High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

  We invite you to join our social media pages and meet music lovers and audiophiles from all around the world. Like and follow our social media pages to chat with our reviewers, industry luminaries, and our loyal followers. Stay informed about the latest high-end audio news, audiophile events, and updates related to Enjoy the Music.com. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!

02 / 20 / 26

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. Florida's weather this weekend is warmly welcomed by everyone at FIAE 2026.

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.

02 / 17 / 26

Automotive Audio In The AI Era: AES 2026 Conference
The Audio Engineering Society (AES) 6th International Automotive Audio Conference will take place July 29th through 31st at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan, bringing researchers, industry engineers, and audio practitioners together to explore the future of immersive sound within vehicles. With car audio's massive global footprint making it's way into multiple audiophile shows during 2026, Enjoy the Music.com's Creative Director Steven R. Rochlin is perhaps the only audiophile publication with years of IASCA installation and sound quality judging experience. The AES conference is organized around the theme Automotive Audio in the AI Era (Sounds of future cars) and promises technical papers, keynote sessions, demonstrations, and workshops that highlight how audio is evolving alongside electrification, autonomy, new ownership, and lossless music streaming models. Conference organizers are soliciting technical contributions across two submission tracks: Category 1 full papers (complete manuscripts) and Category 2 express papers (extended summaries), with both categories sharing a submission deadline of March 17th. Authors of full papers will be notified of acceptance by May 4, and final manuscripts are due June 22; accepted work will be peer reviewed and included in the conference program. Topics span AI and machine learning, system architecture, sound reproduction and tuning, active sound management, spatial audio, and evaluation methods.

The program also invites proposals for workshops, tutorials, and panel discussions to complement paper sessions with practical, in-depth presentations led by experts. Accepted papers will be published in the AES E-Library shortly before the conference, and the organizers note that at least one author on each accepted paper must register for the conference for the paper to appear in the proceedings; student authors who are AES student members will be eligible for a Student Paper Award. Open access options and author templates are available through the AES submission system. Exhibit opportunities are open as the event positions itself as a focal point for automotive immersive audio innovation, from in-cabin personalization and seat-centric audio zones to acoustic vehicle alerting systems and AI-powered sound design. With demonstrations, technical sessions, and industry participation expected, the conference aims to map current research to real-world vehicle applications and to foster collaboration between OEMs, suppliers, and academic researchers.

02 / 16 / 26

audioXpress' March 2026 Issue
Editorial: Simply Better: AI Really Delivers
A Guide For Developers: Evaluating And Testing BT LE Part 4
Phase and Delays Part 2—True Delays
What's All This Watts RMS Stuff?
Musical Instrument Amplifiers Through The Years
Audio Measurements, AI, And Accelerated Change
Dayton Audio DATS LA Loudspeaker Analyzer
Multiphysics Acoustic Testing With Dewesoft DAQ
Frequency Normalized Distortion
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "Writing for this issue of audioXpress always happens when we are immersed in the incredible experience that is the most influential consumer electronics trade show in the world: CES. These days, CES is mostly about the consumer technology supply chain—technology providers and parts suppliers pushing the ODMs and the OEMs to embrace an idea and showcase the best and most cost-effective way to implement it on a real product and the fastest way to bring it to market successfully. When it comes to audio technology, CES allows seeing the most extreme of the equation, from sets of reference designs from where to start, all the way to projects in-the-works, with engineering and technology partners involved in a demonstration. As I often explain in my CES reports, most of the demos I attend are not of working products, but of loose parts of the technology ecosystem required to enable new product concepts and categories. And that can go from wireless speakers to home cinema systems, from gaming equipment to new headphones or hearables with cutting-edge features."
---> audioXpress March 2026 Issue.

02 / 13 / 26

Tampa Hi-Fi Show 2026 — Florida International Audio Expo Sponsored By Enjoy the Music.com
Thousands of music lovers and audiophiles explore flagship hi-fi brands, experience hands-on demos, and learn at expert-led seminars. 
The eighth annual Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) 2026 will draw thousands of visitors for a weekend celebration of the finest high-fidelity audio from around the globe. From Friday, February 20, through Sunday at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel, music lovers, audiophiles, immersivephiles, and industry professionals will hear music reproduced by the world's leading home audio systems.

Beyond headline components, FIAE 2026 offers hands-on demonstrations and a robust lineup of educational seminars that give attendees both demonstrable gear experiences and the context to appreciate what they hear. The Expo's continued growth lets visitors compare loudspeakers, electronics, turntables and reel-to-reel systems, headphones, cabling, and tweaks under real listening conditions, attracting international brands and boutique specialists showcasing new flagships and specialty products.

As a family-friendly event, Enjoy the Music.com will present a Passport To Sound booklet designed especially for younger audiophiles by educator and scientist May Anwar. She will be attending the FIAE 2026, where she will be available to assist young attendees and families, encourage curiosity-driven listening, plus answer questions about Passport To Sound and its educational use within the show environment.
---> Tampa Hi-Fi Show 2026 — Florida International Audio Expo Sponsored By Enjoy the Music.com.

