These Larsen 8s were a surprise treat. I didn’t expect this amount of depth and width with speakers placed directly against a wall. Amazingly articulate and quick with the proper amount of sparkle.
My favorite pair of headphones: The Abyss Phi
The Monitor Audio Silver 300s ($2,000/pair) sounded great for the money. Fantastic bass output for small tower with sweet and palpable mids. Paired with Roksan’s entire K3 Series electronics, which include the K3 Integrated Amp, CD Player, DAC, Power Amp, and the Roksan Radius 7 turntable.
Rouge Audio RH-5: Great sounding headphone amp. Super punchy and clean.
Tannoy Revolution XT 8F – Lush and punchy. Performs beyond the $2,600 price.
Bricasti’s M12 dual mono source controller and M1 stereo D/A.
The Tidal Akira ($215,000/pair). Probably the most lavish looking speaker at the show and has the sound to back it up. I thought I was listening to vinyl record. All digital baby.
The awkward looking arrangement with the affordable Definitive Technology BP 2000TL speakers paired with a $30k+ Merging NADAC stack…I was thoroughly impressed. Well-textured, dynamic bass, velvety mids, and a surprising level of resolution.
Focal debuts the Kanta No. 2. I actually like the yellow. Brilliant and detailed with speed and image precision.
The Krell room with the Focal Sopra No.3 ($20,000/pair) sounded more fluid and warmer than I had expected (a good thing). Krell Vanguard Universal DAC ($4,500), Krell Duo 300 stereo amplifier ($9,500), Audio Question Niagara 7000 AC conditioner ($7,995)
Larsen 8 loudspeakers ($6,995/pair)
Woo Audio WA33 fully balanced headphone and preamp. All-tube design, Class-A, output transformer coupled. ($7,999)
Checkin’ out them beautiful AB-1266s.
First developed in 1947, TANNOY developed the first true point-source transducer – the Dual Concentric driver.
Bricasti Design and Wilson Benesch A.C.T. One Evolution loudspeakers ($38,800/pair)
Avantgarde Acoustic Zero 1 XD ($22,000)
Bel Canto Black EX
Tidal Piano Diacera G2 loudspeakers ($33,990)
B&W 802 D3 with Moon stack.
Simaudio Moon 780D, MQA-compatible, streaming DAC ($15,000)
Alta Hestia Titanium ($32,000)
Micromega M-One M150 ($7,499) – The most minimalistic setup at the show. An extremely versatile all-in-one amplifier paired with IsoAcoustics GAIA I and Focal Sopra No2 loudspeakers ($13,999). Just plug your source and speakers and enjoy. Great sound for the price.
Zesto Audio: Marten Django L speakers ($9,000), Allasso step-up transformer ($2,995), Leto 1.5 tube preamp ($7,500), Eros 300 class-A monoblocks ($19,900/pair), Merrill-Williams Audio Real 101.2 turntable ($5,995).
The Italian Rosso Fiorentino Volterra ($12,995)
The Tidal Akira in standard black ($215,000/pair)
Tidal Presencio ($77,990 with phonostage)
Merril Williams The Rubber Elastomeric Acoustic Laminate. (R.E.A.L.) 101.2 Turntable ($5,995)
Audioengine HD3 powered bookshelf speakers ($399/pair)
Micromega M-One 150 ($7,495)
Mark Levinson room
IsoAcoustics Gaia I – I use a few of their products for my nearfields. The Gaia’s are a different beast altogether.
Probably the tiniest wireless speakers at the show. Love the style and simplicity.
Paradigm’s Persona was ferocious in bass quantity. I was surprised there wasn’t a sub in the room! It was definitely one of the more engaging and fun rooms to be in.
The Sonoma Model One (M1) Electrostatic Headphones + DAC. The best all-in-one electrostatic headphone on the market.
Chord brought out their venerable Blu Mk2 M-Scaler and provided the most musical resolution of any setup at the show.
Acoustic Zen Crescendo MK II full range speakers ($24,000) with Convergent Audio Technology (CAT) electronics.
Wavelength Audio – Secant DAC ($5,000), Plasma Signature speakers ($20,000/pair)
The SVS Room with Dolby Atmos demo. I love SVS gear but this tiny room just wasn’t conducive to an immersive surround experience.
Elac Adante AF-61 loudspeakers ($5,000). Obviously one of the best values in speakers these days.
