AXPONA 2025

The Palm Ballroom and adjacent rooms hosted systems from Acora Acoustics, Scott Walker Audio, and VAC—an ambitious collaboration by Valerio Cora, Scott Walker, and Kevin Hayes. The trio presented a range of well-curated systems.

Four systems were up and running. Let’s take a closer look.

System One featured a VPI Avenger Direct Statement turntable ($36,000)—including a VPI Fatboy Gimbal 12" 3D tonearm—and a Hana Umami Red MC cartridge ($3,950). The signal flowed through a VAC Statement phono stage ($82,000) and VAC Statement line stage ($82,000) into the world-debut VAC Statement 455 iQ Monobloc amplifier ($82,000), delivering 450Wpc to Acora VRC loudspeakers ($218,000/pair; $318,000/pair in optional Sunset Fire finish). Digital sources included an Aurender N30SA streamer ($24,000) and an Abendrot COLT DAC ($53,000). The system was completed with Acora stands ($7,500/pair) and Cardas cabling.

In System Two, a SonoruS ATR10 mkII reel-to-reel deck ($35,000) played through a VAC Master preamplifier ($30,000) and VAC Master 300 iQ Musicbloc amp ($42,000). Acora SRC-2 loudspeakers ($48,000/pair) stood on matching Acora racks ($7,500), with Cardas cabling throughout.

System Three was fronted by an Aurender A200 streamer/DAC ($6,300) that fed a VAC Master preamplifier ($30,000) and two VAC Signature 202 iQ Musicbloc amps ($22,000/each). The amps powered Acora SRB loudspeakers ($18,000/pair) and Acora Bedrock subwoofers ($20,000/pair). The electronics sat on an Acora rack ($7,500), with Cardas cables used throughout.

System Four emphasized value without compromise. It included an Aurender A1000 streamer/DAC ($3,500), a VAC Essence line preamplifier (new model, $9,000), and VAC Essence 90 iQ Monobloc amplifiers ($9,900/each). Acora MRC-2 loudspeakers ($12,990/pair) sat on matching Acora stands, with electronics on an Acora rack ($7,500) and Cardas cables throughout.

“It’s All Too Much,” as George Harrison once wrote. Still, I returned to the Palm Ballroom that evening to catch DJ Greg Weaver spinning classic-rock sides on System One’s turntable. From King Crimson’s knotty complexity to Mark Knopfler’s boundless finesse, the gear delivered striking clarity and an incisive—if slightly bright—treble that balanced analytical precision with musical weight.