High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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03 / 19 / 26

First Watt Model SIT-1 Monoblock Power Amplifier Review
The power of the First Watt digs deeply into the fabric of music to communicate soul, drama, and passion.
Review By Dick Olsher
Imagine a single-ended Class A power amplifier comprising a single transistor, that is devoid of any feedback, and which behaves similarly to a power triode? Does this scenario sound too good to be true? Well, that's exactly what the First Watt SIT-1 is all about. It deploys a unique type of device, a variant of the JFET, referred to as a static induction transistor (SIT). It was invented in the early 1970s by Jun-ichi Nishizawa, a true genius who is considered the "father of Japanese microelectronics." The SIT enjoyed a brief audio career in power amplifiers by Yamaha and Sony, but has continued to evolve since then mainly for UHF and S-band applications in radar and communication satellite systems. It is a voltage controlled device whereby the signal modulates the electrostatic potential barrier produced by the gate – the grid like element of the SIT.
---> First Watt Model SIT-1 Monoblock Power Amplifier Review.

Ayon Audio CD-35 II CD Player And USA Labs RS9 Music Server Review
Two very versatile, and impressive, performers.
Review By Bob Grossman
The Ayon Audio CD-35 II as reviewed here, is the latest introduction to a long lineage of CD players that have been well regarded going back to the various models in the 3 and 5 series, along with ideas derived from their special edition CD35HF. But the CD-35 II is more than a CD player – it is also a fully functioning preamplifier and DAC. It is a single-ended triode pure Class A design using a 6H30 and a 5687 tube for each channel, and a GZ30 tube as a rectifier for the power supply. It is also a zero-feedback design. Ayon Audio's CD-35 II built-in DAC can be used to play music files from your computer via the USB connection. The DAC also has a coaxial RCA input for S/PDIF, I²S, BNC, AES/EBU, and three other BNC inputs for DSD. For this review I also evaluated the USA Labs RS9 music server to coordinate streaming of music from Qobuz.
---> Ayon CD-35 II CD Player And USA Labs RS9 Music Server Review.

03 / 18 / 26

Apple Music Mandates Transparency Tags for AI-Generated Content
New metadata requirements ask labels and distributors to disclose AI use in tracks, artwork, compositions, and videos to boost industry transparency.
Apple Music recently announced the rollout of the company's "Transparency Tags" within a newsletter to industry partners, framing the change as a "concrete first step" toward clearer disclosure of AI involvement in music. The company says the tags are a new metadata field that record labels and music distributors can begin applying immediately and will be required to use when delivering new content going forward. The new framework covers four core creative elements: Artwork, Track, Composition, and Music Video, and asks content providers to flag any use of AI across those elements when submitting packages to Apple Music. Apple's guidance treats the tags as similar to other metadata like genres and credits, and the company has delegated the initial determination of what counts as "AI-generated" to labels and distributors, rather than imposing a platform-level detection regime.

Industry reaction has been mixed: some rights holders and advocates welcomed a standardized disclosure field as a step toward accountability and clearer attribution for creators, while others warned that leaving the definition of AI use to content providers could create inconsistent application and loopholes. Legal and rights-management experts note that metadata-based disclosure can help downstream services, rights organizations, and listeners identify AI involvement, but they also stress the need for industry-wide standards and verification mechanisms to prevent mislabeling or underreporting. For artists, labels, and distributors the immediate practical effect will be operational: metadata packages delivered under Apple Music's Specification updates will need new fields populated and internal workflows adjusted to capture AI provenance for audio, lyrics, artwork, and video. Apple frames the tags as a first step toward broader best practices, and the company expects the industry to iterate on definitions and enforcement over time; stakeholders in the U.S. and globally should prepare for further guidance and possible standardization efforts as the market responds.

03 / 17 / 26

audioXpress' April 2026 Issue
Editorial: Tomorrow Happening Today
Three Viewpoints On Sound Reproduction 4th Edition
AntennaWare BodyWave Disrupting The Antenna
Phase Response And Group Delay Part 1—The Impact Of Filters
Phase And Delays Part 3—Measurements And Negative Delay
Designing A Three-Way Column Loudspeaker Using Akabak
Rising Tide—Technology Consolidation In A Transition Year
Audio And Voice Front-Ends
The 6418 Subminiature Pentode
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "What a start to the year this has been! 2026 is proving to be one of the most exciting times in memory for everyone involved in technology in general, and I don't recall having so many different fronts of innovation in audio to keep us busy as we've had recently. To begin, we had a busy time with three totally different trade shows, starting with CES in Las Vegas, NV, quickly followed by the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, and Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, the largest in history, with a record number of exhibitors and attendees. While CES is focused on consumer electronics and the wider consumer technology space, NAMM offered a fascinating perspective on the practical use of technology by studios, musicians, and live production companies. And, ISE was completely focused on commercial installation systems and residential integration, showing a different side of professional audio. Yet, there was a clear thread of common technology trends and innovation across all these trade shows."
---> audioXpress April 2026 Issue.

