Axpona 2016 Official Pictures Thread

**Mike** · April 14, 2016, 10:29 AM

DAY ONE OFFICIAL SLIDE SHOW. ENJOY.

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/mb...0-%20Day%20One

Day Two Official Photo Link ...

http://imgur.com/a/1Hu4H

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**the professor** · April 14, 2016, 11:04 AM

Thanks in advance Mike!!!!!

**KeithR** · April 14, 2016, 11:25 AM

woot woot! enjoy the show guys - i'm bummed i couldn't make it happen this year. hope to see some of you in Newport in June as well.

**Mike** · April 14, 2016, 05:15 PM

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**tunes** · April 14, 2016, 09:46 PM

Let the photos begin

Hoping you earlybirds already at axpona will leave some of the vinyl in the marketplace for us arriving late to the party! I'll be there Sat.

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**Mike** · April 14, 2016, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

Let the photos begin

Hoping you earlybirds already at axpona will leave some of the vinyl in the marketplace for us arriving late to the party! I'll be there Sat.

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Sorry, it's all gone. I bought it all!

**tunes** · April 15, 2016, 07:08 AM

That's what we were afraid of!

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**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 09:42 AM

This is an Ampex ATR tape recorder. For many years recording studios used them to create master tapes. Now Chad at Acoustic Sounds is offering the serious audiophile that chance to own 30 ips tape transfers of outstanding fidelity. Combined with the Jeff Rowland electronics and Cardas Clear cables will show just how far sound reproduction can go. Not for the faint of heart! Room 532 at Axpona

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**Tom Z** · April 15, 2016, 10:24 AM

@Mike, that is seriously nice kit. I can't imagine it gets any better than this, except live music of course

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 11:11 AM

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**MDP** · April 15, 2016, 11:50 AM

Thanks Mike!

**bthomas9** · April 15, 2016, 01:00 PM

I should take a picture of all the full parking lots I've tried to park in...

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**Tom Z** · April 15, 2016, 01:35 PM

Magico LLC debuting the S5 Mk2's with the awesomse CAT mono blocks which rocked the S1 Mk2's at CES. This year they're using a mix of reel to reel tape, vinyl and digital for audiophiles to chew on

mauidan · April 15, 2016, 01:56 PM

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Z

Magico LLC debuting the S5 Mk2's with the awesomse CAT mono blocks which rocked the S1 Mk2's at CES. This year they're using a mix of reel to reel tape, vinyl and digital for audiophiles to chew on

Awesome sounding room. Everything was world class. Kronos Pro, Sony Pro R2R, Berkeley REF DAC, incredible CAT KT150 amps and of course the S5 mk2 which are sounding leaps and bounds better than their predecessor - which was no slouch. Quite an evolution. Wow.

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 04:54 PM

Chad giving his exciting news on R2R tapes coming to Acoustic Sounds.

What a labor intensive process - but Chad said, "we're going to do it, and we're going to do it well."

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**tunes** · April 15, 2016, 07:09 PM

This is gonna be great. Any info on titles and prices?

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**nc42acc** · April 15, 2016, 07:20 PM

Guys Mike wasn't at Axpona today, I looked for him everywhere.

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Guys Mike wasn't at Axpona today, I looked for him everywhere.

Oh man...I was flying around. We are in the D'ag room now for a private demo. Come on down to the D'ag room in the basement. Knock on the door.

**Ritmo** · April 15, 2016, 07:30 PM

Looking forward to joining you tomorrow. At the airport on my way to Chicago.

**bthomas9** · April 15, 2016, 07:44 PM

Dag demo for Sharks

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**ashandger** · April 15, 2016, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Awesome sounding room. Everything was world class. Kronos Pro, Sony Pro R2R, Berkeley REF DAC, incredible CAT KT150 amps and of course the S5 mk2 which are sounding leaps and bounds better than their predecessor - which was no slouch. Quite an evolution. Wow.

Hello Mike, are you planning to post videos like those from CES...they were great? Thanks for the updates.

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by ashandger

Hello Mike, are you planning to post videos like those from CES...they were great? Thanks for the updates.

Thank you. I can, but I wanted to get through the photos first. I'll try to find time tomorrow afternoon to take videos of the good stuff.

**tunes** · April 15, 2016, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

This is an Ampex ATR tape recorder. For many years recording studios used them to create master tapes. Now Chad at Acoustic Sounds is offering the serious audiophile that chance to own 30 ips tape transfers of outstanding fidelity. Combined with the Jeff Rowland electronics and Cardas Clear cables will show just how far sound reproduction can go. Not for the faint of heart! Room 532 at Axpona

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Did i catch this right, 30ips? Not 15ips like the majority of other tape suppliers?

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**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

Did i catch this right, 30ips? Not 15ips like the majority of other tape suppliers?

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No, it will be 15ips. 1/2 inch or 1/4.

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 08:40 PM

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**ashandger** · April 15, 2016, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thank you. I can, but I wanted to get through the photos first. I'll try to find time tomorrow afternoon to take videos of the good stuff.

