AK Fest 2008

Because Music Matters

Report By Report By Ken Lawing
klawing@bellsouth.net
Page 3

Dave Cope, with Audio Note, UK, had one of the finest sounding rooms at the show. The Audio Note E Lexus Signature ($16,000 w/stands) with their hemp drivers were strategically placed in the corners, avoiding the nasty bass node.

 

 

AK members dgwojo and PunkerX provided a fine sounding room featuring two sets of modified vintage Altec/Lansing speakers, along with Blue Circle and NOS Valves gear.

 

 

 

The GINI Systems/Audio Space rooms had a plethora of gear at affordable prices. The LS3/5A kit ($490 pr.) along with the B+ Bass Stands ($560 pr.) sounded fantastic driven by Audio Space tube gear.

 

  

 

They had a wide range of speakers from Usher and other manufacturers, along with a stunning turntable.

 

 

AK member Negotiableterms provided his Infinity Prelude MTS driven by McIntosh’s new MC7000 ($7,000) integrated amp. The front end was pure digital magic provided by a Wadia 581 SE SACD player ($9,950), and an iPod with a 170 iTransport ($349, iPod not included). Utilizing a custom program to equalize the sound before the show, this room sounded very smooth while eliminating the 50Hz room node.

  

Madisound Speaker Component, Inc.’s room was packed each time I passed by, and for good reason. It’s DIY paradise for the speaker freaks who attended. Their BK-16 kit ($750 pr.) is a folded horn design teamed with Fostex full-range drivers and super-tweeters. If I could have packed one set of speakers in my carry-on baggage for the flight home, this would be the pair. They also had a wide variety of other kits and drivers, and I pounced on the chance to pick up a copy of The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook by Vance Dickenson for $10 while I was there.

 

AK member Cosmos had a mix of old and new in his fine sounding room. His Rogue Audio M120 mono blocks drove vintage JBL 250Ti and Yamaha NS1000 speakers.

 

The Jaton room had some good sound and interesting designs. Their Lyra ($1,600) speakers defy logic. They weigh much less than they look with their proprietary construction. They also failed my knuckle rap test miserably. Yet, they sounded great driven by Operetta modular amps ($1000 for two-channel, add $200 additional channel).

 

     

Whiplash Audio had a wide range of speakers at affordable prices. This was one of the more crowded rooms and even getting pictures of the room was not easy.

 

They also displayed one of the most unique mini-systems I’ve ever seen. I wish I could provide more information, but all of the reps in the room were busy with other attendees.

 

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