Happens I'll be in Denver during RMAF, but have no idea if a noob like me would enjoy it. What goes on there? I'm most interested in tube gear and speakers, will there be demos of stuff like that? What else? Sounds like fun but would hate to go if its over my head. Ah, just noticed I'm in the SMAC forum, will look see it this gets discusses AK-wide.
I may start a thread in Events/Happenings, or even ask that this one be moved. Some of us locals connect at AXPONA, and a few have attended RMAF, so I was just putting out feelers. Aside from a couple of us, though, I doubt many are going this year, as our club mailing list has had zero activity on it so far.
What's an audio show like? I can give you a glimpse of AXPONA as a rough example.
The emphasis is on the rooms. It is usually a manufacturer or dealer/rep that sets up a room where they demonstrate a system. Dealers/reps will put together one of their better systems with a mix of components. Manufacturers tend to feature their own products more heavily (including some that may be on display and not hooked up). It is interesting when you can speak with the owners or engineers at the shows. At last year's AXPONA, you could have visited Andrew Jones (speakers) and Peter Madnick (electronics) of ELAC, Paul McGowan of PS Audio (and his son Scott, who spearheaded the Sprout), Richard Vandersteen, Gayle Sanders of Eikon Audio (a co-founder of Martin Logan who has a new company and product line now), Angela Cardas (of Cardas Audio), Mat Weisfeld (VPI) and jeez, I could probably name a couple dozen more if my memory wasn't so poor.
@GordonW was there with The Audio Company demonstrating a monster of a system that a lot of us really enjoyed (I think this was the infamous "million dollar system"). There is also a separate area set aside for headphones.
On the main floor, you can also attend lectures on various audiophile topics. Fremer's turntable setup clinic is worth a visit if you haven't seen it as of yet. I liked the Legends of High End Audio panel a couple of years ago when Dave Wilson (Wilson Audio), Kevin Hays (VAC), Dan D'Agostino and Richard Vandersteen took part in. There is also the overpriced "convention food" that I endure because I don't want to waste an hour or three leaving for lunch. (I can eat anytime; I can't attend an audio show anytime.)
A marketplace is addicting--don't attend if you can't resist!
Music Direct, Acoustic Sounds and a few others sell new vinyl there. Some vendors sell used cables (like Morrow Audio). Other sell accessories. Some dealers or manufacturers host tables there as well. One of my buddy's co-workers and her husband had a table the one year, selling mid century influenced custom-built cabinetry, made to order. Beautiful work!
Saturday evening, there is usually a live performance. Last year's was a Chicago blues revue. (Plenty of seats available--about 1/3 were empty.) RMAF probably offers live music as well.
Are the components out of our reach? Sure! I can't afford just about everything there. But it's great to see it in person. I always buy a few things in the marketplace, and I learned to make it my first stop on opening day. I also get ideas from what I see in the rooms--I buy mainly used equipment, but hearing new equipment or technology from some of those manufacturers directly influences what I end up buying. Talking with some of the engineers and reps is also enlightening. And hanging out with audiophile pals is one of the best parts of it. I usually hang with my Chicago gang one of the evenings, visit with SMAC pals who attend if we happen to cross paths (usually Saturday evenings or at breakfast), and often meet a few others in passing.
RMAF is a little different--it runs on a smaller scale, but still a nice show, and it will have a lot of the same participants and events. I haven't yet attended RMAF to compare, but I find that some manufacturers prefer one show over the other, and they are likely to have a nicer system on demo if they are closer to home.