MSB + ARC + MBL + VTV + Paradigm + Artnovion

[Yamaha_man]

Thank you Con for extending an invite to me. Was a lovely albeit brief encounter with your system. (sorry for the late arrival) 
It is certainly an easy listen and something to be very proud of. 
To others, highly recommended if the opportunity arises. 

[vinilink]

  On 20/04/2022 at 6:38 AM, STROP said:

Nice view, but the glass is empty...

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Guess, wine goes down better and faster especially when enjoying the music! 

[Ittaku]

An empty glass is a great sign as far as I'm concerned.

 

Was a great get together. So nice to see people in the flesh, put faces to names, share stories, and understand people better. I had a great time and am very happy to have had people over to share experiences. I think I need a breather after that get together, but it was so much fun I'm sure to hold another in the near future. To be honest, I'm always more than a little wary inviting people I've never met to my home, but so far it's only been a very positive experience. Watch this space if interested in future get togethers.

[qik_shift]

I had the pleasure of going to listen to Con's system today.  Firstly @Ittaku thank you for opening your lovely home to people you haven't met before - my hat goes off to you for doing this.

 

I'm one of those people that will need days to properly digest what I heard, but I can say that Orchestral music was simply sublime, the detail and depth of bass is the best I've heard, and the system offered an inky black background which gave plenty of space for micro detail to shine through.

[Stereophilus]

A bit of a drive to get home to Ballarat (that’s why the glass was empty unfortunately), but I’m back now and it was well worth the trip to finally meet Con and experience his system.  I say experience, because it is an “experience”.  
 

Con’s home is stunning, and the hifi room is a not insignificant feature of the design.  I am not exaggerating when I say the room itself, in its proportions, decor, and treatment is both a visually and sonically enticing space to enjoy music.  Further, there is ample space for 8 people (at least) to mingle whilst indulging in the presentation.  
 

Con is a gracious host with a keenly honed knowledge of hifi.  It was almost as interesting listening to Con describing his system as it was listening to the system.  He has an exemplary system, each piece chosen to fit the task perfectly and each acting synergistically to achieve what I honestly consider to be the best listening experience I have had.  It is not perfect (nothing is)… but there was ample evidence available today that this system (in this space) does things that few others can do.

 

The qualities that stood out to me were

1) a deep, wide, 3 dimensional sound stage, which is uncannily stable as you walk around the room.

2) full range frequency response (the 16Hz party trick is quite impressive, but so is the treble extension).

3) highly detailed, highly resolved

We listened to a lot of different music, and Con was good enough to allow me to listen to some of my own reference tracks.  It seems self evident to say this, but this system sounds its best with classical, orchestral and jazz.  Self evident because I gather this is the music Con mostly listens to.  In comparison, my own boxed speakers in a smaller, less ideal, space offer something quite different with rock, guitar and vocal music.

 

A truly wonderful experience today Con, thankyou so much.  I am very grateful to have met you now and also grateful for the opportunity to listen to your system in your lovely home.

 

[Assisi]

  On 20/04/2022 at 10:09 AM, Stereophilus said:

smaller, less ideal, space

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I am sure that Con's room for his music objectives is superlatively conceived both space and equipment wise.  Your space is superb for what you desire listening wise.  Most SNA members including me are not so blessed with with a quality room such as yours.

John

[Stereophilus]

  On 20/04/2022 at 10:46 AM, Assisi said:

I am sure that Con's room for his music objectives is superlatively conceived both space and equipment wise.  Your space is superb for what you desire listening wise.  Most SNA members including me are not so blessed with with a quality room such as yours.

John

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We all make do with what we have, and some of us battle with our rooms more than others.  My system is quite different to Con’s, but I can definitely still appreciate the qualities that make Con’s system special.

[andyr]

Wow - quite a comment, S!  

 

  On 20/04/2022 at 10:09 AM, Stereophilus said:

A bit of a drive to get home to Ballarat (that’s why the glass was empty unfortunately), but I’m back now and it was well worth the trip to finally meet Con and experience his system.  I say experience, because it is an “experience”. 

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Indeed it is!  

 

  On 20/04/2022 at 10:09 AM, Stereophilus said:

It is not perfect (nothing is)… but there was ample evidence available today that this system (in this space) does things that few others can do.

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For me ... the musical experience that I had a couple of weeks ago left me feeling that absolutely nothing could be better, in terms of what a hifi system can deliver.

 

  On 20/04/2022 at 10:09 AM, Stereophilus said:

We listened to a lot of different music, and Con was good enough to allow me to listen to some of my own reference tracks.  It seems self evident to say this, but this system sounds its best with classical, orchestral and jazz.  Self evident because I gather this is the music Con mostly listens to.  In comparison, my own boxed speakers in a smaller, less ideal, space offer something quite different with rock, guitar and vocal music.

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I can imagine that boxed spkrs in a smaller, less ideal space do indeed deliver "something quite different".  But I can't imagine that vocal music is delivered any better!  

 

Maybe I need a trip to Ballarat?  

 

Andy

 

[Stereophilus]

  On 20/04/2022 at 12:28 PM, andyr said:

Wow - quite a comment, S!  

 

 

Indeed it is!  

 

 

For me ... the musical experience that I had a couple of weeks ago left me feeling that absolutely nothing could be better, in terms of what a hifi system can deliver.

 

 

I can imagine that boxed spkrs in a smaller, less ideal space do indeed deliver "something quite different".  But I can't imagine that vocal music is delivered any better!  

 

Maybe I need a trip to Ballarat?  

 

Andy

 

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You are of course very welcome to pay a visit.  I extended the same courtesy to Con.  

 

However, I must emphasise that my comments are not designed to suggest some of competition here.  I appreciate fully the end-point Con's system has evolved towards.  I also appreciate what my own system offers despite the presentation being very different.  It's all about "seeing" the music expressed through a different lens; a different perspective.  Better? Worse? In my view neither.  Just different.

[Ittaku]

At no stage did I sense it was ever a competition, thanks for your kind words. I would love to come one day when convenient for sure, as I love hearing all sorts of different presentations in passionately put together hifi.

[todagt]

Firstly, a shout out to Con for opening up your home to another bunch of strangers.

Stunning architecture and stunning hifi, great cheese and wine, what more could anyone want.

It was also lovely meeting some new faces, although I had met Con and Peter before at previous GTG's, the HiFi show etc.

 

The system was effortless in it's delivery of volume, that's for sure,  just so lovely top to bottom and so un-offensive to all genres you can throw at it.

Also as previously mentioned, the image does have a uncanny ability to follow you around the room, not with the same precision as the sweet spot of course but good enough to know your not missing out too much.  There's isn't really anything else that I can add that hasn't already been said except for how un fatiguing it is even after 4 hours of high volume.  You just want to keep going and listen to another track.

It is a real credit to you Con for persevering to this point where most would just settle or give up in the quest.

 

Lastly, I also offer an invitation to all those I met, if your ever in the Kensington area, get in touch and drop in.

[Ittaku]

Browsing the latest edition of TAS that just came out, I chanced upon a review of the darTZeel NHB-18NS MKII and NHB-468 pre and power amps. Highly regarded electronics in the most stratospheric of price ranges; the power amps cost $230K USD per pair. There's plenty to say about these amps, and I'm sure they truly sound magnificent, but one thing stuck in my craw. The reviewer was smitten so much by them he bought them, which is fine by itself; there can be no greater recommendation that shows the reviewer believes what he says if he actually buys the hardware. What got to me was he bought a second pair of power amps to run his subwoofers. For anyone that has even the vaguest idea of what subwoofers need for amplification, how they work, what sort of load they provide, and the intrinsic limitations in terms of low frequency extension, distortion, and human discriminatory ability in that frequency range, I can only say he's plain stupid. It's not even about "crazy", "insane", overcapitalisation. No, the problem is these amps are high power sure, but they're not really high power by subwoofer standards, and they are limited into low impedance loads. "465 watts into 8 ohms, 625 watts into 4 ohms, 222 watts into 2 ohms (design limited)" is their rating. Sure their peak output is known to be insanely high into higher impedances (something like 2000W) but that doesn't matter when your woofers are constantly going to be digging into the impedance territory where the amps electronically limit their output. By all means, spend as much as you like on equipment, but don't do it in a way that is then limiting their performance more rather than improving it.

 

Rant over.

[BugPowderDust]

  On 22/04/2022 at 12:10 AM, Ittaku said:

For anyone that has even the vaguest idea of what subwoofers need for amplification, how they work, what sort of load they provide, and the intrinsic limitations in terms of low frequency extension, distortion, and human discriminatory ability in that frequency range, I can only say he's plain stupid.

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I couldn't agree more. There's a reason Class D took off in that space first. You don't need to gold plate amplification down in that frequency range, something anyone who has worked in a live configuration or put together club setups has known for at least 20 years.  

