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03 / 29 / 24

Part 2: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
Let's explore the 1300 hallway.
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
Going from the 1200 hallway to the 1300 one was more of a zig-zag than a simple left turn. The cheat sheet for Brosseau lists a large and a small rig. This was the smaller one with a Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 integrated amplifier ($2k USD) with built-in streaming and room correction. It's the smaller box in the photo above. It features digital and analog inputs and when connected to your Wi-Fi it can access a multitude of streaming services. It also connects directly to your TV vis HDMI to provide quality sound and room correction. The two-channel amplifier puts out 60W @ 8 Ohms, 120W @ 4 Ohms and 30A peak power. One of the analog inputs is for the built-in MM phono stage. At 7.3 lbs., it is not a heavy weight, but a serious unit for people who want serious two-channel sound without all the complexity and cost of a decked-out home theater.
---> Part 2: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

03 / 28 / 24

SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 3
Featuring Classic Audio, Technics, Kimber Kable, Terry Audio, AGD Productions, and more!
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
One of the rooms I was anticipating was Classic Audio. I had been following these Michiganders since they started with the rebuilding of JBL Hartsfield horns. Dominating the room was the massive T-3.4 Field Coil Powered System ($59,950) with its associated Dual Output Tungar DC Power Supplies ($8,000). Two power amps were being used, an Atma-Sphere Novacron Mk.3.3 ($26,500) and a Classic Audio Push-Pull 300B prototype. The preamp was an MP-1 Mark 3.3 Preamplifier ($23,890). The vinyl setup was an upgraded Technics SP 10 Mk III, Tri-Planar Ultimate 12 tonearm ($11,500), and a Van Den Hul Colibri Stradivarius Reference Cartridge ($13,000). A Studer 810 reel-to-reel was also a music source.
---> SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 3.

Avantgarde Acoustic Duo XD Hornspeaker Review
Blow Up! – With the Duo XD, Avantgarde Acoustic shows what horn technology and a perfectly matched active woofers... are able to do to the sound.
Review By Matthias Böde
Yes, you have read the measurement results from our lab correctly (in case you checked them): For 94 decibels of sound pressure at a distance of one meter, this speaker needs just 0.07 Watts of power. Seven Watts would be somewhat normal, 0.7 Watts already a sensation – but 0.07 Watts reads like a typo. It is completely true though! This is made possible by the large horn at the top end of the Duo XD, coming from the specialist Avantgarde Acoustic, based in a small town in the Odenwald mountain range in southwestern Germany. This horn is connected directly to the amplifier without any intermediate crossover and visually symbolizes the phenomenal efficiency with its huge opening of 67 centimeters.
---> Avantgarde Acoustic Duo XD hornspeaker Review.

Gryphon Audio Essence Preamplifier
And Essence Stereo Power Amplifier Review
Blown away by an amazing musical performance!
Review By Tom Lyle
The Gryphon Essence preamplifier and Gryphon Stereo power amplifier are gorgeous looking and beautiful sounding Danish high-end audio components. Those who can afford either or both of these components will not only enjoy stellar sound quality but most likely will also be able to enjoy the fact that they are the epitome of audio equipment that has a look and "feel" of luxury goods. Gryphon founder Flemming E. Rasmussen was responsible for the stunningly beautiful exterior of the rather large (and heavy!) Gryphon Essence preamplifier and Stereo Essence power amplifier. Good looks and operational refinement are especially true of the Gryphon Essence preamplifier. Its weighty infrared metal remote was only one indication of this Danish audio manufacturer's recognition of many audiophile's appreciation of the intangibles that are available on many preamps.
---> Gryphon Audio Essence preamplifier & Essence Amplifier Review.

03 / 27 / 24

Part 1: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024
Show coverage of the 1200 hallway.
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
I think there were some Denon electronics and Polk speakers in a system here, but I was afraid to stick around to see where this photo shoot was headed. Danny Labrecque of Luna Cables in Eastern Quebec has had his cables in the rooms of other presenters for a long time. In recent years he has taken to hosting his room and they have typically been top-tier presentations. Here, the smallest model of the AudioNec speaker (EVO 1, $29.5k) was sounding pretty spectacular. A taller version of this same design was among the Best Rooms last year. This low-rider presented a low soundstage when standing in the room, but rose almost to ear level when sitting. While its physical design in black and white was eye-catching, its small size was right at home in this sleeping room.
---> Part 1: Montreal Audiofest Chronicles 2024.