03 / 16 / 26

Montreal Audiofest 2026 This Weekend: The Ultimate Audiophile And Music Lover Experience
Montreal Audiofest 2026 (Salon Audio Montreal) returns March 20th through 22nd, bringing Canada's premier high-end audiophile event to the city. Organizers expect thousands of visitors eager to listen, see, and handle cutting-edge audio gear, with over luxury 300 brands showcased under one roof. The three-day festival is designed for audiophiles, videophiles, immersivephiles, and curious music lovers seeking modern immersive, hands-on experiences. As the largest audio event in Canada, the event gathers top distributors, manufacturers, and retailers from the high-end consumer electronics industry. Attendees can explore dedicated demo listening rooms, vendor booths, and curated exhibits that highlight the latest in luxurious loudspeakers, top-rated amplifiers, precision, turntables, immersive headphones & portable audio, plus home A/V systems. The show's scale and industry presence make it a must-visit for anyone tracking trends in premium sound and home cinema.

Inside each listening room, exhibitors share their passion for music through focused demonstrations of world-class sound systems. Expect setups ranging from accessible high-performance rigs to flagship installations, with systems priced from $5000 to well overv$500,000. EARVANA is Canada's first and only headphone-focused showcase, taking place inside Montreal Audiofest 2026. Over three immersive days, explore 8,000 sq. ft. filled with the latest Head-FI with headphones, earphones, in-ear monitors (IEM), headamps, Hi-Res Audio DACs, and accessories from top global brands. Enjoy the Music.com's exclusive Montreal Audiofest 2026 high-end audio show coverage will be online shortly after the event.

03 / 13 / 26

FIAE 2026 Blue Note Award Winners Announced!
Enjoy the Music.com honors Audio Note UK, UniQue Home Audio, Prodigio Audio, Focal, Pass Labs, Gershman Acoustic, House Of Stereo, Estelon, And More!
Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Report By Dylan And Brett Rudolph
Enjoy the Music.com proudly announces the recipients of the this year's rare and prestigious Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Blue Note Awards! These awards recognize exceptional achievement in audio design, presentation, and listening-room excellence, and are given only when a product / room truly redefines the live-show experience. This year's selections reflect both time-honored craftsmanship and bold innovation across loudspeakers, electronics, and system integration. Each Enjoy the Music.com FIAE 2026 Blue Note Award winner demonstrated an extraordinary combination of sonic clarity, musicality, and room synergy that made listening feel immediate and emotionally engaging. Audio Note UK impressed with its tonal purity and analog heritage, while UniQue Home Audio showcased system-level refinement and presentation.

03 / 12 / 26

Phillips Design OH-16 Omnidirectional Loudspeaker Review
Giving you all the music you love.
Review By Dwayne Carter
Phillips Design made a bit of a splash at AXPONA in April of 2023, with their inaugural display of the Phillips Design OH-16 Omnidirectional three-way loudspeakers. Unable to attend AXPONA 2023; I was more than pleased with the opportunity to review a pair. These stylish loudspeakers arrived via freight, in a crate much larger than anticipated. Receiving a well-traveled demo pair, it is unknown whether standard production (consumer) speakers will be shipped the same way. Once unlocked, the crate door swings out to reveal both speakers. While well-designed, it still required two people to maneuver the speakers from the crate. Weighing 78 lbs each; while not extremely heavy, the round speakers require careful handling. With wood (usually teak) slats towards the top, and the 12" carbon fiber composite cone located on the bottom; careful handling is a must. Once in place in the Audio Room (thanks for the help, Timmy), the protective cloth covers were removed to reveal the speakers. To say the Phillips Design OH-16 omnidirectional three-way loudspeakers are unique would be an understatement.
---> Phillips Design OH-16 Omnidirectional Loudspeaker Review.

FiiO R9 Flagship Music Player, Streamer, Headphone Amplifier, And Hi-Res Lossless DAC Review
May the Cube be with you.
Review By Paul Schumann
I've been having a bit of an existential crisis the last couple of years over one basic question: Am I a Luddite? As a young man who grew up with a dad who worked for IBM, I felt I was always willing to embrace new promising technologies. During the late 1970s, we had a prototype for a home computer for a few months. If you wanted to do anything with it you had to program it yourself. In my senior year of high school, I built a Heathkit digital stopwatch to time my friends at track meets. In 1986 I bought a second-gen CD player when you could still find only a handful of CDs in the record store. At the same time, however, I stubbornly hung on to the Dynaco stuff I was using. Why? Because nothing I was listening to in the audio stores sounded nearly as good. Well, there was the Conrad Johnson and Audio Research gear, but it was out of my price range. But it seems that through most of my adult life, I've straddled the divide between "they don't make them like they used to" and "new and improved".
---> FiiO R9 Flagship Music Player, Streamer, Headphone Amplifier, And Hi-Res Lossless DAC Review.

03 / 11 / 26

Live Nation Settles With U.S. DOJ Over Antitrust Probe
Compliance measures and independent oversight for ticketing and live events.
Live Nation Entertainment said in a company statement that it has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve an antitrust investigation into its ticketing, promotion and venue operations. The statement frames the agreement as a resolution that will allow the company to move forward while implementing new compliance measures and governance changes intended to address the DOJ's competitive concerns. The company emphasized that the settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing and that it will cooperate with any required monitoring or reporting provisions set out by the agreement. Under the terms described by the company, the settlement will require operational and structural remedies designed to increase transparency and competition in primary ticketing and related services. Those remedies are reported to include strengthened internal compliance programs, enhanced reporting to regulators, and the appointment of an independent monitor or compliance officer to oversee implementation. Live Nation's statement highlights commitments to improve contractual practices with venues and artists and to adopt clearer consumer-facing policies around fees, resale and access to tickets. The company framed the settlement as a way to provide greater certainty for artists, venues and fans while avoiding protracted litigation.

