AudioCircle
Community => Regional Audiophiles => Gateway Audio Society => Topic started by: alana106 on 16 Oct 2006, 09:43 pm
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Since no-one has spoken for the October slot, lets try for another mini gathering Saturday, Oct 28Th. "The Boss" has given her permission, :bowdown: so I'll not be placed in the street on Sunday. (It is getting colder) Lets start anytime 6:30 PM or after. We'll probably try to hold the attendance to around a dozen, so send me a PM once you know if you plan to attend. Please bring your favorite CDS to give everyone a listen. Currently, I'm unable to accommodate vinyl.
My system is shown at this URL, http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=systems;system=638 and I expect to be receiving a new Butler Amp to tryout. Scott F. may also be bringing his Modified Koroto Preamp as well.
Alan
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Wish I could be there but once again I will not be able to attend as I'm in the process of the big move. Everyone else have a great time and spin some of the new Iron Maiden disc for me will ya.
Mark
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Damn, I am off but I have a wedding to go to....
I can't win for nothing
Jamie
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I'll need to check the calendar but I believe I'm free that night. I'll get back with you.
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Thanks for the invite Alan, but I'd bet I won't be able to make it this time.
After being gone for 5 days to Denver, my wager is that my wife won't be letting me loose on a saturday night anytime soon.
Then again, if she kicks me out for bringing something home :nono: , you might see me after all.... :wink:
Bill
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Bill:
I understand. This probably wasn't the best date considering the Denver event being the previous weekend. I just got back into town myself. The following weekend is my Wife's birthday, and she hasn't yet told me what I'll want to do.
If for some reason you get free, come on by......
Alan
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Looks like it's good to go for me. My wife wasn't too pleased about me being tied up on Sat. night after getting back from Denver. Gonna cost me dinner and a movie Friday night but that's cool.
C ya then.
Bryan
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Just looked at my calendar and I may still be out in South Carolina. :scratch: Not sure if I'll be able to make it but I'll try.
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AAAAARRRGGGGHHH! :duh: :duh: :duh: I won't be able to make this one either. Sorry, Alan. I really want to hear your system with the VMPS and Rogue.
Have a great time. I'll be in Champaign with my wife, brother, sister in law, and friends at a Halloween party. The worst part is we are dressing up as the Scooby Doo gang. :finger: :finger:
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who's going as the dogs butt? :lol: :lol:
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I'll be in Champaign with my wife, brother, sister in law, and friends at a Halloween party. The worst part is we are dressing up as the Scooby Doo gang. :finger: :finger:
Hey, thats better than one year when I went as a ballerina (5 day beard, half smoked stogie, wig, tutu, tights, the whole schlameal) :oops:
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Hey, thats better than one year when I went as a ballerina (5 day beard, half smoked stogie, wig, tutu, tights, the whole schlameal) :oops:
Scott, since I'm planning on coming to your house, I'd like to see a picture of this. I'd like to get the initial shock over with, so as not to alarm anyone with my reaction in a face to face situation. :wink:
Thanks,
Bob
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I think I destroyed most of the physical evidenece but imagine something like this....
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=3461)
Now, I'm not quite this big but lets just say my belly hung over my tutu a fair ways :o
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Ok Scott, Thanks, the initial shock is over now.
I can look at you with a straight face. :wink:
Take Care.
Bob
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I think I destroyed most of the physical evidenece but imagine something like this....
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=3461)
Now, I'm not quite this big but lets just say my belly hung over my tutu a fair ways :o
Scott..... :o.....You sexy ballerina...... :lol:
Maybe next time go for the "Divine" look..... :jester:
(http://www.rpi.edu/~turcoj/Timeline/Art%20History/Pink_Flamingos_mellomstort.jpg)
Chris
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The ballerina is humerous, but that 'devine' thing is going to give me nightmares. :lol:
Bob
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I needed help staying awake tonight Chris.
Thanks.
I don't think I'll sleep for days after that.
....and the thought of Scott dressed up that way.
:wink:
DF
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I needed help staying awake tonight Chris.
Thanks.
I don't think I'll sleep for days after that.
....and the thought of Scott dressed up that way.
