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The Commercial Zone => Audio Shows and Events => Topic started by: ServerAdmin on 1 Mar 2015, 12:23 pm

Title: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: ServerAdmin on 1 Mar 2015, 12:23 pm
1. AXPONA - Audio Expo North America
2. Chicago, Illinois USA
3. April 24-26, 2015
4. http://www.axpona.com
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 2 Mar 2015, 12:03 am
I'll be there. Hope to see many ACers there. Those I've met in person already and those I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting personally.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: gbeard on 2 Mar 2015, 12:07 am
I will be there as well, covering the show for PF. If you see me, say hello!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Mr. Don on 2 Mar 2015, 12:20 am
I'll be there, taking in all the sights and sounds. And I got tickets for Patricia Barber Quartet on Friday evening, too!

I missed this one last year and I'm looking forward to going again.

DC
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: TJHUB on 2 Mar 2015, 12:23 am
I will be there Friday and Saturday, and will be going to see Patricia Barber as well.  :thumb:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: TomS on 2 Mar 2015, 12:24 am
I'm in for both days again this year  :thumb:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 2 Mar 2015, 12:26 am
The Patticia Barber should be great but I'll have to miss it. Got Sufjan Stevens tix for that night.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: AJinFLA on 2 Mar 2015, 01:18 am
I'll be in Rm 338. Hope to see all the usual suspects and more.. :wink:

cheers,

AJ
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Brian Walsh on 13 Mar 2015, 04:33 am
We will be in room 554 and will have the following on demonstration:

AudioKinesis Zephrin 46 loudspeakers
Atma-Sphere M-60 OTL amplifiers and UV-1 preamplifier
Aurender N100 and X100L music servers/streamers
Exogal Comet Plus DAC
Kuzma Stabi SD turntable with Kuzma Stogi S and Stogi S 12 VTA toneams, with Shelter and Kuzma cartridges respectively
AMR CD-777 CD player
Clarity Cable cables and power distributor
Teo Audio cables and equipment rack

Duke LeJeune of AudioKinesis will be present, as will key people from Aurender, Exogal, Clarity Cable, and Teo Audio.
We will hold brief presentations throughout the show. Check the schedule posted at the door and sign up.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Gopher on 21 Mar 2015, 02:08 am
LampizatOr will be representing in three locations which should all be fabulous.

In the lobby we will be in the Higgens room debuting our new statement DAC, the Golden Gate, along with room partners Vapor audio, Lamm, Antipodes and Verrastar.

In room 504 we will have our universally praised Big 7 demonstrated alongside Wells Audio, Ginko Audio and Danacables.

We will also have a Level 4 DAC mated to a Wells Audio Headphone amp at one of the booths!   Make a point of checking us out!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 21 Mar 2015, 10:28 am
Will be there for the show. 

Hope to see folks and have some audio conversations! 
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 21 Mar 2015, 04:06 pm
Since there is the Patricia Barber show on Friday, and some folks may not come until Saturday, maybe we should arrange an AC get together on Saturday night (also I have other concert tix on Fri night)?
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: enjoythemusic on 8 Apr 2015, 11:52 am
Hi Everyone,

   If AC'ers want to get together and appear on camera for a 30 minute time slot let me know via link below. :)

EnjoyTheMusic.com is now scheduling appointments to appear within our live broadcast during AXPONA 2015. Time slots are already filling up fast! Exhibitors need to e-mail us from the link below. We look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago and streaming live from our mobile TV studio at AXPONA 2015 from April 24th through 26th at the Westin O'Hare. For details and reserve your time slot, visit www.EnjoyTheMusic.com/AXPONA_2015/
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: TitaniumTroy on 13 Apr 2015, 02:10 am
I will be there for all 3 days, picked my top 4 rooms to use with my VIP pass. Sanders Sounds, Raidho, MBL, and Legacy Audio.  I really hope Martin Logan, will have a demo of their new Neolith hybrid ESL. With myself, being a long time planer fan.

Really looking forward to again meeting up with Jack, Roscoe, TomS and AJ.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: enjoythemusic on 20 Apr 2015, 01:46 pm
Guys, I can reserve 5:30pm on Saturday for you. Already have another discussion group appearing and would be great to have AC'ers too. Via our live chat the guys online can chat to you while you're on camera. Please let me know ASAP by replying here as only have a few time slots available and will be keeping the TV studio open for you to appear at 5:30pm on Saturday.

Will also try to broadcast some of the Patricia Barber performance :)

Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 20 Apr 2015, 02:07 pm
Guys, I can reserve 5:30pm on Saturday for you. Already have another discussion group appearing and would be great to have AC'ers too. Via our live chat the guys online can chat to you while you're on camera. Please let me know ASAP by replying here as only have a few time slots available and will be keeping the TV studio open for you to appear at 5:30pm on Saturday.

Will also try to broadcast some of the Patricia Barber performance :)

Unfortunately I have concert tix at 7:30 on Saturday downtown. So doing this would be cutting it too close unfortunately. Would love to do this some other year! Cool idea!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: rollo on 20 Apr 2015, 05:15 pm
Hi Everyone,

   If AC'ers want to get together and appear on camera for a 30 minute time slot let me know via link below. :)

EnjoyTheMusic.com is now scheduling appointments to appear within our live broadcast during AXPONA 2015. Time slots are already filling up fast! Exhibitors need to e-mail us from the link below. We look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago and streaming live from our mobile TV studio at AXPONA 2015 from April 24th through 26th at the Westin O'Hare. For details and reserve your time slot, visit www.EnjoyTheMusic.com/AXPONA_2015/

  Hey Scot great idea best of luck.


charles
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Gopher on 20 Apr 2015, 05:27 pm
This show really snuck up this year!  Head is spinning getting prepared, but it should be a great event.

Looking forward to catch you guys there as we debut our brand new LampizatOr Golden Gate DAC.   :thumb:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: sandbagger on 23 Apr 2015, 03:44 am
I will be there helping Mark in the Seaton Sound room  Lobby Level LaSalle Ballroom C

Should be a very fun room
stop in and say HI
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: vinyl_lady on 23 Apr 2015, 01:50 pm
The Patticia Barber should be great but I'll have to miss it. Got Sufjan Stevens tix for that night.
Roscoe, I'm jealous. Would love to see him sometime. I have no desire to see Barber.

Enjoy Axpona and Sufjan
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 23 Apr 2015, 02:02 pm
Roscoe, I'm jealous. Would love to see him sometime. I have no desire to see Barber.

Enjoy Axpona and Sufjan

Wish you could join for both Laura. Have you been listening to the most recent Sufjan album?  Beautiful and poignant LP.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 23 Apr 2015, 03:44 pm
Made it to Chicago.  Hope to see folks this weekend.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 23 Apr 2015, 04:21 pm
ROLL CALL!!! Who else from AC is going to be there who hasn't popped up on this thread yet???
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: vinyl_lady on 23 Apr 2015, 04:30 pm
Wish you could join for both Laura. Have you been listening to the most recent Sufjan album?  Beautiful and poignant LP.

Day job getting in the way of being there. Maybe next year. I have not picked up his new album yet. Sounds like I need to put it on the must have list.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: steve f on 23 Apr 2015, 05:06 pm
I'm flying in Saturday, and will attend Sunday.  I hope to meet some of my online buddies.

Who is working the show ?

Steve
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Passive Chappy on 23 Apr 2015, 05:35 pm
I'll be there Friday and Saturday.  I'll try to add a PC note to my person so I can be recognize. 

See you there and everyone have a good time.

Ross Adams
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Big Red Machine on 23 Apr 2015, 06:02 pm
ROLL CALL!!! Who else from AC is going to be there who hasn't popped up on this thread yet???

Driving over Friday morning.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 23 Apr 2015, 06:20 pm
Mark Seaton and sandbagger are here.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Art_Chicago on 23 Apr 2015, 06:41 pm
Will be there on Friday 10 am  :D
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: ted_b on 23 Apr 2015, 08:01 pm
Doing a DSD discussion seminar on Friday afternoon with Jared Sacks.  Come one (bit) come all.  Will be there all weekend (PB concert on Friday night;  Hofbrau Sat night??).
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 23 Apr 2015, 08:05 pm
I will go to the DSD seminar if I can get in.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: ted_b on 23 Apr 2015, 08:08 pm
I will go to the DSD seminar if I can get in.

