Nordost, Stenheim, And VTL Deliver A Flagship Listening Experience Assessment Review
A powerhouse system featuring Odin Gold, Reference Ultime Two SX, and VTL's new Lohengrin Monoblocks takes center stage at AXPONA 2026.
AXPONA 2025 Luxury Hi-Fi Audio Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin

  Nordost is once again joining forces with Stenheim and VTL to deliver what is expected to be one of the most talked about listening experiences at AXPONA 2026. Hosted in the Schaumburg F Ballroom, this collaboration has already earned "Best Sound" accolades for three consecutive years, and all signs point to another standout performance. The trio's reputation for assembling reference-level systems has made their room a destination for serious audiophiles, industry professionals, and music lovers seeking the pinnacle of high-end playback.

This year's system brings together flagship components from each brand, meticulously integrated by Audio Systems Optimized to form a seamless, immersive musical presentation. Nordost's contribution centers on their Odin Gold and Odin 2 Supreme Reference cables—products rarely demonstrated publicly due to their exclusivity and technical sophistication. These cables will serve as the backbone of the system, ensuring signal purity and coherence throughout the chain. Stenheim's Reference Ultime Two SX loudspeakers will anchor the room with their signature combination of speed, scale, and lifelike realism, while VTL's new Lohengrin 400-Watt Reference Monoblocks, paired with the TL-7.5 Series III Reference Linestage and TP-6.5 Series II Signature Phono Stage, will provide the power and finesse needed to bring the system to its full potential.

Supporting components round out the system with equal prestige. dCS and VPI will supply world-class digital and analog sources, giving attendees the chance to hear the system perform across formats with uncompromising fidelity. Acoustic treatment from Audys by VDM will further refine the listening environment, ensuring that every nuance—whether a whisper-quiet detail or a dynamic crescendo—is delivered with clarity and emotional impact. The result is a system designed not just to impress, but to transport listeners into the heart of the music.

In addition to enjoying the sonic spoils of this unmatched system, Nordost is hosting a series of presentations throughout show!

Friday
12:00 PM – Lunchtime Listening Hour featuring unreleased Newvelle Records LPs
2:00 PM – Behind the Recording with Igor Fiorini of VDM High End Records
4:00 PM – Qobuz Flash DJ Session with David Solomon

Saturday
12:00 PM – Lunchtime Listening Hour featuring unreleased Newvelle Records LPs
2:00 PM – Behind the recording with Igor Fiorini of VDM High End Records
4:00 PM – Exclusive Listening and Storytelling Experience with Abey Fonn of Impex Records
5:30 PM – 50th Anniversary Listening Session: David Bowie's Station to Station

Sunday
12:00 PM – Lunchtime Listening Hour featuring unreleased Newvelle Records LPs

Lunchtime Listening Hour [12:00 PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday]
Every day at noon, hear unreleased recordings from Newvelle Records' anniversary LPs, the Newvelle Ten Collection, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, featuring Martin Wind, Ingrid Jensen, Elan Mehler, Loren Stillman, and Skúli Sverrisson. We will also be spinning a selection of classical pieces, expertly curated by VTL's Bea Lamm.

Behind the Recording [2:00 PM Friday and Saturday]
VDM High End Records' Igor Fiorini reveals how a recording is created. A master recording is a cultural and symbolic message, shaped by the artist and the sound director, and carried through the recording to reach the listener. During this presentation, we will hear individual microphones, each with its own character, and discover how they form the final sonic balance. Featured releases include: Chopin at Home Vol. 2 – Marco Arcieri: From microphone signals to vinyl test pressings, experience the recording's construction. Dohnányi – Dvořák: String Sextets, Sestetto Stradivari: Original DXD 32-bit masters highlight the texture and complexity of string instruments.

Qobuz Flash DJ Session [4:00 PM Friday]
David Solomon from Qobuz hosts a Flash DJ Session, playing an exciting mix of tracks. This is the perfect way to experience this system's digital capabilities.

Exclusive Listening and Storytelling Experience [4:00 PM Saturday]
Abey Fonn, founder of Impex Records, presents an exclusive listening and storytelling experience. Abey will present highlights from John McLaughlin's hot new album Music From Abandoned Heights and Bud Shank's just-released AAA LP Holiday in Brazil, alongside a curated selection of personal favorites. Through rare insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, Abey will illuminate what it's like to work with legendary artists and our production partners to meticulously craft the finest audiophile records. This is a unique opportunity to hear not just the music, but the stories etched into every groove. 

50th Anniversary Listening Session [5:30 PM Saturday]
Celebrate 50 years of Bowie's groundbreaking 1976 album, Station to Station. Experience every detail of this iconic recording, played on a world-class audio system. This session offers a rare opportunity to hear the nuances and dynamics in this classic LP that highlights Bowie's unique musical artistry.

In addition to the happenings in Schaumburg F Ballroom, Nordost will also be conducting live cable demonstrations in Room 716, in partnership with local retailer Holm Audio. This will allow attendees to listen firsthand and experience the difference Nordost cables and audio enhancers make, with expert staff available to answer questions and provide insights into the technology behind the products.

As always in the end what really matters is that you...

 

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

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