In keeping with VSAC's do-it-yerself spirit and the admirable hands-on interactions between manufacturers and showgoers --more than once did I see an expert hand-draw circuits and parts values on napkins for those who asked specifics -- my show report shall begin with the Craftsman Room displays. I'm as lousy at taking notes as I am at balancing a checkbook. Hence no photo credits for this image series, no cash in my checking account. With the exception of the last three pictures (Lynn Olson's Zenith radio and the old Stromberg-Carlson amp), all creations here were one-ups and hand-built by hobbyist music lovers. From tight-tolerance dovetails in solid walnut to flecked granite tops; from mirrored-ceiling honeymoon amps to copper top or Chinese red lacquer chassis - if it was wild, wacky and wonderful, you could see it in this room. Major kudos to all DIY home builder exhibitors. The press just talks about stuff. You guys actually make it. Now that's im-press-ive!

Courtesy of Seattle retailer Keith Knudson's Premier Audio, this room also hosted a 'Digital ModsDemo' shoot-out wherein after-market SACD and CD player modification specialists could demonstrate their pieces in a controlled, three-track environment using the mighty JMlab Mezzo Utopias with Beryllium domes as monitors and 250-watt Conrad-Johnson Premiere monoblocks for power.

I chanced upon this comparison late in the game and fled the scene upon hearing the audiophile caca tracks the presenter had selected for this occasion. Rule of thumb? Those rooms who played great music had only a few visitors who stayed for very long periods of time. Those who played the usual crap were packed but underwent fast turnovers. I'll have more to say about two rooms in particular whose musical tastes and selections were about as fine as they come.