AXPONA 2022 Show Report
The Fabulous 4th Floor At The Audio Expo North America 2022 Show.
Show Report By Rick Becker

  I stopped into Vanatoo for a refresh and found both models to sound virtually identical, save for the lower frequency extension of the larger model. Even as their price creeps higher, these are still an outstanding value. Subwoofer optional, depending on your desire.

The AVM turntable Rotation R2.3 ($5000) with Ortofon Cadenza Blue cartridge ($2039),  is always fun to photograph with its under-lit platter. An Art Audio Vinyl One Copper Reference phono stage ($7500) with adjustable gain and MM and MC settings followed up the AVM. The phono stage has a remote volume control as an optional upgrade, a relatively rare feature that would allow you to run it directly to your power amp in an all-vinyl system. With power amps that required you to switch between RCA and XLR inputs, this would allow you to easily run separate systems for Vinyl and digital sources.

Antipodes K50 Media Server, with two computers for a server and a renderer, plus a reclocker and a separate power supply for each ($17.5k). Weiss Engineering DAC 501, which is Roon ready and sports multiple DSP modes including one that simulates vinyl as well as room correction. It was offered at a show special of 10% off for $8680, ($9625 for the 502 model).

Canor Audio Hyperion P1 preamp ($12.5k) fed the Canor Virtus M1 monoblocks ($30k/pair). The speakers were Wilson Benesch Discovery 3z monitors with a carbon fiber enclosure ($31k, +$500 for rhodium driver and premium finishes.) I believe the silver ‘knob' on the bottom is the magnet end of an isobaric driver firing into the cabinet.

The Blind Boys of Alabama were rockin' with "When The Spell Is Broken," coming through an Aurender streamer when I entered the Constellation Audio room. A stereo amp was driving the highly acclaimed Magico A5 speakers (~$25k). The sound here was really clean and tight but didn't evoke much emotion from this tube guy.

Acoustique Quality (AQ) showed a trio of speakers including the Passion Orca in black & red ($8k), the Passion Teen in white ($9k), and the floorstanding Canto 5 ($6k). This Czech company is well known in Europe and they have models that get above $20k. I also spotted their very cool remote control, but I don't know what it was for. I believe this set of speakers was driven by the new Vincent SV-228 hybrid integrated amp with onboard DAC and Bluetooth, but the music wasn't playing during the few minutes I spent in this room.

Next door, an Acoustique Quality Passion line Fever floorstander ($8k, show special $6400) was driven by an Amped AAP-1 preamp ($3k) and 2400 power amp ($5k). A Music Hall Stealth turntable ($1645, show special $1320) was on top of the rack. A Unison Research uPhono+ ($1350) helped out the turntable and a Unison Research CD Due ($4500) handled the digital front end. As you can see, if you can pay on the spot, picking up a show special could pay for your trip to AXPONA.

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