AXPONA 2017 Show Report -- Audio Expo North America
AXPONA Show Report Part 3 By Steven R. Rochlin

  Audioengine room had what appeared to be ever product they offered. Good thing their products are generally small and easy to position. Since many longtime readers know of my love for Audioengine speakers and other goodies, am not sure what i can add here other than great products, very reliable, and priced right! Think of it as great gear for beer budget. They're also awesome for your computer, a college dorm room, or that guest room where you need a nice small setup for your visitors. Audioengine is highly recommended by Yours truly.

Back to the Big Rooms, we have Canadian companies Gershman Acoustics and Oracle Audio Technologies coming together to produce a winning room. First, here's the gear:

Oracle Origine turntable complete with Oracle tonearm and Ortofon phono cartridge : Price : 2000 $
Oracle PH 100 phono amplifier : Price 720 $
Oracle Delphi 2nd Generation with optional Granite base : Price 10,160 $
Oracle SME 345 tonearm : Price 3100 $
Corinth Reference phono cartridge : Price 5600 $
UTotal turntable package : Price 18,660 $
Oracle PH 200 phonostage : Price 1500 $
Oracle Paris CD 250 player : Price 3320 $
Gershman Acoustics Loudspeakers
Studio 2 : Price 3500 $
Grande Avant Garde G2 : Price 12,999 $
Lamm Industries Preamplifier : Model LP 2.1 : Price 8890 $
Model M 1.2 Reference : Price 27,590 $ ( pair )
System Wiring by Nordost Valhalla

Rick Jensen reviewed the Gershman Acoustics Grande Avant Garde loudspeakers and came away very impressed. With Lamm amplification and of course the outstanding Oracle turntable bringing the vinyl LP analog love vibe, you know the sound was wonderful. Good detail, expansive soundscape and a coherent sound top-to-bottom. Not on the last photo is the new multi-layer Oracle Audio plinth, soon to be revealed within our upcoming review. In the meantime you can read Senior Editor Tom Lyle's review of the Oracle Audio Delphi MK VI turntable with SME V tonearm.

Popular British loudspeaker designer KEF was joined by European high-end audio manufacturer Hegel at AXPONA 2017.  Hegel's H360, HD30, Mohican, Rost, and P30 joined forces with KEF's Blade 2 floorstanding speakers. Cabling was Nordost Frey 2 speaker and Heimdall interconnects. Seems to me many of the sensational sounding rooms are using Nordost products. i sense a show theme. Hmmm.... Enjoy the Music.com's review of Nordost cables's complete system by Brett Rudolph is here.

As for the sound, it is exactly what you'd expect from these high-end audio heavyweights. KEF-o-riffic, or should that be Hegel-o-rific? Let's combine them and call it HegelKEF-a-riffic. Seems to me more and more rooms during shows are achieving exceptional sound quality, and this room was one to please virtually any music lover. KEF also brings style into your home, as look at that cabinet shape! The KEF speakers can be ordered in a variety decor-matching colors too. Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed the Hegel HD30 32-bit/192kHz DAC and we loved it!

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