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Thread: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
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April 25, 2022, 01:25 AM #1
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My Axpona 2022 Impressions
I did make it, rode with a friend and a friend of his, I realize this morning I have been hanging out with Al Rainbow, who is acool guy but don't tell him I said that. I saw a lot of good rooms and heard some surprises, I'm sure I will forget something.
I just can't pick a single best of show but I will start wih the system I most wish I could bring home. It was Nagra with Stenheim speakers. I found it totally effortless, open and transparent, quick with nice frequency balance. My friends liked other stuff better, there were certainly larger mor expensive but I found I really enjoyed what that system was doing.
MBL, never disappoints.
VAC driving Acora knocked my socks off. Those Acora speakers ar incredible and by comparison a bargain at $37k. The JW Acoustics analog rig so impressive. The new Lampi DAC was in this room, it sounded great but I found myself preferring the JWA set up more than any other source in the room. Someone told me the VAC monoblocks were $150k, the Acora were right at home with that.
I love the ARC/Wilson combo, that was another high ranking room for me.
One of my surprises, Marten speakers had one of there small sets there, Parker, something. Driven by Ayre this was a very pleasing system. I had heard a large set of Marten before and came away with a not so good impression. Shows if hearing something once at a show and it doesn't sound right, don't just write them off.
As another example, a excellent room was YG driven by AudioNet, the Humboldt I believe. My first time hearing anything AudioNet and I thought it was very good and further boasted my opinion of YG, great synergy with this pairing. While talking YG their powered speaker called Live I liked a lot, excellent bass response with good detail and control.
I heard the new Confidence 60's which are now the Dyn Flagship at $50k according to the rep there. Driven by Octave Audio made a good sounding system.
I had an interesting encounter with Modwright who I have never heard before. A room had Modwright's hybrid integrated amp driving a set of Revel 328b. I have heard this speaker a few times with some good electronics but they have never sounded as impressive as driven by that Modwright. So then I wander into another room later and the same Modwright integrated is driving a set of the new KEFRef 3 Meta, that Meta version is certainly an improvement over the former version that already sounded good.
I also finally got to hear Luxman who was driving the Magico M6. You guys know I'm a Magico fan, this just didn't sound like a good combo to me, not bad just maybe not so good of a match.
Another Magico room was A5's driven by Constellation who I have been also really wanting to hear. Constellation was the Taurus power amp. The sound of this system was good but I found I didn't enjoy the sound as much as I was hoping.
Boulder was paired with Sonus Faber, I'm not a big SF fan but the Boulder had them sounding better than I've previously heard them sound.
Krell was showing a new amp, a KSA something but still using the XD technology, nothing like the Prior KSA amps although they are trying to remind people who the company was . One of those moments where you are listening to the sound wile someone describe's it and you ask yourself, is he talking about the same thing I'm hearing. Don't get me wrong, the amp is good, doubles down to 2 ohms and fully stable into 1 ohm is what we are told. The sound is Krell, just not like former KSA, which some may feel a good thing.
Most rooms were spinning vinyl, analog was out in force. Of course, most had some form of streaming as an alternative for anyone asking.
Bending Wave had the Wadax streaming system and Gobel speakers and I'm pretty sure CHP electronics. This is an incredible system, I did feel it suffered some gymnasium effects from the large room. Like being at a live concert.
Saturdayaround 6 an the show was closing, I began to hear Volbeat playing at a loud volume, so naturally I gravitate that way, listen to the rest of the song and most of a song by Ghost. This room was rocking out using Paradigm Founder128 speakers driven by Anthem separates. It did play loud, thunderous bass, I do think the amp may have been straining or it may have just been way to loud for that size room. I think the latter though as most of the higher end systemskept better composure at high volumes but I don't remember any others reaching quite that high of SPL.Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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April 25, 2022, 07:29 AM #2
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Great post...