Industry observers say the settlement could have meaningful effects across the live events ecosystem. For consumers, the most immediate impacts may be greater transparency on fees and ticketing practices and potentially more options for primary ticket purchases at some venues. For artists and venues, the remedies could change how exclusive ticketing arrangements are negotiated and enforced. Regulators and competitors will be watching compliance milestones and any follow-up enforcement actions closely; the DOJ's oversight role may include periodic reviews to ensure the company meets its obligations. Live Nation indicated it will publish updates on implementation and continue working with partners to minimize disruption to upcoming tours and events. This settlement marks a significant moment for the live entertainment industry, signaling a regulatory push to balance market power with consumer and artist protections. As Live Nation begins to implement the agreed measures, stakeholders from fans to promoters will be assessing how the changes affect ticket availability, pricing and the broader competitive landscape for live music and events.

On the other hand, this is considered by some to be a small slap on the wrist. The profiteering and other activities by Live Nation / Ticketmaster needs to be further investigated.

03 / 10 / 26

FIAE 2026 Part 2: Highlights, High-End Audiophile Room Impressions, And In-Depth Hi-Fi Show Coverage
Featuring Verdant, AGD, SVS, Dreamscape, Volti, Gershman, Focal, Clarisys, and more deliver standout demos in Tampa.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Dylan and Brett Rudolph
Saturday dawned bright and early here at FIAE 2026 high-end audiophile show. It was earlier, in fact, because we were staying at the show hotel between exhibit rooms, as everyone was getting ready to meet their weekend music-loving fans. So, by 8am, we were already showered, dressed, and ready for the day. It never fails that going down early morning at luxury home audio events always results in either staying at breakfast too long or wearing breakfast all day, don't ask me why. It turned out that Steven R. Rochlin, Enjoy the Music.com's longtime and well-respected Creative Director, had arrived at the show on Friday, unbeknownst to me. So, we spoke for a time, and then we all headed from different directions to the buffet. He and his lovely wife, Heather, had already had breakfast, but while my son ate, we caught up on everything, and the time flew by. Before we knew it, it was already time to start our adventure once again!
---> FIAE 2026 Part 2: Highlights, High-End Audiophile Room Impressions, And In-Depth Hi-Fi Show Coverage.

03 / 09 / 26

Celebrate International Women's Day With Women In Hi-Fi Video
Honoring female leaders in audio: insights on careers, mentorship, and strategies in high-fidelity audio.
Seminar Moderated And Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
The Women In Hi-Fi Seminar was a featured program at the Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026. It served as a focused forum to highlight, connect, and support women working across the home-audio industry. The seminar brought together industry professionals, advocates, and attendees for a mix of panel discussions, career path conversations, and practical advice aimed at increasing visibility and opportunity for women in engineering, manufacturing, retail, media, and events within the hi-fi community. Organized as part of FIAE's program of expert-led seminars, with Women In Hi-Fi seminar moderated by Enjoy the Music.com's Creative Director, Steven R Rochlin, the session emphasized mentorship, networking, and concrete strategies for making the hobby and business of high-fidelity audio more inclusive and accessible.
---> Celebrate International Women's Day With Women In Hi-Fi Video.

03 / 06 / 26

Hi-Fi+ March 2026 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: Pre-Loved Second-Hand Hi-Fi Is Today's Gold
Raidho Acoustics X2t - 25th Anniversary Edition Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Sphinx Element 5 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
OePhi Immanence 2 Stand-Mount Loudspeaker
Avantgarde Acoustic Opus 1 Active Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Amphion Argon3X Stand-Mount Loudspeaker
Monitor Audio Studio 89 Stand-Mount Loudspeaker
PMC prophecy1 Stand-Mount Loudspeaker
Audiovector R3 Arreté Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Audio Solutions Figaro M2 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "Overlooking lots of loudspeaker reviews from recent years, in order to construct our Editor's Choice pages, something dawned on me. The second-hand market should be more vibrant that it seems. There are reasons for this lull in 'preloved' audio, but not all of them make sense. Stepping away from transducers for a moment, I can get why someone might not want to buy a digital product that might not be supported for too long. Those who still use an original Logitech Squeezebox are finding its functionality severely limited today as MySqueezebox and Squeezebox Radio are no longer supported. I can also understand the reluctance to invest in an older tube amplifier if it uses obscure valves with no stock and limited support. But these are effectively outliers. Most second-hand products don't fall into this 'impending doom' category. Back when I used to work in an audio store, second-hand goods had a two-fold benefit. First, they were a good way of offering a reduced price for loyal customers; it's not quite a discount, but if you know that you get a good trade-in on your existing product you tend to look after it a bit more and stay loyal to that brand."
---> hi-fi+ March 2026 High-End Audio Magazine.

03 / 05 / 26

Avantgarde Acoustic UNO SD Hornspeaker Review
The luckiest I've ever felt was when reviewing the UNO SD speakers.
Review By Tom Lyle
In the mid to late 1990s, I heard a pair of Avantgarde Acoustic horn loudspeakers (hornspeaker) for the first time at a local high-end audio showroom. I don't remember the model of the speakers I was hearing, but I do recall that they were powered by a pair of Single-Ended Triode (SET) monoblock amplifiers. I assumed that these amps were a perfect match for these sensitive speakers. Sadly, I was not impressed with what I heard that day. The speaker's biggest sin was an exaggerated midrange, epitomizing the "cupped hands" sound. Fast-forward to 2024, when I was offered a pair of Avantgarde UNO SDs for review in Enjoy the Music.com. I was skeptical, fearing I would experience something similar to what I had heard at that local dealer many years ago. Before these speakers arrived, I shared my experience with Avantgarde's North American distributor, American Sound of Canada, about my experience with their horn speakers.
---> Avantgarde Acoustic UNO SD Hornspeaker Review.