Pro-Ject had a huge presence at the show. https://www.listenup.com/listenup-at-rocky-mountain-audio-fest/
Pro-Ject Xtension 10 Evolution ($3,894 USD)
These BMS drivers sounded superb. Might pick up some for a DIY project.
Aurender High Fidelity Wireless Speaker ($3,000/pair). Uses a 18V hardware store battery for 50 hours of continuous playback.
Elac’s Alchemy DMP-1 digital media player and PS-5 upgraded power supply.
Elac’s Alchemy preamp/DAC/headphone amp ($1,999.98) and PS-5 upgraded power supply.
Gordon Rankin’s Wavelength amplifiers…
Studio Electric’s FSX (starting at $9,500) and m4 loudspeakers ($2,750/pair, $2,400 without grills)
Anthem ARC-enabled STR integrated amplifier ($4,499) powering the Paradigm Persona 3F ($10,000)
Modwright Ambrose A30 Class A, SE, 30W tube monoblocks ($16,000)
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Thank you for the Kind words about our room being the biggest surprise! Quicksilver amps as an important part of the system! The Spendor speakers are A4 not D4 - they are a fun captivating speaker. Sorry we did not have any components with zirconium !
I've corrected the typo. Thank you for setting up such an enjoyable listening experience. :)
Beautiful photo's, thanks!
Amazing show report - so many pictures!
Agreed, Stereophile writers are so full of themselves with their blathering prejudicial adjectives, which room, music or presenter didn't strike their fancy, not giving systems a chance to redeem themselves, lousy photography, plus the endless model numbers and price listing's make for a difficult translation of experience.
Your approach is uplifting and positive for it's been said "a picture tells a thousand words".
I appreciate that David. I think these show reports are complementary across all the other publications. We're just trying to paint an insightful picture for our readers. Luckily I don't have "assignments" and post whatever I think will bring more value to my readers. I personally feel it's difficult to isolate which component you're hearing in the room. I could make a speaker sound warmer or brighter with a swap of a power cable. That's why the Synergistic Research and Nordost demos were so enlightening, adding/removing one component at a time. This also applies to headphones. However, when a system sounds great notwithstanding these show conditions, that's when I zoom in. :)
Great photos! I appreciate all the details as well. I hope you don't mind if I repost a few with credit.
Be my guest, Will! Really enjoyed the ZOTL10 Mk.II at this show and your headphone amp with the ZMF headphones and HD650s at a previous show. I believe it was a San Diego cable booth.
I was at the show and thought the best speakers were the Lumen White, Monitor Audio, Tekton DIs, Revels, and the B&O powered speakers. The Micromega all in one system was very impressive. Thanks for the nice show report.
Thanks, Rob. I spent a bit of time in the Micromega room as well. Impressive sound for such a minimalistic setup. He also demoed the effects of the IsoAcoustic Gaia(?). The Lumen White had a realism I didn't hear in most rooms.
Hi,
Just to say sincere thanks for all your efforts - the best coverage of RMAF so far.
I do some reviewing myself (for 6moons) and I would love to have been there myself, but the 4.5k miles that lie between Glasgow and Denver proved a flight too far, at least this time around.
Interesting too to see Gryphon touching down in the States. I worked at their sole UK dealership for six years so I know the brand inside out. Also, it's always nice to read about Tannoy sounding good in far flung places, because the factory is just a ten minute stroll from my front door.
Finally & coincidentally - we share a favourite in Springbank 21; seriously it's been my #1 dram for many years. Although I more often 'make do' with the 15yr old if funds are tight, which is to say usually!
All the very best.
Hey Bill, you know what they say, great whiskey palates have great ears. ;) I was impressed with rich textures of the Gryphons at the show. Tannoys have a similar sweet and meaty tone. Never been to Glasgow but you're very close to ALL the whiskey action. I'll plan a trip to Scotland one of these days. Let me know which show you'll be attending next and we'll hang.
Any trip to Scotland and I'll happily be your whisky guide, absolutely. And if I do make it to the States I will definitely give you a shout. Keep up the good work. All the very best.
Jay
Your observations and kind words for the Merging Technologies room reflect some of the same comments we received from many music lovers as they visited our room. Thanks for taking the time
Mike
HI,
On behalf on VANA, the North American Distributor for Audio Physic, thank you for visiting our room and pointing out the beautiful Avantera III Loudspeakers:)
Nancy Weiner
Managing Director
VANA, Ltd
and the CODEX!