:wink:
DF
I think he'd look good as Divine.... 8)
Did notice some pink neon's in his audio room..... :lol:
See you in Denver Bill.....
Chris
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Alan,
Looks like I'll be able to make it. I'm looking forward to hearing the Butler again. I remember it having lots of grunt at Scott's awhile back. I'll bring the Mapletree. Do we need to bring anything else?
steve
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Did notice some pink neon's in his audio room..... :lol:
Chris
It matches my pink pumps and handbag :lol:
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aa The Butler just arrived ..(Triple Boxed) :o Haven't had much of a chance to listen yet. I'll try to post something a little later.
Steve,
Just bring the preamp if you can. I'll have snacks, etc, but I haven't figured out just what yet. I hope Scott can make it, and bring the Korato. I'm curious how it, and the Mapletree compares when linked to the Butler.
Side Note:
I believe the beauty above in the red dress could stop any of us from drinking. :)
Alan
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Well I'm pretty sure the Butler amp is a keeper. Compared to my old setup, everything seems so smooooth. More tweaking is still needed and it may be time look into some (invisible), :lol: or at least (portable) room treatments, to slip behind the RM40s. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.
It will be good to see what everyone else thinks.
Alan
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Has anyone else managed to break free for Saturday night?? So far looks like just Tim, Steve, Bryan, and myself, for sure. Plenty of room..... so Send me a PM with your email address, and I'll send out a map and directions. We'll have snacks beer and soda....Just bring some CDs for the gang to listen to.
Alan
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I spoke with Scott while I was in Denver and he was just getting in to South Carolina. He's not going to be back in time to make the meet and I didn't get over there before I had to leave for RMAF to borrow the preamp.
Bryan
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Bryan,
I wish Scott could have made it. Would be nice to hear the Korato with the Butler. Steve said that he'll be bringing the Mapletree, so we'll have it to play with along with the Rogue.
Alan
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Alan, HI there!
I'd love to come, but having a hard time commiting at this point in time.
Roughly where in St. Louis do you live? (PM me if you want) If it's not too far away, I might just be able to make it. (You know, some people consider St. Louis having a 250 mile radius.)
I can bring a pair of Hawthorne Silver Iris Coaxials, mounted on baffles.
Check out my signature for pics if you'd like.
Thanks Alan
Bob
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Bob,
I'm in the South county area, just a few minutes south of Highway 55, and 270. I just noticed your location shows Jeffco. I suspect you're really close...just a little south of me. If you think you can drop by, shoot me an email address, and I'll get you a map and directions You're more than welcome to join us.
Alan
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Sturgus,
Shoot me a PM with your Email address. I'll get you a map and directions.
If anyone else thinks they might break free for Saturday night, send me a PM with an email address and I'll get directions to you as well.
Deadfish: Are you out there??? :beer:
BASEBALL FANS!!!
WE WILL HAVE THE WORLD SERIES GAME ON. (IF PLAYED) VOLUME WILL OF COURSE BE TURNED DOWN :D
Alan
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Hiya Guys,
Still out at Fort Jackson South Carolina at my sons graduation from boot camp.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7852)
Next he's off to Fort Eustis for Avionics School. (sorry for the crappy quality of the phone pic)
Won't be able to make it but be sure to take some pics of the gathering and post them.
So Alan, how do you like the Butler?
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Scott:
Sorry you won't be able to join us.
I like the Butler.... It seems to have smoothed thing out, and is probably the most powerful amp I have used with the VMPS'. Later tonight I'll pull everything out so we can get to it. Steve is bringing his Mapletree, and we may play with Bi-amping the VTL and the Butler just for grins aa.
Would like to have heard how your Korato sounds with the Butler. Have a safe trip back, and we'll get together another time.
Alan
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Congrts Scott on your sons graduation. :thumb:
Bob- "A proud military supporter"
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Hey Alan!
Thanks again for the invite, but again, my wife has these plans for me that come with a wink and a giggle. No matter HOW expensive and great sounding the gear was at RMAF, none of it came with that! aa
The cost of she and I on opposing shifts, is that we still enjoy the time we do get to spend together.
