Sydney Audio Club Meeting - September 2025
Sunday 14th September 2025: The September meeting will feature the Australian SpectraFlora Aphelia 8 dynamic waveguide speakers. There will also be a Tech Talk prior, on "The sonic differences between Horns and Waveguides".
The doors will be open from 12:30pm to meet and chat with members, before the Tech Talk commences at 1pm, followed by the regular monthly meeting and music from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
The doors will be open from 12:30pm to meet and chat with members, before the Tech Talk commences at 1pm, followed by the regular monthly meeting and music from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
Dear members and friends of Sydney Audio Club Inc.
The next club meeting for 2025 will be held on Sunday 14th September where we will present another in a series of Australian designed and produced speakers. Steve van Sluyter from SpectraFlora Speakers, based in Melbourne, will be demonstrating their new Aphelia 8 standmount / bookshelf speakers. They will be powered by the new and highly acclaimed Marantz MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier, supplied by Len Wallis Audio.
Steve will also present a TechTalk on ‘The sonic differences between horns and waveguides’ starting at 1.00 pm. He will be bringing an assortment of horns and waveguides to listen to with active participation and discussion of the audience feedback on their perceived sonic differences.
Founded by Dr Steve Van Sluyter in 2020, SpectraFlora spent four years in uncompromising research and development, free from preconceptions about how a speaker should look or function. That journey led to the creation of the Celata 88, launched in 2024, and their patent pending Dynamic Waveguide and Celata designs—innovations that deliver impactful dynamics, pristine transients, and clean, natural bass without the distortion or bloat common in conventional designs.
Soon after, they introduced the Aphelia 8, a compact speaker that inherits the Celata 88’s technology and character. All SpectraFlora loudspeakers are designed and built entirely in Victoria, Australia, using responsibly sourced Australian native timbers. Each speaker is a handcrafted work of art—timeless in appearance, uncompromising in build quality, and custom-finished to suit the customer’s space.
We were delighted when Steve requested the new Marantz MODEL 10 as a synergistic power amplifier which Len Wallis Audio is able to supply for us to audition at the meeting. The Marantz MODEL 10 has received a prestigious 'EISA Best Product Award' for 2025-2026 in the High-End Integrated Amplifier category.
The doors will be open from around 12:30pm to meet and chat with members before the TechTalk starts at 1:00pm. As our club is based on mutual respect, especially in these open presentations, let us remain respectful towards one another’s views and opinions.
There will be one short break after the TechTalk before the meeting starts around 2:15pm. There will be an afternoon tea break mid-afternoon before the meeting finishes at 5:00pm.
Guests are welcome – we are a very friendly club so you don’t need to know anyone to join us for an afternoon of fine music and sound. If you happen to be late just quietly slide into a seat and join the meeting. To our guests, we respect the music being played so we request that you refrain from talking while music is being presented. There will be plenty of time for friendly banter between tracks and during the breaks.
Details of the system for 14th September:
Loudspeaker: SpectraFlora Speakers Aphelia 8
The Aphelia 8 is a 2-way, standmount or bookshelf passive speakers made from responsibly sourced Australian timber species grown and processed or reclaimed and recycled in Australia. The finishing options include a natural clear finish or finished according to designs by you or your interior designer in consultation with SpectraFlora.
The patent pending Dynamic Waveguide design combines a cutting-edge waveguide profile in the horizontal dimension with a traditional horn profile in the vertical dimension. The result is the dynamics and intimate sound of a horn, but without horn honk colouration, combined with transparency and even horizontal sound distribution. That means instrumental and vocal timbres stay true from wall reflections even in reverberant rooms.
The graphene coated magnesium 8-inch woofer remains pistonic across its range. It is critically damped in the wool-stuffed sealed cabinet so it doesn’t overshoot or ring. The result is detailed, time-accurate bass, and crystal clear, lifelike vocals and instruments.
The crossover is as simple as possible to get out of the way of the music. There are no capacitors in the signal path of the woofer. All inductors are aircore, the capacitors for the Dynamic Waveguide are copper and aluminium foil, all capacitors are bypassed with foil capacitors.
For more information please go to https://www.spectraflora.com/aphelia-8
Amplifier: Marantz MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier
The Award winning MODEL 10 is the new reference in amplifier design. It is the product of decades of expertise in audio engineering, setting a new benchmark with meticulous construction, state-of-the art technologies, and elegant design. Featuring a newly designed dual-mono symmetrical amplifier topology, it is the most powerful, highest performing Marantz amplifier ever. It features 2 Channels at 250 Watts per Channel with the all-new Marantz SMPS and a Phono MM/MC stage on a copper-plated chassis.
The photo of the rear panel gives an indication of its connectivity and versatility.
For more information please go to https://www.marantz.com/en-au/product/amplifiers/model-10/MODEL10.html?dwvar_MODEL10_color=Black
The next club meeting for 2025 will be held on Sunday 14th September where we will present another in a series of Australian designed and produced speakers. Steve van Sluyter from SpectraFlora Speakers, based in Melbourne, will be demonstrating their new Aphelia 8 standmount / bookshelf speakers. They will be powered by the new and highly acclaimed Marantz MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier, supplied by Len Wallis Audio.
Steve will also present a TechTalk on ‘The sonic differences between horns and waveguides’ starting at 1.00 pm. He will be bringing an assortment of horns and waveguides to listen to with active participation and discussion of the audience feedback on their perceived sonic differences.
Founded by Dr Steve Van Sluyter in 2020, SpectraFlora spent four years in uncompromising research and development, free from preconceptions about how a speaker should look or function. That journey led to the creation of the Celata 88, launched in 2024, and their patent pending Dynamic Waveguide and Celata designs—innovations that deliver impactful dynamics, pristine transients, and clean, natural bass without the distortion or bloat common in conventional designs.
