If you keep up with my reviews, you know I think very highly of the Vinnie Rossi Brama Integrated Amplifier as well as the Rockport Atria II Loudspeakers.

With each passing year and show, I try to re-think my approach to coverage as the landscape has changed over the course of the past 20 years.

Axpona 2025 opened yesterday with a bang–crowds upon crowds upon crowds of happy and enthused enthusiasts hungry for the sounds of music as re-presented by 200+ rooms filled with hifi in all shapes and sizes.

I count at least 10 premiers from Playback Distribution for Axpona 2025.

Fidelity Imports will be hosting 9 rooms (!) on the 12th floor plus the Utopia D Ballroom for Axpona 2025.

Accuphase, Air Tight, Gauder Akistik, Soulution, Yukiseimitsu, Transrotor and more. (yum x6)

Horns, tubes, and records.

I received an email from Fern & Roby’s Christopher Hildebrand that was short and sweet, “Here is our newest product that we will be showcasing in Chicago.”

I admit I don’t know two things about this post’s title: a) What the Ø Audio Icon 12 speakers sound like and b) how to pronounce Ø Audio. Ooh? Aah? Err? Urr?

I reported on the release of Dynaudio’s new Contour 20 Black Edition and Confidence 20A Loudspeakers last month which will be making their North American public show premiers at Axpona 2025.

Aliso Viejo, California-based ampsandsound are bringing their new Black Pearl XL SE amplifier ($19,000), Sasquatch speakers ($17,000/pair), and the OJAS DL-103o cartridge ($550) to Axpona 2025.

The LCR Phono from Treehaus Audiolab uses passive RIAA eq and an all-tube circuit to pre-amplify the signal from your MM or MC cartridge.

If a Martian, stick with me, attended a hifi show for the first time and reported back to the mother ship, they might conclude that we, as a planet, have but a few songs.