02 / 12 / 26

World Premiere Review!
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 / 11 / 26

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.

02 / 10 / 26

Asia Hi-Fi & AV Expo Singapore 2026 — StereoNET Flagship Southeast Asia Showcase
StereoNET today announces the launch of the Asia Hi-Fi & AV Expo, a landmark event marking the brand's first major showcase in Southeast Asia. Set in Singapore, the Expo underscores the city-state's role as a regional hub for consumer audio and visual innovation, bringing together manufacturers, retailers, audiophiles, and media under one roof. Organizers say the event is designed to spotlight both established global names and emerging regional brands, creating a concentrated platform for product launches, dealer partnerships, and hands-on demonstrations. With StereoNET's reputation for curating high-quality audio experiences, the Expo aims to raise the profile of premium AV culture across the Asia-Pacific market. Attendees will find a comprehensive range of consumer electronics spanning bookshelf speakers, large floorstanders, turntables, headphones, and full home cinema systems. The show floor will include immersive demo rooms, live listening sessions, and a dedicated Vinyl Record Fair that celebrates analog culture alongside cutting-edge digital formats. A specially curated Headzone area for personal / portable audio and gaming headsets, reflecting the category's exceptional popularity across Asia.

Singapore's strategic location and world-class infrastructure make it the ideal gateway for brands targeting the region's booming AV market. Industry forecasts point to significant growth in the Asia-Pacific AV sector, driven by rising demand for high-definition content, smart home integration, and next-generation entertainment experiences. The Expo is positioned to capitalize on that momentum by offering manufacturers direct access to distributors, integrators, and tech-savvy consumers from across the region. Organizers emphasize that the event will accelerate business development, foster cross-border collaborations, and provide a measurable boost to brand visibility in a market expected to expand substantially by 2030. Marketing targets Asia and more, drawing stakeholders and enthusiasts from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, and India. The event is expected to attract audiophiles, professional integrators, retail buyers, and content creators. Beyond product showcases, the program will include panel discussions, technical workshops, and networking sessions designed to deepen industry knowledge and spark new partnerships. With a mix of public and trade days, StereoNET's Singapore Expo aims to be both a consumer spectacle and a serious business forum for the region's AV ecosystem.

02 / 09 / 26

Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026: New Audio Tech & Demos
The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026 returns this year as a focal point for audiophiles, industry professionals, and curious newcomers eager to hear the latest in high-fidelity sound. Operating from Friday, February 20th through Sunday the 22nd at the Delta Hotels Bristol City Centre, organizers promise an expanded floor plan and a packed schedule of demonstrations from established manufacturers and boutique builders alike. Attendees can expect immersive listening rooms, product launches, and hands-on opportunities to compare speakers, amplifiers, turntables, and streaming systems in real listening environments. The event aims to balance technical depth with accessible experiences so both seasoned enthusiasts and first-time visitors leave with fresh discoveries. Exhibitors at the show span global brands and local specialists, with several companies set to unveil new models and limited-edition releases. Demonstration lineups will include both legacy stereo and modern multi-speaker immersivephile setups, headphone audition suites, and dedicated vinyl playback rooms that highlight cartridge and tonearm pairings. Retailers and integrators will be on hand to discuss installation, room treatment, and system matching, while accessory makers showcase cables, isolation platforms, and acoustic treatments designed to refine performance. The diversity of exhibitors reflects a market that values both cutting-edge digital sources and the enduring appeal of analog playback.

A series of talks and panel sessions will explore current trends shaping the audio world, from high-resolution streaming and room correction technologies to sustainable manufacturing and the resurgence of vinyl. Industry figures, engineers, and respected reviewers are scheduled to lead deep-dive sessions that unpack technical advances in amplification, digital-to-analog conversion, and loudspeaker design. Live demonstrations will be paired with Q&A segments so attendees can probe the practical implications of new features and learn how to apply them in real listening spaces. For many visitors, these sessions provide the context needed to make informed purchasing decisions. Organizers encourage early booking for popular demonstrations and recommend allocating time for both scheduled talks and spontaneous listening sessions. Whether you're hunting for a system upgrade, researching components, or simply curious about high-end audio, the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026 promises a concentrated weekend of sound, expertise, and British community.