Sure wish I could split my consciousness into 2 or more bodies though. Never enough time for everything and it woulda been REAL handy last week, as I keep encountering reviews of rooms I couldn't get to, or make it back to.
You guys have an extra beer for me though. I too would like to hear how the Butler plays through your speakers. Last weekend was the best I ever heard VMPS speakers in the Bolder room, and also the first time I had heard Butler. Fascinated hearing about the design approach and wish I could have heard the Monads with more hours on them, not that there was anything wrong at all after they were just plugged in. We saw one of them casually 'dropped' from several inches to the floor, and that says a lot about how robust the build is.
Y'all have fun. Hope to get back together down the line. I think today, I'm finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as I let me get. :wink: Time to get the peecee based sound back online, as I gutted it for travelling hardware.
Gotta get a laptop before next year!! :thumb:
Ciao!
DeadFish
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That was pretty funny Bill. Watching BK Butler himself rush into the room, rip the Monads out of the boxes and literally just drop them on the floor. My wallet hurt just watchin that :duh:
See you Saturday night Alan.
Bryan
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Hi guys, I might be able to swing by if the Cardinals have already won. I will let you know after the game tonight. thanks, Alex
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Hi Alan, I can make it and it would be a pleasure to come tomorrow night.
If you still have a 'chair', I'd love to fill it.
Curious what the Silver Iris sounds like on differing rigs.
PM or email (email would be best, no notification from the site, you know.. :roll:)
Bob
JCKSN@AOL.COM
p.s. still have to figure out HOW to get the Baffled Silver Iris's there and back with no damage.
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Bob,
Glad to hear you can make it. :) I just emailed you a map with directions. Let me know if you need anything else.
If anyone else breaks free at the last minute, let me know, and I'll get a set of directions to you.
Alan
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Alex,
Sorry, I missed your post. :oops: If you are now available, PM your email address....I'll get you a set of directions and a Map.
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Hi, I will try to make it also if there is still room. alexbornstein@yahoo.com. thanks, alex
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Alex,
Glad you can make it. Just emailed directions to you. I have some running to do, and should be ready for everyone by about 6pm. See you tonight.
Alan
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BASEBALL FANS!!! WE WILL HAVE THE WORLD SERIES GAME ON. (IF PLAYED)
No need for that, WE RULE!
Bob
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BASEBALL FANS!!! WE WILL HAVE THE WORLD SERIES GAME ON. (IF PLAYED)
No need for that, WE RULE!
Bob
:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:
I'm so ashamed. What could I have been thinking? Everyone knew they would run away with it. :o
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So do we want the Baffles Iris'? aa
Bob
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Bob,
Feel free to bring anything your comfortable with. :) Steve is bringing his Mapletree preamp. I just wouldn't want you to take a chance in damaging anything in transport........ We'll have plenty of room if you should decide to.
Alan
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Alan,
Can you email me directions again? I accidentally deleted them.
steve
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Steve,
Directions are on the way. I'm leaving now, and will be back by afternoon. Still room for a couple more if anyone breaks free at the last minute.
Alan
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Alan.
Do you have a squeezebox? I can bring over my new Boulder power supply and DC cable. If not, no biggie.
Bryan
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I'm going to have to ask for a rain check for this evening. I spent most of yesterday at an Oral Surgeon. I had a tooth ache on Thursday that was annoying but not severe but by Friday morning it had turned me into the Elephant man. The whole right hand side of my face had swollen up like I was chewing a baseball. I still have a severely swollen face but am now minus a tooth. On the plus side, those drugs are good.
Rather than scaring your Wife and kids along with anyone else who sees me, I will be staying at home this evening . I hope the evening goes well and everyone has fun.
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Tim:
Sorry your not feeling well. I think at some time, we've all been through something similar. If you do get to feeling better, come on by. We won't be concerned with how you look. I suspect my wife will take off, and besides, shes even managed to accept the way I look. :)
Bryan,
I probably didn't mention, and I don't think we can update our system on this site yet, but I have an SB3 and Elpac PS with the Bolder mods. I also picked up one of the Paradisa dacs off of EBay.
Alan
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OK. I'll bring the power supply and DC cable then. Something else to play with.
