CanJam SoCal 2022 Show Report
Aural adventures and dynamic innovations!
CanJam SoCal 2022 Show Report By Emiko

Ampsandsound was completely swamped and I wish to state here and now that there were a few listeners that were causing a traffic back-up because they were hanging around longer than most. Once I sat down and plugged in a pair of Dan Clark Expanse headphones into designer Justin Webber's creations, I immediately heard why. Solid tight bass, but not boomy. (To be clear, the terms "low end" and "bass" mean different things to me.) Stellar mid-range, warn, but bright and balanced. I wish I had spent more time here, yet there were headphone junkies drooling at the thought of my giving up that chair so eventually, I caved to the pressure. I'm certain that whoever sat down after me had their mind blown, too.

Source AV was on hand with HEDDphones ($1900) going into a Sony headamp which then went into the new Sony Walkman. I switched it up and dialed in "Hotel California" by the Eagles. The guitars came to life and I could hear just about everything including harmonics and usually overlooked resonances.

From there I headed over to Upscale Audio where I spent time with Feliks Audio, Audio Technica, Dan Clark's Stealth headphones going into a Pathos, and finally, PrimaLuna ($2797) paired with the HiFiMAN Arya and Susvara ($6000) headphones. I very much enjoyed the Feliks Audio Envy (starting at $7599 and going up to $8499 based on added features). The HiFiMAN/PrimaLuna pairings were Heavenly as well. I was a very happy camper here.

Linear Tube Audio had their Z10e ($6950) on display, paired with a pair of ZMF Atrium Headphones. I chose Billie Eilish's "Ocean Eyes" for this experience and I feel nothing more needs to be said here other than the last line of my notes: "heavenly, serene and gorgeous. I could listen forever." But I am not one to judge a system or a component from one song. So I put on Marcin's cover of "Kashmir" (he's the tap guitarist who has been blowing up all over social media) and was immediately transformed. Powerhouse performance came through — great articulation was heard (Marcin plays acoustic guitar with a very specific technique so it was delightful to hear all the intricacies) and the lows and mids were balanced beautifully. I made a note that said "GREAT DETAIL" in all caps, so my fingers are crossed that our illustrious Editor in Chief will allow that to be printed just as I wrote it.

As a curious crowd was gathering, I managed to get in a third song, "Sound & Color" by Alabama Shakes. Everything was reconfirmed for me then. Bright and clear, not harsh at all, but extremely powerful. Vocals were out front but not so much that it left everything else behind. Completely and utterly pleased.

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