Audio Shows - CES and what else?

I attended two of the VSAC in Washington and loved their seminars and shootout among vacuum tubes, but it dried up. The Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver replaced it. In someways it is superior to the VSAC, such as having more demonstrators including some bigger companies, and some ways not its equal, such as not having real seminars by authorities or interesting demonstrations, or awards for DIYers' projects.

Nevertheless, the RMAF has displaced the CES and THE Show from my perspective. Many manufacturers avoid CES because of the expense, which increased with going to the Venetian and THE Show as the San Tropea is just too run down and now isolated from high end at CES.

I have attended several shows abroad, they are all better than CES in my experience.

I should say that shows are now invaluable given the rapid decline of local dealers and few of the remaining having much choice. Of course, Audiogon and AudioAsylum all at least partially fill this void also.

Have been attending CES for many years. To see everything takes more than a day or two, in my experience, so I attend all four days and find it worthwhile. Although audiophiles can usually finagle their way in, I don't know if I can recommend it for all consumers because it is overwhelming and, let's face it, it's in Las Vegas, which incidentally is getting expensive. A lot of folks are finding RMAF to be the show to attend, and I can see why. Laid back, everybody's in a good mood, well organized and easy to get things taken care of, no union hassles and associated exorbitant costs, and so on. The hotel in Denver is very accessible, and there are plenty of places to eat nearby. I haven't been to a Stereophile show in several years, but they're OK.

Harrygoldsmith, Stereophile had announced on their website before their show last year that this year's show was going to be in Chicago. But that didn't happen because they were firm about wanting to hold it at the Palmer House Hilton, and by the time they got around to trying to reserve a date the only dates open were in February and July. Cross your fingers, they said the 2008 show will be here.
Brian

The history of THE Show has been alternating from NYC to LA. One year East Coast, one year West Coast. So every other year in NYC.

Jh2os, I think you are talking about the Home Entertainment Show not The Home Entertainment show. I think THE Show is never in LA or NYC. It is sometimes in Denver and Indianapolis I know.