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.
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.