Axpona

The best sound at the show for me was the Accoustic Zen Cresendo
speakers paired with Triode of Japan 845 mono amps. This room is
spectacular sounding.... so musical and engaging. Nothing to my ears was
as emotionally arresting. Maybe the Audionote room got 80% there.

The mega dollar rooms were a tad underwhelming for me. This was my first
show in 28 years and very educational. I could not sit for more than 5
minutes in the Magico room.

However the Triode Corporation of Japan 845 amps paired with their $3200
preamp and $3200 CD player feeding the Cresendo speakers was a
complete joy. My wife and I could not get enough of this room.

Mr. Robert Lee of Accoustic Zen is a gracious room host and humble
gentleman.

Anyone hear the Magico room how was it??

Grannyring,
+1 your observations of the Acoustic Zen/Triode Corp amps. I have had the
pleasure of hearing this combination on three separate occasions and each
time it was a thrilling experience. Just plain beautiful sounding music
reproduction. I also share your feeling regarding the Magicos, I know what
you mean. It seems we both must hear things in a very similar fashion.
Charles,

I like the Raidho/Scan Sonic room largely because Lars Kristensen's demonstrations, and his contradictions of some basic playback philosophies of other manufactures/presenters I just heard. Right or wrong, here or there, it was an engaging room.

Sad to say, but I never heard digital sound so smooth as Bricasti/Tidal room. YG Carmel 2 (aggravating price increase), Sanders Sound, and surprisingly the Harbeth HL5 plus/Rossi were the most enjoyable to me. Volti was as good as I have heard from horn speakers.

The 12th floor megabuck rooms were all boring, which is a little depressing. Sonus Faber and dynaudio based systems never did that much for me. First time hearing magico.

The Scan Sonic room was very good and that line of speakers a great value! Yes, the 12th floor with the big dollar systems was boring and disappointing.

Charles, I would like that exact Triode & Accoustic Zen system transported to my room.

Ebm, that was funny. I meant the sound made me want to leave the room quickly as it was nervous and irritating sounding.