Four Systems, One Statement: Scott Walker Audio, Acora, and VAC Deliver With Gear by VPI, Aurender, SonoruS
The Palm Ballroom and adjacent rooms hosted systems from Acora Acoustics, Scott Walker Audio, and VAC—an ambitious collaboration by Valerio Cora, Scott Walker, and Kevin Hayes. The trio presented a range of well-curated systems.
From Filament to Fidelity: Chesky Audio LC1 with Cambridge Audio
Lucca Chesky and Cambridge Audio’s Steve Novakoski presented the Chesky Audio LC1 Bookshelf Monitor ($498 each), which made a big splash at Capital Audiofest.
High-End Bliss: Scott Walker Audio, Acora Acoustics, VAC, VPI, Cardas Cable
Valerio Cora, Scott Walker, and Kevin Hayes—Acora Acoustics, Scott Walker Audio, and VAC—consistently deliver high-quality audio. Their setup in the ballroom and adjacent rooms at the Sheraton’s entrance showcased this. Don’t want to tangle with four floors of audio gear? These rooms offered an exceptional listening experience—no stairs required.
High-Fidelity Harmony: Bending Wave, Tone Imports
Old friend Jonathan Halpern of Tone Imports and Elliot Goldman of Bending Wave are experts at show setups. While some exhibitors take perfectly good gear and set it up willy nilly, Jonathan and Elliot are old school, big eared/serious listening guys, and the sound of their room at the Florida International Audio Expo 2025 was what I expected: fantastic.
House of Stereo: Triangle with Soulines, Electrocompaniet, and Nordost in the Mix
Hasn’t everyone owned a pair of Triangle speakers? Early in my audio journey, Triangle’s clean, precise, flowing sound won me over. Then the company seemingly disappeared. Well, they’re back, and FLAX 2025 showed them in prime stead, in yet another House of Stereo room.
Hybrid Harmony: Advance Paris, PMC
Stereophile's Julie Mullins walks us through Advance Paris’s high‐performance hybrid amplifiers in a Playback Distribution room. At the Florida International Audio Expo 2025, she spoke with Cédric Léon about the company's offerings, now available in the U.S. market.
In Full Flow: Odeon Audio, Gold Note, Innuos, Air Tight, Western Electric, Cardas Cable at Supreme Acoustic Systems
Gary Lea of Supreme Acoustic Systems graciously allowed me into his room pre-show, because he knows I am a horn-loaded loudspeaker fanatic. After one look at Odeon Audio’s German-made Semper loudspeakers ($49,900/pair), I had to contain myself.
Inside Victor’s World: Hana, VPI Industries, VK Music, Sparkler, Stenheim, Sun Valley, and Elekit Unveil Musical Magic
Victor Kung was my virtual mom in Tampa, feeding me Ritz crackers, bananas, Cheerios, Kind bars, and delicious instant coffee when my energy flagged. Victor’s generosity was also on display in the lovely, tubed components he brought to his small room, easily one of my favorites of the show.
Integrating Excellence: Estelon, Vitus Audio, Taiko Audio, Sonorus Audio, Crystal Cable, Infinity, ART Audio, and RevOpods
At the Florida International Audio Expo, Julie Mullins interviewed the Scott Walker Audio team as they showcased Aldo Filippelli’s installation from Luxury Audio Group. Every component was selected to suit a 35×55' room with 10' ceilings, ensuring the system delivers precise, adaptable sound in a challenging space.
Linn & Nordost Unite: Lorenzo Pacitti’s High-End Audio Showcase
Linn brand ambassador Lorenzo Pacitti earnestly offered demos in Room 481, and I happily obliged.