AXPONA 2025 Part 7: High-End Audio's Fantastic 5th Floor
Great gear reveals and audiophile trends for music lovers.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker 

530  Sierra Sound, Aesthetix Audio Corp., AMG (Analog Manufaktur Germany), Benz Micro Switzerland, Connected Fidelity, And ViV Laboratory
On what must be a relatively more affordable HRS double-wide rack was an AMG Giro Mk II wood turntable with AMG 9WT tonearm ($17.5k) sitting on an HRS EX1 turntable base ($1750). The AMG was running with a Benz Micro Ruby Z cartridge ($4k). On the back side of the AMG was another ViV Laboratory Rigid Float Ha-9" tonearm ($4500) supported by a Sierra Sound NAB-1 platform ($500) to bring it up to the proper height range for the AMG table. Mounted on it was a Benz Micro ACE mono cartridge ($1k) that I would have loved to have heard. Sometimes I move too fast for my own good.

On the rack below the AMG was an Aesthetix Rhea Signature phono stage ($10k) and to its right was an Aesthetix Pallene line stage ($6.5k). Out of sight was the Aesthetix Dione power amp ($7.5k), which drove the Vandersteen Quatro CT loudspeakers ($21k).

The turntable on the right was the new Connected Fidelity TT-Hub with a Sorane Ta-1 tonearm (6k, both). A Benz Micro SLR Gullwing ($3.5k) was fitted. Note that it was supported on a Plyboo board with what looked like an aluminum bottom layer. That platform seemed to be riding on rather sophisticated footers. The turntable itself is made of Plyboo with layers that look to be about 4mm each. I had seen this table earlier in a dark finish, but this lighter finish was better photographed in this room. Flat belts are becoming more prominent.

534  Cambridge Audio
I don't know why I don't have more informative photos from the Cambridge Audio room. The speaker above seems to be an all-in-one soundbar of relatively compact dimensions. I'm beginning to wonder if it was a surround-sound system in a single enclosure. Note the little switches across the bottom of what appears to be a screen. The mystery deepens.

I loved the artful display of album covers here. It looks to be an original Andy Warhol jacket, but I didn't pick at the banana to see. You don't see an original Warhol at every audio show.

542  Magnepan And Rogue Audio
For starters, I saw the new Magnepan MG3.7x speakers ($13k), but nothing from Rogue Audio. The new X series from Magnepan takes the original design and upgrades the quality of almost everything. Looking down the pricelist, all the models still seem like they will fall into the ‘high value' category. The website gives a full explanation of the upgrade. You can buy a new X-series speaker complete, or send your older Maggie in for a makeover. The music here sounded very good with the 3.7x being driven by Atma-Sphere Class D monoblocks ($6,320), one on a substantial rack, the other on a more basic rack.

On the left rack, from the top down, looks like a Bel Canto DAC, a Bel Canto universal disc player, the Van Alstine DVA Digital Preamplifier DAC ($2500), and a monoblock.

On the right rack was this interesting-looking Sota M2 Belt Drive turntable ($25k) with an Audio Origami PU8 12" tonearm ($7500) fitted with a London Decca Reference cartridge ($6,895). I can't say for sure what those circles on the plinth are all about. But the LP sure looks like it needs an appointment with Dr. Kirmuss. Directly below the turntable was its power supply.

Dropping down to the next shelf was an Audio Research Reference Phono 3SE phono stage ($22.5k). And the other monoblock was further down.

The cables were surprisingly affordable, from Anticables. Level 3 power cords ($330), Level 4.2 Flex Speaker wires ($340), Level 5.2 XLR interconnects ($700), and a Level 6.3 Digital RCA cable ($285).

The seats were full, and the music sounded good, even off-axis.

546  Fosi Audio
The Fosi Audio room was a hoot, with most of what they offer on display, making it impossible to sort out the rig playing. Like in Montreal, it was sounding pretty decent. It is not that I have a low bar for sound quality, but rather I have an appreciation for low-budget lifestyles, having been an avant-garde filmmaker earlier in life. This gear can rock you while you're building a successful career.

It appears they even have a turntable, now.

And what young person doesn't need a headphone amplifier? The orange knobs with black chassis are a winner for building the brand and the compact components easily fit in a bedroom or dorm…or dare I say, on your home office desktop?

---> Next Page.