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AXPONA 2018 was an absolute delight. More head count. More smiling faces. More listening rooms. Friendly hosts. Friendly patrons. It wasn't the shoulder to shoulder crush of people and the waterfall of merchandise like the CES of 10 to 15 years ago, but the good vibes and positive energy was everywhere.

This was the first time that AXPONA was located at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel—just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. Yes, many rooms were on the small side, but from my perspective it was a nice balance of immediacy and critical mass considering the amount of body churn from demonstration to demonstration.

I could enter and quickly find a suitable seat for listening in most rooms. With a little patience and after a few music tracks, I could almost always find my way to one of the prime listening positions as folks moved on to their next destination. I never found myself waiting in a line outside of the room in the hallway.

Seminars were fairly well attended with interesting topics and well informed panels. Most questions were taken with patience and considerable dialogue in both directions. The Expo Room had plenty of vinyl, reel to reel tape, CDs, and SACDs for sale at discount pricing. Dining options were diverse with excellent quality (kinda pricey but typical for this kind of event). Parking was free. All in all a very satisfying and enjoyable experience. Thank you JD Events LLC!  Good job!

From a sound perspective, I was surprised how often I was emotionally moved by what I was hearing if not on occasion gob smacked by certain demonstrations. Congrats to the individual exhibitors who had the typical hotel room challenges. My guess is that there were many long days and nights of setup and tweaking before AXPONA officially opened the doors on Friday morning.

Music sources continue to evolve at these events. There was a sprinkling of CD/SACD players and reel to reel. I spotted many more turntables than I can remember though most seemed to be sitting silently. Music servers were in abundance, but the source of choice was clearly those components that could support streaming and specifically Tidal. I am not sure if I was totally comfortable with this reality, but it does seem to be a reality. Is this a reflection of what is actually happening in most home listening rooms? We shall see.

Though there were well over 160 rooms (and no, I was not able to check them all out so this is a limited sample size), I was able to find several that to my ears strongly stood out from the pack. See my descriptions below. As always, these are just my humble opinions. No need to attack the messenger. My apologies if I missed a few contenders, but I welcome any furtherer comments and opinions by our esteemed readers.

My apologies to the exhibitors and our readers for the quality of the pictures. Most rooms had the curtains drawn and lighting was poor. Next year I will definitely upgrade to a better camera and a more sophisticated flash.

American Sound, Advantgarde, Esoteric and HRS

Easily one of the most impressive and exciting demonstrations at the show, the big Avantgardes driven by all Esoteric components were both physically imposing and as intimate and coherent as anything I heard the entire weekend. I am not a big horn fan, but I was quickly swept away by the sonic beauty and unlimited potency of these speakers. I have reviewed several Esoteric components in my own listening room and I have no doubt that they were also contributing greatly to my visceral enjoyment.

Harry Belafonte via Harry Belafonte at Carnegie Hall on SACD was virtually standing before me as he chided all in the room to sing along on my favorite track "Matilda". So much air. So much dimensionality. From top to bottom, there was a certain correctness and accuracy that Is rare to experience at home let alone at an audio show. Bravo to Jody Hickson and the entire team at American Sound! 

• Avantgarde Acoustic Trio XD with 4 Basshorn ($148,700)
• Esoteric Grandioso F1 Integrated Amplifier ($31,000)
• Esoteric Grandioso K1 SACD/CD Player ($31,000)
• Esoteric G01 Master Clock ($20,000)
• Esoteric N01 Music Server/DAC ($20,000)
• Harmonic Resolution Systems VXR Equipment Stands ($23,000 each)
• Transparent XL Series Cabling

Ayon and Lumenwhite

Charles Harrison and his lovely wife Susan are the consummate hosts. Charles is the USA distributor for Ayon and Lumenwhite. There was something special about this room that was extremely warm and welcoming—this included both the hosts and the music. From the moment I took my seat I was quite comfortable if not spellbound.

Bottom line, the sound quality was simply outstanding. I have always admired both product lines, but this year there was a clear jump in performance for this combination. Maybe it was some type of component and room synergy, but I was extremely impressed with the rich harmonic presentation of this system. There was just a natural liquidity and flow that could not be ignored.

I do have some personal experience with the original CD-35 SACD/Preamp/DAC. Already a state of the art contender in its initial release, the Ayon CD-35 HF has now pushed the envelope on digital performance even further. I would love to hear a shoot out with the new dCS DACs and transports.

