High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

Have Your Voice Heard!     
We have thousands who've joined us on social media and you're invited too! Come join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and X to meet like-minded music lovers. As always... enjoy the music.

02 / 29 / 24

American Sound Showcases A Lovely International Lineup
A global grand tour of audio excellence!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
When the Tampa show first began, the word 'International' was not within the name. Thankfully, the show promoters quickly realized the error of their ways. This year at the Florida International Audio Expo 2024 were products from many different countries. Perhaps no single room better showcased this than retailer and distributor American Sound Of Canada with great gal Angie at the helm. Before I post a gear list, let's have fun and see a country list first: dCS United Kingdom, Oracle Audio Technologies Canada, Phasemation Japan, Avantgarde Acoustic Germany, Transparent Cables USA. To my ears, there's something about highly efficient hornspeakers that showcase immediacy, speed, and exceptional dynamic swings from whisper quiet to the guy blown away in the Maxell commercial.
---> American Sound Showcases A Lovely International Lineup.

AGD "The Audion" GaNTube Monoblocks Review
Class D reaches the upper echelon of high-end audio.
Review By Rick Becker
Back at the turn of the millennium you could put together a pretty good audio system for $10,000, and you could listen to many of those components in a local brick & mortar store if you lived in a decent size city. Sure there was some stratospherically priced gear in the $10,000 to $20,000 range you might be able to see if you went to one of the audio shows on the left or right coasts. Then along came "quantitative easing" and the internet. Gear got more expensive, the brick & mortar landscape eroded and major as well as regional audio shows proliferated. Eventually, higher prices seemed to have attracted more well-heeled patrons to the hobby, not unlike what happened to the bicycle industry a generation or two earlier.
---> AGD "The Audion" GaNTube Monoblocks Review.

Pass Labs INT-25 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Review
The most musical amplifier I've had the opportunity to listen to.
Review By Neven Kos of hifimedia magazine
It's been a while since I've had an opportunity to listen to some of the Pass amps officially. The last one was, if memory does serve me, an integrated INT-30 amplifier, a review you had the opportunity to read in this magazine (No. 81 / 2010). My experience with Pass Labs amps is not extensive, but it may be relevant. Before that integrated amplifier in my listening room I enjoyed my own amps over the years, such as integrated amplifier INT-150, power amp x150.5, preamplifier X1 and Aleph P. Either loaned to me, or through other familiar listening rooms, I also had the opportunity to listen to X250, X 250.5, X350, X600, X150, Aleph 3 and Aleph 5. As you can see from the above, there is a certain historical void in my acquaintance with Pass, which we will try to fill in by listening to and learning about the latest Pass Labs toy, the Pass INT-25 integrated amplifier.
---> Pass Labs INT-25 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Review.

02 / 28 / 24

The Wow Factor Thanks To Wells Audio
Jeff's journey in high-performance audio is impressive.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
One of the many stories I love telling is when first meeting Jeff Wells. It started at his small table booth at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest where he was showing his new tube amplifier. There was something about it that spoke to me, as I could see the passion and attention to detail. When asking to see the internal wiring, many manufacturers hem and haw, perhaps they don't have the tools with them or ????  Upon asking Jeff to see the internals, he happily turned the unit over, removed the bottom plate, and there is where I saw a precise layout, technically correct placement (keeping signal wiring away from power), and the internal wiring was attractive too (in a good way we technicians and solder jockeys can appreciate).
---> The Wow Factor Thanks To Wells Audio.

Fabulous Photofest From The FIAE 2024
A sensational selection of photos from the Tampa hi-fi event.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Here's three pages filled with exceptional photos of high-performance audio gear that was in Tampa during the Florida International Audio Expo 2024. As always... enjoy the music!
---> Fabulous Photofest From The FIAE 2024.

02 / 27 / 24

Metaxas & Sins Aspirational Audio Art
A love of art and a passion for music!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
We've all seen the black and silver boxes, perhaps they were bestowed wooden side panels and the like to make them more attractive. Now what if, and am just saying someone who is a true artist in the world of visual styling and sonic perfection decided to create a brand? Mr. Kostas Metaxas' audio products Metaxas & Sins truly deliver inspiring stylistic designs with a sense of humanity. His products would look exceptional within the most modern luxury homes... and the Museum of Modern Art. For those unfamiliar, Kostas Metaxas is a multi-award earning designer and artist, plus his deep passion for music means he is an electrical and recording engineer too. Kostas' incredible Tourbillon RX (T-RX) reel-to-reel magnetic tape recorder / player is an excellent example of his passion for achieving the very best sound fidelity and build quality.
---> Metaxas & Sins Aspirational Audio Art.

AGD Showcases Modern Innovations At FIAE 2024
GaN technology was on full display here in Tampa.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Will cut to the chase right up front and say that many attendees I spoke with had very high praise for Alberto Guerra's AGD exhibit room during the Florida International Audio Expo 2024. AGD's very innovative use of GaN technology was on full display, both sight and sound. Alberto's passion for both music and electrical engineering is what brought him to create AGD Productions, and in Tampa his featured products that earned many awards over the years were on full display. The GaN transistor-based tubes are the star of their amplification products, and while I could type detail after details about them....
---> AGD Showcases Modern Innovations At FIAE 2024.

Live Nation Reports All-Time Highs For Concert Attendance
With attendance, ticket sales, and sponsorship activity at or near all-time highs, concert attendance for 2023 as compared to 2022 is up 20% to over 145 million fans. This figure spans more than 50,000 events, with 50% more international acts in top 50 tours, plus there are 15% more touring shows on average too. Furthermore, revenue is up as spending on hospitality has achieved double-digit growth, with fan spending up across all major venue types – amphitheaters, festivals, clubs, and theaters. Of course ticket sales have experienced a gross transaction value (GTV) that is up 30% to nearly $36 billion.

