International HiFi Show, Melbourne - Impressions

[frankn]

Spent about 4 hours today. 

 

Was really impressed with Bjorn's demo of the Isotek products. Can't exactly remember the room number (i think it was M7).

 

The Project Audio open baffle speakers shown above were really quite a pleasure to listen to.

 

Will be going again tomorrow.

 

 

Yes Bjorn was very straight forward and made a dry subject like Power Conditioning and Cabling sound very interesting. I reckon a few extra Isotek products will be sold after his excellent demonstrations

 

 

I'll probably end up getting myself a polaris board with the three cables tomorrow.

 

What is the overall impressions of the various attendees of the Isotek demonstrations?  I attended the Vision Living demo here in Adelaide.  They used a full McIntosh set-up with B&W 803D3 speakers.  Starting with the usual plug everything in to the standard electrical switch and went through the various power cable and power conditioning, power regeneration upgrades and to my ears the sound improved at each step - the reason for the demo.  Not a basic set-up by any means.  I couldn't see that there was any "sleight-of-hand" going on.

Interested in the observations/opinions of others with perhaps a bit more time and better ability to discern the results??  Any negative reactions?

[Guest Sime]

Well my fully loaded (sound and vision) isoteked system at home is a treat

[astormsau]

I attended Saturday afternoon. After looking at all the great rooms I found some quiet time up in the Qualifi room in front of a set of Jamo towers, a new Marantz integrated, cdp and the Marantz turntable. After relaxing for a few mins listening to the Cd they were playing I asked if they could spin the Brothers in Arms copy they had sitting on the Marantz TT15s1 (I don't particularly love the album anymore due to over exposure but was very curious anyhow...) the sound from the Jamo's and the Marantz gear was simply lovely. The gentleman from Qualifi was really nice and the setup sounded great because the room was a little larger and the seats could be put further back. Tbh I would consider the Marantz table based on that demo alone.

Although technically and financially the gear in the Qualifi wasn't in the same category as some of the higher level gear, I honestly found it one of the most enjoyable rooms because the sonics were quite decent.

Oh and the Rega RP3 sounded great with a Prince Album they were playing even though we were advised to kneel down to get into the sound stage

Also loved the new VAF Evo's, as a long time i91 owner I was really quite amazed at their output vs size

Great event!

Drew

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited July 4, 2016 by astormsau

[Candyflip]

Some feedback from a complete neophyte in the audiophile world @@Marc

 

I have never attended an audio show before, and am only used to much larger affairs such as Car Shows and Home Shows of the Exhibition Buildings type style.

 

So with that read, here's my very personal thoughts:

 

* I find the whole idea of nestling into a small hotel room with 6-7 other people, to listen to audio gear, weird.

For me as a casual buyer and lover of sound, this just seems unusual and unattractive to me.

I liked the Melody room because it was large, airy, self contained and intimate, without being claustrophobic.

That I could handle all day - the others in the hotel rooms were so pokey as to be tolerable for mere minutes.

Couldn't a venue be found with all the rooms having the space the Melody guys had?

One is not likely to bring the family to a show where more than 50% of the displays are hidden away behind closed doors, limited sessions and small rooms with barely a chance of swinging the 'ol cat. 

 

Again, just my personal view and its unlikely to be shared by anyone else used to this kind of display at these shows I guess.

 

We vinyl sellers were quite happy with our space - would just like to be closer to the foot traffic next time.

[Guest]

1. Couldn't a venue be found with all the rooms having the space the Melody guys had?

2. We vinyl sellers were quite happy with our space - would just like to be closer to the foot traffic next time.

 

 

1. Sadly, no. It just doesn't exist to the best of my knowledge. Our venue was the very best we could find that offered a combination of larger spaces and of course, hotel rooms, which is a fairly common tradition of the type of venue used for HiFi Shows around the world. My hunt it not over yet however. Our potential Auckland venue may very well be the answer to what we've been looking for. We just make the best of what is available.

2. I don't think you need to think that you didn't get foot traffic. The Record Fair was well signed, and punters certainly seemed to have no trouble finding it. That said, we have a different location for the Record Fair next year, which will be in a completely different space and one of the first things you see when you come in from a completely different entrance to the event next time around (along with a few other additions and features of the show itself). Watch this space

[betty boop]

I attended Saturday afternoon. After looking at all the great rooms I found some quiet time up in the Qualifi room in front of a set of Jamo towers, a new Marantz integrated, cdp and the Marantz turntable. After relaxing for a few mins listening to the Cd they were playing I asked if they could spin the Brothers in Arms copy they had sitting on the Marantz TT15s1 (I don't particularly love the album anymore due to over exposure but was very curious anyhow...) the sound from the Jamo's and the Marantz gear was simply lovely. The gentleman from Qualifi was really nice and the setup sounded great because the room was a little larger and the seats could be put further back. Tbh I would consider the Marantz table based on that demo alone.

