Stereophile
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- Apr 19, 2013
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<p><img class="story_image" src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/081313-Sopranino1-600.jpg" /></p> I've <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/enigma-acoustics%E2%80%99-electrostatic-supertweeter">previously praised</a> EnigmAcoustics' Sopranino self-polarizing electrostatic supertweeter ($3690/pair), which I first encountered at T.H.E. Show Newport Beach. The Sopranino claims a flat response to beyond 40kHz and fully passive operation without the need of external bias.
<p>
Here I heard a pair of Sopraninos in two different configurations. The first was atop EnigmAcoustics M1 loudspeakers ($14,900/pair). Paired with Ayre's V5-XE amplifier and K5-XE preamp, a Mac Mini as source, and Cardas' Golden Cross speaker cables, Clear balanced interconnects, and USB cable, the system produced a very warm, smooth, and listenable presentation of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter playing the well-worn Carmen <i>Fantasie</i>, albeit one that lacked midrange heft and soundstage depth. Depth and air improved on Mahler's Symphony 3, conducted by Pierre Boulez, but the system's overarching sweetness and lack of midrange were not to my taste.
</p><p>
<img src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/081313-Sopranino2-600.jpg" width="600" border="0" /></p><p>
Across the hall, the second, far more successful demo perched the Sopranino atop Magico V3 loudspeakers. (The Sopranino's attenuation is adjustable to accommodate a range of loudspeakers). As much as the Magico has been praised, it sounded somewhat flat and uninvolving without the Sopranino. I was tempted to ask if this was solely because of the Sopranino's magic, or because there also a careful choice of cabling and electronics that emphasized the differences when the supertweeter was switched in and out. But then I looked at the equipment
[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/cas-day-two-high-and-mighty]
<p>
Here I heard a pair of Sopraninos in two different configurations. The first was atop EnigmAcoustics M1 loudspeakers ($14,900/pair). Paired with Ayre's V5-XE amplifier and K5-XE preamp, a Mac Mini as source, and Cardas' Golden Cross speaker cables, Clear balanced interconnects, and USB cable, the system produced a very warm, smooth, and listenable presentation of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter playing the well-worn Carmen <i>Fantasie</i>, albeit one that lacked midrange heft and soundstage depth. Depth and air improved on Mahler's Symphony 3, conducted by Pierre Boulez, but the system's overarching sweetness and lack of midrange were not to my taste.
</p><p>
<img src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/081313-Sopranino2-600.jpg" width="600" border="0" /></p><p>
Across the hall, the second, far more successful demo perched the Sopranino atop Magico V3 loudspeakers. (The Sopranino's attenuation is adjustable to accommodate a range of loudspeakers). As much as the Magico has been praised, it sounded somewhat flat and uninvolving without the Sopranino. I was tempted to ask if this was solely because of the Sopranino's magic, or because there also a careful choice of cabling and electronics that emphasized the differences when the supertweeter was switched in and out. But then I looked at the equipment
[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/cas-day-two-high-and-mighty]