You mean if you can get there in time (2:15pm) or do you mean if you can squeeze into the room (standing room only and such  :)  LOL!!  ).  Friday early afternoon is a tough time slot.  :(
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 23 Apr 2015, 08:29 pm
If I can get in the room.  I am already here.   :D
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dminches on 23 Apr 2015, 09:10 pm
I am flying in tomorrow AM, landing at 9:30.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: TomS on 23 Apr 2015, 09:14 pm
You mean if you can get there in time (2:15pm) or do you mean if you can squeeze into the room (standing room only and such  :)  LOL!!  ).  Friday early afternoon is a tough time slot.  :(
What, you don't want hecklers :thumb:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: ted_b on 23 Apr 2015, 10:01 pm
From you Tom, I will accept all heckles!  :)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 24 Apr 2015, 12:41 am
Planning on a full day on Saturday with a member of my audio club, somewhere in tow.  Hope to find many of you there.   :thumb:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: MaxCast on 24 Apr 2015, 10:32 am
ROLL CALL!!! Who else from AC is going to be there who hasn't popped up on this thread yet???

Going to try real hard to get there Saturday with my son.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: jtwrace on 24 Apr 2015, 01:31 pm
We need pics!   :thumb:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 24 Apr 2015, 01:37 pm
Cellphone is charged and ready for pictures. :D
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: steve f on 24 Apr 2015, 02:13 pm
It's too late for this year, but maybe AC could come up with an identifying pin we could wear at shows. Kind of like commonly used in D.C. Just a thought.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Big Red Machine on 24 Apr 2015, 02:36 pm
I have a free 3 day wristband if someone needs it. Email me.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 24 Apr 2015, 04:16 pm

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119689)
This mornings pictures.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119690)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119688)

Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 24 Apr 2015, 04:17 pm

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119691)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: themadmilkman on 24 Apr 2015, 05:15 pm
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119688)

I would love to hear these in a room that large.  The room they had at RMAF was tiny and really affected the sound.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dpatters on 24 Apr 2015, 05:18 pm
Thanks for the pics!!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: TomS on 24 Apr 2015, 05:29 pm
Just arrived, ready for some fun  :thumb:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: jriggy on 24 Apr 2015, 06:53 pm
Thanks for the pics!!

More More more!!!  :drool:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: GentleBender on 24 Apr 2015, 08:57 pm
Glad that all those able to attend will have a great time. But every picture makes me a little more jealous. May be a blessing not to hear the sweet sounds coming from all of that high end gear (I have to tell myself that). :duh: :cry:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 24 Apr 2015, 09:29 pm
Last picture for today.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119693)

Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: MtnHam on 24 Apr 2015, 10:55 pm
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119691)

Are visitors laughing when the enter the room?
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 25 Apr 2015, 12:05 am
Are visitors laughing when the enter the room?

Owning them means never being able to convince visitors aliens haven't left their death ray machines behind.   :wink:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: orientalexpress on 25 Apr 2015, 12:29 am
must better than porn,keep it coming :thumb:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dburna on 25 Apr 2015, 02:03 am
Are visitors laughing when the enter the room?

I know, you'd think these Cabasse were something out of a 50's sci-fi movie.  I doubt anyone was laughing on the way out, however -- these sounded pretty good to my ears.  I'd have to put up an aurally transparent screen in front of them to avoid looking at them if I owned them.  And Lord knows the Missus would cough up an internal organ laughing so hard if I tried (unsuccessfully) to bring them into the house.

-dB
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dburna on 25 Apr 2015, 02:25 am
Kudos to vendors/distributors for greatly improving the overall sound at AXPONA from last year to this.  Most vendors brought sanely-sized products that fit into the (small) spaces a lot better, both aesthetically and aurally.

Standouts for me included:

Lest anyone think I am just easily pleased, I want to give the KEF LS50 special mention.  Would someone please explain to me what's so great about these?  This is the third time I have heard these and they do next-to-nothing for me.  Sins of commission are what I hear from these "reviewers darlings".  Apologies in advance if I offend anyone on AC who owns these.

-dB (who had a very enjoyable day today at AXPONA)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: vinyl_lady on 25 Apr 2015, 02:52 am
I know, you'd think these Cabasse were something out of a 50's sci-fi movie.  I doubt anyone was laughing on the way out, however -- these sounded pretty good to my ears.  I'd have to put up an aurally transparent screen in front of them to avoid looking at them if I owned them.  And Lord knows the Missus would cough up an internal organ laughing so hard if I tried (unsuccessfully) to bring them into the house.

-dB
I'm with your missus on this. There is no way those hideous looking speakers would ever make it into my home, and I don't care how good they might sound. I have tried to listen to them at RMAF but cant stay in the room long enough to listen. YMMV
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: ACHiPo on 25 Apr 2015, 03:26 am
I'm with your missus on this. There is no way those hideous looking speakers would ever make it into my home, and I don't care how good they might sound. I have tried to listen to them at RMAF but cant stay in the room long enough to listen. YMMV
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Don't see them showing up in my man cave any time soon!  Kinda like Smuckers..."with a look like this, they've gotta be good!" :)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: AJinFLA on 25 Apr 2015, 10:54 am
If I can get in the room.  I am already here.   :D
Good to see you sir. Hope you're not helping Ryan and Pete move those speakers. Whoa :o
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: ChrisVH on 25 Apr 2015, 12:16 pm
The musicians in Patricia Barber's Quartet 'killed it' last night. Bass player was good, but Jon Deitemyer (drums) is one of the best contemporary jazz drummers I've heard in a while, and John Kregor (guitar) had some insane solos.  Barber herself had a very nice performance.

Pretty cool that AXPONA was able to snag her for this event.

She sppears to make regular appearances at The Green Mill in Chicago, and I'll definitely make the trip back for another show. 

Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: ratso on 25 Apr 2015, 01:36 pm
i had one day off to go (yesterday). woke up with a boot on my car.  :roll:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dminches on 25 Apr 2015, 01:57 pm
A couple iphone quality photos from yesterday.  The turntable costs $200k.  It is Clearaudio's Signature model.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119736)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119737)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: lowtech on 25 Apr 2015, 04:08 pm
Madisound in room 302 supposedly has some of the best sound at the show this year.

https://www.facebook.com/Madisound.Speakers/photos/a.451603224881505.95935.188599614515202/908446089197214/?type=1&theater (https://www.facebook.com/Madisound.Speakers/photos/a.451603224881505.95935.188599614515202/908446089197214/?type=1&theater)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11173342_908446089197214_2482871725910661677_n.jpg?oh=88a5fa218d539d3de1e4c85b24052282&oe=55E56F4A&__gda__=1436683414_6a4d947174f87a64c7991ca5e9994225)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Big Red Machine on 25 Apr 2015, 04:45 pm


Gone!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 25 Apr 2015, 04:49 pm
Pictures for today:

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119746)


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119747)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119749)



Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: jtwrace on 25 Apr 2015, 09:28 pm
Hi Everyone,

   If AC'ers want to get together and appear on camera for a 30 minute time slot let me know via link below. :)

EnjoyTheMusic.com is now scheduling appointments to appear within our live broadcast during AXPONA 2015. Time slots are already filling up fast! Exhibitors need to e-mail us from the link below. We look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago and streaming live from our mobile TV studio at AXPONA 2015 from April 24th through 26th at the Westin O'Hare. For details and reserve your time slot, visit www.EnjoyTheMusic.com/AXPONA_2015/ (http://www.EnjoyTheMusic.com/AXPONA_2015/)
Is there a way to watch a specific video?  I don't see anything that brings us directly to each video.  Thanks. 
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 25 Apr 2015, 10:09 pm
This afternoons pictures:
The MBL/United Home Audio room played Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced on 1/4" tape.