I'm also going to throw some 703 in a couple of homemade potato sacks I have for just this purpose. I have the car tonight so can't bring a ton but will have enough to mess around with and see what'll work best in your room and is still 'hidable'.
Bryan
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Thanks Bryan!
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Alan, thanks again for allowing me to come and play. (Extra special thanks to your wife too!)
By the way Alan, what model speakers were those?
Thanks to you and Bryan for the explanation and demonstration of the squeezebox :roll:NOW that's on my list too...
It'll be a few steps down the list though.
I've got a few more pressing things that "need" to be added to the room first.
Bob
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Welcome to GAS, Bob. You're now on the slippery slope to audio insanity with the rest of us. :lol: We really enjoyed hearing your Silver Iris Coax open baffles. They really filled up Alan's big living room with sound. They pack a lot of punch for $300! We ran them with both the VTL and the Butler--both way more power than they need. I'm sure our SET users will have lots of ideas for SET amp matchups for the Iris. aa
Alan's Butler 2250 was the hit of the night. All agreed it's a great match for the VMPS, dynamic and fast with the smoothness of tubes and it never broke a sweat even at high listening levels. We also traded the Rogue 99 Magnum for the Mapletree and tried out Bryan's Bolder PS with the Squeezebox. It definitely made a nice sound nicer. I'm definitely moving into Squeezebox territory. I think last night pushed me over the edge. As soon as I get my new DAC built, I think the SB is next. :drool:
We also messed with Bryan's mind with some power cord swapouts. It's always something ain't it? :green:
Thanks again to Alan and his wife for their hospitality. A tip of the hat to the New York Audio Raver's CD mix. The live Nils Lofgren made for great equipment comparisons. :rock:
steve k
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7879)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7878)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7875)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7877)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7876)
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Great pix, Steve! Yer right about the NY Ravers' disk. Some great stuff for all to become familiar with and compare thru the ages on different gear. It might inspire a similar project for us, if we have enough 'benchmark' cuts we'd like to use.
Looks like you fellas had a suitably great bunch of stuff there to sample, and I would have liked to have heard a smidgeon, I'm sure. I have new-found respect for both VMPS and Butler, and it sounds like it matched well.
Sorry to have missed meeting Bob and hearing his open baffles, as well, but now that you have a 'taste' Bob, I like to think we will encounter each other sooner or later.
Maybe next time folks, I won't be such a 'dead-ass'. :deadhorse: and find it easier to get there. :green:
Regards,
DeadFish
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So were you guys bi-amping the Butler with the VTL or just running the Butler full range?
Once you get past the software, the Squeezebox is an amazing piece of audiophile gear. Since I bought my Jolida 302b I haven't listened to nearly as much vinyl because the Squeezebox is so smooth and refined--and easy to use.
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We ran the Butler full range on the VMPS. We only ran the VTL on the open baffles.
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What's the house sound of the Butler compared to say the VTL? (to which I have reference of)
I've seen those Butler amps go for $1600 on Agon so if they can run a speaker like the RM40 full range then they are a heckuva deal.
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Thank you Alan to you and your hip wife, who has given you the green light to be a "vinyl head" and allows giant speakers in the house. She's a keeper. Loved hearing the open baffle's and the major difference between the tube and SS amp driving them. Thanks again for another great GAS night! Alex
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By the way guys, a couple of you asked me specific questions about the drivers that I couldn't answer.
Here's a link to the driver page........
http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/drivers.htm
Thanks again,
Bob
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Matthew.
We didn't do the VTL on the VMPS last night. The last time we were there with the VTL, it was part of a biamp setup. Can't give you an exact difference but on the OB's we did both and I think everyone preferred the Butler.
On the VMPS, the sound was very smooth but with enough guts to really get the ribbons moving but keep the bottom end under control.
Bryan
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Alan, thanks for the invite. I had a great time listening to the different stuff. I love the way the Butler sounds with the VMPS . I think this was a substantial upgrade over the Carver you were using. The system sounds more balanced and coherent. Bob it was great meeting you and hope to see you again soon. I think your speakers are a great deal for the money. The set boys are going to love these. Bryan that P/S for the SB3 is real nice sounding might be looking for one of those soon. As always enjoyed my self immensely.
