I fell hard for the Atoll DSA300 streaming integrated amp I reviewed back in December of last year and arrived at Axpona 2025 hungry for more.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Jeff Catalano’s High Water Sound room at Axpona 2025 joins every room of his I’ve had the great pleasure of experiencing over the years on my list of favorites.

Every pair of Marten loudspeakers I’ve heard have been the epitome of smooth refined sound including the wonderful Marten Parker Trio I reviewed back in 2022 about which I said:

I visited three rooms sponsored by Axiss Audio with Gauder Akustik’s exceptional loudspeakers and even though Room 1628 had the smallest floorstander, the Capello 100 which I recently reviewed (and loved), it grabbed my attention the mostest.

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.”