAC, CD player are placed or balanced on several of them – three being the minimum I saw at Nuts. There is some logic in their placement under any
component, balance being one, of course. But they also need to be placed under the areas containing the majority of the unit’s circuitry.

When they finally arrived, I was more than ready to see how they performed…

In my system, I placed them under my Aesthetic Janus pre amp and my Wadia 301 CD player in places that seemed appropriate. Then, I put on a very familiar CD and waited expectantly…

I was amazed. They made a tremendous difference in my system. Notes had more clarity, separation, presence, pace. The soundstage seemed bigger, cleaner, deeper. Everything just seems more right. How was this possible???? I have no idea. I just know that with CD after CD, and LP after LP, I just heard more, and it was not subtle. Give em a listen, I think you will be impressed.”

A Night of Sonic Revelation: Nordost Takes Center Stage at Nuts About Hi-Fi

Last Friday, a dedicated group of audio enthusiasts gathered at Nuts-About-HiFi for an unforgettable evening exploring the world of Nordost performance cables and accessories. Led by the knowledgeable Amy Hansen from Nordost, the event offered a unique opportunity for participants to hear for themselves the difference that Nordost can make in an audio system.

Amy expertly guided a dedicated group of audio enthusiasts through a Smörgåsbord of comparisons, showcasing the power of Nordost cables and accessories to elevate your entire audio system. Participants experienced firsthand how Nordost conditioners, mechanical isolators, and cables improve clarity, detail, and dynamics. The comparisons were truly eye-opening (or should we say, ear-opening!), highlighting the significant role these components play in unlocking the true potential of your music.

Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or just starting your journey into the world of high-fidelity sound, Nuts About Hi-Fi’s Nordost event provided valuable insights and a truly immersive listening experience. Stay tuned for upcoming events where Nuts About Hi-Fi will continue to explore the cutting edge of audio technology!

Elevate Your Home Audio Experience with Naim Audio – MU-SO 2nd Generation

Hey there, fellow audiophiles! Jim Lee here, and I’m beyond excited to share with you the latest addition to our lineup: the Naim MU-SO 2nd Generation.

This remarkable piece of technology marks the first collaboration between Focal Speakers and Naim Audio since their merger, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer.

Picture this: I recently upgraded my small living room with a Samsung Frame TV, enchanted by its ability to seamlessly display artwork when not in use. But alas, the sound from the TV itself fell flat. That’s where the MU-SO 2nd Generation swooped in to save the day, delivering unparalleled sound quality to complement my video setup.

What sets the MU-SO 2 apart? Let’s start with its multicore Digital Signal Processor (DSP), boasting a whopping 2000 MIPS for exceptional performance. With a new limiter algorithm in place, even at high volume levels, the clarity of your music remains intact, ensuring both a pleasurable listening experience and long-term reliability. Plus, with six individual speaker components driven by six individual 75-watt amplifiers, every note and beat is rendered with precision.

And let’s not forget about its stunning design. The MU-SO 2 exudes elegance, with a choice of three finishes and optional replacement front speaker grills to seamlessly integrate into your decor.

Setting up the MU-SO 2 couldn’t be easier – it’s truly plug and play. Need proof? Check out this video link demonstrating the simple setup process: MU-SO 2 Setup Video

And with a handheld remote included, controlling your audio experience is a breeze. For even more versatility, utilize the free Focal Naim application to access radio stations or explore the world of hi-resolution music streaming providers – all wirelessly or via the built-in concealed Ethernet port.

In essence, Naim and Focal have hit a hole in one with the MU-SO 2nd Generation. But don’t just take my word for it – I invite you to visit our showroom and experience this remarkable accomplishment for yourself.

Elevate your home audio experience with the Naim MU-SO 2. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.