The Big AXPONA 2024 Show Report
The largest, most well-managed, and most amazing show in North America!
Audio Expo North America 2024 Show Coverage By Greg Weaver

1117 - Martin Logan
While I didn't have much time to listen here, I did briefly get to enjoy the enthusiastic and knowledgeable presentation from colleague and friend, David Solomon. As the VP of Business Development for the USA Market, Dave maintains his preferred status as "Chief Hi-Res Music Evangelist" for Qobuz and is a most effective evangelist who labors effortlessly to spread the gospel of music at every event he attends.

724 – AGD Productions
I only had a few moments in this room, but my experience with what Alberto Guerra, founder of AGD Productions of Los Angeles, is offering by way of advancing the designs of Class-D amplification, pursuing the implementation of the Gallium Nitride transistor (GaN), is both pioneering the science and art of the class, and remarkably exciting.

620 - Studio Electric
I've had the pleasure of knowing Studio Electric's master-mind, David MacPherson, now in Holland, Michigan, since running into his first product showing, the original Studio Electric Model One with their XLR-8 DSP integrated subwoofers and his Electrodyne Amplifier, at the 2006 CES. His work has continued to demand my attention when I've seen him present at every show he has done since that time.

He currently offers three loudspeaker models, the stand-mounted two-way M4 and three-way M5, both shown here, and the floor-standing FRX with side-firing woofers. And for some reason, I cannot locate ANY images taken in this room....  So, I've included a stock photo from the Studio Electric site. My apologies.

System Details:
Digital source: MacBook Pro - USB to DAC
Benchmark DAC3B D/A Converter - $1,899

Benchmark LA4 Preamp - $2,950

Benchmark AHB2 Power Amp - $3,499

Studio Electric M4 monitor - $3290-$3450

Studio Electric M5, 3-way mount - $6500-$7500

Pangea DS400 m4 stands -$249.00

Studio Electric M5 stands - $925

Benchmark Studio & Stage StarQuad XLR cable - $84-$116/pair

Benchmark RCA to RCA Coaxial cable digital/analog - $41-$65/each

Benchmark Speaker cables - $166 - $258/pair

While I'm always taken with how open and dynamic the M4 performs, it was the M5 that stole my heart this year. Its authenticity with the recreation of piano and both the timbre and dynamics of the "blat" from horns, were exceptional. The level of detail and resolution it offered in its price point, in combination with its openness and ability to express the tonality and texture of the source material, was simply incredible. We are talking about a review after the insanity of High End Munich.

646 – DeVore Fidelity
When I stopped in to see my old friend John DeVore, he was doing an entire session playing 78s! As I'm neither an aficionado of the medium itself nor a particular fan of mono in general, I only stayed long enough to say howdy and admire the synergy of the products he had assembled in the room.

System Details:
EMT 928 II turntable w 909 Hi tonearm and Pure Black MC for stereo - $17,995

EMT 912 tonearm - $6,995

EMT External Arm Pod - $2,795

EMT Tondose TMD015 Cartridge for mono - $1,995

EMT Tondose TND065 Cartridge for 78 RPM - $1,995

Auditorium A23 Homage T2 & Vintage step-up transformers and A23 & Shindo phono cables

MolaMola Makua Preamplifier (Including DAC and phono modules) - $23,700

Komuro Amplifier Company K300S - $20,000

DeVore Fidelity O/bronze loudspeakers - $30,000

HD3S Heritage Doublewide 3 Shelf in Sapele - $5,000

ISO.D.S Isolation Base Doublewide in Sapele - $5,500
AudioQuest Niagara 3000 Power Conditioner - $3,900

AudioQuest Vodka Ethernet cable - 0.75 M - $499

AudioQuest Thunderbird XLR Interconnects - 1.0 M - $3,900

AudioQuest Thunderbird Zero Speaker Cables - 8ft. Pr - $5,700

AudioQuest Monsoon Power cable - 2 M - $550

Though the name Elektromesstechnik (EMT) may not be as familiar as some others, this German company builds professional audio gear such as turntables and phono cartridges in Switzerland and Germany. Founded in 1940 to produce electronic measurement and testing equipment, they made their bones by releasing the first artificial reverb unit in 1957.

The Netherlands-based Mola Mola manufactures some remarkably inventive and exceptional sounding electronics, and John had chosen to use the Makua Preamplifier, fitted with its internal DAC card – which is essentially the stand-alone and highly-regarded Tambaqui DAC - and phono module.

A Komuro Amplifier Company K300S Direct-coupled single-ended 300B 7-Watt stereo amplifier was used to drive John's beautifully finished and remarkable O/bronze loudspeakers.

480 – Fidelis Distribution And Audio Skies
This system presented me with my first opportunity to hear the Stenheim Alumine 33E loudspeakers. I've become a huge fan of JMR electronics from France, and I'll wager you have heard the JMF sound, even though you may not be aware of it. Their electronics are in use in studios worldwide, from Paris to Los Angeles, from Nashville (Masterphonics) to Norway (2L), making it highly unlikely that you haven't heard a recording produced with their electronics in the production chain.

Finally, if you had the chance to hear the wonderful sonic results in this room delivered by the Ideon Absolute Suite of digital products from Greece, you heard the very units that I'm listening to as I write this report. Audio Skies Michael Vamos requested that I bring my personal stack to the show for them to highlight in this room!

System Details:
Ideon Audio Absolute Meta Stream – Streamer/Server - $24,000

Ideon Audio Absolute Time reclocker - $11,000
Ideon Audio Siren USB cable, 1.5 M - $1,990
Ideon Audio Epsilon Meta DAC - $49,900
JMF Audio PRS 1.5 dual-mono preamp - $39,000

JMF Audio HQS 6002 dual-mono power amp - $45,000

StenheimAlumine 33E speakers - $48,000/pair

ictra design Proto AS 3 shelf rack - $35,000

JMF Audio PCD 102 Power line filter - $22,000

JMF Audio CM4 XLR interconnect, 1.5 M - $5,500/pair

JMF Audio SR8 speaker cables, 2.5 M - $16,000/pair

JMF Audio PCC3 power cable, 1.5 M - $5,000

If you made it into this room, then you will be aware of the inescapably organic and neutral presentation it effortlessly and routinely delivered. Further, its ability to convey dynamic events, from transient attack to subtle and nuanced inflection and shading, was simply exceptional.

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