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AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

My last visit to AXOPNA was in 2019. With a pandemic sandwiched between then and now that prevented the exhibition for 2020 and 2021, this year’s AXPONA 2022 provided the perfect opportunity to venture out into the world to see what was going on.  While there were noticeably fewer analog systems on display and in use most of the time, the venders that did show vinyl were more in command of setup and had higher-quality playback.  There were new product offerings, mentioned below, and many returning well-established brands for those looking to sample the formats (vinyl and reel-to-reel tape). I’ll end this report with brief comments of wonderful listening moments in two different exhibit rooms in addition to my notes on new products.  If I missed a new product offering from a manufacturer, you have my apologies. Read on to find out the rest.

Most Significant

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

Clearaudio Reference Jubilee turntable

Starting things off with a bang, Clearaudio introduced the limited edition (250 units) Reference Jubilee turntable ($30,000) that features a boomerang-shaped, resonance-optimized design with a new, integrated, hybrid analog/digital controller and O-ring-suspended, air-core motor. The platter uses a ceramic-magnet levitating-bearing with optical feedback for speed control. The plinth is Panzerholz/aluminum with a POM platter coupled to a stainless-steel flywheel.  The Universal 9” tonearm with silver wiring and DIN termination is included. A statement spindle-clamp, Outer Limit peripheral ring, and Pro Power 24-volt outboard power supply round out the package. The “starting off with a bang” comment came in the form of Herbie Hancock’s rapid-fire “Rockit” track from the Future Shock album. The Reference Jubilee w/Jubilee mc cartridge fed a solid signal to the all-Boulder electronics sitting on Critical Mass Systems stands driving the Sonus faber Aida MKII loudspeakers connected with Transparent cables. The speed of the track and all its non-stop dynamic transitions were captured with ease, while providing a listening delight for all in the room.  Followed up with the powerful Dire Straits’ “Ride Across the River” from the Mobile Fidelity 45rpm Brothers In Arms reissue, the system played the bass with power to spare once we adjusted the preamp to accommodate the system’s absolute polarity for this record.

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

Thorens TD124 DD turntable

Thorens has reintroduced the Legendary TD 124 in the form of the TD 124 DD ($11,999).  The new TD 124 DD now features a high precision direct-drive motor with modern speed control, providing ample torque while keeping unwanted vibrations away from the platter.  Fans of the original TD 124 can see the departure from the original motor/belt/pulley system in the advanced drive-system approach implemented of the 124 DD.  The new tonearm allows for VTA adjustment and anti-skate adjustment via ruby bearing. The end-of-record-playing features a patented automatic arm lift.  The headshell detachment allows the use of SPU-type cartridges as well as standard mc/mm/mi/optical cartridge mounting via SME-type headshell attachments.  Equipped with two different counterweights, the TD 124 DD gives users a wider variety of cartridge choices for use with the ’table.  On the rear, the TD 124 DD has both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA connectors to connect the tonearm outputs. There is also an external power supply. Look for a TAS review of the TD 124 DD in a future issue.

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

Project X8 turntable

Project introduced the X8 ($2499) turntable that has a TPE-damped, mass-loaded, 11.24-pound platter; a neodymium magnetic-counterforce to ease the weight on the inverted, ceramic-tipped bearing; an MDF chassis; height-adjustable feet with TPE damping; a five-pin, balanced tonearm output-connector; a built-in electronic speed control (33.3/45rpm); and a dust cover. It is available in three finishes (high-gloss white, piano black, or satin walnut veneer_. The turntable looked nice on static display. I did not get the chance to hear it play back an LP.

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

Luxman PD-151 MKII turntable

Luxman has upgraded the PD-151 turntable to the PD-151 MKII ($TBD).  The major reason for the upgrade was to replace the (no longer available) Jelco-sourced tonearm with a custom S-shaped tonearm featuring a removable headshell.  Readers of TAS should be able to refer to Paul Seydor’s very favorable review of the original PD-151 in print and online.  The MKII version of the ’table w/attached Luxman LMC-5 cartridge ($2695) acquitted itself well in an all-Luxman system driving Magico M6 speakers.

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

SOTA Quasar turntable

SOTA’s new offering, the Quasar turntable, was on static display in the market area. The Quasar is $2695 without ’arm and $2,95 with a Rega RB330.  An installed RoadRunner tachometer adds an extra $500; adding a dust cover will increase the price by $205; and a record clamp will cost an additional $145 or $300, depending on the clamp chosen.  The new Quasar adds the Eclipse electronics package for the drive motor and controls.

Auspicious Debuts

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

Kronos Discovery RS Tonearm

Literally hot on the heels of Kronos’ introduction of its new Discovery turntable with Discovery tonearm, the company has introduced two new tonearms: The Discovery RS ($24,000) and Kronoscope RS ($14,000).  The original Discovery ’arm has been discontinued along with other older ’arms in the lineup and replaced by the two new RS models mentioned above. The Discovery RS is a 12.04” (306mm) effective length unipivot tonearm that has a patent-pending resonance-suppression system imbedded in the armwand and a patent-pending de-coupled headshell.  Features include adjustable bearing height, azimuth adjustment via outrigger counterweights, multiple counterweight options for optimal VTF adjustment while allowing close proximity of the weight to the pivot point, and a tuned adjustable tonearm base for optimizing overhang. The decoupled headshell is two-part nickel/ceramic connected by five adjustable tension points and has varyingly sized internal structures said to minimize frequency resonances. The armwand employs a four-piece, concentric-layered construction of varying composite materials bound together by tuned phenolic adhesive to optimize damping.  The resonance suppressor decouples the armwand from the pivot and counterweight in an effort to minimize and break up standing waves.  A brief listen to the ’arm on the Kronos Pro ’table, with My Sonic Lab’s Platinum Signature cartridge feeding Audionet electronics driving the New YG Acoustics Summit Loudspeakers, produced a smooth, well grounded, sound that was free of tracing artifacts on both a Joni Mitchell track and a Rossini sinfonia.

