T.H.E. Show Newport 2012

Carlsbad dealer Audio Revelation put together a beautiful little system: Vivid Audio V1.5 loudspeakers ($7650), Luxman SQ-38u integrated amp ($5990), Wavelength Cosecant DAC ($3500), and Well Tempered Versalex turntable ($4400) with a Dynavector XX2 phono cartridge ($1950)&#151all you need to make music.

My very favorite gear of T.H.E. Show Newport was presented by Ross Blomgren of RJB Electronic Services. Blomgren specializes in the repair and restoration of antique jukeboxes, radios, and hi-fi, and the products he had on display were, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful to be found at the show.

Time and time again, I’ve had the good fortune of running into VTL’s Luke Manley just as I arrive at a show. It’s always a pleasure to chat with Luke and just as fun to listen to music with him. While his room often represents my very first chance to listen at any show, the sound he and his partners create is one that stays with me for the duration. That was the case again here at T.H.E. Show Newport Beach.

Stereophile's Stephen Mejias (left) is given the hard sell by the youngest audiophile at the Show, Shane Censullo. Shane was tireless throughout the weekend, handing out flyers on behalf of his father's company, Avatar Acoustics.

As Jason Victor Serinus mentioned last week, T.H.E. Show Newport Beach is now being held at two hotels&#151the larger Hilton (T.H.E. Show Newport West) and the Atrium (T.H.E. Show Newport East), shown here.

John Atkinson and Bill Leebens catching some rays.

Not sure whose idea it was to put gigantic scissors in Michael Fremer's hands. Luckily, everything worked out. No CDs were harmed. The ribbon was cut, marking the start of the 2nd annual T.H.E. Show Newport Beach.