AXPONA Chicago April 10-12, 2026 - Who is going??

@dayglow 

I was especially startled by the statement about Dan D'Agostino, "That f*cker's dead in 10 years" It's said almost casually, almost as a throwaway observation while making a demographic point, delivered with a kind of breezy indifference — "hopefully he's not" is tacked on almost as an afterthought, which if anything makes it worse rather than better. More than that, the "cattle/herd" language throughout is perhaps more ugly in its wholesale dehumanization of an entire group of people. 

I'm sure he thought he was just creating colorful demographic commentary in the moment, but we'll see how it ages. I'd not want to have it representing me, personally or as a brand he sells. My two cents.

This year I attended Axpona just as spectator and see what’s new.First I noticed they added extra parking lot to accommodate all the attendees, we have to ride the shuttle bus to the venue.So they are more attendee this year obviously since Axpona was move to Schaumburg hotel. There are plenty of new speakers. More things to buy on the first floor . I listen to Andrew Jones listed 33k they sound good but they don’t look 33k.I think they overpriced them. The Altec Lansing room it sound the same as last year.The demo guy is super nice.So many good set up this year.I don’t know how much is the bigger Dutch and Dutch speaker on the lobby is sound good as well. I enjoyed axpona this year just spectator. I spend 2 days Friday and Saturday.

@manwhosoldtheworld Care to share with us the gems you found in the headphone room?  I spent three hours there myself.

The headphone room had a lot of good stuff.  I will just say what I like regardless of price point since that is different for all of us.  

My headphone highlights were (in no particular order) the Audeze LCD-X and MX4,, Dan Clark Audio Stealth and Noire X , Meze 109, ZMF Atrium Closed and the Fiio FT7, Fosi i5 PLanar Magnetic

Headphone amps that stood out: the Europa from Moon Audio (expensive but mind blowing)  also a preamp, Pass  HPA-1c, Auris Nirvana (really liked it), and the Prima Luna 100 (integrated), the iFi idsd phantom (amazing for the price), allnic asra.  Oh, yeah, Ampansound products were incredible. Competes the the best.  

Focal Room was too loud to really get an idea.

I don’t know how much is the bigger Dutch and Dutch speaker on the lobby is sound good as well

I heard someone say they retail at $100,000 ! Personally I liked their 8C better