Even beyond the sound, the physical design and aesthetics of these components are quite striking. Fit and finish is exemplary. As always, the Lumenwhite Kyara speakers in particular dazzled the eye and manipulated the heart. Don't just be seduced by the elegance and allure, this system delivered the sonic goods.

• Ayon Orthos II XS Mono Amplifiers ($27,000)
• Ayon Orthos Spheris III Preamplifier ($34,000)
• Ayon S-10 Signature Network Player ($8500)
• Ayon CD-35 HF SACD/Preamp/DAC ($22,000)
• Lumenwhite Kyara Speakers ($49,000)

Musical Artisians, Nagra, Kharma and Argento

Ricardo Reyes of Musical Artisans in Skokie Illinois is a man with excellent taste. This includes the audiophile lines that he supports to the music that he plays to the clothes on his back to the very shoes on his feet (my wife was swooning over his cool black Ecco's). I attended a Musical Artisians open house years ago and I was amazed by the room designs and aesthetics. It was a combination of great engineering and magnificent art and architectural design. I'm confident that his customers see the very same thing in his audio system designs and execution.

Nagra. Kharma. Argento. These three companies are some of the finest high end brands in the audiophile marketplace. The look and feel of these components are without peer for those with the most discerning standards, but it is the sound that will have you sell off the Porche and reinvest in audio.

The scale and rhythmic drive of this system was astonishing. Recardo played the first track from the Avishai Cohen's Flood release entitled "First Drop". Though this was an all digital system, there was an organic sense of calm and purity like the very best analog. Bass was ultra tight with plenty of bottom end grunt and wallop. It seems to me that the unsung hero in this combination is the Argento cable. Every system that I have experienced with Argento throughout has raised the bar significantly.

• Nagra HD Preamplifier ($59,500)
• Nagra HD Monoblock Amplifiers ($86,000)
• Nagra HD DAC with (2) MPS Power Supply and (2) VFS Isolation Base ($44,475)
• Kharma DB-11S Speakers
• Argento Extreme Edition RCA Interconnect 1.0M ($23,500)
• Argento Extreme Edition RCA Interconnect 1.5M ($28,300)
• Argento FMR Speaker Cable 3.0M ($36,600)
• Argento FMR Power Cable 2.0M (6 at total of $49,200)

Quintessence Audio, Wilson Audio, Simaudio, AMG, Musical Surroundings, Aurender, Kubla Sosna and Critical Mass

Quintessence Audio has been a cornerstone for AXPONA since it's inception. Mick Survance and his team have consistently presented some of the most engaging systems and sound each year. Typically, Mick supports two or three rooms at each show with the latest flagship speakers and components from the very best lines. Though all the Quintessence rooms this year would rank very near the top of this list for sound quality, the one room that made an immediate emotional connection for me was probably the most understated and modest example of the magic that Mick can provide.

The Wilson Audio Sabrina speakers and Simaudio Moon 700i integrated amplifier were a wonderful combination. The Musical Surrounding phono stage, AMG turntable and tonearm, along with the Teatro MC phono cartridge proved to be a highly rewarding and delightful front end. I know we have all heard the Hugh Masekela Hope recording ad nauseam at most audio shows, but this time the "Stimela" (Coal Train) track got my attention like rarely before. For a hotel conference room surrounded by walls of drapes and other paraphernalia, the depth and breadth of the soundstage was amazing. Images were locked in with tremendous detail and plenty of tangible and exciting spacial queues. Even under the toughest of conditions, this system sang with the very best at the show!

• Wilson Audio Sabrina Speakers ($15,900)
• Simaudio Moon 700i Integrated Amplifier ($14,000)
• Simaudio Moon 650D CD Player ($9000)
• AMG Giro G9 Turntable and 9" Tonearm ($10,000)
• Teatro MC Phono Cartridge ($2750)
• Musical Surroundings SuperNova III Phono Stage ($5000)
• Aurender A-10 Music Server ($5500)
• Kubala Sosna Interconnects & Speaker Cable
• Critical Mass Component Stands

Finest Fidelity, van den Hul, CAT, VPI, ESP, Acoustic Arts and  Magico 

Ken Stevens of Convergent Audio Technology (CAT) is one of the most respected and iconic preamp and amplifier designers in the industry (that's Ken in the picture providing his usual charm and insight). Ken's designs have demonstrated their excellence over and over again regardless of who he teams up with each year. Throw another industry icon into the mix like an A.J. van den Hul for his phono cartridge designs and the praise and accolades for sound quality are almost a given. This room offered analog at its very finest (sorry for the pun).