Although technically and financially the gear in the Qualifi wasn't in the same category as some of the higher level gear, I honestly found it one of the most enjoyable rooms because the sonics were quite decent.

Oh and the Rega RP3 sounded great with a Prince Album they were playing even though we were advised to kneel down to get into the sound stage

Also loved the new VAF Evo's, as a long time i91 owner I was really quite amazed at their output vs size

Great event!

Drew

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

I did check out the qualifi room as well, and yeah the marantz jamo combo seemed to work pretty well ! spoke a little to the gentleman as well, who was very courteous .... curiously asked him about their upcoming marantz flagship SA10 series which he knew about. said would fall between the sa11 and sa7 series they had. quite upper echelon and due dec ? good opportunity to find out this kind of thing as well

[Ian McP]

I usually attend at least 2 days of the hifi show. Unfortunately, things were against me this year. I was stuck at work until late on Friday, and I barely managed 3 hours on Saturday afternoon (and with my young son in tow!), and could not go on Sunday.

 

So my views are severely constrained. I always enjoy the show, and this year was no exception. However, although the sound quality is always compromised for all the usual reasons, I did feel that this year was something of a low point in sonic terms overall - at least that was my experience for my limited visit.

Even the Audio Note room - which is usually my go-to place to recover from the aural assaults of other rooms - seemed off song this year.

 

Of course, often I feel it is due to unappealing music being played (and that was certainly often the case), but I returned multiple times to many rooms in the hope of better sound, to no avail.

 

After a long series of disappointing rooms, it was relief to hear the new Lenehan ML1s sounding very nice and balanced in a challenging room. I have always been a fan of the ML1, and the new version is no exception. From what Mike told me, it sounds like he has gone all-out with bracing this time... I'm amazed there is an room for the drivers inside that tiny enclosure!

 

...but I have to agree with others about the Telos room and the Studer reel-to-reel: oh my, I would have stayed there four hours if I could have ... as it was, I felt guilty for hogging a seat since the room was so small and there was a permanent queue of people waiting to get in! Just so involving, so musical...!

 

Still, I had a great time and it is always fun seeing so many familiar faces!

 

 - r

ah Sir Rab, went into the Telos room on Friday and spied the Studer in the corner, sadly didn't get to hear it. I still remember back in the 80's at East Coast Audio, a certain sound engineer (who's name can be seen these days on the end credits to Rockwiz) used to bring in dubs off master tapes to play on the shop's R2R. Wow!

[illusion]

And the movie also featured Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and Fats Domino.

 

And one of the BEATLES' favourite movies in their early years.

 

 

@@wadiman

 

"Did anyone remember hearing a Julie London album?  I think it may have been in the JBL room - Sounded brilliant.  If anyone knows the album pls mention it. "

 

 

I heard Julie's version of Cry Me a River being played at one stage on Friday - it's from the album "Julie is her name" with Barney Kessel playing some magnificent guitar backing.  It featured prominently in the movie "The Girl can't help it" the best of the early (pre-Beatle) rocknroll movies.

cheers

 

mick

 

Not only The Beatles.

Cameron Crowe's liner notes to Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains The Same soundtrack recalls one of the band's legendary post-concert getaways. Once on board their touring plane, the stage-weary band collapsed around a video of Little Richard belting out "Tutti Frutti" in the 1957 film The Girl Can't Help It. Perhaps reminiscing how he modeled the opening riff of "Black Dog" after Richard's "Keep A Knockin'," Jimmy Page raised a toast: "No escaping our roots."

[Stump]

I usually attend at least 2 days of the hifi show. Unfortunately, things were against me this year. I was stuck at work until late on Friday, and I barely managed 3 hours on Saturday afternoon (and with my young son in tow!), and could not go on Sunday.

 

So my views are severely constrained. I always enjoy the show, and this year was no exception. However, although the sound quality is always compromised for all the usual reasons, I did feel that this year was something of a low point in sonic terms overall - at least that was my experience for my limited visit.

Even the Audio Note room - which is usually my go-to place to recover from the aural assaults of other rooms - seemed off song this year.

