High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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04 / 18 / 24

Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 Stand-Mounted Loudspeaker Review
A sense of performance that gets out of the way of your music.
Review By Simon Lucas
Getting to 'Series 3' of the Bowers & Wilkins 705 stand-mounting loudspeaker has been a rather more convoluted process than it might seem at first glance. You might imagine that 'S3' replaces 'S2', which in turn replaced 'S1' (or perhaps just '705') – but you'd be wrong. Getting to '705 S3' initially required there to be an original '705', it's true. But after this, the entire 700 range (for reasons no one cares to remember) became the 'CM' range. 'CM' didn't remain a thing for all that long, and was replaced by the 'S2' range of 700 models. Then the 705 S2 (and the 702 S2 floorstander) were singled out for the Bowers & Wilkins 'Signature' treatment – I reviewed the 705 Signature in issue 187 of this very magazine. These 'Signature' editions ran alongside the 'vanilla' S2 models on which they were based.
---> Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 Stand-Mounted Loudspeaker Review.

McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier / DAC Review
A serious piece of kit for an entry level vinyl setup.
Review By Gary Lea
If you are a reader of this esteemed publication it is not a stretch to presume you are an audiophile and probably pretty deep into our wonderful hobby. Having said that, I think you would be hard-pressed to find anyone amongst us who has not heard of, listened to, or even owned McIntosh components at some time in our audio journey. Right after college, and I started making reasonable money for the first time, I moved up from a Yamaha integrated amp to a McIntosh MA6200 integrated unit. Sound-wise it was a toss-up between that and a comparable Luxman. While Luxman was perhaps a bit more exotic, I just could not resist the aesthetics of the McIntosh and I never regretted the decision. That was some 43 years ago and was the second phase of my serious journey down the HiFi Highway.
---> McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier / DAC Review.

04 / 17 / 24

Record Store Day 2024 Is This Weekend
Record Store Day 2024 will celebrate the many important independent record stores in the USA and internationally on April 20, 2024. Record Store Day was originally conceived during 2007 when a few independent record store owners as an avenue to rejoice and share the love for local record stores. Record store staff, music lovers and musicians come together to celebrate the wonderful diversity of music and the important local role each store plays at showcasing their local talent and the unique global music culture.

According to the Record Store Day website, "Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, DJs spinning records, and on and on. In 2008 a small list of titles was released on Record Store Day and that list has grown to include artists and labels both large and small, in every genre and price point. For several years, 60% or more of the Record Store Day Official Release List came from independent labels and distributors. The list continues to include a wide range of artists, covering the diverse taste of record stores and their customers." As always, there will be many very limited edition music titles / LP pressings released on Record Store Day 2024. lets you choose the music you love. Please find the participating store near you and contact them directly to find out how they’re participating and celebrating Record Store Day 2024.

04 / 16 / 24

Greg Weaver's Sunday AXPONA 2024 Show Report
It's the last day of AXPONA 2024 and Greg chimes in with pics and great info!
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Greg Weaver
It's the very last day of AXPONA and we're grateful for Greg Weaver's Sunday photos and info (albeit slightly delayed). Many topflight exhibit rooms are within today's update, including a stereo sound system that retails for a staggering $4,000,000! There are also systems in the more normal range, and some surprises along the way too! We know you'll enjoy Greg's final day at AXPONA 2024 pics and info. As always... enjoy the music!
---> Greg Weaver's Sunday AXPONA 2024 Show Report.

T.H.E. Show SoCal 2024 Discount Hotel Rooms Available
North America's longest running hi-fi audio trade show, T.H.E. Show, is set to take place from June 7th through 9th at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa. T.H.E. Hotel Room Block is now available for our attendees at a very special discounted rate so make sure to book your rooms now. With this booking link, attendees will also be entitled to a special parking rate of $20 per day per vehicle (last year it was $28 so they are pleased to offer an even deeper savings). Armed Forces and children under 12 receive complimentary entry (with proof of service).

T.H.E. Club Lounge will be open for members of all audio societies and music clubs! Please bring proof of membership and you will be welcomed in for complimentary beverages, snacks, networking, and relaxation. Additionally, T.H.E. Show SoCal 2024 are excited to share with you all that T.H.E. Women's Lounge is back! We welcome our HiFi Sisters to join us in this special lounge where we will be serving complimentary beverages, snacks, and some special surprises for T.H.E. Ladies! Learn more about T.H.E. Show SoCal 2024 at this link.

04 / 15 / 24

Montreal Audiofest 2024: Best Rooms And Honorable Mentions
Rick Becker picks his Best Rooms at Montreal Audiofest 2024.
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
The playing field at audio shows is never level. The room itself can make a huge difference as was notably evident to me this year. And mishaps can happen. A piece of music might be playing that doesn't show off the greatest strengths of a system. After 286 photos and over 17k babbling words, out of 66 rooms it came down to six I thought were outstanding and another nine I could live very happily with... plus another couple if headphones were my destiny. The Best Rooms did not all sound alike, but they were all very impressive in achieving what they set out to do. Hopefully, in attending the show the visitors will have tuned their listening skills a bit further and identified what is realistically achievable for their own listening pleasure.
---> Montreal Audiofest 2024: Best Rooms And Honorable Mentions.

Chuck's Sunday FUNday At AXPONA 2024
Chuck completes his at-show fun within this AXPONA 2024 show report.
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Chuck Bruce
With the AXPONA 2024 (Audio Expo North America) show's last day in the books, Enjoy the Music.com's Chuck Bruce gives us his final 'preview'. Within his Sunday FUNday update Chuck reports on an excellent assortment of high-end audiophile gear. We're sure there's something within our many AXPONA 2024 show reports you'll love. As always... enjoy the music.
---> Chuck's Sunday FUNday At AXPONA 2024.

