Reviewers View, Florida Audio Expo 2020, AVShowrooms Show Highlights

Acora Acoustics:
Exhibiting with the SRC-1 loudspeaker driven by the VAC Statement 450 iQ monoblocks, Val Cora walks us through his very impressive system for the AVShowrooms’ video. We played a track called “Earth Drums” on the digital front end to prove what a speaker made from granite can do. The sound was detailed with lightning-fast transient response and perfect bass integration. Associated equipment included a Transrotor turntable and a VAC Master Preamp with phonostage. Cables by Cardas.

Black Ice/Jolida:
Jerred Dunkerson walks us through the system and introduces a groundbreaking product designed by Jim Fosgate, the Fusion F360 preamplifier. In the AVShowrooms’ video Jerred performs an A/B test and first we hear Anette Askvik’s track, “Liberty” without any EQ. The exhibit room had no treatment and a good deal of slap-echo was apparent. Next, we played the identical track with the EQ and there was no echo. The soundstage opened up with improved bass integration and live-sounding tonality.

Classic Audio, Purist Audio Design:
John Wolff gives us a room walk-around naming the components including the Classic Audio T3 loudspeakers. Also, something new from Purist Audio Design, Jim Aud talks about the Corvus Diamond A/C chord connected to the preamplifier and the Corvus Diamond balanced cable for the reel to reel. We debuted “Killing me Softly” from Anne Bisson’s latest album “Keys to my Heart” on LP. The system delivered a huge soundstage with detailed and delicate vocals along with excellent tone. No shout, whatsoever. Amplification by Atma-Sphere.

Daedalus, Lampizator and Wywires:
There is no doubt that this trio makes beautiful music together, but joining forces with the VAC (Valve Amplification Company) Statement 450i IQ integrated amplifier is a game changer. This room had everything. Atmosphere, unrivaled reverb, dynamics and pinpoint imaging. Dead Can Dance’s Lisa Gerrard’s voice filled the room when playing the track “The Wind that Shakes the Barley”.

High End by Oz, United Home Audio:
Ozan Turan, proprietor, debuts the new Audio Solutions Virtuoso S loudspeakers. The associated equipment included United Home Audio’s Ultima 4 tape deck with the proprietary tape head, Vitus Audio electronics and Synergistic Research cabling. The system delivered atmospheric information from the track “The Carnival is Over” from Dead can Dance’s “Into the Labyrinth” encompassing the room. The sound was rich and vivid with standout imaging.

High Fidelity Cables:
Playing “Robots” from Kraftwerk is always exciting, but listening to it on the High Fidelity Cables system at the Florida Audio Expo 2020 was extraordinary. The system delivered phenomenal imaging with major impact. Holographic, atmospheric and nothing less than mind-blowing.

House of Stereo:
Joe Parvey, proprietor of House of Stereo and Wolf Audio Systems, joins forces with John McGurk of Audioshield introducing stellar new audio equipment to AVShowrooms’ viewers and show attendees.
Most impressive was the new Wolf Audio Systems new server, the Alpha 3SX. Joe gives us a full description of how the server works and its extensive technology. Another great discovery was the Credo 3-way loudspeaker from Switzerland. We streamed Anette Askvik’s track “Liberty” and the sound delivered was atmospheric, dead quiet without any digital artifacts, and with brilliant tone. The best I’ve heard this recording, anywhere, ever. A great sounding room; one to be coveted. Included in the room were the EMMLabs electronics, VPI turntable with a van den Hul cartridge and van den Hul cabling.

Legacy Audio:
Bill Dudleston, proprietor of Legacy Audio, talks all about his latest technology in the new i.V7 amplifier and explains the advantages of the Wavelet processor. We played the track “Robots” from the Kraftwerk CD on the Aeris loudspeakers and were treated to perfect bass impact and incredible imaging and spatiality.

Spatial Audio, Linear Tube Audio:
Hands down, one of the best sounding exhibit rooms at the Florida Audio Expo 2020. Clayton Shaw introduces his new 2 ½ way, open baffle loudspeaker, the M3 Sapphire. The Loudspeakers were driven by LTA’s (Linear Tube Audio) new Z10 integrated tube amplifier. What a great combination. The track we played was “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Tracy Chapman and Buddy Guy and the sound was explosive, detailed yet warm with lots of punch. Overall, musical believably as if in the best seat at a concert. Associated equipment included Lampizator and Anticables, cabling.

Synergistic Research:
Ted Denney, Proprietor, struts his stuff with another successful A/B test. This time with his new MiG SX footers for beneath your audio components employing UEF technology and more as you’ll see on the AVShowrooms’ video. We played the track “Song of the Stars” from Dead Can Dance. There was no doubt that with footers in place the sound stage opened up, imaging and layering were quite apparent and the detail and musicality were in full bloom. And, viewers, check out the new UEF record weight.

VAC/Von Schweikert – The Audio Company:
What a treat to listen in this room to Michel Jonasz on CD. The system delivered mind-blowing dynamics and pinpoint, holographic imaging. Included in the room were the Von Schweikert Ultra-11 loudspeakers, Valve Amplification Company’s (VAC) 452 iQ monoblocks, the Critical Mass top-of-the-line Olympus V-12 rack and Maxxum stand, Masterbuilt Ultra cables, Kronos turntable with the Black Beauty tonearm and Aurender and Esoteric electronics. The sound was concert-like with amazing dynamic range and impact.