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119769)


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119766)


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119768)



Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dminches on 25 Apr 2015, 10:49 pm
The Doshi room on the 2nd floor was in my top 3.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Tomy2Tone on 26 Apr 2015, 12:52 am
Was anybody able to check out the Scansonic line of speakers, particularly the MB 2.5's? Supposedly they're the more "affordable" version of Raidho Acoustics speakers.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 26 Apr 2015, 12:55 am
The LXmini sounds ok, but no bass response in the demos I heard.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: OzarkTom on 26 Apr 2015, 02:18 am
Right now, enjoythemusic is showing today'highlights. Wireworld is up at  the moment.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: OzarkTom on 26 Apr 2015, 02:27 am
Dan D'Agostino is up.

http://enjoythemusic.com/AXPONA_2015/
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dlbeck on 26 Apr 2015, 03:17 am
Has anyone heard the JTR 210's yet?
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Big Red Machine on 26 Apr 2015, 03:23 am
Was anybody able to check out the Scansonic line of speakers, particularly the MB 2.5's? Supposedly they're the more "affordable" version of Raidho Acoustics speakers.
The $3500 entry level floorstander?  Attrociously bad.  If not the box speaker then disregard.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Tomy2Tone on 26 Apr 2015, 03:31 am
The $3500 entry level floorstander?  Attrociously bad.  If not the box speaker then disregard.

Yeah, I think that's the one. How funny...just read up on them earlier on another site and guys were raving about them. Of course they say it takes 300 hrs of break in for them to sound their best...

Thanks for the feedback!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 26 Apr 2015, 03:58 am
Anyone that brings a new pair of speakers to a show without run in, has no one to blame but themselves for sound quality. 
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Tomy2Tone on 26 Apr 2015, 04:04 am
Anyone that brings a new pair of speakers to a show without run in, has no one to blame but themselves for sound quality.

Supposedly the 2.5 sounds pretty awful out of the box and improves tremendously over a few hundred hours so I can't imagine they would bring new speakers for the show.

Now that said, I just read that others who were at the AXPONA show said they sounded better than speakers costing 10 x as much...which tells me different strokes for different folks.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: jhm731 on 26 Apr 2015, 05:25 am
HAL,

Thanks for the great pictures!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 26 Apr 2015, 11:09 am
Kudos to vendors/distributors for greatly improving the overall sound at AXPONA from last year to this.  Most vendors brought sanely-sized products that fit into the (small) spaces a lot better, both aesthetically and aurally.

Standouts for me included:
  • Gershman Acoustics (with Belles gear) who have a new speaker out.  Lovely, almost petite form factor and beautiful, relaxing sound.
  • AudioKinesis: Duke LeJeune has designed a real winner of a speaker in the new Zepherin 46.  Great sound and terrifically balanced
  • AudioNote: I don't always love these at shows, but they sounded quite nice today.
  • Acoustic Zen Crescendos: heard some beguiling Sinatra and some Beatles track from a master tape.  There are more bombastic speakers, but these are very musical.
  • Golden Ears Triton: never heard these before but was impressed.  Well integrated, cohesive sound.
  • ATC: I'm more of a high-efficiency speaker guy, but I can see what ATC proponents are talking about.
  • And the biggest surprise of the show for me: if you're going to AXPONA Sat/Sun, go into the basement and visit Napa Acoustics.  They have a package deal on a Bluetooth-enabled DAC/integrated hybrid amp about as big as a lunch box and two small speakers about the size of a shoebox.  The sound was STOOOOOPID good and my friend nearly fell out of his chair when the owner told us the combo was $599.  This system was not the best sound of show, but for sub-$600 it was remarkably, memorably above its price-point.  This is a killer deal for a small office or, say someone sending a kid off to college.

Lest anyone think I am just easily pleased, I want to give the KEF LS50 special mention.  Would someone please explain to me what's so great about these?  This is the third time I have heard these and they do next-to-nothing for me.  Sins of commission are what I hear from these "reviewers darlings".  Apologies in advance if I offend anyone on AC who owns these.

-dB (who had a very enjoyable day today at AXPONA)

+1 on #7.  In terms of would I want that system in my dedicated room, the $599 Napa system was killer, and IMO bested many of the systems at the show (sins of omission are easier to forgive than sins of commission).  It just did nothing overtly wrong.  They had two speaker options there, the $599 system came with smaller speakers (about 8" x 4" x 5"), the $1999 system had larger speakers (largish stand-mount sized with a small subwoofer) that I didn't hear.  This was almost the last stop we made and a wonderful surprise.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 26 Apr 2015, 11:29 am
+1 on #7.  In terms of would I want that system in my dedicated room, the $599 Napa system was killer, and IMO bested many of the systems at the show.  They had two speaker options there, the $599 system came with smaller speakers (about 8" x 4" x 5"), the $1999 system had larger speakers (largish stand-mount sized with a small subwoofer) that I didn't hear.  This was almost the last stop we made and a wonderful surprise.

Is it the package on the lower right hand corner of this link?:
http://www.napaacoustic.com/electronics.html

Best,
Anand.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 26 Apr 2015, 11:31 am
Yes.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 26 Apr 2015, 12:25 pm
My Axpona  Report


Overall:

Good attendance for visitors and exhibitors on Saturday (a few nearly empty, many plenty full, a few were so full we had to come back).  One of the vendors thought it was a big as RMAF.  Great local support (shops/performers).  Access off the freeway was easy, we had no problem parking, but don’t know how those arriving after the 10AM opening bell coped.  Giordano’s (Chicago deep dish pizza chain) was two doors down, and very welcomed.

Rooms were good sized (nearly square in fact a few setup “sideways” and a couple setup on the diagonal) with blank rooms in between.  Sound/noise leakage was minimal.  Setups appeared to have very few road show glitches.

Sorry, too much ground to cover in one day (Saturday) that included driving nearly 600 miles, so this will be extremely sketchy.  Spent very little time in any room.  My show strategy is to “snap shot” each room and return to the rooms that peaked my interest, but due to limited energy/time and the number of exhibitors I didn’t return to many.  Had a friend from my audio club that traveled with me, so we didn’t impose much on each other. 

Always cool to meet the leading personalities: Frank VanAlstine, Mary Salk (Jim was out for a smoke), Lukas “Lampizator”, Mark Fenlon (Mark Audio, a real gentlemen), just too many to name.  And ran into a couple of Audio Circle members (we really need to bring name tags/shirts or at least use facial pics in forum) because I’m sure I walked right by dozens of guys I would have loved to meet in person.


Treatments:

Most were treated, overall with the fairly generous sized rooms, the sound was good.  Absorption was typical, but a few mixed in diffusion.

One was a with/without demonstration.  Seemed quite effective but didn’t spend long enough there for the music to cycle back to the same cuts between rooms.

RoomTune absorption products (pillows that pin up into edges/corners) look more immature than pictures give “credit” for.


Equipment highlights:

Not going to try to review amps or sources (just too many variables).  Just my quick, incomplete impressions, based on crowd size, music being played, failed memory, etc.

Biggest letdowns:  as always at a busy show, too often they’re not playing the gear I’m interested in;  playing the wrong music to audition with (I know we're worn out on Diane Krall); stuff I missed or just wasn’t there; Genelec (an A/V setup/demostration in a very dark room); ATC passive speakers.

Favorite speakers: Tannoy DC10A (big concentric floor-standers, $16,000); Vandersteen Treo (so much brighter/open than 3A Sigs); Les Paul Gibson active speakers (front baffle finished like a 50’s guitar – looked so cool); Harbeth HL5 (harkens me back to my LS3/5A days); Martin Logan Neoliths; Classic Audio had a pair of large 3-ways using field coils (sorry didn’t get the brand); Gershman Grande Avant Garde.

Favorite rooms:  Daedalus/Modwright; Emotiva (large demonstration room, active monitors, DC-1 DAC/pre/headphone amp).

