AudioCircle
Community => Regional Audiophiles => Mid-Atlantic Audio Circle => Topic started by: Archguy on 3 Aug 2017, 06:05 am
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Where is the thread for this? I'm planning on going, so no one else will have to worry about being the least audio-savvy person in attendance.
I want to get a nice room in the hotel and do the whole thing drunk. Is that a problem?
http://www.capitalaudiofest.com/
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I'm going.
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Well you've just opened the thread for this year. :thumb:
A room at the hotel is absolutely the way to go if you're coming from out of town, traffic is usually pretty heavy so trucking over from some other hotel is a pain. The rooms were typical Hilton, predictably nice, but they say everything is newly remodeled so we'll have to see. I got an upgraded suite last year, but can't expect that to happen every year.
We have a dinner gtg Saturday night, everyone likes a steakhouse. We've never really solved the how to identify AC members problem, for those who don't know everybody we pick a time to meet in the lobby and it generally works out. All are welcome.
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Where is the thread for this? I'm planning on going, so no one else will have to worry about being the least audio-savvy person in attendance.
I want to get a nice room in the hotel and do the whole thing drunk. Is that a problem?
http://www.capitalaudiofest.com/
As long as you are a happy drunk, I guess. :dunno:
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Will the details of the dinner Saturday be on here?
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I grew up in, and my dad still lives in Rockville. The Mrs. and I are considering going down this year from NH to visit dad and hit the show. How's parking at the Hilton? FYI - traffic always is an issue in that area, not just for the audio show. FYI - try Bob's Shanghai 66 (http://www.bobsshanghai66.com/) for dim sum, cash only but excellent taste and value.
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I plan on attending.....Maybe not drunk so I can remember what I see and hear.
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Will the details of the dinner Saturday be on here?
We are going to Nick's Chop House in Rockville. They have steaks for those who want one and other items for those who don't want steak.
This is the thread for confirming reservations for Nicks. Everybody is welcome of course.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=151924.msg1624554#msg1624554
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PS: We can't have people being drunk.
We audiophiles are jerks enough when we are sober, we don't alcohol to increase that!!!
:green:
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PS: We can't have people being drunk.
What universe are you in?
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PS: We can't have people being drunk.
We audiophiles are jerks enough when we are sober, we don't alcohol to increase that!!!
:green:
Last year at CAF, I didn't eat all day, only coffee and a doughnut at 8am , just snacked on chips throughout the day.
I started sipping scotch around 4pm....by the time we shut the room down at 6pm, it hit me like a freight train.
Never gonna do that again....ruined my whole night...This time I will start drinking after dinner !!!
Greg
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Speaking of CAF 2017...
GT Audio Works and partners will be in the Frederick Room on the atrium level.....We have a great lineup this year.
Sound Insight is supplying 6 x 12" open baffle powered subs, Pass Labs XA60.8 class A mono's, Esoteric K01x CD player and Synergistic Research UEF 12 power cell.
Pass Labs is supplying XS series pre-amp and phono stage.
Triode Wire Labs is supplying the entire wire loom.
Fidelis AV is supplying Acoustic signature turntable
Please stop by for a chat and a beer.
Greg
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What universe are you in?
You left out the punchline...
We audiophiles are jerks enough when we are sober, we don't alcohol to increase that!!!
:lol:
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Not feeling it this year...
I've been to five CAFs. The ads for the show used to say 'Everything from modestly priced systems to the most high-end' or something like that. That first show, there were some moderately priced systems, but since then, the bottom has fallen out. I'm a man of modest means, and an audio system the price of a German luxury sedan is not in my foreseeable future. (Mean price of the systems I had information for from 2016- excluding Klaus at the 'budget' end and the $220K KEF 'shampoo bottles' at the high end, was close to $60K- before adding in the boutique interconnects.) Last year, when I walked in, I was thinking to myself, what am I doing here? Also, last year the show seemed to take on a 'REAL audiophiles spin vinyl' vibe that I didn't care for (Mr. Spock would have a hard time calculating the odds of me spinning again.)
If there is a manufacturer that really interests me, or a gonzo raffle like last year, or headphone intrigue, I might go, but otherwise I'm probably going to stay home and enjoy what I've got. Sorry if I'm coming off like a downer. Maybe I'll feel more into it closer to show time.
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Speaking of CAF 2017...
GT Audio Works and partners will be in the Frederick Room on the atrium level.....We have a great lineup this year.
Sound Insight is supplying 6 x 12" open baffle powered subs, Pass Labs XA60.8 class A mono's, Esoteric K01x CD player and Synergistic Research UEF 12 power cell.
Pass Labs is supplying XS series pre-amp and phono stage.
Triode Wire Labs is supplying the entire wire loom.
Fidelis AV is supplying Acoustic signature turntable
Please stop by for a chat and a beer.
Greg
Looking forward to seeing and hearing it all!
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.....I started sipping scotch around 4pm....by the time we shut the room down at 6pm, it hit me like a freight train.....
Greg
Wait, isn't that the point of drinking scotch? :wink:
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If there is a manufacturer that really interests me, or a gonzo raffle like last year, or headphone intrigue, I might go, but otherwise I'm probably going to stay home and enjoy what I've got. Sorry if I'm coming off like a downer. Maybe I'll feel more into it closer to show time.
Headphone.guru's Frank is taking over organization for the headphone stuff, so the headphone area should be a real, respectfully attended exhibition of the latest headphones and related gear this year. We'll have a table in the hallway outside the ballroom.
LTA will also be teaming up with Fern & Roby in both of their rooms, and we'll have another room with some exciting components that I'm waiting for final confirmation on.
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Hey DB have you already spent all the money you had when you bailed out of the airline? I get your point but shows to me are more for meeting like minded audio nuts and seeing the esoteric gear you will never likely see local. I hope you change you mind and hopefully see you at the show.
Not feeling it this year...
I've been to five CAFs. The ads for the show used to say 'Everything from modestly priced systems to the most high-end' or something like that. That first show, there were some moderately priced systems, but since then, the bottom has fallen out. I'm a man of modest means, and an audio system the price of a German luxury sedan is not in my foreseeable future. (Mean price of the systems I had information for from 2016- excluding Klaus at the 'budget' end and the $220K KEF 'shampoo bottles' at the high end, was close to $60K- before adding in the boutique interconnects.) Last year, when I walked in, I was thinking to myself, what am I doing here? Also, last year the show seemed to take on a 'REAL audiophiles spin vinyl' vibe that I didn't care for (Mr. Spock would have a hard time calculating the odds of me spinning again.)
If there is a manufacturer that really interests me, or a gonzo raffle like last year, or headphone intrigue, I might go, but otherwise I'm probably going to stay home and enjoy what I've got. Sorry if I'm coming off like a downer. Maybe I'll feel more into it closer to show time.
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Not out of the question. I was kind of having a bad day. I'm just frustrated with the direction of 'high end' (a term I dislike) and that, over time, CAF seems to be becoming more about what I call the 'deep end'. We're fooling ourselves if we think $12K DACs, $20K speakers, and $1K power cables are going to grow the audience for quality music reproduction in the home. The public is deserting 'high end' in droves, opting for 'smart speakers' that cost a few hundred instead. There needs to be an entry level, 'philes need to stop deriding it as 'mid-fi' just because they can afford something better, and it needs to be represented at events such as CAF (since there are no audio stores anymore)- and it pretty much isn't. Someone told me Klaus from Odyssey said "All the exhibitors are trying to catch the same nine millionaires."
Anyway,I might come for CanMania and camaraderie if nothing else.
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I plan on going to the fest and I am pretty sure I would go to dinner but no one has replied
to the "2017 Capitol Audio "Feast"" thread?
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DB you speak the truth......To encourage and continue this hobby we need a young audience to start participating. Lets start getting the word out!
Not out of the question. I was kind of having a bad day. I'm just frustrated with the direction of 'high end' (a term I dislike) and that, over time, CAF seems to be becoming more about what I call the 'deep end'. We're fooling ourselves if we think $12K DACs, $20K speakers, and $1K power cables are going to grow the audience for quality music reproduction in the home. The public is deserting 'high end' in droves, opting for 'smart speakers' that cost a few hundred instead. There needs to be an entry level, 'philes need to stop deriding it as 'mid-fi' just because they can afford something better, and it needs to be represented at events such as CAF (since there are no audio stores anymore)- and it pretty much isn't. Someone told me Klaus from Odyssey said "All the exhibitors are trying to catch the same nine millionaires."
Anyway,I might come for CanMania and camaraderie if nothing else.
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How far away is the steak place you guys are proposing to meet? I have been to the CAF once and remember it being very congested to get around.
I plan on going to the fest and I am pretty sure I would go to dinner but no one has replied
to the "2017 Capitol Audio "Feast"" thread?
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I plan on going to the fest and I am pretty sure I would go to dinner but no one has replied
to the "2017 Capitol Audio "Feast"" thread?
I know it's a few months ahead, but it will arrive faster than people think.
If nobody responds to that that thread, I will have no choice to assume that nobody wants to go and cancel it.
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Sounds good mix4fix I will reply
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How far away is the steak place you guys are proposing to meet? I have been to the CAF once and remember it being very congested to get around.
Nick's is in Rockville (15 minutes from the hotel). Nick's is chosen because it's nearby, it's got good atmosphere, food is overall great, and you didn't have to pay for parking. They have steaks, but they also have other things for those that can't or don't want steak. Last year, they supplied us with a special menu with larger cuts of steak as well as other items.
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Not out of the question. I was kind of having a bad day. I'm just frustrated with the direction of 'high end' (a term I dislike) and that, over time, CAF seems to be becoming more about what I call the 'deep end'. We're fooling ourselves if we think $12K DACs, $20K speakers, and $1K power cables are going to grow the audience for quality music reproduction in the home. The public is deserting 'high end' in droves, opting for 'smart speakers' that cost a few hundred instead. There needs to be an entry level, 'philes need to stop deriding it as 'mid-fi' just because they can afford something better, and it needs to be represented at events such as CAF (since there are no audio stores anymore)- and it pretty much isn't. Someone told me Klaus from Odyssey said "All the exhibitors are trying to catch the same nine millionaires."
Anyway,I might come for CanMania and camaraderie if nothing else.
They need cheaper gear. Klaus had a $2200 system on year. There were cheaper stuff as well in the past.
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DB you speak the truth......To encourage and continue this hobby we need a young audience to start participating. Lets start getting the word out!
There is a lot of age diversity where I work, and I have some young friends into audio who've been to the show... once. They haven't been back. $60-$100K audio systems don't 'speak' to them- or to me, which is why I found myself saying to myself 'Why am I here?' :scratch: last year...
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Don't forget to sign up for the Saturday dinner. Everybody is invited. Please post in the dinner thread.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=151924.0
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we have vendors that have a range of systems from under $1000 to over $300k. Tenacious Sound from Syracuse NY will have one large room(Lincoln Room) and two rooms on the 3rd floor that will have a budget system, $3K system, $5k system and more.
There is over 30 vendors in the CanMania Marketplace (Plaza Ballroom) that will have a complete range of systems. Its all there for you to enjoy, along with live music in the Bar each night.
There will be special pricing for students and active military.
This will be the biggest year (number of listening rooms/vendors) yet.
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Thanks for sharing, pelliott321. That's good to hear. My first system was purchased with lawn cutting money well before I was old enough to drink. It wasn't 'hi-end' but it was 'hi-fi'. (Dyna speakers and integrated (kit). It provided me with years of musical enjoyment. (Then Hafler launched and I succumbed to my first upgraditis infection, but that's another story.) There needs to be a 'ground floor' in the audio world. Glad to hear that there will representation for such at CAF. I encourage everyone to visit the rooms showing rationally priced equipment whether they would actually consider it or not, so the vendors will be repeat exhibitors.
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We are going to Nick's Chop House in Rockville. They have steaks for those who want one and other items for those who don't want steak.
This is the thread for confirming reservations for Nicks. Everybody is welcome of course.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=151924.msg1624554#msg1624554
It's only a month away so please RSVP.
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See everyone next week!
Waiting to see if I am helping at the front desk Friday afternoon.
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Hope to see everyone in the Well Pleased Audio Room. RETHM speakers, Audio Hungry Qualiton A50i integrated and AQUA DAC INNUOS Ref. Server.
charles
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Charlie, The kit might be Linnenberg Liszt and Telemann, and I want to hear the v2 version of the Bhaava speakers. Mark's room at RMAF was one of the best, and he's changing almost everything up for CAF, should be interesting!
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Just heard a radio promotion on my local favorite station WTMD for the fest :lol:
Also I will be helping out a friend who will have a room for his store Vinyl Revivers,
come visit
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Towson U radio!
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Unfortunately not making it this year. I have a brand new grandson I'll be visiting instead. Hope you guys have a great time.
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I can make it this year. Back in Rockville and not scheduled to work...for once.
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Charlie, The kit might be Linnenberg Liszt and Telemann, and I want to hear the v2 version of the Bhaava speakers. Mark's room at RMAF was one of the best, and he's changing almost everything up for CAF, should be interesting!
ARGHA !! Mark did say he may have a surprise in amps. I have the RETHM Saadhanas in the house driving them with Qualiton A20i. Considering Linnenberg or Qualiton SET or Berning . These speakers are the timbre masters with 3D sound stage and slamatronic bass.
charles
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Don't forget to sign up for the Saturday dinner. Everybody is invited. Please post in the dinner thread.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=151924.0
People are welcome to join in.
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Made some last minute arrangements, so I'll be there. Look forward to listening to Lou's latest speakers and hopefully seeing some AC friends.
NB
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Dinner is Saturday night at 7:00pm. We will meet in the hotel lobby at 6:45-ish.
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Let's do this.
Official CAF thread.
If you see me wandering around, say hello. Post a selfie of your own if you like so we can spot each other. Probably can't do din-din tomorrow but nice to meet fellow ACers.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170694)
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I'll be there tomorrow along with my wife Sandy so we'll be easy to spot! Generally not many couple at shows. I'll keep an eye out.
Don P.
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Already here. In room 134 with the DCAudioDIY folks.
Playing music and having fun! :)
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The website is honky now with the countdown clock on it. What are the show hours? I might swing into town since I am going past to see my dad in eastern PA with my son. I could leave tonight and spend 6 hours or so there on Saturday.
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10-6 Saturday.
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Good, I assumed 6 might be the end time. I only have a 2.5 hour drive from there northeast.
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Was there from about 1230 til close today.
Observations/ Impressions/Opinions:
Dan Wiggins of Periodic Audio gave one of the best presentations I've ever seen, about transducers: What they do, what they don't do, and misconceptions and myths about same. Sadly this talk will not be repeated tomorrow, but a version of his powerpoint was promised for Periodic's website. Worth watching for. I was going to record audio (I have seen some previous talks video recorded in the past) but the Tidal system across the hall was too loud to do it.
Pamela Mason's presentation on hearing health is highly recommended. What good is a great system if your hearing is shot? Invest the hour. It happens again tomorrow at 1:30pm.
Bob Carver's ribbon arrays sounded good but really need room; when I moved from the third or fourth row to the front, it sounded as if all the sound was coming from the top of the arrays.
I wanted to hear the Quad S2 mini monitors featured in the Tenacious room (Kudos to Tenacious for showing some nice sounding reasonably priced gear) but they had just been rotated out when I got there so I didn't get to.
I felt sorry for Klaus from Odyssey (who consistently shows up a lot of big buck exhibitors year after year not to mention being one of the nicest, most approachable exhibitors) as he seemed to have drawn the short straw in the room lottery. His setup put the second/last row of seats against the back wall resulting in very boomy bass there. I have heard these speakers before and they sound better than this- much better. Moving away from the wall solved it but I'm afraid some people who aren't familiar with what his great equipment really sounds like won't 'get' that.
(Not Klaus' fault: The MoFi reissue of 'Abraxas', which requires a disc flip right at the segué between 'Gypsy Queen' and 'Oye Como Va', ruining one of the classic segués of rock). Kind of reminded me of the track-switch interruption right in the middle of the sax solo in the 8-track version of Pink Floyd's 'Money'. Others from the Mesozoic era may remember this. What was old is new again...
Fyssion had some interesting little speakers of unusual design. Even more unusual was their source: The headphone jack of an iPhone, not even into a DAC. The system sounded respectable though, presumably playing lossless.
Schiit had a good representation of their desktop line (headphone amps and DACs).
I'm a headphone guy, partly by inclination, partly by necessity, partly because of economics, so I was very interested in the 'CanMania' headphone space. Koss and ESS were MIA as far as I could tell but Koss is kind of irrelevant in today's headphone market anyway. Biggest discovery here (or, for me, the show) was the Beyerdynamic Amiron from my 'hit list', which sounded phenomenal- neutral without being sterile sounding, detailed without being 'zingy' like some of the T's, was extremely comfortable, and IMHO gave the more expensive Focal Utopia and Elear (which I finally got to hear) a real run for their money and beating their a**es on sound-for the dollar. The Amiron actually sounded less 'colored' to me than either and absent a more extended audition, Im not sure the extra $ is well spent.
General thoughts about the show:
I suggest printing out the exhibitor list from the website as the show guide only gives the exhibitor name and room number. If you came to audition a specific component, this will help.
I skipped rooms whose sponsors brought the same stuff they bring every year, and which I've heard. Too little time for that. Won't name names but you'll recognize them if you've attended before. I also skipped several that I heard music coming out of but had no signage or labeling.
Many rooms had problems with sound leakage from adjacent rooms, possibly worsened by the high playback levels that many seemed to insist on. Nothing like listening to the bassline from the next room while you're listening to a soft string quartet piece. Setup issues seemed rampant too, although I recognize that it was Day One.
The show also seemed to continue the 'Real audiophiles Play Vinyl' vibe which became very noticeable last year.
Other than that it was the usual sea of 'deep-end' 'statement' systems, with little really differentiating them in terms of absolute SQ, just pick the one whose sound signature you like the most and sign the five (or six if you're really flush) figure check. The first room I went into handed me a price list: Phono cart $5995; TT $30,000; phono pre $13,500; digital streamer $1595; optional power supply $450; DAC $14,000, CD transport $8500; assorted tweaks including power conditioning $11,285; interconnects $1672 (fourteen power cords add up to $9260 though); line preamp $16,500; power amplification $25,000; loudspeakers at a piddling $11,500/pr; racking and stands $14,304 finishing off the package bringing the total for everything shown to $147,304 which at a glance seemed in the ballpark of quite a few rooms. Did it sound good? Sure. Thirty times better than the $5K system in the Tenacious room? Of course not; in fact the $600 Beyer headphones were more revealing, but, we all know cans are not everybody's cup of tea and not for many situations (like listening with friends).
There you have some of the reasons IMHO why personal audio and 'smart speakers' are gobbling market share while 'systems' are becoming rarer and rarer in the 'general population'. I apologize for my occasional 'beefing', I know I've done it before. Kudos to Klaus and Tenacious (and CAF for having them as exhibitors) for providing a 'door in' so people can get interested in quality audio.
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Let's do this.
Official CAF thread.
If you see me wandering around, say hello. Post a selfie of your own if you like so we can spot each other. Probably can't do din-din tomorrow but nice to meet fellow ACers.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170694)
Hello? DC FBI field office?
DB Cooper can be found at at Capital Audio Fest this weekend. :lol:
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Guess nobody took a camera.
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Anyone going should make a point of checking out The Audio Company / VAC display dubbed the "Million Dollar"room. Far beyond my price point, but I've been told it is mesmerizing. And say hello to my friends Jim, Kevin and Gordon while you're there. The Audio Company is a great group to deal with if you're ever in Marietta, GA.
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Anyone been in the Charney Audio room?
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I did not go into the Charney room but I grabbed a price sheet that the had. The show was was fun, I had never been to a high end show before. I enjoyed the CanMania portion of the show the equipment was a bit more affordable to say the least.
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I wasn't planning on posting pics as I only had my iphone with me but here goes along with some impressions. My wife and I attended on Saturday and spent about 5 hours or so in the various rooms. I can understand why some don't like to see all of the ultra expensive gear but that's a huge part it for me and my wife finds it fascinating.
We started off in the Border Patrol, TWL, Volti Room. Disclaimer: I own the wonderful Border Patrol DAC and have a complete loom of Pete's cables.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170898)
This was my first listen for the Volti Rival speakers (7995.00) They were dynamic and very open. Very impressive at this price point.
Next up was Conrad Johnson and Tidal.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170899)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170901)
Yes this system was expensive but not ridiculous and its something I could fit into my listening space. Outside of the super systems this was my favorite room.
Stopped by the Carver room at the request of a friend to listen to the line source stats
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170897)
Not my cup of tea at all. Very hifi. Didn't sound like music to me and you had to sit far away from the speakers.
Daedalus and Modwright
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170902)
Lou was very accommodating. He was getting great sound from his new speakers (20,000.00). Again not crazy expensive. His demo of the DiD isolation devices under the DAC was eye opening. Very clear difference in an A/B comparison. Not cheap, but effective.
OK. Here we go. Time time to hit the lottery.
The Voice That Is - Full Tidal System
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170906)
My second favorite system. Mesmerizing.
Last of all:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170907)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170909)
The Von Schweikert Ultra 11s driven by four channels of VAC Statement and Esoteric Digital front end.
Unbelievable!! Powerful and dynamic but could also show true finesse when called for. The best system I have ever heard.
Sandy and I really enjoyed ourselves. Most of the rooms sounded good and the vendors were very friendly and informative. We didnt encounter any audio snobbery even when it was obvious we weren't potential customers.
Don P.
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Thanks for the photos!
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Ditto on the photos! Did anyone make it to the Vanatoo room? At a show with systems that very few people could afford I did enjoy the Vanatoo room. I'm not saying I would replace my main speakers with them. However, they would be amazing computer or bedroom speakers. They imaged like crazy and sounded good with or without a $100 Polk subwoofer.
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Next up was Conrad Johnson and Tidal.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170899)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=170901)
Yes this system was expensive but not ridiculous and its something I could fit into my listening space. Outside of the super systems this was my favorite room.
Thanks for the praise. Aside from Tidal and CJ, that was actually a LampizatOr Golden Atlantic DAC used for a source.
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Unfortunately I didn't get to hear the Lampi DAC. The Kuzma Stabi was being used as the source when I was in the room.
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Ditto on the photos! Did anyone make it to the Vanatoo room? At a show with systems that very few people could afford I did enjoy the Vanatoo room. I'm not saying I would replace my main speakers with them. However, they would be amazing computer or bedroom speakers. They imaged like crazy and sounded good with or without a $100 Polk subwoofer.
