AudioCircle
Community => Regional Audiophiles => Texas Audio Jam => Topic started by: marvda1 on 11 Jan 2015, 04:28 am
-
it's getting to be that time of year again.
make plans.
http://lonestaraudiofest.com/
-
I plan on being there again this year.
Mike
-
It would be cool to have different areas of Texas or other states were
represented by their respective regional audio clubs. Austin hasn't
had a club for awhile, but it would be nice to know who is there from
this area. Just thinking out loud.
If enthusiasts wore shirts with the respective club affiliations it would be
interesting. For example when motorcycle riders get together they
wear their respective club gear. Ok, that sounds silly. That might
lead to fights between different club members over LP or CD. Beer
bottles would be breaking and people going to the emergency room
from cuts and bruises. :rotflmao:
-
maybe you can get a few guys together, get a room, and bring up a small system. put your club name on the door and have a good time. we have guys from houston, san antonio, galveston and guys locally do this.
-
I'll volunteer. I have met the guys from Houston, but was very surprised that there wasn't a club out here in Austin area.
-Joshua
-
Lone Star Audio Fest is less than two months away and its starting to look like this show is hitting its stride again. The addition of the Record Day tells me that its on the right path.
For those of you not familiar with me, I am a regular on the Polk Audio forum under the same moniker, as well as a semi-regular at WhatsBestForum. This marks the 5th or 6th year for me to attend this show and my third year to legitimately show products. This year is marking a big year for me: I'll be bringing three new-to-market products to show this year:
1. Usher Mini X with matching stands
2. Usher T-515 with stands
3. Essence DPA-440 Class D amp
For those who have attended this show before, I am the Usher guy. The past two or three years, I've held a demo room with my CP-6311's. I also had the Shuguang 845 monoblocks that garnered a lot of attention last year. In addition to my continuing partnership with Douglas Connection cables, I've extended my reaches to Usher and Essence to try and garner more attention at this year's show. I expect the Mini X to be a show-stopper this year - I've had the chance to hear these break in over the past month or so and they are absolutely phenomenal. For those of you not familiar with it, this is the successor to the critically acclaimed Be-718. While I've never heard the 718, if they are even a fraction of what these Mini X can do, they must be great speakers.
-
I might have to pass this year exhibiting. I am not sure my amps will be in the US by then and even if they do show up they won't have much break in time before the show if at all. Anyone else from Austin want to volunteer if I can't pull through?
-
just bring a small system and have a good time. bring a brisket or two from franklins. :thumb:
-
Lol. I will see what I can work out.
:green:
-
I am for sure not going to be exhibiting. Don't think anyone really wants to hear Emotiva monitors which is all I have at the moment.
Anyone from Austin exhibiting? I can bring some BBQ (maybe not from Franklin's though)
-
just bring a bottle or two, we can find bbq.
-
Anyone from Austin exhibiting? I can bring some BBQ (maybe not from Franklin's though)
Myself and a few of my friends will be bringing a system up from Austin. It will be made up of a couple of pieces from each of our systems, so not 100% sure about all the parts and pieces yet. I plan to bring my Well Tempered table and Klyne phono preamp, and one of the other guys has a DIY preamp, DIY amp and LSA speakers which I haven't seen yet. Add an Ayre DAC and music server and we're in business. Oh yeah, and a cooler full of refreshments :thumb:
Look for the 5one2 Audio room (you know, like the Austin 512 area code) and stop in and say hello. We'd love to share a drink and a few songs with y'all.
-
Awesome. Will likely go on Sat depending on the weather might go on Friday.
Will make sure the cooler is stocked. I always make a stop at the Czech Stop for some Kolaches too
-
I'll be there showing the line arrays and a new version of my media server. Can't wait to see everyone. And if there will be brisket I'll be REALLY excited!!! :green:
(https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11136734_10100908170486044_7064623185637432069_n.jpg?oh=09e44739f3d28a90f3e974dbfa6b511f&oe=559EF4B3)
-
I'll be there showing the line arrays and a new version of my media server. Can't wait to see everyone. And if there will be brisket I'll be REALLY excited!!! :green:
Impressive. I'll have to check them out...Should be easy to find :thumb:
-
Impressive. I'll have to check them out...Should be easy to find :thumb:
You'll be able to hear us down the hall :lol:
The Stereo Clarity room will be rocking! 8)
-
just got these in tonight, anyone want to demo them in their room at the show? these are the maraschino cherry mono block amps from the digital amplifier company.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119107)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119108)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=119109)
Specifications
Gain: 22dB
SNR: 118dB
THD+N: 0.003%
Size: 5" x 6" x 6"
Power Efficiency: 96%
Output Impedance: <0.02Ω
Sensitivity: 3.1Vin for 400W into 4Ω
Weight: <8 lbs/ch (amp on base)
Input Impedance: 20 kΩ true balanced
Frequency Response: 0 Hz to >100 kHz
Output Power per channel:
200W into 8Ω
400W into 4Ω
500W into 2Ω (both channels driven)
Protection:
Thermal
Current
Voltage
Auto-Recovery
AC MAINS options (based on shipping destination):
100-130VAC
200-250VAC
-
I expect the Mini X to be a show-stopper this year - I've had the chance to hear these break in over the past month or so and they are absolutely phenomenal. For those of you not familiar with it, this is the successor to the critically acclaimed Be-718. While I've never heard the 718, if they are even a fraction of what these Mini X can do, they must be great speakers.
