AXPONA 2026 Show Report

hi-fi+’s goal was to highlight as much new gear as we could in this massive event. Challenge accepted! All prices to follow in USD unless otherwise noted.

One of the first rooms we visited sounded great right at the start. The 2WA Group room featured Ideon’s newest digital stack which was being introduced at Axpona featuring the Ideon Absolute DAC ($55,000), The Ideon Absolute Time ($13,000) and the Ideon Absolute Stream ($28,500 being fed by a Grimm MU1 Server (14,400). Analog was provided by a VPI Avenger Turntable ($40,000) in a gorgeous blue feeding a GRIMM Phono Pre ($5,650). Preamp was a Trilogy 914 ($18,000) Amps were the Trilogy 994 Monoblocks ($30,000 a pair). Speakers were the Aequo Ensium’s ($50,000/pr) The system both sounded and looked great. A nice start to the show.

Next up was Justin Weber’s ampsandsound room. Ampsandsound makes bespoke point to point wired tube gear and classic high efficiency horn speakers. They also make incredible tube headphone amps. This room featured their new Badlands Preamp ($12,000) the Stereo 17 amplifier ($6,000) the DAC 4.4 ($14,000) A Technics 1300 Turntable ($4,000) with a Denon DL103R cartridge ($550) and the Sasquatch speakers ($18,000) On display was their newest amp the Kenzie Reimagined ($6,000) Cables were the Prosper Cables Reference Line from Prosper Texas. The sound was modern, detailed and spacious and not gooey. An excellent example of today’s high quality tube gear and current Horn speaker technology.

Audio Research didn’t hang around this year. The ink’s barely dry on signing off the LS-3 and S-200 and now the brand launched a slew of new products in its Reference series. The show represented the world premiere of the new $28,000 Reference 7 and $48,000 Reference 20 line preamps and the $23,000 Reference 80X stereo power amplifier. These replace the Ref 6, Ref 10 and Ref 80S respectively. The Reference 20 moves from a two box flagship into a single chassis but moves the performance ahead by a significant amount. In fact, Audio Research claimed the new $28,000 Reference 7 preamplifier eclipses the outgoing Reference 10.

This was demonstrated alongside the first show outing of the $192,000 Ideon Audio flagship AXIOM digital replay system, all playing through a pair of Acora 5.2 loudspeakers ($44,000 with the standard tweeter used in this room). Even with the loudspeakers overdriving the room somewhat, it was clear this was a system of world-class stature and performance.

We first ran across AGD Productions Gran Vivace Class D amps at Rocky Mountain Audio Show in Colorado several years ago. That MkI amp was cool as the circuitry was housed in a KT88 tube! Now in its latest MKIV iteration it is one of the finest Class D GaN amps on the market ($19,000/pr). Shown with the Andante MKII Pre-DAC-Streamer ($12,999). Paired with Rosso Fiorentino speakers this room was another sonic winner.

The EnKlein Bespoke Wireworks Room Had samples of their speaker wire, power cables and interconnects in glass cases for view as well as a high-end system to listen to said cables. Out for viewing were the Master Edition speaker cables (2.5M $50,000) the Master Edition interconnects (1.5M $35,000) the Master Edition Power (1M $27,500) and the Xerxes Ethernet (1.5M $3,500) as well as the Sovereign Current Distribution Appliance ($20,000) The in room system consisted of EMM Labs PREi ($28,900) The DAC2i ($35,000), TXi CD Transport ($13,500 and a pair of Thrax Lyra SE speakers ($31,500).

Saturday Audio Exchange always brings a room that sounds great but is more affordable. They were showing the new GoldenEar T44 Tower Speaker in a lovely Santa Barbara Red ($5299/pr). The T44’s offer up much of what their larger brother T66’s does in a smaller form factor. A solid low end with excellent mids and highs. The system consisted of the Eversolo DPM-A10 Flagship DAC/Streamer/Preamp ($5,998) and the AMP-F10 amplifier ($2480). All cabling was by AudioQuest. Racks and stands were all by Pangea Audio.

Next up was the Revel introduction of their new Performa 4 surround sound line. This system featured the Revel F346 Tower 3-way triple 6.5” Floorstanding loudspeakers ($3,499) fronted by the Arcam SA45 2X180 Integrated Class G amplifier ($5,499) and the Arcam CD5 Compact Disc Player ($769) This was a strong performance to value room Excellent sound and presentation.

Rogue Audio was introducing its new flagship tube monoblocks the M-250’s ($18,995/pr) featuring 250 w/ch into 8 Ohm’s using 6 KT88’s per side. Also being introduced was the new RP-7 v2 preamplifier ($5,495). Sourced by an Eversolo T-8 Streamer ($1,395) and a Garlubidor Divinity DAC ($1,849) with an all-Darwin Cables loom ($995-$3,995) and feeding a pair of Magnepan 2.7x’s ($10,000/pr) the room was clear and detailed. The M-250’s proved there are tube amps that can drive Magnepan speakers with authority and finesse.

