Glen Wagenknecht: The Toronto fall weather decided to send a variety pack of rain, snow and sunshine to give each day a different flavor. It was a glorious show and by the end of the second day, the attendance numbers on TAVES 2014 precipitated the announcement that it was already a record breaker. So right off the top, kudos to the organizers. While some familiar faces and products were absent, the show had a long list of exhibitors and anyone opting for a one-day pass (short of Olympic sprinters) would have missed a lot of excellent material. The main floor layout was a bit convoluted but friendly and helpful TAVES staff were situated at strategic locations to offer guidance and event-colored arrows always led the way as well. Other exhibitors were located on the third and fourth floors, easily accessible by elevator or stairs.


As usual, my comments will be minimalist. Where I have been able to procure a bit more detailed information, it will be included. Where not, we have short bits to pique some interest in fine product. If you saw the show, this will be a second run. If you missed it, I’ll take you around the rooms. Like any attendee perspective, this is a galloping snippet of sights and sounds, informal and hopefully fun. Let’s begin with the decision to incorporate artwork at the show. It adorned the hallways and exhibitors got into the spirit as well, adding it to their listening rooms. Result? Potential audiophile geek transformed into refined chic. For those with a more adventurous flare, there was also live body painting to music by Magicfinnga Wong and some lovely young models.

The multimedia aspect was nicely handled with gaming hardware, Virtual Reality, photography, 3D printing and some remarkable 4K video displays. While we're technically not covering these items, they generated good crossover interest between video technology and High End audio. Let's face it, we can always use enthusiastic fresh blood and it appears to have worked out well. (And as for appealing to my video side, the ultra short-throw Sony 4k projector was a masterwork of electronic wizardry, sadly at the $55’000 mark at this moment.)

Music was available thanks to stalwarts like Mark Waldrep of AIX and Todd Garfinkle of MA Recordings among a few others. Recording artist Anne Bisson had her own table selling CDs as well as high-rez recordings on USB card.

Stephen Huang was on the main floor showing his extensive wares and showcasing his new aerospace-tolerance power distribution box. Out on the main floor was Target Audio products president Nabil Akhrass introducing their product to a fresh audience. Turntables? Everywhere. Analogue continues to resurge with lovers of music. Big offerings in all quarters. The Rega room alone had a wider and funkier assortment than one would think possible. Moo mats galore.

I always try to stop by the Vintage Radio Association to put audiophilia in perspective. Real men’s vintage audio toys on display. Old yes, but still functioning after all these years and alongside, a charming article about a visit by Marconi’s last surviving child. How time has flown.

Having acknowledged the past, time to feast on the current. First up the everyman products, the feisty little contenders that can sooth the musical soul without the aid of very thick wallets.The big expansion this years was into headphones. They proliferated on every floor,and while mostly not quite in the cheap and cheerful category, they are also no longer simply the "poor man's" alternative to a good stereo. The front end technology as well as the headphones rival big rig performance for substantially less. The main floor headphone area had booth after booth of elegant offering.

Representing Vmax Services and Hegel Canada, Richard Kohlruss had some interesting product, the Hegel H-160 integrated amp with airplay and DNLA for $3800 Cdn and their HD12 DSD capable DAC. Fresh out of the box to make its debut was the Synthesis Roma 41DC/41DC+ tube headphone amp and paired with the new Hifi Man 560 it was breathtaking in its ability to create a non-headphone panoramic sonic vista. The Roma also adjusts to match each headphone's impedance. Best headphone sound at the show? Possibly, although the competition was fierce.