02 / 06 / 26

Hi-Fi+ February 2026 High-End Audio Magazine
UK Music Market: Streaming Surges & Vinyl Resilience
Technics SL-1200 / 1210G Master Edition
Thiele TT01 / TA01 Turntable And Tonearm
JMF Audio PRS 1.5 And HQS 6002 Pre/Power
Linn Majik DSM (5th Gen) Network Music Player
Pro-Ject CD Box RS2T CD Transport
Hegel H150 Integrated Amplifier
ArgentPur Monobloc Mono Power Amplifier
APL DSD-WR Digital-To-Analogue Converter
Viva Solista Integrated Amplifier
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "On the last day of every year, the BPI (the British Phonographic Industry) publishes its annual review. While it's often an exercise in finding the positive out of a thin gruel of negativity, this year's trends in music are all up, but perhaps not in the way we expect. The headline figure is that across sales and streaming in the UK, over 210.3 million albums were consumed last year; an increase of 4.3% on the previous year. Streaming now accounts for a whopping 89.3% of all music consumption, rising 5.5% year-on-year. That meant the UK market passed the 200 billion streams point for the first time, with 210.3 billion streams accumulated across 2025. Meanwhile, UK vinyl sales continue to increase, for the 18th consecutive year. However, the growth has slowed to just 1.4% over the previous year. This was also a big year for women in music... and not just Taylor Swift. Olivia Dean, Skye Newman, Lola Young and more have all scored chart success, and not just in the UK. British artists like Sleep Token have scored No 1 chart successes in the US and UK in 2025."
---> hi-fi+ February 2026 High-End Audio Magazine.

02 / 05 / 26

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.

World Premiere Review!
Wells Audio Looking Glass II Level II Power Conditioner Review
Feeling as if you can step into it and become part of the performance.
Review By Ron Nagle
If you are like me then you live in a multi-story apartment building, then you are contaminated with junk in the trunk-line. More than likely you are listening to your neighbor's dishwasher, air conditioner, foot bath or God knows what. As a consequence have you ever thought your expensive audio system has bad days when the sound is not so good? This is why some of us audio guys prefer to listen in the wee small hours late at night. Unfortunately, I have no choice, either fix my power source or become crepuscular like my cat. Fire up your computer and do a search, you will find Power Strips, AC line Conditioners, Surge Protectors, Re-Generators, and Noise-Canceling devices. Why so many power source line tamers? That's because very few of us (Me) are blessed with a perfectly pristine power source unfortunately, most of us live on some sort of shared power grid.
---> Wells Audio Looking Glass II Level II Power Conditioner Review.

02 / 04 / 26

Qobuz Music Streaming Service Says No To AI
While many music streaming services are still using lossy or, worse still, pushing non-standard proprietary music formats to increase their own company profits, more top music lovers and audiophiles choose Qobuz for their true lossless Hi-Res Music service. Recently, Qobuz posted "Why We're Taking a Human-First Stand on AI-Generated Music", and to summarize, it says that at its heart, music is about human expression and we here at Enjoy the Music.com very much agree. Music listening to out loud connects, shapes us, and deepens our sense of the world and each other. As fans, it enriches our lives on a daily basis; as artists, it showcases what we're capable of creating. Simply put, music makes us more human. When Qobuz was founded in 2007, they made a promise to honor the artists, voices, stories, and hard work behind the songs you love. Today, Qobuz remain committed to keeping music human as music is in the midst of a watershed moment with an unprecedented number of AI-generated tracks being created and uploaded to various streaming platforms. AI tools can generate hundreds of tracks in minutes from simple prompts. What once required experimentation, risk, creativity, and human intent, not to mention years of training and practice, is now being simulated in seconds.

For creative music artists, when machines like MIDI and AI replaces humans, the real stories behind music are lost and human musicians' livelihoods are jeopardized. According to Qobuz's post, research warns that by 2028, AI-generated music could account for 20% of streaming revenue and even 60% of catalogue revenue in some segments. This shift places a direct threat on real creators' income streams, making it even more difficult for artists to earn a living through their work. When thousands of AI tracks flood streaming platforms daily, music discovery becomes noisy and polluted. Finding captivating music becomes harder and trust in recommendations erodes. Enjoy the Music.com feels there's a possibility that AI-generated content leads to significant hurdles across the industry as a whole. Thankfully, Qobuz says "Since 2007, Qobuz has been built on one conviction: people should be free to discover and experience high quality music in all its authenticity."

02 / 03 / 25

ISE 2026: Luxury Home Audio & Custom Installation
Integrated Systems Europe returned to Fira de Barcelona Gran Via from February 3rd through 6th, and the residential halls were dominated by luxury and custom home audio innovations that target high net worth homeowners and boutique integrators. The show floor—spanning over 80,000 m²—featured dedicated residential and specialized bespoke audio, which is moving from audiophile hobby to full architectural integration. High-end loudspeaker manufacturers used ISE 2026 to both launch new models, and to showcase custom in-wall and in-ceiling arrays, furniture-integrated subwoofers, and hand-finished cabinetry designed to blend with interior design briefs. Demonstrations emphasized not just raw fidelity but room-adaptive DSP, object-based immersive formats, and networked high-resolution streaming—features integrators say are essential for delivering consistent performance in complex domestic spaces. Several booths staged private listening suites to simulate real living rooms, underlining the sector's shift toward experiential sales.