Live Nation says they are "the largest supporter of artists: Investment in artists up over 40% to over $13 billion. Promoting more artists at every level from clubs to stadiums, with nearly 7,000 touring artists in 40+ countries. Paid out $1,500 nightly bonuses and 100% merchandise profits to over 3,000 developing artists through our On The Road Again program, which has extended to 2024." Lastly, there is an impressive fan growth of 20% led by International markets up 25%, with North America up an impressive 17%. Stadium shows led attendance growth with over 29 million fans globally, up 60%. While many complain about ticket pricing, especially within the secondary market, there are a wide variety of price points with two-thirds of USA concert tickets under $100 and one-third under $50. Live Nation says, "Average secondary ticket price roughly 2x primary, showing that tickets remain priced below market value."

02 / 26 / 24

Suncoast Audio's Sensational Rooms At FIAE 2024
True reference gear with Clarisys Audio, VAC, MSB, and an MBL room too!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
As with virtually all shows, the local dealers come out strong to showcase their best gear and the FIAE 2024 was no exception. Suncoast Audio, based in Sarasota (FL), featured one room with MBL gear and assorted components while the other contained the Clarisys Audio Auditorium speakers, VAC amplification, MSB digital gear, etc. Since there's been a lot of cyberink about the MBLs, and most know of their excellent products, I'm going to focus on the Clarisys Audio room. Doing a double-take as the Clarisys Audio Auditorium speakers are quite large at 76" high and 36" wide, yet are only 4.3 inches deep. Why so thin? Because they use a custom-made and very special ribbon / panel driver that uses very strong neodymium magnets and a double-sided bass panel. This very strong magnetic field ensures a precise reaction from your amplification while ensuring the load is within about 6 Ohms.
---> Suncoast Audio's Sensational Rooms At FIAE 2024.

MC Audiotech, Pass Labs, Audience AV, And More At FIAE 2024
A great gear combo for your listening pleasures.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Back in July 2021, Enjoy the Music.com's Rick Becker reviewed the MC Audiotech Forty-10 floorstanding loudspeaker and said, "it is for the discerning music lover who is not afraid to think outside the box and seek out the unique as well as the very enjoyable." Here at the Florida International Audio Expo 2024, the company was showcasing a different model, the MC Audiotech TL-12. As a visually more normal style of loudspeaker, the T-12 features the company's wide band line source drivers mated with a 12" transmission line woofer. Operating as a dipole from 300 Hz to 20 kHz, the overall frequency response is from 28 Hz to 20 kHz, has a sensitivity of 93dB/W/m, and presents a nice 8 Ohm non-reactive load to your amplification. The great news is that 70 watts should easily bring high volume levels to all but the largest rooms.
---> MC Audiotech, Pass Labs, Audience AV, And More At FIAE 2024.

Coax Highs And Deep Bass Thanks To SubDrum
When is a drum not a drum? When it's a loudspeaker.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Here's something you don't see every day, drums and loudspeaker driver enclosures. The SubDrum is said to be an all-in-one sound system. You use a coax driver (tweeter and midrange) within the drum tom toms, and a woofer within the bass drum. A just like that, you have a satellite and subwoofer system of sorts. As a compact and complete all-in-one sound system, the SubDrum system attached speaker drives to drum heads, and then tightens the head a lot to keep it taunt. The float-in-head driver suspension 'technology' claims to "virtually eliminate cabinet resonance distortion". Produced from a single 22" wooden bass drum, their sound system is a single-point source for right and left channels as they mate an 18" rear-firing subwoofer with a pair of forward-firing 8" KOAX stereo drivers with integrated 1" silk dome tweeters.
---> Coax Highs And Deep Bass Thanks To SubDrum.

Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors The Southwest Audio Fest 2024
Enjoy the Music.com, premium audio's celebrated online site since 1995 and a leader in providing over 25 years of industry news, thousands of gear reviews, and more than 280 show reports, is pleased to announce we're sponsoring the inaugural Southwest Audio Fest 2024 in Dallas. We're sponsoring the SWAF's Thursday night 'Happy Hour' before the event opens to the public. Scheduled to take place from March 15th through 17th at the Hilton / Anatole in Dallas, Texas, exhibitors and members of the press are invited to join us for food, drinks, and live music. Enjoy the Music.com looks forward to seeing you there! For over 29 years, Enjoy the Music.com's ongoing efforts and resources have benefited both the consumer electronics industry and music lovers by providing leading information concerning luxury high-performance audio and premium high-fidelity equipment via the internet. We are deeply honored for the opportunity to support the very first Southwest Audio Fest event, and in teaming up to benefit both the high-end audio industry and audiophiles.
---> Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors The Southwest Audio Fest 2024.

02 / 25 / 24

Astounding Acora Acoustics And Vibrant VAC In The Big Room
When you achieve being at the top of your class....
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
For those of you reading this who, for some reason, didn't attend this year's incredible Florida International Audio Expo 2024, the Acora Acoustics, LampozatOr, and VAC room was within the largest room at the event. It was impossible to miss since the bar area, live music, and smoking area all are within the same second-floor area. From the Thursday night party, which is sponsored by Enjoy the Music.com as are all major industry-operated events within the USA and Canada, you could walk into the Acora Acoustics and VAC room and enjoy the most expansive sound within the show! Acora's floorstanding loud speakers, seen here in Sunset Fire granite, stole the show. My Muse / wife Heather said they were the very best-looking speakers, and she saw virtually every room at the event too.
---> Astounding Acora Acoustics And Vibrant VAC In The Big Room.

