AXPONA 2026

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Esoteric's Hiroyuki "Hiro" Machida about the gear shown in one of the company's rooms at the show, including an Esoteric K-05XD SACD player, Esoteric N-05XE network DAC/preamplifier, and Esoteric S-05XE amplifier.

At AXPONA 2026, Rogier van Bakel checks out a system put together by Wisconsin retailer Ultra Fidelis that features Vandersteen M5-HPA monoblock amplifiers, a Vandersteen L5-ACC Audio Control Center, and Vandersteen Kento loudspeakers.

Rogier van Bakel visits a room at AXPONA 2026 that featured a collaborative exhibit from importer and distributor Bluebird Music pairing Swiss precision with Danish craftsmanship. The system he auditioned in that room included Peak Consult Sonora loudspeakers and a stack of Orpheus Lab electronics gear from their Absolute Line.

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with High Water Sound's Jeffrey Catalano about the gear shown in the company's room at the show, including a TW Acustic Raven LS-3 Copper turntable, Acustica Applicata Alieno Phono Extremo phono stage, and a truly limited edition Cessaro Horn Acoustics Opus SE speaker pair.

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Michell's Jonathan Nye (shown above), Opera Loudspeakers' Bartolomeo Nasta, and Unison Research's Augustino Zemai about the gear shown in one of Fidelity Imports' rooms at the show; many of these products were making their respective U.S. debuts.

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Amspandsound founder Justin Weber about the gear shown in the company's room, including the Ampsandsound Badlands preamplifier, Ampsandsound Stereo 17 – Little Nugget amplifier, and Ampsandsound Seneca 2-way speakers.

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Sierra Sound co-founder Michael Fajen (in the foreground) and Aesthetix sales and marketing specialist Brent Hefley (in the reflection) about the gear shown in the Sierra Sound room, including the AMG Viella turntable with 12JT Turbo tonearm, Aesthetix Rhea Signature phono stage, and Aesthetix Dione amplifier. Plus: we get to visit "The Tonearm Garden."