AXPONA 2025 Highlights, Must-See Audiophile Innovations, And Top High-End Audio Trends
12th And 14th Floors: Schaumburg's annual high-end audio event for USA audiophiles.
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker 

1233  Rhythm Distribution, Marten, Luxman, Jorma, Tannoy, And Loricraft
This room dives into the real world with a rig at only a 10^th of the cost of the previous one. The handsome electronics and analog front end were from Luxman, and that's an AudioQuest Niagara 5000 power conditioner ($5,900) on the bottom shelf of the HRS rack (which was not included in the cost of the rig).

The Marten Oscar Duo speaker and stands were 'only' $9,500, and the Jorma cabling was far more affordable here. I believe Ron Nagle reviewed these speakers a few years ago. The Accuton ceramic drivers, although dropped by Kharma, have been picked up by numerous other companies like Marten and Acora.

This speaker may have been in one of the Playback Distribution rooms that follow, but I've lost track of the room. It appears to be the Esprit Stella, from France.

Likewise, with this Java HiFi GaNFET integrated amp that appears to have the wood case, which is authentic for the art deco or mid-century modern styling, unlike the optional carbon fiber chassis. Note the built-in phono stage.

1234  Playback Distribution, Esoteric, Esprit, And Quadraspire
The final five rooms on this floor were by Playback Distribution. This first one was the most impressive, with expensive Esoteric electronics from Japan driving the French Esprit floorstanders. Esprit also provided the expensive cables used in this rig. I love the blue LEDs on the Esoteric gear illuminating the shelf or floor in front of the component.

I'm surprised no other company has followed suit on this elegant detail after the several years Esoteric has been doing this. The sculpting of the faceplates of the Esoteric gear has become more pronounced recently, too.

1239  Playback Distribution, Esoteric, Grandioso, Esprit, And Quadraspire
Advance Paris has made a spash on the scene over the past year with a look that suggests a 'poor-man's McIntosh' with the blue meters and shiny knobs. The good news is that it is more affordable and has a hybrid design with a tube input stage, so it sounds pretty decent. The Advance Paris cables that debuted here are also very affordable.

The PMC Prophesy 7 speaker ($10k) and MJ Acoustics subwoofer were world debuts, but failed to catch my eye or ear in the context of this rig.

1240   Playback Distribution, Amphion, Java HiFi, Esprit, And Quadraspire
TEAC Consumer Electronics has been forging a greater presence in the high end in recent years. They are one of four divisions of the umbrella TEAC Corporation that also includes TASCAM (mostly recording stuff), and Esoteric, the very high end gear we saw in the first Playback Distribution room. A fourth division specializes in data storage. The ¾ size chassis has a pro-audio look because TEAC also has a footprint on that side of the fence.

Not seen here was the TEAC PD-505T CD Transport ($1,499.99) that is a hot item and currently sold out. This is a great CD drive for people who have a large CD collection and a high-quality DAC. Expect the price to be higher when the supply chain catches up and the tariffs kick in.

Note the mid-range prices on the Esprit cables in this room. I also seem to have ignored the Vienna Acoustics speaker, a brand I have had high respect for.

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