02 / 24 / 24

Audio Note UK: We Are The Music Makers
And we are the dreamers of dreams.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Yes, the very famous words by none other than the original Willy Wonka, a movie-famous chocolatier who single-handedly saved a society. Mr. Wonka was quite the eccentric inventor, a man who demanded only the very best... including using a waterfall to mix and churn his chocolate. What does any of this have to do with Audio Note UK? Many within the industry have known Peter Qvortrup for decades; he is without a doubt a sensational showman. Peter is also the man who decades ago placed ads within print magazines with so many tweak / custom parts and bits that the text was nearly unreadable! Hand-wound silver transformers, Black Gate capacitors, non-magnetic Tantalum silver resistors.... The list read like Parts Porn for us solder-jockeys back in the day. It's like you'd call to buy an Oto SE and wind up buying an Audio Note Ongaku. How does something like that happen? Well, let me tell you....
---> Audio Note UK: We Are The Music Makers.

Heaven = High End By Oz @ FIAE 2024
Heavenly sounds in Tampa thanks to Oz.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
It's always a joy to chat with Oz Turan during shows. His endless enthusiasm and deep love for music shine warmly, and am sure everyone who visited his room experienced this too. There's always another song to play, something new to discover, and of course hours of listening pleasure during the Florida International Audio Expo 2024. Stopped into his room a few times during the show as the sound was very, very impressive. During shows, I like to 'sneak into' rooms and first want to thank show attendees for putting up with me coming in and taking pics, etc. As much as I try to be 'invisible', take pics fast, and get out of everyone's way. Sometimes I do find myself apologizing for my photo efforts that 'block' a speaker or ???  With that said, am so glad I took extra moments to revisit as the music was very engaging.
---> Heaven = High End By Oz @ FIAE 2024.

02 / 23 / 24

The Anticipated New PureAudioProject Trio10 And AGD At FIAE 2024
Sensational system synergy with AGD amps driving PAP loudspeakers.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Weeks before the Florida International Audio Expo, PureAudioProject owner and brilliant audio engineer Ze'ev Schlik teased me with sneak peek pics of his new Trio10 open baffle loudspeaker. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, with this new design comes the implementation of the highly-regarded Heil AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter. This tweeter is known for its incredible speed and transparency, with amazing sound that is silky smooth to the very top frequency range. The main speaker chassis for all drivers is extremely rigid, with the lower section of their well-reviewed Quintet10 loudspeaker design, yet at the top is the new AMT implementation. A pair of specially- modified Morel 10" midrange/bass drivers handle the lowermost frequencies.
---> The Anticipated New PureAudioProject Trio10 And AGD At FIAE 2024.

Surprises At The Florida International Audio Expo 2024
Music can open up the heart and soul.
FIAE 2024 Show Report Part 2 By Bill Hanson
As I alluded to within Part 1 of my FIAE 2024 report, audio shows can be overwhelming. Many of us have seen pics, read reviews, and perhaps even watched YouTube videos. Yet walking the halls, hearing each sound system we dreamt about, plus talking with designers too, it takes shows to a different level. With this being my first high-performance audio show in a few decades, there were times it was difficult to try to be objective and not just feel like a four-year-old in a candy store. There was a comfort in finding out I wasn't the only one as I had a gentleman come up to me and ask me questions about how to act at the show. It was his very first show like this of any kind and was worried he'd be too excited. I had hoped I would cross paths with him and find out what he thought, but it wasn't meant to be.
---> Surprises At The Florida International Audio Expo 2024.

Australian Hi-Fi Show Sydney 2024
Set to take place from April 5th through 7th at the Sydney Central Hotel, this year's even builds on the success of the Australian Hi-Fi Show Sydney in 2023. Brought to you by Australian Hi-Fi, What Hi-Fi? and Sound+Image magazines, the Australian Hi-Fi Show 2024 will celebrate the latest and greatest in the hi-fi and AV industry, giving visitors the opportunity to see and hear a range of products from all around the world. Tickets are now on sale for Sydney's premier hi-fi and video show in April.

Featuring live demonstrations of some of the world's most renowned hi-fi and AV brands including high-end audio, TVs, projectors, headphones, home theatre systems, amplifiers, streamers, wireless and Bluetooth speakers and everything in between, the Australian Hi-Fi Show 2024 will go even bigger and better than last year's event. Bring your own music, relax, and enjoy the listening experience in our comfortable sound lounges. And find what kit is right for you.

02 / 22 / 24

Wynn 'ing At The Florida International Audio Expo 2024
A truly International flavor that's delicious sounding!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Virtually everyone within the industry knows Wynn Wong. Always a good word, a smile, plus Wynn is extremely passionate about music. On a personal note, he's also into horology (that means timepieces, or for your Floridians out there, wristwatches). Am a proud member of the NAWCC and AHCI too, and if you happen to be into horology go check them out and join. So where were we? Oh yeah, the fun-filled Tampa show. Based in Canada, Wynn Audio is both a retailer and an outstanding distributor. Founded in 2011 by Wynn Wong, his love for music and audio... and being both a retailer and distributor since 2011 proves he is truly 'one of us'. Have a look at the brands here and you'll see this is not your typical one-and-done kinda music lovers. The gear within his FIAE 2024 exhibition room includes gear made in Germany, Serbia, France, Spain, Sweden, and the USA.
---> Wynn 'ing At The Florida International Audio Fest 2024.