To my ears, the sound of this system was all about balance, tone and layers and layers of musical information. When Randy Forman of Finest Fidelity (USA vdH Distributor) slowly lowered the tonearm to Willie Nelson's newest release on vinyl (Summertime), you could hear a pin drop in the room as the system disappeared and Willie and the music grabbed our attention. Every sigh in his voice, every pluck of his guitar, and every turn of his body toward the microphone was clearly articulated with a wonderful sense of warmth and bloom. A terrific example of why analog still rules and what might be possible in your own listening room!

• Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Legend Preamplifier ($41,995)
• Convergent Audio Technology JL 7 Monoblock Amplifiers ($34,990)
• van den Hul Colibri Master Signature Phono Cartridge ($13,995)
• van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius Phono Cartridge ($5495)
• van den Hul 3T Mountain Interconnects 2M ($3499)
• van den Hul 3T Cumulus Speaker Cables 2.5M ($7000)
• van den Hul Extender ($4995)
• VPI Avenger Reference Turntable ($20,000)
• VPI JMW 12 3D-R Reference Tonearm ($3200)
• VPI Dual Pivot ($150)
• VPI ADS Controller ($1000)
• Acoustic Arts Player 2 CD Player - Transport and DAC ($23,995)
• Magico S5 Mark II Speakers ($42,000)
• Essential Sound Products Essence Reference II Power Cord ($1999)
• Essential Sound Products Uber Power Cord (TBD)
• Essential Sound Products Power Distributor ($2999)

Ultra Fidelis, Audio Research, Vandersteen, Aurender, AudioQuest, HRS, AMG, and Lyra

Located in Wauwatosa Wisconsin (near Milwaukee), this was the first appearance by Ultra Fidelis at AXPONA and by all accounts it was a huge success.  Proprietor and chief instigator Jonathon Spelt is one of the good guys—very knowledgeable in all things analog and digital but also extremely committed to his customers and the local audiophile community.

Jonathon’s reputation and hard work have been rewarded in trust with some of the finest audiophile lines in the business. His well tuned abilities were very much on display at the show. The sound was absolutely glorious with an urgency and flow like the real thing. I was quickly taken back by the rich harmonics and assertive immediacy of the entire system.

Though I am confident that all of the components contributed greatly to these results, my guess is that there were three key reasons for what I was hearing. I am very familiar with the Audio Research Reference 6 preamp having written a rave review when it was introduced to the market two years ago. The basic design of the Vandersteen Quatro CT speakers is the result of trickle down technology from the flagship 5 and 7 models and is unquestionably one of the best performers available at it’s price point. I have heard the Ref 6 and Quatro CT in several systems, but it might just be the new Vandersteen M5-HPA monoblock amps that made the ultimate difference. I will have to hear more to nail this all down, but the sound of this system was exceptional.

• Audio Research Ref 6 Preamplifier ($14,000)
• Audio Research Ref 3 Phono Preamplifier ($14,000)
• Audio Research DAC9 ($7500)
• Vandersteen M5-HPA Monoblock Amplifiers ($15,000)
• Vandersteen Quatro CT Speakers ($14,600)
• AMG Viella Turntable & 12JT Turbo Tonearm ($21,500)
• Lyra Etna Phono Cartridge ($8995)
• Aurender N10 Music Server ($7995)
• AudioQuest Leopard Phono Cable 1.2M ($780)
• AudioQuest Dragon Source Power Cable 1.0M ($2900)
• AudioQuest Thunder Power Cable 1.0M ($625)
• AudioQuest Tornado Power Cable 1.0M ($950)
• AudioQuest NRG 4 Power Cables .9M ($255)
• AudioQuest WEL Signature Digital Cable .9M ($4050)
• AudioQuest Fire Interconnects 1M ($3000)
• AudioQuest WEL Signature Interconnects 1M ($7500)
• AudioQuest WEL Signature Speaker Cable 4 ft ($16,000)
• AudioQuest Niagra 5000 Power Conditioner ($4000)
• AudioQuest Niagra 7000 Power Conditioner ($8000)
• Harmonic Resolution Systems ADL Record Damper ($470)
• Harmonic Resolution Systems RXR & SXR Racks
• Harmonic Resolution Systems M3X, S1 & S2 Isolation Bases

