Tier M · Reference (listening philosophy, open architecture)

Costs appear only as signed percentages against each tier’s (unpublished) baseline; absolute prices are not shown.

Forward (source-first)

SlotComponent
CartridgeEtsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue MC
Step-up transformerAudio Note AN-S3
TonearmAudio Origami PU7 GTS Titanium 9"
TurntableAVID Volvere SP (no arm)
Phono stageCambridge Alva Duo MM/MC
PreamplifierNVA P50 MKII
Power amplifierNVA S80 Stereo
LoudspeakersWharfedale Diamond 12.1
Chain cost vs tier baseline−0.2%
68.7
node quality
3.58
edge synergy (raw 3.58, 6 edges)
0.00
drive delta (sut-stepup)
power
architecture

Feasible; no blockers.

Architecture competition

ArchitectureQualitySynergyCost vs baselineFeasibleWon
integrated69.70.46+0.5%yes
power68.73.58−0.2%yes
mono68.32.67+0.6%yes

Costs appear only as signed percentages against each tier’s (unpublished) baseline; absolute prices are not shown.

Aft (speaker-first)

SlotComponent
LoudspeakersRogers LS3/5a Classic SE
Integrated amplifierRega Osiris
Phono stageRega Aura Reference MC
CartridgeLyra Delos MC
TonearmProJect Tonearm 8.6 Carbon (Debut PRO)
TurntablePro-Ject Debut Pro (with cart)
SubwooferBK Electronics XLS200-DF MK2
Chain cost vs tier baseline−0.4%
69.7
node quality
5.37
edge synergy (raw 5.37, 5 edges)
0.00
drive delta (n/a-integrated)
integrated
architecture

Feasible; no blockers.

Architecture competition

ArchitectureQualitySynergyCost vs baselineFeasibleWon
integrated69.75.37−0.4%yes
power68.43.20+0.8%yes
mono69.23.340.0%yes