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

Nirvana C  YG Acoustics And Simaudio
As was the Magico system in Club Lounge, the YG Acoustics/Simaudio presence was every bit a magnificent sound sculpture, worthy of display in any international museum of modern art, as it was at AXPONA. True testaments to the many levels of art our audio passion represents. The 'sculpture' was gloriously framed by the U.S. debut of the Ultimate Series YG Acoustics Titans ($910,000), each 7' cabinet housing a five-way, seven-driver symmetrical array supported by a custom-designed sub-bass driver.

Muscle was provided by a battalion of Simaudio's cost-no-object Moon power plant stack (888 Monoblocks [$120,000/pr], 850P Preamplifier [$36,000], 810LP Phono Preamplifier [$13,500]). A resolution monster, the system presented a complete sensorial experience not soon forgotten by all who visited the room (the room name irony was not lost on most attendees).

(Loudspeakers) YG Acoustics Titan (in active Sub Configuration), nickel finish - $910,000  

(Digital) Taiko Audio Olympus I/O - $32,000  Taiko Audio Olympus Server - $95,000  Taiko Audio Router - $8,000

(Analog) AMG Forte w/ Engraved Finish - $38,000 
AMG 12JT Turbo tonearm - $11,100 (w/ silver wiring) 
AMG Silverclear tonearm cable - $3,400  
Benz Micro LP-S mc Cartridge - $6,000  

(Amplification)  Simaudio MOON 888 Monoblock amplifiers - $120,000/pr 
Simaudio MOON 850P preamplifier - $36,000 
Simaudio MOON 810LP Phono preamplifier - $13,500

(Racks and Stands)  HiFi Stay X-Frame Mythology

Room 302  Jones & Cerrata
Another standout experience at this year's AXPONA high-end audio show that drew so much curiosity that it regularly saw waiting lines of over 20 minutes requiring hall monitors to manage traffic - An AXPONA first, to be sure! It was worth the wait, however. Andrew Jones' independent venture with partners Jamie and Bill Cerreta featured the premiere of the Troubador, a low-profile three-way high efficiency (95dB/W/m) floorstander built around a dual-concentric field-coil driver (a coaxial midrange/tweeter system that uses externally powered electromagnets instead of permanent magnets).

The resultant point-source imaging produced a sense of presence and transient clarity that was truly exceptional. My only wish, perhaps, was that the room size was conducive to better soundscape and depth assessment.

(Speakers) Jones and Cerreta Troubador - $33,900/pr

(Analog)  Thorens 124 DD Exclusive Turntable - $17,995 
EMT Tondose Exclusive mc Cartridge - $7,495

(Digital) HiFi Rose RS151 High Performance Network Streamer – $5,695

(Amplification) Lab 12 Integrated Mk2 Audiophile Integrated Amplifier - $8,995 
Lab 12 Melto2  Audiophile Adjustable Phono Stage - $4,995

Drake Woodworking Crescendo Audio Cabinet - $9,000

Room 602  Modwright And Alta Audio
One of the top rooms of the show, IMHO. Balanced, engaging, honest. I visited three times, and the room was packed every time. Rich, luxurious sound with well-balanced presence and clarity.

The LS300 balanced preamp with 6DJ8 driver tubes and a 5R4GY tube rectifier left no small imprint on the sound quality. And not to be slighted, this was the debut of the new KWA 300 bipolar transistor power amp (550 Watt @ 4 Ohms), Alta Special Edition speakers, and the Imersiv D-1DAC. Dan and colleagues really put together an exceptional room this year. Bravo.

(Speakers) Alta Audio Alec SE 2-way - $16,000/pr

(Analog)  Sota Onyx Total Eclipse Turntable (w/o arm) - $28,000 Audio Technica ART1000 mc Cartridge - $4,999 Pure Fidelity Harmony/Savant Turntable - $13,999 Pure Fidelity Stratos Phono mc Cartridge - $2,499

(Digital)  Infigo Audio IS-1 Streamer/Roon Server - $7,000  Imersive HDR-A D1 DAC - $12,000  

(Amplification)  ModWright KWA300 Stereo Amplifier - $17,500 ModWright LS300 Linestage Preamp - $11,000 ModWright PH150 Reference Phono Preamp - $9,750 ModWright Analog Bridge (w/ balanced in/out) - $3,900

(Cabling)  Clarus

HiFi Life Dynamic Modularity Audio Rack - $8,500

Conclusion
Alas, all good things eventually come to an end, as "they" say. I only regret I was unable to experience every audio system, as I surely missed many outstanding rooms. Indeed, it should be said that any of the rooms I had the privilege to enjoy were deserving of an exclusive review in their own right, as there was so much to unpack in each. Nevertheless, plenty of great AXPONA memories for the early drive home Sunday, with renewed energy and inspiration for the art of high-end audio.

The determination to reproduce live music as authentically as possible by so many gifted and talented designers has never been more vibrant. From those of us who create the music, I am humbled and most appreciative of these incredible efforts. Until next time.... 

"Keep rockin' in the free world."

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