Legacy Audio Valor+Wavelet v2, Esoteric S-02 Amps HDPlex 300W, RevAudio Labs DC Umbilical, Esoteric Grandioso P1, P1PSU & dual D1 DACs, Cybershaft Prem Ltd OP21A 10 MHz Clock, Esoteric C-02X, Shunyata Everest 8000 & Altaira SG-NR hubs, Sigma SGC/CGC ground cables, VTX-Ag ground tails, AfterBurner8 duplexes, CSP Inc Q4B, S2B IEC plates, Shunyata Omega CLOCK-50 cables, Tubulus Concentus HDMI, Elrod Master Series Diamond SE & Masters Series Gold Power cords and Statement Gold XLRs, Diamond XLRs & Master Series Diamond XLRs, Shunyata OMEGA QR-s power cable, Anaconda Z-tron XLR, Elrod Statement Gold speaker cables, Adona Zero GX3, GX2, GX racks, Composite Audio CF-2010, Townshend Audio Podiums, HRS DPX Damping Plates, Stillpoints Ultra SS w/Ultra Bases, pArtScience 64-well, 2D QRD 3-inch SpaceArray Diffusors
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April 25, 2022, 10:42 AM #3
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
I like that Axpona provides evening concerts. I wanted to see both but it wasn't in the cards for Friday. I did see Lori Leberman Saturday, hope I spelled her name correctly. I wasn't familiar with her but it was a nice show.
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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April 25, 2022, 12:10 PM #4
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Thanks for the write-up. Did you get a chance to listen to the Burmester system? Wondering how their speakers sound.
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Brian
Main System - Rotel RCD-1572 / Rega P3 > Luxman 505UX Mark II > Fyne Audio F502SPs > Synergistic Cables
Secondary - OPPO 93 > VAC CLA 1 MKII Pre > Odyssey Stratos > Dynaudio Audience 82s > Tara Labs Cables
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April 25, 2022, 04:57 PM #5
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Which Stenheim and Nagra components were playing together? Thanks for your post.
Speakers: Dutch & Dutch 8C, Franco Serblin Accordo
Integrated System: KLH Twenty Plus System
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April 25, 2022, 10:43 PM #6
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Brian, I heard the Burmister briefly, as a system it struck me as very neutral, along the lines of Krell and the like. Didn't get a feel of just the speakers.
RDS, the Stenheim were 3's and the Nagra power amp was the Classic, not sure what else. Not being able to see the system I rely on who I'm with or ask questions from the person running the rooms, some are helpful and some just give a short answer. That system was my taste in sound though.Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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April 26, 2022, 09:59 AM #7
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
An interesting observation. Here are excerpts from a couple of posts on another forum (the poster is also a member here)
"I did notice that the number of turntables decreased from 2019 by a good amount. Rooms are much more dependent on digital streaming than ever before."
"On the other hand, rooms which used even modest turntables had a much better chance of producing pleasing sound. Others may disagree but a $1000 turntable is likely going to sound better than a laptop-based digital music server with a $2000 DAC. That’s been my experience at shows and has also been my experience in my own personal journey."Rob
__________________________
Tascam BR-20; Technics 1506 with tape path upgrades, FM head, DeHavilland 222 tape head pre; Modwright Oppo 205 full tube mod w/LPS; Euphony Summus server, EtherRegen, HDPLEX LPS; MSB Discrete DAC (dual PS, ISLPro, balanced out); Pass Labs XP-12, XA60.8 (pair); Daedalus Audio Apollo 11’s, VMPS Larger Sub; Daedalus/Wywires, Acoustic Zen, Sablon Audio, Wireworld, Shunyata Research cables; Core Power Equi=Power;
Adona rack, Stillpoints, IsoPods, ASC, GIK Acoustics accessories
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April 26, 2022, 11:48 AM #8
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Maybe others who went can give their opinion but the majority of rooms I visited were playing vinyl. Most had the option of doing both but I got no impression analog was less prominent. Qobuz was around promoting their service. As I stated a couple rooms even played R2R while I was present, this has never happened for me before. Maybe that person is selling an agenda but I disagree, not my experience.
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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April 26, 2022, 01:10 PM #9
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
That was my quote on another board and I can assure you that I am not selling any agenda.
I have attended that the last 6 Axponas with the same person and we both commented to each other that the number of rooms playing LPs was way down. We didn’t do a tally but that was our impression. Most of the big rooms on 1 and 2 had turntables but they always do. The smaller rooms on floor 3 and above seemed to be much more dependent on streaming digital.
