Rocky Mountain Audio Festival 2019 Day One Coverage

A couple of Kisekis in the Upscale Audio distribution room.. (Photo: Michael Fremer)

Despite yesterday's rough start (signage, confusion over whether it was set up or press day, etc.) there was plenty to see and record. The sound in the rooms of the sprawling Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center a few miles from Denver International Airport was uniformly decent, which was positively surprising given the usual learning curve required for even the most experienced exhibitors to learn the room acoustics and compensate for the usually poor "hotel sound".

This video gives you the "analog-centric" highlights, though it covers well more, including a few significant product debuts.

COMMENTS
denden11's picture

At 73 years old, I have been a music lover and Audiophile for 60 years. I have enjoyed your knowledge, writing and videos for many years. Your promotion of vinyl is exemplary. I am,however, extremely pissed off that you have fallen into the celebrity "right" of imposing your political bias on your audience. I thought that you were better than that. Once a huge fan----now, not so much.

Michael Fremer's picture
One quip? Lighten up.
Eskisi's picture

Why is it always right wingers / Trump loyalists who are offended by the slightest political commentary or joke in a hobbyist medium?

I suspect it is because this is the only time they inadvertently hear of something outside of what, say, Fox or Breitbart reports and it disturbs their reverie. They must have conveniently smoothed over the AL-blunder, but now their healing scab is picked and they have to scream.

Roy Martin's picture

"At 71 years old, I have been a music lover and Audiophile for 60 years. I have enjoyed your knowledge, writing and videos for many years. Your promotion of vinyl is exemplary. I am extremely pleased that you have the confidence in your audience to share a political quip without worrying about ruffling a few feathers. Following your audiophile adventures is better than ever. Once a huge fan----now, even more so."

Please denden11. It is the right of every citizen to express their opinion and the right of everyone to disagree. No "celebrity" status is required. Expressing is not "imposing."

Do we really want the "Fremer Rules" to be: don't express a personal opinion someone might be offended, don't praise vinyl someone might prefer digital, don't praise Wilson someone thinks their products are overpriced and ugly, don't introduce younger talent someone might think their tastes are "immature."? How boring.

volvic's picture

How I wish Dr. Feickert would release his RPM app for the newer iPhones. Used to have his app loaded on an old iPad and iPhone4. My 4 year old son updated the iPad to the new OS and now it no longer works. I now keep that iPhone4 locked in a drawer and pray it can last my lifetime. BTW at $8k for his table is I think good value for the money. Love his turntables.

denden11's picture

I agree with you Roy. It is the right of every citizen to express their opinion and the right of everyone to disagree. No "celebrity" status is required. Fremer has the right to express himself and his beliefs to family, friends or anyone. He chose, however, to use his "celebrity" status as a soapbox for his political views. He is being "payed" for his knowledge and opinions on music and audio. Oh---by the way---Roy---in the future don't correct my views to match yours.

Roy Martin's picture

The "fixed it for you" meme (FIFY) is common on the internet to illustrate an opposite point of view which we certainly have. I'm a little surprised you haven't encountered Michael's political commentary before this. I once attended a Stereophile "Meet the Editors" seminar in which the writers changed their seating on the dais to match their political persuasion from left to right.

I too find it problematic when someone I respect in their area of expertise has political views I find abhorrent. Yet I try to appreciate the poetry of Ezra Pound or the operas of Richard Wagner. But it's hard.

All the best.

denden11's picture

You've rekindled my faith in humanity.

I also wish you the best.

Jay's picture

when he told me "Son; if you want to start a fight, start talking about religion or politics"...

X