Axpona 2018 - Memorable Rooms and Exciting New Products

That's awesome! I do have my eye on them but would only consider since they have auto bias and tube/amp protection built in. I have no doubt that they are spectacular and I bet a glorious match with my Ref 10.

:)

Mr Peabody said:
I shouldn't post this as Joe is subscribed. LOL

Also, I am eating a bit of crow as I have been on record as not being a fan of either ARC or Wilson. However, I have no problem with giving an honest opinion which often gets me into trouble.

With all that being said, and I rarely, if ever, can pick a best of show, it's just too hard with so much good stuff. This year is an exception. Mike is being modest about the 106M's Them driving the Alexa 2's were outstanding. Peter was there showing the difference between MQA and non-MQA on the same tracks. On a full orchestral piece that system hit so hard I was in disbelieve, what hit me :) The system also allowed the emotion to come through on prior Classical tracks played.

The first time I heard MQA. On one hand with MQA it seemed the tracks were smoother with better resolution. However, on the track I mentioned with the drum percussion I thought it hit harder without MQA. Maybe at that point I knew it was coming.

Back to my point, those 106M's are some bad ass amps, they can be sweet and gentle when called for and hit like Mike Tyson if needed. Though different times, different music, I'd still put the 106M's against most any amp I've heard in solid state or tube. I was absolutely impressed. Some bulk at the price of audio gear these days but in comparison, in my opinion the 106M's are a deal at $30k a set.

I wonder if anyone else heard that demo? That was a big room, that percussion from the drum hit me right in the chest. A hit like that from a tube amp......
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Anyone wonder into the Carver room? I liked what I heard. I need to read up on the 350 amp, the guy reached over and grabbed the tube to show how cool they run and they offer like a 4 year warranty on tubes. Their Line Source speaker seemed to do it's job as well.

I liked the Gobel speakers but just a note as they cost $140k.

The AQ and Kronzilla room was stellar sound.

Synergistic was using the S3 with a Constellation amp, I enjoyed that system. Along that thought, the A3 showed it is worthy of it's name tag and a top contender at it's price.

I did get to hear Vitus. Struck me as extremely transparent and detailed. No Ayre. Someone told me they held an off site event at a dealer.

I heard the Diablo. My friends heard it before me and thought it to be one of best at the show. My impression is more reserved, I'm not sure what the difference was. There was mention of some adjustment on the Gryphon speaker for tone. Perhaps it was changed, and, often times depending on music etc. impressions are different on visits to the same system. Speaking of that, I am a big fan of Thrax, and, have heard it impress. The guy showing their system this year brought terrible demo music.

I heard Constellation again with a set of Martin Logan, the sound was good. The Constellation sound I like.

I heard Einstein for the first time. The bass was very visceral, the highs and mids though were not as prominent. Is that a typical sound for them? We didn't investigate the system enough to speculate.
 
And on top of that, there were many many rooms playing CDs and not a streamer or hi res.

Mike said:
Another observation at Axpona this year: digital ruled the roost.

Most of the rooms (90%??) were playing digital.

But ironically, the only room that gave me goosebumps was when the Zesto guys were playing Nat King Cole on vinyl. Ha!

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I know this is Avant Garde central here and for good reason, they are outstanding speakers. But I actually heard some other horn speakers at Axpona that I also liked a lot, Sadurni Acoustics Stacatto. Listened to some Eva Cassidy on them and they really drew me in, extremely natural sounding on female vocals. A definite thumbs up, in my opinion.

Ken
 
the professor said:
And on top of that, there were many many rooms playing CDs and not a streamer or hi res.
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Hear, hear.

I always hear from file proponents that CD is dead, as also evidenced by the almost exclusive use of file players at shows. Can throw that one into the dustbin of nonsense.
 
Al M. said:
Hear, hear.

