Pacific Audio Fest 2022 Fab 5 Picks
Greg Weaver chooses the Best Of PAF 2022.
Show Report By Greg Weaver

One
The largest exhibit space on the property, Grand Ballroom 2, some 60' x 65' x 14,' was the domain of the now well-celebrated partnership of The Audio Company of Marietta, GA, the Valve Amplification Company of Sarasota, FL, and Von Schweikert Audio, of Riverside, CA.

It should come as no surprise that I was far from the only journalist or show-goer that I spoke with to suggest that the level of musical expressiveness and sheer lifelike presentation in this room was unequaled, delivering a simply unparalleled masterful performance. And there were more than a few of us that would argue that this was the most authentic, most lifelike, most impressive performance these partners have delivered at any show to date!

The system was pretty much the tried-and-true system these cats routinely use to capture more and more "Best of Show" awards. A brief recap will reveal that the analog source was Canada's KRONOS Pro LE Turntable ($51,000), with the Black Beauty tonearm ($10,000), the SCPS-1 Super Capacitor Power Supply ($15,000), fitted with the Japanese manufactured Hana Umami Red MC cartridge ($3,995), and the phonostage is the superlative, two-box VAC Statement Phono Preamplifier ($80,000).

Though the remarkable array of Tokyo-based Esoteric digital gear was available, including the Esoteric N-01XD streamer / renderer / DAC ($20,000), the Esoteric K1 Grandioso CD/SACD player ($31,000), and the Esoteric G-01 Clock ($20,000), however, I was smitten by a very relevant new addition. This was my first chance to really hear the new, flagship $50,000 Lampizat0r Horizon DAC from Poland.

The electronics lineup included the astonishing VAC Statement Line Preamplifier ($80,000), and four of the sublimely magical VAC Statement 452 iQ Musicbloc amps, which, at $75,000/ea, represent a sobering $300,000 investment to use them to bi-amplify each of the newest Von Schweikert ULTRA series of loudspeakers, the ULTRA 7 speakers ($180,000/pr.). The room also employed a number of the Von Schweikert Audio Shockwave 12 subwoofers ($15,000each), deployed critically to manage active room correction.

First of all, this team is unquestionably among, if not the most skilled room setup squad working the show circuit today. And, this was the first time ever setting up in this massive space, one that many might even suggest was simply too large for such a diminutive model as the ULTRA 7. In fact, they actually had to manage this cavernous space, and by employing a special framework of supports to hold a mixture of varying density and textured curtains, managed to shrink the room down by some 10 or 12 feet from both side walls and closer to 15 from the front wall.

The result of this massive undertaking and taming effort was staggeringly successful. In fact, I spoke with more than a few other showgoers, writers, and manufacturers, all of whom have heard the amazing performance this team routinely accomplishes with their multi-million-dollar roadshow, and many of us felt that this may have been the most impressive and authentic sonic tapestry this pairing has ever generated, in any space! The final result was simply astonishing performance.

I'm not going to go on and on about this room's exceptional performance yet again. Suffice it to say that I couldn't do it justice with words alone anyway. Please take a look at any of my other recent show reports – from 2017 on, when these partners introduced the ULTRA flagship series of loudspeakers, you will get a good sense of just how astonishing this room sounded. Let me simply note here that it clearly bested the ability of any other system on display at this event to foster the suspension of disbelief, to almost convince you that what you are hearing is not a recording, but a live event.

Rather, I want to focus briefly on the accomplishments of this new gorgeous-looking, and sublimely seductive sounding flagship Valve-based DAC from Lukasz Fikus. Among the design highlights are things like the use of proprietary, firmware-driven conversion processes capable of supporting file formats up to 760kHz PCM and DSD512, silver wiring and copper sheet, true metal capacitors, with no silicon used anywhere in the signal path.

Given my investment in and love of vinyl, I don't see myself ever abandoning my world-class LP transcription system. But over the years, Lampizat0r DACs have routinely helped to transcend my objections to digital playback, allowing me to not just more readily tolerate digital music, but to actually more faithfully deliver its musical message. My first impression of Horizon is that it offers an even more inviting, non-digital-sounding presentation than any single-box DAC in my experience. I'm honored to share here that the Horizon is expected to be in-house very soon now for its first official USA review.

A New And Proud Pacific Northwest Tradition
One final news note before I sign off for this year's event. When I ran into my friend and long-time industry member Richard Colburn early one morning (I can't believe I didn't get a picture!), he enthusiastically shared with me that his new book, Adventures in Hi-Fi: My Fifty Years in The Audio Business had just been published, available from Amazon in paperback or Kindle edition. I've got one ordered, but knowing Richard, this should be an amusing and educational read. Congratulations, Richard.

In closing, I have to hand it to Lou and Gary for conceiving and realizing this amazing and highly enjoyable event. Were there some missteps and hiccups along the way? Sure. But I'd suggest that it is at best an odd rarity that any first-time event this ambitious and enjoyable comes off without a hitch, or three!

To that end, I had a chat with Lou Saturday morning just after 6am. He was setting up his laptop at the registration area to try to get a jump on the day and I was swinging by after my morning workout to get a breakfast sandwich. I suggested that it was going well and that I felt some combination of both more and improved signage, perhaps not spreading the rooms so far out across this large, initially confusing hotel space, and questioning the issues with the state of the hotel Air Conditioning – granted, this was very unseasonable weather for this time of year in Seattle, might be in order. Not only was he openly receptive to these constructive criticisms, he was already making notes for improving the signage for the 2023 event.

I know I'm looking forward to the future of this show, and hope to see you there in Seattle next year! Until then, please...

Enjoy the Music!

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