Playback Distribution: Amphion, Esoteric, Quadraspire, And More!
Purity of sound that's clean and beautiful… like Finland.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The great folks at Playback Distribution were at the Florida International Audio Expo 2024 showcasing a wide variety of brands they offer. Taking a peek at their website, they say, "Our mission is to enrich the lives of entertainment enthusiasts by providing them with unparalleled access to state-of-the-art playback systems. We are dedicated to elevating the way customers experience their favorite content." That's indeed something we can all agree upon. As I kept reading, they talk about passion and taking joy in the very finest playback solutions available. Once again something we can all aspire to. It was also wonderful to see Founder and CEO Anssi Hyvönen at the Tampa show. I've known Anssi for decades while reporting on the shows in Germany. Great gentleman and always smiling when music fills the room.
---> Playback Distribution: Amphion, Esoteric, Quadraspire, And More!

Endow Audio Two-For At the FIAE 2024
Enjoying music is fun, especially when you're well Endowed.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Wait a minute here, what did the page title say again? Hmmmm.... Moving right along with show coverage, during the Florida International Audio Fest 2024 it's always a pleasure to chat with the good folks at Endow Audio. It's a pleasure to see David and Tim Strunk's deep passion for music, it is a big factor in achieving longevity within the high-performance audio community. With David Strunk's vision as Chief Technology Officer and Tim Strunk as Chief Executive Officer with 30+ years of experience, this two-for team had two fabulous exhibit rooms at FIAE 2024. Am sure after you've seen the pic above you quickly notice there's something very special about Endow Audio's loudspeakers. The drivers are not only in their normal location, yet by adding audio girth with an array of drivers around the horn, their patent-pending Point Array speaker technology seeks to reveal even the most subtle sound.
---> Endow Audio Two-For At the FIAE 2024.

Passion, Joy, And Music In Tampa
Fine sounds at the Florida International Audio Expo 2024.
FIAE 2024 Show Report Part 1 By Bill Hanson
IIt is easy to get distracted by the equipment at an audio show. Being my first show in several decades it was a bit overwhelming at times. Yet what is really at the heart of these shows and why this hobby is growing is a mix of the love of music, the passion and emotions music brings us. Music, like a good meal, should take us places and bring back memories. This weekend I had several of these reminders. Adding to the joy of the weekend was meeting the people creating art with soldering irons and other materials, making some new friends, running across old ones, and being able to finally meet a friend after three decades of talking. That sense of memory came very early on Friday. Coming off the elevator to my room I was greeted with Movement 8 "Hornpipe" from Handel's Water Music. As music does it pulled me into the Suite and I had my first exposure to Grandinote.
---> Passion, Joy, And Music In Tampa.

Aric Audio Custom 300B PSET Amplifier Review
A music lover's amplifier.
Review By Paul Schumann
I have something to admit. I am a music lover. No, it's worse than that, I'm a certifiable music junkie. I listen to music at home. I listen to music at work. I listen to it in the car. I even hear music in my head when no music is playing. I'm always looking for new music to feed my addiction. My wife complains that my Christmas list is boring because all I ask for is music. Well, I do throw in a request for a pair of Berning 845 Monoblocks, but that never happens. Oh yes, my wife is a music junkie, also. She's always on the prowl for new music to add to her collection. Our tradition on Saturday and Sunday mornings is to listen to an album all the way through while eating our breakfast. It may be something brand new, or an album we haven't listened to in a long time. Usually, after our meal, we'll share what we think about it. Yes, music runs through our veins.
---> Aric Audio Custom 300B PSET Amplifier Review.

LampizatOr Baltic 3 Hi-Res DAC Review
A new approach to Noval tube design from Poland.
Review By Greg Weaver
Founded near Warsaw Poland in 2010, while LampizatOr builds electronics and speakers, many are not aware of those offerings, as it was their exceptional tubed DACs that first put the company on the map. Owned and operated exclusively by its designer Łukasz Fikus, after hearing the disarming $17,250 Golden Gate DAC some seven years ago, then the even more engaging $27,000 Pacific DAC at a show during 2018, the reason for their success became apparent. Both these SET-based devices offered a conspicuous step closer to the undeniable naturalness, organic coherence, and space and dimensionality offered by the very best LP transcription systems. Łukasz and Lampizator North America principal Fred Ainsley have recently announced the launch of the nearly $50,000 Horizon DAC, which I will get to hear at its official launch during the third Florida Audio Expo in mid-February of this year.
---> LampizatOr Baltic 3 Hi-Res DAC Review.

02 / 21 / 24

The Magnificent Margules Group At FIAE 2024
Makin' more deep bass than should be legal.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
It's always great to see long-timers like Bruce Ball during high-performance audio events. Representing the Margules Group here at the Florida International Audio Expo 2024, Bruce was able to achieve astounding bass from small stand-mounted two-way monitors. The masterpiece is their Margules U280 Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Amplifier ($12,000 as reviewed), which was joined by the Margules SF220 Special Edition Preamplifier ($8,000), Margules Music Server / Streamer ($3,000) and Margules Overture Century loudspeaker ($19,900). Viablue cables and accessories round out the stereo system. My wife Heather and I heard bass that simply shocked us with how deep and tight it was.
---> The Magnificent Margules Group At FIAE 2024.

