AXPONA 2026 Listening Notes, Gear Highlights, And New Gear Show Report
Audiophile show coverage of breakthrough systems, top room demos, and must-hear gear from this high-end audio show.
Audio Expo North America 2026 Show Report By Dr. Michael R. Bump

Room 596  High Water Sound
Jeffrey Catalano just really had it going on this year. No other hyperbole to add beyond the fact that I found the room experience to be sonically complete. The system, room vibe, music – All carefully curated and dialed in to represent the very best of selected recorded examples. And the best part of the High Water Sound room experience? The music. With every genre of music, the audio ensemble allowed the music to express itself without reservation. Indeed, for all the time I spent listening in this room, very little was discussed regarding the equipment, and so much more about the recordings and listening – the way it should be. Throughout, Jeff shared unique skills honed over years of experience with attendees that help identify and synthesize congruent audio pieces.

I always come away well-schooled when visiting with Jeff. Much respect and bravo for a well-deserved Enjoy the Music.com Best Of AXPONA 2026 Blue Note Award.

(Speakers)  Cessaro Horn Acoustic Opus SE Limited - $65,000

(Sources)  TW-Acustic Raven LS3 Copper - $25,000  
Raven 12.9" Tonearm - $7,500  
Raven 12" Tonearm - $6,500 
Glanz MH1200S 12" Tonearm - $9,500

(Cartidges) DAVA Soul, Fuuga, Miyajima Infinity mono

(Amplification)  Alieno 100 SE 2A3 (single chassis, class A stereo) - $60,000 
Alieno Phono Extremo Preamp - $60,000  
Ferrero F9 Preamp - $25,000

Massif Audio Design Lingum Vitale Record Weight & Footers - $2,600 
Codia Audio 7000 Titanium Rack  
Silent Running Audio Virginia Class  
Shun Mook & ADD-Powr Sorcerer Conditioner

To state the obvious, attempting to subjectively narrow a gathering of 235 outstanding representatives of the high-end audio industry to a handful of "the best" can be considered an exercise in futility. All the same, the above five systems truly stood apart as exemplary in our art.

Additionally, there were others who I personally felt came close to that element of believability in the reproduction of the recorded musical moment. Again, a difficult assessment to fairly evaluate amidst the significant acoustical compromises of convention/hotel rooms and people traffic. Nevertheless, a behavior we engage in all the same.

Here are a few additional mentions that were duly impressive on many levels:

Room 1632 Aster  AXISS Audio, Rockport Technologies, And Soulution
Cliff Duffey, CEO of AXISS Audio, curated a fantastic amalgam of audio instruments in this year's Aster Suite. I literally lost track of time enjoying music I would otherwise swear was being performed live. Three-dimensionality and organic body were key defining characteristics in every reference, whether analog or digital. Meat on the bones was like few other AXPONA systems I experienced.

(Speakers) Rockport Technologies Lyra - $215,975/pr (U.S. Debut)

(Digital) Telos Master Streamer/Server – (TBD) Soulution 760 DAC - $89,975

(Analog)  Reed Muse 1C Turntable - $19,975  
Reed 3P Panzerholz Tonearm - $7,690  
Kostas Metaxas Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck

(Amplification)  Soulution 717 Mono Amplifiers - $129,975/ea 
Soulution727 Preamplifier - $85,975 
Soulution De-Emphasis 757 Preamplifier - $95,975

(Conditioning)  Telos Master Power Station – (TBD) 
Telos Earth Grounding – (TBD)

(Cabling) Tara Labs GME, Telos Master Active

(Racks and Stands) HiFi Stay Mythology Transform – (TBD)

Room 1604 PureAudioProject, Silversmith Audio, LAIV, Pass Labs, And Well Tempered Lab
Articulation over slam. This was my first reaction written upon listening through the new PureAudioProject Duet15 Coax speakers ($7,250/pr). An exceptionally convincing open-baffle speaker design. Analog playback via the Well-Tempered Lab Versalex CTRL table ($2,150) / Dynavector 20X2A cart ($1,450) combo was particularly engaging. Images from the Duke Jordan Trio vinyl, The Great Session, floated freely with excellent depth, rendering a beautifully natural midrange, offering acoustic instrumental textures and body full without sounding thick.

The system was conjoined by one of the finest looms of cabling via Jeffrey Smith's Silversmith Audio Fidelium, allowing for superb synergy among these well-selected components.

(Loudspeakers) PureAudioProject Duet 15 Coax (NEW) - $7,250/pr

(Digital)  Laiv Harmony DAC- $2,700

(Analog)  Well-Tempered Lab Versalex CTRL turntable - $2,150 
Dynavector 20X2A MC cart - $1,450

(Amplification)  Pass Labs INT-60 Integrated - $10,350

(Cabling)  Silversmith Audio Fidelium

Nirvana B  Raidho And EMM Labs
Large and in-charge defined the role of the EMM Labs MTRX2 V2 Mono Amplifiers ($115,000/pr) in Nirvana B. Partnered with the EMM Labs PREi Preamplifier ($28,900), and their flagship DA2i DAC ($35,000), they displayed no issues commanding the large dimensions of the room, offering exceptional synergy with the Raidho TD3.10 ($139,000).

Gorgeous mids, beautifully balanced lows, and a realistic soundstage that defied physical dimensions. I was struck by the system's liquid, emotional depth to the presentation.

(Speakers) Raidho TD3.10 - $139,000/pr

(Digital)   EMM Labs DA2i Stereo D/A Integrated Converter - $35,000 
EMM Labs TXi Transport - $13,500  
EMM Labs DS-EQ1 V2 Optical Equalizer - $13,400 
Pink Faun 2.16 Dual Ultra Streamer (as configured) - $85,136   

(Amplification) EMM Labs MTRX2 V2 Mono Amplifiers - $115,000/pr 
EMM Labs PREi Preamplifier - $28,900  

(Cabling)   Kimber Kable

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