Southwest Audio Fest's Inaugural Event
A successful Southwest Audio Fest 2024 event in Dallas.
SWAF 2024 Show Report By Michael G. Harkins
Southwest Audio Fest kicked off on March 15 with a medium-sized, but lively and well-attended event at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. The show's organizers, Gary Gill and Lou Hinkley, are experienced audio show proprietors, having hosted the Capital Audio Fest and Pacific Audio Fest respectively. They make it a family affair for themselves, the exhibitors, and attendees at the show. Many well-known and lesser-known audio brands, including several from Texas, were here to show off their latest and greatest. It was my goal to see and hear as many as possible, and to spend some quality time with them when the rooms weren't too crowded to simply enjoy the music!
---> Southwest Audio Fest's Inaugural Event.

03 / 26 / 24

SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 2
Featuring Songer Audio, Raven Audio, Avantgarde Acoustic, Ayre Acoustics, LampizatOr, Stromtank, Phasemation, and more!
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
Seeing that Songer Audio made the trip to the Southwest Audio Fest 20924 show, they demonstrated their wonderful loudspeakers was a real treat! In the room were the S1x field-coil speakers ($45,000) powered by a Trafomatic Rhapsody integrated amplifier ($19,000). Front-end duties were performed by Innuos Statement Music Server and Streamer ($18,900) and a LampizatOr Poseidon DAC ($25,000). Power was supplied by Stromtank S-2500 Quantum ($30,000). The SX1x speakers feature the new V4 Nova driver. It has redesigned steel geometry milled from ultra-low carbon steel, and the field coil pole piece is made from permendur, a hard-to-find high-flux alloy sourced from Germany.
---> SWAF 2024 Show Coverage Part 2.

Introduction To Rick Becker's Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Hundreds of photos spanning many pages coming soon!
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
As my travels to the Montreal show were wont to do, I awoke with my car covered with snow after a pleasant drive to my secret camping spot near the Canadian border. As I approached the Customs checkpoint I fell in line behind 30 cars and turned my engine off to conserve fuel. Talk about a non-porous border! After 20 minutes a man in uniform came walking down the line, talking with drivers. As it turned out, I was in line with people seeking to emigrate to Canada and he motioned for me to proceed to the far left inspection gate which is normally reserved for people with Express Passes. You don't want to get caught going through the Express Lane without an Express Pass.
---> Introduction To Rick Becker's Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report.

03 / 25 / 24

UK Inflation Rate Adds Vinyl LP Prices
The United Kingdom's Office For National Statistics has announced their adding vinyl LPs into their "Basket Of Goods And Services" that count toward inflation. According to their website, "New items are introduced to represent areas where consumer spending is significant or growing while items are removed where expenditure is low or decreasing. Some of the changes also help to rebalance the basket, adding items where we need to improve coverage or take items out where a type of product may be over-represented.... This year, vinyl records have returned to the basket after a resurgence in their popularity. This is not the first time that vinyl has been in the basket of goods; we last saw it there in 1992, only to then disappear as CDs and cassettes became more popular.... Vinyl records have experienced a resurgence in popularity, so make a return to the basket."

03 / 23 / 24

Saturday Preview! Montréal Audiofest 2024 Show Report
Enjoy an exciting selection of special sneak peek pics!
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Show Report By Rick Becker
Thanks to Rick Becker, we have a fun selection of photos taken today at the Montreal Audiofest 2024. Rick says, "Today, Saturday, I had trouble getting into a lot of rooms – had to wait for people to leave, or in some cases double back later in the day. The Industry Party tonight was a lot of fun with live music and a Disco theme. Will hit the large rooms on the lower level on Sunday and double back to some smaller rooms on the main floor that I want to see again. Lots of great gear and inviting music. I expect to visit every room though I will only comment in depth on the most interesting ones." Much more coverage coming soon. Check back daily for more!
---> Saturday Preview! Montréal Audiofest 2024 Show Report.

SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 1
Featuring Kimber Kable, YG Acoustics, Tidal, Emm Labs, Spatial Audio, Raven Audio, and more!
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
It's hard to believe, but I've been reviewing for Enjoy the Music.com for over six years. In that time I have been fortunate to listen to a lot of excellent equipment in the comfy confines of my living room. The one thing I haven't been able to do is go to a high-end audio show. Then, this fall, the stars aligned in my favor. Gary Gill and Lou Hinckley decided to start a new show here in Dallas. This is just a three-hour drive from Austin, so I was eager to go. Before I knew it, I was driving up to Dallas on a Friday morning and arrived in time to get my badge and start walking around just as the show started. Several of the big rooms on the Atrium and Mezzanine floors weren't quite ready for visitors, so I decided to start at the top and work my way down.
---> SWAF 2024 Show Report Part 1.

03 / 22 / 24

audioXpress' April 2024 Issue
Editorial: Doesn't Look Like It
An Afternoon With Menno van der Veen
A High-Performance 60-Watt Class A Amplifier Part 1
Comprehensive AC Power Controller
Hearing And Audio Part 2 — Auditory Resolution
Earbuds And Hearables State Of The Industry
Microphone Array Beamforming With Optical MEMS
Unveiling The Impact Of Ear Canal Geometry
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "While researching for this year's Earbuds and Hearables State of the Industry Market Update — a category that converges pure listening enjoyment and communications with hearing assistance and augmentation — I had to carefully review the results thus far from the much propelled over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid policy, which was supposed to drive down costs, increase access, and open up a market space for innovation in hearing aids. And unfortunately, it seems that companies are basically using that ruling to launch products that are more basic hearing aids that allow self-fitting but still look like hearing aids, and do less than the "medically prescribed" hearing aids. A few exceptions from innovators such as Eargo made us believe that something could change, gradually. The LINK by Eargo is promoted as "the first earbud-style OTC hearing aid with Bluetooth 5.3" that doesn't look like a hearing aid."
---> audioXpress' April 2024 Issue.

03 / 21 / 24

Ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 Headamp Review
A new spin on an old friend.
Review By Gary Alan Barker
I have made it no secret that I am a huge tube fan. I have also made no secret of my love of ampsandsound amplifiers. The reason is that Justin Weber is one of the few designers of his generation that gets what tube amps are all about and almost more importantly, knows what music is supposed to sound like. What tubes are all about is musicality, and in this context, musicality means dynamic, open, natural-sounding, clear, resolute, linear, organic sound without the added hard edge produced by solid-state amplification. (I have stressed this often, but what tubes are not about is rolled off highs, anemic bass, and supposed pleasantness of high THD as is the misconception of modern non-audiophile engineers.) So it was with no little excitement that I greeted the news that I would be given the opportunity to review the newest revision of the amp that started it all.
---> Ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 Headamp Review.

Rotel A12 MKII Integrated Amplifier Review
Is the Rotel A12 MKII the ideal amplifier to build a $3000 stereo system around with two great sources?
Review By Ian White
Have you ever been listening to your system and the lights go out? It's not a good feeling because there is always the risk that when the power comes back on that something will be amiss. I've used power line conditioners for almost 20 years but our experience with Hurricane Sandy here on the Shore was not a good one. My wife thinks that I missed my calling as a Weather Channel talking head because I'd scare the living crap out of everyone with my forecasts, but I had a bad feeling about Sandy with our home only blocks from the ocean and so many trees surrounding our property. We didn't tell anyone that we were expecting our third child (Jewish custom is to wait three months) at the time so it was on me to get the house ready and get anything of value out the way and on really high shelving in our garage.
---> Rotel A12 MKII Integrated Amplifier Review.

03 / 20 / 24

Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors Montréal Audiofest 2024 Exhibitor / Press Party
Enjoy the Music.com, high-performance audio's long-celebrated online publication for 29 years and a leader in providing industry news, high-end audio reviews, and luxury show reports, is pleased to announce for the third year in a row we're sponsoring Montréal Audiofest's Saturday evening Exhibitor / Press Party. We invite exhibitors and members of the press to join us for delectable drinks, marvelous music, and friendly fun! The Salon Audio Montreal Audiofest 2024, scheduled from March 22nd through 24th, will bring together over 5000 visitors who desire to see, touch, and listen to over 300 brands of high-performance audio products all under one roof. As the largest show in Canada, you may experience the very best audio/video industry manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in Canada. Within each listening room, exhibitors are elated to share their passion for music with you by demonstrating some of the world's best sound systems from $5000 to $500,000.
---> Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors Montréal Audiofest 2024 Exhibitor / Press Party.

03 / 19 / 24

Montréal Audiofest 2024 Is This Weekend!
The Salon Audio Montreal Audiofest 2024, scheduled from March 22nd through 24th, will bring together over 5000 visitors who desire seeing, touching, and listening to over 300 brands of high-performance audio products all under one roof. As the largest show in Canada, you may experience the very best audio/video industry manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in Canada. Within each listening room, exhibitors are elated to share their passion for music with you by demonstrating some of the world's best sound systems from $5000 to $500,000. Montréal Audiofest is celebrating its 35th edition in 2024 and remains the must-attend event for audiophiles and music lovers. This long-standing event has become a tradition in showcasing the very latest advances in high-technology, high-fidelity audio equipment. More than 300 brands will present their latest innovations from music streamers and high-quality headphones to cables, tweaks, loudspeakers, turntables, and much more!

This year marks the 35th edition of their popular annual meeting at the Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal. Located in the heart of downtown Quebec, the recently renovated hotel will once again be transformed into a multitude of listening rooms to accommodate thousands of music lovers and nearly 100 exhibitors, representing more than 300 brands of products from the world of high-fidelity audio. Attendees may engage with sound experts and industry insiders, immersing themselves within mindful music through some of the very finest high-performance audio systems available today.
---> See our Montréal Audiofest 2024 show report.

03 / 18 / 24

The Best-Sounding FIAE To Date!
Florida International Audio Expo 2024 high-performance audio show coverage.
SWAF 2024 Show Report By Maurice Jeffries
For me, mid-February in Central Florida usually means a two-hour road trip from Orlando to Tampa to attend the annual (and now well-established) Florida International Audio Expo (FIAE, previously FLAX – I prefer the latter as it rolls off the tongue more easily). Warm sunny days, pleasant balmy nights, great tunes, good food, and more than a few libations typically define FIAE show weekends. This year's shebang delivered most of the expected thrills, but the awful weather (wet, dreary, and cold) dampened spirits somewhat, and the venue elevators seemed even slower this year. Still, and on balance, I thought this the finest sounding FIAE yet (I've attended all but one), with a fine (if perhaps slightly smaller) cohort of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers demo'ing high-performance gear from around the globe, and at all price points.
---> The Best-Sounding FIAE To Date!

03 / 17 / 24

Preview Pics: Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report
Paul Schumann's special SWAF 2024 preview pics.
Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report By Paul Schumann
Thanks to our incredible photojournalist Paul Schumann, we have some special preview photos from the inaugural Southwest Audio Fest 2024 show in Dallas. Enjoy the Music.com's full show reports will be online shortly after the event. As always... enjoy the music!
---> Paul Schumann's SWAF 2024 Preview Photo Show Report.

03 / 13 / 24

This Weekend: Southwest Audio Fest 2024 High-Performance Audio Show
The Southwest Audio Fest (SWAF) arises from the partnership of Gary Gill and Lou Hinkley with their success of 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.
---> Southwest Audio Fest 2024 Show Report.

03 / 08 / 24

Hi-Fi+ March 2024 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: Let's Talk About The Body Shop
Computer Audio Design £675 USB Control Giveaway
Magico M7 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Aavik I-880 Integrated Amplifier
Technics SU-GX70 Integrated Networked Amplifier
McIntosh Audio Labs MA352 Hybrid Int. Amplifier
Fyne Audio F702SP Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Meze Empyrean II Headphones
Stillpoints Ultra ESS Equipment Support System
GIK Acoustics SlatFusor Room Acoustic Treatment
And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "Although the brand lives on and stores worldwide will continue, The Body Shop in the UK has gone into administration and its future is uncertain. This might seem an odd opening gambit in an editorial about audio, but there are lessons to be learned. The Body Shop was the brainchild of the late Dame Anita Roddick. Starting in 1976, Roddick launched the first Body Shop in Brighton, on the coast of Southern England, using locally-sourced skin care products in recyclable bottles and with minimal hype. The concept took off and quickly became a national and international success. The Body Shop's failure in the UK speaks of many things that plague audio companies. The company suffered greatly after the passing of the founder. It became part of a larger brand, was spun out to venture capitalists and lost its identity. And perhaps most importantly for the brand, it traded on past glories." See what's within the March 2024 issue of Hi-Fi+ magazine.

03 / 07 / 24

Pass Laboratories XP-22 Line Pre & XP-27 Phono Pre Review
Colossal soundstage and the pinpoint imagining prowess!
Review By Tom Lyle
I began to assemble my first "real" audio system while still in high school. I made it chiefly from DIY components and other "vintage" gear I could scrounge from friends and family. At that time, I don't think I heard anyone use the term "audiophile." All I knew was that I wanted to hear music at home on a better system than the mass-market stuff sold at department stores. This was also about the same time I discovered a high-end audio showroom near my parent's suburban home. Every once in a while, I would quietly enter their store. There was no way I would have been able to sit in the comfy chair in front of one of the active displays and listen to a system. But I did walk among the array of components on display, and when no one was looking, turn the knobs up and down and flip the switches on the front panels of a component or two while it was muted or its power was off.
---> Pass Labs XP-22 Line Pre & XP-27 Phono Preamplifier Review.

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

03 / 06 / 24

Exciting News: Florida International Audio Expo 2025
This just in from the Florida International Audio Expo: On the heels of its biggest FIAE 2024 show to date, the Florida International Audio Expo is pleased to announce date and venue changes for next year's show, to take place Friday through Sunday, February 21st through 23rd at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel.

"We've had a tremendous run with the Embassy Suites, and we appreciate their taking a chance with us as a new show in 2018, coupled with the unique challenges of hosting an audio show," said Managing Partner Bart Andeer. "There aren't many venues that want to deal with such an event, and the team at Embassy Suites did a wonderful job of accommodating us as best they could. But we've steadily grown our attendee and exhibitor participation, and have simply outgrown that venue. Our new venue will offer more options for larger exhibitor spaces and a suitable marketplace area. We sold out of 2024 exhibitor space ahead of schedule, and had to turn away several companies due to the lack of options. We anticipate welcoming many more new companies to the exhibitor mix in 2025, as well as the return of many of our amazing current partners!"

The Sheraton Tampa Brandon offers a complimentary shuttle to any destination within three miles of the hotel, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Hotel reservations will be available soon. For more information, visit the Florida International Audio Expo's website, which will also be updated with new information soon. Companies interested in becoming a 2025 exhibitor should contact Bart Andeer to access early exhibit registration discounts for a limited time.

03 / 05 / 24

AES Event: Dolby Atmos Experience
Tonight from 5 PM to 7 PM is the Audio Engineering Society's special Dolby Atmos Experience at the Dolby Headquarters located at 1275 Market Street in San Francisco, CA. According to the AES, "Join Dolby's Head of Music Partnerships Christine Thomas and team, together with the AES San Francisco Section, for an exciting look into the latest developments within the Dolby Atmos music ecosystem. Learn about updates to the music creation tools and native integration into leading DAW's, plus an overview of the latest in services and devices, including automobiles and much more. Guests will hear a selection of Dolby Atmos music in the cinema and Mercedes S-Class automobile. Presentations will include a demonstration of Dolby Atmos music mixing workflows, tips and insights featuring Dolby veteran mixer Erik Foreman. Q&A to follow." 

Christine Thomas is the Head of Music Partnerships for Dolby Laboratories, leading strategy and business development for music industry enablement. Christine works closely with major and independent labels, distribution partners, studios, and creatives to facilitate the adoption of Dolby Atmos technologies for Music. Erik Foreman is an immersive audio expert, consultant, and educator. He worked in-house at Dolby Labs for eight years, where he created and demonstrated showcase material for consumer experiences of all kinds, for all types of content. Foreman was a sound designer and re-recording mixer at Skywalker Sound for 16 years prior. 

03 / 04 / 24

Chester Group's London, UK, And Edinburgh 2024 Shows
The Chester Group, a specialist in International Home Technology Shows who have been a pioneering business keeping step with consumer electronics, produce three extensive luxury events that reach the entire UK marketplace. Their reputation has been built on selecting the very best venues, maintaining independence in the marketplace, and ensuring an exceptional value too. On April 20th and 21st is their London Audio Show at the famous Heathrow Radisson Red. During October 5th and 6th is The Chester Group's UK Audio Show at the Staverton Hotel. Following that is their November 9th and 10th event at the Double Tree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport.

All Chester Group shows are being remastered during 2024 and via a host of brand new features, which is set to draw in new attendees. For exhibitors, the Chester Group is still the only organizer that provides a complete attendance package, which includes B&B and daily concessions. For attendees, right now is the perfect time to take advantage of Early Bird tickets, which are said to be selling fast due to the Chester Group's reputation for delivering he friendliest consumer shows on the calendar. "Shows are perhaps the best way to truly experience how incredible your favorite music sounds, "says Enjoy the Music.com. "Thanks to The Chester Group high-performance audio shows for providing a family-friendly space for both the exhibitors and attending music lovers alike." Learn more and get your tickets at this link.

