T.H.E SHOW 2016 - An Exhibitors Persective


I did this once before briefly a few years ago, and have been asked by many to do it for the again. So I will try to put in as much as possible for one last view of this.

Generally planning for a show can start 1 month before - like at Capital Audio Fest or 1 year before, as in THE Show, Axpona and RMAF. All shows encourage repeats with goodies, as well as the ability to keep the same room. The same room could be good or bad. New good rooms are hard to come by, so sometimes the bad room is the devil you know. The line for good rooms is very long and usually starts a few years ago to get into the back of the line. Then you hope either exhitibtors consolidate or don't do a show, and the room is yours or you move up the line by 1.

I tried bribing the organizaers, getting them drunk, sending pictures of them hugging speakers to their wives but nothing worked. So we are at the rooms we are at for a reason.

This will be my 2nd year at THE Show. Richard Beers, RIP and God Bless his soul, picked this room for me 2 years ago when he first move to this Hotel. So while I had the pick of rooms, it was only the small rooms that were left. It is at the top floor, near the elevators and across from some very big rooms. Nice as everyone comes to the top, then walks down. Traffic is excellent, access is good and the views are very nice. It is also quiet. There is not too much bass problems. The ceilings are a nice 8 feet.

More to come. I will post as many pictures as I can. Let me know if you would like something specific to be covered and I will do it if I can. 
merrillaudio
This the final Show configuration - finally.

Room 1417 Configuration
T.H.E. Show, Newport 2016

Speakers
German Physiks HRS-130 Loudspeakers
High-Polish Polyester/High Polish Veneer: $22,750

Power Amplifiers
Merrill Audio VERITAS Monoblocks Power Amplifiers: $12,000 pair

*Preamplifier - World Premier
Merrill Audio Christine Reference Pre-amplifier: $12,400
$12,400

Phono Stage
Merrill Audio Jens Reference Phono Stage: $15,449

Cables:
Merrill Audio ANAP Low Inductance Speaker Cables: $1,149
Merrill Audio ANAP Low Capacitance Interconnects: $1,149

DAC
Emm Labs DAC2X $15,500

Turntable
VPI Avenger Signature Turntable: $21,000
VAS NY inc Nova Signature Cartridge: $3,000
Lyra Delos $1,750
12" 3D printed Tone Arms (2)

Accessories
EQUI-CORE Balanced Power Cord Conditioner: $799
Stillpoints ESS Rack 34-26-4 / All Acrylic: $10,350
GIK Tri-Corner Bass Traps $150.

Up at 5am to catch a 8am flight from Newark, NJ to LAX. Only to find the flight 1 hour late. Not a problem, we arrived 20 minutes late, and 1 hour later - 12:20 we were in comfortable in Uber going to Hotel Irvine. 

Check in easily. No body was around yet since it is only 1:30. Went for a nice lunch. Said a quick hi to Fremmer who was looking very slim. Almost look like he got a six pack. Must be all that good Audio.

Starting to run in to people now, Kevin Hays ( VAC), Bruce Jacobs (Stillpoints), Mike Kalalis (Analysis Audio), John Stancavage ( Parttime Audiophile). 

1,000 pounds of equipment minus Stillpoints rack is in the room. Amazing. So setup will start tonight. Lets go! Pictures to follow.
It is now 3:30pm PST.

Hello Merrill,

i am looking forward to Veritas Monoblocks and Christine Reference Pre-amplifier audition.  See you on Friday. 

Lalit
Thursday is done and we spent from 5am to 8pm arranging, talking, meeting. Finally got everything in place. Spent about 1 hour to get the imaging and stage correct. We now have it with precision, deep and wide stage without instruments being wider than normal.

Started tuning the bass but we were too tired to finish, so will start again this morning at 6am.  We already had about 50 people come through although it was not opened officially yet. Mostly press, friends of the press, SF Audio society, LA Audio Society and so on.

Here is a link to the setup. Note the Stillpoints rack is 200 pounds fully assembled!

http://tinyurl.com/hjsswjk


Will you be showing the German Physiks speakers at capital Audio Fest as well?