Ear opening surprises:  Madison Fielding indoor/outdoor large floor-standing flower pot speakers (that sounded quite good); and my show favorite – Napa Acoustic NA-208A/NA-208S mini system ($599 and tiny, tube pre/25 wpc solid state power, no sins of commission, so out performed many of the mega-buck systems there, a breath of fresh air at the end of our day).
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Vapor Audio on 26 Apr 2015, 01:26 pm
hey guys, I have been involved in a lot of show set ups, but the transformation in this room is far greater than I have ever heard before. if you only came Friday, please come by again today, the difference is spectacular!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 26 Apr 2015, 01:37 pm
Interesting demo of Meridians MQA DAC.  Used their active series speakers and sounded very good.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 26 Apr 2015, 02:21 pm
Day 3 begins.  This mornings picture of the Seaton Sound HT setup with 16000 watts of audio power and 4K projector.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119841)

Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Art_Chicago on 26 Apr 2015, 02:25 pm
hey guys, I have been involved in a lot of show set ups, but the transformation in this room is far greater than I have ever heard before. if you only came Friday, please come by again today, the difference is spectacular!

I was there on Friday when a Miles and Gurtu CD was playing.  The sound was very bright or even harsh to my ears. Hopefully it is all better now as the soundstage and bass from those huge speakers were excellent
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: vinyl_lady on 26 Apr 2015, 03:00 pm
My Axpona  Report

Favorite rooms:  Daedalus/Modwright; Emotiva (large demonstration room, active monitors, DC-1 DAC/pre/headphone amp).

JLM,

I think Lou Hinkley had his newest speaker, Daedalus Poseidon, in that room. What were your impressions?

Thanks,

Laura
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 26 Apr 2015, 08:06 pm
JLM,

I think Lou Hinkley had his newest speaker, Daedalus Poseidon, in that room. What were your impressions?

Thanks,

Laura

So sorry that we only had time for quick impressions.  As I recall I was standing way to the left for maybe 30 seconds.  There as a "rightness" of sound (and appearance) that top quality gear should (but too rarely) provides.  Design/finishes of the gear was very nice without being over the top.  According to the program and the material I picked up it was the Poseidon v.2 (a MTTMWW arrangement with new 8 inch drivers, 97 dB/w/m, $16,450). 
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Big Red Machine on 26 Apr 2015, 09:39 pm
I was there on Friday when a Miles and Gurtu CD was playing.  The sound was very bright or even harsh to my ears. Hopefully it is all better now as the soundstage and bass from those huge speakers were excellent

It was a crossover issue they corrected by Saturday.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Big Red Machine on 26 Apr 2015, 10:19 pm
I enjoyed this year's show much more than last year's.  It is bigger but far smaller than the overwhelming RMAF (if you try and hoof it to all the rooms!).

I had plenty of fun hanging out with AC'ers.  We are a good bunch.  Many of us attended TedB's talk on DSD with his recording engineer buddy Alex(?).  And I had to teach TomS a few new tricks wrt audio!!! ha, gotcha!

I was able to circle back into most every room that interested me multiple times.  Friday was light traffic, Saturday heavy, Sunday very light.

Watch out for Vinnie Rossi - he and his lovely wife really have some traction with his new Lio unit.  So versatile in its modularity.  Fantastic sexy look design.  Super functional.  And those ultracapacitors playing off the grid make for a dead quiet unit.  I'm anticipating his design of a balanced unit soon.  He is really onto something here.

TomS and I were just commenting to each other one day how there were no bad sounding rooms as we walked down the halls and then we hit 2 in a row.  So we jinxed ourselves!  crap But there really were very few "bad" rooms.  There were many high dollar speakers with glaring irregularities like hot midrange or hot top ends but nothing that drove you out of the room.  I used a lousy, doesn't suck, great room trio of buckets to mentally rate what I heard.

I was humbled to visit many rooms with Dennis Murphy who quickly burst my bubble about what I thought I was hearing when he started picking apart the sound with his superior abilities.  When he pointed out the errors you could quickly realize how the rest of us are mere mortals when it comes to analyzing frequency response. Humbling for sure. I did manage to drag him into one room where we stayed for some time, meaning I got one right (out of 4). :o

My top 5 rooms for sound were (IMO):

D'Agonistino/Wilson - absolutely superb reproduction (for a zillion dollars)

Sonus Faber - monster $100k++ speakers I lust over just played everything thrown at them (again with a zillion dollars of gear behind them)

Salk and AVA - best overall balance of bass and smooth highs.  I hate to say this being a huge Salk customer as I will be accused of bias, but not very many rooms had it all (for under a zillion dollars)

Mosaic Audio ($20k speakers) - excellent imaging augmented by some subs.

Quad - the tall ones, absolutely disappeared in the room.  All the music was detached from the black monoliths.  Very nice.

Honorable mentions - the small Gershmans; the steel/aluminum/diamond $68k speakers in the Thrax room; and the big Martin Logans

A good show, friendly vendors, manageable hallway traffic, convenient salads/sandwiches offered in the hallway by the marketplace, live music during lunchtime (very nice), good discounts to be had, lots of talk about upcoming shows.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Angaria on 26 Apr 2015, 10:47 pm
Some show impressions:

I readily admit these rankings are not only due to the quality of the speakers, but also the room and the music exhibitors chose to play, which for the most part is wimpy jazz that doesn't stress speakers at all.  Also, I certainly did not visit every room.  But I'm going to focus on my favorite rooms, rather than those where something went wrong.

8th: Magnepan/Exasound/Pass
Very simple setup and relatively inexpensive room that sounded liquid and pleasant.

7th: Red Wine LIO.  A "black background" at a show is hard to infer with all the noise around, but these sounded very clean.

6th:  Volti.  Great dynamics and very engaging.

5th: Magico.
Just a 1" non-horn-loaded tweeter, but it never felt strained.  Great integration among all the drivers and solid, but not overwhelming bass.  If they had raised the volume to something more appropriate to the orchestra that was recorded or played something more textured this might have ranked higher, but from what was played it's hard to tell.

4rd: Vapor.  Some of the typical glare I hear in Accuton drivers kept this from going higher.

2nd: a tie - Sanders/Magtech & Pure Audio/Psvane
While polar opposites the two systems tied for 2nd were the Sanders Audio room and the  Pure Audio Project  (http://www.pureaudioproject.com/our-concept/).  Utterly different systems in presentation, though both dipole.  The Pure Audio perhaps had sins of omission, but it felt right and room-filling and fun, like you expect from an open baffle running off a single-ended amp.  Sanders might have had some bass integration issues, but was the most transparent speaker I've heard, beating out other 'stats on the floor.  Amps didn't strike me as solid-state at all (a good thing).

1st Place: Hifiman HE1000. 
These are apparently shipping in a few months and the only thing in the show that would really motivate me to open my wallet.  Could get crazy loud and still be coherent.  Cleaner bass than any floorstander I've heard and extended non-fatiguing highs.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Factorz on 26 Apr 2015, 11:19 pm
This was my 2nd year attending and really thought the rooms sounded better compared to last year. Only was able to go for 1 day so my impressions should be taken with a heavy grain of salt. My favorites in no particular order.

Vapor: Wow the Storms were just massive in size and sound. Talk about some craftsmanship and a labor of love. I really enjoyed visiting with Ryan, and learning about the rack Ed built. Now I just need to figure out how many body parts I need to sell to come up with the 27k.
 
Odyssey: Now I understand why everyone always raves about Klaus and his demos. When I went into his room I was the only one and he asked what I wanted to hear. He had some Doors on vinyl so I picked that and he proceed to blow me away. Told me to sit in the sweet spot and then he turned off the lights and turned it up!! Bass was just punching me in the chest.

HHR Exotic Speakers: I could have listened to these speakers all day. I could have also listened to Dale talk all day long as well. Super interesting guy.

Tyler Acoustics: Another room where I could have listened and talked all day. Super nice affordable speakers and a really nice guy. I liked his room last year as well.

Salk: Great speakers and Frank's electronics were top notch as they were last year. My only complaint is both years I have visited their room the music was just so boring. It was like the jazz band that plays at a fancy restaurant and I would really like to hear this setup getting pushed.

