Nothing more exciting than mixing a solid direct drive turntable with some fine tube equipment. OK, maybe we can find more exciting things but this is still worth talking about! We were proud to spin at the Florida Audio Expo with our friends at Convergent Audio Technology (CAT), Magico Speakers, Essential Sound Products, and Van Den Hul Cartridges. This was actually a world debut since we have finally gotten through the HW-40 Anniversary Limited Edition 400 tables. We are now ready with plans to keep our Direct Drive Technology going in a standard piano black finish model, standard serial plate, easier ability to change the arm, and dust cover as an option. Paired on the front end was the Van Den Hul Master Signature Cartridge. One of AJ's finest and it truly sang this past weekend. We have found the Van Den Hul combo to be a great one with our Fatboy tonearms. Connected together with ESP power cords the CAT amplification gave the music a kick while still being quiet between the notes. Ken Stevens plays some pretty wacky and weird music, but it sure sounded great while it was playing! We have always enjoyed using his product in the VPI House. Fun fact, this room was the only one where my whole family (wife and kids) came in, sat down and stayed and listened. I can only assume it's because only children can understand and appreciate Ken’s choice of music (I’m kidding it wasn’t that bad!) Regardless, there is nothing more amazing than having a whole family with children being captivated by music. Especially when that music is coming from a top shelf system! We appreciate and love having the opportunity to be part of this system paring for the Florida Audio Expo and can't wait to see this team spin together again at future shows.
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As long as I can remember the MBL room at audio shows was considered a full blown audio listening experience. However, I never had a chance to fully appreciate and enjoy the room because of how busy things get at a show. When I had the opportunity two opposing magazine reviewers got into a “fistie cuff” fighting situation over who has the best ears and it all went from there. Needless to say I was still hungry to sit in the hot spot and really listen to the system. This year at the Florida Audio Expo 2022 I stumbled into the MBL North America with United Home Audio room after hour listening and decided I was going to make it happen! Even if a Mad Mag Reviewer brawl broke out I was going to listen to this system! Jeremy Bryan was kind enough to get the hot spot open for me to fully immerse into the listening experience. I MELTED! I absolutely melted into that couch and thought I would never leave that spot! It was natural, the sound was surrounding me, the impact of the bass could be felt right in the middle of my chest. You had no idea there was a speaker in the room, and (most importantly) they were playing fantastic music! They played the Wall, some Blood Sweat and Tears, and much more. At one point the music sounded so real I had to open my eyes to break the illusion because for a split second I actually thought a helicopter was about to crash through into the listening room. From a visual standpoint I personally love the look of Radialstrahler mbl 101 X-treme. They look industrial and modern with almost a tesla coil feel! I believe we were listening to four Mono / Stereo Power Amplifier mbl 9008 A. I love the visual of multiple mono blocks when working with a top shelf system. And clearly with four of these babys this system was not going to run out of gas. Greg Beron, from United Home Audio, was slinging reel-to-reel and making it look easy. His latest product is certainly doing something right! Picture borrowed from TAS Facebook page by Lee Scoggins I’ve heard people comment how past MBL rooms were bright but that 100% was not the case for this setup. No one wants to admit it because the system has a heck of a price tag, but with the price tag comes highest level of performance. This room was one of the best rooms at the show! I'm saying (typing) that and there wasn't even a VPI table in there. This system has certainly given us a lot to think about and we hope everyone had a chance to experience it during the Florida Audio Expo 2022! Picture borrowed from TAS Facebook page by Lee Scoggins
Cardas certainly had the right idea by setting up their own "Mobile Booth" which on the surface might sound silly but in actuality it is a genius idea for an audio show! Of course everyone wants to come to a show and preview and hear about new products. But having a chance to sit down, talk, and have a drink (or several) with someone from the industry is what we are all trying to do. Angela and Josh Cardas were doing it right by making themselves available and having conversations with anyone in the industry who "stepped into" the Mobile Booth. One visitor was having such a great experience they stayed for the hugs! Which might have let do us coining the new Cardas show tagline, "Booze and Hugs!" Anyone at the show looking for more information on Cardas, Booze, or Hugs, you can more than likely find the team on the second floor working harder than ever!
We are excited to be back in Tampa for the Florida Audio Expo! The Florida show was the last event we did before the world shut down! I remember at the show a lot of attendees and visitors were talking and theorizing about what the impacts of this unknown COVID-19 virus would be. While talking to some about the impact on audio shows I had this dark sinking feeling and turned to my wife Jane and told her we need to really enjoy this trip, "I have a feeling this is the last trip we will be taking for awhile. Florida Audio 2020 was the last time we were on a plane until now. We weren't really locked in to going until as recent as last week! I'm never against shows but this year I was still going to hang back since the idea of traveling on a plane with children is already a rough one. Traveling with little ones while adhering to COVID-19 regulation, even tougher! My little ones handled it like champs! Anyway, we made it and we are here at the Florida Audio Expo. At the moment it looks like we have VPI products in 4 rooms. We are showcasing our new Avenger Direct Turntable with House or Stereo and Audio Shield in room 715 and 716 with a whole lot of other fantastic gear! Our Signature 21 in Rosewood with Suncoast Audio Tampa Terrace Room on the second floor. We are also excited to have finally gone through our Limited HW-40 40th Anniversary Direct Drive. There has been concern about what we would do with the HW-40 after we ran through the limited 400 tables and we are proud to continue a "non limited" flavor in the lineup. At the Florida Audio Show we are debuting the standard VPI Direct Drive with essentially everything you already loved about the HW-40. The table will be in Piano Black Sides and the ability to easily change tonearms. The limited serialized anniversary plate has been removed for a standard serial plate and the dust cover is no longer included but available as an accessory. This will be showcased with CAT Audio on the 12th floor. Anyone who wanted that limited anniversary flavor start making phone calls and see who still has them in stock! We will be providing more information on the rooms and experience at the show across platforms to make sure everyone is part of the experience! But the main reason we are excited to be here is to celebrate my daughter Shyla's 4th Birthday! We will be having an industry celebration tonight during the hotel Happy Hour for cake, singing, and presents! See you all at the show!
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April 2022
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