leo Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 i guess polite musical speakers are fine as long as they're not too expensive. i feel the harbeths are a little too expensive. Yes,they are and I think the cabinet should be offered in a lower cost vinyl wrap option.It`s the music and it`s realism we want. 1
Luc Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 ...That's a shame. It looks like our MAC is about to become a noisy affair! At least we might get the volume turned up at last, to drown the evil one out. Should we pass the hat round or something? I know it's topic drift but it's good topic drift.
pass the bass Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 It's been interesting to read other people's comments about the hi-fi show. Here are my own observations (in alhabetical order): 1. Audio Note This room had a natural, unforced sound that enticed me to come back several times. Some nice music was played there too. 2. B&W The 802 D sounded bright to me. These are supposedly very good speakers, so i wonder if they had not been run-in adequately. 3. Chord electronics I've been reading rave reviews of the Hugo and Hugo TT. I tried them both with 3 types of headphones and found the sound underwhelming. I don't know whether I had too high expectations or the ambient noise may have done them a disservice. 4. Dohmann It was hilarious watching Mr Dohmann kick the table to demonstrate the stability of its suspension. He probably has a dicky knee by now. 5. Hansen Audio This was a discovery. I had not heard of the brand before. The plasteel monocoque (?) cabinet was unusual. The bass was deep but not boomy. The treble was not glary at all playing from digital source through solid state amplification. I'm not familiar with the sound of Wilson Audio, but I suspect they would sound like these. 6. Harbeth I know of this brand's good reputation, particularly for their midrange and treble. I wonder whether the demo did not reveal enough of those qualities. 7. JBL The Everests' treble was worthy of their price. The middle to high notes from piano had a wonderful ring-sheen to it. The bass, however, was a let down; I wonder if that was because there was no proper midrange driver (it goes from a double big woofers to a horn loaded tweeter and super-tweeter), lack of control from the valve amplifiers? 8. KEF The Reference 3 sounded good, but I expected more than that for their asking price. The LS50 sound to me in a different class, although they don't have much quality competition in their price range as the Reference 3. 9. Raidho Ironically, it's the silence which impressed me; I don't know how much of that could be attributed to the speakers themselves, or the power filters being demonstrated. A reservation I have with speakers that big is they tend to impart an abnormally large scale to the staging/imaging. I also found the bass not so taut. The dynamics I heard on a track of Rodrigo Y Gabriela (?) was excellent. I make my reservations only because the speakers cost a Ferrari; otherwise I could happily live with those flaws if I didn't have to pay for them. I acknowledge that the sound quality is the sum of its parts. Therefore, positives or negatives may have been due to other components in the system not named. It was good to see Australian brands and equipment, old and new, impressionable or not. As I exited the show on Sunday afternoon, I walked past Mary Webb performing to a few people in the SNA Lounge. I thought this lady's compositions were original, her guitar strumming proficient, and her voice like a siren's - I was fixed to my seat to the end. The $20 price of admission was a bargain, and she threw in a CD to boot! Another suggestion: should there be discounted tickets to hi-fi shows for ladies? or would that attract attention from the Equal Opportunity Commission? 4
Get off My lawn Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 firstly a congratulations to Marc and his family and friends who ran the show, the level of engagement and commitment showed daylight between you and the chester group. as a first up have a go, no brickbats, just bouquets for pushing so hard to make it a success, which I believe it was. secondly, the hotel staff were very good to deal with and the bump in and out were excellent. thirdly, the rooms, acoustically, were underwhelming. personally, ours was regrettable for a number of reasons, of least no air conditioning, no opening windows and having to leave the door open and suffer the constant noise from outside, aside from the bass drone caused by the interconnecting doors that were recycled from someone's bedroom wardrobes and I was embarrassed so much so, we contemplated packing up on Friday morning and driving back to Sydney. we have done 4 shows in melbourne now and this was the worst sound we have produced. I feel sorry for those who came to listen to our room and will attempt to show you the alternative in October. finishing, as I said, Marc and co deserve support and praise for a business venture done successfully and with care and concern for all who participated, exhibitors and patrons. Guru, I actually thought the Audio Note room was one of the best sounding ones there. If you thought it was bad, then I really do need to take you up on your invitation to come over to Sydney for a proper listen. I don't really want a new system, but instead of changing my car in the next few years, I think some AN-Es and an Ongaku would be fun. Cheers Suresh 3
dcathro Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 thirdly, the rooms, acoustically, were underwhelming. personally, ours was regrettable for a number of reasons, of least no air conditioning, no opening windows and having to leave the door open and suffer the constant noise from outside, aside from the bass drone caused by the interconnecting doors that were recycled from someone's bedroom wardrobes and I was embarrassed so much so, we contemplated packing up on Friday morning and driving back to Sydney. When I was in your room, I thought the bass was awful, then I realised that the music you were playing had no bass That was the worst bleed through from an adjoining room I have ever heard. Top marks for sticking it out. 1