Audio Group Denmark Delights During FIAE 2024
Three thrilling rooms filled with Danish delights!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Drring the Florida International Audio Expo 2024, Audio Group Denmark had not one, not two, but three rooms filled with gear from Aavik, Ansuz, Axxess, and Borresen. Within one room they were showcasing their Axxess Forte 1 with Borresen X1 loudspeakers and X2-Level Ansuz cables and accessories. Next up was another room featuring Axxess Forte 1 with Borresen X2 loudspeakers, plus A2-Level Ansuz cables and accessories. And now, it's time for the Big Room....
---> Audio Group Denmark Delights During FIAE 2024.

Triode Wire Labs, Volti Audio, And BorderPatrol Audio At FIAE 2024
Sensational system synergy wins again!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Year after year, show after show, this terrific trio comes together at high-performance audio events, and the Florida International Audio Expo 2024 is no exception. As usual, after taking photos I ask for a gear list. If there's one thing we can say, it is that they are very thorough at listing every bit of kit they had here at the Tampa show. Their Obsession premium audiophile power cords feature Furutech's FI-50 NCF connectors, used on the PI Audio Group UberBUSS power conditioner as well as the BorderPatrol S20 EXD Amplifier power supplies ($1499). Their Digital American II digital power cords are used on the BorderPatrol DAC, Innuos ZENith Music Server, and Innuos Phoenix Reclocker (starting at $549). There are also their American Speaker Cables, which are terminated with premium Cardas CAB bananas (starting at $699 per set).
---> Triode Wire Labs, Volti Audio, And BorderPatrol Audio At FIAE 2024.

Technical Audio Devices (TAD) Amazes At FIAE 2024
TAD brings a wide array of high-performance audio gear to Tampa.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Technical Audio Devices (TAD) began life as a project launched by Pioneer Electronic back in 1975 to create pro audio loudspeakers. According to the company, professional audio engineer Bart Locanthi felt that "genuine technology is true to the basics and that genuine technology places greater importance on sound quality than on technology for its own sake." Over 40 years later TAD is achieving its core goals with each new product it creates. Custom parts are designed and engineered to work in concert to seamlessly produce the very best sound quality possible given the size and cost. Here at the Florida International Audio Expo 2024, there's no doubt TAD has achieved its lofty goal of reproducing high-resolution recording studio quality sound.
---> Technical Audio Devices (TAD) Amazes At FIAE 2024.

Synergizing With Synergistic Research At FIAE 2024
New music server and new tweaks to enhance your musical satisfaction.
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
From his love of music and tweaks to mechanical timepieces, Synergistic Research's chief designer Ted Denny brought an abundance of enthusiasm and excitement to the Florida International Audio Expo 2024. The company's new Voodoo Streamer Server ($14,995) seeks to bridge the gap between true lossless high-resolution digital audio and the world's best reel-to-reel tape players and vinyl LP turntables. To quote Synergistic Research, "Namely, a sense of compression where digital streaming sounds flatter and with high-frequency limitations when directly compared to the best LPs and tapes." Am sure many Enjoy the Music.com readers have read our extensive reviews of Synergistic fuses, PowerCell, plates, footers, cables, room acoustic devices… the list goes on and on.
---> Synergizing With Synergistic Research At FIAE 2024.

02 / 20 / 24

House Of Stereo Features Naim Electronics And Focal Loudspeakers
A one-two hi-fi punch for your home, office, and outdoor living too!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
It was delightful meeting the folks at Naim / Focal and longtime Florida retailer House of Stereo based in Jacksonville. Have personally visited their previous location decades ago, and wow they have grown quite a bit over the years! There was a lot to see and hear so let's get right to it. As this is the Sunshine State and we do enjoy our luxurious Pooltopia with outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and gardens, my Muse / wife Heather and I listened to the Naim electronics with Focal's OD Stone 8 outdoor landscape speakers in sand color ($799 each, also available in Basalt and Limestone colors). These two-way 8" outdoor textured speakers are IP55 certified and have anti-UV treatment to withstand adverse weather and climates. The sound was quite good, with generous midrange and smooth highs. Four or eight of these within your property would musically fulfill your outdoor lifestyle.
---> House Of Stereo Features Naim Electronics And Focal Loudspeakers.

Gershman Acoustics 30th Anniversary Loudspeaker Celebration
Florida is the place to celebrate Gershman's thrilling 30th anniversary!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
The multi-award-earning Canadian company Gershman Acoustics favorably distinguished the Florida International Audio Expo 2024 with their new 30th Anniversary Black Swan floorstanding loudspeaker ($90,000). As their top-line reference loudspeaker, you know there's very special technology and advanced engineering within this new design. This wonderful work of audio art is the company's no-holds-barred loudspeaker design and has a very wide frequency response from a room shaking 18 Hz to a smooth 24 kHz. Sensitivity is 88dB/W/m, with driver compliment being a powerful 12" woofer, marvelous 5.25" midrange, and delightful 1" dome tweeter. Joining the party are the Convergent Audio Technology C.A.T. monoblocks ($70,000 per pair), C.A.T. preamplifier ($100,000), plus Wolf Audio music streamer and Aavik Hi-Res Audio DAC.
---> Gershman Acoustics 30th Anniversary Loudspeaker Celebration.

The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2024 Is This Weekend
The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2024, organized by Audio T, is set to take place at the Delta Hotels by Marriott from Friday, February 23rd through Sunday the 25th. Since Audio T is said to be the UK's oldest independent specialist high-performance audio retailer, this year's event marks the longest-running consumer Hi-Fi Show within the UK. This year they are pleased to announce that Qobuz will continue as the official true lossless Hi-Res Music Streaming service. Qobuz will also be offering promotions and deals to all attendees.

