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SHOW REPORT - The California Audio Show - July 30 - August 1, 2010

The Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (RMAF) has, over the past few years of its existence, become the best two-channel audio show in the country. Part of that success was due to not having much competition. Some audio shows wanted too much money for the exhibit space, so small audio manufacturers couldn't afford to exhibit. RMAF is very affordable to exhibit, and it is one very exciting show to attend. It is held at the Denver Marriott Tech Center, which is between the airport and Denver.

http://audiofest.net/2010/index.php

There is also the Lone Star Audio Fest that is held in Texas, but I had not heard about it until I did a search. The irony is that I was born in Forth Worth. Here is the 2010 show report by Enjoy the Music:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/lsaf_2010/

And, the AudioKarma Fest, 2010, held in Detroit, Michigan, reported by Positive Feedback:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue49/akfest.htm

Well, now there is going to be even more competition.

The 2010 Capitol Audiofest held its first show in June, 2010, in Washington, D.C.:

http://www.capitalaudiofest.com/

The California Audio Show (CAS) had its first show Friday, July 30, continuing through Sunday, August 1, held at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Emeryville, California, which is near Oakland.

http://www.caaudioshow.com/

I attended the CAS on Saturday, and have posted photos from the show below. Feel free to comment and ask questions.

John Johnson

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Comment by Joseph Cohen on August 4, 2010 at 4:28pm
The SMc VRE-1 Preamplifier is in production and is available from Hi Fi One in Carlsbad, CA 612-817-1599. It is being distributed by The Lotus Group - 415-897-8884 - www.lotusgroupusa.com.
Comment by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 2, 2010 at 11:44am
Most of the items on display and being demonstrated at the CAS were very expensive, high end, boutique products. What the show organizers really need to do is get the Emotivas, AV123s, Outlaw Audios, as well as mass market companies involved so that the show is balanced, and attendees will be able to see products in all price ranges.
Comment by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 1, 2010 at 12:51pm
Accuton spec sheets don't say what the ceramic is. It could be aluminum or zirconium oxide.
Comment by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 1, 2010 at 10:06am
Most of the products at this show were very high end (very expensive). In fact, there was one room that had a sign on the door that said everything in this room is less than $2,500. All factory direct. The little integrated tube amplifier, at $795, is something I might try. But it only has 7 watts per channel output, so it would have to be paired with very efficient speakers. It would be interesting to see if it would work with headphones. It sure sounded nice with the speakers they were using with it in the exhibit. I did hear several rooms where the sound was terrible. It was very harsh. One fellow excused it saying that it was due to using a new phono cartridge. I say bull. Audio systems require synergy. You can't just connect any source with any preamp and any power amplifier. Input and output impedances are very important. I have experienced it myself here in the lab. I paired a $10,000 preamp with $22,000/pair monoblock power amplifiers, and the sound was horrible. I reconnected the preamp to a different set of power amplifiers, and the sound was terrific. So, you have to be very careful when selecting components for your system.
Comment by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 1, 2010 at 9:46am
Yes, I did hear them, and they were very good. The most amazing part was how much deep bass they produced.
Comment by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 1, 2010 at 9:45am
Comment by Niko Coromelas:

Did you have the opportunity to hear the Consensus speakers? If so, what did you think of them?
Comment by Niko Coromelas on August 1, 2010 at 9:43am
The Accuton drivers they are using are considered one of the best Ceramic speakers on the market. Also very expensive. (https://www.madisound.com/store/index.php?manufacturers_id=118&...)

Will you be adding any additional comments to your post? For example: what you found to be the most interesting, best bang for the buck, and any new innovations that may prove promising.
Comment by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 1, 2010 at 9:42am
The CAS 2010 was very successful. I attended only on Saturday, and they were running out of badges for people coming to see the show. There were some great products. And, like it or not, tubes and turntables were dominant in almost every room. I happen to like it. CAS is negotiating a different hotel with more space for next year, but it will still be in the Bay Area, to serve Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. I would imagine there will be twice as many exhibitors in 2011. Congratulations to the CAS group for their success at their first show.

Comment by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 1, 2010 at 9:39am
ViVa showed off several products in this room.

Comment by John E. Johnson, Jr. on August 1, 2010 at 9:38am
Here is a close-up of the ViVa Verona mk3 power amplifier (sitting on the table in the photo above), at $24,900/pair.

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