Beyond hardware, the show highlighted the ecosystem that enables luxury installs: advanced room calibration tools, integrator-grade control systems, and turnkey acoustic treatments that reduce commissioning time and improve client satisfaction. Panels and short sessions—part of ISE's residential program—focused on best practices for specifying bespoke systems, managing client expectations, and coordinating with architects and interior designers to preserve aesthetics without compromising sound. For buyers and integrators, the message was clear: premium home audio is now a systems discipline. The most compelling exhibits combined reference-class transducers with seamless control, discreet aesthetics, and measurable room correction, enabling installations that are both invisible and sonically authoritative. As ISE 2026 demonstrated, the luxury home audio market is maturing into a professionalized supply chain where craftsmanship, software, and integration expertise are equally valued.

Bandcamp Says No To AI Music, Will Others Follow?
This was recently posted by Bandcamp: Something that always strikes us as we put together a roundup like this is the sheer quantity of human creativity and passion that artists express on Bandcamp every single day. The fact that Bandcamp is home to such a vibrant community of real people making incredible music is something we want to protect and maintain. Today, in line with that goal, we're articulating our policy on generative AI. We want musicians to keep making music, and for fans to have confidence that the music they find on Bandcamp was created by humans. Our guidelines for generative AI in music and audio are as follows:

Music and audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by AI is not permitted on Bandcamp. Any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited in accordance with our existing policies prohibiting impersonation and intellectual property infringement. If you encounter music or audio that appears to be made entirely or with heavy reliance on generative AI, please use our reporting tools to flag the content for review by our team**. We reserve the right to remove any music on suspicion of being AI generated.**

We will be sure to communicate any updates to the policy as the rapidly changing generative AI space develops. Given the response around this to our previous posts, we hope this news is welcomed. We wish you all an amazing 2026.

Thank you.

Bandcamp Support

02 / 01 / 26

Feb 2026 High-End Audio Reviews — Gryphon Antileon & Furutech Premieres
World-premiere gear, FIAE show report, and 30 years of audiophile insight.
The February 2026 issue of Enjoy the Music.com is a celebration of music and romance! We feature a wide mix of premiere high-end audio equipment reviews, the FIAE 2026 show preview, and editorial pieces on audiophile culture — key highlights include the North America Premiere review of Gryphon's Antileon Revelation amplifier and a world premiere review of Furutech's GTO-D3 NCF Power Distributor + Origin Power Cord. The issue is dated February 2026 as we celebrate romantic music as a lasting gift and the importance of bringing new listeners into the hobby, with features on how luxury home audio shows (FIAE, Montreal Audiofest, etc) are rediscovering the joy of attentive listening. These thematic pieces set a cultural and community context for the technical reviews that follow. This issue's mix of long-form reviews, editorials, and show reporting makes it useful both as a buyer's reference and as a cultural snapshot of the high-end audiophile scene in early 2026. Happy Valentine's Day music lovers, and as always... enjoy the music!
---> Feb 2026 High-End Audio Reviews — Gryphon Antileon & Furutech Premieres Plus FIAE 2026 Show Coverage.

Giving The Gift Of Music On Valentine's Day
Roses only last a week, romantic music lasts a lifetime.
Editorial By Roger Skoff
It's coming; Valentine's Day on February 14th, and this year should be something extra special!  Sharing your life and love as you warmly show how you feel about her. And while a simple bunch of roses is acceptable— at least where I live — they run close to a hundred bucks! Sure, they're lovely, and they do check the "romantic gesture" box, but, unlike a romantic relationship, flowers, they just don't last. They start drooping in just a day or two. In just a few days more, they're looking tired, and before a week is up, they're ready for the trash. It's a lot of money to pay for something that isn't going to last a whole lot longer than it takes for your tubes to warm up. Why not give her something that lasts longer, shows your feelings more personally, may cost less than the traditional blooms, and carries a bonus no bouquet can ever match? If it's music, she may have to play it on your system! This is also a great opportunity to get her a sound system, too, but let's save that for another Valentine's Day.
---> Giving The Gift Of Music On Valentine's Day.

Luxury Home Audio Shows Q1 2026 — FIAE, Montreal Audiofest, & AXPONA: Rediscover Hi-Fi Listening
As we report, you can join us at three luxurious home audio events that bring vibrant, immersive music into our lives... and living rooms.
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
The excitement builds as there is a particular kind of purified electricity that hums through a hotel corridor when a high-end audio show is in full swing: the deep bass, silky smooth highs, and confident amplifiers warm n' happy. From the soft sounds of small acoustic ensembles to bold bands, the quick, conspiratorial exchange of favorite reference tracks between strangers who will leave as friends. For each of the next three months, Enjoy the Music.com will be there, meeting our fans, and ensuring you get our expert review assessments & info on the latest and best audiophile gear! Our exclusive 2026 high-end audiophile show reports of the Florida International Audio Expo, Montreal Audiofest, and AXPONA promise to remind us why hi-fi matters—not as an indulgence for a few, but as a vibrant, life-enhancing practice that sharpens attention, deepens feeling, and re-connects us to the simple miracle of sound. The Florida International Audio Expo, Montreal Audiofest, and AXPONA 2026 events each offer their own flavor of discovery, but together they form a circuit of listening that celebrates craftsmanship, curiosity, and the communal joy of music heard well.
---> Luxury Home Audio Shows Q1 2026 — FIAE, Montreal Audiofest, & AXPONA: Rediscover Hi-Fi Listening.

Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Show Report
The eighth annual Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) will convene audiophiles, industry professionals, and music lovers for a three-day celebration of sound from Friday, February 20 through Sunday, February 22, at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon. The show pairs formal demo rooms with fun listening lounges so attendees can hear loudspeakers, high-fidelity audio electronics, turntables, and immersive headphones under realistic conditions, making it a practical venue for side-by-side comparisons and hands-on auditions. Exhibitor participation is strong, with organizers reporting excellent exhibit spaces that bring together international brands, boutique builders, and regional specialists. Reporting on every show to date, Enjoy the Music.com continues to be a valuable resource for the high-end audio industry as we once again sponsor FIAE. As this is a family event with many affluent young adults and children attending, Enjoy the Music.com will have a special Passport to Sound booklet for younger audiophiles. Music lovers will find flagship components and niche products across categories including loudspeakers, amplifiers, turntables, cabling, and headphone systems, while many rooms are staffed by designers and product specialists who can explain technical tradeoffs and setup tips.
---> Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Show Report.

North American Premiere Review!
Gryphon Antileon Revelation Amplifier Review — Dynamics, Detail, & Drive
Class A 160 Wpc power, purity, and the all-important real-world listening impressions.
Review By Tom Lyle
I read somewhere that I praise every audio component reviewed for Enjoy the Music.com; after three decades of listening and testing, I can understand why. Advances in engineering mean that many review samples—amplifiers, preamplifiers, and loudspeakers—now deliver exceptional sound quality plus fit and finish. Just taking one look at the new Gryphon Audio Designs' Antileon Revelation stereo/mono amplifier proves this point in 2026. That wasn't true when I began covering high-end audio in the late 1900s, and my blunt critiques back then sometimes led to awkward conversations with manufacturers and distributors. My aim remains to give clear, practical assessments of how gear performs in real rooms and systems so readers can decide whether it's the right match for their setup and budget. However, what matters more than whether I give a component or loudspeaker system a glowing review is whether it fits one's system, room, and budget. My job is to clearly describe equipment traits.
---> Gryphon Antileon Revelation Amplifier Review.

World Premiere Review!
Furutech GTO-D3 NCF Power Distributor + Origin Power Cord Review — High-End Audiophile Power Solution
Clean, low-noise power delivery for hi-fi systems; NCF damping and precision-engineered Origin cord for ultimate clarity.
Review By Paul Schumann
One of the eternal struggles of audiophiles is getting clean power from their AC outlet. Many have gone to great extremes to get that pure AC sign wave. The most extreme example is the Japanese audiophile who installed their own power pole with a transformer in their front yard. At audio shows, I've been blown away by the size of some power conditioning units, which could easily be mistaken for power amplifiers. A few months ago, I reviewed an isolation transformer. It worked great, but it was large, heavy, and I had to take great pains to keep it out of my wife's line of sight. After that experience, I started looking for a more elegant solution to power distribution. That's when I landed on the Furutech gear. A few years ago, I reviewed the Furutech NCF Clear Line AC Power Line Optimizers within my system, and I was impressed by how seemingly simple devices could make such a difference in my system. I always wondered if I could unlock the full potential of those cool devices by pairing them with other Furutech gear instead of the generic power strip I've been using for years.
---> Furutech GTO-D3 NCF Power Distributor + Origin Power Cord Review.

GIK 4A Alpha Panel Diffusors Review
One of the best values to treating any good listening room.
Review By Rick LaFaver
I have always been a staunch advocate of adding room acoustic devices as an integral part of any high quality sound system. That is unless you listen within an anechoic chamber or a padded cell. There are many different ways to handle standing waves whether it is DSP, diffusion, wide spectrum, or narrow spectrum absorption. GIK 4A Alpha Panel Diffusors are a great way to improve your listening room and here's why: Two of the most important elements in creating the foundation of any great listening room are choosing a world class speaker and an acoustic treatment plan that tames any anomalies in your room of choice. I have used a blend primarily absorption with limited diffusion in my space for many years by using four GIK 244 Bass traps to deal with the rear wave from my speakers. In addition, they are either in two corners that tend to store a lot of energy or at first reflection point on the side walls (when I have my system setup along the short wall of my room).
---> GIK 4A Alpha Panel Diffusors Review.