Seaton: Talk about room shaking!! If I ever built a home theater there is no doubt these would be top on my list.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: acninja on 26 Apr 2015, 11:27 pm

D'Agonistino/Wilson - absolutely superb reproduction (for a zillion dollars)

Sonus Faber - monster $100k++ speakers I lust over just played everything thrown at them (again with a zillion dollars of gear behind them)

Mosaic Audio ($20k speakers) - excellent imaging augmented by some subs.


agree with all the quoted.  the real surprise for me was mosaic.  i had never heard of them but to me was the best sounding setup in/around that price range

if money was no object my dream paring would be those sonus fabers with the d'agostino gear



5th: Magico.
Just a 1" non-horn-loaded tweeter, but it never felt strained.  Great integration among all the drivers and solid, but not overwhelming bass.  If they had raised the volume to something more appropriate to the orchestra that was recorded or played something more textured this might have ranked higher, but from what was played it's hard to tell.

2nd: a tie - Sanders/Magtech & Pure Audio/Psvane
While polar opposites the two systems tied for 2nd were the Sanders Audio room and the  Pure Audio Project  (http://www.pureaudioproject.com/our-concept/).  Utterly different systems in presentation, though both dipole.  The Pure Audio perhaps had sins of omission, but it felt right and room-filling and fun, like you expect from an open baffle running off a single-ended amp.  Sanders might have had some bass integration issues, but was the most transparent speaker I've heard, beating out other 'stats on the floor.  Amps didn't strike me as solid-state at all (a good thing).


agree on the magicos

also agree with sanders. sanders audio is another company i had never heard of.  while i have never been a fan of electrostatics, sanders took the ESL cake for me, trumping both the martin logan neoliths and the kings audio prince iii

as for pure audio project, more agreement.  i liked the open baffle design and they sounded great especially for the price.  filled the room and imaging was excellent

Odyssey: Now I understand why everyone always raves about Klaus and his demos. When I went into his room I was the only one and he asked what I wanted to hear. He had some Doors on vinyl so I picked that and he proceed to blow me away. Told me to sit in the sweet spot and then he turned off the lights and turned it up!! Bass was just punching me in the chest.

HHR Exotic Speakers: I could have listened to these speakers all day. I could have also listened to Dale talk all day long as well. Super interesting guy.



i really enjoyed the odyssey room and IMO the best bang for your buck

HHR sounded really good and the 360 dispersion was cool.  they were also gorgeous to look at.  i didn't listen to anything with any kind of bass in this room, though, so i it's hard to pass full judgement
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Eugene2 on 27 Apr 2015, 12:10 am
Hard for me to fairly rank systems as rooms were very impactful on the sound.  Several rooms on the lower level had blaring air conditioners which could not be turned off.  People were talking loudly in almost every room, especially the sponsors ugh, luckily I had VIP tickets so I visited some rooms early morning, here's my take:
D'Agostino Wilson room was fantastic
Sonus Faber and ARC wow!
Raidho Room was incredible
Vapor Sound on day three after some  xover changes I predict will be state of the art's best bargain at 27K (work in progress)
Odyssey, Odyssey, Odyssey!!!
Magico
Pure Audio Project Trio only 3500 open baffle nice!
Audeze LCD X and Audeze amp Dac bought it!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 27 Apr 2015, 12:32 am
More pictures:

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119880)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Randy on 27 Apr 2015, 01:39 am
I enjoyed this year's show much more than last year's.  It is bigger but far smaller than the overwhelming RMAF (if you try and hoof it to all the rooms!).

I had plenty of fun hanging out with AC'ers.  We are a good bunch.  Many of us attended TedB's talk on DSD with his recording engineer buddy Alex(?).  And I had to teach TomS a few new tricks wrt audio!!! ha, gotcha!

I was able to circle back into most every room that interested me multiple times.  Friday was light traffic, Saturday heavy, Sunday very light.

Watch out for Vinnie Rossi - he and his lovely wife really have some traction with his new Lio unit.  So versatile in its modularity.  Fantastic sexy look design.  Super functional.  And those ultracapacitors playing off the grid make for a dead quiet unit.  I'm anticipating his design of a balanced unit soon.  He is really onto something here.

TomS and I were just commenting to each other one day how there were no bad sounding rooms as we walked down the halls and then we hit 2 in a row.  So we jinxed ourselves!  crap But there really were very few "bad" rooms.  There were many high dollar speakers with glaring irregularities like hot midrange or hot top ends but nothing that drove you out of the room.  I used a lousy, doesn't suck, great room trio of buckets to mentally rate what I heard.

I was humbled to visit many rooms with Dennis Murphy who quickly burst my bubble about what I thought I was hearing when he started picking apart the sound with his superior abilities.  When he pointed out the errors you could quickly realize how the rest of us are mere mortals when it comes to analyzing frequency response. Humbling for sure. I did manage to drag him into one room where we stayed for some time, meaning I got one right (out of 4). :o

My top 5 rooms for sound were (IMO):

D'Agonistino/Wilson - absolutely superb reproduction (for a zillion dollars)

Sonus Faber - monster $100k++ speakers I lust over just played everything thrown at them (again with a zillion dollars of gear behind them)

Salk and AVA - best overall balance of bass and smooth highs.  I hate to say this being a huge Salk customer as I will be accused of bias, but not very many rooms had it all (for under a zillion dollars)

Mosaic Audio ($20k speakers) - excellent imaging augmented by some subs.

Quad - the tall ones, absolutely disappeared in the room.  All the music was detached from the black monoliths.  Very nice.

Honorable mentions - the small Gershmans; the steel/aluminum/diamond $68k speakers in the Thrax room; and the big Martin Logans

A good show, friendly vendors, manageable hallway traffic, convenient salads/sandwiches offered in the hallway by the marketplace, live music during lunchtime (very nice), good discounts to be had, lots of talk about upcoming shows.

 Salk has some new Dennis Murphy designed speakers. Did you see them? Compared to his Slims: "Same tweeter, a minor variation on the same midrange, but it has two 7" woofers instead of one 6".   So it does have more power handling.  On the minus side, it has a conventional closed-back midrange,so won't image as well."
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Jon L on 27 Apr 2015, 02:00 am

Lest anyone think I am just easily pleased, I want to give the KEF LS50 special mention.  Would someone please explain to me what's so great about these?  This is the third time I have heard these and they do next-to-nothing for me.  Sins of commission are what I hear from these "reviewers darlings".  Apologies in advance if I offend anyone on AC who owns these.


There are 2 types of people KEF targets, those who like LS50, and those others who much rather prefer KEF R700 (or R500, R900) :lol:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Art_Chicago on 27 Apr 2015, 02:03 am
It was a crossover issue they corrected by Saturday.

 :dunno: when I was there everyone else in the room including the manufacturers were busy talking and were not paying any attention to the the sound quality.   
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 27 Apr 2015, 02:13 am
:dunno: when I was there everyone else in the room including the manufacturers were busy talking and were not paying any attention to the the sound quality.

Yep, surprising amount of dead air and quite a bit of talking (not whispering) over the music (those guys need to learn the "golf" whisper).  Little music I recognized, most of rest was poor material for auditioning.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: OzarkTom on 27 Apr 2015, 02:29 am
There are 2 types of people KEF targets, those who like LS50, and those others who much rather prefer KEF R700 (or R500, R900) :lol:

My buddy Rex likes his Dennis Murphey Piomeers over his KEF LS5o's.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Eugene2 on 27 Apr 2015, 02:46 am

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119888)


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119890)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119891)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119892)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119893)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119894)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119895)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119896)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119897)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119898)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119899)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119900)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119901)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119902)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119903)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119904)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119905)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119906)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119907)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119908)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119909)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119910)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119911)

Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: TomS on 27 Apr 2015, 03:04 am
It was a very enjoyable show and great to catch up with a few folks. And BRM, thanks to you, knucklehead, I am officially now a conehead. We shall see how that turns out  :wink:

Rooms of special note for me:

- I loved the Mosaics, as I had heard much about them, but had never heard them personally. He teased about all manner of secret sauce, but whatever he does, they sounded terrific each time I walked in. All Allnic electronics probably didn't hurt either.