World Premiere Review!
AGD DUET GaN-Power Monoblock Amplifier Review
Defining your artistic sensibilities.
Review By Dr. Michael Bump
Professional musicians have a first love, and it's usually not their mother or high school sweetheart, but rather the instruments they surround themselves with throughout their lives. Sometimes this serves a nostalgic purpose, though in most cases, it is because the instrument's sound defines them (The Harry Potter analogy of "the wand chooses you" comes to mind). Theirs is a uniquely personal relationship. We all identify John "Bonzo" Bonham through his style of drumming and the sound of his Ludwig drum kit. The size, tuning, shell material, cymbals, use of timpani, etc. were his calling card, inspiring his touch / gesture, helping define him, and in turn, helping define Led Zeppelin. For almost his entire career, Pablo Casals performed on but a single instrument – a cello crafted around 1700 by the Venetian luthier, Matteo Gofriller. And of course, who can imagine listening to Willy Nelson's music without the voice of "Trigger," his faithful Martin N-20 nylon-string guitar, on which he's been performing and recording for over 55 years.
---> AGD DUET GaN-Power Monoblock Amplifier Review.

03 / 04 / 26

Southwest Audio Fest 2026: Hear Flagship Sound Systems
Three days of reference-level listening, product launches, seminars, and vinyl / CD marketplace for serious audiophiles and music lovers.
Southwest Audio Fest returns to Dallas, Texas, July 23rd through 25th, presenting three concentrated days of high-end audio demonstrations, seminars, and industry networking. The 2026 schedule shifts the festival to Thursday–Saturday, with Thursday hours set for 2pm to 8pm, and Friday–Saturday running 10am to 6pm, to maximize attendance and create fuller demo schedules. The show's home is the Sheraton Convention Center in downtown Dallas, chosen for its large demo rooms and proximity to the Arts and Historic districts, giving attendees easy access to dining and cultural attractions. Exhibitors will include major manufacturers, boutique builders, dealers, and independent designers presenting loudspeakers of many shapes and sizes, powerful amplifiers, turntables, digital front ends, and room treatment solutions in real listening environments.

Programming at Southwest Audio Fest 2026 emphasizes extended, reference-level listening sessions rather than quick trade show stops: expect curated listening rooms, full system demos, and manufacturer suites where attendees can audition complete systems at realistic volumes and in thoughtfully treated spaces. Educational content will include technical seminars, moderated panels, and Q&A sessions with designers and reviewers to explore topics such as room acoustics, analog vs. digital workflows, and the latest in streaming and DAC technology. Special events planned across the weekend include evening and after-hours listening parties, manufacturer-hosted product launches, and moderated keynote talks that highlight new flagship products and limited-edition collaborations. These curated social events create opportunities for deeper conversations with designers and for press and dealers to preview gear in relaxed, focused settings.
---> Southwest Audio Fest 2026: Hear Flagship Sound Systems.

03 / 02 / 26

FIAE 2026 Hi-Fi Gear, Demos, Top Room, And Takeaways Part 1
Our expert impressions of turntables, DACs, audio amplification, networked music, loudspeakers, and high-fidelity sound systems that defined the show's soundscape.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Dylan and Brett Rudolph
Friday dawned bright and sunny for music lovers and audiophile enthusiasts here at the Florida International Audio Expo 2026 in February. While most of the U.S. was under now blizzard warnings, here in Florida it was, in fact, quite warm at a glorious 78F. Every major growing publication was here to report on the FIAE.. My son Dylan and I covered many exceptional audiophile exhibit rooms for Enjoy the Music.com on the first day. There were many rooms to hear and enjoy. Quite a few show attendees might find that each room has a great deal to offer, and that is very true! Each dealer, distributor, and luxury home audio manufacturer offered a variety of sound system equipment from different audio manufacturers. This made the rooms both enjoyable and challenging to synthesize, but we did our best. We here at Enjoy the Music.com are sure you'll find a few exceptional pieces of hi-fi gear you'll want to audition within your home audio sound system. With that said, it's time for my exclusive, and extensive, first installment show coverage of the Florida International Audio Expo 2026.
---> FIAE 2026 Hi-Fi Gear, Demos, Top Room, And Takeaways Part 1.

03 / 01 / 26

March 2026 High-End Audio Magazine — Over 30 Years Of Audiophile Insight
In-depth reviews, show reports, and editorials on tube amps, DACs, and a frank discussion about journalism.
This issue celebrates the love of music as our exclusive Florida International Audio Expo 2026 show reporting, and multimedia features on our socials, are joined by thought-provoking editorials and great thoughts from our partner publications. There's a world premiere review, a documentary about the art of listening, plus we revisit our interview with the legendary drummer Billy Drummond. Steven R. Rochlin's editorial, "The Cost Of Truth In High-End Audio Journalism," examines commercial pressures, influencer pay-for-play, and why independent criticism matters, while Roger Skoff's "High Fidelity And The Difference Between Listening And Hearing" explores the deeper purpose of high-fidelity systems and active listening. These essays anchor the issue in both industry ethics and the philosophy of listening.