 

Of course, often I feel it is due to unappealing music being played (and that was certainly often the case), but I returned multiple times to many rooms in the hope of better sound, to no avail.

 

After a long series of disappointing rooms, it was relief to hear the new Lenehan ML1s sounding very nice and balanced in a challenging room. I have always been a fan of the ML1, and the new version is no exception. From what Mike told me, it sounds like he has gone all-out with bracing this time... I'm amazed there is an room for the drivers inside that tiny enclosure!

 

...but I have to agree with others about the Telos room and the Studer reel-to-reel: oh my, I would have stayed there four hours if I could have ... as it was, I felt guilty for hogging a seat since the room was so small and there was a permanent queue of people waiting to get in! Just so involving, so musical...!

 

Still, I had a great time and it is always fun seeing so many familiar faces!

 

 - r

Sir Rab I was hoping to bump into you and talk horns and tubes! To add to your experience I was there for the full 3 days.After the Friday  I had been through all the rooms and in the evening thought 1 day was enough.Saturday got in early to check out the records fair then went though the rooms again spending more time in each which gave me more time to critical listening and had a great experience.Come Sunday I was back to all my favorite rooms and spent more time speaking to the exhibitors getting a more in depth view on there products.Add to that time spent in the SNA lounge meeting and talking with other members topped off a great weekend.I have no complains regards room acoustics or doors open with people talking because regardless what you were listening to your room at home will sound different.I will be back next year as this event will only get bigger.Thanks again to Marc and all exhibitors and those in the back round which made the Show a success.

Stump

[Ian McP]

My thoughts, yes, a majority of the rooms had bass loading problems gad, plenty of turntables, it was hard to find at times a room with a cd player, as I'd brought along an olde school cd, most were streaming…… and yes there were quite a few drop outs, I quipped "vote NBN today!"

JBL 4367 (big 15 inch woofers coupled to wide dispersion horns, great dynamics) driven by Classe Audio. one source was Music Hall mm9.1 turntable, great value at $2k5

 

Avant Garde actives were OK, though I was expecting better, with my Youn Sun Nah cd track.

Pure Audio Project Stellar 12’s (all Morel driver line up) open baffles (big and unboxy sound) driven by Holton Audio mono blocks from Tassie, would have loved to hear the Voxativ 15's
http://www.pureaudioproject.com

Tidal Audio (Germany, whoah, $35k) speakers, (super clean treble, dual Accuton bass drivers and Accuton diamond film tweeter), Bricasti Design USB streaming and Bricasti M28 amplification (mono block pwr amps, $35k the pr)
http://www.tidal-audio.com

http://www.bricasti.com/

back in the world of "reasonably priced" speakers I thought the Whatmough Signature 15-SE two ways  ($4k5) had refined and spacious sound, a very good speaker to my mind

Lenehan Audio’s bookshelf two ways were very good too but perhaps a smidge too clinical.

Sennheiser HD800S and Sennheiser HDVD 800 DAC/headphone amp combo (around $5k together) sounded good, (great to be able to dial up one my faves Italian lounge jazz maestros Mop Mop on stream) but then later in the day I was also very, very impressed by Audio Technica ATH-W1000X Maestro headphones ($700) driven by Chord Hugo TT DAC/amp ($6k8)

http://www.chordelectronics.co.uk/

I had a spirited discussion with Chord’s Brit rep, interesting approach they use a bespoke DAC, custom encoded, whilst he discussed the custom chip used and it’s input flip flops (that’s integrated circuit lingo) the Oz rep commented they’re called thongs here, he failed to get the joke. They’re called jandals in UnZud I wittingly reposted.

Here's some background on the Chord Hugo TT

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/chord/1.html

I get rather philosophical about hifi, throwing devil's advocate questions into discussions like "when does the price of high end audio become obscene" "Hi Fi as fetish objects?" "Worshipping "false gods""

It was fun chatting to the Chord guy, turns out he was a competition superbike rider in the UK as well as a motorcycle photographer, two topics I'm also very familiar with!

I agree with Sir Rab  Audio Note room sound not as good as a couple of years ago, though Audio Note always has a stunning selection of music, leaves other exhibitors for dead!

Pity, I missed hearing the Studer R2R in action.

[TFJ100]

I attended Saturday afternoon. After looking at all the great rooms I found some quiet time up in the Qualifi room in front of a set of Jamo towers, a new Marantz integrated, cdp and the Marantz turntable. After relaxing for a few mins listening to the Cd they were playing I asked if they could spin the Brothers in Arms copy they had sitting on the Marantz TT15s1 (I don't particularly love the album anymore due to over exposure but was very curious anyhow...) the sound from the Jamo's and the Marantz gear was simply lovely. The gentleman from Qualifi was really nice and the setup sounded great because the room was a little larger and the seats could be put further back. Tbh I would consider the Marantz table based on that demo alone.

