It is a better show. I didn't see any of the stereo crap, but I did see multiple booths oriented towards data aquisition for F1/NASCAR/IRL/etc. Fucking $2K/corner linear positioning sensors, hermetically sealed combustion chamber probes, G meters, esoteric EM shielding apparatus, telemetry mojo, ad nauseam.
The guy I roomed with, local machinist, spent the whole show wandering up and down the three rows in the machinery isle. He kept finding stuff to look at and people to talk to and didn't care to wander. I think he was willing to sleep with the Serdi rep for a night alone with one of the machines.