Our audiophile equipment coverage mixes a world-premiere review of Audio Research's impressive I/70 fully-loaded integrated vacuum tube amplifier (including optional DAC and phono stage) with other analog gear. Our reviews aim to place each component in real-room, real-system contexts, so readers can judge fit, performance, and value for their own setups. We loved meeting many of you at Tampa's hi-fi show! Enjoy the Music.com looks forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming Montreal Audiofest later this month.
---> March 2026 High-End Audio Magazine — Over 30 Years Of Audiophile Insight.

The Cost Of Truth In High-End Audio Journalism
How commercial pressure and access-driven incentives, and pay-for-play videos, hollow out independent audiophile criticism.
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
The hobby of high-end audio has always traded in reverence: for rare recordings, for the craft of cabinet makers and tube artisans, and for the slow, patient work of listening. That reverence can be a virtue, but it becomes a liability when it substitutes for rigorous, independent criticism. When reviewers conflate admiration with endorsement, the reader loses a reliable compass, and the market loses a healthy corrective. Commercial pressures are not hypothetical; brands pay YouTube influencers to feature their products. Not too long ago, a YouTuber coerced manufacturers into paying monthly to keep his YouTube videos of their products online. For those curious, we've never monetized any of our YouTube videos. Not even the massive effort to produce the Blue Masters At The Crossroads live stream. That was my free gift to longtime friend Chad Kassem and his mother, who for the first time could not attend the concert. We live streamed it to her... and the entire world using professional studio equipment at our expense of not just currency, in both far more valuable time and immense effort.
---> The Cost Of Truth In High-End Audio Journalism.

High Fidelity And The Difference Between Listening And Hearing
The real reason we have our high-fidelity music sound systems.
Editorial By Roger Skoff
What does "listening" mean to you? Is it something active or passive? Is sound – including music – just part of life's background, or is it something special, something that holds your attention and that you meet with intent and focus? Given the near-constant flow of noise in our lives – music in every imaginable form, from singing commercials to the music at work, in the office, or in a store (never meant to be listened to at all, but simply to create an upbeat mood), to "elevator" music, to the background music for movies or television, to the "bumper" music for news broadcasts – almost all of us are surrounded by sound nearly all the time, none of which we actively listen to and little of which we actually hear. Even in a seemingly "quiet" room at home, the measured background noise level will usually measure somewhere around 55 dB. What that means is that, for most of you reading Enjoy the Music.com, sound – any kind of sound, including music – is simply something that's there....
---> High Fidelity And The Difference Between Listening And Hearing.

Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Show Report
The eighth annual Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 returned to Tampa for a three-day high-end audio showcase from Friday, February 20 through Sunday, February 22 at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon. This premier audiophile show blends formal listening rooms with relaxed demo lounges, giving attendees the rare chance to compare loudspeakers, high-fidelity amplifiers, turntables, DACs, and immersive headphone systems under real-world conditions. Exhibitor turnout is strong again this year, with international manufacturers, boutique builders, and regional specialists filling well-appointed listening rooms. Enjoy the Music.com, which has reported on every FIAE since its debut, proudly continues our long-standing support as a show sponsor. Because FIAE is a family-friendly event attracting many young adults and children, Enjoy the Music.com is sponsoring the Passport To Sound booklet for younger audiophiles. Across the show, music lovers will find flagship components, innovative niche products, and enjoy direct access to designers and product experts.
---> Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Show Report.

Sneak Peek World Premiere Review!
Audio Research I/70 Fully Loaded Integrated Vacuum Tube Amplifier Reviewed
In-depth review of Audio Research's fully-loaded I/70 integrated stereo unit including the optional Hi-Res Audio DAC and MM/MC phono stage: performance, design, and reference-level listening notes.
Review By Ron Nagle
I can trace my interest in high-end audio back to the 1970s, long before the internet, and the 1995 launch of Enjoy the Music.com. Before we discuss today's review of Audio Research's impressive I/70 vacuum tube integrated amplifier, let us step back to the very beginnings. My first serious Audio Research audio components, as back then, I recall vacuum tubes versus transistors controversy was still raging on. That was when some audio wags predicted the death of vacuum tube audio. I credit Audio Research and the late Harry Pearson as the two stalwarts that fended off the Japanese avalanche of cheaper transistor-powered audio components at the time. And that was the time when the shifting public interest was to transistor audio. Audio Research Corporation (ARC) was founded by William Zane Johnson in 1970 and was originally located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are one of the longest U.S. companies of vacuum tube-powered high-end audio equipment for audiophiles and music lovers still in operation.
---> Audio Research I/70 Fully Loaded Integrated Vacuum Tube Amplifier Reviewed.

The Art Of Listening – Music Documentary
An invitation for music fans to rediscover...
The Art of Listening is a documentary film about the journey music takes to reach a listener's ear, from the intent of an instrument maker and composer, to the producers and engineers who capture and preserve an artist's voice. This journey is narrated by intimate conversations with artists, engineers and producers about the philosophy of their work and the intent behind each musical note they create. This film is an invitation for music fans to rediscover the intricacies and details available in the sounds of their favorite recordings. The Art of Listening is the beginning of a conversation of how the quality of our listening experiences define the medium. The Art of Listening (Original Score Soundtrack) is a collection of 10 cinematic vignettes created to color the scenes of the feature music documentary The Art of Listening. As the film narrates the journey sound takes, from imagination and composition into a physical experience, the music embodies a sense of depth and reverence for the creative process.
---> The Art Of Listening – Music Documentary.

