Big Picture Big Sound

"Come with uncle," I said, "and hear all proper. Hear angel trumpets and devil trombones. You are invited."

-Alex, A Clockwork Orange

A decade ago, audiophiles and home theater hobbyists east of the Mississippi would salivate in anticipation of the annual HiFi Show.  The elite among high-end audio (and later video) manufacturers would gather to display their wares, while the audio/video faithful would descend upon New York City to treat our eyes and ears to the gorgeous sights and sounds of these so-called "HiFi systems" in which cost was truly no object.

$40,000 speaker systems?  Of course, but two channels only.  $25,000 liquid-cooled vacuum tube power amplifiers?  Yeah, we've got those, too.  Elegant high-tech ovoid metal loudspeakers that would look right at home in some 23rd century lounge?  Sure, why not?  Oh, there were affordable systems on display too -- some with excellent sound -- but the uber-expensive gear was always fun to see (and hear).

This April, The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in Manhattan will be host to high-end audio and home theater equipment vendors from around the globe once again as the New York Audio & AV Show comes to town.  And the general public is welcome (for a small admission fee).  The two-and-a-half-day event is being jointly organized by two show-management companies known for producing high-end home entertainment and electronics shows -- the UK- based Chester Group Exhibitions with shows in England, Sweden and Sydney, Australia; and Richard Beers, owner of T.H.E. Show Las Vegas and T.H.E. Home Entertainment Show in Newport Beach, California.

"Based on our research, New York City has been the location of several highly successful hi-fi shows in the past sponsored by Stereophile magazine and we intend to bring back the excitement and enthusiasm for the first time in many years. We have already sold half of our exhibit space, and expect to sell out in a few more weeks," says Roy Bird, Chairman of the Chester Group.

Already on board as exhibitors are high-end electronics and loudspeaker manufacturers such as Audio Note, Pass Labs, VTL, Wilson Audio, Spendor Audio and MBL, audiophile music label M-A Recordings, and high-end A/V dealers such as Innovative Audio/Video and High End Palace. Currently, over 60 companies are slated to exhibit with new exhibitors signing up daily.  Media sponsors include Stereophile (sponsor of the original NY HiFi shows) and The Absolute Sound as well as HiFi+ and Tone Audio.

The New York Audio and AV Show will take place April 13-15, 2012 at the Waldorf=Astoria hotel in Midtown Manhattan.  Tickets start at $17 (if purchased in advance online) and can be purchased on the show web site.

Come to experience the state of the art in audio reproduction, mingle with fellow audiophiles and speak with some of the leading designers in the high end audio/video field.

More information, including an up-to-date list of exhibitors, is available on the New York Audio and AV show web site.