Los Angeles Audio Show 2017 Report
LAAS 2017 Show Report Part 3
ELAC, Audio Alchemy, Dana Cable, On A Higher Note, Vivid, Merging Technologies, Luxman, Zu Audio, Wyred 4 Sound and Markaudio-SOTA.
LAAS 2017 High-End Audio Show Report

  Always one of my fave rooms to visit, probably due to their non-audiophile music, is Zu Audio. They're here at LAAS 2017 introducing their Druid Mk.VI ($10,500 per pair), which is Zu's full-out version of their iconic Druid loudspeaker. Fear not as the Druid Mk.V ($6000 per pair) will continue to be made in parallel with the VI version. For those curious, Zu Audio's Druid Mk.VI hits the site and goes on sale the first week in July, with orders beginning to ship the end of July. Zu Cable was being used, of course. Phono duties you ask? Zu/DL-103 Mk.II moving coil cartridges. Luxman PD-444 with Rega RB808 arm with Groove Tracer heavy weight, joined the Rega P6, Groove Tracer heavy weight plus ye ol' Zu/Technics SL-1200 Mk.II. Amplification was Nelson Pass' First Watt F7, with preamp duties being filled by a Rupert Neve Designs 5060 summing mixer (all analog, transform ins and outs). K&K Maxxed-Out phonostage and LA-DWP power filter round out the system.

So how did it all sound? Zu Audio always, and i truly do mean always, brings on titillating tunes at a show, and LAAS 017 was no exception. Remarkable dynamics, especially from Nelson Pass' First Watt F7 low wattage amp. Clean, clear, and good bass down to about 50Hz or so. How does Zu Audio keep making magnificient music show after show, year after year? Whatever it is, keep on doing it guys! Zu Audio 4ever bro. 

Wyred 4 Sound celebrated 10 years of innovation with a very special commemorative Limited Edition DAC. Marking a decade of producing exceptional audio products, Wyred 4 Sound launched their new Limited Edition DAC-2v2SE ($4499). Based on the newly released flagship DAC-2v2SE DAC, the 10th Anniversary version offers exclusive features like upgraded hand-matched parts, commemorative casework, redesigned digital board and the latest, industry-leading ESS Sabre 9038PRO DAC chip. Other features include:
• Premium ESS Sabre 9038PRO DAC chip
• Redesigned 10th Anniversary digital board
• Coaxial, TosLink, AES/EBU and IēS inputs
• Galvanically isolated, asynchronous USB input
• Up to 384kHz PCM and DSD 256 file support
• Hand-matched custom Vishay Z-Foil resistors
• Ultra-low noise discrete regulators
• Ultra-fast recovery Schottkey diodes
• Premium-grade inductors
• Upgraded fuse 
• Custom 10th Anniversary champagne silver chassis/commemorative graphics
• Custom 10th Anniversary red display
• Custom 10th Anniversary lathed aluminum footers

Further enhancing the value of Wyred 4 Sound's  Limited Edition DAC-2v2SE, it will be a very limited production run. BTW, their 10th Anniversary DAC-2v2SE was recognized as an 'auspicious debut' in The Absolute Sound when it debuted at AXPONA 2017 this year.

Other gear within Wyred 4 Sound's room include:
• MS, Music Server, Est $2-3k, option dependent
• Tidal, Spotify, AirPlay, Roon-ready
• SX-1000R, Mono Amplifiers, $1799 each
• C2, 1m PCOCC XLR Cable, $299/pr
• P1, Power Cables, From $169
• USB Premium, 1m PCOCC USB Cable, $199
• Recovery, USB reclocker, $199
• PS-1, Modular Linear Power Supply, From $399
• For low-power DC devices like Recovery
• KEF Reference 1, $7999/pr. Optional stands, $1499
Total Wyred 4 Sound System Price: ~$12k (Excluding speakers)

Great sounding room and one i wish there was more time to listen. My listening notes simply says "Awesome!"

Markaudio-Sota room once again delivers a wonderful-sounding system. Sat for a bit, as i wanted to get a better listen plus my feet were getting a bit tired (hey, i'm not 28 any longer guys!). Listening notes say "Air, subtle sound, delicate when needed. Rich sound without sounding buttery creamy." Best bet, read our Markaudio-SOTA preview at this link. and review of the Markaudio-Sota Viotti One Stand-Mounted Speaker at this link. You can also see our video with engineer Mark Fenlon at this link.

So why do Markaudio-SOTA speakers sound so superb? As they say, the parts make the whole.... and sometimes the whole sounds better than the parts.

---> Onward to part 4 of our LAAS 2017 show report.

---> Back to LAAS 2017 show report homepage.