September 2019

RMAF, CAF And NYAS Plus Our Annual Blue Note Awards
Three shows in three months plus our Best Of 2019 Blue Note Awards!
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin

  What do Denver, Washington DC and New York have in common from September through November? If you guessed luxury audio shows you'd be correct! First up is Rocky Mountain International Audiofest (RMAF) from September 6th through 9th at the brand-new Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. From November 1st through 3rd is the Capital Audiofest (CAF) at the Hilton Hotel Rockville (near DC). Lastly, there's the New York Audio Show (NYAS) at the city's Park Lane Hotel by Central Park from November 8th through 10th. Let's take a look at each show, and then sum things up shall we?

Enjoy the Music.com has reported on every RMAF event since inception, with our 2019 coverage celebrating the show's Sweet 16! As we look forward to their 16th annual event, let's get the proverbial elephant in the room out of the way. Costs have gone up quite a bit compared to last year's event at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. While Marriott's renovations were complete, with RMAF 2018 bring well attended, moving to a new and far more luxurious Gaylord venue means change... and added costs. Some of us hate change, others do not like show 'surprises and challenges'. On the plus side, have a feeling attendees will greatly appreciate the modern amenities and things to do at the hotel's extensive landscape. Sure, others may decry the lack of great restaurants within walking distance to enjoy their annual dish at the nearby (fill in the name of restaurant near Marriott). That aside, have a feeling the big question that is of key importance is: Will the rooms at Gaylord sound good? Stay tuned for our show report to find out!

At the end of last year's RMAF, Enjoy the Music.com was so pleased with the success and accolades of our supporting RMAF that we're once again sponsoring the Thursday night media / exhibitor / industry party plus all seminars. Since our site is far more than just show report and reviews (and DIY, and retro gear, and future-focused, and...), we're also partners with 11 magazines. We want everyone to enjoy the fun and informative seminars at RMAF. As a show of humble appreciation to the entire industry and music loving attendees alike, we want you to party on our dime and/or meet industry experts and ask them questions during outstanding seminars.

RMAF Bottom Line: Enjoy the seminars, enjoy the festivities, and enjoy the music.

See our Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest 2019 show report at this link.

Next up is Capital Audiofest (CAF), which was launched in 2010 as a very casual DIY show and a bit more gathering of like-minded friends and family. CAF has evolved into a well-organized, and well-attended I might add, high-end audio event. CAF promotes their show as a fun, friendly and family-oriented. During the evenings there is live music within the bar and special live performers within the Theater. CAF also seeks to work with local distillers to offer tasting of their alcoholic beverages. This ever-growing event is one to keep an eye, and ear, on! Enjoy the Music.com will have a team of exceptional photojournalists there, with reports appearing online shortly thereafter.

CAF Bottom Line: Enjoy the seminars, enjoy the festivities, and enjoy the music.

See our Capital Audiefest 2019 show report at this link.

The New York Audio Show. Hmmm... It's in New York City. It's a high-end audio event. Plus you can expect many exhibitors and leading experts in attendance. Park Lane Hotel is a luxury 46-story hotel with panoramic views of legendary Central Park and the iconic New York City skyline. There is no sales pressure, as manufacturers, distributors and local stores will gladly let you play your fave tunes within their exhibit room(s). Instead of driving all around the city (or Tri-State area) for high-end audio, as you truly need to attend NYAS to hear an abundance of terrific tunes, experience heaps of hi-fi equipment, and meet industry experts all under one roof. If you ever needed an excuse to visit NYC, here's your opportunity!

NYAS Bottom Line: Enjoy the seminars, enjoy the festivities, and enjoy the....

See our New York Audio Show 2019 show report at this link.

While the Florida Audio Expo in February 2020 is six months away, Enjoy the Music.com is already making plans to organize a very special free night time event (we're paying :) ) sure to be a big hit with fans of.... Stay tuned!

Friendly Reminder
Since RMAF is days away, please be sure to attend the Thursday night media / exhibitor party and seminars as we're sponsoring them to ensure you have fun (and learn too). We want to be sure everyone has a wonderful experience in Denver! Enjoy some great party drinks and informative educational seminars too.

(Humor) Though please, not both at the same time. Then again, drunk seminar moderators and panel members could add a bit of audience entertainment to the mix. Hmmm, I have an idea! :)

Best Of 2019 Blue Note Awards
The month of September brings you our highly coveted Blue Note Awards! Enjoy the Music.com's Best Of 2019 Blue Note Awards celebrates the many great achievements by audiophile manufacturers within the high-end audio industry. Join us in celebrating the finest products we have reviewed during the previous 12 months. Recipients have been very carefully chosen after much debate and consideration by our staff of reviewers. While there are many great pieces of high fidelity audio equipment now available within the marketplace, our Blue Note Awards is compiled from products we feel have earned extra special attention.

We're stingy bastards! We give actual physical, custom engraved awards too. Maybe that's why we don't do lists of Top 100? In any event, there are no extensive lists filled with hundreds of pieces of gear. That's just not our thing. Of course we desire happy readers, and so if that's what you're seeking (demanding?), simply visit our archives section and enjoy thousands of reviews of highly recommended high-end audio equipment.

If you're hoping we only choose a very small handful of new products, and not carry over the same product year after year after year, then you've come to the right place.

As of this writing we're still making last-minute choices and adding / subtracting to achieve what we feel truly represents the best music playback equipment of 2019. What I can tell you is during 2018 only 18 products earned our Best Of Blue Note Award. In 2017 our staff chose 17, and 2016 was a mere 15. If I was a betting man or statistician, would say that in 2019 we pick 19 products if you go by historic norms. You'd be incorrect, as we're been busy hiring writers over the past two years plus we're being far more strict on gear nowadays too. So...

Many more gear reviews + five more reviewers =  ????

Sitting at the sweet spot within my office, can now reveal that 21 products have earned Enjoy the Music.com's Best Of 2019 Blue Note Award.

We look forward to seeing many of you at one or more of the three upcoming shows, and congratulations to all manufactures and distributors whose gear earned our prestigious Best Of 2019 Blue Note Award!

As always, in the end what really matters is that you...

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin