AudioCircle

Industry Circles => Hollis Audio Labs => Topic started by: HAL on 9 Jun 2023, 01:13 am

Title: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 9 Jun 2023, 01:13 am
Talked with the folks at CAF and looks like a standard room is available for 2023 for Nov 10-12.  I put in for it and looks like it is a GO! :o

This will not be the system at LSAF2023.  I have an idea for something else!

The dspNexus 2x8 and servo subs will still be part of the system. 

More as it gets closer to Nov.
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: mix4fix on 9 Jun 2023, 01:33 am
Do you need help like last time?
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 9 Jun 2023, 01:36 am
mix4fix,
Thanks for asking!

Not sure.  I need to see who from my side is coming first.  There are more folks involved with this project.
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 24 Aug 2023, 05:44 pm
HAL will be at the Capital Audio Fest in Rockville, MD on Nov 10-12, 2023.

Should be in room 708 for demos.

Here is the link to the show.

https://www.capitalaudiofest.com/
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: sandbagger on 24 Aug 2023, 06:04 pm
This should be fun  :popcorn:
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 24 Aug 2023, 06:54 pm
I will have some libations for folks that attend. :D
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: mix4fix on 25 Aug 2023, 01:02 am
I will have some libations for folks that attend. :D

Bourbon?
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 25 Aug 2023, 01:02 am
Maybe and other...
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: orchardaudio on 26 Aug 2023, 06:00 pm
I will be there on Saturday and Sunday. It will be great to meet you.
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: danvillesignal on 29 Sep 2023, 05:46 pm
I will be joining Rich at CAF this November. I look forward to meeting everyone

Al Clark
Danville Signal
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: mix4fix on 29 Sep 2023, 08:55 pm
mix4fix,
Thanks for asking!

Not sure.  I need to see who from my side is coming first.  There are more folks involved with this project.

I plan on being there, so whatever is needed.

Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 1 Nov 2023, 03:28 pm
One week until CAF2023 trip starts.   The show is Nov 10-12, 2023.

Hope to see folks at the show. :D
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 5 Nov 2023, 11:30 pm
Packing for CAF2023 has begun. 

Final checks of the system is going well and then pack it up as well.

Looking forward to seeing folks at the show!
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: celebrat on 7 Nov 2023, 11:40 am
Rich, I'll be sure to stop in your room. I have followed you in AC for years. Looking forward to hearing your speakers in person. :thumb:
First time to CAP
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 8 Nov 2023, 06:22 pm
celebrat,
Will be good to meet you and have a listen to the system!

Made it to the Hilton Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD CAF2023 show hotel and got to say hello to Gary Gill. 

Truck is parked at the hotel to make it easier to move the equipment into the demo room tomorrow.

Getting closer!

Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 10 Nov 2023, 04:16 am
The HAL room at CAF2023 is making music!

Friday is day one and ready to play some music.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=258465)
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: Tyson on 10 Nov 2023, 04:58 am
That looks so badass.  How does it sound in the new room?
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 10 Nov 2023, 12:36 pm
Pretty good.  Still some tweaking to do this morning.   Lower bass power than the 3x12's as expected, but much better than the MG10/QR's without them.

Everything is warmed up this morning, so we shall see.

Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: SoCalWJS on 10 Nov 2023, 02:55 pm
That looks so badass.  How does it sound in the new room?
This!

Details?
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: Rocket_Ronny on 10 Nov 2023, 10:57 pm
So what products are you showing / selling? I see the open baffle woofers, are you selling those? Sorry for my ignorance, ha.
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 11 Nov 2023, 03:45 am
Day 1 of CAF is complete.  This demo room is very challenging.

This is a demo system to show what both the EA dspNexus 2x8 processor and the 8in servo subs can do for existing speakers.  So far there are GR-Research Super Mini, NX-Tremes and LS-9's running EA dspNexus 2x8's as replacements for the passive crossover systems.  There are other speakers as well like the Egg speaker design and some custom horn designs using the system as DSP crossover.

The setup is the 1993 vintage Magnepan MG10/QR rewired without the internal crossovers for biamping.  I had MGIIB's in the '80s and knew what was needed to improve the sound, but the active crossovers of the day could not do is now easily done and sounds excellent.

The subs are GR-Research 8in servo subs in OB H-Frames.  Rythmik Audio modified HX300PEQ servo amps running the servo subs.  The flat packs for the OB 8in H-Frames are from Killian.  I can sell them with a finish, but you can order the parts directly to DIY them.

The EA dspNexus 2x8 is running the front end for phono and USB digital input for DSP crossovers, phono RIAA EQ and cartridge voltage gain into the AKM AK5578 ADC's.  The output DACs are 4x AKM AK4493's with Class A output stages.

The room is sounding good, but not as good so far as LSAF in TX in June.  Found a problem and the replacement part is coming tomorrow.  Work around went online at 5PM after it went down at 10AM.  Did a lot of driving to get the first fix.  Danville Signal's Al Clark dspNexus 2x8 designer was doing discussions with attendees while I was gone.

Will give an update tomorrow when the real replacement part arrives and the system is fully running. 

The servo subs are working well.  Very nice LF capability in the room from 30Hz to 120Hz feeding the MG10/QR's with the DSP crossover. 

The servo sub flat packs and 8in GR-Research servo subs are available.  The Rythmik Audio HX300PEQ is a prototype for its replacement the HX310.  This is the prototype pair of 8in modular sub's to see if there is interest in building the replacement servo amp.

The EA dspNexus 2x8 is for sale at $3000.00+s/h from Hollis Audio Labs and I do the sales, application and support for the new crossover.

Orchard Audio will be here on Saturday to be at the HAL room for a period of time as two other rooms have his gear as well.

Hope that is answers to your questions.
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 12 Nov 2023, 04:48 am
Day 2 of CAF2023 is complete.

System is up and running and sounding really good! 

Leo from Orchard Audio is here along with Al Clark from Danville Signal to discuss their products and then listen to them.

Qobuz is working well and so far only one track requested was not available.   
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 12 Nov 2023, 01:53 pm
Day 3 begins. 

See you in room 708 at CAF!
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 13 Nov 2023, 03:21 am
Day 3 of CAF2023 is complete and the room is packed for going home. 

Hope that the show attendees enjoyed their time in the room and we were able to explain the ideas of the dspNexus 2x8 DSP system and demonstrate its sound quality.\

We will see what 2024 brings.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=258556)
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 13 Nov 2023, 04:43 am
A video review by the Audiophile Junkie of the HAL room at CAF2023. 

Thanks for stopping by for a listen and discussion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oANXienevhU
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: nlitworld on 14 Nov 2023, 01:28 am
Normally it's really hard to hear anything positive from a YouTube video, but that sounded really good.  :thumb:
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 14 Nov 2023, 04:00 am
Normally it's really hard to hear anything positive from a YouTube video, but that sounded really good.  :thumb:
Thanks!  The system did sound very good even with the 30 year old MG10/QR's.  They really need the servo subs and DSP crossover to integrate them with correct time delay.

Next time I should try my Ambisonic surround sound mic for a recording test. :o
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: Jaytor on 14 Nov 2023, 03:59 pm
Hi Rich.

It was great to meet you in person and hearing your system. I was impressed with what you were able to get out of those old MG10s and the integration with the subs is the best I've heard with maggies. I look forward to working with you to develop a crossover for my system.

I'm busy with travel and the holidays for the next several weeks but will follow up with you in December.

Congrats on a great show.

Regards,

Jay
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 20 Nov 2023, 12:42 pm
Jay,
Thank you for coming all that way and glad you enjoyed the system for CAF!

Yes, the 30 year old MG10/QR's needed a lot of rework for the improved sound quality that everyone heard with the 4x8 servo subs.  There is even DSP processing and main speaker time delay for the servo subs to accomplish the system integration. 

Just further proof of what modern DSP processing with HiRez DAC's are capable of doing for music reproduction.

I think you will be very happy with the results with your system once it is working with the dspNexus 2x8.  I have some history lessons with that speaker design at Danny's.

Rich
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 25 Nov 2023, 06:31 pm
Some comments on ASR about 1/2 way down the thread about the HAL room at CAF 2023:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads%2Fcapital-audio-festival-2023-nov-10-12.49411%2F
Title: Re: HAL at CAF2023
Post by: HAL on 15 Dec 2023, 01:25 pm
Greg Weaver's coverage of CAF 2023 and the HAL room:

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/Capital_Audiofest_2023/Weaver/page3.htm