Sturgus
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Hello Guy's,
Looks like a nice night of listening in Gateway country. 8)
I noticed some similar equipement to our Rave (which was the same day)....namely the Butler amp and the Mapletree preamp....(did also have a VTL amp as well...it was toprounds). I tried this combo last night...did use two Butler's running in mono, and got very good results with the Mapletree preamp (first time hearing one)...it add a nice dimension to the sound. Running one Butler is good....but adding a 2nd. ....takes the sound way up. If you get the chance....try them in mono. Its not so much for the extra power....but the better sound you will hear.
Great pix, Steve! Yer right about the NY Ravers' disk. Some great stuff for all to become familiar with and compare thru the ages on different gear. It might inspire a similar project for us, if we have enough 'benchmark' cuts we'd like to use.
That was my reason for handing out the cdr at RMAF....so everyone can hear what we use at our Rave's.....and ...when you report about what your hearing in tune's when you audition equipement, we would all know the song and how it sounds.
I hope one day to have a Gateway Reference Tracks cdr that we can play in NY..... :thumb:
Chris
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I'll add my thanks to Alan and his wife. Good times.
Chris,
We spoke last night about putting together a GAS reference disc. Just have to pare it down to a single CD. The Nils Lofgren track on your CD was listened to about 8 times in a row when comparing power supplies and cables to the SB. It has a ton of info that was invaluable in determining even small differences.
Bryan
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A GAS cd would be great Bryan....thanks !! 8)
And I'll give credit where credit is do...the Nils Lofgren track, "Keith Don't Go", was brought to our attention by Raver tvyankee (Dave). You may have meet him at RMAF. Thanks....
Chris
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Sorry for not responding up until now...Probably thought the BOSS did me in after the gathering... Actually, she let me slide....I was TOLD Sunday that I wanted to go shopping for a new (FURRY) family member. :D Long story short, we drove to Salem Mo. and now have a new Lhasa Apso to rule the house.
Thanks to everyone who showed up. I had a great time, and continue to learn little bits of info that make me more and more dangerous.
Alex and Bob, nice meeting both of you for the first time, hope to see you at future events.
Bob. The speakers are VMPS model RM40. You can find them here on AC as well as John Casler at Summit Audio. Great guy to contact if you ever decide to move in that direction.
Thanks again to to Sturgus, Steve, and Bryan for additional "learnin", You've brought me a long way in a fairly short time. I never run out of new things to think about buying now. :thumb:
Lonewolf: You now have me scared.... :o I'm afraid to know what 2 Butlers might due for my RM40s. Just the one has brought them to a really high level!!!
With a little coaching from Steve, (Thanks) I managed to slip in a few more photos.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7922)
A Few Gas Guys at the Oct. 06 Gathering... L-R Steve, Alex, Bryan, Sturgus, and Bob.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7921)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7920)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=7919)
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RM40's, ok Alan. Got it.
Alan, thank again for the invite! Special thanks to your wife too for allowing to to allow us.
Guys, any thoughts about OB; The technology in general, mine in particular, imaging in particular??....
Alan, watch that new puppy on the speaker grills! That new little fellow may not know the "house rules" yet.
Bob
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Bob,
I like the OB concept. I like the way they load the room like a dipole or planar vs. a box speaker. The nice thing about OB's though is they work better off-axis than planars. I really liked the sound of the Nomad Ronin when we had it--it's more of a hybrid with the mid/tweeter OB and the bass in a sealed enclosure but I thought it imaged well and really filled the room up. Listening off-axis was very much like being in the sweet spot.
steve
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Regarding the GAS CD, are the song selections made?
Or is it too late for a recommendation?
.....And where/how could a fellow get his hands on one?
I believe Bryan started talking to me about this reference disc idea, but we got sidetracked.
Bob
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I suspect we should get together and do some listening (hey - why not another excuse!) and pare it down a bit. We may be able to finalize a set of tracks at Scott's for the Christmas party (if the single malt doesn't get in the way).
Bryan
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Can we start earlier than 6:00pm?
I've got one nomination for "The GAS Track".
Bob