03 / 01 / 24

March High-Performance Audio Review Magazine
This month we're featuring our extensive Florida International Audio Expo 2024 show report that highlights many pages filled with everything from moderately-priced to price-is-no-object audio equipment. Roger Skoff's editorial The Most Expensive Component discusses something that's not what you think it is. High-performance home audio equipment reviews include the Avantgarde Acoustic UNO SD hornspeaker, as Senior Editor Tom Lyle feels the luckiest he's ever felt when reviewing these impressive speakers. Our AGD DUET GaN-Power monoblock amplifier review from Dr. Michael Bump defines your artistic sensibilities. For more creative speaker enthusiasts, you'll want to read Dr. Jules Coleman's Eminent Technology LFT8c loudspeaker review. From our good friends overseas, we have an expert assessment of the Vinshine Audio Denafrips Arce Hi-Res Music Streamer that delivers music into your home without obstructions or interfering with your favorite tunes. 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!

Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report
Florida's Fantastic International Audio Exposition In Tampa.
The funtastic Florida International Audio Expo 2024 took place from February 16th through 18th at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore Hotel. Attendees enjoyed their experience on 12 floors' filled with great luxury sound gear produced by the world's leading premium high-performance audio brands. As their exciting fifth annual Florida International Audio Expo, this was the opportunity for audio and music aficionados to discover this sensational showcase of products that includes home and desktop stereo systems, record players / turntables, headphones, loudspeakers, digital audio music streamers, Hi-Res Audio DACs, cables, amplifiers and more!
---> Florida International Audio Expo 2024 Show Report.

The Most Expensive Component
It's not what you think it is but what you think it is.
Article By Roger Skoff
What would you say if I told you that the most expensive thing about your system might not be what you think it is? No, I'm not thinking of your listening room, although, from a physical standpoint, that might certainly be true, and it might even be the subject of some future article. It's not your collection of records, CDs, and master tapes, either, even though that, too, might at one time have been the case. Instead, for altogether too many people (not you and I, of course) the most expensive thing about their system is one or more of the mistaken assumptions they might have made in putting it together. Many years ago I had the opportunity to visit the home of a wealthy audiophile who had a great love of music and an essentially unlimited budget for a system to play it on. His entire home was designed around his sound room, which was HUGE – probably 25 or so feet wide by 40 or 50 feet long, with a flat ceiling that must have been at least ten or twelve feet high.
---> The Most Expensive Component.

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

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

Eminent Technology LFT8c Loudspeaker Review
Dipole done well.
Review By Jules Coleman
If you are not familiar with Bruce Thigpen, it's time you were. Bruce has been among the more creative and innovative designers in the audio industry over the past forty years. He began his career by working on what was to become the Infinity turntable, which he followed with the classic and much-admired ET 2 linear tracking tonearm (parts and updates are still available for the model 1, ET-2 and ET- 2.5), before turning his attention to magnetic planar loudspeakers. Beginning with the full-range planar LFT3, he ultimately shifted focus to hybrid designs featuring planar mid and high-frequency drivers mated with traditional cone drivers to handle the lower frequencies. The shift in focus led to the development of the LFT-8 introduced in 1989 and then widely distributed beginning in 1990, the transformative version of which, LFT-8c, is the subject of this review.
---> Eminent Technology LFT8c Loudspeaker Review.

Vinshine Audio Denafrips Arce Hi-Res Music Streamer Review
Streams music without obstructions or interfering with your favorite tunes.
Review By Neven Kos Of HiFiMedia
After Alvin Chee, the owner of the company Vinshine Audio, searched for the past year and a half on his YouTube channel for the best streamer for Denafrips D/A converters, Denafrips introduced its music streamer called Arce (twin sister of the rainbow goddess Iris in Greek mythology). The primary focus in the design of this streamer was the quality of playback, so at Denafrips they developed their computer platform instead of resorting to existing ones, such as PC platform, Raspberry Pi, or something else already existing. The computer part of the streamer is based on the Quad-Core ARM Cortex processor, high-precision oscillators, and a power supply built after the 60VA toroidal transformer. There are also low-noise and fast linear regulators, and unlike many others that resort to existing and available solutions or use standard computer solutions and operating systems, Denafrips has also developed its operating system optimized precisely for music playback.
---> Vinshine Audio Denafrips Arce Hi-Res Music Streamer Review.

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