I always hear from file proponents that CD is dead, as also evidenced by the almost exclusive use of file players at shows. Can throw that one into the dustbin of nonsense.
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Just because you see people playing CD's at a Hi-Fi Show doesn't mean CD's are relevant to the listening masses. That is like going to a bowling convention and coming to the conclusion that bowling is relevant to everyone.
 
still-one said:
Just because you see people playing CD's at a Hi-Fi Show doesn't mean CD's are relevant to the listening masses. That is like going to a bowling convention and coming to the conclusion that bowling is relevant to everyone.
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Obviously this is not about the listening masses, but the high end. Vinyl is also still not exactly for the 'listening masses' despite the recent vast uptick in its popularity.
 
Al M. said:
Obviously this is not about the listening masses, but the high end. Vinyl is also still not exactly for the 'listening masses' despite the recent vast uptick in its popularity.
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I guess I don't understand your post #25. First you say you hear from file proponents that CD is dead, then you confirm that by indicating that file players are almost used exclusivly at audio shows. Aren't your friends audiophiles and are those attending the audio shows not audiophiles. You are correct CD's are dead, but they are dying fast and will become a niche product just like LP's.
 
still-one said:
I guess I don't understand your post #25. First you say you hear from file proponents that CD is dead, then you confirm that by indicating that file players are almost used exclusivly at audio shows. Aren't your friends audiophiles and are those attending the audio shows not audiophiles. You are correct CD's are dead, but they are dying fast and will become a niche product just like LP's.
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Sorry for my unclear wording. I meant to say in #25:

I always hear from file proponents that CD is dead, for which they cite as evidence also the alleged almost exclusive use of file players at shows.

 
Hi Mike,

Did you hear the Spatial Audio X2's this year? I think that they were matched with LTA electronics and was looking for how they sounded.

thanks,

Chris
 
Mr Peabody

If you are going to RMAF you will get to hear the Gobels in a big room using their Reference Aeon and an all dual mono Ch Precision setup. They are going all out at RMAF as their “real” first intro.

I am on a trip now but from what I understand the speakers you heard at AXPONA are back in my listening room.

I am using them with with CH Precision M1 like at AXPONA except in a fantastic room and an MSB Select II front end.

Really superb.

I’m hoping to get to RMAF to hear their big room setup which I believe is how they will be shown in Munich as well.
 
For the first time, I attended an AXPONA show this year; I have to say that it was a blast. To my ears, the two best performances were real standouts. One was the Von Schweikert Audio Ultra 11s with VAC amplification and Esoteric electronics. Listening to a number of different music selections, I was consistently entertained -- which is the ultimate objective, I think, of this hobby/passion. The other distinguished presentation, however, provided me with an experience I shall long remember. It was the Sonus Faber Aira IIs with all Audio Research electronics, including their Reference 750 SE power amps. Every day, I tended to gravitate at some point to that room just to enjoy what was being played. However, at ten minutes before closing the last day, I found myself again there -- and alone but for the fellow managing the equipment. I asked him to play something which I knew would put that system to the test: Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused". All I can say is "OH MY GOD!!" I was hearing the band live. Sound never blurred, even the repeated strikes of the cymbals; Plant's singing, Page's and Jones' guitar playing -- all were clean, clear and rock-solid. To me, this was simply audio nirvana. The only problem with this remarkable experience is that I will never again be able to enjoy Dazed and Confused as much. When I returned home, I played the same song on my [beloved by me, at least] system. Sigh. Good, but so far from its possible.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention speaker systems at four price ranges I thought to be impressive: under $5K -- the Neat Audio Iota Explorer; $5k - $10K -- the Magico A3; $10K - $16k -- the Wilson Audio Sabrina and the TAD Micro Evolution 1; and $16K - $20K -- the Kii III (w/built-in amplification). Above $20K, there weren't any surprises, although a few disappointments. Below $20K I was impressed at just how good each system performed at its price point; they are all worth serious consideration if one is considering an upgrade. One related note: I thought the Sabrinas were the best sounding Wilson Audio speakers at the show, which goes to prove, I think, how important it is to pay attention to complementary electronics and cabling as well as room treatment when demonstrating a speaker.

If I had any complaint at the show it was how many manufacturers and retailers were oblivious to the music they played. Personally, if I had heard much more "smooth jazz", I am pretty certain I would have needed institutionalization. By the third day, I intentionally avoided any room where that type of music was playing. It has made me wonder, is that why people spend $25K to $500K on their audio systems -- to listen to a breathless, energy-depleted female vocalist -- accompanied by a couple/few instrumentalists -- sing an utterly forgettable variation of some dirge? Obviously, I am showing my prejudices here, but in my opinion that music is more appropriate as background music for drinking than for losing oneself in a gripping audio performance.

