My other best of really is what counts, but I do want to share what rooms I loved.
JH audio JH13s
Every year I lust after these. Nothing has changed. They still stand as the best IEMs I have ever heard.
image by -jaspoon187-Astell & Kern
I think this is where portable audio needs to go. Flawed, uncomfortable, impractical, yet in a few years audiophiles will be rocking these media players loudly and proudly when they become more refined.
image by
jaspoon187, on Flickr
The King Room was a bit better than it was last year which is saying quite a bit being this is the second year they made my list.
image by -jaspoon187-The Audio Kenesis room again was on my top list this year. Really refined sound and excellent imaging and sound stage. Not sure why but I really dug the system last year quite a bit more.
image by -jaspoon187-Daedalus/modwright.
One of the most consistent performers year after year. This year was no exception. Always great tonality.
image by -jaspoon187-JTR/Cherry Digital
I have to say I was surprised by how much I liked these. Robust ballsy and delicate when needed. This system caught my attention in a major way.
image by -jaspoon187-Chapman Audio
Maybe your cup of tea looks-wise, but to me these were the most visually boring speakers I saw at the show, but hoe lee shiiiite did they sound great! Probably the biggest surprise of all the rooms I visited probably because of my prejudice on the way they looked.
image by -jaspoon187-Tweek Geek
really solid performance. I thought they did a great job and those speakers were the most solid cabinets I think I've ever seen.
image by -jaspoon187-Last year I fell head over heels for the Nimbus with SET sound. This year I 'settled' Joules/allnic. This is still a phenomenal setup. Sounded better than 90% of what I heard at the show... But the Nimbus still haunts my dreams.
image by -jaspoon187-Seaton Audio
Another black boring looking speaker that kicked ass so hard my brain melted.
image by -jaspoon187-Constellation Audio
Another black boring looking speaker that kicked ass so hard my brain melted. (No that double post was no accident.)
image by -jaspoon187-Keep in mind a few things. A. Klaus is one of my favorite people because he's loud, hilarious, loud, and passionate about music. B. Alex, Klaus, Glenn and Shelly are probably the absolute best I have ever seen at setting up a room properly and they are all in one room. C. This is the 3rd year in a row that this system was on the top of the ENTIRE heap.
No concessions were given because of the remarkable price point of sub $7000 for the entire damn setup. Nor were there concessions because I love all these folks. I have told Klaus numerous times in previous years that his system was not up to par and given the amazing setups I've heard recently I'd say that honesty is the best policy (that's not me taking credit for anything btw.
). When I say this is the best rig I mean it was better than any other room at the show price be damned. I heard several vendors say the same sort of thing. 'How the hell do they get that sound with the speakers setup the way they are?' yep, that's an actual quote from a vendor.
Getting my highest rating on this rather prestigious list one time is a job well done, twice and people really start taking notice, thee times... It's time for everyone else to emulate and really change their game.
iFi stack on the Hifiman HF-560s
iFi has always had some of the best sounding setups at the show. Made my list several times, but this year was something special. The iFi stack combined with a server and Hifiman HF-560s are, far and away, the best headphone rig I have ever heard. I spent the better part of 2 hours throughout the show coming back and listening to just this setup. I walked around can jam and listened to a lot (not everything) and nothing was even close to the beauty and finesse of this system. I think the whole setup cost less than $2000. Best bass I have ever heard from headphones, really comfortable to wear and incredible smoothness. This is the first time I have ever thought 'ok, I NEED to buy these.' when it comes to headphones. Someday..... Someday.
final thoughtsAnyhoo as I said before, the show was without a doubt much smaller in both enthusiasts attendance and vendor attendance. RMAF peaked 2 years ago I believe and will continue to decline due to numerous other shows around the country becoming more and more popular as well as the average age of us two channel guys going up. CanJam on the other hand has literally exploded out of the Marriott convention hall and spilled into the Atrium. It will not only continue to grow in 2 years time I promise you it will surpass the rest of the show. When you see the vendors at can jam selling shoebox sized boxes hand over fist to guys 35 and younger and compare that to the same retired old two channel shlubs with out turned pockets going to the same rooms they were in last year and still not buying anything you start to understand why. Hifi is dead... Long live Hifi!!!!
Hope you enjoyed reading and for the love of Gawd if you think I'm biased, deaf, or on the take please remember 3 things.
1. You're an asshole
2. I am biased
3. Go to any show yourself and come to your own conclusions.