Soon after, they introduced the Aphelia 8, a compact speaker that inherits the Celata 88’s technology and character. All SpectraFlora loudspeakers are designed and built entirely in Victoria, Australia, using responsibly sourced Australian native timbers. Each speaker is a handcrafted work of art—timeless in appearance, uncompromising in build quality, and custom-finished to suit the customer’s space.
We were delighted when Steve requested the new Marantz MODEL 10 as a synergistic power amplifier which Len Wallis Audio is able to supply for us to audition at the meeting. The Marantz MODEL 10 has received a prestigious 'EISA Best Product Award' for 2025-2026 in the High-End Integrated Amplifier category.
The doors will be open from around 12:30pm to meet and chat with members before the TechTalk starts at 1:00pm. As our club is based on mutual respect, especially in these open presentations, let us remain respectful towards one another’s views and opinions.
There will be one short break after the TechTalk before the meeting starts around 2:15pm. There will be an afternoon tea break mid-afternoon before the meeting finishes at 5:00pm.
Guests are welcome – we are a very friendly club so you don’t need to know anyone to join us for an afternoon of fine music and sound. If you happen to be late just quietly slide into a seat and join the meeting. To our guests, we respect the music being played so we request that you refrain from talking while music is being presented. There will be plenty of time for friendly banter between tracks and during the breaks.
Details of the system for 14th September:
Loudspeaker: SpectraFlora Speakers Aphelia 8
The Aphelia 8 is a 2-way, standmount or bookshelf passive speakers made from responsibly sourced Australian timber species grown and processed or reclaimed and recycled in Australia. The finishing options include a natural clear finish or finished according to designs by you or your interior designer in consultation with SpectraFlora.
The patent pending Dynamic Waveguide design combines a cutting-edge waveguide profile in the horizontal dimension with a traditional horn profile in the vertical dimension. The result is the dynamics and intimate sound of a horn, but without horn honk colouration, combined with transparency and even horizontal sound distribution. That means instrumental and vocal timbres stay true from wall reflections even in reverberant rooms.
The graphene coated magnesium 8-inch woofer remains pistonic across its range. It is critically damped in the wool-stuffed sealed cabinet so it doesn’t overshoot or ring. The result is detailed, time-accurate bass, and crystal clear, lifelike vocals and instruments.
The crossover is as simple as possible to get out of the way of the music. There are no capacitors in the signal path of the woofer. All inductors are aircore, the capacitors for the Dynamic Waveguide are copper and aluminium foil, all capacitors are bypassed with foil capacitors.
For more information please go to https://www.spectraflora.com/aphelia-8
Amplifier: Marantz MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier
The Award winning MODEL 10 is the new reference in amplifier design. It is the product of decades of expertise in audio engineering, setting a new benchmark with meticulous construction, state-of-the art technologies, and elegant design. Featuring a newly designed dual-mono symmetrical amplifier topology, it is the most powerful, highest performing Marantz amplifier ever. It features 2 Channels at 250 Watts per Channel with the all-new Marantz SMPS and a Phono MM/MC stage on a copper-plated chassis.
The photo of the rear panel gives an indication of its connectivity and versatility.
For more information please go to https://www.marantz.com/en-au/product/amplifiers/model-10/MODEL10.html?dwvar_MODEL10_color=Black
The second half of the music session is designed to help you evaluate the system with music that you are familiar with. All members and guests are welcome to offer music to share with us all. So bring along your favourite music to be played via streaming, CD and USB via the club’s Reavon player.
All we ask is that the music and recordings be interesting. We’ll ask you to tell us a little about the artist/recording before it is played. Tracks over 6 minutes will be faded out, to give everyone a fair go. We will also have a club member act as Disc Jockey for this session.
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran, you will have the opportunity to listen, learn and share your experiences with others. Feel free to come and hear the capabilities of the system, or to just share the experience with like-minded music lovers in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Guests are welcome – we are a very friendly club so you don’t need to know anyone to join us for an afternoon of fine music and sound.
Venue: Mathews Room, Epping Creative Centre, DencePark
Address: 26 Stanley Road, Epping
When: Sunday 14th September 2025
Doors open from 12.30pm to meet and chat with members before the TechTalk at 1.00pm. The Music Presentation starts at around 2:15pm. Tea break is scheduled for mid-afternoon and the meeting finishes at 5pm.
NOTE: It is a requirement of entry that everyone sign-in to the visitors’ book upon arrival.
Hope to see you there on Sunday 14th September 2025.
John McEvoy
Meeting Co-ordinator.
All we ask is that the music and recordings be interesting. We’ll ask you to tell us a little about the artist/recording before it is played. Tracks over 6 minutes will be faded out, to give everyone a fair go. We will also have a club member act as Disc Jockey for this session.
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran, you will have the opportunity to listen, learn and share your experiences with others. Feel free to come and hear the capabilities of the system, or to just share the experience with like-minded music lovers in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Guests are welcome – we are a very friendly club so you don’t need to know anyone to join us for an afternoon of fine music and sound.
Venue: Mathews Room, Epping Creative Centre, DencePark
Address: 26 Stanley Road, Epping
When: Sunday 14th September 2025
Doors open from 12.30pm to meet and chat with members before the TechTalk at 1.00pm. The Music Presentation starts at around 2:15pm. Tea break is scheduled for mid-afternoon and the meeting finishes at 5pm.
NOTE: It is a requirement of entry that everyone sign-in to the visitors’ book upon arrival.
Hope to see you there on Sunday 14th September 2025.
John McEvoy
Meeting Co-ordinator.