I don't want to end my "report" in a negative space, so let me just say that the quality of reproduced music I heard was, for the most part, truly wonderful. We are in the golden age of audio, for sure.
 
That reminded me, my first time hearing CH Precision. good stuff.

Did anyone else hear the ARC 160M's? I only made it that one time so not sure what the room was like the rest of the time. Maybe I was lucky enough to hear them show what they are capable of.
 
Yes, the CH Precision electronics with the YG Acoustics' Carmel 2s were very, very good. However, the simple setup demonstrated, not including cabling, was $140K. I saw the ARC M160s -- they are cooler looking in person than in pictures, but I'll be damned whether I can remember which speakers they drove. I suppose that the system wasn't as memorable as, say, was the CH Precision one.
 
AVphile said:
Yes, the CH Precision electronics with the YG Acoustics' Carmel 2s were very, very good. However, the simple setup demonstrated, not including cabling, was $140K. I saw the ARC M160s -- they are cooler looking in person than in pictures, but I'll be damned whether I can remember which speakers they drove. I suppose that the system wasn't as memorable as, say, was the CH Precision one.
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Wilson Alexia’s with the ARC 160’s
 
AVphile said:
For the first time, I attended an AXPONA show this year; I have to say that it was a blast. To my ears, the two best performances were real standouts. One was the Von Schweikert Audio Ultra 11s with VAC amplification and Esoteric electronics. Listening to a number of different music selections, I was consistently entertained -- which is the ultimate objective, I think, of this hobby/passion. The other distinguished presentation, however, provided me with an experience I shall long remember. It was the Sonus Faber Aira IIs with all Audio Research electronics, including their Reference 750 SE power amps. Every day, I tended to gravitate at some point to that room just to enjoy what was being played. However, at ten minutes before closing the last day, I found myself again there -- and alone but for the fellow managing the equipment. I asked him to play something which I knew would put that system to the test: Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused". All I can say is "OH MY GOD!!" I was hearing the band live. Sound never blurred, even the repeated strikes of the cymbals; Plant's singing, Page's and Jones' guitar playing -- all were clean, clear and rock-solid. To me, this was simply audio nirvana. The only problem with this remarkable experience is that I will never again be able to enjoy Dazed and Confused as much. When I returned home, I played the same song on my [beloved by me, at least] system. Sigh. Good, but so far from its possible.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention speaker systems at four price ranges I thought to be impressive: under $5K -- the Neat Audio Iota Explorer; $5k - $10K -- the Magico A3; $10K - $16k -- the Wilson Audio Sabrina and the TAD Micro Evolution 1; and $16K - $20K -- the Kii III (w/built-in amplification). Above $20K, there weren't any surprises, although a few disappointments. Below $20K I was impressed at just how good each system performed at its price point; they are all worth serious consideration if one is considering an upgrade. One related note: I thought the Sabrinas were the best sounding Wilson Audio speakers at the show, which goes to prove, I think, how important it is to pay attention to complementary electronics and cabling as well as room treatment when demonstrating a speaker.

If I had any complaint at the show it was how many manufacturers and retailers were oblivious to the music they played. Personally, if I had heard much more "smooth jazz", I am pretty certain I would have needed institutionalization. By the third day, I intentionally avoided any room where that type of music was playing. It has made me wonder, is that why people spend $25K to $500K on their audio systems -- to listen to a breathless, energy-depleted female vocalist -- accompanied by a couple/few instrumentalists -- sing an utterly forgettable variation of some dirge? Obviously, I am showing my prejudices here, but in my opinion that music is more appropriate as background music for drinking than for losing oneself in a gripping audio performance.

I don't want to end my "report" in a negative space, so let me just say that the quality of reproduced music I heard was, for the most part, truly wonderful. We are in the golden age of audio, for sure.
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Can you please state wich amps and front end where associated with sabrina?
Lovely report!


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