dcathro Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 7. JBL The Everests' treble was worthy of their price. The middle to high notes from piano had a wonderful ring-sheen to it. The bass, however, was a let down; I wonder if that was because there was no proper midrange driver (it goes from a double big woofers to a horn loaded tweeter and super-tweeter), lack of control from the valve amplifiers? That was the first time I had seen those in the flesh. I was really disappointed in the sound produced, but suspect that much of that had to do with setup. They had positioned those about 15 feet from the back wall, and more than 6 feet from the side walls - I don't care if they have twin 15" drivers in them, I think they need to have a little boundary reinforcement to produce a balanced response.
Saxon Hall Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 (edited) Another suggestion: should there be discounted tickets to hi-fi shows for ladies? or would that attract attention from the Equal Opportunity Commission? No Edited July 7, 2016 by Saxon Hall
betty boop Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 love the photos, in some cases can just imagine the interchanges 10
Qwertyqaz Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 Who is this Mrs Mills and does she do any favours ?
Guest 322 Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 This isn't going to have a happy ending..... Boom Boom !!
Luc Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 I tried to keep it quiet but I was indeed chasing down the mythical third album in Mrs Mills Jumbo Party Trilogy. I have the first two. Hey Look Me Over is a blast! And don't ever let it be said that she doesn't have attitude coz she has got it in spades! PM me if your prepared to part with the 'Third' ... 2
audiofeline Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 Who is this Mrs Mills and does she do any favours ? It is difficult to find the right words to convey her talent accurately. I tried to keep it quiet but I was indeed chasing down the mythical third album in Mrs Mills Jumbo Party Trilogy. I have the first two... Wow - you have the rare "Drum" label Mrs.Mills pressing. Is it an ultra-rare pressing with the typo in the deadwax? I believe that only a few of those got out before they withdrew it and re-pressed the release. 1
Ando Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 Worth mentioning while we're on the subject that there has been a lot of praise for the Studer r2r in the Telos room but the Dohmann turntable sounded just as awesome so I reckon the sources, the Ypsilon amplification and the German Physik speakers were all working bloody well together. As you say the sound quality in this room seems to have widely attributed to the tape source . The German Physiks speakers would interact with the room very differently than the vast majority of speakers most of us are used to listening to. Do you think is is possible ,likely even, that the enjoyable sound quality could have due more to this than other factors ? Were there any "conventional" speakers in use in that room or was everything played through the German Physiks ? Cheers Mike 1
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted July 8, 2016 Volunteer Posted July 8, 2016 As you say the sound quality in this room seems to have widely attributed to the tape source . The German Physiks speakers would interact with the room very differently than the vast majority of speakers most of us are used to listening to. Do you think is is possible ,likely even, that the enjoyable sound quality could have due more to this than other factors ? Were there any "conventional" speakers in use in that room or was everything played through the German Physiks ? Cheers Mike I didn't hear the tape source when I was in there. The room was still a standout. As it was last year too 1
Guest Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 I didn't hear the tape source when I was in there. The room was still a standout. As it was last year too It's really expected. Both Con and Mark really, really know their stuff. They are true experts in the field. I was lucky enough to discover Mark and a small bunch of guys in the room near on midnight on Saturday. My wife and I were ushered in, a glass of 25 y.o scotch promptly dropped in my hand, pushed down on a seat and treated to Led Zeppelin from the R2R (and a bunch of other material). It will go down as an experience I will never forget. There was nothing in the whole show that was enjoyable as that particular demo without the crowds coming in and out of the room or talking. We all just sat there in complete awe of what was being played. Noise isolation in the hotel must have been pretty good. Because this was being played at full tilt and there was not a single noise complaint from the hotel the whole weekend. 10
Hergest Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 As you say the sound quality in this room seems to have widely attributed to the tape source . The German Physiks speakers would interact with the room very differently than the vast majority of speakers most of us are used to listening to. Do you think is is possible ,likely even, that the enjoyable sound quality could have due more to this than other factors ? Were there any "conventional" speakers in use in that room or was everything played through the German Physiks ? Cheers Mike No those were the only speakers. They certainly worked differently to anything else at the show in that you could be at the back of the room or in the middle or at the front but they still threw pretty much the same soundstage and weren't disrupted if someone stood in front of them to have a sticky beak. No idea how much they go for.
Juicester Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 a glass of 25 y.o scotch promptly dropped in my hand, they should be ashamed! Tell them you have higher expectations for the next show...AT least 30... 1
Tony M Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 My wife and I were ushered in, a glass of 25 y.o scotch promptly dropped in my hand, pushed down on a seat and treated to Led Zeppelin from the R2R (and a bunch of other material). It will go down as an experience I will never forget. Magic stuff! Thanks for sharing. It's precisely those sorts of life-enriching experiences that stay with you forever. To be able to make this happen is IMO the noblest aspiration of audio technology. Sometimes, it seems all the stars just align and those moments are to be treasured. 4
Juicester Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 Magic stuff! Thanks for sharing. It's precisely those sorts of life-enriching experiences that stay with you forever. To be able to make this happen is IMO the noblest aspiration of audio technology. Sometimes, it seems all the stars just align and those moments are to be treasured. doesn't it make you wonder though, that they were plying him with alcohol because the sound system couldn't stand up to the scrutiny of a sober listener?..
Guest Sime Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 A freshly opened bootle of Soda Stream Ginger Beer would have done me right
Tony M Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 doesn't it make you wonder though, that they were plying him with alcohol because the sound system couldn't stand up to the scrutiny of a sober listener?.. Nah, a lot of the memories I treasure involved a glass or two of something special. OTOH, a few that I rue did too. As did some I don't remember...................... 1
brumby Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 My wife and I were ushered in, a glass of 25 y.o scotch promptly dropped in my hand, pushed down on a seat and treated to Led Zeppelin from the R2R (and a bunch of other material). It will go down as an experience I will never forget. Ah yes, an eloquent take on a deja vu moment for all of us. It's been a while since I've been hit by one of those. I suppose one's sense of wonder is inevitably tempered by age. Although in my case, the unforgettable experiences were much more often triggered by new (to me) music - especially live music - than they were by audio technology. 1
audiofeline Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) As you say the sound quality in this room seems to have widely attributed to the tape source . The German Physiks speakers would interact with the room very differently than the vast majority of speakers most of us are used to listening to. Do you think is is possible ,likely even, that the enjoyable sound quality could have due more to this than other factors ? Were there any "conventional" speakers in use in that room or was everything played through the German Physiks ? Cheers Mike The tape of Miles Davis I heard was superb, and as I've said, the highlight of the show. Had they not have played the tape, one of the highlights would have been the CrosbyStillsNash live version of Guinevere I heard on the Physiks when i walked in (and it is still a highlight of the show). There is no doubt that the speakers and amplification are fantastic and I would be thrilled to live with them. It took me a while to work out (from my back seat) that the Physiks were a very different type of speaker than in the other rooms. After genuinely thinking it couldn't get any better after the CSN, they played the tape and took reproduction to the next level. [Edit: I think it is good that the speakers/amps get some credit for the sound, the tape contributed to it but ultimately every component contributed to the experience] Edited July 8, 2016 by audiofeline 3
The Fez Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 Everyone keeps bangin' on about this tape recorder a reel to reel or open reel deck -- is that considered vintage hifi??
Recommended Posts