04 / 14 / 24

Michael Bump's Saturday AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Music Professor Michael Bump's photos during AXPONA 2024.
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Dr. Michael R. Bump
During Saturday at AXPONA 2024, musician Michael Bump heard many great pieces of high-performance audio gear. From turntables and Hi-Res Audio DACs to lossless music streamers, reference-quality loudspeakers, tweaks and so very much more. There was quite a bit of high-end audiophile quality stereo equipment to see during the AXPONA 2024 show. As always... enjoy the music!
---> Michael Bump's Saturday AXPONA 2024 Show Report.

Chuck Bruce's Saturday AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Chuck takes a look and listens to high-end audiophile gear.
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Chuck Bruce
Chuck once again brings us exceptional coverage of Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) here in Chicago. Today he gave a careful listen to various turntables, hornspeakers, DAC, reel-to-reel, and much more! We're sure you'll enjoy seeing the many pieces of high-performance audiophile gear that was on display at AXPONA 2024. As always... enjoy the music!
---> Chuck Bruce's Saturday AXPONA 2024 Show Report.

Greg Weaver's Saturday Preview: AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Greg gives us more great info and pics from the AXPONA 2024 show.
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Greg Weaver
Once again we're honored to have many fantastic photos and incredible info from the AXPONA 2024 show. Our Senior Editor Greg Weaver has sent us even more info for your visual pleasures. We also feature Qobuz's David Solomon too, plus new great that's not to be missed. All this and more within today's AXPONA 2024 show report update from Greg Weaver. As always... enjoy the music!
---> Greg Weaver's Saturday Preview: AXPONA 2024 Show Report.

04 / 12 / 24

Friday Preview: AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Friday night sneak peek by Chuck Bruce.
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Chuck Bruce
Featuring Stenheim L/S, VTL, And Nordost Cables
Christina Stone Of GIK Acoustics
Aurora Aries Cerat Three-Way Horn Loudspeakers
Acora Acoustics Loudspeakers And VAC Tube Amplification
Highwater Sound Room With Cessato Horn Acoustics Opus+ Loudspeakers
Zesto Ensemble Vacuum Tube Amplifiers
---> Friday Preview: AXPONA 2024 Show Report.

More Friday Preview: AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Friday's fun AXPONA 2024 pics from our Senior Editor Greg Weaver
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Greg Weaver
Featuring Avantgarde Acoustic And Phasemation
LampizatOr And Westminster Lab 
Soulution And Gauder Acoustics 
Rethm Loudspeakers And Perfect8 
Acora Acoustics And VAC Tube Amps
Vivid Audio And Audionet Electronics 
Gobel Speakers And WADAX Electronics 
Carver Tube Amps And Magnepan Speakers
---> More Friday Preview: AXPONA 2024 Show Report.

And Even More Friday Preview: AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Enjoy the Music.com's resident music Professor Michael Bump chimes in.
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Dr. Michael R. Bump
For our third Friday Preview, we are honored to add musician, music Professor, and all around great gentleman Dr. Michael Bump's Friday photographs. We're sure you'll enjoy seeing many of the exciting pieces of high-performance audio gear that was being showcased at the AXPONA 2024 show. As always... enjoy the music!
---> And Even More Friday Preview: AXPONA 2024 Show Report.

Part 7: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
Time to check out the Lower Level, Outremont, and St. Laurent rooms.
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
To reorient readers and those who have attended the Montreal show this year or in the past, Part 7 covers the rooms off to the right after you descend the escalator to the lower level. The Outremont rooms are generally just a little larger than the Westmont rooms covered in Part 6, so think of them as larger living rooms, but far smaller than the St. Laurent rooms on the opposite side of the hallway. Ahead and off to the right was the Audio Technica display with headphones, entry-level turntables, and phono cartridges. The Aston Martin took me back to 1966 when I lusted after a bright red DB6 in their showroom window bordering Hyde Park in London. The current iteration is much more elegant, but they should have named it the dB12, as it is more understated than its current competition.
---> Part 7: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

04 / 11 / 24

Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Progression S350 Stereo Power Amplifier Review
The Dan D'Agostino S350 amplifier makes each musical selection sound spectacular!
Review By Tom Lyle
Dan D'Agostino Master Audio products are not the most expensive audio components on the market, but in my opinion, their audio products are some of the best sounding high-end audio components I've ever had the pleasure of auditioning. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to review two D'Agostino Master Audio components in the past. In 2017, I reviewed the excellent-sounding Momentum Lifestyle integrated amplifier, which had an onboard DAC and could also be used as a streamer with its front-panel LCD metadata display. Also in 2017, I reviewed D'Agostino Master Audio System's Momentum phono stage, which I was highly impressed with its outstanding sound quality and very user-friendly front panel controls.
---> Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Progression S350 Stereo Power Amplifier Review.

Songer Audio S1 Field Coil Point-Source Loudspeaker Review
Singing a magnificent song.
Review By Bob Grossman
Do you remember as a kid when you first heard an excellent quality music system? It was exciting, right? That first time I heard music on a good stereo, I was completely mesmerized as if real musicians were performing in the room! It was an emotional experience beyond the thrilling sound. That feeling came back a few months ago at the Capital Audio Fest when I visited the Songer Audio room and heard the S1 Speakers for the first time. I had been listening to music in many different demo rooms with my good friend Ken Sternberg. We were also saying hello to industry friends and taking in the excitement of the festival. Something magical happened when we went into the Songer Room that distinctly grabbed our attention, like the first time I heard a stereo 60 years ago.
---> Songer Audio S1 Field Coil Point-Source Loudspeaker Review.

