AXPONA 2010

Just two months ago at CES, I enthused over the potential excellence of King Sound's China-made Kingsound The King full-range electrostatic loudspeaker ($8500/pair). But as much as VAC's Royal power supplies ($1300/pair), Phi 200 monoblocks ($9900/each), and Signature Mk IIa preamplifier with phono stage and external power supply ($18,000); Accuphase's DP-85 SACD player' and the VPI's Classic turntable equipped with Michael Fremer's fave Ortofon MC-90A cartridge were supplying superior sound, the system planned for Axpona was originally held back by junky interconnects and speaker cables. Cardas to the rescue. Thanks to Cardas Clear speaker cables ($3726/2m pair), Clear Beyond speaker cables ($7452/2m pair), and Clear interconnects ($1840/m for single-ended, $2140 for balanced), the system sounded simply wonderful. I was equally impressed with the sound of my SACD of Mahler Symphony No.2 and an LP of Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. Quad lovers owe these babies a listen, adds John Atkinson, who was equally taken by the sound of this system.

...what happens to all those bed frames and mattresses that are removed from hotel suites in order to make room for exhibits? Here' a shot of the Wyndham Riverwalk Hotel mattress mortuary, which ordinarily serves as a convention meeting place. Missing is the mattress from Robert Robinson's Channel D. He chose to retain the mattress to tame highs bouncing from the side wall of the cozy second-floor hotel room.