Although technically and financially the gear in the Qualifi wasn't in the same category as some of the higher level gear, I honestly found it one of the most enjoyable rooms because the sonics were quite decent.

Oh and the Rega RP3 sounded great with a Prince Album they were playing even though we were advised to kneel down to get into the sound stage

Also loved the new VAF Evo's, as a long time i91 owner I was really quite amazed at their output vs size

Great event!

Drew

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

As the owner of some Jamos which I bought without auditioning them, can I say that this doesn't surprise me - I think they are very underrated speakers.

 

Which reminds me, must get on with the FS ad. It took me a while but I've now got my replacement Osborns performing better than the Jamos, and therefore I can safely sell the Jamos without some buyers remorse. it might surprise some that it wasn't an immediate win to the $6k Osborns, but just goes to show that the Jamos are really very good speakers.

[TFJ100]

1. Sadly, no. It just doesn't exist to the best of my knowledge. Our venue was the very best we could find that offered a combination of larger spaces and of course, hotel rooms, which is a fairly common tradition of the type of venue used for HiFi Shows around the world. My hunt it not over yet however. Our potential Auckland venue may very well be the answer to what we've been looking for. We just make the best of what is available.

 

@@Marc, Can I ask what may seem like a dumb question? One thing that surprised me was - with all the 10 billion gigawatts of equipment plugged in to the mains, in all the different rooms at the Pullman, did they have to do anything to boost the power tolerance within the hotel? From a continuity perspective, the last thing you'd want during a show like that would be a power overload, but everything seemed to work out ok? Their electricity bill for the weekend must have been pretty significant!

[Saxon Hall]

Some feedback from a complete neophyte in the audiophile world @@Marc

 

I have never attended an audio show before, and am only used to much larger affairs such as Car Shows and Home Shows of the Exhibition Buildings type style.

 

So with that read, here's my very personal thoughts:

 

* I find the whole idea of nestling into a small hotel room with 6-7 other people, to listen to audio gear, weird.

For me as a casual buyer and lover of sound, this just seems unusual and unattractive to me.

I liked the Melody room because it was large, airy, self contained and intimate, without being claustrophobic.

That I could handle all day - the others in the hotel rooms were so pokey as to be tolerable for mere minutes.

Couldn't a venue be found with all the rooms having the space the Melody guys had?

One is not likely to bring the family to a show where more than 50% of the displays are hidden away behind closed doors, limited sessions and small rooms with barely a chance of swinging the 'ol cat. 

 

Again, just my personal view and its unlikely to be shared by anyone else used to this kind of display at these shows I guess.

 

We vinyl sellers were quite happy with our space - would just like to be closer to the foot traffic next time.

The Melody was my favourite room because you had room to "swing a cat" and of course it was a visual feast. I liked the sound too (but there have been mixed opinions on that, I must admit)

RE a more suitable venue with more rooms like that, I honestly cannot think of one.

OR

You could have it somewhere like Jeffs Shed or The Royal Exhibition Buildings and put up temporary walls and you would have tons of room

BUT

How would you stop all the music being played just blending into a background drone? No room treatment would help there IMO

Anyway just my thoughts

[Guest]

@@Marc, Can I ask what may seem like a dumb question? One thing that surprised me was - with all the 10 billion gigawatts of equipment plugged in to the mains, in all the different rooms at the Pullman, did they have to do anything to boost the power tolerance within the hotel? From a continuity perspective, the last thing you'd want during a show like that would be a power overload, but everything seemed to work out ok? Their electricity bill for the weekend must have been pretty significant!

 

Great question! It was actually the topic of a purpose organised meeting by myself with the Operations Manager - Engineering of the Pullman Mercure some months ago.

We estimated the total (potential) current draw of each room throughout the show. The engineer then met with the local contractors responsible for the supply and maintenance of their electrical system.

While I wasn't privvy to those checks and discussions from that point, I was assured that the electrical grid of the hotel was such that each room was on it's own circuit and breaker, and that all fed back to generators and mains supply that was more than adequately spec'd to handle such a load.

 

That was reassuring and proved to be 100% correct.

 

Thanks for asking - it is these things that most wouldn't understand goes into organising a show, and one of the things on our checklist we were able to tick off with this particular venue.