 

I was reading this thread with interest over the weekend after returning from NZ and was thinking how much I'd like to hear this on your system: https://raster-raster.bandcamp.com/track/odd-sympathy I'm pretty sure it would be a great mix of imaging, sub bass and thump.  I'm sure one day I'll get around to check it out. 

[Ittaku]

  On 25/04/2022 at 10:34 PM, BugPowderDust said:

I couldn't agree more. There's a reason Class D took off in that space first. You don't need to gold plate amplification down in that frequency range, something anyone who has worked in a live configuration or put together club setups has known for at least 20 years.  

 

I was reading this thread with interest over the weekend after returning from NZ and was thinking how much I'd like to hear this on your system: https://raster-raster.bandcamp.com/track/odd-sympathy I'm pretty sure it would be a great mix of imaging, sub bass and thump.  I'm sure one day I'll get around to check it out. 

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Find an excuse to come and contact me. I'm not organising get togethers at the moment but would still welcome a visit. I might have someone dropping in for a listen this Friday afternoon.

[Ittaku]

I've actually confirmed one person coming on Friday afternoon, so I could probably add a couple more for a small emergency ad-hoc GTG if anyone's keen.

[dcathro]

I would love to visit Con, but due to work commitments I can only attend on a weekend .

 

[PKay]

  On 27/04/2022 at 11:55 AM, dcathro said:

I would love to visit Con, but due to work commitments I can only attend on a weekend .

 

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Me too, but I’m in Sydney which has become the bleak city of late. 

[vinilink]

  On 27/04/2022 at 11:58 AM, PKay said:

Me too, but I’m in Sydney which has become the bleak city of late. 

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Same for me too. As I live both in Sydney and abroad, which makes very difficult to pay a visit. Providing @Ittaku doesn't mind and timing is ok in future. In June, my wife wants to go to Melbourne to see her friends, so who knows as I would love to hear the system. 

[Ittaku]

Good news attendees, the wine tasting table and associated stools that belong in the listening room have been delivered and will be ready for use tomorrow and all future get togethers.

[Ittaku]

Just for completeness, this is now the back wall.

 

[BugPowderDust]

Looks slick. Well done

[frednork]

Was fortunate enough to spend the arvo at Cons listening to his setup. 

 

It is spectacular!

 

Its also spectacularly expensive.

 

Its easy to see how plonking a bunch of expensive gear down and turning  up the volume may seem like its cheating  and an easy way to achieve a great sounding setup.  Only problem is just plonking stuff down is more than likely to sound pretty awful regardless of price tag. 

 

Con has worked hard on ensuring components are well matched, and that they are able to technically achieve his musical goals (like 16hz at 110db) and then exceeded that. 

 

I think the MBL's for all their amazing qualities could easily end up sounding cold and hard in the wrong hands. But they sound balanced and real. 

 

He has also ensured the space they are in supports the type of music he likes to play and then treated the room to provide an excellent environment for listening. He has then eq'd the system to provide his optimal frequency response and also to integrate the 2 subs to allow a seamless transition.  

 

There are no shortcuts there, just a passion and dedication for his audio goals. 

 

It is spectacular and an Australian audio bucket list destination. If you get the chance to visit dont let it pass you by.

 

Thanks Con, for being a most gracious and generous host.

[Ittaku]

Thanks very much for your very kind words. I had a great time yet again. Nothing better than geeking it up with other people passionate about hifi with great banter, music, cheese, and wine. Though I'm a little worried I wasn't making much sense towards the end as I seriously hit the red hard yesterday. I keep thinking to take a break from get togethers for a bit but they're just too much fun. With that in mind I could probably organise another one say Thursday afternoon if there was enough interest. Sorry for the weekend-only people as my weekends are pretty much jam packed. PM me if interested.

[RussB]

Thanks Con for a great GTG afternoon yesterday, and welcoming a stranger like myself into your impressive home. 

 

Your system sounded sublime, with superb openness, scale and depth of soundstage and great coherence, realism and dynamics … to name just a few attributes that stood out for me.  And what a listening room you have, in size, style and ambience.  I think it is a big thumbs up for the new wine tasting table and chairs too!

 

For those considering attending one of Con’s future GTG’s, beware, as I suspect it can be a very costly visit!

 

[Ittaku]

Thursday afternoon GTG cancelled due to inadequate attendees. I would need more time to plan if people wanted to come now.