"We're using all we brought," he confessed. So modesty is also sometimes a necessity.
(BTW, that slick rack the Criterion is sitting on is the Stillpoints ESS 405-26 ($…
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Signals-SuperFi's Chris Sommovigo poses with the new Continuum Criterion turntable and Copperhead Tonearm ($51,500). Well, he is the importer, after all. However, he is also the designer and manufacturer of Stereovox cables, and he had new AC cables, speaker cables, and interconnects to tout— Dragon AC ($3500), Dragon speaker ($11,000/pair), and Dragon interconnect (tbd). Why didn't he pose with his stuff?
Peak Consult's Per Kristoffersen poses with his new floorstanding two-way Princess loudspeaker ($10,500/pair). "You know," he said, "it is really quite amazing what you can get out of a 5.5" driver."
That's not technically correct. I've built a few two-way loudspeakers and what I got out of a 5.5" driver was not amazing at all—just sad. But what Kristoffersen was achieving with the Princess was amazing. These are sweet little speakers—and those Stillpoints stands ($995/each) they are sitting on are pretty cool, too. They provided stability and fantastic coupling to the floor.
I never miss the John Atkinson Trio's performances. I like to watch my friends play music and it's a great chance to bond with my fellow audiophiles for an hour or so. But this year wasn't like other years—the boys just flat-out smoked! Allen Perkins of Immedia, already one of my favorite drummers, has been studying with Peter Erskine for a few years and he has burned away any clutter (not that there was much) and is now even more purely him than ever. Bob Reina's regular gigging with Attention Screen has focused his strengths and, I suspect, freed him from having to express everything…
I tried to get an arty shot of Bob Reina playing the Steinway. His chromaticism and inspired soloing made me aspire to a higher level of craft.
The John Atkinson Trio had 'em dancing in the aisles. In fact, only mom Elizabeth Donovan's gentle persuasion kept Ms. Stuelke from dancing on the stage. I think we all wanted to join her.
Totem Acoustics knows how to do a show. Each year, I'm impressed not only by the sound they achieve in their room, but by the room itself. To enter the Totem room is to leave the hotel behind, is almost like stepping outdoors, into a great, green forest. The ground is soft, the air is fresh and touched with cedar and pine. It's kind of strange, but I like it. I start to worry about bears and other things. Did I bring my compass and flashlight?
Over the last couple of shows, the only things missing were a sleeping bag, s'mores, and some new products. This year, Vince…
Gini Audio Systems was displaying the neat, little Audio Space Mini Galaxy I USB/DAC headphone amp with separate power supply. Its front panel holds knobs for negative feedback and volume control, and the amp provides a nifty 12Wpc. Available now, the Mini Galaxy I goes for $790.
Indeed, there were nice things from Sweden in the Sjofn HiFi room. I didn't get a taste of the snittar (Swedish finger sandwiches), but I was very impressed by the powerful bass and deep, wide soundstage created by the diminutive Guru loudspeakers. As Wes mentioned, the Gurus were designed with the room in mind, and are meant to be placed near room boundaries.
Though, Sjofn's online store is temporarily closed, they do have an interesting sales network set up in a major markets across the country. Potential buyers will be able to listen to the Guru speakers in special…