 

On a side note but somewhat related - Energy Safe Victoria apparently received a phone call early Thursday tipping them off that this particular venue was running an event the coming weekend and that there would be a lot of "non-compliance" with electrical safety standards in Victoria. Being the absolutely sensational venue that they are (Pullman Mercure), within hours they had contracted a small team to come in and check all test and tags, and performed this on the spot for any cable found not tagged (81 in total across the whole venue) and on top of that also footed the bill for this process.

 

A great result overall.

[Guest]

The Melody was my favourite room because you had room to "swing a cat" and of course it was a visual feast. I liked the sound too (but there have been mixed opinions on that, I must admit)

RE a more suitable venue with more rooms like that, I honestly cannot think of one.

OR

You could have it somewhere like Jeffs Shed or The Royal Exhibition Buildings and put up temporary walls and you would have tons of room

BUT

How would you stop all the music being played just blending into a background drone? No room treatment would help there IMO

Anyway just my thoughts

 

Not a chance. The event in Sydney last year tried "sound booths" last year and they failed big time.

[Saxon Hall]

The Pulman Mercure sounds like a keeper Marc

Edited July 5, 2016 by Saxon Hall

[Saxon Hall]

Not a chance. The event in Sydney last year tried "sound booths" last year and they failed big time.

Yes I heard it was a disaster. No of course you would never go down that route.

[Candyflip]

On a side note but somewhat related - Energy Safe Victoria apparently received a phone call early Thursday tipping them off that this particular venue was running an event the coming weekend and that there would be a lot of "non-compliance" with electrical safety standards in Victoria. Being the absolutely sensational venue that they are (Pullman Mercure), within hours they had contracted a small team to come in and check all test and tags, and performed this on the spot for any cable found not tagged (81 in total across the whole venue) and on top of that also footed the bill for this process.

 

A great result overall.

 

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it yet, but the Pullman is looking 100% better than it did those 10+ years ago that I last stayed there.

The makeover has done them wonders - it's got a bit of class about it now, don't you think? (good enough for those damn Crow-Eaters)

 

I also thought their staff were excellent - nothing seemed too much trouble.

Efficient, without being gushing.

Minds on the job.

Edited July 5, 2016 by candyflip

[Rob181]

On a side note but somewhat related - Energy Safe Victoria apparently received a phone call early Thursday tipping them off that this particular venue was running an event the coming weekend and that there would be a lot of "non-compliance" with electrical safety standards in Victoria. Being the absolutely sensational venue that they are (Pullman Mercure), within hours they had contracted a small team to come in and check all test and tags, and performed this on the spot for any cable found not tagged (81 in total across the whole venue) and on top of that also footed the bill for this process.

 

Something like this makes you wonder how some people sleep at night...

[Saxon Hall]

Something like this makes you wonder how some people sleep at night...

Yes I wonder what the motivation would have been?

[Guest yamaha_man]

 

On a side note but somewhat related - Energy Safe Victoria apparently received a phone call early Thursday tipping them off that this particular venue was running an event the coming weekend and that there would be a lot of "non-compliance" with electrical safety standards in Victoria. Being the absolutely sensational venue that they are (Pullman Mercure), within hours they had contracted a small team to come in and check all test and tags, and performed this on the spot for any cable found not tagged (81 in total across the whole venue) and on top of that also footed the bill for this process.

 

A great result overall.

 

Probably the competition trying to shut you down.

There's nothing better then when they perceive you as a threat!

[sir sanders zingmore]

Yes I wonder what the motivation would have been?

Sour grapes from some other hifi show ?

[Guest JohnA]

 

On a side note but somewhat related - Energy Safe Victoria apparently received a phone call early Thursday tipping them off that this particular venue was running an event the coming weekend and that there would be a lot of "non-compliance" with electrical safety standards in Victoria. Being the absolutely sensational venue that they are (Pullman Mercure), within hours they had contracted a small team to come in and check all test and tags, and performed this on the spot for any cable found not tagged (81 in total across the whole venue) and on top of that also footed the bill for this process.

 

A great result overall.

 

ooops, sorry about that mate 

 

hmmmmm hang on, no it wasnt me, it was your opposition   

 

still a great result that Pullman were able to get someone in quickly and have everything tagged

[Saxon Hall]

Sour grapes from some other hifi show ?

Obviously that cannot be ruled out but it is also an easy assumption which really cannot be proven.

Anyway I reckon competition on an equal and fair playing field is good.

[Guest]

Best not to suggest anything, just stating what happened.