Anyone going to the NY Audio show today to Sunday

I agree that the vast majority of rooms were very expensive yet mediocre. The only room that really stood out for me was the LessLoss room, where I felt I was listening to and really enjoying music.

I also felt the Coincident room was creating music, although it did not sound on par with the Kaiser Kaweros in the LessLoss room. (Nor should it have -- the Coincident equipment is substantially less expensive and was stuffed into a smaller room.)

In most other rooms, I felt like I was hearing audio systems being put through their paces. This applied to the Wilson rooms, the Audio Doctor/KEF Blade room, and the Woodbridge Audio/GamuT room. By the way, I did not like the Sound by Singer room. I used to own VAC gear and love it. Maybe the Raidho speakers were the issue, but the VAC/Raidho system Singer had on display sounded very artificial and "plasticky" to me both times I heard it.

That said, I assume that room acoustics were partly to blame in some rooms. There were quite a few rooms with speakers that were clearly too big for the space. Those massive GamuT speakers in the small Woodbridge Audio room looked and sounded ridiculous in that space. The Vivids also seemed way too big for the room they were in.

I've already replied up above, but after reading more of this thread, I have a question. Like I said, this was my first "audio show" and I really enjoyed my day there. But all you guys are complaining. Is this a normal response to all the tremendously hard work and sincere efforts that the dealers/distributors/stereo companies/etc. obviously devoted to putting this whole thing together ? Shouldn't we all be a little more grateful that all these folks are doing the best they can to keep this "audio industry" afloat and vital ? I'm somewhat bothered by all this negativity.

Agreed - let's see some more love. But I do agree with the Zellaton and Kaiser comments above as to best of show. My personal preference leans towards the Zellaton CH Precision room - very very unforced and natural and made everything else sound hifi and artificial. Never heard of CH Precision but serious looking and sounding gear. The Kaiser was very pretty sounding with more of a hifi sound than Zellaton but still very enjoyable. Cheers

Thanks for reminding me guys. The Kaiser/LessLoss room was fantastic. Last year it was on of the best sounds at the show for me as well. Also, the Zellaton/CH Precision room was remarkable playing Sonny's "Way Out West".

Well, as for all the "negativity"...yes, the ridiculously overpriced world of audio leaves me a bit jaded. Look, I'm an enthusiast. I love to get up close and admire the craftsmanship and skill required to make beautiful looking turntables, gorgeous speaker cabinetry and the "bling" of a shinny tube amp, but at the end of the day it's about the sound, and if I don't like it I will say so. Just because I publicly voice my dislike of a manufacturer doesn't mean I don't appreciate their attendance. It's simply not my cup of tea...to each his own.

Let's not forget this is what we do in our spare time because it's a fun hobby and we love music reproduced through a stereo system. If you go to a car show, must you leave it praising every single car? Must you like every wine at a wine tasting? And if you don't, does that mean your not thankful for the event? People who are enthusiasts, regardless of hobby, are entitled and encouraged IMO, to critique what they experience, the good and the bad.

Devilboy, I get your point, and I tend to agree with you. In fact, besides my love of music, my (and my wife's) appreciation of fine wine is one of my other favorite avocations. And when I'm at a tasting and may not like a particular wine, I still thank the vintner for coming to the show and allowing me to taste samples of their stuff. Of course we won't always like every audio system we hear, but let's at least appreciate the fact that these guys worked their butts off to allow us to hear and critique their systems. If we don't show some gratitude, these audio shows, just like our beloved local audio shops, will soon disappear.