RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Thrax, Sutherland and EnKlein
I like Dave Kleinbeck of EnKlein Cables. A lot. That dude is smart as hell and has a sense of humor rare in this industry. That is, he’s completely bent. That sort of combo needs […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Wyred 4 Sound and Ampzilla
The upscale Emerald Physics EP-2.7 loudspeakers ($9k; offered at an on-site special price of $6k/pair) were clad in an inky black. This speaker features an upgraded concentric mid/woofer and tweeter array over the more pedestrian […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Emerald Physics conquers the room
Emerald Physics, the brand known for flat-panel, DSP-controlled, open-baffle loudspeakers has been crushing audio show demos for several years now. Part of their success is due, no doubt, to the fact that they digitally correct […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Salk and Van Alstine, top of their game
Salk Signature Sound was showing off the new Exotica 3 ($11,995), wearing some different veneers over the last time I saw it at CAF. This is latest exotic permutation derived form the SEAS Exotica line, and […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Chapman Audio Systems impresses again
Chapman Audio Systems speakers have impressed me over the past couple of years with the consistent solid authority of their sound. These are speakers that rock, and they tend to do so no matter what […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Raidho Brings Diamonds From Denmark
by John Stancavage Once the crowds arrive for the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, the Marriott Tech Center’s elevators tend to get overwhelmed. Or at least it seems that way. Especially on the tower side, where […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Audiokinesis splashes ceiling, room, with colorful sound
The PTA team, such as it is, tends to bend each others ears as we nurse our morning hangovers. What’s good? What’s bad? Does anyone have any spare antacids? Is there more coffee? Please, God, […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: B.M.C. Audio and PureMedia
Both Gary Alpern of True Audiophile and the man himself, Carlos Candeias of B.M.C., were on hand to show off the full extent of B.M.C.’s “Pure” line. I wrote about how impressed I was with […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Nola drums up interest
by John Stancavage No member of the Beatles is more polarizing for his perceived talent than Ringo Starr. On one side, there’s the camp who insists he wasn’t much better than your average undisciplined pub […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Hawthorne and Core Audio Technology
I’ve wanted to shake Darrel Hawthorne’s hand for years now. Anyone who so proudly carries the banners of “big, high-efficiency speakers” and “DIY” is on the side of the angels as far as I’m concerned. […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Peachtree, Zu Get Their Groove On
by John Stancavage I like to attend a weekly Sunday lunch in my hometown where someone from the local vinyl club spins LPs all afternoon. I’m probably pushing the age limit a bit, since the […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Daedalus, ModWright and Skogrand Cables step forward
Scott Dalzell of Viva Hifi was reprising his CAF setup here at RMAF, with the “little” Daedalus Audio loudspeakers, the Muse v2 ($7,850, now with Stillpoints footers). These speakers, set kitty-corner across part of the […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Tub’s and the M-Supreme
Toby Shaughnessy of Tub’s Audio is a really unassuming guy. He’s extremely casual and when I first met him, it never occurred to me that he was the designer for the visually distracting loudspeakers I was listening […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Odyssey and the well-tempered demo
I’m a fan of Klaus Bunge and his brand, Odyssey Audio. Klaus has been killing it in the high-end of late, bringing together modestly priced systems that perform in all manner of immodest ways. Shown […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Burwell & Sons, Raven & Mytek
It’s strange going to a show to report on something you’ve reviewed. There’s an emotional investment in the quality of the room that just doesn’t exist for most products. You want to hear something at […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Staring into the Abyss
I got to meet Joe Skubinski of JPS Labs and Abyss Headphones at RMAF this year, which was fun after spending so much time this year with his flagship headphones, the Abyss AB-1266. I was […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Blackbird sends Axis to woo Denver
Blackbird Audio Gallery of Santee CA was there in spirit, even if the incomparable Dan Muzquiz decided to skip out for the flimsiest of excuses. Really, Dan? You think your son’s wedding is more important […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Groovin’ to Mojo Audio
You gotta love Ben Zwickel of Mojo Audio. The guy is so clearly into the nooks and crannies of audio’s high-end that it practically jumps off of him in sparks. Mojo, in case you don’t […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Sandy Gross shows off his new GoldenEar
Sandy Gross used RMAF this year as an opportunity to embarrass the general market segment. Again. The question of whether or not you can successfully make and sell a full-range, room-friendly, loudspeaker for under $10k […]
RMAF 2014
RMAF 2014: Audio Note UK, on tape
There are a few rooms at these shows I can nearly always count on to bring it in terms of a comfortable, pleasant listening experience: not gosh-wow fireworks or the kind of thing that sounds […]