Avantgarde Acoustic Trio Classico XD speakers

Clearaudio Concept turntable

Woo Audio 3ES headphone amplifier

Magico A3 speakers

Dan D’Agostino Progression power amplifier

Harbeth M40.2 40th Anniversary speaker

Harbeth P3ESR 40th Anniversary speaker

Vinnie Rossi LIO preamplifier

MySphere 3.2 headphones

Magnepan 3.7i panel speaker

Alta Audio Lo speaker

Continuum Audio Labs Obsidian turntable

Western Electric 300B vacuum tube

Volti Audio Rival speakers

Stenheim Alumine Five speakers

Bricasti Design Platinum Series M21 digital converter

Linn LP12 turntable

Nagra HD preamp

Gamut RS7i speakers

The Audio Expo North America (Axpona) 2018 high-end extravaganza was held last weekend, April 13, 14, and 15 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center near Chicago, and it was a really big show. The sprawling event hosted 165 rooms packed with the world's best audio. Indeed, a feast for the eyes and ears. I had nowhere near enough time to check out everything, but here's a sampler of the high points. 

Avantgarde Acoustic's room-filling speaker system and subwoofers were much too large for the small hotel room, but the message came through loud and clear, the Trio Classico XD can deliver dynamics with startling power, and still sound natural with solo acoustic guitar.