Black Cat Graceline Level-2 Interconnect & Speaker Cable Review
Worth every freaking penny because your system will appreciate it.
Review By Tom Lyle
In March of 2019, I reviewed Black Cat's 3200 interconnect, speaker, and digital cable in Enjoy the Music.com. I was very impressed by these relatively affordable cables. The Graceline (by Black Cat Cable) Level-2 interconnects and speaker cables reviewed here are a considerable step up from those cables in sound quality. In case one might not have heard of Black Cat cables, and even if you have, I strongly suggest one read the "We Ask 10 Questions..." interview with Chris Sommovigo, which appeared in November 2020's issue as part of the celebration of Enjoy The Music's 25th Anniversary. In this interview, I learned that Mr. Sommovigo is a very knowledgeable, level-headed designer and inventor. Some of his cables were very sonically successful, such as his digital cable, of which he sold several of his designs to Kimber Kable. I'll skip the bulk of the history of Black Cat and what led to the development of the Graceline Level 2 interconnect and speaker cable because a good deal of it is covered in the "...10 Questions..." interview, which again, I suggest one read if one hasn't already done so.
---> Black Cat Graceline Level-2 Interconnect & Speaker Cable Review.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

01 / 29 / 26

Southwest Audio Fest 2026: Major Hi-FI Show Begins A Day Early
Southwest Audio Fest (SWAF), an exiting affluent high-end audiophile event, announced a schedule shift for its 2026 edition, replacing the traditional Sunday session with a new Thursday opening to boost attendance and preserve family time for visitors. SWAF 2026 will begin July 23th, and end the 25th at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in downtown Dallas, Texas. Organizers said the move responds directly to long-standing industry feedback about slow Sundays, and positions Dallas as an ideal testbed for a Thursday–Friday–Saturday format. The gear lineup at Southwest Audio Fest 2026 spans the full spectrum of high-fidelity audio and related lifestyle categories: expect floorstanding and bookshelf loudspeakers, vacuum tube and solid-state amplifiers, state-of-the-art Hi-Res Audio DACs and streamers, reference turntables and tonearms, plus premium interconnects and loudspeaker cables. Be sure to learn about room treatment solutions that are showcased in purpose-tuned demo rooms. Music lovers will enjoy meeting up with other enthusiasts during peak days and create a livelier, more efficient experience for exhibitors and attendees alike.

For exhibitors and industry partners, SWAF highlights several strategic advantages to participating in 2026. The Dallas–Fort Worth region's rapid population growth and favorable demographics translate into strong purchasing power for high-end audio and lifestyle products. The Sheraton's downtown location offers easy access to restaurants and two major international airports, and the festival's expanding footprint—now one of the largest venues in the industry—creates opportunities for brands to secure premium rooms early in the show's growth cycle. With a stated track record of integrity and a commitment to building a marquee American audio event, the SWAF home audio festival is inviting manufacturers, integrators, and retailers to join while their 2026 show is still scaling up. Hurry, exhibit rooms are selling fast!

01 / 28 / 26

Coming Soon! Florida International Audio Expo 2026 Show Report
The eighth annual Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE) will convene audiophiles, industry professionals, and music lovers for a three-day celebration of sound from Friday, February 20 through Sunday, February 22, at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon. The show pairs formal demo rooms with fun listening lounges so attendees can hear loudspeakers, high-fidelity audio electronics, turntables, and immersive headphones under realistic conditions, making it a practical venue for side-by-side comparisons and hands-on auditions. Exhibitor participation is strong, with organizers reporting excellent exhibit spaces that bring together international brands, boutique builders, and regional specialists. Reporting on every show to date, Enjoy the Music.com continues to be a valuable resource for the high-end audio industry as we once again sponsor FIAE. As this is a family event with many affluent young adults and children attending, Enjoy the Music.com will have a special Passport to Sound booklet for younger audiophiles.

Music lovers will find flagship components and niche products across categories including loudspeakers, amplifiers, turntables, cabling, and headphone systems, while many rooms are staffed by designers and product specialists who can explain technical tradeoffs and setup tips. The show will also feature a notable car audio presence from IASCA, creating a cross-section of audio culture that connects home hi-fi enthusiasts with custom installers and aftermarket specialists. The emphases is listening with real music, and the event's live performances and curated listening sessions are designed to reveal timbral accuracy, transient behavior, and the emotional qualities that distinguish great systems from merely good ones. These programs are intended to help attendees make more informed purchasing decisions and to shorten research cycles by allowing direct comparisons at reference listening levels. Beyond shopping for new hi-fi gear and seminars, FIAE 2026 promises show-only promotions, preview units, and networking opportunities with designers and fellow enthusiasts—making it both a marketplace and a learning forum. For anyone planning a system upgrade or seeking to discover boutique manufacturers and the latest flagship products, FIAE offers a concentrated weekend to hear, learn, and buy with confidence. Learn more and see Enjoy the Music.com's exclsuyive FIAE 2026 show report.