Honorable Mention

Kyomi Audio and Gryphon Audio

Kudos to distributor Philip O'Hanlon (On A Higher Note) and dealer George Vatchnadze (Kyomi Audio) for their efforts to re-establish Gryphon Audio in the USA and Canada markets. Long one of the most respected and successful brands in the International marketplace, Gryphon Audio greatly deserves the support and marketing skills that Phillip has so well demonstrated over the years. The Gryphon Audio product line affords a wide range of components including amplifiers, preamplifiers, phono stages, DACs, and speakers. One model that continues to receive considerable buzz and attention on the Internet is the Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated amplifier. Maybe now the USA market will finally have a chance to experience this wunderkind first hand.

Though the Diablo 300 did not make an appearance at AXPONA this year, the newly released Diablo 120 integrated amplifier made quite a splash. Additional components included the Gryphon Scorpio S CD player, the Gryphon Sonnet phono stage, the Gryphon Mojo S speakers, the Pear Audio Kid Thomas turntable and the Ortofon Cadenza Black MC cartridge. I was greatly inspired by the sense of ease and the full bodied harmonic density of this system. This includes an addictive rendering of the essential three - tone, timbre, and pitch. I found myself returning over and over again to this room to reboot and find relief from the frantic sound and turmoil of other efforts at the show.

Synergistic Research, Berkeley, Constellation, and Magico

This was a big room with big challenges and superb sound lead by Synergistic Research (SR) Chief Designer and CEO Ted Denney. Explosive! Layered! Lifelike! Primary components included the Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 2, the Constellation Audio Pictor preamplifier, the Constellation Audio Centaur stereo amplifier, and the Magico S5 MKII speakers. Ted demonstrated the latest and greatest SR products including the new Atmosphere X cables and HFT Wide Angle room treatment.

I continue to be amazed at the clear cut beneficial impact that the SR product line can provide. I don't think think that Ted gets the proper credit and praise that he deserves for his design and engineering skills. These products reflect an out of the box ingenuity that I wish was more prevalent in the industry. This includes innovative designs for power conditioning, acoustic room treatment, racks and shelves, grounding and of course cables. The proof is in the pudding and the resplendent results in this room were just another example of what these products can do. I still claim that the SR PowerCell 12 UEF SE power conditioner is the most critical component in my entire review system.

Next Level HiFi, Raidho, Aavik and Ansuz

Next Level HiFi in Wayne Illinois is on a roll. The last twelve months have been a huge success as proprietors Dana and Tyler Mueller have continued to grow the business, expand the number of product lines and establish a new brick and mortar store. This room provided a very simple and elegant configuration that was quite competitive with the big boys mentioned earlier. Primarily an all Danish system (excluding the Naim CDX2 CD transport), it included the Raidho D1.1 speakers, the new Aavik U-150 integrated amplifier, the new flagship Ansuz Mainz8 DTC power distribution unit, and a full loom of Ansuz D2 cable.

The irresistible Lars Kristensen (of Aavik and Ansuz fame) reaffirmed the legend and legacy of his music collection and presentation skills as he walked the audience through a series of musical selections from around the world and of every genre. The sound was wickedly brilliant and seemed to just float in a solid three dimensional space across the listening room. The diminutive yet mighty D1.1 speakers magically disappeared and delivered some of the most appealing micro and macro dynamics that I heard at the show. Gotta love the Lamborghini Green finish and the ultra chic speaker stands—very very cool. My guess is that two keys to this stellar performance were the unique Raidho ribbon-planar tweeter and Ansuz cable designs. Over the years, these two elements seem to consistently show up in some of the best sounding systems that I have heard at AXPONA and other venues.

Final Thoughts

As previously stated, we had a great time at AXPONA 2018. The enthusiasm and joy flowed throughout the weekend and into the late nights. Even beyond the good vibes, the future bodes well as the commitment to analog is holding strong if not experiencing additional growth. Digital continues to evolve with new exciting technologies that are slowly but surely being implemented across the component chain. Unclear standards and unsettled market demands remain a challenge for the industry, but in the end it is still all about the music. We may not always agree on the vehicles of choice, but the journey remains quite an adventure with the pleasure and satisfaction that only music can provide. Can't wait until next year!