AXPONA 2024 Is This Weekend
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2024 is set to take place from April 12th through 14th at The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center close to Chicago. This three-day experience will feature a multitude of floors, with a total of approximately 200 listening rooms. Special showcases include the Expo Hall featuring The Record Fair, The Ear Gear Experience, and a variety of seminars. Whether you're a very serious audiophile, a newcomer to high-end audio or simply a music lover, you found everything you need to immerse yourself in your favorite sounds.

On Friday, April 12 at 8pm, celebrated jazz guitarist Bobby Broom will take the stage at AXPONA 2024. Born and raised in New York City, Bobby began studying the guitar at age 12, eventually attending the High School of Music and Art where he took part in the jazz ensemble and was awarded Outstanding Jazz Improvisation during his senior year. Broom's first release of original compositions Upper West Side Story (2012) reached number one within the College Music Journal jazz chart and was in the Jazz Week and Down Beat Top Albums of 2012. Today, Broom calls Chicago home and teaches Chicago high school students for the Ravinia Festival Organization's community outreach Jazz Scholar Program. See Enjoy the Music.com's AXPONA 2024 show report at this link.

04 / 10 / 24

HIGH END 2024 In Munich Features Steven Wilson
This just in from the world's most important and largest high-end audio event globally: Acclaimed musician and producer Steven Wilson will be presenting his most recent album "The Harmony Codex" in immersive audio reproduction at the HIGH END 2024, taking place from May 9 to 12 at the MOC Event Center in Munich. In cooperation with the organizer of the international audio show and the company PMC, which has exhibited at the HIGH END for many years, Wilson will be holding a series of seminars on all four days of the event, sharing his vast knowledge and experience of mixing in spatial audio with his guests. At the presentations, visitors will have the unique opportunity to become familiar with the creative use of reference level audio, guided by the Grammy-nominated spatial audio mix engineer and one of the world's leading songwriters and producers.

Steven Wilson, no stranger to the HIGH END, having been brand ambassador in 2019, will give a series of talks about the use of immersive audio in the creation of his music and share his experience as a sought-after remixer of classic works by other artists. During each presentation, he will be demonstrating his immersive mixes, with a special focus on his latest album, "The Harmony Codex", and some of the other artists mixes he has produced, including works from Tears for Fears, Ultravox and Roxy Music. The system, provided by PMC, includes loudspeakers from the manufacturer that are found in the best recording and mixing facilities in the world, e.g. at the BBC, Metropolis, LP:ME Dubai and numerous other studios. Learn more and see Enjoy the Music.com's HIGH END 2024 MOC / Munich show report at this link.

Part 6: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
The Lower Level, Montreal, and Westmount Rooms.
Before heading down to the lower level I revisited the ASONA room to listen to the new Dan Clark E3 closed-back headphones driven by a Pathos headphone amp. It was a very impressive experience – near-flagship performance for $2k USD from a premium headphone manufacturer. The Pathos amp is a very classy amplifier as well. Somewhere on the upper level was a sleeping room with a Cabasse Rialto all-in-one system playing. I had marveled at these speakers with all the system electronics built into them at last year's Axpona show. The display there was not nearly as optimal as in this room in Montreal. They sounded great at AXPONA and were even more spectacular here. Priced at $4k USD, it sounds a lot more expensive and plays a lot deeper in the bass than you would expect with a rear-firing woofer in this diminutive cabinet.
---> Part 6: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

04 / 09 / 24

Southwest Audio Fest 2025 Announced
This exciting news just in from Lou Hinkley and Gary Gill, show promoters for the SWAF: Our first Southwest Audio Fest was a resounding success and we already have the contract locked in at the Hilton Anatole for March 21st through 23rd, 2025, with 30 more rooms! We appreciate your investment in this new show and sincerely thank you for being part of SWAF. We are confident that Dallas and the Southwest Region will support and promote the growth of a quality audiophile / high-end consumer electronics event. Looking ahead we plan to incorporate more lifestyle products including home theater, headphones, and personal audio to bring more families and friends to SWAF!

Thank you to all of our volunteers including the many regional audio clubs, groups and societies! Lastly, thank you to the generous sponsors who have made the live music and much more possible including Enjoy The Music.com, Qobuz, and Snake River Audio. We will definitely see you again next year!

Musically Yours,
Lou Hinkley – Pacific Audio Fest

04 / 08 / 24

Part 5: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
The Industry Banquet And Lifetime Achievement Awards
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
During Saturday night here at the Montreal Audiofest 2024, Enjoy the Music.com once again sponsored the banquet and Lifetime Achievement Awards festivities. Below are many fun-filled photos from this once-in-a-lifetime memorable event.
---> Part 5: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

04 / 06 / 24

Best Of SWAF 2024 Blue Note Awards
Reviewer Paul Schumann gives you his Best Of Southwest Audio Fest 2024.
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
Attending a high-end audio show is a bit of sensory overload! There were over 100 companies represented at Southwest Audio Fest 2024. When I got my bearings by the third day, I settled on a few favorite rooms that I wanted to revisit. The top ones are winners of the Best Of SWAF 2024 Blue Note Awards. The Soundlab room was one of the first I visited, yet I returned several times over the three days.... Audio Note UK is all about the synergy of its products, but this was the first time I was able to experience it firsthand.... These words from Keat's poem came to mind as I sat In front of John Semrad's magnificent horns. The product of a true artisan, they belong in a museum for their craftsmanship alone. When playing, music just flowed out of them like there were no boundaries between the listener and the performer.
---> Best Of SWAF 2024 Blue Note Awards.