Having decided to skip systems I'd heard before, I passed on the Vanatoo room but +1 on the SQ per dollar. A good candidate for a 'starter' or budget system- and one could re-purpose them as surrounds when the next round of speaker upgraditis hits.
And +1 on the stratospheric pricing on most of the systems, but I have harped on this enough before.
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i have plenty of pics. as soon as i download them from my camera, i'll upload few
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I'm not in the market for speakers but the Vanatoo T0 at the sale price will be hard to pass up. My main focus was to find a DAC for my headphone system. I was able to spend a lot of time at the Schiit table so I'm leaning towards the Modi multibit.
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I'm listening to my Modi Multibit right now on my Shure IEMs and have been very pleased with it. Great value for money spent.
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Anyone have comments on the Border Patrol room?
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I visited the Border Patrol room and was pleased to see that it included Volti speakers rather than the usual Living Voice speakers. The Volti Rivals sounded great - full and rich.
I also liked the Auditorium-23 Homage 755 speakers (that used the Line Magnetic WE reproduction driver) paired with Shindo electronics; but the room was very small, and I kept wondering how they would sound in a larger (and for me, more realistic) space.
The other room that I enjoyed was Robyatt - mostly because of the rebuilt Quad 57 ESLs.
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One room that I really enjoyed was sponsored by Linear Tube Audio, a small local (Takoma Park, MD) maker of David Berning design tube amps. Their amps were driving a pair of Tekton Dual Impact speakers and sounding great. I thought there was more "texture" and realistic (not etched) detail to the sound here than most of the other rooms. I believe they were using a Wolf server and possibly a Mytek DAC, although I may be wrong on the DAC.
Another great room was Zu Audio, sporting two different pairs of their speakers (one a cost-no-object design, the other about $1000), driven by Mytek's new small amplifier. Source here was all analog. There wasn't that much difference (to my ears) between the very expensive and the more affordable Zu's. Both sounded "natural" and invited the listener to keep enjoying the music rather than obsessing over the equipment.
Anyone else see/hear other more affordable gear that made them sit up and take notice?
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If you liked what Linear Tube Audio had going on at CAF, try to check out the new Berning-designed "Ultralinear" amp they are going to have at the NY Audio Show this weekend. I think that amp is going to create quite a stir in the audiophile community.
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Heard Periodic Audio's Be (Beryllium) IEMs at the show and they had lots of bass-maybe too much- and the highs sounded recessed to me. It was a fairly short listen and only from my phone- but that would be a common use scenario for IEMs. Despite Dan's distaste for BA drivers, I still prefer my Shures.
Finally got to hear the Senn HD800S but couldnt make a judgment because all the vendor had on their tablet was highly processed hipster swill. Not what I'd use to make an impression. I couldn't find anything I liked- or had even heard of. A five minute visit.
Skipped the deep-end Audeze and HifiMan units because, hey, I ain't spending $4K on headphones no matter what.
Oh, and I seem to have lost my Dragonfly Black at the show :duh:
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One final (maybe...) thought: I wonder how much care exhibitors put into turntable/cartridge/arm matching. My guess would be 'Not enough', because thanks to the present-day custom of eschewing grille cloth, I see system after system with obvious (and often severe) issues with subsonics. (The 2016 raffle system had it really bad.) I noticed this a few years ago in a room which was showing small mini monitors whose woofers were flopping like a freshly boated bass. When I asked the exhibitor about it, he brushed the question off, saying "These woofers have a long throw; they can handle it." That missed the point: How well can your signal chain play when it is puking its guts out trying to follow a high-amplitude signal at near DC. His preamp had a switchable subsonic filter; I was going to switch it in to see if it made a difference, but then I figured, if he doesn't care if his system is performing at its best, why should I. Anyway, its a very common problem and this year was no exception. Especially hard to excuse such a problem when the total cost of the TT (here I go again) in some cases approaches the cost of a used luxury sedan.