01 / 27 / 26

AXPONA 2026 Audiophile / High-End Audio Show
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2026 takes place from April 10th through 12th at The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center close to Chicago. This annual three-day immersive high-fidelity audio experience features a multitude of floors, hallways, and exhibit rooms. The AXPONA 2026 show brings together music lovers, audiophiles, and industry professionals for three days of sound exploration. Attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere filled with cutting-edge audio demonstrations, product debuts, and opportunities to engage directly with manufacturers and designers. One of the defining features of AXPONA 2026 is its extensive collection of over 220 high-fidelity listening rooms. These rooms allow visitors to audition floorstanding loudspeakers, powerful amplifiers, precision turntables, Hi-Res Audio DACs, and other components in controlled environments that highlight the nuances of each sound system.

Exhibitors range from boutique audio artisans to globally recognized hi-fi brands, offering a rare chance to compare equipment side by side. The event's scale makes it a unique destination for anyone seeking to experience audio gear that is often unavailable in traditional retail spaces. Beyond the listening rooms, AXPONA 2026 will feature a bustling Expo Hall showcasing thousands of personal audio / HeadFi products across categories such as headphones, portable audio, vinyl, accessories, and emerging technologies. Education and entertainment are also central to the AXPONA 2026 high-end audiophile show experience. The 2026 event will include a full schedule of seminars led by engineers, reviewers, and industry experts who will discuss topics ranging from system setup to audio science and industry trends. Live musical performances and special events throughout the weekend add a cultural layer to the expo, making it not just a trade show but a celebration of music itself. Enjoy the Music.com's AXPONA 2026 high-end audiophile event coverage will be online during the event.

01 / 26 / 26

HIGH END Vienna 2026 — High-End Audio Premiere Show
The HIGH END Vienna 2026 arrives with remarkable momentum: the world's leading international audio show is already fully booked several months before opening. Set to take place from June 4th through 7th at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV), the early sell-out signals not only strong demand, but also a collective eagerness across the industry to witness a landmark edition. After 21 years, relocating the event to Vienna marks a symbolic and practical fresh start that many exhibitors and visitors view as a turning point. Moving the show to the Austria Center Vienna represents a strategic milestone for HIGH END. The venue's modern infrastructure and forward-looking facilities create a canvas for exhibitors to showcase cutting-edge audio technology in a professional, flexible environment. Organizers and participants alike expect the center's layout and technical capabilities to elevate demonstrations, listening rooms, and product launches.

Vienna's reputation as a global capital of music lends cultural depth to the 2026 edition. The city's long musical heritage—paired with a thriving contemporary scene—creates a unique backdrop where tradition and innovation meet. For attendees, that means more than trade stands: it promises curated listening experiences and a sense that the event is part of a broader musical conversation. A major highlight is the appointment of Dominique Fils-Aimé as the official brand ambassador. Her internationally recognized artistry and emotive vocal presence bring a human, creative face to a technology-driven industry. Dominique's participation underscores the show's emphasis on the emotional and cultural power of sound, reminding visitors that audio technology ultimately serves the art of listening. Learn more and see Enjoy the Music.com's exclusive HIGH END Vienna 2026 show report.

01 / 22 / 26

The Audio Analyst's 100th Video!
Our Senior Editor, Greg Weaver, reaches triple digit videos!
Video By Greg Weaver
This marks the one-hundredth episode of my channel... and so many things have changed since its launch. Join me in celebrating what we've accomplished, and to see where things are headed over the next six months and beyond. It has been just over one year since I retired from the world of IT Management and refocused all my efforts on my pursuit and enjoyment of my audio passions. I am incredibly pleased to say that at this point, the channel has built a particularly specific and faithful audience and has received some remarkable feedback and support. Further, my video production has changed, some feel for the better, and while I had semi-retired my martini, the response to the survey strongly supported its return. I heard you all, and it will.
---> The Audio Analyst's 100th Video!

On the Road Again: Featuring Greg Weaver's Home Audio System
The New Apartment Lounge's Maurice Jeffries visits the Audio Analyst at home for the third time.
Report By Maurice Jeffries
What would we do without the much beloved road trip? The promise of exploring parts known, and better yet completely unknown, especially in the wake of the Covid Pandemic, strikes many like as perfect balm to months of virus-driven isolation. So, when my dear friend and fellow audio miscreant, Greg Weaver (known to many of you as the audio analyst, famous for his scrupulously detailed show reports and recent highly informative and entertaining foray into the fractious world of YouTube audio reporting), teased with the promise to hear a tantalizing array of new gear, to tussle with a new puppy (a 100 lbs. Great Dane named Stella), and most importantly, to reconnect face-to-face, I leapt into action.
---> Featuring Greg Weaver's Home Audio System.

01 / 21 / 26

Tiny Vinyl Goes Global: Pocket-Sized Collectibles Because... Why Not?
Tiny Vinyl is turning into a new profit center for record labels and music rights holders as these 4" discs cost ~$15. Audiophiles take note as these tiny records may provide the least amount of actual vinyl sound quality due to minimizing the vinyl surface area. Still, it does not make these any less 'collectable' with pop songs on playable records, which has now expanded from the U.S. into Europe. Music available includes songs from Chappell Roan, Rihanna, and KATSEYE. Tiny Vinyl, the Nashville-based startup that presses four-inch playable records, might attract collectors and Gen Z who want another thing to hype such as music memorabilia. The miniature discs are said to be playable at standard 33.3 rpm on most turntables despite their pint-sized format, and each release is often numbered and marketed as a 'limited collectible'. The format's novelty and artist choices have driven some retail partnerships and media attention, possibly positioning Tiny Vinyl more as a lifestyle product, plus it's a new revenue stream for labels and artists.

