Moscode 402 Au
The newest iteration of the Moscode hybrid power amp ($6495) retains the hefty aluminum faceplate which opens forward for easy access to the tubes.
New Kid on the Block
There's nothing like being greeted as the audiophile equivalent of the Messiah to either make your day or impel you to run for cover. In the case of Peigen Jiang's Eficion speakers, I'm glad I got over my embarassment and stayed.
Nordost Takes a Quantum Leap
Not every breakthrough product available through cable manufacturer Nordost costs an arm and a leg. The new Quantum Resonant Technology products distributed worldwide by Nordost Corporation are a prime example. While the QX-2 costs $1700, and the larger QX-4 costs $2500, their amazing effects on sound suggest a product I'd expect to cost far more.
Now Hear This!
Veteran speaker engineer Albert Von Schweikert wasn't in the room at the time, but his astounding VR-9SE ($90,000/pair) was making the quite a sound in his absence. The smaller sibling of the flagship VR-11SE, this 350 lb, two-module mini-behemoth was paired with VAC's brand-new Phi-200 100Wpc amplifier, Signature linestage ($14,000), and recently-released Phi Alpha D/A Converter ($7500). An older Oracle transport and what appeared to be Cardas Golden Cross cabling completed the system. Any notion that tube equipment lacks control in the bass was blown to pieces by this system's tremendous authority in the bass region and beautiful presentation on high. Fabulous sound.
Ol' Blue Eyes
In the Symposium Acoustics room, Ol' Blue Eyes sang "Where Are You?" and I could almost smell the cigarette smoke.
Orbs of Delight
After my first day of blogging, one dedicated Stereophile reader dropped John Atkinson a note to lament that I was mainly concentrating on large systems to the expense of smaller ones. Happily for all parties, one of the smaller exhibits he urged me to visit—the Feastrex rooms—I had already checked out and have since blogged">http://blog.stereophile.com/rmaf2008/101208feastrex/">blogged about.
Oswald Mill Audio AC1
Do you know about Oswald Mill Audio? Check out the website; it's fascinating.
Partners in Crime
Are we Stereophile's yin and yang, the Mutt and Jeff, or the Lois Lane and Clark Kent of blogging? (I'll leave it you to decide who's Lois). Only our hairdressers know for sure. Que sera, sera and all that, here are two thirds of your loyal RMAF team, Stephen Mejias (right) and yours truly (or not so truly, as the case may be), shortly before trekking the Rockies to the summit of audiophile nirvana.
Rachael Goldman
Remember that">http://blog.stereophile.com/rmaf2008/mentoring_and_audio_shows/">that trend I mentioned earlier, the one about manufacturers and dealers bringing their kids along to the show?
Real Sounds
I was walking through the lobby of the Marriott when I heard the most wonderful, realistic music. Some system was recreating the sound of a marching band rocking some really badass beats, with such immediacy and impact and such wealth of color and emotion that it was almost like the real thing. It sounded like the guys in the parking lot at Shea Stadium after a Mets victory. In fact, it was extraordinarily realistic.