Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2015 Show Report

The Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2015 begins this week, October 2, in the beautiful Denver Tech Center. This is the 12th year for the show which focuses on consumer audio and home entertainment. This will be my first time covering RMAF and I am looking forward to a much more relaxed show environment without the enormous crowds and challenges of the International Consumer Electronics Shows in Vegas. I am looking forward to seeing many of the more than 400 audio exhibitors that will be attending this year’s show from around the globe, and above all, I am looking forward to being able to listen to a lot of great audio gear. I expect to see the latest in computer audiophile gear and learn more about the latest trends in high-resolution audio. I am also curious if the exhibits will focus strictly on two-channel or if I’ll see some exhibits on immersive 3D-surround formats like Auro 3D and Dolby Atmos. I will be covering the show with Secrets’ Carlo Lo Raso and we will bring you highlights and impressions throughout the weekend.

Having gotten my “feet wet” earlier this year with my first attendance at CES, I am looking forward to attending RMAF for the first time next week as well. Like at CES, I’ll be accompanying my intrepid partner-in-crime, Robert Kozel to see what there is to see in Denver. As I understand, it’s supposed to be a much more approachably sized show as opposed to CES and with more of a focus on two channel and personal audio. Kind of like going to audio Disneyland instead of audio Disneyworld I’d wager. These kinds of shows are always fun because, obviously, you get to experience and examine gear that you wouldn’t otherwise run across. I’m always interested to see what’s new in speakers, both technically and aesthetically. I understand that Linkwitz Lab is going to have a room and I’ve always wanted to hear any of Siegfried Linkwitz’s well regarded designs. Same goes for Emerald Physics, Joseph Audio and RBH Sound to name a few. I also missed Devialet at CES so I want to make a point of checking them out as well. New DACs and amps are always fun to check out as well. In general though, I’m just hoping to hear some really good sound from some of the rooms at this well-established event. I’m also curious about some of the high resolution audio players and, of course, headphones, but I’m also interested in finding out what’s new in the way of music to show off with these shiny new toys. I’ve kind of been watching the whole PONO thing from the periphery. While I appreciate Neil Young’s drive and desire for a better quality audio experience, neither the PONO hardware nor what I’ve read of the music store has piqued my interest. I’ve read so many opinions of what is and isn’t Hi-Res audio that I’m going to try to get a little bit of a deeper dive on the matter while at this show. Not so much to proclaim any definitive rulings on Hi-Res audio, but more to settle things in my own mind, as an average consumer. It’s developed all the politics, if you will, of the vinyl vs digital debate, or the “can you hear the differences in USB or Ethernet cables” conundrum. Frankly, I couldn’t care less about that, as everyone is different in what they like and how they hear, and opinions are like….well, you know. In a nutshell, I want to know if these players are worth buying, and if there is stuff to play on them that’ll really knock my socks off.
Its kid-in-a-candy store time folks. Let the sugar rush….BEGIN!

Read our full coverage from the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2015