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Montreal Audio Fest 2019

Robert's Day 3 in Montreal: Grandinote, Elac, Neat Acoustics, Etc.

Robert Schryer Mar 25, 2019

A perennial exhibiter at the Montreal fest, Quebec-based importer / distributor Goerner Audio usually puts together a wonderful-sounding system built around a turntable, but this year’s setup was one of my favorites of theirs in recent years, and it included no vinyl.

Montreal Audio Fest 2019

More from Art's Day One at the Montreal Audio Fest

Art Dudley Mar 24, 2019

I suppose I'm odd man out for not liking Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, which has sold over 45 million copies since its release in 1973 yet for me remains a monument only to the hazards of excessive marijuana consumption. Too bad for me: On Friday, the sounds of that album blasted from what seemed every third demonstration, and by the time I approached the door of the room sponsored by Montreal retailer Son Ideal, I was hearing DSOTM for literally the fourth time since the show opened. Quiet desperation, indeed.

Montreal Audio Fest 2019

Robert's Second Day at the Montreal Audio Fest

Robert Schryer Mar 24, 2019

Continuing my exploration of the Sonor-Filtronique room, which began in my first Montreal Audio Fest report, I spotted across the room a brand whose distinct appearanceI'd characterize it as a blend of modern and retrois instantly recognizable to most audiophiles: Nagra.

Montreal Audio Fest 2019

JA's First Day at the Montreal Show

John Atkinson Mar 23, 2019

I thought I would start my day by exploring the Hotel Bonaventure's ballroom exhibits, and on my way to the Westmont 2 room, where British company PMC was presenting the North American debut of their flagship Fenestria loudspeaker, I heard some unambiguously live harp music, played by the young lady in the photo, Isabeau Corriveau. A great way to start the day and one that emphasized the show's focus on music of every kind.

Montreal Audio Fest 2019

Something in the Air in Montreal—But It's Not the PM’s Ferrari-Red Helicopter

Robert Schryer Mar 23, 2019

Even sans Justin Trudeau, who last escorted me to the show in a Ferrari-red Airbus helicopter (not really) I was feeling good about this year's editionits 32ndbecause for months I’d been seeing Facebook posts announcing the return of major brands that previously had bailed on Montreal’s Fest.

Montreal Audio Fest 2019

Montreal Audio Fest 2019 Hits the Ground Running

Art Dudley Mar 22, 2019

At 1:00 on Friday I spoke with Sarah Tremblay (above), co-organizer (with Michel Plante) of the Montreal Audio Fest. The 2019 show had opened only two hours before we ran into one another, and already over 4600 attendees had pre-registered and 1400 of them had arrived on-site. (Admission is free, but the organizers ask of each attendee their name and gender, and whether they'd attended previous Montreal shows.) Tremblay told me that approximately 50% of registrants so far were first-timers: an excellent sign.

Montreal Audio Fest 2019 News

The Montreal Audio Fest Starts Today

John Atkinson Mar 22, 2019

The 2019 Montreal Audio Fest has opened at the Hotel Bonaventure across the street from the city's main railway station and even at the opening time of 11am, there was a long queue at the registration desk. The show, which runs until 8pm tonight, 10am6pm Saturday, and 10am5pm Sunday, has a theme celebrating both the Woodstock Festival's 50th anniversary and the 50 years since John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's infamous bed-in in Montreal and the Fab Four's last live concert. I will be covering the show live for Stereophile, along with Robert Schryer and Art Dudley. Stay tuned for our reports.

Solid State Preamp Reviews

J E Sugden Masterclass LA-4 line preamplifier

Jim Austin Mar 21, 2019

Like most serious pursuers of the audio hobby, I've known about J E Sugden & Co. Ltd. for years. For many of those years, though, it was easy to forget about them, and I mostly diduntil, quite recently, Sugden gear began popping up at audio shows, including the 2016 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. In his report on that show, Herb Reichert described the midrange of Sugden's A21SE Signature, a pure class-A integrated amplifier, driving DeVore Fidelity speakers, as "shroom-like" and contrasted the sound with what he called class-D's "fake cocaine." That got my attention.

Budget Component Reviews Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M loudspeaker

Herb Reichert Mar 21, 2019

If you've ever dipped your toe into some form of high-performance motor sport, you know: The best race-car engines spin torque and exhale horsepowerwith intoxicating ease. They're engineered to be responsive. Depress the clutch, toe the throttle, and watch the tachometer instantly pin itself. Engage the clutchyour chest contracts and your head gets light. Then later . . .

Back in your Ford Fiesta, its revving engine sounds distant, muffled. Your body can't feel the powerplant's power. In gear, the Ford feels soft and hesitant, not responsive.

Jason Victor Serinus

Beethoven Times Three

Jason Victor Serinus Mar 20, 2019

For all those who love Beethoven, for all who wish to honor conductor Bernard Haitink's 90th birthday earlier this month (March 4), and for all who've been posting variations of, "Jason, for the love of God, free us from the horrors of contemporary music," this one's for you. Live from the London Symphony Orchestra, we present Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.2, Triple Concerto in C for piano, violin, and cello, and Leonore Overture No.2, Op.72a from LSO Live (LSO0745D). Although identified as a "CD" by arkivmusic.com and Amazon, this is a hi-resolution SACD, recorded in DSD64.