AXPONA 2024

[JohnVF]

Sunday is the window I have for this thing, and I'll probably be spending a lot of time in the Krell space as my friend is running it and is begging me to hang out with him. Other than that, I just want to talk to the Darlington Labs folks and then see what any vendors are selling. If I can find Devore or Leben anywhere I'll be into that. Otherwise... ? There are about 100 places I'd rather be, though that's not a comment on anybody here .

 

[BobInWi]

I'll be planning a top-down route so I can avoid the elevators as much as possible.

Good idea. I didn't think of that.

 

[Rudy]

There are about 100 places I'd rather be, though that's not a comment on anybody here .

I honestly am not all that gung ho for the audio part, but...I committed to helping out, so...🤷‍♂️ I'm anticipating seeing friends and acquaintances, though. And dinner.

I'll also be that weirdo who goes to retrieve a wrap and drink out of my refrigerator in the parking lot. 😁 (Yes...I do have one...and a portable power unit to keep it running when the car is off.)

Just reading through the deluge of press releases I've been getting the past two weeks is astonishing. You would think there are these great, massive gains to be found, and everything is a must-see. Yet I can't judge, since these are just companies trying to sell their products. I'm just not into that stuffy audiophile thing. And I've challenged myself to find some components that normal folks can afford.

One manufacturer I look forward to seeing is Fern & Roby. Most (or all?) of their products are handcrafted, and they always have something unique. And maybe I'll stop and see Schiit, and make schiit dad jokes like I always do. 🤦‍♂️

 

[Wntrmute2]

The pair of Devores I heard a few years ago were divine. I almost came home with the show demo pair.

 

[Rudy]

Good idea. I didn't think of that.

The elevator waits can eat up a good portion of time. They're usually packed, and there are lines, especially on the first and second floor. Last time, they had an "express" elevator to the top floors but I think I only saw it make an appearance once. There's often a big rush at 10am when the show opens. Ride up, walk down--that's how I try to do it, unless I want to see a specific presentation. Or get food. 😁 Vending machines were $4 for a soda last year.

 

[JohnVF]

I honestly am not all that gung ho for the audio part, but...I committed to helping out, so...🤷‍♂️ I'm anticipating seeing friends and acquaintances, though. And dinner.

I'll also be that weirdo who goes to retrieve a wrap and drink out of my refrigerator in the parking lot. 😁 (Yes...I do have one...and a portable power unit to keep it running when the car is off.)

Just reading through the deluge of press releases I've been getting the past two weeks is astonishing. You would think there are these great, massive gains to be found, and everything is a must-see. Yet I can't judge, since these are just companies trying to sell their products. I'm just not into that stuffy audiophile thing. And I've challenged myself to find some components that normal folks can afford.

One manufacturer I look forward to seeing is Fern & Roby. Most (or all?) of their products are handcrafted, and they always have something unique. And maybe I'll stop and see Schiit, and make schiit dad jokes like I always do. 🤦‍♂️

I actually like looking at the gear more than listening to a lot of it. At least, some of it, as its so beautifully crafted. I haven't heard anything at a show (well, I haven't been to one since maybe 2017) that really blew me away, though I've heard some great gear. I more remember the things I didn't like, like the Kef Blades at a previous show, or some horrible full-range drivers in one room at RMAF.

 

[Rudy]

I actually like looking at the gear more than listening to a lot of it. At least, some of it, as its so beautifully crafted. I haven't heard anything at a show (well, I haven't been to one since maybe 2017) that really blew me away, though I've heard some great gear. I more remember the things I didn't like, like the Kef Blades at a previous show, or some horrible full-range drivers in one room at RMAF.

Same here actually. And the rooms at these shows don't do the components justice. Having heard some speakers at the show, and then hearing them at the manufacturer's own listening room, it was like two different systems. It's almost worth not listening, in some cases.

As for notable likes and dislikes. I recall when the Wilson Alexx was unveiled. Holy crap--the press was gushing over them. I found the system so ear-piercingly bright I bailed from the room less than a minute after I arrived. But the "million dollar" system with the Von Schweikert Ultra 11s, a bank of VAC amps, and a front-end I can't even remember...with a large-scale orchestral piece playing the sound was so effortless and real...I enjoyed my time in there, and regretted missing an after-hours listening party they hosted. (It was presented by The Audio Company from Georgia.)

 

[JohnVF]

Same here actually. And the rooms at these shows don't do the components justice. Having heard some speakers at the show, and then hearing them at the manufacturer's own listening room, it was like two different systems. It's almost worth not listening, in some cases.

As for notable likes and dislikes. I recall when the Wilson Alexx was unveiled. Holy crap--the press was gushing over them. I found the system so ear-piercingly bright I bailed from the room less than a minute after I arrived. But the "million dollar" system with the Von Schweikert Ultra 11s, a bank of VAC amps, and a front-end I can't even remember...with a large-scale orchestral piece playing the sound was so effortless and real...I enjoyed my time in there, and regretted missing an after-hours listening party they hosted. (It was presented by The Audio Company from Georgia.)

I recall a million dollar setup with VAC amps at RMAF, but I think it was with Focal Grand Utopias? It was an amazing setup, really felt like a full scale orchestra. But it was also great in that I realized that ... I didn't need that. That my own setup did enough to transport me, that a million dollars didn't get me an experience that was much more emotionally satisfying that what I already had. So, in that way, it was great to hear that setup. My system didn't sound like that one, but those million dollars weren't buying anything I couldn't live without.

 

[Rudy]

My system didn't sound like that one, but those million dollars weren't buying anything I couldn't live without.

Same.

It is nice to hear a properly set up system and have it sound so good in a show environment, though. Just experiencing it at someone else's expense is good enough for me.

 

[JohnVF]

The pair of Devores I heard a few years ago were divine. I almost came home with the show demo pair.

View attachment 77215View attachment 77216View attachment 77217

Devore was one of only 3 rooms that I remember from the last Axpona I went to 10 years ago.

 

[BobInWi]

great, massive gains to be found, and everything is a must-see

Haven't been in a while but I remember the Auto Show & Boat Show being the same.
The hype is part of the experience.
Pity the poor souls who mistake it for objective information.

Also, & I assume most already know this, there is a spreadsheet w the exhibitors list & room available for download.
Seems this is more complete than some of the other vendor lists.

 

[Rudy]

Here's the spreadsheet:

Exhibitors - AXPONA

Exhibitor List AXPONA 2024 Exhibitors and Brands List Locations: Listening Rooms: Room Numbers run from 304 to 1645, and also include names (ie Schaumburg, Utopia) Ear Gear Expo: Locations start with the number 8 (ie. 8101, 8201) The Expo Hall: Locations start with with number 9 (ie. 9307...

axpona.com

I just downloaded it and put it in OneDrive so I can retrieve it on the go. 👍

 

[Rudy]

Mobile-friendly version of the show and directory. Once you access it on your phone or tablet, save it to your home screen.

AXPONA

axpona.myshowapp.com

 

[MikeT.]

I gave in and will attend on Saturday. Arrive 9am and leave whenever I get bored or they kick me out.
Anyone going Saturday? Love to meet some Havenites.

 

[MikeT.]

The elevator waits can eat up a good portion of time. They're usually packed, and there are lines, especially on the first and second floor. Last time, they had an "express" elevator to the top floors but I think I only saw it make an appearance once. There's often a big rush at 10am when the show opens. Ride up, walk down--that's how I try to do it, unless I want to see a specific presentation. Or get food. 😁 Vending machines were $4 for a soda last year.

Ride up, walk down. Very easy and I get my steps in.

 

[Rudy]

I will sometimes walk up a single floor if I need to.

I need to remember to check my watch throughout the day to see how many steps and miles I get in. 😁

Arrive 9am and leave whenever I get bored or they kick me out.
Anyone going Saturday? Love to meet some Havenites.

We've got a lot to cover, but usually nobody can do much until the exhibitors open up around 10am. So I usually hang around the lobby, or Schaumburg A, before it opens, and I may try to head up to the top around 9:45am.

If you see anyone in a Cardas t-shirt (black with a copper nautilus logo, or black with a turntable strobe on it), chances are it might be me. I don't work for Cardas, but they've always had the coolest t-shirts... 😁

 

[airdronian]

Not that I'll be going, but if I did here's what I would try to see:

Acora Acoustics
Acoustic Sounds
Aidas Cartridges
Audio by Van Alstine
Audio Note
Audio Thesis
Ayre Acoustics
Clayton Shaw Acoustic Lab
Darlington Labs
darTZeel ( maybe even run into @Jerome Sabbagh )
Devore
Diptyque
J. Sikora
Legacy Audio
Linear Tube Audio
Marten Loudspeakers
Pass Labs
Perlisten
ProAc
QLN
Rogue Audio
Rutherford Audio
SOTA Turntables
Soulnote
SPL
Stenheim
Sumiko
Supatrac
Tannoy
Tone Imports
Trafomatic
Triode
Van den Hul
VK Music
Wally Tools
Worldwide Wholesales
Wynn Audio
Yamaha
Zesto
Zu

That should make for a pretty full day I think.

 

[Rudy]

One I like seeing is DS Audio, who makes the optical carts. Interesting technology. Way outside my budget (as is 95% of what is sold there) but I can dream.

One I'll miss seeing is Eikon Audio--that was the company Gayle Sanders started after he retired from MartinLogan. The speakers sounded excellent even in a demo room. Sad thing is, I haven't heard a word about him or his company in a couple of years, and I heard even his social media presence hasn't been posted to in a while. Gayle is always a pleasure to chat with.

 

[MikeT.]

Not that I'll be going, but if I did here's what I would try to see:

Acora Acoustics
Acoustic Sounds
Aidas Cartridges
Audio by Van Alstine
Audio Note
Audio Thesis
Ayre Acoustics
Clayton Shaw Acoustic Lab
Darlington Labs
darTZeel ( maybe even run into @Jerome Sabbagh )
Devore
Diptyque
J. Sikora
Legacy Audio
Linear Tube Audio
Marten Loudspeakers
Pass Labs
Perlisten
ProAc
QLN
Rogue Audio
Rutherford Audio
SOTA Turntables
Soulnote
SPL
Stenheim
Sumiko
Supatrac
Tannoy
Tone Imports
Trafomatic
Triode
Van den Hul
VK Music
Wally Tools
Worldwide Wholesales
Wynn Audio
Yamaha
Zesto
Zu

That should make for a pretty full day I think.

I’m using your list. 😀

 

[MikeT.]

outside my budget (as is 95% of what is sold there) but I can dream.

Yep!