With the 2010 show not that far off in the future its time we ask the annual question of who or what companies would you like to see at the show.

I will do my best to invite all the companies that are suggested. Thank you

Grumpy

Vandersteen :scratch2:

My favorite speaker companies: Newform Research and Audio Concepts. Maybe Channel Islands Audio as well.

Audio by Van Alstine
Salk Signature Sound
Von Schweikert Audio
Vandersteen
Venus Hi-Fi (love those systems that Brian chooses for the Fest!)
Tyler Audio
Snell
Marantz

Adcom

I will send out invites to all of those. Anymore ?

Grumpy

is it gonna be at the same place?

How about:

Rega
Music Hall
Linn

or a local dealer or dealers who can demo these brands?

is it gonna be at the same place?

www.akfest.com click on hotel info. :yes:

First of all and up-front "thanks" for your continuing efforts.
As a lot of us here at AK are DIYs, I'd like to suggest Companies that sell kits, or supply parts. Transcendent Sound for electronics, Madisound for speakers. They're both in the mid-west. Parts suppliers; Soniccraft, Percy Audio, Parts Connexion, Parts Express and Mouser (PE and Mouser are both just across state lines in Ohio).
As a "for instance" I see Mr. Joe D'Appolito will be speaking there (I hope to sit in on that one) and some of the aforementioned companies sell kits of his design. A nice tie-in.
I build anything I can, so really the only manufactured audio equipment I'm interested in are Source Equipment. Booths with new equipment are appealing in that regard, but so would booths of companies I use regularly.
For what it's worth.

Regards,
Charlie

Cary Audio
Quicksilver Audio

Yep, I second the suggestion for Cary Audio.

And add PSAudio - sure would like to hear their new DAC/transport combo.

Jeff

Music Hall

I assume Grant will be there?

I think the lectures were well received, and will be even better attended this year.

Music Hall

At least if Roy shows he'll bring good scotch.

Wish I could be there this coming year but with cuts at work it'll be a couple of years before I get back to the salary I had a couple of years ago...which wasn't much.

I'd like to see John DeVore bring his wares. Great guy, very knowledgeable about audio and passionate about music.

Every year since the second festival i have invited the product lines of Mr. Hall. It would be nice to at least get a response back...

DeVore products were represented at last years show and should be back.

Grant has expressed interest but I don't think we have a commitment just yet. That could change at any time.

I will add Cary to my list to contact.

PS Audio seemed very receptive to the show last year but mentioned something about production getting in the way. I will be speaking with them again very soon as Its one of the few products I am considering purchasing.

I have added Quicksilver, Rogue and Cary, I am pretty sure I have invited in the past, but will do so again.

Madisound usually exhibits at the fest but they had a conflict of dates last year. They are always very popular and I hope to be in touch with Larry over there very soon.

Parts Connexion would be great to have but border crossings with millions of small parts would probably be a nightmare. I will still invite them for sure this year.

Don't get me started on PE. All I ever get is the run around....


Keep the suggestions coming and I will do my best. Thanks folks

Grumpy

Can we convince EveAnna Manley to pay us a visit?

Lamm? http://www.lammindustries.com/news.html

I will third that Cary request, esp their integrated units.

Legacy Audio.

Overture Audio from Ann Arbor.

Canadian speaker builders PSB, Totem, Gershman especially the well reviewed Sonogram Speaker
...http://www.gershmanacoustics.com/sonogram.html

Rives Audio, it would be interesting to see what professional room treatment & eq would do in a hotel room.

I am surprised that none of the local vinyl vendors get rooms. Cousins Vinyl is like four miles from the hotel...

http://cousinsvinyl.com/

Or for that matter even the national record guys...

Second PSB and Totem....haven't seen anything on the Gershmans but will take your word for it.

How about some big guns??

Magico
Revel
Hanson
KEF

Or what about Silverline? Always liked the looks as well as the specs on their speakers.

