AXPONA 2011 Show Report -- Audio Expo North America

  Krell Industries had heir reference level speakers and amplifier. They gave AXPONA attendees a world premiere of their first public debut of the dual chassis Phantom stereo preamplifier ($17,500 plus $2500 for crossover option). The Phantom is the first Krell preamplifier to offer built-in crossover capabilities for satellite/subwoofer speaker configurations, thus avoiding a subwoofer's possible lower quality crossover circuitry. The unique crossover features definable parameters including independently assignable crossover frequencies and filter types for the high and low pass sections. Choices include 40, 55, 75, and 100 Hz crossover points with 12, 24 and 48 dB Butterworth or 24dB Linkwitz-Riley style filters. Krell Industries Phantom preamplifier is dual monaural circuit design with the left and right channels afforded their own power supply regulation and individual full chassis sized boards.

Audio Power Labs has their monoblock 833TNT (~$165,000 per pair) that produces 200 watts with 75dB SNR and has a completely transformer coupled audio path. A specialized liquid cooling system for the tubes plus a pair of rear mounted whisper quiet fans keeps the unit operating at reasonable temperatures. Tube compliment is two 833C, two 6550 and two 12BH7. While the unit is network capable for control, it does not handle DLNA for handling digital music files. The do look incredibly well made and quite impressive.

Emotiva out of Nashville Tennessee offers everything from source to speakers at very reasonable prices. The system sounded good and am curious what it can do in a more optimum setting than this hotel room.

Those looking for a really classic desktop audio system could experience the wonderful McIntosh's MXA60 integrated audio system ($7500).

Nerve Audio works with dealers as well as May Audio Marketing plus is a direct to customer retailer of tweaky cables, connectors of copper and silver and so much more. Their cables are of aerospace specifications and manufactured in the USA. The wire is silver plated copper with Teflon dielectric; with midpoint priced version of their cables (~$200) having proprietary silver connectors.

Like i really need to tell all you seasoned audiophiles this is a McIntosh 275 amplifier.

Lee Island Audio, with Aaudio, had a really nice room with the Acapella High Violinncello II ($80,000) and Ypsilon electronics and Bergmann turntable. Like all great horn speakers, fast, clear, highly defined.

Rob Robinson of Channel D fame was giving seminars such as this one about ripping vinyl to digital files.

Speaking of seminars, none other than the esteemed turntable guru Michael Fremer gave seminars on setup and tweaking. Michael Fremer also offers a DVD titled 21st Century Vinyl: Michael Fremer's Practical Guide to Turntable Set-Up.

Artist Karen Johnston was showing some of her beautiful paintings.

Classic Audio Reproductions T3.4 ($25,500) driven by Atma-Sphere tube amps sounded so effortlessly dynamic it could almost rip the cloths right off you... or your date(!).

Wharfedale's Opus 2-1 speakers ($3599 per pair) uses this really sweet 50mm dome midrange driver, soft dome tweeter and 165mm woofer. If you've never heard a dome midrange, you owe it to yourself to give 'em a listen.

Naturally Naim audio was at AXPONA with a wide variety of their awesome gear, and it indeed had excellent pace, timing and rhythm. The LP12 is not to be missed if you are a vinyl junkie. Amid those of us seeking the best in their Bentley automobile, be sure to tic the options box to get a Naim audio multi-channel sound system in your car.

mbl had a really nice suite filled with their world renown audiophile gear. These speakers produce sound in all direction and need a very large amount of power/amperage to sing.

Well, that wraps up my AXPONA 2011 live show report. There was a very wide array of equipment to be seen, to be heard, music to be purchased and seminars to attend. Of course there was live music too. If you missed this event and have the opportunity to attend next year's it is highly recommended. Seems everyone had a great time, was able to play the music of their choice... and there were some great deals on buying gear used at the show too! As always, in the end what really matters is that you...

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin 

Click here for the main AXPONA 2011 page.