Held at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre, the show welcomes exhibitors and visitors from around the world. This year's Bristol Hi-Fi Show will be their 35th! As the high-performance audio industry takes part, it could very well be the ultimate place to see the latest products and choose the best stereo sound system for you. Note that The Bristol Hi-Fi Show will have several Audio T sales desks, all manned by passionate and knowledgeable staff. They plan to offer fantastic deals and discounts, making it the ideal place to buy as well.

02 / 19 / 24

The FUNtastic Florida International Audio Expo 2024
Great gear, magical music and amazing attendance!
FIAE 2024 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Before I begin reporting on the many rooms.... If you have not heard by now, this past weekend's Florida International Audio Expo was a resounding success by every measure! Was there an increase in attendance, yes. More gear to see and hear, yes again. A wide array of magical music and not just that 'audiophile-approved' stuff to hear and discover, yes once again! A record amount of press coverage is already making its way online, with print publications surely giving expensive physical paper space within their next edition. The weather was outstanding and warm for the week leading into the show plus during setup and Friday. Today is the Monday 'hangover' and yes there's sunny weather; so those who decided to stay an extra week with their family will bask in the sun while experiencing Disneyworld, Bush Gardens, Universal Studios, NASA / Space Coast... or just hang out and tan at the USA's #1-rated Siesta Key beach. It's all here for your enjoyment and pleasure.
---> The FUNtastic Florida International Audio Expo 2024.

HIGH END 2024 At The MOC In Germany
The 2024 edition of HIGH END audio show will take place from May 9th through 12th at the MOC Event Center in Munich (Germany). More than 200 exhibitors will be there representing home and portable audio innovations to thousands of attendees. HIGH END is an important marketplace and trading rendezvous for the global audio industry, with many international trade members and visitors in attendance. People from over 90 countries will gather in Munich to discover the latest industry trends, discuss news, and reviews plus network to increase their business' exposure to a broader audience. Industry experts, audiophiles, and music lovers will enjoy music during this four-day event.

As the preeminent online magazine with hundreds of premium audio show reports online, Enjoy the Music.com will once again be at HIGH END with multiple photojournalists in attendance. Since 2000, many years before most other online publications, Enjoy the Music.com reported on the HIGH END show in Frankfurt before it moved to its large MOC location. For decades, the HIGH END event has set the tone for the very best in music reproduction. This event supports fresh new ideas for audio engineers, producers, hi-fi dealers, and music lovers alike. During this event, there's also a special business-to-business (B2B) trade fair during the first two days of the four-day trade show. On the weekend, HIGH END 2024 will be open to the general public. The current number of bookings received demonstrates the ongoing support in exhibiting at HIGH END 2024. We look forward to seeing you there!

02 / 16 / 24

Florida Intl. Audio Expo 2024 Show Report
The Florida International Audio Expo is an incredible event that features many floors filled with an abundance of great sound, plus various exhibit room will feature never before seen new products! Show attendees are the first to experience many of the best new high-performance audio products. With an outstanding 12 floors of demonstrations to explore, music enthusiasts can experience luxurious premium audio amplification, loudspeakers, digital audio / streamers, vinyl LP turntables, plus high-end audio headphones produced by manufacturers from all over the world.
---> Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report.

02 / 15 / 24

DALI Kore Floorstanding Speaker Review
Danish loudspeaker giant DALI had promised a state-of-the-art loudspeaker at the press event in Munich's MOC.
Review By Michael Lang
After the presentation of the DALI Kore, in a rare moment of complete agreement, the guests left the room with a big smile on their faces. HIGH END audio show, May 2022, Munich, Germany – for someone from the press, this equates to four hectic days, a race against time to discover as many exciting new products as possible, to have them explained to you and to get hold of at least a couple of short listening sessions from a suitable sitting position. Despite these circumstances, the DALI showroom was packed with press representatives when CEO Lars Worre and his team explained the background and aspirations of the Kore. This was quite necessary, considering that DALI is known for a down-to-earth pricing of its loudspeakers.
---> DALI Kore Floorstanding Speaker Review.

Zesto Audio Eros 500 Select Class A Monoblock Review
The Eros 500 is a neutral, realistic, and natural-sounding amplifier.
Review By Robert H. Levi
The more I immerse myself in this hobby since I retired from the entertainment industry in 2008, the more certain I have become that the amplifier is the most important and telling piece of equipment in your system. It was in the late 1970s that J. Gordon Holt stated in Stereophile that one should buy a very good speaker that fits your needs and then bust your budget on an excellent amplifier. I have more or less followed that advice over the last half century of reproducing music in my home. Lately, however, with the maturation of really great tube and hybrid source devices, phono preamp sources and superb LP pressings, extraordinary phono cartridges, SACDs, much improved digital streaming with high resolution, and the maturing science of neutral and high-definition interconnectivity, I have confirmed that JGH was 100% right.
---> Zesto Audio Eros 500 Select Class A Monoblock Review.

02 / 13 / 24

audioXpress' March 2024 Issue
Editorial: Meeting The Standards
A Look Inside Douglas Self's Small Signal Audio Design
The AVM-100 True-RMS Voltmeter
The Second Harmonic Distortion Myth
Improving The Transfer Function Of Electrodynamic Loudspeakers
Hearing and Audio Part 1 — Frequency, Phase, And Time
Evolution In Hardware And Software
Listen SoundCheck And AmpConnect 621 Audio And Acoustics Test Suite
Room EQ Wizard (REW)
The History of Ampeg Musical Instrument Amplifiers
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "Audio professionals working in product development, design, manufacturing, and system implementation always meet new challenges as technologies change and evolve. In professional or consumer applications, digital audio signals are being carried using a number of different platforms, technologies, and digital protocols, creating a complexity that no single company in the test and measurement (T&M) field is able to address on its own. Increasingly, T&M companies specific to the audio industry are being forced to focus on one specific angle (e.g., electronics product design, acoustic measurements, production line testing, etc.). On the software front, things look a bit more dynamic, with the availability of solutions that are more or less able to react quickly to new industry demands. But on the crucial instrumentation front, where certification and calibration are a cornerstone of the quality and safety of the products and services we rely upon every day, the pace of product innovation is creating a growing gap with the available T&M hardware."
---> audioXpress' March 2024 Issue.

