US: LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
Jim Austin
The first post-pandemic audio show was The Home Entertainment Show in Long Beach, California, which took place June 11–13.
In the months leading up to this show, I wondered why they hadn’t canceled it: It seemed too soon. Then, in late spring, the pandemic was abating. More people were vaccinated. Case rates were dropping fast. I decided, yes, the time was right. I congratulated Emiko Carlin, the show’s coordinator, for her good judgment.
Among the fully vaccinated was Jason Victor Serinus; he lived closest to the show and was eager to go back out into the Big World.
Big world, small show: Carlin said the show counted 1416 visitors. And yet, on Saturday, most rooms were full all day; some were packed even on Sunday, subject to social-distancing protocols. “I hope these show reports convey how good the majority of exhibits sounded,” Jason wrote in his show summary.
The room sponsored by Sunil Merchant’s Sunny Components of Covina, California, featured some seriously high-end equipment. From CH Precision came the M 1.1 amplifier ($54,000/pair) (2), L1 line preamplifier ($34,500), P1 phono stage ($31,000), and the X1 external power supply, which powered the phono pre and linestage. Wadax sent the Atlantis Reference DAC ($145,000) and Reference Streamer ($67,000) (3); the styling of the CH Precision and Wadax gear made for quite a contrast. From Stenheim came the big, new Ultime Two loudspeaker ($150,000/pair) (4). The presentation, Jason wrote, was, in many respects, “mind-blowing.”
This story is from the September 2021 edition of Stereophile.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2021 edition of Stereophile.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
AURAL ROBERT
Another \"outlaw\" country artist
Nina Simone: Wild Is the Wind
By all accounts, Eunice Kathleen Waymon, aka Nina Simone, who passed in 2003, was a troubled person and a brilliant artist. Why she was not more acclaimed during her lifetime is a question several recent film projects have tried to answer. Did her fierce stand on civil rights lose her fans?
Vintage hi-fi, old and new
Many audiophiles and serious music lovers are passionate about vintage. Vintage has become a popular \"way in\" to the hobby, especially popular among younger folks.
Tekton Moab Be
LOUDSPEAKER
ARCAM Radia A25
INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
Wharfedale Heritage Series 90th Anniversary Dovedale
LOUDSPEAKER
Technics Grand Class SL-1200/1210GR2
RECORD PLAYER
Thrax Audio Siren
Based in Bulgaria, European audio company Thrax has been active since 2009.
EMM Labs MTRS
STEREO POWER AMPLIFIER
SPIN DOCTOR
Alternative phono cartridge technologies and the DS Audio DS-W3 optical cartridge system