T.H.E. Lone Star Audio Fest 2026 Show Report
High-end audio comes back to Austin.
Lone Star Audio Fest (LSAF) 2026 Audiophile Show Coverage By Paul Schumann

PBN Audio
PBN Audio was back and again had a full array of gear on display. The system I first listened to consisted of the PBN-DP200 turntable, Olympia DX DAC, Olympia PXis phono stage, Olympia LXis line stage, PBN EB-SA3 monoblocks, and M2!5 speakers. The M2!5 speakers have twin 15" woofers paired with a midrange / tweeter compression driver. To make sure you had enough bass, the M2!5 spears were set up with matching bass towers.

Some vinyl was playing when I visited for the first time, and the sound was crystal clear and relaxed.

To the side was a pair of MR!X horns, which caught my attention. These speakers have a 2360 Bi-Radial Horn with a highly-rated compression driver, complemented by a self-powered 18" woofer. I was told they would be playing later in the day.

When I came back a few hours later, the MR!X horns were center stage. Listening to the same system with them in place added a layer of fun and excitement to music!

Origin HiFi
Origin HiFi, a local dealership, returned to LASF this year. They had three systems set up in the room. The one to the left consisted of an Ayre Acoustics KX-5 Twenty preamp, Ayre Accoustics QX-5 Twenty Streamer/DAC, Ayre Accoustics KX-5 Twenty, Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty amplifier, DS Audio DS-W3 optical cartridge and equalizer, an Xtension 9 Evolution Pro-Ject turntable, and KEF Blade One Speakers.

The middle system consisted of Sonus Faber Electa Amator III speakers, Luxman PD-191A turntable, L-100 Centennial Integrated Amplifier, E-07 Phono Amplifier, and a Chord Hugo TT DAC.

The system on the right side of the room utilized Dynaudio Confidence 30 speakers, Pass Labs XP-22 preamp, XA160.8 monoblocks, and an Imersiv D-1 DAC.

This was the system that was playing when I first entered the room. The sound was expansive with an abundance of of bass.

When I returned later, the system on the left was playing. It was very warm and musical. This system made an old vinyl of Genesis' "ABACAB" sound better than it had any right to.

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