Musician Series Featuring Billy Drummond
Enjoy the Music.com's Musician Series focuses on legendary talents from around the world.
Video Hosted By Steven R. Rochlin
This edition of Enjoy the Music.com's special Musician Series, hosted by Creative Director Steven R. Rochlin, features Professor Billy Drummond. Year before being a Juilliard and NYU Professor, drummer and audiophile Billy Drummond first came to prominence in the late 1980s with his world-class musicianship joined by Horace Silver, J.J. Johnson, and Sonny Rollins. As one of the great drummers of his generation, Billy Drummond is in high demand and has performed on more than 300 albums! As an accomplished bandleader and purveyor of "fertile, exciting music" according to the New York Times, Billy also has several recordings under his own name - including Dubai that was voted as the very best within a Top Ten Best Jazz CDs of 1996. He currently leads his band, Freedom of Ideas, in New York. Born in Newport News, Virginia, Drummond grew up listening to his father's extensive jazz record collection that includes the likes of Max Roach, Miles Davis, James Moody, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins and The Three Sounds.
---> Musician Series Featuring Billy Drummond.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

02 / 26 / 26

FIAE 2026: Scott Walker Audio Stuns With A Reference-Level System Of Monumental Scale
A full room report on the VAC, MSB, Synergistic Research, Sonorus Audio, and Von Schweikert stereo system that had attendees saying.....
Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The Scott Walker Audio room at the Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 delivered one of the most inspiring demonstrations of the entire show. I saw someone walk in, they heard a few seconds of music, and immediately whispered, "Wow — what a great sounding stereo system." The room was consistently full, and for good reason. The loudspeakers were Von Schweikert Audio's flagship-class multi-driver towers, a design known for ultra-wide bandwidth, extremely low distortion, and a soundstage that behaves like a point source despite their physical size. In fact, an Enjoy the Music.com Senior Editor has had a pair of VSA speakers for quite some time. With frequency extension typically reaching 20Hz to 40kHz, and powered bass modules capable of room-pressurizing output, these speakers delivered bass that was both seismic and controlled.
---> FIAE 2026: Scott Walker Audio Stuns With A Reference-Level System Of Monumental Scale.

SVS Stuns At The FIAE 2026 With Ultra Evolution Loudspeakers And New SB-3000 R|Evolution Subwoofers
Inside SVS' Dual-Room Showcase: A 5.2.2 immersive home theater experience and a high-fidelity stereo sound system too. Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
SVS arrived at the Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 with a confident, high-impact presence, anchoring two exhibit rooms—each designed to demonstrate a different facet of the company's expanding Ultra Evolution loudspeaker line and its brand new SB-3000 R|Evolution subwoofers. The result was a compelling one-two aural gut punch: a cinematic 5.2.2 immersivephile-approved Dolby Atmos home theater in Room 285 and a purist-leaning two-channel (stereo) system within Room 350. Both rooms were packed throughout the weekend, even as a (cough) self important (/cough) reviewer for Enjoy the Music.com, it was standing room only many times I stopped by. Both systems showcased why SVS continues to be an influential performance-per-dollar brands in the industry. Room 285 was the more immersive of the two, built around a full Ultra Evolution multichannel array.
---> SVS Stuns At The FIAE 2026 With Ultra Evolution Loudspeakers And New SB-3000 R|Evolution Subwoofers.

I Remember Tim de Paravicini
Remembering a colorful, and brilliant, audio electronics designer.
Article By Robert Jørgensen
I knew Tim de Paravicini for over 40 years. My last contact was in late November 2019 when he wrote to me that he wasn't doing so well and just a couple of weeks later, he was gone. As has been mentioned by others Tim was a larger-than-life character. He did not suffer fools (or those he considered so) gladly. In his defense on most subjects, he would express strong opinions he was well informed. From our perspective this of course was especially in all things connected with audio. But television technology, cars, airplanes, and what seems to be a host of other things he did have in-depth knowledge. I don't intend to repeat his biography, which has been ably told elsewhere but just tell a bit about my own experience and friendship with Tim de Paravicini.
---> I Remember Tim de Paravicini.

Q&A With Jim Anderson: Recording Engineer And Grammy Winner, Many Times Over
When Jim Anderson was a kid, his teacher told him to put down the records and focus on his studies. Luckily for the world of immersive audio, he didn't listen.
Article By Immersive Audio Album (IAA)
Jim Anderson's recordings have won a whopping 11 Grammy awards. His projects have been nominated for another 27, most recently for his role as the Surround Mix Engineer on Gisle Kverndokk: Symphonic Dances in 2020. Jim recently spoke with IAA about mixing this album, teaching at NYU, how he got into immersive music, and more. Added note by Enjoy the Music.com: Immersive audio is the three-dimensional approach to audio storytelling that is taking sound to new heights. While traditional "surround sound" exists in a horizontal plane around the listener, immersive sound refers to an expanded sonic field that quite literally immerses the listener in a multi-dimensional soundscape.
---> Q&A With Jim Anderson: Recording Engineer And Grammy Winner, Many Times Over.