Regarding reel to reel, I have brought a mix tape for the past 4 Axponas and was able to play it (again) in 2 different rooms.
Not trying to argue here; just providing my experience.Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 XTRM, 4 M&K ST-150Ts, 1 VCC-5; Amplification: 2 Vandersteen M7-HPAs, CI Audio D200 MKII, Ayre V-6xe; Preamp: Doshi Audio Line Stage v3.0; Phono Pre: Doshi Audio Phono Pre; Analog: Wave Kinetics NVS with Durand Tosca arm; SME 3012R arm, Ortofon Diamond Anna; Reel to Reel: Technics RS-1500; Doshi Tape Pre-Amp; Studer A810, Studer A812, Tascam BR-20; Multi-channel: Bryston SP-3; Digital: Taiko Audio Extreme> Lampizator Horizon, Oppo UDP-203;
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April 26, 2022, 01:11 PM #10
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
I said out loud as I was wrapping up the show that my observation was that digital (mostly Qobuz I believe) totally dominated. The friend I was attending with agreed. We certainly did hear vinyl and tape during the course of our two days, but I would estimate that 80% of what we heard was digital.
Morgan
NEW SYSTEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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April 26, 2022, 02:59 PM #11
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
nice review / summation, thanks for the write up !
Cheers ! …. Dave
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April 26, 2022, 04:16 PM #12
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April 26, 2022, 06:19 PM #13
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
One of my favorite things about shows like AXPONA is the chance to meet the designers/owners/principals/dealers who are in the rooms with their products. Folks like Jeff Joseph of Joseph Audio, the Margules family, Bruce Jacobs, the designer of the Bayz speakers and many others. To me, the people behind the products influence my buying decisions as much as the products themselves, and its good to get to meet and know them.
The overall attitude in all of the rooms was positive and everyone was putting out a great effort.
Some of the rooms (not yet mentioned) that impressed me, and of course YEMV (Your Ears May Vary):
- Scaena speakers fed by DCS electronics and custom amps
- TAD Evolution 2 speakers fed by T+A HV amp and digital pre-amp with Wolf server
- Valorem speakers fed by Jadis electronics. A small standmount speaker handmade to order in Addison, Illinois. $8500. The owner/designer was great to talk with.
- Vimberg Mino speakers fed by Karan electronics, Taiko Extreme and Crystal Connect cables
- Muraudio speakers fed by a Hegel receiver
- The Borreson rooms (with the 02 floorstanders and the 01 standmounts)
- Cube Audio speakers driven by a custom, one-off Nelson Pass amp
- Bayz Courant speakers driven by Pilium and Esoteric
- Heretic speakers driven by Lab12 electronics. These unique speakers (they look like the monitors a band has at the front of the stage) had a sound that grew on you. Designer from Montreal was a nice guy.
- Atohm speakers driven by Atoll electronics
- From a budget perspective, a lot has been said about the Polk/Denon combo. From my standpoint, the orange-grilled JBL bookshelf speakers provided big sound for reasonable dollars
So, it's your final day, last couple hours. You've seen all the rooms. What to do? I revisited those rooms where I just wanted to sit back, relax and dig the music. I guess those are my Top 3:
- Marten Parker speakers powered by Ayre Electronics. I sat behind Ken Micallef, who writes for Absolute Sound, earlier in the day and listened to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and was transported (a word I don't use easily). He wrote about it in his online post of the room on their website. I had to go back and listen to more.
- Joseph Audio Pearl Graphene speakers powered by Doshi Electronics with J. Sikori turntable. Jeff Joseph was in the room to discuss his speakers. A record producer was in the room to discuss the music from his record label that he produced and which was playing. A great experience, and the sound was solid and engaging.
- Vivid Audio Giya speakers powered by JMF and Ideon electronics. I only left this room because I knew I wanted to see my other top 3 before the show ended. Probably my top pick.