The Inaugural Southwest Audio Fest
A new 'must-see' show joins the annual event lineup.
SWAF 2024 Show Report By Greg Weaver
What an amazing new spectacle! This remarkable inaugural event was held at the four-star rated Hilton Anatole in the Design District just north of the heart of downtown Dallas, Texas, from March 15th through Saint Patrick's Day, the 17th. I want to take a moment to comment on what an overwhelming success it was. Veteran showrunners, Gary Gill, who founded and has run a dozen Capital Audiofests in Rockville Maryland, and Lou Hinkley, founder of Daedalus Audio in 1992, and show director of the now two-year-old Pacific Audio Fest of Seattle Washington, have teamed up to bring us this new and extremely promising show in Dallas, a modern metropolis in north Texas, which is both a commercial and cultural hub of the region. First of all, the Hilton Anatole is exceptional as its venue. Opened in 1979, with over 1,600 guest rooms, it is one of the largest hotels in the region and is a major convention and meeting facility.
---> The Inaugural Southwest Audio Fest.

04 / 05 / 24

Part 4: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
Many wonderful surprises within the 2400 Hallway.
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
It was a delight to enter the Erikson Consumer room to find JBL L100 Classic Mk II speakers ($3400 each) playing. They were driven by a rig comprised of JBL components including a streamer, CD player, and integrated amp. It sounded decent with the JBL components, but the components were entry-level to the high end at best and priced in mid-fi territory which is the fertile ground for Erikson Consumer. And I'm glad to see them at the show because they are a solid stepping stone to the higher-priced gear at the show. No shame in that. Even this level was way above my head when I was a young man. That said, a year or two (or more?) I heard the original reissue version of these speakers played in the lower level of this show driven by much more expensive electronics. The experience was emotionally very moving and the sound quality was considerably higher.
---> Part 4: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

Hi-Fi+ April 2024 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: Editor's Choice Awards
Incoming! Your Views On Audio
The History Of hi-fi+
Paul Messenger 1949-2024 
Competitions: Four Ways To Win! 
Nordost QBASE Reference (QB 10) 
B.audio Alpha One Integrated Amplifier
Tannoy Super Gold Monitor SGM 10 
HiFi Rose RS130 Streamer / Transport
And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "Anniversary issues are always a time to look back, but it's also a good time to look forward and try to predict what the next few years will look like. Such predictions are prone to a lot of guesswork, and there are no spoilers, no giving away secrets, and no Tarot cards were harmed in the making of these dimly lit gazes into the near future. In the high-end, the trend for oligarch-grade products looks set to continue. Whenever we think audio has reached its price ceiling, someone builds a longer ladder! Most super-high-end systems top out at somewhere around £1m - £1.2m at present. I think in the next few years, we will see several systems that reach £2m, and possibly even more." See what's within the April 2024 issue of Hi-Fi+ magazine.

04 / 04 / 24

SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 4
Featuring PureAudioProject, Pass Labs, Audio Note UK, Semrad Audio, Voxativ, Bella Sound, And More!
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
As mentioned, I've been reviewing for Enjoy the Music.com for over six years, but this inaugural Southwest Audio Fest was my first show. This meant I was able to meet some of the people who I've been corresponding with via email over the years. The first review I did was of the PureAudioProject Trio 15 Horn1, which is a great way to begin. I stopped by the PureAudioProject room a few times before I spied Ze'ev Schlik. Ze'ev gave me a warm greeting and we had a nice visit while listening to his wonderful system. In the room were his elegant Trio15 Classic Speakers with Voxativ AC-PiFe Center Driver ($9,990). They were powered by a Pass Labs INT-25 Integrated Amp, ($7,250). The digital source was Mojo Audio's Deja Vu Music Server / Streamer ($4750) paired with Mystique Y DAC ($5,990). Power for Mojo Audio equipment was provided by an Illuminati "Brick" power supply ($1,250).
---> SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 4.

A Primer: Attending An Audio Show
Plus a few tasty bits of insider info you need to know.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
Hi guys and gals in AudioLand. With all these show reports contained within the Enjoy the Music.com pages, i felt you would be interested in what it takes to cover shows as a humble writer looking to get scoops on all the groovy gear. First comes making all the arrangements. The airline tickets, the hotel reservation, the rental car... Nothing hard with that except being a bit strenuous on your wallet. Have you seen what these hotel rooms cost? Almost 300 sheckles for the 'phile City show... each night! Hmmm, being short on cashola i guess it will be fun staying at the YMCA for me again this year....
--->A Primer: Attending an audio show.

10 Examples Of How RCA Was The Apple Of Its Day
Article By Bobby Owsinski
A while back I read a great post on the Daily Beast about how the old RCA company (Radio Corporation of America) was actually Apple way before Apple came into existence. Of course, that means that there were numerous similarities between the company that were pretty impressive. For instance: RCA founder David Sarnoff was the original Steve Jobs. He willed his company to be the most innovative and technology driven company of its time. When Sarnoff retired in 1970, the company lost its way and diversified into food and real estate, eventually being acquired by GE. Obviously that hasn't happened with Apple after Jobs passing, but you can't deny that Jobs influence definitely made a difference in its products.
---> 10 examples of how RCA was the Apple of its day.

04 / 03 / 24

RIAA 2023 Year-End Music Industry Revenue Report
According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) that works for the music business and companies that create it in the United States of America, "Recorded music revenues in the U.S.A. in 2023 continued strong growth for the eighth consecutive year. Total revenues grew 8% to a record high $17.1 billion at estimated retail value. Streaming continued to be the biggest driver of growth with record levels of engagement in paid subscriptions, continued growth in ad-supported revenues, and growing contributions from new platforms and services. At wholesale value revenues grew 7% to a record high of $11 billion. Streaming continued to account for the great majority of recorded music revenues in 2023. Paid subscriptions, ad-supported services, digital and customized radio, social media platforms, digital fitness apps and others grew 8% to a record high $14.4 billion in revenue. These services collectively accounted for 84% of total revenues for the second year in a row.

