[caption id="attachment_5233" align="alignnone" width="1080"] These Larsen 8s were a surprise treat. I didn't expect this amount of depth and width with speakers placed directly against a wall. Amazingly articulate and quick with the proper amount of sparkle.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5235" align="alignnone" width="1080"] My favorite pair of headphones: The Abyss Phi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5237" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The Monitor Audio Silver 300s ($2,000/pair) sounded great for the money. Fantastic bass output for small tower with sweet and palpable mids. Paired with Roksan's entire K3 Series electronics, which include the K3 Integrated Amp, CD Player, DAC, Power Amp, and the Roksan Radius 7 turntable.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5239" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Rouge Audio RH-5: Great sounding headphone amp. Super punchy and clean.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5243" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Tannoy Revolution XT 8F - Lush and punchy. Performs beyond the $2,600 price.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5242" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Bricasti's M12 dual mono source controller and M1 stereo D/A.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5253" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The Tidal Akira ($215,000/pair). Probably the most lavish looking speaker at the show and has the sound to back it up. I thought I was listening to vinyl record. All digital baby.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5259" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The awkward looking arrangement with the affordable Definitive Technology BP 2000TL speakers paired with a $30k+ Merging NADAC stack...I was thoroughly impressed. Well-textured, dynamic bass, velvety mids, and a surprising level of resolution.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5269" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Focal debuts the Kanta No. 2. I actually like the yellow. Brilliant and detailed with speed and image precision.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5262" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The Krell room with the Focal Sopra No.3 ($20,000/pair) sounded more fluid and warmer than I had expected (a good thing). Krell Vanguard Universal DAC ($4,500), Krell Duo 300 stereo amplifier ($9,500), Audio Question Niagara 7000 AC conditioner ($7,995)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5234" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Larsen 8 loudspeakers ($6,995/pair)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5236" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Woo Audio WA33 fully balanced headphone and preamp. All-tube design, Class-A, output transformer coupled. ($7,999)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5238" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Checkin' out them beautiful AB-1266s.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5240" align="alignnone" width="1080"] First developed in 1947, TANNOY developed the first true point-source transducer – the Dual Concentric driver.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5245" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Bricasti Design and Wilson Benesch A.C.T. One Evolution loudspeakers ($38,800/pair)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5246" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Avantgarde Acoustic Zero 1 XD ($22,000)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5248" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Bel Canto Black EX[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5251" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Tidal Piano Diacera G2 loudspeakers ($33,990)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5272" align="alignnone" width="1080"] B&W 802 D3 with Moon stack.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5270" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Simaudio Moon 780D, MQA-compatible, streaming DAC ($15,000)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5258" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Alta Hestia Titanium ($32,000)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5266" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Micromega M-One M150 ($7,499) - The most minimalistic setup at the show. An extremely versatile all-in-one amplifier paired with IsoAcoustics GAIA I and Focal Sopra No2 loudspeakers ($13,999). Just plug your source and speakers and enjoy. Great sound for the price.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5254" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Zesto Audio: Marten Django L speakers ($9,000), Allasso step-up transformer ($2,995), Leto 1.5 tube preamp ($7,500), Eros 300 class-A monoblocks ($19,900/pair), Merrill-Williams Audio Real 101.2 turntable ($5,995).[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5261" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The Italian Rosso Fiorentino Volterra ($12,995)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5252" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The Tidal Akira in standard black ($215,000/pair)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5250" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Tidal Presencio ($77,990 with phonostage)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5255" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Merril Williams The Rubber Elastomeric Acoustic Laminate. (R.E.A.L.) 101.2 Turntable ($5,995)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5274" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Audioengine HD3 powered bookshelf speakers ($399/pair)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5267" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Micromega M-One 150 ($7,495)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5265" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Mark Levinson room[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5275" align="alignnone" width="1080"] IsoAcoustics Gaia I - I use a few of their products for my nearfields. The Gaia's are a different beast altogether.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5279" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Probably the tiniest wireless speakers at the show. Love the style and simplicity.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5291" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Paradigm's Persona was ferocious in bass quantity. I was surprised there wasn't a sub in the room! It was definitely one of the more engaging and fun rooms to be in.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5300" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The Sonoma Model One (M1) Electrostatic Headphones + DAC. The best all-in-one electrostatic headphone on the market.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5304" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Chord brought out their venerable Blu Mk2 M-Scaler and provided the most musical resolution of any setup at the show.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5286" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Acoustic Zen Crescendo MK II full range speakers ($24,000) with Convergent Audio Technology (CAT) electronics.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5298" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Wavelength Audio - Secant DAC ($5,000), Plasma Signature speakers ($20,000/pair)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5281" align="alignnone" width="1080"] The SVS Room with Dolby Atmos demo. I love SVS gear but this tiny room just wasn't conducive to an immersive surround experience.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5305" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Elac Adante AF-61 loudspeakers ($5,000). Obviously one of the best values in speakers these days.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5285" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Pro-Ject had a huge presence at the show. https://www.listenup.com/listenup-at-rocky-mountain-audio-fest/[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5283" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Pro-Ject Xtension 10 Evolution ($3,894 USD)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5292" align="alignnone" width="1080"] These BMS drivers sounded superb. Might pick up some for a DIY project.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5276" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Aurender High Fidelity Wireless Speaker ($3,000/pair). Uses a 18V hardware store battery for 50 hours of continuous playback.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5302" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Elac's Alchemy DMP-1 digital media player and PS-5 upgraded power supply.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5301" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Elac's Alchemy preamp/DAC/headphone amp ($1,999.98) and PS-5 upgraded power supply.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5299" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Gordon Rankin's Wavelength amplifiers...[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5297" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Studio Electric's FSX (starting at $9,500) and m4 loudspeakers ($2,750/pair, $2,400 without grills)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5288" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Anthem ARC-enabled STR integrated amplifier ($4,499) powering the Paradigm Persona 3F ($10,000)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5294" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Modwright Ambrose A30 Class A, SE, 30W tube monoblocks ($16,000)[/caption]