All told, a fun show. A good crowd, but not too crowded. Looking forward to next year.Two Channel
YG Acoustics Carmel, REL S/3 (pair); Bricasti M25 / M20 / M1 Limited Gold, Laufer Teknik Memory Player 64 32 Core; Nordost QB8mkII / QX1 / QV2 / QKore3; Echole Obsession XLR, Liquid Cables by Laufer Teknik speaker/USB/power, Stealth Audio Sextet V15T AES/EBU cable; Stillpoints Apertures and various Artnovion; IsoAcoustic Gaia II speaker footers and Stillpoints Ultra SS; Shun Mook discs; Audiav Zirconia rack
Home Theater
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April 26, 2022, 09:00 PM #14
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Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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April 27, 2022, 11:25 AM #15
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
A couple of the brands that had rooms in prior shows. I always looked forward to their rooms:
- Tidal speakers and electronics
- Bricasti electronics (I saw one Bricasti DAC in the Stillpoints room)
- Absolare amplifiers
Would have also liked to have seen someone have the Graceline cables.Two Channel
YG Acoustics Carmel, REL S/3 (pair); Bricasti M25 / M20 / M1 Limited Gold, Laufer Teknik Memory Player 64 32 Core; Nordost QB8mkII / QX1 / QV2 / QKore3; Echole Obsession XLR, Liquid Cables by Laufer Teknik speaker/USB/power, Stealth Audio Sextet V15T AES/EBU cable; Stillpoints Apertures and various Artnovion; IsoAcoustic Gaia II speaker footers and Stillpoints Ultra SS; Shun Mook discs; Audiav Zirconia rack
Home Theater
Revel Performa I30, I20, C32, B15a; NAD Masters M17 pre/pro, Lexicon LX-7 amp, Cambridge Audio CXUHD, BluSound Vault II; PSAudio PowerDirector 3.5; Transparent power and interconnect cables, AudioQuest speaker cables
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April 27, 2022, 02:35 PM #16
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
Zellaton Plural Evo speakers, Doshi Audio EVO phonostage, VPI Avenger direct-drive turntable/VPI 12-inch gimbal Fatboy/vdH Colibri Master Signature/Triangle Art Apollo cartridges, SAT LM-12 tonearms/Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, VPI 12-inch gimballed Carbon Fiber arm/vdh Black Crimson and Sumiko Songbird, Mutech Hayabusa cartridges
Technics RS1506 reel-to-reel with low inductance Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi Audio EVO tapestage, AudioQuest Dragon Zero, Audience FrontRow, Ensemble PC, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna Realization speaker cable, Ikigai Kangai speaker cable, SRA Craz 3/OHIO 2.3 platforms and Symposium ISIS/Ultra rack/platforms, Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC.
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April 27, 2022, 03:27 PM #17
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Rob
__________________________
Tascam BR-20; Technics 1506 with tape path upgrades, FM head, DeHavilland 222 tape head pre; Modwright Oppo 205 full tube mod w/LPS; Euphony Summus server, EtherRegen, HDPLEX LPS; MSB Discrete DAC (dual PS, ISLPro, balanced out); Pass Labs XP-12, XA60.8 (pair); Daedalus Audio Apollo 11’s, VMPS Larger Sub; Daedalus/Wywires, Acoustic Zen, Sablon Audio, Wireworld, Shunyata Research cables; Core Power Equi=Power;
Adona rack, Stillpoints, IsoPods, ASC, GIK Acoustics accessories
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April 27, 2022, 03:28 PM #18
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Axpona 2022 Panel - The Future of High End Audio - YouTube
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProLast edited by joeinid; April 27, 2022 at 04:46 PM.
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
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April 27, 2022, 07:22 PM #19
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Jim
D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest
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April 27, 2022, 07:27 PM #20
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
My counter to that was that many of the rooms with only digital sources had poorer sound since the digital setups were rudimentary. One room had really nice speakers and electronics but had a laptop and a DAC as its only source. As a result, the sound suffered. Conversely, one room had a not-too-expensive speaker setup but was play LPs and the sound was much better.
I am generalizing but we did find that often not enough thought or expense was put into making the digital source sound good.Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 XTRM, 4 M&K ST-150Ts, 1 VCC-5; Amplification: 2 Vandersteen M7-HPAs, CI Audio D200 MKII, Ayre V-6xe; Preamp: Doshi Audio Line Stage v3.0; Phono Pre: Doshi Audio Phono Pre; Analog: Wave Kinetics NVS with Durand Tosca arm; SME 3012R arm, Ortofon Diamond Anna; Reel to Reel: Technics RS-1500; Doshi Tape Pre-Amp; Studer A810, Studer A812, Tascam BR-20; Multi-channel: Bryston SP-3; Digital: Taiko Audio Extreme> Lampizator Horizon, Oppo UDP-203;
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April 28, 2022, 06:40 AM #21
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Great read.