Thanks to Taylor Swift and other popular music titles available on vinyl LP, and to as lesser extent Compact Disc and Cassette Tape, according to the RIAA "Revenues from physical music formats continued to grow after their remarkable resurgence in 2021. Total physical revenues of $1.9 billion were up 11% versus the prior year. Revenues from vinyl records grew 10% to $1.4 billion – the seventeenth consecutive year of growth – and accounted for 71% of physical format revenues. For the second time since 1987, vinyl albums outsold CDs in units (43 million vs 37 million), even as revenues from CDs also show growth, up 11% to $537 million in 2023."

04 / 02 / 24

Part 3: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
Investigating the 2300 Hallway at the Montreal audiophile show.
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
After admiring the ducks floating motionlessly as they listened to Terry Riley's Music For Urban Wilderness, I retraced my steps and headed up the stairs to the 2300 hallway. After climbing the stairs there is one room in the hallway to the right which is traditionally a 'must-see / hear' room. The names on the floor plan vary somewhat from year to year but many of the players here carry over year after year. Frank Fazzalari of Coherent Speakers frequently parks himself in the hall outside the door to attract folks who might not know there is this one room in that hallway. After premiering the five-unit tall version of his new speaker in a much larger room at the Toronto show last October where it received a Best Rooms award, Frank chopped it down to just three units for this smaller room. The stack includes a full-range unit with a horn-loaded beryllium tweeter coincidently mounted with a 10" driver on top of two units featuring a 15" woofer.
---> Part 3: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

This Weekend: Australian Hi-Fi Show Sydney 2024
Set to take place from April 5th through 7th at the Sydney Central Hotel, this year's even builds on the success of the Australian Hi-Fi Show Sydney in 2023. Brought to you by Australian Hi-Fi, What Hi-Fi? and Sound+Image magazines, the Australian Hi-Fi Show 2024 will celebrate the latest and greatest in the hi-fi and AV industry, giving visitors the opportunity to see and hear a range of products from all around the world. Tickets are now on sale for Sydney's premier hi-fi and video show in April.

Featuring live demonstrations of some of the world's most renowned hi-fi and AV brands including high-end audio, TVs, projectors, headphones, home theatre systems, amplifiers, streamers, wireless and Bluetooth speakers and everything in between, the Australian Hi-Fi Show 2024 will go even bigger and better than last year's event. Bring your own music, relax, and enjoy the listening experience in our comfortable sound lounges. And find what kit is right for you.

04 / 01 / 24

April High-Performance Audio Review Magazine
This month we've finalized our Florida International Audio Expo 2024 show report, while we're still adding to our Southwest Audio Fest and Montreal Audiofest show reports. Be sure to check back often for updates! Roger Skoff's editorial How To Buy A Violin... Or Something Like That talks about supporting your local high-end audio / audiophile dealers. Gear reviews this month includes the Yin Yang Labs Graphametric Paralyzer, Subatomic String Tuning Device Review, and the not-to-be-missed Exotic Automobile Manufacturer Offers 'The Audiophile Car'! If you haven't guessed by now, it is April Fools Day and we enjoy making a bit of fun towards various things music, industry, and exotic sports cars too. Actual high-end audiophile equipment reviews this month includes the amazing Aric Audio Super 300B SET vacuum tube stereo power amplifier, FiiO's fantastic M17 portable desktop-class music player, RSX Benchmark Series cables and more! Join us for more fun and bonus content within our Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter social media pages. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!
---> April 2024 High-Performance Audio Review Magazine!

Montréal Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Canada's Montréal Audiofest 2024 Event Coverage
The Salon Audio Montreal Audiofest 2024, scheduled from March 22nd through 24th, will bring together over 5000 visitors who desire seeing, touching, and listening to over 300 brands of high-performance audio products all under one roof. As the largest show in Canada, you may experience the very best audio/video industry manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in Canada. Within each listening room, exhibitors are elated to share their passion for music with you by demonstrating some of the world's best sound systems from $5000 to $500,000. Montréal Audiofest is celebrating its 35th edition in 2024 and remains the must-attend event for audiophiles and music lovers.
---> Montréal Audiofest 2024 Show Report.

Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Hi-Fi Show Report
SWAF's 2024 high-performance premium audio event coverage.
The Southwest Audio Fest (SWAF) arises from the partnership of Gary Gill (Capital Audiofest) and Lou Hinkley (Pacific AudioFest / Daedalus Audio) and their success with the Pacific Audio Fest event, which is destined to be an annual event for high-end audio in the Pacific Northwest serving the entire Pacific region. We are pleased to announce a new industry-operated show for another underserved part of the country... the Southwest Audio Fest in Dallas in Texas. The show promoters worked for over two years to secure a contract with an amazing event hotel, which is very safe, family friendly, and great weather in March too! Both Gary Gill and Lou Hinkley are confident that this show will grow and the Anatole has all the room a premium audio event needs.
---> Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Hi-Fi Show Report.

Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report
Florida's Fantastic International Audio Exposition In Tampa.
The funtastic Florida International Audio Expo 2024 took place from February 16th through 18th at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore Hotel. Attendees enjoyed their experience on 12 floors' filled with great luxury sound gear produced by the world's leading premium high-performance audio brands. As their exciting fifth annual Florida International Audio Expo, this was the opportunity for audio and music aficionados to discover this sensational showcase of products that includes home and desktop stereo systems, record players / turntables, headphones, loudspeakers, digital audio music streamers, Hi-Res Audio DACs, cables, amplifiers and more!
---> Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report.