02 / 25 / 26

FIAE 2026: Inside The Acora Acoustics & VAC Reference Systems Review
A detailed report covering three high-end stereo systems featuring Aurender digital sources, Berkeley Audio Design reference DAC, and VAC amplification driving Acora Acoustics loudspeakers.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The main reference system in the room immediately set the tone for the Florida International Audio Expo 2026, anchoring the exhibit with the commanding presence of the Acora VRC loudspeakers. Displayed in the optional Mari Blue exotic finish, these granite cabinet towers start at $218,000 per pair, and their physical density translated directly into the room's sonic authority. Known for exceptionally low resonance and high rigidity here at Enjoy the Music.com, the VRC loudspeaker design allows its drivers to operate with remarkable clarity, producing a soundscape that felt both holographic and immovable. Even before diving into the electronics, it was clear that this system was built to demonstrate what a no-compromise, all-out, high-end, ultra-fi engineering can achieve. Driving the VRCs were VAC Master 300 iQ Mk II Musicbloc power amplifiers, priced at $50,000 each, delivering VAC's signature triode control for the Acora Acoustics towers.
---> FIAE 2026: Inside The Acora Acoustics & VAC Reference Systems Review.

02 / 24 / 26

IASCA At FIAE 2026: Sound Quality Showdown And Highlights
Tampa audio event spotlights the best custom automotive audio sound systems.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) in Tampa once again included an IASCA-sanctioned Car Audio Sound Quality (SQ) event and Money Round that drew many competitors. FIAE organizers promoted live auditions where attendees could sit in competing cars and speak with certified judges, manufacturers, and installers. This partnership continued the Tampa hi-fi audiophile show's emphasis on both high-end home audio and immersive automotive sound competitions. Enjoy the Music.com's Creative Director, Steven R. Rochlin (that's me), was a certified IASCA Sound Quality judge for years. Did you know we have multiple IASCA show reports from our early days, way back in the 1990s. Of note here at FIAE 2026 is that as an Old School IASCA Sound Quality and Installation judge for a few years with the late great Bill Burton.... Bill was the technical editor for the world's leading car audio and electronics review publications during the industry's heyday in the 1990s.
---> IASCA At FIAE 2026: Sound Quality Showdown And Highlights.

Suncoast Audio At FIAE 2026 With Reiki Audio, Pass Labs, And Clarisys Audio
Salon style demos featuring fantastic flagship loudspeakers, amplification, and music sources.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Suncoast Audio's exhibit room at the Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 presented a focused, salon-style listening environment designed to showcase some of the world's best audiophile equipment. The room was arranged with a single primary listening position, carefully placed seating, and acoustic treatments to minimize reflections and let the gear's character come through. As a room that's always a favorite with Enjoy the Music.com reviewers, this year was no different. The large floorstanding Clarisys Audio Aria Mk2 ($195,000) consisted of four towers, two dedicated to bass and two for the upper frequencies. The Clarisys Aria is conceived as sonic architecture that delivers the highest resolution, top-to-bottom scale, and tonal beauty. Dual aluminum tweeter midrange ribbons operated in a true bipole configuration. For tech enthusiasts, the ribbons begin at 275 Hz and are said to radiate in perfect phase to create an effortlessly dimensional, holographic soundstage.
---> Suncoast Audio At FIAE 2026 With Reiki Audio, Pass Labs, And Clarisys Audio.

Avantgarde Acoustic Opus 1 Debut At FIAE 2026 — American Sound Distribution By Angie Lisi
Avantgarde hornspeakers, Air Tight and Synthesis vacuum tube, Supreme Analog, Analog Relax, and Rethm.
Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Report By Chuck Bruce And Steven R. Rochlin
Before I could even enter Angie Lisi's American Sound Distribution exhibit room, she saw me coming and had a pair of headphones in her hand, insisting that they go onto my head for a listen. Immediately, I recognized the headamp by Synthesis, a company that was first reported in America by Enjoy the Music.com while reporting on the Top Audio & Video show decades ago. Letting Angie know we're not head-fi specialists, she said that there's a new preamplifier with headamp version, which is perfect for those of us who love enjoying our music (out loud) with our family and good friends. Of course, isolationists and headphone aficionados will also love listening to the benefits of a high-end audio 300B tube amp. Sounded really great! Walking into their exhibit room, it opened with a confident visual statement: the Avantgarde Acoustic Opus 1 hornspeakers stood as elegant mid-towers, their sculptural forms immediately drawing attention.
---> Avantgarde Acoustic Opus 1 Debut At FIAE 2026 — American Sound Distribution By Angie Lisi.

Deep Dive Audio At FIAE 2026 — Marten Parker Duo, Pear Audio, Norma Audio, Zesto Audio, Ortofon, Silent Angel, And Jorma
High-end turntable analog and digital music streaming synergy can coexist happily.
Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Report By Chuck Bruce And Steven R. Rochlin
Retailer Deep Dive Audio of Florida was at FIAE 2026 with a compact but emotionally potent demonstration centered on the Marten Parker Duo stand-mounted speakers, Zesto Andros Deluxe II phono stage, Pear Audio Blue Captain turntable, and a Norma amplification/DAC backbone — all wired with Jorma cabling and fed by Silent Angel digital front-end components. This stereo system emphasized musical engagement over sheer SPL. The room layout favored nearfield listening, a fave of some Enjoy the Music.com fans, that, with careful placement of the Marten Parker Duo stand-mounts and a compact rack of electronics, they can creating an intimate, detailed soundstage. The demonstration prioritized LP playback while also showcasing a modern digital front end for comparison and streaming. The Marten Parker Duo stand-mounts delivered surprising low-end authority for their size thanks to a rear-mounted 9" aluminum passive radiator paired with a 7.5" ceramic midrange / bass driver and a 1" tweeter, which together produce a claimed frequency response from 36 Hz to 40 kHz (+/-2dB).
---> Deep Dive Audio At FIAE 2026 — Marten Parker Duo, Pear Audio, Norma Audio, Zesto Audio, Ortofon, Silent Angel, And Jorma.