I have heard Stennheim only twice I think. But each time I was always very impressed. IMHO an underrated brand.
Last time I was at an audio the average age of the visitors was approaching 60. It would not surprise me if in a few years shows like this will be no more. If this is good or bad, I can't tell.Pre amp: Ocatve Phono Module Power amps: Octave MRE130 Turntable: SAC Girati Grande. Tonearm: Dynavector 507mkII Cartridge: Dynavector Ikeda 9TT Streamer: Aurender A10 Power Distributor: Anzus Mains D8 Speakers: Raidho X-3 Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 XLR Interlink: Ansuz A2, [B]XLR Interlink: [B]Phono interlink: Cammino Serie 1.0 - PH 1.0s Power cables: Anzus Mains Ceramic, two Pom, Aluminium, X series Audio Rack: Rack of Silence 4 and 2.
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April 28, 2022, 11:35 AM #22
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
My experience with several previous shows (not AXPONA) is that most rooms have not enough attention paid to optimal source set-up regardless of the source (except perhaps R2R, which has fewer variables). Even though I am not a fan of LP's in general it doesn't make sense when a (e.g.) $15k phono set-up sounds worse than a $5k CD player, and now many exhibitors aren't even bothering with a high-end CD (or SACD) player - which is obviously easier to set up well than laptop streaming.
Rob
__________________________
Tascam BR-20; Technics 1506 with tape path upgrades, FM head, DeHavilland 222 tape head pre; Modwright Oppo 205 full tube mod w/LPS; Euphony Summus server, EtherRegen, HDPLEX LPS; MSB Discrete DAC (dual PS, ISLPro, balanced out); Pass Labs XP-12, XA60.8 (pair); Daedalus Audio Apollo 11’s, VMPS Larger Sub; Daedalus/Wywires, Acoustic Zen, Sablon Audio, Wireworld, Shunyata Research cables; Core Power Equi=Power;
Adona rack, Stillpoints, IsoPods, ASC, GIK Acoustics accessories
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April 28, 2022, 02:16 PM #23
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
ptman said, "- Vivid Audio Giya speakers powered by JMF and Ideon electronics. I only left this room because I knew I wanted to see my other top 3 before the show ended. Probably my top pick."
I don't doubt this at all, as one of my best friends has Vivid Giya speakers and his system is one of the best I've ever heard. They are fantastic speakers.Regards,
Steve
https://www.audionirvana.org/forum/t...geezr-s-system
I only do what the voices in my wife's head tell her to tell me to do.
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April 28, 2022, 02:36 PM #24
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
In contrast to many rooms, the Vivid room was quite serene. Music was playing at lower volumes and the space itself was quiet and somewhat removed from the outside noise. Definitely a room to relax in. I thought the sound was among the best at the show, although I would have liked to hear the system pushed a bit.
Morgan
NEW SYSTEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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April 28, 2022, 11:12 PM #25
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
Zellaton Plural Evo speakers, Doshi Audio EVO phonostage, VPI Avenger direct-drive turntable/VPI 12-inch gimbal Fatboy/vdH Colibri Master Signature/Triangle Art Apollo cartridges, SAT LM-12 tonearms/Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, VPI 12-inch gimballed Carbon Fiber arm/vdh Black Crimson and Sumiko Songbird, Mutech Hayabusa cartridges
Technics RS1506 reel-to-reel with low inductance Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi Audio EVO tapestage, AudioQuest Dragon Zero, Audience FrontRow, Ensemble PC, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna Realization speaker cable, Ikigai Kangai speaker cable, SRA Craz 3/OHIO 2.3 platforms and Symposium ISIS/Ultra rack/platforms, Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC.
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April 29, 2022, 08:56 AM #26
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Of course I read your post!. I have never heard the term DCP's so I wasn't commenting on that term. I was stating a fact that no one wants to go to an audio show and wait around while some one plays an entire LP (especially if the genre isn't meaningful to them) or while they search for a requested LP track. It is just so much easier to demo gear with a digital set-up.
Jim
D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest
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April 29, 2022, 09:32 AM #27
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
The lady distributor from Canada (sitting on the right side of the panel table) is brave. Here she is telling Framer (and everybody) that young folks just want to stream their music despite all the noise about analog. She is right.
I recently helped a friend setting up his new audio system. He plays music with a band and enjoys the sound of analog, yet he is putting his money in digital and streaming. He invested $2k altogether. Just speakers and an integrated amp; no analog and no CD player. He streams music from his phone. Convenience wins.
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April 29, 2022, 09:36 AM #28
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Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
There-in lies the rub. If they just want to play disc jockey all day then what you are saying works. If they want to show off how well the equipment can sound then they need to really think about the quality of the source.
If you have an Aurender or Lumin, etc then it is fine. However, many of the rooms had laptops and DACs which really didn’t cut it. The rooms which had modest turntables sounded better than those.Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 XTRM, 4 M&K ST-150Ts, 1 VCC-5; Amplification: 2 Vandersteen M7-HPAs, CI Audio D200 MKII, Ayre V-6xe; Preamp: Doshi Audio Line Stage v3.0; Phono Pre: Doshi Audio Phono Pre; Analog: Wave Kinetics NVS with Durand Tosca arm; SME 3012R arm, Ortofon Diamond Anna; Reel to Reel: Technics RS-1500; Doshi Tape Pre-Amp; Studer A810, Studer A812, Tascam BR-20; Multi-channel: Bryston SP-3; Digital: Taiko Audio Extreme> Lampizator Horizon, Oppo UDP-203;
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April 29, 2022, 10:14 AM #29
My Axpona 2022 Impressions
I went into one room and there was a playlist on repeat and nobody in sight. I waited around and nobody came in. The room was empty, but gear was setup and playing. That was a new one.
The challenge comes when working the room. You always have the little old guy that walks up hiding his CD, and then sheepishly asks “can you play this?”, almost a druggie asking a new dealer “whatcha got?” It’s actually quite funny.
I play what I like in my room and don’t care if it’s not up to audiophile quality. If I feel like some Marshall Tucker Band, some Brothers Johnson, some Earth Wind and Fire, Marvin Gaye, Elton John or some AC/DC, it’s getting played. Requests are welcomed and encouraged, but if no one asks, I’m playing a mix of tape, vinyl and digital. I absolutely hate going into rooms and hearing audiophile crap. Play real music. People will forgive the less than stellar recordings if the songs are making their toes tap.
It’s a show, have fun!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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April 29, 2022, 02:30 PM #30
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Can anyone who attended the show give me their opinion on the Aroes Cerat room with the new Aurora speakers? please only the sound not the aesthetics of the speakers.
Francisco
Aries Cerat Kassandra Ref. MKII / Taiko Extreme Server / Gryphon Essence Preamplifier and Stereo Amplifier / Rockport Atria I / REL S-812 (2) / Göbel XLR (2), Göbel Ethernet and USB Cables / MIT Magnum MA Speakers Cables / Shunyata Everest 8000 / Shunyata Omega XC (1), Sigma NR V2 (4) and Alfa NR V1 (2) / Taiko Switch / Paul Hynes SR7T Double Rail / Farad Super3 / Doepke DFS-2 40A / GigaWatt G-C16A 2P / Fuse module AHP 4Gi / Center Stage2 0.8, 1.0 and 1.5
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April 29, 2022, 03:36 PM #31
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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April 29, 2022, 03:43 PM #32
- Join Date
- Aug 2014
- Location
- east of Seattle
- Posts
- 821
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
agree. visited that room three times. small room for such a large speaker but it worked at reasonable volumes. the sound in the room was very listenable and balanced sounding. not golden hued, but musical and nice textures and detail. good micro-dynamics as one would expect from a horn. it was the middle level Aries Cerat dac.
i'm still trying to decide if i like the square horn structure visually. i guess i do, but i could never live with it.my system on Audiogon; https://www.audiogon.com/systems/615
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April 29, 2022, 03:51 PM #33
- Join Date
- Aug 2014
- Location
- east of Seattle
- Posts
- 821
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
agree. went back 6-7 times to try and 'get' the measure of the Ideon digital. i was told the room overloaded in the bass at higher volumes which was why they did not let loose.
too bad because it's hard to judge the new-to-North America JMF electronics and the Ideon digital. both do show promise.my system on Audiogon; https://www.audiogon.com/systems/615
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April 29, 2022, 04:16 PM #34
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Thanks to both Mike's.