Paradigm introduced its latest speaker line the Premier Series V2 calling it a new price/performance benchmark. Available for listening were the Premier 720F floorstanders speakers ($1999/pr) powered by an Anthem integrated amplifier the 720F’s offered a beautiful fit and finish with nice tone and dynamics. Definitely a strong contender in the price/performance speaker space.

Jones and Cerreta might sound like a new name in the business, but if I say the ‘Jones’ part relates to loudspeaker guru Andrew Jones and the $33,900/pr Troubador loudspeaker makes a whole lot more sense. Jones – working as a fully sanctioned side hustle from his work at MoFi – has delivered the goods with these large loudspeakers featuring field-coil concentric drivers. In a system also featuring a Thorens turntable, EMT cartridge, Lab 12 phono stage and integrated amplifier, a HiFi Rose streamer and a lovely looking Drake Woodworking cabinet, this made one of those beguiling sounds that resulted in lines around the floor just to get a listen. It was worth the wait!

REL’s room offered a wonderful demonstration on system synergy featuring their S/550 subwoofer ($3,299) with optional Wood Grill covers ($399) Total sub price was $22,188. They in a system that was high end but brand agnostic with a D’Agostino integrated a Wadia CD transport/DAC and a pair of Wilson speakers. The point was different brands can co-exist beautifully in a system if properly curated. They also did the turn the woofer off and on demo that, to know one’s surprise made it clear a good sub (or six!) makes a huge difference in sonic excellence.

Peter Lyngdorf continues to innovate. His newest company Radiant Acoustics introduces the Clarity 66 Floorstanding speaker ($9,998 direct). Powered by a Lyngdorf TDAI-2210 Streaming Integrated Amplifier ($5,499). Radiant is a collaboration of Nordic Hi-Fi, PURIFI and HiFi Klubben. Seen on the table are examples the speaker parts. This was a room we all wished we had more time in. Lovely sound and solid bass from a speaker whose specs include 24Hz to 20,000kHz at 86dB into 4 Ohms in a WAF approved floorstander.

Dynaudio made a strong statement with their new Legend bookshelf speaker ($7,000/pr). The Legends are a big step up from the Special 40’s with a ton of air and space with a wonderful expansive soundstage. Powered by the exceptional Simaudio Moon 371 Integrated Amplifier/DAC/Streamer ($6,500). Analog source was the Clearaudio Performance DC Turntable with the Tracer Tonearm and a Hana Umami Blue Cartridge (No price provided). In a small room this system was exceptional.

The Ear Gear area at Axpona had many personal audio vendors. Moon Audio from Cary, North Carolina was showing their new Europa Balanced Tube headphone amp/Preamp ($8,995). This fully differential, ultra-low noise reference piece offers dual functionality as a reference headphone amp and as a stereo preamplifier. Initial listening with several high-end headphones showed it to be an excellent device and one that is coming in soon for review!

Vinnie Rossi teamed up with Treble Clef Audio to put on a superb sounding room. Featuring the Vinnie Rossi Brama Preamplifier ($39,995) and New Vinnie Rossi Phono Preamplifier (Price TBA) being sourced by an SME MK2 Model 15 Turntable and tonearm with a Benz Micro cartridge. Digital was sourced by a B. audio Reference DAC and cabling from Siltech’s Double Crown and Classic Series cables and interconnects. The system was fronted by a pair of Treble Clef Audio’s TCA-M Active Loudspeakers ($103,900/pr) and a pair of TCA-S Active Subsonic modules ($22,550 ea). This was a best of show sound contender. Outstanding sonics with deep and beautifully controlled bass.

Zesto audio once again offered an excellent sounding room. Introducing their new Athena Tube DAC ($15,000) which had been shown as a static display during its development at last year’s show the Athena was now the sonic centerpiece of this year’s system. Joining the Athena was the Zesto Andros Deluxe II Vacuum tube phono stage ($8,300) and the Leto Ultra II Preamp ($11,900) and the Eros 500 Select Monoblocks ($35,000/pr) Analogue was sourced by the Dr. Feickert Blackbird Turntable ($9,900). Speakers were the YG Acoustics Sonja 3.2’s ($106,800/pr). Equipment rack was the Stillpoints ESS42-26-4 Rack with four acrylic shelves ($14,788) Stillpoints Aperture 2 acoustic panels in oak ($960 ea.) and Aperture silver stands ($719 ea.). All cabling was Cardas Clear and Beyond ($2,000 – $13,070). The room was another best of show contender.

Lucca Chesky continues to bring the goods with his new company Chesky Audio. He was showing his latest speaker, the LC2 Reference Monitor ($1,995/pr) and it was a winner. The LC2’s are small but mighty with prodigious bass and terrific imaging. Joining the LC2 in this affordable but stellar system was a stack of Schiit Audio gear including the Kara Preamp ($799), the Tyr Monoblock amplifier’s ($3,698/pr) an Yggdrasil Singular DAC ($3,499) and a Loki Max F equalizer ($1,599) Interconnects from Lone Ranger, Pegasus, Carbon, Monsoon and Powerquest ($239 – $2,990) This room was a value leader at the show. Nice to see a system that cost less than a new car sound so good.

