Impressions of Pacific Audio Fest 2024

I’m going to go out on a limb here and make the huge assumption that PAF represented a microcosm of the audiophile market. I mean, if I’m wrong it’s not the end of the world nor would it be the first time. So let me get after it.

First, when I attended my first one back in 2022 I was impressed with the layout and organization as an attendee. Lots to see and hear and a decent location for the show. This year was really no different however it seemed to me that there were slightly fewer exhibitors. My guess is that with the surge in new regional shows, manufacturers and vendors are picking and choosing where their money and efforts go. If history is any indicator, the PNW is going to get shafted. Again. (Remember the big annual Seattle motorcycle show? No? I rest my case.) I read that PAF is going to go to a biennial event. Thus it begins. Fingers crossed for 2026!

There was a pretty big scale of fairly not-good to ’I really don’t want to leave this room’ kinds of sounds. Shows are notoriously difficult places to showcase audio wares and the Doubletree Hotel is no exception. But there were several rooms who took the time, and the available room treatments, to make a good showing. I’m going to jump in with both feet and say that the ABX-Audiophiles room was one of, if not the best, sounding rooms. Plans and drivers came from LaDolce Audio. And using their drivers, they were claiming some crazy efficiency specs and pushing them with a quoted 7-9 watts/side. Stunning sound. Not a lot of money. Wow, imagine that. Affordable audio.

One example of the flip side was Bella Sound with another really great sounding display. Then again, at $40kilobucks for a pair of Hanalei 700 watt monoblocks, $12K for a Hana power conditioner and $5K for a Kaula power cable I would certainly hope they would take the time to make a good sounding room, which they did. Good on’em.

I was a bit disappointed by the Borrensen speakers on display after hearing such good things about them here on Agon: Too booomy on the bottom. In fact there were several rooms that committed that particular sin. The Audio Note UK folks I think fell prey to their room as their otherwise nice sounding rig was simply muddy on the bottom end.

Swinging the pendulum back to the good side of things was the PureAudioProject room with Pass Labs and Silversmith Audio. Again another open baffle design that doesn’t break the bank. Nice sounds here.

I also attended a couple presentations. The first was by Tube Trap. I learned a lot in their 90 minute talk! Very little of the talk was about their products and more about acoustics and why they’re such a huge influence on our sound systems. Great stuff.

The other was the Kirmuss presentation. He’s an interesting sort who presented some fascinating information on our beloved LPs. He’s awfully convincing and I almost pulled the trigger on one of his cleaning systems. Excuse me, "restoration system". But after reading a couple reviews online while I pondered put me off somewhat at this time.

I had some nice conversations with my fellow PAF goers. A common theme was that there is a LOT of great sounding equipment out on the market: Innovative, well built, great to look at. But the cost in a lot of cases is becoming eye-wateringly prohibitive. I overheard one guy telling one of his friends that he’d just spent $30K on a pair of amplifiers that he hadn’t told his wife about yet. He joked that as long as he got her a new car she’d be fine with it. Good on him if he’s got that kind of dosh. But as a fella who’s retired, I’m going to be very, very picky about where my audio-bucks get spent.

On a personal note, I was gratified that more than a couple folks had the same opinion about the best sounding room there. Ha!

Anyways, this isn’t meant to gore anyone’s ox and are only my personal experiences and thoughts about the show. If you’re in the area it’s still open tomorrow 09/08 from 10a-4p.

Happy listening.