Super, much appreciated. As a CAT amp owner I am particularly interested in the S5/CAT room and also the Wilson Alexx room. Really looking forward to your reports.

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by ashandger

Super, much appreciated. As a CAT amp owner I am particularly interested in the S5/CAT room and also the Wilson Alexx room. Really looking forward to your reports.

S5 mk2/CAT was awesome.

**joeinid** · April 15, 2016, 08:57 PM

Great group photo Mike!

**PureVinyl** · April 15, 2016, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by ashandger

Super, much appreciated. As a CAT amp owner I am particularly interested in the S5/CAT room and also the Wilson Alexx room. Really looking forward to your reports.

Magico/CAT sounded amazing.

CAT also has the "New" debut of the JL7 mono's (JL5 size) shown with Marten speakers in lower level. Great Sound!

very nice show indeed

**FlexibleAudio** · April 15, 2016, 10:14 PM

My feet are tired. Eww...they stink too. YG /MSB room was my fav so far. It made me cry.

**FlexibleAudio** · April 15, 2016, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Awesome sounding room. Everything was world class. Kronos Pro, Sony Pro R2R, Berkeley REF DAC, incredible CAT KT150 amps and of course the S5 mk2 which are sounding leaps and bounds better than their predecessor - which was no slouch. Quite an evolution. Wow.

I arrived at this room and was excited to see the sweet spot open so I grabbed it right away; however, I found things strikingly subdued (I got there and 6:10 pm and they were done for the day so refused to play any music).

They sure were purdy though. Gotta go back I guess.

**Odyssey** · April 15, 2016, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by FlexibleAudio

My feet are tired. Eww...they stink too. YG /MSB room was my fav so far. It made me cry.

The piano music I heard in this room was among the most realistic I have ever heard rendered in any system anywhere!

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 11:40 PM

Paul, are you going to track us down?

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 11:40 PM

DAY ONE OFFICIAL SLIDE SHOW. ENJOY.

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/mb...0-%20Day%20One

**FlexibleAudio** · April 15, 2016, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by Odyssey

The piano music I heard in this room was among the most realistic I have ever heard rendered in any system anywhere!

That's the track that brought my tears. Stunning. So was Three Blind Mice, if you caught it. OMG.

**audionirvana** · April 15, 2016, 11:43 PM

**FlexibleAudio** · April 15, 2016, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Paul, are you going to track us down?

I am home in bed now. You guys have fun.

**Mike** · April 15, 2016, 11:45 PM

DAY ONE OFFICIAL SLIDE SHOW. ENJOY.

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/mb...0-%20Day%20One

331 pictures. Enjoy.

**Paul** · April 16, 2016, 01:09 AM

Great. Thank you Mike. Enjoy the rest of the show !

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**Tom Z** · April 16, 2016, 02:17 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

DAY ONE OFFICIAL SLIDE SHOW. ENJOY.

http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/mb...0-%20Day%20One

331 pictures. Enjoy.

My favorite rooms from Day One are Rowland & Magico

.

**tunes** · April 16, 2016, 05:49 AM

Thanks for the pics Mike!

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**MDP** · April 16, 2016, 08:02 AM

Good stuff Mike!

But where's the Avenger porn?

**Ritmo** · April 16, 2016, 08:09 AM

Thx for the pictures Mike!

I arrived in Chicago last night. Will be at AXPONA this morning. Looking forward to catching up with the AS crew and listening to some great gear today and tomorrow.

**Mike** · April 16, 2016, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by MDP

Good stuff Mike!

But where's the Avenger porn?

It's on the slide show I posted. Did you watch it? New $40k Avenger Direct Drive was shown. Awesome stuff as you would expect.

**Mike** · April 16, 2016, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Thx for the pictures Mike!

I arrived in Chicago last night. Will be at AXPONA this morning. Looking forward to catching up with the AS crew and listening to some great gear today and tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing you.

**Mike** · April 16, 2016, 08:59 AM

We had a private demo of the Stromtank last night. It's clear that there was a difference and improvement going from grid/battery combo to pure battery (they couldn't do pure grid vs pure battery without unplugging everything).

But my question is, if you've spent the time and money and done the proper things in your home - like dedicated 20amp circuits, dedicated panel box, proper grounding, etc., would the improvement be as dramatic. Hotel power vs battery - hell yeah. But proper home power vs battery? How much improvement? I would be curious to try. It certainly was noticeable to all of us in the room last night.

$30k for the Stromtank. Runs for 6-8 hours. 8 plugs on the back. Batteries last 20 years.

Impressed.

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**CPP** · April 16, 2016, 09:33 AM

Thank you Mike for the pictures

**Mike** · April 16, 2016, 09:39 AM

Did the slideshow work ok for everyone?

**Tom Z** · April 16, 2016, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Did the slideshow work ok for everyone?

I had a slight issue on Firefox with the slideshow freezing part way through, but no issues with Explorer.

Thread: Axpona 2016 Official Pictures Thread