The Phasemation room from Axiss Audio had me at 300B. They were introducing the new Phasemation MA-3000 Monoblock 300B amplifiers ($TBA) each sporting a pair of Western Electric 300B tubes and the new Phasemation CM-2200 Preamp ($TBA) with a Phasemation EA-1500 Phono Preamp ($26,975). Turntable was the Reed 3C ($31,975) with the Reed 3P Panzerholz tonearm ($7,690) and a Reed optical cartridge ($12,975). Speakers were the DeVore Fidelity O/96’s in custom figured cherry ($20,530/pr). Cabling by Tara Labs with a TAOC CSR Rack, Nihon Onkyo Engineering diffusors in black ($6,090) with Telos Foundation power and ground core. We could have spent an afternoon in this outstanding room. A top five room.

Fidelity Imports offered several strong rooms from their many product representations. My favorite of their rooms was the Opera Loudspeakers, Unison Research and Michell Turntable room Featuring the Opera Callas Diva Edizione Speciale Floorstanding Speakers ($13,999/pr). The Callas compare favorably to speakers twice their price in performance, fit and finish. The Unison Research Unico PRE V2 Stereo Preamp ($7,499) and Unico DM V2 amp ($10,999) drove the system beautifully while being sourced from the Michell Gyro turntable ($8,999 without tonearm or cartridge). This was another room to linger in for a while.

A second Fidelity Imports room (in fairness, Fidelity took a lot of rooms) that showed well was the Perlisten and Cambridge room featuring the Perlisten A4t Floorstanding Speakers ($6.990/pr) fronted by a suite of Cambridge electronics including the CXA81SE Black Edition integrated amplifier ($1,199), the CXN100 SE Black Edition Network Streamer ($1,099) and the CXC SE Black Edition CD Transport ($599). For a system priced at basically $10,000 it covered all the needs of a smart digital system without sonic compromise.

This is the new flagship Titan loudspeakers from YG Acoustics, standing approximately 1.3 metric Eric Neffs tall. In this configuration they are $910,000 USD and weigh a total of a ton! Fronted by a quad!! Of Simaudio Moon’s massive 888 Amplifiers ($59,444 ea.) and an all Moon flagship front end this was a smooth $1,600,000 system that is perfect for your spare ballroom. And, yes, it sounded terrific.

Eric Neff: My best sound of show room was the Scott Walker Audio/ Luxury Audio Group room in Schaumburg D. For a tidy $1,500,000 it should sound great. What was interesting here is that this room has been theirs’s for a few AXPONA’s now and there has been a concerted effort each year to improve on the rooms acoustics with room treatments and setup adjustments. This year they came in an extra day early to get it right. The flagship Estelon Extreme MkII speakers were at their room filling best offering 20Hz-40kHz sound ($340,000). Electronics w 2 pr of Vitus SM-103 amplifiers ($85,000/pr) a Vitus SL-103 mkII Preamp ($44,625) and a Vitus SD-025 mkII DAC ($33,900). Analogue sourcing was a SonoruS Audio Reel to Reel Tape Deck ($35,000). Digital was provided by the Taiko Olympus Music Server ($95,000) and a Taiko Router/Switch & DC Power Supply ($15,000). All cables were Crystal Cables Infinite Dream series (Approx $360,000 for the full loom). Isolation Platforms were Seismion Active Isolation Platforms ($16,000 ea.) Accessories included Audio Realignment Technology EMR Absorption Devices ($5,000 – $12,000 ea) and Arya Labs RevoPods Isolation Footers ($1,695 per set). Amazing gear and years of diligence on room correction made a demo of sides 3 and 4 of the Wall on Reel to Reel a show mountaintop for me.

Alan Sircom: There were a number of rooms that ‘did it’ for me (and not simply ‘Yacht-fi’ equipment that costs as much as a small Boeing; the sensational Dynaudio Legacy mentioned above just sang sweetly and made you ask ‘do you need any more?’ questions).

But, when it comes to the “it’s not home, but it’s much!” part of the show, it was hard not to be impressed by the Quintessence Audio rooms, especially the one featuring Wilson Chronosonic XVX loudspeakers in gold, driven by a pair of Audio Research Reference 330 mono amps, with the new Reference 20 preamp and a two-box Reference 10 phono preamp. This was being fed by a Döhmann Helix One Mk III (now with vacuum hold-down) and either a Wilson Benesch Graviton Ti arm and Tesselate cartridge or a Supertrac Nighthawk 12″ arm and DS Audio Grand Master EX cartridge with TB-100 tube equaliser.

On the digital side, this system featured an Innuos Nazaré server with NazaréNET switch and NazaréFLOW interface, feeding into a dCS Varèse digital replay system. Add in long runs of Transparent Magnum Opus cable and a Critical Mass Systems Olympus Ultra rack system and the price of the whole system comes to a cool $2,006,825! I guess it should impress at that price, but impress it certainly did.

AXPONA 2026 offered another great show of all ranges of gear for audio enthusiasts. I look forward to next year to see what the world’s top audio manufacturers can come up with next!