When I first sat down to write this bio I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to say but then I started to remember all great moments with audio I have had; all the steps taken to get there and subsequently I threw my original thoughts out the window. The truth is I have been a different kind of audiophile than most reviewers are. They talk about audio like it was a fine wine or the figure of a good looking woman. I come to audio from a technical side growing up with an RF Engineer as a father and watching him work on radio equipment in our basement. During high school I started working in an electronic contract manufacturing company where my interest in electronics only grew stronger. In 1999 I purchased my first set of speakers from Sony for around $500. For a kid in high school that was considered pretty crazy from most of my friends. After connecting my new Sony speakers to my Sony home theater receiver I instantly started to think of ways to improve the sound quality. Within days I had those speakers taken apart.
Shortly after that first pair of speakers I felt the addiction kick in and the craving for better components grab hold of my ears. I took out the phone book and found Quintessence Audio located in Morton Grove, Illinois. My dad and I visited Mick's shop and I saw such interesting and appealing designs that made my head spun with dreams. I knew I had to improve what I had at home so I worked the entire summer through to purchase a pair of BP-30 Definitive Technology floor standers for $1,400. The BP-30's where enormous for my small 12x12 bedroom. Having a full operating range of 18 Hz-30 kHz they easily over powered the space. Over the next few years I changed many components in this system but always held onto my beloved BP-30's.
When you first get married; at least in my case you don't have much money to go out all the time. My wife and I found ourselves relaxing listening to music in front of the fire place more than ever before. This time became very important to us and so was audio. I remember Ania and I sitting in front of our stereo listening away while reading our latest magazines that came in the mail and I saw an ad for Gemme Audio's original Vivace. After seeing that picture I told my wife we should open our own audio dealership. In December of 2007 Nawrocka Hi Fi Audio & Video was born providing audio products for the Chicago land area. This company was short lived and in 2008 it was renamed Nawrocka Distribution after my wife and I decided to start distributing the Gemme Audio speakers from Canada.
Over the next 2 years Ania and I worked very hard to market and brand many different products but running our business and working full time has taken its toll on us. Now in 2010 Nawrocka Distribution closed its doors with tears in our eyes and many thanks to all the great manufacturers and customers that we now call friends. During our companies operation I had the chance to experience many products and learn from so many great designers. One of the good friends I made along the way was Constantine Soo; editor of Dagogo online magazine. We have spent hours discussing audio and different opinions about products on the market, so when he invited me to share my knowledge in audio by reviewing products for him I could not wait to take him up on it. My passion for audio is always burning strong and now I have the opportunity with Dagogo to let the public know about new and exciting products on the market.
My Current System:
My current system consists of Aaron and Sovereign products. As much as I have enjoyed it I would like to continue to sample many more great products on the market and over the next few months review a new reference system in the making. It is hard for anyone to just go out and spend a chuck of money on high-end audio products to build a finished system. Instead I would like to show you the journey of progressively picking products and evaluating their synergy into one’s system. In terms of music, I listen to everything! I can find pleasure in all types of music and recordings. I listen to everything from Armin Van Buuren to B.B. King to Breaking Benjamin to Chris Botti ....
Favorite Audio Quote:
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~ Berthold Auerbach