I'd really like to see and hear Win Tinnon's Saskia TT. I'd also like to check out a Thomas Schick and/or Frank Schroeder tonearm or two. I think Thomas and Frank are German though - might be a bit of a hike for them? However, I believe their products are rep'd by Oswald Mills Audio.

More info on the Saskia here:

http://www.oswaldsmillaudio.com/Products/turntables.html

Tonearms here:

http://www.oswaldsmillaudio.com/Products/tonearms.html

Jeff

Yep second the major record players.

We need music direct, acoustic sounds, elusive disc, and a bunch of local record shops at the Fest dammit.:thmbsp:

Jeff

Marantz, with old man Saul representing the company.
James B. Lansing should be there, heading up the teams from both Altec Lansing and JBL.
Nelson Pass, with any (or all) of the companies he was associated with.
Infinity, with Arnie Nudell and his associates there, demonstrating the IRS V.
Sansui, but I think its founder should bring a pretty, young translator along.
I don't know who ran Klangfilm, but as long as they'd refrain from showing Nazi propaganda, the company should be represented.

...oh, there are MANY companies and, especially, companies' people, I'd LIKE to see there. Guest speakers should include Nikola Tesla, of course.




As to which modern companies, realistically, I'd like to see participate, well... that's a much harder question to answer. Manley should put in a repeat appearance, for sure, and Seth from SoundstageDirect, and all the other AK sponsors. McIntosh.

How about Rockport (Andy Paynor)?

Seriously, I think it would be cool if you could get people to attend like Messrs. Sequerra, Watkins, Nudell, and some of the other famous names from the world of gear design, even if they aren't fronting large companies any more. That might not be very profitable directly, depending on what they have --or do not have-- to sell these days, but it would be great if AKers could share thoughts and conversations and opinions with them, while they are still around. It would add a "special" attraction to the whole event.

Yep second the major record players.

We need music direct, acoustic sounds, elusive disc, and a bunch of local record shops at the Fest dammit.:thmbsp:

Jeff

Then get to work telling these companies that !

I cannot stress to our members enough how important it is that these companies know their customers are attending the fest with money in hand.

Call em, write em, send messages via carrier pigeons. Do what you must cause the record guys sure as hell ain't listening to me...

Then get to work telling these companies that !

I cannot stress to our members enough how important it is that these companies know their customers are attending the fest with money in hand.

Call em, write em, send messages via carrier pigeons. Do what you must cause the record guys sure as hell ain't listening to me...

Will do. Good advice. A call to action!

Jeff

For another DIY connection, Heyboer Transformers in Michigan might be interesting.

Possibly even EDCOR with a fairly large DIY connection as well could be very cool..:)

---------

Don't know if any tube manufacturers would find it appealing, but certainly would fit.

For another DIY connection, Heyboer Transformers in Michigan might be interesting.

Possibly even EDCOR with a fairly large DIY connection as well could be very cool..:)

---------

Don't know if any tube manufacturers would find it appealing, but certainly would fit.

I second these. It would be great to sit and pick a winders brain.:yes:

How about VPI?

What's the date of the 2010 fest anyway?

Dave, I was looking at the new website a few weeks back (clicked the link in your signature to see if anything was up and it was) and it looks like the rooms in the new place are bigger? Yes, no?

Also, anywhere were room pricing is listed? I couldn't find it.

I'd like to suggest dancin' girls and free beer.

Brilliant!

I'd like to suggest dancin' girls and free beer.

2nd that.

Grumpy, GF is coming, is there something official we need to do now?

Cheers,
Ian

Yup, we will need to chat on the phone in the very near future. I will send you a PM on some of the things we will need to know. Thank you sir.

How about The Needle Doctor?

I'm sure a good portion of the active TT forum members have spent a few bucks there over the years.




Retro

How about The Needle Doctor?

