AXPONA 2016 Show Coverage Day 1

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AXPONA 2016 Show Report Day 1

Robert Kozel

9:37 PM

These are the XD Series ZERO 1 wireless digital 3-way horn speakers from Avantgarde Acoustic. They feature a 400 mm horn, one 400 watt amplifier, and two 50 watt amplifiers and come with digital equalization software. They retail for $21,950 a pair.

9:32 PM

These are the XD Series UNO 2-way horn speakers from Avantgarde Acoustic. They feature a 1,000 watt XD series amplifier with a DSP controller including digital equalization. They retail for $34,600 a pair.

9:27 PM

These are the Platinum 500 II speakers from Monitor Audio. They retail for $29,000 a pair.

9:21 PM

This is the new Auralic Altair wireless streaming DAC. It is designed to be a single-box music source and supports 15 input sources including TIDAL, AirPlay, Bluetooth and RoonReady. It works on your home WiFi network and supports every major digital file type including DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256. It retails for $1,900 and is the first Auralic product to be offered in black.

9:13 PM

If you are looking for acoustic isolation for your speakers, then IsoAcoustics Inc. may have the answer. The company has been making isolation stands for the pro audio market for years, and is now offering their Aperta line of isolation stands for desktop and floor standing speakers. They also offer custom made stands for larger equipment like subwoofers.

9:03 PM

I could’t help but admire these restored Marantz receivers. They were being sold on Reverb. I especially liked the upgrade to LED display lighting.

9:00 PM

The AXPONA Marketplace was filled with vendors selling everything from accessories to vinyl and SACD.

8:55 PM

Here are a few more booths in the lonely manufacturer’s showcase room. TEAC had their DAC and turntable on display. Audio Video Interiors was showing one Martin Logan Renaissance speaker. Emotiva offered another look at the XMC-1 and the XPA Gen 3 amplifier, this time in a two channel version.

8:40 PM

Artisan Fidelity was showing some beautifully restored vintage turntables in the manufacturer’s showcase. From left to right are the Garrard 301Classic ($6,895 – $7,495), the Garrard 401 Statement ($15,895 – $16,895) and the Garrard 301 Statement ($18,885 – $19,995).

8:31 PM

A very lonely display from ELAC in the manufacturer’s showcase. The real Andrew Jones was upstairs in the demo room.

8:29 PM

The Quintessence Audio Ltd. display in the manufacturer’s showcase.

8:25 PM

The Legacy Audio display at the manufacturer’s showcase. The wavelet DAC/preamp/crossover was on display along with the new PIXEL on-wall 2-way speaker. The PIXEL is a compact version of the Legacy Silhouette and is priced at $1,800/pair.

8:20 PM

I’ll show you some of what was on display in the manufacturer’s showcase. Here are some amps, USB DACs and head phone amps from Questyle.

8:12 PM

So I have been to a lot of shows over the years, but the AXPONA manufacturer’s showcase has to be one of the oddest things I’ve seen in a very long time. Tucked away in a back corner of the hotel was a large ballroom filled with equipment displays. The room only had three people in it when I visited and only one manufacturer was on hand to answer any questions. What was especially strange was that some of the displays showcased products that weren’t on display in the normal show rooms. I hope the room gets more traffic on the weekend, but how this was effective use of everyone’s marketing budget escaped me.

8:01 PM

This is a pair of Raven Audio Shaman MK I monoblocks ($49,995 per pair). The Shaman monoblock is a high current design and provides 365 watts/channel. The product in the center is a Raven Audio Silhouette MK2 line stage preamplifier which retails for $13,995. The wine is not included.

7:46 PM

Legacy Audio was showing their LEGACY V speaker system ($51,500) including the Wavelet which functions as a DAC/preamp/crossover and provides room correction. The speakers were powered by four Raven Spirit 300B MK2 mono blocks which retail for $25,000 per pair. The transport is the Calypso Premier Transport ($30,800) from Metronome Technologie.

