reviews

Anthony Gallo Acoustics has been developing and improving their spherical loudspeakers for more than 20 years. The new $1,998 per pair Reference Strada is the next generation, following the company’s very well received Reference 3.1 . The CDT3 tweeter is the exact same unit which is used in the new $5,995 Reference 3.5, and the dual 5” drivers with neodymium magnets are also found in the 3.5.

First, understand that these are two very good, but very different sounding cartridges. They are perhaps a peerless pair of the best performers in the crowded sub-$1,000 realm. Secondly, let me say that most people will not like both of these devices. In most ways that matter, the sound of the Grado Sonata and Benz-Micro Glider cartridges are so distinct that we're talking a tale of two cartridges here.

It is summer and Denver often sees temperatures in the high 90s. It is summer and gasoline is $4 a gallon, which hopefully is a situation that we will look back on in amazement that it ever cost so much, and not that it ever cost so little. Food costs are up, too. The house air conditioner is running almost 24/7 taking money out of my wallet in direct proportion to the cold air blowing into my house.

Point. Counterpoint. This was a difficult review to kick off, not because these interconnect cables are hard to describe, but because any component review needs to place the item in some sort of context.