We have had the opportunity to experience a lot of unique high-end products over the years that pushed the envelope and raised some eyebrows from a design perspective, but when it comes to Metxas & Sins, the sonic performance marches in step with the outrageously unique designs.
I just spent time with Reel Sound’s Jeff Garshon in Columbus, Ohio, and we’ll be reporting on their range of reel-to-reel decks next week. Having only seen online images of the Metaxas and Sins lineup, there were very high expectations for both the wow factor, parts quality, and overall performance.
Both the integrated amplifier and reel-to-reel deck were used in a system that included a Basis Turntable, PrimaLuna Phono Stage, and MartinLogan Electrostatic Loudspeakers in a rather large home theater space.
Garshon has spent years collecting and trading reel-to-reel analog recordings and allowed us to learn the operation of the products and spend more than 2 days listening to more than 2 dozen rock, classical, jazz, and blues recordings.
Regardless of what you think of the industrial design, the sound quality was some of the finest we have heard; Jeff Garshon has been a professional musician for a significant portion of his life and has spent countless hours working in the studio, recording and mixing music.
One of the things that we noticed in his office, was that he has a rather extensive headphone collection and a preference for electrostatic loudspeakers and headphones.
On their way to the airport, Garshon let it slip that Kostas Metaxas had been working on a number of personal audio products that would be released starting this year and into 2024.
We can now pull back the curtains on the next addition to the Audio Sculpture Collection, the Ethereal Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier from Metaxas & Sins, which will be making its debut at the upcoming Dallas CanJam 2023, which will be held November 11-12 at the Marriott Quorum by the Galleria.
For those who need to know, the “knobs” are indeed functioning as volume controls for left and right channel. This is a true dual mono configuration.
Handcrafted by Metaxas & Sins Founder Kostas Metaxas, the Ethereal body case holds dual balanced mono ultra-low-noise, high voltage purely discrete amplifiers dedicated to electrostatic headphones running at over 1000V peak-peak.
The bias voltage of 580V, the standard for most popular high-performance electrostatic headphones, is ripple-free and operates at high frequencies to avoid interference with delicate audio signals.
In the standard configuration, the “head” is designed as a stand to support the headphones when not in use and can also house additional component options that further extend the system’s capabilities with a DAC or, in the near future, a full digital music streamer. There is no firm date yet for these two options but we will likely see them in 2024.
For the ultimate upgrade, Ethereal incorporates a Swiss Tourbillon [LePee] clock—offering it as a beautiful abstract moulage mannequin.
The casework also features one of Kostas’ patternations called “Geometrika” which creates a visual patina of squares and rectangles recessed into an organic shape—requiring the most advanced 5-axis CNC machine to produce it. Other patternations will be offered similar to those used in Kostas’ Haute Creation work for S.T. Dupont of Paris.
Metaxas is designing the perfect companion—matching X1 headphones, expected to launch in 2024.
Until then, Ethereal is available now to support the world’s leading brands to create an ultra-satisfying personal audio experience.
Ethereal is available for pre-order at Reel Sound Audio with a suggested retail price starting at $32,000.
About Reel Sound Distribution
Florida-based Reel Sound Distribution Inc., the exclusive North American distributor for Metaxas & Sins, is led by Jeff Garshon, a musician, producer, and lifelong music collector with over 20 years of experience in audio/video system design and sales. In Reel Sound Distribution, Garshon blends his passion for music with his entrepreneurial expertise to bring to North America the world’s finest music-reproduction equipment. Reel Sound Distribution is actively building its retail network of select Gallery Partners.
ORT
October 26, 2023 at 4:18 pm
Homage should have been paid to Fritz Lang’s “Maria”. Barring that, Lester’s loverly “Helen O’Loy (they probably would’ve ruined “Helen”.
Given that today we have only “Rennovation” rather than “Renaissance” men perhaps ’tis better they just made the thing they made. What’s next, a “reality show” called “This Old Spouse”?
I would say more but I think this is one of those times when less is best.
ORT
Ian White
October 26, 2023 at 11:12 pm
ORT,
Possibly but I will tell you that the far more conventional looking reel-to-reel deck offers unbelievable performance. I spent two days in Ohio listening to it and it made me want to invest in tape again.
Best,
Ian White
ORT
October 27, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Ian –
I have wanted a reel to reel for decades now but I cannot justify the expense. They are so cool looking but it is too late in life for me to give them much thought let alone money.
ORT
Ian White
October 28, 2023 at 3:49 pm
ORT,
The bigger issue for me is the cost of the recorded tapes. Jeff (Reel Sound) has a few hundred in his collection and the $$$ investment was enormous. I have photos for the article and he does belong to an online group that shares tapes and makes copies for members.
The Metaxas R2R deck is clearly an outlier in terms of price but you can find used Teac, Sony, Revox, and other models for 1/10th the price of this one. I see them for sale online. You do have to spend some money to have them cleaned up or refurbished, but I have to say that the sound quality of his system with tape was unbelievable.
Ian “too much tape on his stick” White