- Vinnie Rossi LIO and Harbeth HL5's. Ok, I admit I'm completely biased, since I own one, but they did a terrific job with the setup. Harbeth has never been something for me and I don't listen near field, but they sounded excellent here. As Pete said, watch out, more good stuff is coming.

- Klaus always kills it with his Odyssey stuff, and this show was no different. He had the room treatment nailed, even though the GIK guys weren't there to assist this time. Totally embarrassed many of the six figure systems for well under $10k. Great job, as usual!

- Greg and Pete had another great setup in the Volti/Triode Wire Lab/Border Patrol/WT room. It was pleasant to sit down and hang out, with good music choices each time I walked in, on a modest vinyl setup. They never disappoint.

- For those of you with stand mount speakers. If you're not using the IsoAcoustics isolation devices, you're missing a LOT. They had an A/B demo with identical speakers and it was crazy how the mids snapped into focus and the bass instantly un-bloated itself. Good friend Dpd bought a pair on the spot for his GR N2X's so I'm looking forward to his feedback.

- OK, I'm a believer in "if you can't say something nice...", but oh, yeah those "affordable" Raidho brethren noted above. I'm sure they worked hard to put their best foot forward, but these just plain hurt.

- I've forgotten the exhibitor's name now, but they had mirror imaged rooms and 2 identical pairs of big Sonus Faber panel speakers, identical front end setups and the same music playing in both adjacent rooms simultaneously. One room was treated, one was not, with obvious positive effect. It had to be a huge effort, but clearly demonstrated what is possible in a small room, even without low freq EQ. Well done.

There were a few more people finally doing a "proper demo" imho. 1) Smile politely, invite and seat visitors, tell everyone, including fellow exhibitors in the room, to shut up, because you're doing a demo to best display your wares, not them 2) Play 3-5 pre-chosen short clips 30-45 sec each where you know what you're trying to demonstrate. Say something interesting and insightful about each one, what to listen for 3) Point it out again afterward for those that don't get it 4) Play 1 or 2 requests max so seat hogs realize they should leave soon afterward 5) Accept questions and answer ones that make you sound smart and why your gear is so great 6) Note prospects for follow up, chat outside to set the hook 7) Repeat

Lastly, thanks to all the exhibitors who work so hard to impress, as it's all hugely expensive, time consuming, and stressful. I'm soooo grateful I don't have to pack all that gear up and get it home, just a carry on bag for me. Those Vapors made my back hurt just looking at them.

I feel the AXPONA folks have improved greatly each year in Chicago. Hopefully attendance was strong enough to sustain it for next year, though I suspect some of these shows are going to fall by the wayside due to saturation.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: vinyl_lady on 27 Apr 2015, 03:12 am
So sorry that we only had time for quick impressions.  As I recall I was standing way to the left for maybe 30 seconds.  There as a "rightness" of sound (and appearance) that top quality gear should (but too rarely) provides.  Design/finishes of the gear was very nice without being over the top.  According to the program and the material I picked up it was the Poseidon v.2 (a MTTMWW arrangement with new 8 inch drivers, 97 dB/w/m, $16,450).

Thanks!
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Glady86 on 27 Apr 2015, 07:11 am
I enjoyed this year's show much more than last year's.  It is bigger but far smaller than the overwhelming RMAF (if you try and hoof it to all the rooms!).

I had plenty of fun hanging out with AC'ers.  We are a good bunch.  Many of us attended TedB's talk on DSD with his recording engineer buddy Alex(?).  And I had to teach TomS a few new tricks wrt audio!!! ha, gotcha!

I was able to circle back into most every room that interested me multiple times.  Friday was light traffic, Saturday heavy, Sunday very light.

Watch out for Vinnie Rossi - he and his lovely wife really have some traction with his new Lio unit.  So versatile in its modularity.  Fantastic sexy look design.  Super functional.  And those ultracapacitors playing off the grid make for a dead quiet unit.  I'm anticipating his design of a balanced unit soon.  He is really onto something here.

TomS and I were just commenting to each other one day how there were no bad sounding rooms as we walked down the halls and then we hit 2 in a row.  So we jinxed ourselves!  crap But there really were very few "bad" rooms.  There were many high dollar speakers with glaring irregularities like hot midrange or hot top ends but nothing that drove you out of the room.  I used a lousy, doesn't suck, great room trio of buckets to mentally rate what I heard.

I was humbled to visit many rooms with Dennis Murphy who quickly burst my bubble about what I thought I was hearing when he started picking apart the sound with his superior abilities.  When he pointed out the errors you could quickly realize how the rest of us are mere mortals when it comes to analyzing frequency response. Humbling for sure. I did manage to drag him into one room where we stayed for some time, meaning I got one right (out of 4). :o

My top 5 rooms for sound were (IMO):

D'Agonistino/Wilson - absolutely superb reproduction (for a zillion dollars)

Sonus Faber - monster $100k++ speakers I lust over just played everything thrown at them (again with a zillion dollars of gear behind them)

Salk and AVA - best overall balance of bass and smooth highs.  I hate to say this being a huge Salk customer as I will be accused of bias, but not very many rooms had it all (for under a zillion dollars)

Mosaic Audio ($20k speakers) - excellent imaging augmented by some subs.

Quad - the tall ones, absolutely disappeared in the room.  All the music was detached from the black monoliths.  Very nice.

Honorable mentions - the small Gershmans; the steel/aluminum/diamond $68k speakers in the Thrax room; and the big Martin Logans

A good show, friendly vendors, manageable hallway traffic, convenient salads/sandwiches offered in the hallway by the marketplace, live music during lunchtime (very nice), good discounts to be had, lots of talk about upcoming shows.
I see you pictured the Emerald Physics 2.3 but no comment on the sound. What did you think of them? I have the 4.7 model and like them better than any of my previous speakers. I owned a model from Vapor Audio and Odyssey,  both highly praised brands here at AC.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Big Red Machine on 27 Apr 2015, 12:27 pm
Nice photos Eugene.

Crap, forgot the Volti room.  The imaging was fantastic.  Had a great chat with Triode Pete in the hallway friday morning. 
Yes, and Klaus did it again.  I went in there 3 times! Escaped the bear hugs each time, whew!

Yours truly, knucklehead.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Triode Pete on 27 Apr 2015, 12:54 pm
Nice photos Eugene.

Crap, forgot the Volti room.  The imaging was fantastic.  Had a great chat with Triode Pete in the hallway friday morning. 
Yes, and Klaus did it again.  I went in there 3 times! Escaped the bear hugs each time, whew!

Yours truly, knucklehead.

It was great to see some older and meet some new AC members! I hope everyone "Had Fun", our theme for this weekend at AXPONA... from the looks of our whiteboard "Comment Board", it appears we accomplished our mission!

Cheers,
Pete

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119915)


(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119916)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 27 Apr 2015, 01:02 pm
Can't get the Gibson Les Paul (who invented solid electric guitar and multi-channel recording) Reference Monitors out of my head:

- 2-way active designs with touches of guitar amps (of course)
- carved (slightly) flamed maple baffles (cherry, cherry flame, or tobacco flame with ivory trim - just like the guitars, unique and just gorgeous)
- 1 inch carbon coated titanium tweeter
- non-woven carbon woofer (4 inch, 6 inch, or 8 inch)
- noiseless front ports
- high peak output (109 - 118 dB)
- smooth (entertaining/enjoyable, not dry/fatiguing) yet neutral/accurate (meant for studio work too) presentation
- sound bigger than they appear
- all the typical studio monitor attributes

line up:

4 - $599 each; 55 - 47,000 Hz, desktop use
6 - $799 each; 37 - 47,000 Hz, desktop or room use
8 - $999 each; 31 - 47,000 Hz, large room use

gibson.com
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 27 Apr 2015, 01:09 pm
Can't get the Gibson Les Paul (who invented solid electric guitar and multi-channel recording) Reference Monitors out of my head:

- 2-way active designs with touches of guitar amps (of course)
- carved (slightly) flamed maple baffles (cherry, cherry flame, or tobacco flame with ivory trim - just like the guitars, unique and just gorgeous)
- 1 inch carbon coated titanium tweeter
- non-woven carbon woofer (4 inch, 6 inch, or 8 inch)
- noiseless front ports
- high peak output (109 - 118 dB)
- smooth (entertaining/enjoyable, not dry/fatiguing) yet neutral/accurate (meant for studio work too) presentation
- sound bigger than they appear
- all the typical studio monitor attributes

line up:

4 - $599 each; 55 - 47,000 Hz, desktop use
6 - $799 each; 37 - 47,000 Hz, desktop or room use
8 - $999 each; 31 - 47,000 Hz, large room use

gibson.com

How did you find the tweeter? Felt a touch hot to me,  but that could have been at least somewhat due to what they were playing when I was in the room.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: eventhorizon on 27 Apr 2015, 02:01 pm
I know you were eyeing those GIbson monitors, they were neat looking :)
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: jab on 27 Apr 2015, 02:14 pm
Anyone stop by the Endeavor Audio room and hear the new E5's?  Impressions?
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: HAL on 27 Apr 2015, 02:27 pm
Love the Cherry burst maple finish on the Gibson monitors.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Don_S on 27 Apr 2015, 03:13 pm
Some show impressions:

I readily admit these rankings are not only due to the quality of the speakers, but also the room and the music exhibitors chose to play, which for the most part is wimpy jazz that doesn't stress speakers at all.  Also, I certainly did not visit every room.  But I'm going to focus on my favorite rooms, rather than those where something went wrong.


2nd: a tie - Sanders/Magtech & Pure Audio/Psvane
While polar opposites the two systems tied for 2nd were the Sanders Audio room and the  Pure Audio Project  (http://www.pureaudioproject.com/our-concept/).  Utterly different systems in presentation, though both dipole.  The Pure Audio perhaps had sins of omission, but it felt right and room-filling and fun, like you expect from an open baffle running off a single-ended amp.  Sanders might have had some bass integration issues, but was the most transparent speaker I've heard, beating out other 'stats on the floor.  Amps didn't strike me as solid-state at all (a good thing).


You mentioned the music exhibitors chose to play. Did Roger Sanders finally allow attendees to play their own music or did he stick with his limited play list?
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dminches on 27 Apr 2015, 03:32 pm
How did you find the tweeter? Felt a touch hot to me,  but that could have been at least somewhat due to what they were playing when I was in the room.

I found them way too hot for me too.  Loved the look, but they were not to my liking.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Scott F. on 27 Apr 2015, 04:06 pm
Can't get the Gibson Les Paul (who invented solid electric guitar and multi-channel recording) Reference Monitors out of my head:

- 2-way active designs with touches of guitar amps (of course)
- carved (slightly) flamed maple baffles (cherry, cherry flame, or tobacco flame with ivory trim - just like the guitars, unique and just gorgeous)
- 1 inch carbon coated titanium tweeter
- non-woven carbon woofer (4 inch, 6 inch, or 8 inch)
- noiseless front ports
- high peak output (109 - 118 dB)
- smooth (entertaining/enjoyable, not dry/fatiguing) yet neutral/accurate (meant for studio work too) presentation
- sound bigger than they appear
- all the typical studio monitor attributes

line up:

4 - $599 each; 55 - 47,000 Hz, desktop use
6 - $799 each; 37 - 47,000 Hz, desktop or room use
8 - $999 each; 31 - 47,000 Hz, large room use

gibson.com

Those are just too cool 8)

(http://images.gibson.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Products/Pro-Audio/2015/LP8/LP8_MAIN_HERO_01.jpg)

I'll have to check and see if the local Guitar Center carries those. I'd like to hear them in person.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Eugene2 on 27 Apr 2015, 04:08 pm
I found them way too hot for me too.  Loved the look, but they were not to my liking.

They are still a work in progress, they changed the crossover twice before Sunday.  The upper mid and treble were much better balanced on Sunday.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dB Cooper on 27 Apr 2015, 04:17 pm
Anybody here get to the AIX Records/Benchmark/Revel ballroom? They were playing surround 24/96 source material only and would be interested in some independent opinions. Was nowhere near Chicago so I have to live vicariously...

I'm generally not a fan of surround because the more speakers, the smaller the sweet spot, which isn't a trade off I like. But I admit it can impress when done well.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 27 Apr 2015, 05:32 pm
They are still a work in progress, they changed the crossover twice before Sunday.  The upper mid and treble were much better balanced on Sunday.

Changed the crossover itself, or just adjusted the trim on the treble adjustment on the back?
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 27 Apr 2015, 06:01 pm
Those are just too cool 8)

(http://images.gibson.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Products/Pro-Audio/2015/LP8/LP8_MAIN_HERO_01.jpg)

I'll have to check and see if the local Guitar Center carries those. I'd like to hear them in person.

According to a youtube I found yesterday produced by Guitar Center, only their top 40 stores will stock the Gibson monitors.  Around here, Guitar Centers carry only low end monitors.   :(
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: klamka on 27 Apr 2015, 06:46 pm
It was an OK show .
Best rooms to me :
Audio Note room , Goldmund /Kaiser acoustics Kawero speakers (absolutely the best mainstream high end medium speaker I heard at any show) MBL room (when they played civilized music with medium volume )  / Sardunis Horns and  surprise Volti horns (they uniformly sucked in any other shows I heard in the past)
Nick Doshi and Wilson Audio , never heard small Wilson sounding that good.
Honorable mention , Audiokinesis speakers , Rayan Speakers , Acoustic Zen room
Biggest disappointment
Lamm room with big speakers -eekh !
Magico -unlistenable , harsh and ugly
Sonus Faber / ARC unforgivable clinical , thin and etchy upper range for system of that class and  cost , glossy gliding string crescendos ,
Salk Exotica -had a big hopes for alnico sound but nothing there , no tone ,no finesse - go listen to Audio Note and see how it's done
Tannoy DC -utter  crap "alnico sound " kiss my a... I should bring my old vintage DC REDS and show them what it means .
Honorable RED TOMATO goes to Mcintosh. (Next year I suggest to crank volume even harder up)
 and to bunch of fat , ugly and demoralized ratpack of audio reviewers . Most of them should be denied access just for the lunatic arrogant behavior.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: dminches on 27 Apr 2015, 07:40 pm
<snip>
Best rooms to me :
Nick Doshi and Wilson Audio , never heard small Wilson sounding that good.
<snip>

You are the only other person to mention this room.  I thought it sounded great and I have never been a lover of Wilson speakers. 

P.S.  Nick is a really nice guy.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: gbeard on 27 Apr 2015, 07:53 pm
Quote
and to bunch of fat , ugly and demoralized ratpack of audio reviewers . Most of them should be denied access just for the lunatic arrogant behavior

Why don't you tell us what you really think?  :wink:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: steve f on 27 Apr 2015, 08:55 pm
I only went on Sunday. The show was definitely winding down. I was a bit disappointed with the sound in most rooms. Some systems were set up overly bright, and many had one note boomy bass. Of course you have to expect that in a show. People bring stuff to the show to sell, not entertain. What was unusual were the number of rooms with the sound turned off. That's a mistake.

I met James Romyn, Klaus, and missed Duke. I also ran into a few old friends. I wonder how many ACers passed each other in the halls. We're buddies online. I wish we'd find a way to attach faces to the posts. Looking at a couple of pics, I think JLM wandered by a couple of times.

I went through most rooms, and have a few favorites to share. I thought Sanders Sound was the best of show. Great electronics, ESL panels, and a well designed TL for bass. I wish I could afford them.
Second place to Legacy. They always are a top choice at any show.
Third Odyssey. I loved Klaus' system and can see why his amps have such a following.
Fourth Audio Kinesis. The 46s are a nice design. The Atmasphere OTLs hurt the sound a bit. They needed better amps.
Zu was my fifth choice. Not the most accurate but loads of slam & fun.

I also noted two small speakers:
The Linkwitz LX Mini is very nice.
Transparent One by Vanatoo would be a great desktop or dorm room speaker.