02 / 12 / 24

Florida Intl. Audio Expo 2024 Is This Weekend!
The Florida Intl. Audio Expo is scheduled from February 16th through 18th at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore hotel. This incredible event will feature many floors filled with exhibit spaces. There will be an abundance of great sound, plus various exhibit room will feature never before seen new products! Show attendees are the world's first to experience many of the best new high-performance audio products. With an outstanding 12 floors of demonstrations to explore, music enthusiasts can experience luxurious premium audio electronics, loudspeakers, turntables, and high-end audio headphones produced by manufacturers from all over the world.

The Florida International Audio Expo is within convenient driving distance to such local attractions as Tampa Busch Gardens, Disneyworld, and the Florida Aquarium. Don't forget about Universal Studios, and of course NASA to see a rocket launch! You and your family may see a SpaceX rocket launch live and in person. Let's not forget that America's #1 beach is close by too, and February is excellent weather in Florida (we promise you no cold snow)!
---> Learn More About The Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show.

02 / 08 / 24

All Things Must Pass: The Rise And Fall Of Tower Records Documentary
Thanks to Gravitas Movies you can now enjoy this special documentary about Tower Records.
For this week's Film Friday Enjoy the Music.com is featuring All Things Must Pass: The Rise And Fall Of Tower Records. Established in 1960, Tower Records was once a retail powerhouse with 200 stores, in 30 countries, on five continents. This documentary, directed by Colin Hanks, is about the rise and fall of this once great retailer. Many music lovers within the world are familiar with Tower Records, the company that advertised its East 4th Street and Broadway New York City location as "The Largest Record-Tape Store in the Known World". This documentary also offers insights into the critical upheavals in the 21st-century recording industry and music business.
---> All Things Must Pass: The Rise And Fall Of Tower Records Documentary.

Limitless Musical Pleasures
Roger Skoff writes about technology and music.
Article By Roger Skoff
When performers or recording engineers talk about "cutting a track", those words can be the literal truth. Making a phonograph record – the first kind of sound recording – has always meant using some kind of a sharp object (most recently a heated cutting stylus), to cut a groove into the surface of some suitable material, and to wiggle that groove right, left, up, down, or, for stereo, in all of those ways, diagonally at the same time, for the purpose of recording sound. The recording material has ranged from Edison's beeswax to a special lacquer, and the finished recording has been everything from a wax cylinder through, currently, a heat-stamped vinyl disc, but the process, itself, has always remained essentially the same. It's always been to cut a groove into something, to modulate that groove analogously to the changes in air pressure at the recording microphone....
---> Limitless Musical Pleasures.

02 / 07 / 24

Southwest Audio Fest Show At Dallas In March 2024
The Southwest Audio Fest (SWAF) arises from the partnership of Gary Gill (Capital Audiofest) and Lou Hinkley (Daedalus Audio) and their success with the Pacific Audio Fest event. Destined to be an annual event for high-end audio, we are pleased to announce a new industry-operated show for another underserved part of the country. Both Gary and Lou worked tirelessly for over two years to secure a contract with an amazing event hotel, which is very safe, family friendly, and great weather in March too! The Hilton / Anatole in Dallas will host the inaugural SWAF show that is slated for March 15th through 17th, 2024, and initially is focusing on a small but solid regional show. Both Gary and Lou are confident that this show will grow and the Anatole has all the room a premium audio event needs.

With over 17 million people and exceptional wealth in this corner of Texas, the local demographics could not be better for premium high-end audio. The location is also very safe and an easy ride from the airport. Couple that with two major hub airports and the ability to get a non-stop flight to Dallas from almost anywhere in this country and beyond, they have reserved an ideal location for a major high-end luxury audio show. You can learn more at our Southwest Audio Fest 2024 show report page.

02 / 06 / 24

New York Audio Show 2024 In May / June
The Chester Group's New York Audio Show 2024 is set to take place from May 31st and June 1st at the Martinique New York on Broadway. Returning to full capacity, the additional time will ensure adequate lead times to allow two levels, more extensive marketing, and proper planning to deliver a show worthy of taking place in one of the most exciting cities in the world. The New York Audio Show is one of America's longest-running events and an essential stop on the Global Show Calendar. Chester Group, organizers of the well-established UK Audio Show and the upcoming London Audio Show in 2024, recognize the importance of this show's future.

For those who love great music and want to hear it from the finest equipment around the world, shows provide a unique opportunity for attendees. You can see, hear, and touch the very latest in consumer home audio technology in a wide range of room sizes and system configurations. Listening rooms provide complete comfort, just like being at home. No pressures; just surrounded by like-minded enthusiasts be they visitors, exhibitors, members of the press, or industry insiders. Now heading towards its 11th year, the New York Audio Show continues to represent some of the very best brands within the high-performance luxury audio industry.

