AXPONA 2025

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AXPONA 2025

Fidelity Imports Demos Ruark Gear: British Bite on a Budget

Ken Micallef Apr 22, 2025 First Published: Apr 22, 2025 0 comments

At AXPONA, Steve Jain’s Fidelity Imports and UK-based Ruark Audio teamed up to present a stylish, musically satisfying system. Founded in 1985 on England’s south coast, Ruark is known for combining classic British design with forward-thinking engineering.

AXPONA 2025

Axiss, Accuphase, Yukiseimitsu, Gauder, and a Room That Made Me Want to Spend My Nest Egg

Ken Micallef Apr 22, 2025 First Published: Apr 22, 2025 0 comments

There’s nothing like a new turntable to set my pulse racing. So when I first saw the thread‑drive, magnetic‑bearing Yukiseimitsu Audio AP‑01 ($31,975) at last year’s AXPONA, my jaw dropped, my scalp tingled, and my ears pricked up. It’s back this year in its new EM edition—still sleek, still strange.

AXPONA 2025

Watt’s Up? TEAC and Vienna Acoustics Bring World Premieres

Ken Micallef Apr 22, 2025 First Published: Apr 22, 2025 0 comments

In partnership with Playback Distribution, TEAC debuted its new AP-507 stereo power amplifier ($2799) early in the day, luring this reviewer with strong coffee and stronger specs.

AXPONA 2025

Songs in the Life of Kii

Ken Micallef Apr 22, 2025 First Published: Apr 22, 2025 0 comments

On the 14th floor of the Schaumburg Renaissance hotel, Kii Audio CEO Chris Reichardt had a question about hifi’s future. “How many 30‑year‑olds say, ‘I need these seven components that will cost 50k?’” Reichardt asked, reasonably. “People are tired of wires.”

AXPONA 2025

Saturday Audio Exchange, Monitor Audio, McIntosh, and AudioQuest: Style from Mars, Sound from Binghamton

Ken Micallef Apr 19, 2025 First Published: Apr 19, 2025 0 comments

With the debut of the futuristic Hyphn loudspeakers ($95,000/pair), Monitor Audio and Chicago’s Saturday Audio Exchange made an unmissable statement.

AXPONA 2025

Estelon, Vitus, Sonorus, Taiko, Crystal Cable, ART, and Ekustik: A New Kind of Clarity

Jason Victor Serinus Apr 19, 2025 First Published: Apr 19, 2025 0 comments

Aldo Filippelli of Luxury Audio Group brought essentially the same system he showed at the Florida Audio Expo, where Mark Henninger and Julie Mullins filed a comprehensive video report. Familiar or not, the performance was still superb.

AXPONA 2025

This Tubed Line/Phono Stage Has an IP Address: Manley Labs Goes Remote

Mark Henninger Apr 19, 2025 First Published: Apr 19, 2025 0 comments

At AXPONA 2025’s Ear Gear Experience, Manley Labs president EveAnna Manley unveiled a long-rumored project: the company’s Precision Line and Phono Stage. Designed to marry tube tradition with modern functionality, the unit houses 10 triodes powered by Manley’s proprietary switch-mode supply. Behind its sculpted faceplate are six inputs, each assignable for line-level or RIAA-equalized signals, offering up to 75dB of gain.

AXPONA 2025

Do-It-All, Done Right? Arcam’s SA45 Makes the Case

Mark Henninger Apr 18, 2025 First Published: Apr 18, 2025 0 comments

Arcam’s $4999 SA45 aims to prove that “do-it-all” and “high-end” can coexist. For the first time at a show, Jim Garrett, a senior director of product strategy & planning at Harman International, gave a live demo of the British brand’s SA45 streaming integrated amplifier.

Watch Mark Henninger’s interview with Jim Garrett.

AXPONA 2025

DeVore Fidelity, Leben, Well Tempered Lab, Box Furniture: Vinyl, Intention, and the Art of the Demo

Ken Micallef Apr 18, 2025 First Published: Apr 18, 2025 0 comments

John DeVore brings more than music to his rooms: he brings thoughtfulness, a sense of discovery, and superbly curated recordings.

AXPONA 2025

AXISS Audio, Soulution Amplification, Telos Power Gear, Acoustic Grove Treatments: Beauty, Brawn, and Billie

Jason Victor Serinus Apr 17, 2025 First Published: Apr 17, 2025 0 comments

Before I heard the new Soulution 717 monoblocks ($109,975 each), I spoke with Cyrill Hammer, Soulution’s CEO and Chief Designer, and Cliff Duffey, President of AXISS Audio. The conversation was illuminating. The listening? Something else entirely.

Watch our exclusive video interview with Cyrill Hammer and Cliff Duffey.