More when I get back home.

steve
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: roscoeiii on 27 Apr 2015, 09:59 pm
I only went on Sunday. The show was definitely winding down. I was a bit disappointed with the sound in most rooms. Some systems were set up overly bright, and many had one note boomy bass. Of course you have to expect that in a show. People bring stuff to the show to sell, not entertain. What was unusual were the number of rooms with the sound turned off. That's a mistake.

I met James Romyn, Klaus, and missed Duke. I also ran into a few old friends. I wonder how many ACers passed each other in the halls. We're buddies online. I wish we'd find a way to attach faces to the posts. Looking at a couple of pics, I think JLM wandered by a couple of times.

I went through most rooms, and have a few favorites to share. I thought Sanders Sound was the best of show. Great electronics, ESL panels, and a well designed TL for bass. I wish I could afford them.
Second place to Legacy. They always are a top choice at any show.
Third Odyssey. I loved Klaus' system and can see why his amps have such a following.
Fourth Audio Kinesis. The 46s are a nice design. The Atmasphere OTLs hurt the sound a bit. They needed better amps.
Zu was my fifth choice. Not the most accurate but loads of slam & fun.

I also noted two small speakers:
The Linkwitz LX Mini is very nice.
Transparent One by Vanatoo would be a great desktop or dorm room speaker.

More when I get back home.

steve

I liked those Vinatoo a lot too. What a surprise they were.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: csmgolf on 27 Apr 2015, 10:21 pm
This is the third straight year I have been to this show. I thought the sound was overall pretty good. I attended Saturday and Sunday. Some of my overall impressions;

Saturday was very busy, with many rooms not even able to get in to let alone sit down. There was entirely too many conversations going on in the listening rooms. The first time I went into the Audiokinesis room, there were three very loud conversations going on all at the same time. One was the dealer, and two of the other were manufacturers (not Duke BTW). It was absolutely impossible to listen to music. This was a system that I really wanted to hear and after 15 minutes, I left, exasperated. Fortunately, I was able to get in that room again Sunday fairly early and was able to get a good listen with some of my own music.

I thought the Zephrin was a terrific speaker, especially given its price and adjustability. An incredibly well thought out and executed speaker. It should be able to work well in a large variety of rooms. Duke is also a humble, true, gentleman. I had a nice conversation with him after listening to his speakers. That is one of the really great aspects of a show like this being able to talk to the designers.

I echo some of the comments of others. There were too many rooms with the high end tipped up and became quickly tiring. I have found boomy bass to be a common theme at these shows. I wonder if it is a combination of cheap construction of the rooms and playing the system too loud for what the room will support.

I thought Odyssey was very good from the upper bass on up, but they were not exempt from mildly boomy bass. Between these and the Zephrin, it would be tough to go wrong for the money. They both sounded much better than quite a few more expensive speakers. The Jantzen speakers were once again well balanced. The Acoustic Zen Crescendos were outstanding as they have been every time I have heard them. I have heard the Legacy Aeris twice before this weekend. It must be the newer processor, because they were a significant step up from the previous times I had heard them. I missed the opportunity to hear the V though. There were two that stood out above the rest to me. First was the Mosaic Acoustic Illuminations. I have been a fan of Dale Pitcher's speakers for some time and have owned a couple of his older models. They were augmented with the Scaena extenders. Fully fleshed out, extended at both extremes, fast, detailed without etch, and excellent imaging. I was also able to have a conversation with Dale. He is truly a genius and makes incredible products.

 My favorite at the show though was the Muraudio room. I am surprised that no one has mentioned them yet. I had about a half hour listening period Sunday afternoon where I was the only one in the room. I could walk anywhere in that room and not have the stage fall apart. They combined the best of electrostats with the best of omnis IMO. If I had the money, my speaker search would start right there. It would quite possible end there too.

I am in agreement with others about the entire 12th floor. WTF? That was my first stop on Sunday. I listened for 4 songs to the Magico Q7. When you pick out the individual elements, they do it well. Hi-fi trickery...check. They are over built to the max. And they are absolutely less than the sum of their parts. They were playing music that was intended to be emotional, and I was completely unmoved. I would never consider spending any where near that price (200K) even if I had that kind of money. The 125K M series left me with the same feeling. The big Sonus Fabers did not do it for me either.

Overall, I really enjoyed the show and will likely attend again next year. I got to meet a couple of AC members at the show this year and agree with the idea of having some way of identifying members at the show to put faces with names.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 27 Apr 2015, 10:46 pm
How did you find the tweeter? Felt a touch hot to me,  but that could have been at least somewhat due to what they were playing when I was in the room.

roscoeiii/dminches, I can only veto speakers under show conditions (unknown room/associated gear/music and all that noise makes definitive impressions near impossible).  Add to that old ears (that could use some extra spice on the top) and I couldn't really say.

steve f, that must have been an imposter (lots of older balding guys drawn to audio).   :roll:  I was only there Saturday.

The only speakers that I thought might be displace mine, all cost 5 times as much (Tannoy Definition DC-10A and Daedalus Poseidon V.2). 

Yeah, I missed Duke too.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: Big Red Machine on 27 Apr 2015, 10:54 pm
Three of us can sit side by side in a room and hear different things.  Just goes to show that what I like means nothing. :dunno:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: JLM on 27 Apr 2015, 11:58 pm
Three of us can sit side by side in a room and hear different things.  Just goes to show that what I like means nothing. :dunno:

+1 

We probably averaged 2 minutes per room; rarely sat at all, let alone in the ideal location; most of the music wasn't familiar or the music wasn't good material to audition with; most of the rooms were squarish (either in plan - the bedrooms, or height/width - the lobby/lower lever rooms); ears fatigue after a few samplings.  Need more excuses?  It was a cloudy day, I missed breakfast, I'm short so you tall guys block my "aural view".   :green:
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: klamka on 28 Apr 2015, 01:10 am
It's true that one should not judge the system at show conditions but what's the alternative ? Flying all over the country to listen to perspective contenders? Also if for understandable reasons you band with other manufacturers to share the cost better make sure it's really worth it. Even though I used the harsh description of my impression of  certain rooms I have no doubts that all the pieces in those systems are potential contenders just if some manufacturers are able to get consistently good to excellent sound in the show rooms YOU CAN DO IT TOO , and if you can't find somebody who can.
The press. They should have no badges , no accommodations, no special treatment and at least pretend to anonymously mix within the crowd to save some tiny amount of credibility some gullible people still credit them with. Instead when any of those clowns appeared in the room I thought that Patricia Barber showed up topless.
And Lastly ZU Company
They didn't produce remarkable sound in their room , but among 99% of car dealers pretending to be an audio salesmen this bunch of young guys really showed what this hobby is for. Two decent cheap turntables and a DJ playing selection of  music all day long . If I had a spare day and was not an audio hardware nut I would park right there and smuggle a bottle with fish and chips . And , I would buy anything from them to keep THAT kind of company on  the market.

 
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: jtwrace on 28 Apr 2015, 01:20 am
And Lastly ZU Company
They didn't produce remarkable sound in their room , but among 99% of car dealers pretending to be an audio salesmen this bunch of young guys really showed what this hobby is for. Two decent cheap turntables and a DJ playing selection of  music all day long . If I had a spare day and was not an audio hardware nut I would park right there and smuggle a bottle with fish and chips . And , I would buy anything from them to keep THAT kind of company on  the market.
:lol:   The "DJ" is usually Sean the owner. 


 (http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119968)

Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: TomS on 28 Apr 2015, 01:22 am
:lol:   The "DJ" is usually Sean the owner. 

Indeed it was. One of the good guys.
Title: Re: AXPONA - Audio Expo North America, April 24-26 2015
Post by: gbeard on 28 Apr 2015, 12:22 pm
Hey Tom,

BRM, DM, & others... Sorry I missed meeting you. I did run into JLM, Triode Pete, Chris VH, Gopher, Ryan and several others. I picked JLM out of a AC line up.  :lol: Pictures say a thousand words and I picked him out in a crowd to say hello. My badge told him who I was....(Badges, we don't need no stinking badges!)  :P