I'm sure a good portion of the active TT forum members have spent a few bucks there over the years.




Retro


Got any time to stop in and ask em for us :)

Got any time to stop in and ask em for us :)

Yeah, I guess I have a little time right now.

:D

I'll swing in there sometime soon. Also, if any of you other Twin Cities locals stops in there sometime, make sure to put a "bug in their ear" about going to the 2010 AK Fest as well. :yes:




Retro

Retro touched on something I just barely did. If there is a company you would like to see at the fest, please by all means tell that company. They do not all ways believe me when I say their customers are requesting their presence. In this economy companies listen to their customers for sure. :yes:

Grumpy

I would go all in for getting Chad of Acoustic Sounds and/or any other vinyl folks out. We speak analogue in this town... and a little digital... maybe.

The suggestion for our Canadian speaker maker friends to be invited is an excellent thought, and given that Israel Blume of Coincident (for one) and Eva Anna of Manley hang together (do Shows)... let's kill two birds with one stone.

Happy (AK'10) Listening! :beatnik:

How about the Bottlehead/Tape Project guys. Either would be great fun to see and hear in action.

Can you invite Roger Russel?

companies I would love to see:

Klaus's Odyssey
the guy from KAB

How about the Bottlehead/Tape Project guys. Either would be great fun to see and hear in action.

good idea...!

Retro touched on something I just barely did. If there is a company you would like to see at the fest, please by all means tell that company. They do not all ways believe me when I say their customers are requesting their presence. In this economy companies listen to their customers for sure. :yes:

Grumpy

Sent notes this morning to PSB, Totem, Gersham, Cousins Vinyl, a contact at Big Georges in AA (Gallo and Focal) and Dearborn Music requesting they check out AK and 2010 AK fest.

Sent notes this morning to PSB, Totem, Gersham, Cousins Vinyl, a contact at Big Georges in AA (Gallo and Focal) and Dearborn Music requesting they check out AK and 2010 AK fest.

Very cool. Now we need to get others to help.

Very cool. Now we need to get others to help.

I can't help with that but can with this...

info@caryaudio.com

info@PSBspeakers.com

info@totemacoustic.com

info@rogueaudio.com

iblume@coincidentspeaker.com

info@quicksilveraudio.com

vpi_help_4u@yahoo.com

Klaus's Odyssey


Second that. The Lorelei's are one of my favorite speakers.

I emailed quicksilver and they said no. Its too bad because I have seen their gear and it is impressive but I never heard it. Next year I also got permission to buy a new set up.

Lets try sending them a few more messages to see if they will get on board.

I got the same no reply from PSB. I am going to hound them again after the Rockey Mountain show hoopla dies down.

Was even thinking of Hounding Audio Adviser as they are Michigan based and carry PSB.

I emailed quicksilver and they said no. Its too bad because I have seen their gear and it is impressive but I never heard it. Next year I also got permission to buy a new set up.

Lets try sending them a few more messages to see if they will get on board.

That is a shame. They make some superb gear. We do have one local dealer who reps for them and sometimes he does have their equipment at the show.

I got the same no reply from PSB. I am going to hound them again after the Rockey Mountain show hoopla dies down.

Was even thinking of Hounding Audio Adviser as they are Michigan based and carry PSB.

Not a bad idea. In all my years of approaching these companies I have found that contacting them very near to other show dates can be very hit or miss. Its a very hectic time for them preparing for up and coming shows.

The key here is to be very persistent. Remember if these companies do not hear from potential customers ( us ) that they will never know about us. Thanks again for all who are helping.

I didn't see him listed here, but I would love to see Roger Modjeski attend Ak Fest with his Music Reference designs!

Others already mentioned include Klaus Bunge from Odyssey Audio and Mike Sanders from Quicksilver Audio

Quicksilver and Odyssey should have gotten their invitations to attend a couple of days ago. Will update everyone as news becomes available. Thanks

Grumpy