7:36 PM

Some great looking gear from Raven Audio.

7:16 PM

Emotiva was also showcasing their new Emersa line of contemporary styled products geared for the audiophile. The Emersa EMP-1 ($899) is a 7.1 channel preamp with Bluetooth connectivity, Dirac Live room correction, and a USB DAC. The Emersa EDA-7 ($999) provides 7 channels of Class-D amplification at 125 watts/channel into 8 ohms. The Emersa EPA-1 ($599) is a stereo preamp with digital inputs, four pair of stereo line level analog inputs and one moving magnet phone input. The Emersa EDA-2 provides 2 channels of Class-D amplification at 150 watts/channel into 8 ohms.

6:53 PM

While AXPONA definitely caters to the two-channel crowd, Emotiva was showing off their speakers and a seven channel version of the new XPA Gen 3 amplifier with a demo of the last Transformers movie. There is nothing like a Hollywood blockbuster to show off how much fun home theater can be.

6:42 PM

The Emotiva XMC-1 was on display along with an upgraded HDMI board which allows the XMC-1 to support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. This will be appreciated by anyone wanting to pass 4K video through the XMC-1. Emotiva also confirmed that they will be offering a Dolby Atmos and DTS:X upgrade for the XMC-1. The upgrade will be available late summer. The Dolby Atmos enabled XMC-1 will support speaker configurations up to 5.2.2. channels, which means support for one pair of height speakers. The Dolby Atmos upgrade will also come with another HDMI upgrade to provide support for HDMI 2.0a and HDR.

3:36 PM

This is a look inside the new Emotiva XPA Gen 3 multichannel amplifier. The XPA Gen 3 features a modular design and can support up to fourteen channels. The XPA Gen 3 in these photos is configured to support five channels.

3:22 PM

This is the new Edition S headphone from HIFIMAN. The Edition S feature a dynamic driver and can be converted from closed back to open back by removing the magnetically attached cup covers.

3:15 PM

AXPONA also has a ballroom for Ear Gear Expo featuring all things headphone.

3:10 PM

So what makes this Oppo Digital BDT-101CI player so special? Check out the rear panel. Those are four custom coaxial SPDIF outputs for each set of channels. The digital output is then sent directly to the three Benchmark DACs. Dr. Waldrep made it clear that this customization is not something that Oppo Digital is able to offer directly due to licensing restrictions. However, the modification is available from AIX Records for those who are interested.

2:58 PM

So the most amazing thing about the AIX Records demonstration was the source device. So this looks like a regular Oppo Digital Blu-Ray player doesn’t it? It is in fact an Oppo Digital BDT-101CI Blu-ray disc transport which is designed for custom installations and professional applications.

2:52 PM

The AIX Records demo was impressive and featured five Revel Ultima Salon 2 speakers, three Benchmark DAC2 DX D/A converters, and a JVC D-ILA 4K projector.

2:43 PM

I’ve always enjoyed listening to Dr. Waldrep’s presentations and this year was no exception. He was demonstrating some amazing 5 channel material from his latest AIX records sampler disc.

2:25 PM

I caught Secrets’ Managing Editor Cynthia Johnson-St. Denis planning out her day and fueling up on Starbucks.

2:25 PM

I stopped by AIX Records to see how Mark Waldrep, aka Dr. AIX, was coming along with his new book “Music and Audio: A User Guide to Better Sound.” Mark said the book is almost complete and he is working on illustrations now. He is taking preorders at the show.

2:25 PM

I caught Secrets’ Managing Editor Cynthia Johnson-St. Denis planning out her day and fueling up on Starbucks.

2:22 PM

I’m in Chicago this weekend at the 8th annual Audio Expo North America (AXPONA). The show is hosted at the Westin O’Hare hotel in Rosemont Illinois. The show offers an excellent opportunity to explore all things audio and listen to demonstrations from manufacturers and dealers.