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

Fozgometer V2

Musical surrounding showed the Fozgometer V2 ($400) azimuth-adjustment tool, which is said to offer greater sensitivity and accuracy. The V2 has a new analog meter and is now battery or AC powered

Kirmus Audio KA-RC-1

On the LP cleaning side of things, Kirmus Audio has updated its KA-RC-1 ultrasonic record-cleaning machine with additional features to support the cleaning process during cavitation.  More information is available on the Kirmus website.

Perfect Vinyl Forever

For those that want their records ultrasonically cleaned but who are not interested in performing the process themselves, Steve Evans of Perfect Vinyl Forever (PVF) offers a professional cleaning service that includes shipping both ways. With PVF’s Archival 3.0, nine-step cleaning process, using his custom commercial record-cleaning equipment, Steve claims the typical outcomes are improved definition, better soundstaging, clearer timed transients, longer sustained decays, enhanced textures, and a lower noise floor.  The cost for Archival 3.0 cleaning of 16 records is $128 + $30 shipping, 32 records is $256+ $40 shipping, and 64 records is $512 + $80 shipping.  PVF also offers a subscription service for additional cost savings.  The shipping cost covers three-way mailing.  PVF sends the box/mailer for you to pack your records with a prepaid return shipping label.  Once carefully packed, the records are shipped to PVF for treatment/cleaning and then return shipped back to the customer.

Additional products were shown from TW Acustic with the three-motor Raven LS ($24,000), the DS Audio Grand Master optical cartridge ($15,000) and Grand Master phono equalizer ($45,000), Triangle Art Anubis ($15,000), and the UHA SuperDeck ($90,000).

In Other News

In the final 20 minutes of the last day of AXPONA, I ran into Chad Kassem of Acoustic Sounds, next to his supply of reel-to-reel tapes.  The two newest offerings on hand were John Coltrane’s Ballads and A Love Supreme.  While it wasn’t my intention to pick up any playback material, the new offerings proved to be too enticing to avoid.  Those tapes along with Oliver Nelson’s Blues and The Abstract Truth plus Oscar Peterson’s We Get Requests accompanied me on the ride home.  As I write part of this show report, the reels are spinning and sound sublime.

I heard VTL electronics, Stenhiem loudspeakers, all connected with Nordost cabling sourced by the Wadax DAC and server along with a VPI ‘table w/vdH Crimson cartridge.  If anyone in the room had doubts that vinyl could hold its own with such prestigious digital sourced gear, they had a short lesson. I requested we listen to Chet Baker’s “Alone Together” from his Chet album in order to adjust my bearings before playing any vinyl.  After hearing this track, I selected the same track from a recent Craft vinyl reissue ($24.99).  The resulting sound was excellent, and I won’t say any more except to mention vinyl holds its own and then some.  Following that bearings adjustment, I played my copy of Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri Sinfonia. The sound lit up the room with pianissimos to forte crescendos that had most listeners riveted in their seats.

There are instances in time where everything comes together to create a special moment that’s rare and something to be cherished.  Jeff Joseph from Joseph Audio commented on that very thing when the system setup jelled on Saturday April 23rd with his TAS 2021 Golden Ear Award-winning Pearl 20/20 Graphene speakers fronted by Doshi Evolution electronics, a Studer A810 tied together with Cardas Clear Beyond cables playing a wonderful direct copy of a safety mastertape I brought along with me.  The resulting sound was the most top-notch for the duration of the show, and this was truly a special moment that all individuals in the room felt from the start of the tape all the way to the end.  Given the last show I’d attended prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was AXPONA 2019, it seems fitting to end my first show report on a high note, at this time in 2022, to remind you look for those special moments and cherish the real-time experience.

AJ’s Analog Best of Show

Best Sound (cost no object): Analog tape rules the day. It’s unfair but a reality. Joseph Audio Pearl 20/20 Graphene, Doshi Evolution (amp, preamp, phonostage, and tapestage), Studer A810, Cardas Clear Beyond cables w/support from J.Sikora Standard Max TT/’arm/Etna SL/Benz LPS, Aurender A20.

Best Sound (for the money): Given most of the low-cost turntables were on static display or had no firm price assigned, the Fozgometer V2 wins the day, since it helps to achieve better azimuth adjustment at a somewhat reasonable cost.

Most Significant Product Introduction: Project X8 offering a lot of turntable for its price point.

Most Significant Trend: Fewer turntables seen post-pandemic, but the quality of setups seemed better for those on display. Let’s hope the next show has more available with similar quality at prices within reach at lower price points.

AXPONA 2022 | Analog Sources

Most Coveted Product: The Analog Productions Ultra Tapes that came home with me made my luggage much heavier and my wallet significantly lighter!

Tags: ANALOG AXPONA SHOW REPORT TONEARMS TURNTABLES

Andre Jennings

By Andre Jennings

My professional career has spanned 30+ years in electronics engineering. Some of the interesting products I’ve been involved with include Cellular Digital Packet Data modems, automotive ignition-interlock systems, military force protection/communications systems, and thrust-vector controls for space launch vehicles.

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