Old Forge Audio

With restrictions loosened slightly in CT, Old Forge Audio is pleased to announce that it will re-open in its new location in Studio 4D, The Velvet Mill, 22 Bayview Ave, Stonington, CT.

HOURS will continue to be by appointment only. This allows me to rearrange equipment as needed, depending on what you wish to audition, and to warm things up in advance of your arrival. It also means you’ll never have to compete with other customers who happen to arrive at the same time.

NOW, of course, it serves the additional purpose of keeping us as safe as possible, minimizing our exposure to the novel corona virus. In that same vein, EVERYONE who comes in will be required to wear a face covering. (While we can discuss tubes vs solid state, analog vs digital, etc, this point is not open to discussion.) Hand sanitizer will be provided and door handles will be sanitized frequently.

There’s also a chair, so listening is now possible. Today I’ll get the first concrete idea of how this space sounds. An area rug, couch and wall unit will improve things, but at least I’ll have a base line established.

Soo much more to come, and just me and my CRV to get ‘er done. Fortunately AND unfortunately, there’s no rush.

Last October, Old Forge Audio added Jadis to its Electronics roster, starting with the Orchestra Black, a variant on the Orchestra Reference specifically fine-tuned for North America. The $3,995, 40w/ch, 6CA7 integrated amp did not disappoint, and Art Dudley’s review in Stereophile’s April issue confirms it.

“The Jadis acquitted itself with poise and control but also with color, texture, and extraordinary levels of involvement. The Jadis didn’t just reproduce this number – it played it. Very strongly recommended.”

Art Dudley, Stereophile Class B Recommended Product, April 2020

The end of my Mystic lease, the growth of Old Forge Marketing and a rethink of my approach to audio retail have combined to prompt a move to smaller quarters, starting April 1st, in the Velvet Mill in Stonington. The new address is 22 Bayview Ave, #4D, Stonington, CT 06???

There will be one listening area, (15’ x 18’ x ‘really tall!’), where many (but not all) old favorites and a couple new brands may be auditioned and purchased. The new retail emphasis will be on fairly simple systems and smaller loudspeakers. More details and pictures will follow once I’ve moved in.

One system and a number of the larger speakers will remain in Mystic as the leases overlap. Some splendid demo items will be available at significant savings. Stay tuned for details!

If you want to hear your CDs at their very best, schedule a listening session with this front end:

– Acoustic Plan DigiMaster transport

– Chord Electronics’ Hugo M-Scaler

– Chord Electronics’ DAVE DAC

– Luna Cables’ BNC-terminated RED digital cables: one from DigiMaster to M-Scaler, 2 from M-Scaler to DAVE (dual data feed), RED analog IC from DAVE to amplification.

Luna digital cables in Gray, Orange and Blue @ 0.5m, 1.0m and 1.5m with RCA, BNC or XLR are in stock.

Wouldn’t social distancing and self-isolation be more pleasant with better-sounding hi-fi?

The days would just fly by with a pair of DeVore Fidelity speakers in your system. Orangutan 93 and 96, Gibbon Super 9 await your ears.

Perhaps a Chord Electronics Qutest, Hugo TT2, DAVE OR M-Scaler. Have you seen John Atkinson’s review of the M-Scaler? Hear it for your self!

Is your amplifier holding you back? Vinnie Rossi, Pure Audio, Jadis, Leben, Qualiton, Sugden or Shindo can surely lift your system and your spirits! Have you read Art Dudley’s review of Jadis’ Orchestra Black? I’m happy to say Old Forge was the first on the Eastern seaboard to have it on demo last October!

Components all good? What about cables? An IC, AC, USB, Ethernet, speaker cable or phono cable from Luna Cables will take you higher! We have Gray, Orange, Blue and Red on demo.

Listening sessions are one on one by appointment, door handles sanitized between visitors. For the very cautious, phone consultation and ordering is welcome, (subject to location/brand limitations.)

Cheer up, this is an excuse to have some fun!