How To Buy A Violin... Or Something Like That
Laying out money for music.
Article By Roger Skoff
It's only been about a century since, if you wanted to hear music, you either had to play or sing it yourself or get somebody else to do it for you. Sure, the first music recording was made back in 1860, by a Frenchman, Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville, and, sure, the phonograph (but not in a form we'd recognize it today) was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison, but it wasn't until 1925 that electrical recording came along and made buying a record for an evening of listening a practical reality. And it wasn't until the 1940s that even any attempt was made to record and reproduce what we now call "High Fidelity" sound. Before then, if you wanted to listen to music at home, you either had to make it yourself or invite people over to make it for or with you.
---> How To Buy A Violin... Or Something Like That.

Yin Yang Labs Graphametric Paralyzer Review
Superb mastering engineer quality, yet wish the Talent knob was more effective.
Review By Steven R. Rochlin
Audiophiles worldwide have long been looking for a way to enhance the enjoyment of their music. This has lead to inevitable upgrades in various parts of their music reproduction system. This piece will enhance the transparency of lesser recordings, or reduce them if you are tired of hyper-reality. Like your system's transparency, the imaging can be tuned to fine Zeiss-like focus, or into a blur. For those using older solid-state devices or push-pull amplifiers, the harmonics know may be the key for those looking for that zero feedback single-ended tube sound! For me, the most important adjustment the Yin Yang Labs Graphametric Parlyzer can achieve is in adding real talent to those pop music recordings.
---> Yin Yang Labs Graphametric Paralyzer Review.

Exotic Automobile Manufacturer Offers 'The Audiophile Car'
Audiophiles no longer need to hibernate at home!
Review By Steven R. Rochlin
For decades audiophiles have been stuck to the confines of their homes to reach musical bliss. In these, usually, darkened rooms they would toil away tweaking and tuning looking for the next nirvana. It brings me great joy to announce the very first auto manufacturer to satisfy the needs of audiophiles worldwide. This next generation vehicle will suit both those looking for style and substance. It is no secret that home audio is doomed from the beginning with lackluster alternating current. This problem is exacerbated with the use of dedicated power lines, power filters, regenerators, and balancers. The Audiophile Car, or TAC for short, removes this entire exercise by being 100% battery powered!
---> Exotic Automobile Manufacturer Offers The Audiophile Car.

Aric Audio Super 300B SET Stereo Power Amplifier Review
To 300B or not to 300B, that is the Question.
Review By Ric Mancuso
Aric Kimball is an audio component designer and is a self-made audiophile. It is seldom to come across an audio designer who has eluded the radar among the audiophile community. His father somewhat inspired Aric to take a journey into the audio universe. Aric told me that his dad owned a Pioneer Rack system back in the 1970s that Aric had admired. Aric wanted to own one of his own. That compass point ignited his passion for ultimately designing his gear — a big step from the glitzy look of the Pioneer Rack system. I used to sell those in my previous life as an audio salesperson. Oh, those meters! So, I asked Aric who his mentors were and what components were his envy. He admitted to me that he had no mentors or any icons of audio that he worshipped. Here are a few answers to some questions I asked about his audio formative years.
---> Aric Audio Super 300B SET Stereo Power Amplifier Review.

FiiO M17 Portable Desktop-Class Music Player Review
An organic-sounding high-resolution music streamer and Hi-Res Audio DAC.
Review By Tom Lyle
Being an audiophile means that convenience isn't our number one goal. If you are anything like me, I am an audiophile because I love music and want to hear recorded music with the best sound quality possible. This is true even when I'm listening to recorded music when not sitting in the sweet spot in front of my audio system. This means listening through headphones, often using a portable digital audio player (DAP). Until the technology advances so that a small Hi-Res Audio DAP sounds as good as a large one, audiophiles will be listening to devices such as the FiiO M17. Like other top-tier DAPs, the M17 is a rather large, heavy digital audio player. It sports a plethora of features, some of which I found useful and others I found no use for.
---> FiiO M17 Portable Desktop-Class Music Player Review.

Listener Magazine The Intro
Editorial By Art Dudley
By the time you read this my daughter will be four years old. This morning I took Julia to preschool, but when we got there I realized I'd forgotten to bring her lunch, so I told the teachers I would return with it later on. I went back at noon, brown bag in hand, and walked into the classroom just as everyone was settling down on the big story rug for a big story. When Julia saw me her face lit up and she shouted, "Daddy!" She jumped up and ran to me and gave me the biggest hug ever, in history. While she was hugging me she continued to say, "My Daddy! My Daddy!," and patted me on the back the way she does lately. All you parents out there know what I'm talking about, don't you? It's hard to stay worried about skating or ringing or jitter or other distortions with vaguely Christmas-y names when you've got something like that going on.
---> Listener Magazine The Intro By Art Dudley.

Audio Note Ongaku
Article By Hiroyasu Kondo-san, Audio Note
The 211 creates a formidable impression because of its shape. But the 211 may appear old-fashioned and unsophisticated to high-brow maniacs for audio equipment. Perhaps this is the reason why there are only a few amplifiers that employ the 211 tube today. This type of amplifier is a challenge from the viewpoint of the manufacturer. The power supply circuit cannot be normally designed, since the supply voltage required for the 211 tube must be approximately 1000V. In manufacturing the amplifier, we must pay utmost attention to moisture-proofing the chassis and proper insulation of the wiring so as to prevent hands from getting electric shock if one reaches into the amplifier. However, it is only large triodes like the 211 that provide the best performance that vacuum tubes can offer.
---> Audio Note Ongaku Article By Hiroyasu Kondo-san.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