Francisco
Aries Cerat Kassandra Ref. MKII / Taiko Extreme Server / Gryphon Essence Preamplifier and Stereo Amplifier / Rockport Atria I / REL S-812 (2) / Göbel XLR (2), Göbel Ethernet and USB Cables / MIT Magnum MA Speakers Cables / Shunyata Everest 8000 / Shunyata Omega XC (1), Sigma NR V2 (4) and Alfa NR V1 (2) / Taiko Switch / Paul Hynes SR7T Double Rail / Farad Super3 / Doepke DFS-2 40A / GigaWatt G-C16A 2P / Fuse module AHP 4Gi / Center Stage2 0.8, 1.0 and 1.5
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April 29, 2022, 08:55 PM #35Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, PF, www.positive-feedback.com
Zellaton Plural Evo speakers, Doshi Audio EVO phonostage, VPI Avenger direct-drive turntable/VPI 12-inch gimbal Fatboy/vdH Colibri Master Signature/Triangle Art Apollo cartridges, SAT LM-12 tonearms/Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, VPI 12-inch gimballed Carbon Fiber arm/vdh Black Crimson and Sumiko Songbird, Mutech Hayabusa cartridges
Technics RS1506 reel-to-reel with low inductance Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi Audio EVO tapestage, AudioQuest Dragon Zero, Audience FrontRow, Ensemble PC, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna Realization speaker cable, Ikigai Kangai speaker cable, SRA Craz 3/OHIO 2.3 platforms and Symposium ISIS/Ultra rack/platforms, Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC.
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April 29, 2022, 10:32 PM #36
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Cause getting up to flip the LP is the audiophile version of crushing it....
Main System
Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B
Headphones
Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2
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April 29, 2022, 10:49 PM #37
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Bud
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD
Pass XP-22 pre, X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers, SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR for source, Denali 2000 (2) for amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson four shelf maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
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May 1, 2022, 10:16 AM #38
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Lars impressed again with the borrensen 01 speakers. I sat thru a song and knew I'd be doing something to upgrade my current system. While the six figure rooms are always good fun I really appreciate the rooms for working class folk and perlisten speakers were sounding exceptional as were the kef ref 5 meta, dali also did well in the small rooms and that RAZZ speaker with the 15" woofer and horn tweeter for I think $4k a pair agreed with the room. I very nearly bought the legacy Aeris(again) but decided to upgrade the amp for my blades instead. I also thought TT playback was down from previous shows unless i'm getting conditioned to it.
KEF Blade, Mc-611's, C49 rega jupiter, roon nucleus, revox tuner. Meridian dsp8000 se upgrade, meridian 218 zone controller VA Beethoven's, Hegel h360.
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May 4, 2022, 07:45 AM #39
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Axpona 2022 Wrap-Up - Part 1 - YouTube
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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May 5, 2022, 11:07 AM #40
- Join Date
- Feb 2014
- Location
- Houston, TX
- Posts
- 49
Re: My Axpona 2022 Impressions
Great video, Mike & Mike...thanks for sharing! Love the eye candy in the background. Great to hear you are now an Innuos dealer.
Amps: Devialet E440's
Sources: Innuos Zenith Mk III (Roon Core), Innuos PhoenixNET
Speakers: Magnepan 3.7i's
Power: Shunyata Triton V3
Cabling: Shunyata Power, Cardas Speaker, Sablon Audio USB, Nordost & Wireworld Enet, DH Labs HDMI's
Racks/Footers: Box Furniture Co Custom Rack, Symposium RollerBlocks, Voodoo Iso-Pods, Herbie's Audio Lab (many)
Replaced HT Gear with a Devialet Dione
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AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
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