Batteries are used for the power supply of the new Dodd Audio preamplifier. In their room, more wood-encased Dodd gear was feeding GR Research loudspeakers.

Here are Brian and Dennis Fraker of Serious Stereo with huge Altec 604 mass-loaded TL speakers, their own 2A3 monoblocks and a passive preamp. Having all this fed from a music server, presto there came the music. We spent quite some time in this room. The sound was very pleasing, very fast and dynamic. And we learned a lot not only from the design ideas but also about native American clothing styles as Brian showed us a photo shoot he did at a festival. In the meantime Dennis selected appropriate music to accompany the impromptu slide show. This was another room that epitomized why the atmosphere of RMAF is so special.

A large room and equipment for an equally large budget were next. Lloyd Walker combined his magnificent Walker Audio Proscenium Gold Signature turntable with tangential arm with Al Stiefel's Red Rock Renaissance amplifiers and a pair of 300lbs/ea. LSA 10 loudspeakers. Even though the hardware looked macho, listening with our eyes closed to any kind of music carried us far away.

We are sorry to say that the joyful emotion Lloyd Walker unleashed was brutally shattered (and our eardrums almost as well) in the mbl room following. No further comments.

Over at the Gershman room, Eli and Ofra made up for our shocked ears. Their Black Swan with its nested design ensures an adaptive time alignment. By relying on Denver-native Red Rock amplifiers, there was no need to haul more heavy equipment across the Canadian border. Here another couple of our CDs found new owners.

Local Denver dealer Soundings showed some of their Sumiko Audio wares from the store. Here we had a conversation with Mark Krekeler who does customer support. It was fun to exchange ideas on music, ideologies and politics. That’s what audio shows are for, no?

How relaxed the RMAF was shows this example, with Dan Babineau and Lenny Mayeux from Running Springs Audio taking time out facing the camera.

Pure brass and musical looks – a Stage platform by Starsound Technologies.

Another room where we played plenty of tunes from our CDs was the Balanced Audio Technology and JMLab exhibit of Denver dealer Audio Unlimited by John Barnes. BATman Geoffrey Poor in the picture is not only the director of sales, he is also a musical connoisseur and gifted causeur. By now he knows Renaud Garcia Fons, Rodrigo & Gabriela and the Hadouk Trio.

The largest system at the show also had the sound that came closest to real life. Ray Kimber set up 12 Sound Lab Prostats. These 8'8" behemoth electrostatic speakers need space but once accommodated, give back a lot. Very, very impressive and informative. Thank you Ray, for facilitating this presentation with clearly enormous personal effort.

Two deHavilland GM-70 power amps fed the Wilson Benesch Act speakers. Of the same make was the massive Torus subwoofer up front. It was a pity we missed George Kielczynski at the show but did run into him briefly at Bari Sushi.

Usher impressed us by surprise. High quality speakers and very reasonable priced. This is a brand that must be watched.

Never desert a winning team must be Lee Landesberg's theme to once again team Art Audio with Ars Aures. This 4 x A may be a secret code but definitely one that's magic for music.

DarTZeel, EMM Labs, Grand Prix Audio's direct-drive turntable and the immense new Evolution Acoustics speakers collaborated in another large exhibit. Last year roughly the same system used Von Schweikert's VR9s, now the MM3 filled the room with a very pleasant sound. It is not always easy to voice a big system in a big room but here it worked out fine.

And this now concludes our RMAF 2006 coverage. Because many people we met were curious about the music we brought along on our EAC'd and Nespa'd CDR, we herewith share the track listing of our most discussed copy.


1 Herman van Veen & Rosenberg 3 - "Kwinten"- Je zoenen zijn zoeter
2 ®chestra - "Ishq" - Weeshuis
3 Tarentelle et Cie - "Polka" - Tarentelle et Cie
4 Karim Baggili - "Llorona" - Cuatro con Cuatro
5 Renaud Garcia Fons - "Arcoluz" - Arcoluz
6 Renaud Garcia Fons - "Berim Bass" - Arcoluz
7 Juan Carmona - "Chisera" - Sinfonica Flamenca
8 Gerardo Nunez - "Calima" - Calima
9 Elisa Vellia - "Voleur des Secrets" - Voleur des Secrets
10 Kila - "The seige of carrickfinn" -Tog E Go Bog E
11 Rodrigo + Gabriela - "Foc" - Live Manchester Dublin
12 Colores - "Colores se visten" - Cuadernos de la Habana
13 Colores - "La gota de rocio" - Cuadernos de la Habana
14 Marvin Sewell - "The workers dance" - The workers dance
15 Kora Jazz Trio - track 1 - Second


Finally, we must thank Al, Marjorie and friends who made RMAF 2006 a real Fest. It was well worth the journey and we hope to be back next year.