Tiny Vinyl's catalog includes contemporary pop and legacy acts. Recent drops and retail exclusives have included 4" discs from Chappell Roan, Rihanna, KATSEYE, Ariana Grande, Gracie Abrams, Doja Cat, and more, with some titles appearing as Target exclusives and other retail tie-ins. Thankfully, sound quality may not matter for those songs, whereas acoustic jazz and classical music might demand a bit more than on offer from a 4" disc. Each Tiny Vinyl release typically features one song per side like a normal 45 rpm disc, but at a slower 33.3 rpm, which means there is less vinyl flowing under the turntable's needle. Custom artwork for the 4" product has been scaled for the mini sleeve, and limited press numbers that hark back to 2020's FOMO to encourage quick sell-outs among superfan collectors and record store merch browsers. The company's approach may be seeking novelty shoppers over those who care about the very best possible sound quality from vinyl. Industry observers may say that Tiny Vinyl's success highlights two converging trends: the enduring appetite for physical music formats and the market for collectible merch.

01 / 20 / 26

Luminate Music Report Finds Internet Streaming Dominate All Others
Luminate published its 2025 year-end music report, which provides us a broad snapshot of how audio listeners, sound platforms, and song creators navigated another year of rapid change. The report underscores that streaming remains the primary mode of music consumption, while emerging dynamics — from short-form video virality to renewed interest in catalog and physical formats — are reshaping what success looks like for artists and labels. Luminate's analysis frames 2025 as a year of consolidation for major platforms and experimentation for creators seeking sustainable revenue. Luminate's 2025 music report highlights several notable trends including short-form video and social discovery, which continued to drive spikes in single-track consumption, accelerating breakout moments for independent artists, and prompting labels to rethink release strategies. At the same time, catalog listening showed resilience, with older albums and legacy artists maintaining steady share of total streams, and vinyl LP and premium physical formats (CD, 4" Tiny Vinyl, SACD, etc.) enjoying a modest but meaningful resurgence among collectors. Luminate also points to playlisting algorithms and editorial curation as persistent gatekeepers, even as direct-to-fan tools and creator monetization options expanded.

Industry reaction in 2025 has been mixed optimism with caution. Executives and artist managers quoted in the report praised new monetization pathways that help mid-tier and independent acts earn more from touring, sync, and fan subscriptions, while warning that platform concentration and opaque data practices still complicate fair compensation and long-term planning. The report seemed to call out a handful of breakout artists and surprise catalog revivals that illustrate how a single viral moment or strategic sync placement can translate into sustained listening and touring demand. Looking ahead for the music business, Luminate frames 2026 as a year where business models and measurement will be tested further to find the best path to higher earnings. For labels, platforms, and creators alike, the takeaway may be adapting to fast-moving discovery channels while also protecting music's value, as this may determine who thrives in the next chapter of the music business industry.

01 / 19 / 26

UMG & NVIDIA To Reimagine Music Discovery, Creation, & Engagement
Universal Music Group (UMG) and NVIDIA announced a strategic collaboration to harness NVIDIA's AI infrastructure alongside UMG's vast catalog of millions of tracks to advance what they are calling responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement. The partnership will combine UMG's creative ecosystem and studio resources with NVIDIA's audio intelligence to develop tools and systems that enhance how people find, experience, and interact with music worldwide. Central to the effort is an extension of NVIDIA Music Flamingo, an advanced audio model designed to analyze full-length tracks with deep musical understanding—capturing harmony, structure, timbre, lyrics, and cultural context. By moving beyond simple tagging and surface recognition, the technology aims to surface music by emotional narrative and cultural resonance, improve multilingual lyric transcription and instrument recognition, and enable richer, more personalized discovery for listeners and new pathways for artists to reach audiences.

To ensure artists remain at the heart of innovation, UMG and NVIDIA will create a dedicated artist incubator where songwriters, producers, and performers co-design and test AI tools within real creative workflows. The collaboration will also establish creative laboratories drawing on UMG's Music & Advanced Machine Learning Lab and world-class studios such as Abbey Road and Capitol Studios, with a focus on responsible training, artist feedback, proper attribution, and fair rightsholder compensation. Both companies say the partnership is intended to set new industry standards for innovation and responsibility, empowering established artists to deepen fan engagement while giving emerging talent greater opportunities for discovery. UMG and NVIDIA will work closely with artists, labels, and publishers throughout development to build safeguards that protect creative work, ensure attribution, and align AI-driven capabilities with the long-term interests of the music community.

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