A Music Professor's Assessment Of AXPONA 2023
Great memories of music plus a renewed energy, and inspiration for the art of premium audio.
Audio Expo North America 2023 Show Report By Dr. Michael Bump

Nirvana A Room
Jeff Joseph is a name that has become synonymous with some of the finest speakers designs in high-end audio. I've heard many refer to Joseph Audio instruments as "over-achieving," although I've always found that term a bit perplexing. Rather, when I think of Joseph Audio, the phrase "High art / High value" immediately comes to mind. In fact, unless it was a room issue that was then corrected for, I can't ever recall a less-than stellar listening experience with Joseph Audio speakers front and center in the system. They're just that good and that consistent.

Jeff has always struck me as one who never stops thinking, "That's good, but what if...." And such an open-minded, engaging individual – always a pleasure to converse with. The high-quality amalgam of materials, acoustic design, attention to detail / build, and relentless listening assessment process, has brought Joseph Audio to this level of respect, and well-earned.

The Nirvana A room vibe was constantly abuzz with attentive ears. Joe or other room managers were excellent in accommodating listening and learning opportunities for attendees, allowing for one of the great experiences of the show, and in turn, one of the best-in-show rooms overall.

The presentation was absolutely commanding, gut-punching when needed, then transparent and translucent among the very best. Transients popped without artificiality, mids were slightly forward (but I happened to enjoy it), and low frequencies were absolutely taught and true-to-source. The analog front-end of this system was a no-compromise assembly – smooth as silk in sound, function, and appearance. Again, an AXPONA 2023 experience that I was compelled to immerse myself in more than once during my visit.

Joseph Audio Pearl Graphene speaker - $43,999 pr
Doshi Audio EVOLUTION monoblock amplifiers - $43,995 pair
Doshi Audio EVOLUTION preamp - $19,995
Doshi Audio EVOLUTION Phono Stage - $19,995
J. Sikora Reference turntable - $47,000
J. Sikora KVMAX 9" tonearm - $11,750
Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference 3 - $28,000
Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB - $2,275
Aurender N30SA 8T server - $25,000
Lyra Atlas SL Lambda SL low-output mc cartridge - $12,995
HRS EXR component stand (4) shelf - $7,795
Cables by Cardas

Serenity Room
It would otherwise seem preferential to focus on the same design companies exhibiting in two different rooms. All the same, here we are, and I offer no excuse, other than for my ears, it is well-deserved recognition. The leadership team of Audio Group Denmark demonstrates depth: Depth of experience in business management, successful designs, successful implementation of proprietary materials, creativity, and well-honed ears.

Above all perhaps, they do not step back from the big questions that move high-end audio design closer to the visceral performance experience of live music. Together with the domestic outreach and enthusiasm of Tyler Mueller, CEO of NextLevel HiFi, and Peter Hansen, North American Sales Manager, we can enthusiastically look forward to the continued evolvement of this strong source of energy in the audio arts.

As with Room 1607, the audio pieces making up the Serenity Room are conceived, manufactured, and enter the world all from under one roof that is Audio Group Denmark: Ansuz (cabling, power distribution, streaming, resonance control), Aavik (amplification, DACs, Phono stages, streamers), Borresen (speakers), and Axxess (high-quality speakers, amplifiers, and cabling at more modest price points). In this way, the consolidation of intellectual and physical resources can be applied to unified creative objectives and business intents, moving all as-one for the common good.

A highlight of this year's Audio Group Denmark/Serenity Room was the world premiere of their "next level" Borresen M3 ($280,000 pair). Partnered with similar top-of-the-line electronics, the M3's debut found inspiration from the Aavik C-880 preamplifier and P-880 class A amplifier ($70,000 each), coupled with Aavik source components D-580 DAC and S-580 streamer ($25,200 each). Ansuz managed all system power and distribution duties via a full loom of the Ansuz Gold Signature Series speaker, interconnect, and power cables, Signature Gold PowerBox and PowerSwitch ($23,000 each), and Signature Gold Main8 power distribution ($68,000).

The gathering at the Serenity Room was one of those experiences considered truly memorable, dare I say game-changing in the industry, and absolutely among the Best Of AXPONA 2023. The Borresen M3, in particular, is an engineering marvel, with so much proprietary thought injected into its creation, it alone stands among the very best instruments of recorded music reproduction I've ever heard. And Lars Christensen tells me they're already working on an M6 design.

Strap in!

Conclusion
Alas, all good things eventually come to an end, as "they" say. Plenty of great memories for the early drive home Sunday, with a renewed energy and inspiration for the art of high-end audio. The determination to reproduce live music as authentically as possible by so many gifted and talented designers has never been more vibrant. From those of us who create the music, I am humbled and most appreciative of these incredible efforts.

Until next time.... "Keep rockin' in the free world."

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