03 / 29 / 24

Part 2: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
Let's explore the 1300 hallway.
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
Going from the 1200 hallway to the 1300 one was more of a zig-zag than a simple left turn. The cheat sheet for Brosseau lists a large and a small rig. This was the smaller one with a Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 integrated amplifier ($2k USD) with built-in streaming and room correction. It's the smaller box in the photo above. It features digital and analog inputs and when connected to your Wi-Fi it can access a multitude of streaming services. It also connects directly to your TV vis HDMI to provide quality sound and room correction. The two-channel amplifier puts out 60W @ 8 Ohms, 120W @ 4 Ohms and 30A peak power. One of the analog inputs is for the built-in MM phono stage. At 7.3 lbs., it is not a heavy weight, but a serious unit for people who want serious two-channel sound without all the complexity and cost of a decked-out home theater.
---> Part 2: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

03 / 28 / 24

SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 3
Featuring Classic Audio, Technics, Kimber Kable, Terry Audio, AGD Productions, and more!
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
One of the rooms I was anticipating was Classic Audio. I had been following these Michiganders since they started with the rebuilding of JBL Hartsfield horns. Dominating the room was the massive T-3.4 Field Coil Powered System ($59,950) with its associated Dual Output Tungar DC Power Supplies ($8,000). Two power amps were being used, an Atma-Sphere Novacron Mk.3.3 ($26,500) and a Classic Audio Push-Pull 300B prototype. The preamp was an MP-1 Mark 3.3 Preamplifier ($23,890). The vinyl setup was an upgraded Technics SP 10 Mk III, Tri-Planar Ultimate 12 tonearm ($11,500), and a Van Den Hul Colibri Stradivarius Reference Cartridge ($13,000). A Studer 810 reel-to-reel was also a music source.
---> SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 3.

Avantgarde Acoustic Duo XD Hornspeaker Review
Blow Up! – With the Duo XD, Avantgarde Acoustic shows what horn technology and a perfectly matched active woofers... are able to do to the sound.
Review By Matthias Böde
Yes, you have read the measurement results from our lab correctly (in case you checked them): For 94 decibels of sound pressure at a distance of one meter, this speaker needs just 0.07 Watts of power. Seven Watts would be somewhat normal, 0.7 Watts already a sensation – but 0.07 Watts reads like a typo. It is completely true though! This is made possible by the large horn at the top end of the Duo XD, coming from the specialist Avantgarde Acoustic, based in a small town in the Odenwald mountain range in southwestern Germany. This horn is connected directly to the amplifier without any intermediate crossover and visually symbolizes the phenomenal efficiency with its huge opening of 67 centimeters.
---> Avantgarde Acoustic Duo XD hornspeaker Review.

Gryphon Audio Essence Preamplifier
And Essence Stereo Power Amplifier Review
Blown away by an amazing musical performance!
Review By Tom Lyle
The Gryphon Essence preamplifier and Gryphon Stereo power amplifier are gorgeous looking and beautiful sounding Danish high-end audio components. Those who can afford either or both of these components will not only enjoy stellar sound quality but most likely will also be able to enjoy the fact that they are the epitome of audio equipment that has a look and "feel" of luxury goods. Gryphon founder Flemming E. Rasmussen was responsible for the stunningly beautiful exterior of the rather large (and heavy!) Gryphon Essence preamplifier and Stereo Essence power amplifier. Good looks and operational refinement are especially true of the Gryphon Essence preamplifier. Its weighty infrared metal remote was only one indication of this Danish audio manufacturer's recognition of many audiophile's appreciation of the intangibles that are available on many preamps.
---> Gryphon Audio Essence preamplifier & Essence Amplifier Review.

03 / 27 / 24

Part 1: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
Show coverage of the 1200 hallway.
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
I think there were some Denon electronics and Polk speakers in a system here, but I was afraid to stick around to see where this photo shoot was headed. Danny Labrecque of Luna Cables in Eastern Quebec has had his cables in the rooms of other presenters for a long time. In recent years he has taken to hosting his room and they have typically been top-tier presentations. Here, the smallest model of the AudioNec speaker (EVO 1, $29.5k) was sounding pretty spectacular. A taller version of this same design was among the Best Rooms last year. This low-rider presented a low soundstage when standing in the room, but rose almost to ear level when sitting. While its physical design in black and white was eye-catching, its small size was right at home in this sleeping room.
---> Part 1: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

Southwest Audio Fest's Inaugural Event
A successful Southwest Audio Fest 2024 event in Dallas.
SWAF 2024 Show Report By Michael G. Harkins
Southwest Audio Fest kicked off on March 15 with a medium-sized, but lively and well-attended event at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. The show's organizers, Gary Gill and Lou Hinkley, are experienced audio show proprietors, having hosted the Capital Audio Fest and Pacific Audio Fest respectively. They make it a family affair for themselves, the exhibitors, and attendees at the show. Many well-known and lesser-known audio brands, including several from Texas, were here to show off their latest and greatest. It was my goal to see and hear as many as possible, and to spend some quality time with them when the rooms weren't too crowded to simply enjoy the music!
---> Southwest Audio Fest's Inaugural Event.

03 / 26 / 24

SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 2
Featuring Songer Audio, Raven Audio, Avantgarde Acoustic, Ayre Acoustics, LampizatOr, Stromtank, Phasemation, and more!
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
Seeing that Songer Audio made the trip to the Southwest Audio Fest 20924 show, they demonstrated their wonderful loudspeakers was a real treat! In the room were the S1x field-coil speakers ($45,000) powered by a Trafomatic Rhapsody integrated amplifier ($19,000). Front-end duties were performed by Innuos Statement Music Server and Streamer ($18,900) and a LampizatOr Poseidon DAC ($25,000). Power was supplied by Stromtank S-2500 Quantum ($30,000). The SX1x speakers feature the new V4 Nova driver. It has redesigned steel geometry milled from ultra-low carbon steel, and the field coil pole piece is made from permendur, a hard-to-find high-flux alloy sourced from Germany.
---> SWAF 2024 Show Coverage Part 2.

