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The Hub: Numbers unclear, but strongest RMAF yet!

If you've never flown into Denver before, the final descent over the desert might provoke a pang of panic. No city is in sight, and the sense is more that one is about to go MIA (missing in action), than DIA (Denver International Airport).

Those feelings pass as soon as the tires hit the tarmac and the engines begin to reverse. Phew. As one of the world's largest, busiest and most modern airports, Denver International excels at moving folks along, and sure enough, after a few relatively-painless polylingual exchanges, we're on our way to the seventh annual Rocky Mountain Audio Fest.

Held once again at the pleasant, tree-shrouded Denver Marriott Tech Center, RMAF has become the audio show of note in the United States, as an increasing number of exhibitors seek refuge from the declining ROI (return on investment)of CES. Led by the wonderfully-unflappable Marjorie Baumert and a throng of devoted volunteers, RMAF's attitude and vibe are unfailingly supportive and upbeat, in contrast to the infamous Vegas litany of "that'll be another $500".

If you think we're kidding about that, then you've clearly never worked in Vegas. Sheesh.

Enough bitterness. The important story here is how RMAF has something for everyone in the audio world, whether it's Old School, Noo Skool, or "We Don't Need No Stinkin' School". From fractional-watt spud amps to "Oh my God, what are they rolling down the hall?", you could see it and hear it here. From the funky handicrafts of Experience Music to the retro-nuevo of Oswalds Mill and the works of industrial art from Magico and others, it was here. Better still, you could talk to the men and women who design, build and sell the stuff, and get the straight scoop.

Presentations varied from a laid-back, "sure, why wouldn't we jump at the chance to play 'Enter Sandman' on a quarter-million dollar rig?" to informative, incredibly-polished, highly-professional demos as shown by MIT and others. Again: if you couldn't find a style that matched your needs and taste--well, you just weren't trying.

Seminars featured leading designers such as Paul S. Barton and Charlie Hansen, and press-legends such as Harry Pearson and John Atkinson. Edgiest of the presentations was Michael Mercer's "Embracing the Industry's Future" panel with Head-Fi's Jude Mansilla and Positive Feedback's Dave Clark, amongst others. The general sense of the group was that the industry's best days are ahead of it--and if you don't agree, quit whining and get the hell out of the way! Awesome stuff.

In days to come, Audiogon will present our high-def photographic coverage of EVERY ROOM at RMAF, along with our worldwide-exclusive audio clips. We may even have a bit of commentary from a tired blogger with bad feet.

RMAF 2010 was a call to action, a slap in the face of anyone in the audio world ready to roll over and die. It ain't gonna happen--not if any of THESE folks have anything to say about it!

If you weren't at the show: start planning for next year. Do it NOW.
audiogon_bill

Showing 2 responses by audiogon_bill

audiogon_bill OP
155 posts
 
Nhocti: Thanks for the kind words, and it was a pleasure to meet you, as well.

Bwp: Thanks for getting it. I'm not saying everything must go in our biz, but come ON guys, wake up and smell the coffee. Nostalgia is SO overrated!

Mech: Where we are right now has been detailed in numerous pieces right here in The Hub. Never have we suggested that analog should disappear; indeed, many of our readers have suggested that we've devoted an unhealthy number of pixels to the continuing development of turntables and LPs. Similarly, tube amps as a class are in many ways better than ever. Also note that Michael's panel discussion had a far broader scope than just computer audio (and shame on me for not making that point crystal-clear), as it also dealt with a range of downloaded/streamed/stored/distributed technologies.

What we ARE saying is that new technologies will allow a broad new range of listeners to experience remarkable fidelity with an ease of use and transportability that would be impossible to achieve with "old tech". Okay?

Smer: Just to clarify for everyone else, THE has announced a show in Newport Beach on June 3-5, 2011.

Bombay: See preceding response to Mech. Not telling anyone to get lost, but you are correct in referring to "older/traditional audiophiles"--many of whom, sad to say, are dying or are simplifying their lives by eliminating elaborate systems. In order to continue as a viable industry, the high end needs to adapt. Simple. That's all we're saying.

C1: No news on the OC. BAT did show in a couple rooms at RMAF--our full pictorial coverage should be up in a few days.

Thanks to all of you for your comments!
audiogon_bill OP
155 posts
 
Tennis: I think Jason Victor Serinus' posts from RMAF regarding pianist Robert Silverman made clear the point that even the best mega-buck systems out there have a long way to go before they can emulate the dynamics and power of live music.

I think of music-reproduction as being akin to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle: you can do dynamics but not efficiency, at the same time. You can do extended frequency response but not a reasonable size, at the same time. And so on and so on, ad infinitum.

There is a mind-bending string of trade-offs that go into the design and configuration of an audio system. Being obsessive souls, we will cling to one or two parameters as being "the important ones"; naturally, choices of WHICH ones are most important differ from person to person.

The elements that say "real" to me more than other elements are instantaneous, unfettered dynamics and a lack of edge on the highs. Most other elements strike me as architectural artifacts, and those two elements can NOT be faked: it's either right--or close to it-- or it ain't. Period.

Most of the time it ain't. ;-> Do I really need to point out that these are my opinions, and my opinions only? Well, they are, and they're not humble opinions, either. I've spent decades of my life formulating them, and humility be damned.

And by the way: this completely sidesteps the whole metaphysical dilemma of "which is more real: I am THERE, or the music is HERE?" Oy. Sometimes it pays to just shut up and listen.

Michael: more power to you, dude.

Thanks to you both for your kind comments.
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