02 / 05 / 24

Hi-Fi+ February 2024 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: CES, AI, And Your Music
Børresen Acoustics X2 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Bowers & Wilkins 801 Signature Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Trafomatic Audio Rhapsody Integrated Amplifier
Audiovector QR1 SE, QR3 SE And QR5 SE Speakers
Chord Electronics BerTTi Power Amplifier
Gold Note PSU-5 Phono Stage Power Supply
Musical Fidelity A1 Integrated Amplifier
Bricasti Design M1 Series II DAC
Mola Mola Lupe Phono Stage
And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "It's been some years since we went to the annual Consumer Electronics Show. Despite missing the winter desert sun in Las Vegas (especially in the UK, where the sun disappears around mid-November only to return some time in April), Las Vegas had become a busted flush for high-end (or 'specialty') audio. Some audio brands still attend the event, but the relevance of the show waned for the audio world in the 2010s, and by the later part of the decade it had become unsustainable for audio. As the name changed from the Consumer Electronics Association to the Consumer Technology Association in 2015, so the CES subtly changed emphasis, moving increasingly toward wearable tech, health tech, and most recently Artificial Intelligence. While embedded AI in consumer goods is still something of a novelty (who really needs an AI-enhanced kettle?), it's set to dominate the consumer electronics market." See what's within the February 2024 issue of Hi-Fi+ magazine.

02 / 01 / 24

February High-Performance Audio Review Magazine
This month we're featuring the Florida International Audio Expo 2024 show, great gear reviews, and some thought-provoking think pieces. Be sure to join us at the Tampa show in February to meet good friends and hear great music. Gear reviews include the Phillips Design OH-16 omnidirectional loudspeaker, Børresen X2 floorstanding loudspeaker, and the FiiO R9 flagship music player, streamer, headphone amplifier, and more! Join us for more fun and bonus content within our Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter social media pages. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!

Occasional Column: The Musical Point Of View
Achieving the artist's intentions of their audio art.
Article By Jules Coleman
Within my previous article last month, I argued that modes of communication could themselves be sources or initiators of meaning. An example illustrates the point. An artist paints a portrait of a friend whom he knows well. Through a range of artistic choices – pose, color, background, composition, etc. – the artist hopes to capture aspects of his friend's character, personality, the life she's lived, and perhaps his friend's self-conception as well. The portrait may or may not do a good job of realizing the artist's intentions, or may succeed in the eyes of some, but not in the eyes of others. Whatever the artist's or the subject's intention or vision, once complete and available to an audience, viewers are likely to respond to the portrait in the light of their interests in it. Those interests may have little, if anything, in common with the artist's or the subject's goals for the painting.
---> Occasional Column: The Musical Point Of View.

Liebestraum, Baby
A dream of love for Valentine's Day.
Article By Roger Skoff
What are you going to do for Valentine's Day? Take your honey out for dinner? Mail her a card if she's far away? Enjoy a day or a night together if she's near? Or – if you've only seen her from afar and want to open the door to closing that distance – send her (or better yet, bring her) some flowers or a box of chocolates? The dinner will be finished; the card may be treasured, and even tied together in a ribbon with others as a memory, but eventually it'll fade; flowers wilt; and chocolates are fattening (and, GAKK! With light, dark, and white chocolate to choose from, what happens if you pick the wrong one?). Another thing you might try is to forget the conventional way of doing it entirely, and express your feelings through something that will not only last, but that may do so more clearly and even more emotionally than you might without its help. Obviously, the "something" I'm talking about is music.
---> Liebestraum, Baby.

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.

Børresen X2 Floorstanding Loudspeakers Review
Fantastic-sounding sleek speakers.
Review By Tom Lyle
The Børresen X2 is the smallest speaker in Børresen's X-Series. Even though it is Børresen's smallest speaker in that line, it is a floorstanding speaker 3.5 feet tall and weighs 80 pounds. Børresen's website calls the X2 intro-level speaker. At $8,800 a pair, whether one considers this price entry-level is debatable, but everything is relative – compared with the other speakers in Børresen's X-series, the X2 is reasonably priced. And as you'll read in this review (spoiler alert!), I have nothing but praise for the Børresen X2. After unpacking the X2s, I discovered that this slim, stylish 2.5-way floorstanding speaker had quite a small footprint. Viewed from above, the speakers are more or less triangular. The X2's front baffle is about one foot wide, but its cabinet narrows as it reaches its rear panel, which is a mere one inch wide. This narrow rear panel appears slightly wider at points to allow for the speaker's ports, three round cylinders near the top of its cabinet, and three near the bottom. At first glance, I thought that the ports resembled exhaust pipes!
---> Børresen X2 Floorstanding Loudspeakers Review.

Acoustical QUAD
The original QUAD components were introduced around 1954...
Article By Dan Schmalle From VALVE
This month's demo is a very special one. Through the generosity of Eric and Dave we will audition what is to many vintage buffs the ne plus ultra of vintage high fidelity systems, an entire QUAD system. It will be composed of the QUAD FM Tuner, QUAD Multiplex Decoder, QUAD 22 Control Unit, two Quad II Power Amplifiers and two QUAD ESLs. All of these components are in very nice shape and will be set up as originally intended right down to the KT-66 output tubes. Acoustical Manufacturing Company, makers of the Quality Amplifier for Domestic use, was started by Peter J. Walker in London in the late 1930's. The original QUAD components were introduced around 1954. At the time the loudspeakers, while revolutionary in their construction and accuracy, were rather poorly received in an era of horn speakers with giant sized bass response. A very interesting interview of Peter Walker can be found in The Audio Amateur, 3/1978. I won't rehash the entire article here (we do have it in the library), but a few select plums from the article help to explain the design philosophy....
---> Acoustical QUAD.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

Previous High-End Audio News
For previous high-end audio and music industry news click here.