Introduction To Rick Becker's Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Hundreds of photos spanning many pages coming soon!
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
As my travels to the Montreal show were wont to do, I awoke with my car covered with snow after a pleasant drive to my secret camping spot near the Canadian border. As I approached the Customs checkpoint I fell in line behind 30 cars and turned my engine off to conserve fuel. Talk about a non-porous border! After 20 minutes a man in uniform came walking down the line, talking with drivers. As it turned out, I was in line with people seeking to emigrate to Canada and he motioned for me to proceed to the far left inspection gate which is normally reserved for people with Express Passes. You don't want to get caught going through the Express Lane without an Express Pass.
---> Introduction To Rick Becker's Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report.

03 / 25 / 24

UK Inflation Rate Adds Vinyl LP Prices
The United Kingdom's Office For National Statistics has announced their adding vinyl LPs into their "Basket Of Goods And Services" that count toward inflation. According to their website, "New items are introduced to represent areas where consumer spending is significant or growing while items are removed where expenditure is low or decreasing. Some of the changes also help to rebalance the basket, adding items where we need to improve coverage or take items out where a type of product may be over-represented.... This year, vinyl records have returned to the basket after a resurgence in their popularity. This is not the first time that vinyl has been in the basket of goods; we last saw it there in 1992, only to then disappear as CDs and cassettes became more popular.... Vinyl records have experienced a resurgence in popularity, so make a return to the basket."

03 / 23 / 24

Saturday Preview! Montréal Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Enjoy an exciting selection of special sneak peek pics!
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
Thanks to Rick Becker, we have a fun selection of photos taken today at the Montreal Audiofest 2024. Rick says, "Today, Saturday, I had trouble getting into a lot of rooms – had to wait for people to leave, or in some cases double back later in the day. The Industry Party tonight was a lot of fun with live music and a Disco theme. Will hit the large rooms on the lower level on Sunday and double back to some smaller rooms on the main floor that I want to see again. Lots of great gear and inviting music. I expect to visit every room though I will only comment in depth on the most interesting ones." Much more coverage coming soon. Check back daily for more!
---> Saturday Preview! Montréal Audiofest 2024 Show Report.

SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 1
Featuring Kimber Kable, YG Acoustics, Tidal, Emm Labs, Spatial Audio, Raven Audio, and more!
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
It's hard to believe, but I've been reviewing for Enjoy the Music.com for over six years. In that time I have been fortunate to listen to a lot of excellent equipment in the comfy confines of my living room. The one thing I haven't been able to do is go to a high-end audio show. Then, this fall, the stars aligned in my favor. Gary Gill and Lou Hinckley decided to start a new show here in Dallas. This is just a three-hour drive from Austin, so I was eager to go. Before I knew it, I was driving up to Dallas on a Friday morning and arrived in time to get my badge and start walking around just as the show started. Several of the big rooms on the Atrium and Mezzanine floors weren't quite ready for visitors, so I decided to start at the top and work my way down.
---> SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 1.

03 / 22 / 24

audioXpress' April 2024 Issue
Editorial: Doesn't Look Like It
An Afternoon With Menno van der Veen
A High-Performance 60-Watt Class A Amplifier Part 1
Comprehensive AC Power Controller
Hearing And Audio Part 2 — Auditory Resolution
Earbuds And Hearables State Of The Industry
Microphone Array Beamforming With Optical MEMS
Unveiling The Impact Of Ear Canal Geometry
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "While researching for this year's Earbuds and Hearables State of the Industry Market Update — a category that converges pure listening enjoyment and communications with hearing assistance and augmentation — I had to carefully review the results thus far from the much propelled over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid policy, which was supposed to drive down costs, increase access, and open up a market space for innovation in hearing aids. And unfortunately, it seems that companies are basically using that ruling to launch products that are more basic hearing aids that allow self-fitting but still look like hearing aids, and do less than the "medically prescribed" hearing aids. A few exceptions from innovators such as Eargo made us believe that something could change, gradually. The LINK by Eargo is promoted as "the first earbud-style OTC hearing aid with Bluetooth 5.3" that doesn't look like a hearing aid."
---> audioXpress' April 2024 Issue.

03 / 21 / 24

Ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 Headamp Review
A new spin on an old friend.
Review By Gary Alan Barker
I have made it no secret that I am a huge tube fan. I have also made no secret of my love of ampsandsound amplifiers. The reason is that Justin Weber is one of the few designers of his generation that gets what tube amps are all about and almost more importantly, knows what music is supposed to sound like. What tubes are all about is musicality, and in this context, musicality means dynamic, open, natural-sounding, clear, resolute, linear, organic sound without the added hard edge produced by solid-state amplification. (I have stressed this often, but what tubes are not about is rolled off highs, anemic bass, and supposed pleasantness of high THD as is the misconception of modern non-audiophile engineers.) So it was with no little excitement that I greeted the news that I would be given the opportunity to review the newest revision of the amp that started it all.
---> Ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 Headamp Review.

Rotel A12 MKII Integrated Amplifier Review
Is the Rotel A12 MKII the ideal amplifier to build a $3000 stereo system around with two great sources?
Review By Ian White
Have you ever been listening to your system and the lights go out? It's not a good feeling because there is always the risk that when the power comes back on that something will be amiss. I've used power line conditioners for almost 20 years but our experience with Hurricane Sandy here on the Shore was not a good one. My wife thinks that I missed my calling as a Weather Channel talking head because I'd scare the living crap out of everyone with my forecasts, but I had a bad feeling about Sandy with our home only blocks from the ocean and so many trees surrounding our property. We didn't tell anyone that we were expecting our third child (Jewish custom is to wait three months) at the time so it was on me to get the house ready and get anything of value out the way and on really high shelving in our garage.
---> Rotel A12 MKII Integrated Amplifier Review.

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