By Juan C. Ayllon
SCHAUMBURG, IL -- I was soldering a pair of high end Mundorf capacitors into my digital to analog converter several months ago, when the scent of the molten silver alloy took me back to 1972. Then 11, I watched with wonder as my late father, solder iron in hand, fused components onto a circuit board of a HeathKit receiver. It was meticulous, but rewarding, producing wondrous music in our living room for years. He was an engineer, after all. That HeathKit, anchored by a Garrard turntable, introduced me to FM radio and instilled a love for music and its reproduction. The editor-in-chief of Stereophile Magazine, John Atkinson, set up his first stereo 50 years ago and, on the weekend of April 13th through the 15th, will serve as keynote at AXPONA (Audio Expo North America), where he will speak on the evolution of his system and tastes, as well as today’s high fidelity audio market. His presentation is one of many attractions bringing together dealers, distributors and manufacturers with thousands of audio engineers, musicians and audio lovers alike in this, the marquee U.S. high end audio show.
“We are excited to welcome attendees to AXPONA’s new home at the Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center,” Liz Miller, VP, Event Director says.
You heard that right: AXPONA is showing in Schaumburg, the mega retail hub of Chicago’s northwest suburbs and, fittingly, it’s their largest show to date. Highlights will include a new Record Shop -- a pavilion offering new and vintage CDs, vinyl, SACDs and downloads -- and a Master Class Theater, in which industry experts hold court. Their expanded, 30,000 square foot Exhibit Hall will hold the Marketplace and Ear Gear Expo, showcasing a huge array of turntables, cables, accessories, racks and stands, tonearms, cartridges, headphones and other cutting edge electronics.
There is the VPI Industries Prime Signature turntable for example that, at $6,799, has an upgraded JMW 3D Reference arm with Nordost Reference wire and a body constructed of aluminum plate sandwiched between faux rosewood veneer composite plinths to improve dampening. It’s a chassis built by Intelligent Audio Products, a small, family owned firm.
“We wanted to get back to our roots and focus on our existing audience with a table that offers quality high end sound at an affordable price,” a VPI spokesman says. Although you can find less units, in all fairness, reference high fidelity turntables can cost over $30,000. Additionally, companies like Magico, Pass Laboratories, PS Audio, ELAC, Von Schweikert and Lampizator will showcase their wares alongside other brands and manufacturers showing in some 150 listening rooms. Up Close, Convenient and Personal Granted, the internet and print media afford enthusiasts opportunities to view and learn more about products of interest, and there are some wonderful brick and mortar establishments that provide great insight and unparalleled service. Nevertheless, it’s the chance to experience so many of the latest products up close, under one roof, and talk with their principals that make AXPONA so special. Since AXPONA 2014, I have come to know and appreciate a handful of friends in the industry, including Straight Wire’s Steven Hill, Lampizator North America's Fred Ainsley and Destination Audio’s Sam Wisniewski, a horn loudspeaker maker who made some modifications and showed me how to safely solder new capacitors in my DAC. Get Your Live Music Mojo and Tickets There will be live music as well; on Saturday, Blues Revue will provide live music in celebration of Delmark Records 65th Anniversary. AXPONA offers various ticket options, ranging from one day passes for $25 to the Gold Pass with three day access and special perks. Student Day passes with potential prizes such as headphones, vinyl and T-shirts are also available. The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel is located at 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173To purchase tickets or for more information about the event, please visit www.axpona.com or call 203-371-6322.
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