Focal & Naim At FIAX 2026 — Mu-so Hekla To Diva Mezza Utopia, Hands-On Room Report
What was heard from Naim and Focal, plus the technical highlights you need to know.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The Focal Naim room at the Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 presented a tightly curated range of systems spanning immersive all-in-one soundbar-ish playback, active wireless stereo flagship loudspeakers, outdoor installations, and high-end headfi personal audio gear for isolated listening. You an get something here for $599 like entry-level headphone models up to $69,000 for the fully active Focal Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeaker stereo sound system. This gives visitors at the Florida International Audio Expo 2026 a clear sense of the both brand's breadth and the pairing philosophy. The room emphasized real-world use cases — home theater, two-channel active listening, outdoor audio, and headphone-first setups — rather than a single one-size-fits-most demonstration. At the center of their immersivephile demos was the new Focal Mu-so Hekla soundbar that is said to be a 7.1.2 immersive all-in-one system ($3,600).
---> Focal & Naim At FIAX 2026 — Mu-so Hekla To Diva Mezza Utopia, Hands-On Room Report.

02 / 23 / 26

Hi-Fi Home Run: LampizatOr Horizon 360 DAC & Gulfstream Streamer, Pass Labs XP32 Pre & X600.8 Mono Amps, Plus Gershman Acoustics Symphoria Floorstanders
Tube-hybrid LampizatOr DAC and Pass Labs mono amps deliver musicality and precision to the Gershman loudspeakers via Cardas cables.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Chuck Bruce And Steven R. Rochlin
This exhibit room showcased a wonderful high-fidelity home audio system built around Gershman Acoustics Symphoria loudspeakers, whose innovative isolated suspension tweeter-midrange modules perched atop the main cabinets immediately drew attention. The speakers' sculpted white enclosures and elevated modules not only created a striking visual focal point, but also delivered a remarkably spacious soundscape while also projecting imaging that placed instruments and voices with precision. Driving the system was a carefully matched amplification chain anchored by the impressive Pass Labs XP32 preamplifier and Pass Labs X600.8 mono power amplifiers, a pairing that emphasized system synergy, tight control, and ultimate transparency. The Gershman Symphoria floorstanders articulated micro-dynamics and macro-dynamics with ease, thanks in good part to the legendary Pass Labs amplification.
---> Hi-Fi Home Run: LampizatOr Horizon 360 DAC & Gulfstream Streamer, Pass Labs XP32 Pre & X600.8 Mono Amps, Plus Gershman Acoustics Symphoria Floorstanders.

Estelon Tower Loudspeakers Love T+A And Deliver Expansive Sound At FIAE 2026
Accustic Arts electronics, T+A SD 3100 streaming DAC, and Synergistic Research SRX cabling create a spacious, high-end listening experience hosted by Philip O'Hanlon.
Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 Show Report By Chuck Bruce And Steven R. Rochlin
The Estelon exhibit room at the Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 offered one of the most sensually-curved sculptural tower loudspeakers—renowned for their elegant curves and precision-engineered enclosures. They easily filled the room with an effortless sense of scale. At the heart of the system was a full suite of Accustic Arts electronics, beginning with the Accustic Arts Preamp V, known to Enjoy the Music.com as a reference-grade linestage known for its ultra-low noise floor and natural tonal balance. Paired with the Accustic Arts Power Amp IV, the system delivered exceptional dynamic authority, allowing the Estelon towers to reproduce deep bass textures and delicate micro-details with equal finesse. Digital playback was handled by two standout components: the Accustic Arts CD Player II / DAC and the T+A SD 3100 Streaming DAC. The CD Player II provided a refined, analog-like presentation from disc playback, while the T+A SD 3100 brought....
---> Estelon Tower Loudspeakers Love T+A And Deliver Expansive Sound At FIAE 2026.

FIAE 2026 Tampa Audiophiles And Music Lovers Dance, Sing, And Listen
Three days of hi-fi demos by experts, a Women In Hi-Fi Seminar, and talented young musicians too.
Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Report By Steven R. Rochlin
It's all about the people, and music brings people together. With my 40 years of passion within the field of music and consumer electronics, may I humbly say the Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 drew in a lively mix of dedicated audiophiles, casual music lovers, affluent home owners, wealthy investors, and industry professionals. From the moment doors opened, Sue Toscano's always-smiling face was there with Enjoy the Music.com Press Badges, while everyone enjoyed our lanyards and Sue's exceptional event assistance. For three exciting days, the show floor buzzed with conversation and listening sessions as attendees moved between exhibitor listening rooms to hear new loudspeakers, boutique electronics, and carefully curated bespoke sound system demos. Way back in the 1900s, when monophonic became stereophonic, and later, room exhibitors only played the typical acoustic 'audiophile-approved' music, great music was hit or miss in those days long ago.
---> FIAE 2026 Tampa Audiophiles And Music Lovers Dance, Sing, And Listen.

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