The AXPONA 2023 Chronicles: Part 6
Premium audio sound systems on the 7th floor.
Audio Expo North America 2023 Show Report By Rick Becker

AV Luxury Group International And Grimm Audio
In their second room, they moved up the line to a larger Raidho TD 3.2 ($70k) floorstander and boasted their use of RSX cables, though a Shunyata power conditioner was evident. The rig featured a couple of Vertere turntables with their entry-level table on the left capturing my attention — only one surface to keep clean.

I was told this entry-level DG-1 turntable runs $4k to $6k, probably depending on the arm selected. Note the plinth is comprised of at least three layers bonded together. The erratic edges, combined with the flat tonearm gave it a very unique look that will probably appeal to younger wealthy folks.

The flat Groove Runner S tonearm shown here was an upgraded, improved version of a previous design. This one features four flat layers of aluminum with the ribbon tonearm cable sandwiched inside. The cartridge was their own, a variant of an Audio-Technica built to Vertere's specification.

AV Luxury Group International
In their next room, they stepped down to the Raidho TD 1.2 stand-mounted monitor driven by Margules electronics from Mexico.

The music here was delicious to my tube-loving ear.

Seen above was the Margules Arch 4 Hybrid integrated amp ($4,800) putting out 100 Watts per channel into  8 Ohms and 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms. It looks like it has a built-in phono stage as well.

Stillpoints, Audio Design & Marketing, Rockport Technologies, Viola Audio Labs, And Wolf Audio Systems
Stillpoints is famous for its acoustic tuning devices which include various footers, equipment racks, and now acoustic panels.

Here, Bruce Jacobs explains the rig and his products to a full room. The black double-wide rack is a $65k device with full adjustment allowing you to precisely place Stillpoints footers directly under your component, no matter the size. Amplification included Viola Audio Labs Sonata two-chassis preamp ($33.8k, in the rack) and Viola Cadence power amp ($34k) on a Stillpoints amp stand (not visible) on the floor.

A Wolf Audio Systems Alpha SX server ($10.5k) fed a Bricasti M1 SE MDX DAC ($10k), which is what I heard during my visit. The speakers were Rockport Technologies Atria II ($38k) on Stillpoints Ultra 7 footers ($10.4k). A Shunyata Research Everest power conditioner ($10k, with cable), was used but the cabling was by Purest Audio Design with pricing running from $2k to $6k throughout the system.

You will notice several wood-framed acoustic panels throughout the room. These appear to be quite effective if you can tolerate their intrusion on your décor. They run $960 each and the stands are $600 each.

On the top shelf of the rack was a red Tien Audio CTS turntable with torque control ($8k) with a Phase Nation PT2000 cartridge ($8k). To the left was a Soul Note E-2 phono preamp that is something beyond the ordinary.

On the left side of the face were controls for rolling off the bass, mono, and channel inversion.

On the right side were controls for MC loading, MM, input selection (there are several), and even activation of a degaussing circuit for your cartridge, something I've only ever seen on a Tri-Art phono stage. While there were a lot of turntables on display at AXPONA, precious few were playing when I visited. That said, the music here was excellent.

Alex Sound Technology
This was a room I was especially looking forward to as I was keenly interested in hearing a tube amp with the expensive Takasuki tubes. Mysteriously, I have a room list, but no photos or video notes. From a pre-show press release I have seen photos of the speaker and amp, but I don't recall seeing them in person.

The Takasuki TA-S01 ($32k) uses their 300B and 274B tubes, putting out a typical 8 Watts per channel. The Blumenhofer Acoustics Genuin FS 2 Mk2 speaker in premium Makassar finish ($22,850) combines a bass reflex woofer with a top-mounted compression driver horn. I hope I get to see and hear this rig at Capital Audiofest in the fall, and don't have to wait for AXPONA next year. Color me bummed out.

Musical Artisans Inc.
Musical Artisans is a retailer in Skokie, IL, north of Chicago and straight east of Schaumburg, almost to the lake. They put together what I call a very redeeming system with Nagra electronics driving the Stenheim Alumine Three SE speakers ($43,250).

I've heard various Stenheim speakers over the years and most often found them to be too highly resolved with sharp edges to the notes leading to an irritating treble and fatigue. This year at AXPONA 2023, I found two rigs with Stenheim that were much more tolerable. Of course, when considering any gear in this price range you should make every effort to audition it in person. Your opinions could easily differ from mine.

When I first entered I had the opportunity to hear analog playback from the Swiss De Baer Saphir turntable with Reference power supply ($62.5k) with the Onyx tonearm with VTA base ($21,500) fitted with an Xquisite GT phono cartridge ($14.5k). So, right away, with the first $100k we were off to a good start. From there, using an Organic Reference II RCA phono interconnect ($2,950) the signal went to a Nagra Classic PHONO ($21.5k), then on to a Nagra Classic INT integrated amp ($22.5k) and on to the speaker through Organic Reference II speaker cables (two pairs for bi-wiring, $11.7k total).

The music was dramatically more listenable — shall I say "organic"? This, made me wonder if it was the Nagra components or the Organic Reference cables. Having heard Nagra components over the years, I can say with certainty this was a major contributor, but possibly the cables were also helping to a major degree. The guys at Musical Artisans can probably help you out.

From the top down (below the turntable) was the Nagra Classic DAC II making its unofficial debut (which will officially happen in Munich) It is priced at $18.5k and was shown with the ISO base ($2,750 ea.). Below that was the Classic PHONO, the Classic PSU power supply ($16.9k). The next shelf down had a small Nagra digital recorder atop the Classic INT integrated amp ($22.5k)

The Nagra VII 70th Anniversary Edition digital recorder was a special treat for attendees. It was loaded with digital transfers from early Montreux Jazz Festival analog recordings that were the result of a special project between Nagra and the festival. On the Nagra website, it is described thusly:

Immerse yourself in the sound of Montreux as it was originally captured in the early years. Thanks to Montreux Sounds, a unique selection of tapes will be playback on a Nagra recorder and a special Nagra HD set-up to recreate the atmosphere and the essence of the Casino Kursaal and the Casino de Montreux. The tapes start from 1967 through 1981.

Those were years I was heavily into rock music, so it was a real trip to get an earful of jazz from that era. They will be playing the same set-up at Munich's HIGH END 2023 show.

And finally, here is a close-up look at the new Classic DAC and VFS base (above). There was another room with a Stenheim speaker that impressed me later at the show, but you will have to wait.

Part 7 Coming Soon!
For now, that's it for Part 6 and the 7th Floor. This is the halfway mark at the show. There are a few more weeks to go. In a few days, I'll be back with Part 7 and the rooms on the 6th Floor. Keep checking in with us. Eventually, we will make it to the 1st Floor.

---> Onward to the next part of Rick Becker's extensive AXPONA 2023 show coverage.

---> Back to main AXPONA 2023 show report page.