Honestly the new Mini X is not likely to be close to the performance of the BE-718. Take a look inside the new Mini X. Crossover parts quality is likely to be very much like the original BE-718 seen here:
(http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=JN.%2fQAAlsiGU1nivfm6Qc6ESA&pid=15.1&P=0)
Let's just say that the parts quality and wire used were very inexpensive. :(
The BE-718 that won all the awards and had all the glowing reviews had a completely redesigned crossover that used Erse XQ inductors, Sonicaps, Mills resistors, and JPS Labs internal wire. The difference between it and the original was pretty significant. See it below:
(http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=JN.dh93gY%2f1Nb3fq9O7hvx4MA&pid=15.1&P=0)
You'd have to do similar upgrades to the new Mini to get it up to that level, but that would not be a problem.
-
Danny, I don't doubt that at all. However, I've seen much lesser crossover components used on products that cost the same, if not more than, the Mini X. If a company were to skimp on something in the speaker, I'd rather it be the crossover. These can be replaced and improved upon much easier than a cabinet or drivers can be.
I imagine most that have owned and enjoyed the Be-718 have not heard the upgraded ones I know you worked on. For them, my statement still stands - a stock Mini X should be a nice improvement over a stock Be-718. The tweeter alone is quite an improvement. Visually, the X is the clear winner. I love my 6311's, but I've never liked the appearance of the bookshelf offerings from that line. They lose the charm and intrigue of the towers.
Are you going to make it out to the show this year? Things are finally moving with Russ's speakers again. He's gonna have some big boys to bring to the show.
-
Danny, I don't doubt that at all. However, I've seen much lesser crossover components used on products that cost the same, if not more than, the Mini X. If a company were to skimp on something in the speaker, I'd rather it be the crossover. These can be replaced and improved upon much easier than a cabinet or drivers can be.
I imagine most that have owned and enjoyed the Be-718 have not heard the upgraded ones I know you worked on. For them, my statement still stands - a stock Mini X should be a nice improvement over a stock Be-718. The tweeter alone is quite an improvement. Visually, the X is the clear winner. I love my 6311's, but I've never liked the appearance of the bookshelf offerings from that line. They lose the charm and intrigue of the towers.
Are you going to make it out to the show this year? Things are finally moving with Russ's speakers again. He's gonna have some big boys to bring to the show.
Actually all 200 pairs of BE-718's that were sold in North America had the upgraded crossovers. And every pair that was reviewed had the upgraded crossovers.
I might have time to come to the show for one day.
-
A bud and I may drive up. That's a friend, not the other thing. Gimme a chance to drive over to my old stompin grounds, fabulous Ft. Worth and dine at Joe T's.
-
Actually all 200 pairs of BE-718's that were sold in North America had the upgraded crossovers. And every pair that was reviewed had the upgraded crossovers.
I might have time to come to the show for one day.
OK now you got my interest. How did this process work? Were crossover upgrades done stateside or did you provide the blueprint and they do the work? I might pop it open just to see what's happening in there.
-
Awesome. Will likely go on Sat depending on the weather might go on Friday.
Will make sure the cooler is stocked. I always make a stop at the Czech Stop for some Kolaches too
don't forget to bring some butter pecan cookies :thumb:
-
OK now you got my interest. How did this process work? Were crossover upgrades done stateside or did you provide the blueprint and they do the work? I might pop it open just to see what's happening in there.
Sonicaps and Mills resistors were sent to Erse where the crossovers were built out on high quality Copper circuit boards and wired with the JPS Labs wire. They were then shipped to Usher in China where they were installed in all models that were delivered here to the US.
Go ahead pop it open and have a look.
-
I did what I could to see the crossovers, but I was limited to the tools on hand. I unscrewed the terminal plate and it appears to be glued on or something - I couldn't get it to budge. I can't pull out a woofer since they have the 'spikes' on them like the MD1/MD2 have. I was stuck to pull the tweeter and that only gave me a very limited view. The only cap I saw was a Rapport cap that appears to be of the same quality as the caps found in my 6311. It's a little bittersweet for me - I'm sad to see they've pulled back on that area, but with the given upgrades over the Be-718 outside of the crossover, that should mean these have an even greater potential. I've been enthralled with them so far, so the fact that they can be improved is the sweet part.
Even with this discovery, I still have no doubt this will be a hit at the show. The best speakers I've heard in the suites have been bookies - the Element Cables Millenium and the Evolution Acoustics MmmicroOne. I think the X favors well against those two from what I recall.
-
The only cap I saw was a Rapport cap that appears to be of the same quality as the caps found in my 6311.
They are all like that. I am building out another set of Usher BE-20 crossovers right now. The stock crossovers in them are no different. So the improvement potential is high with upgrades across the whole line.
-
danny, have you done any crossover upgrades for the usher 6381 or dancer mini 2?
-
danny, have you done any crossover upgrades for the usher 6381 or dancer mini 2?
I have had some 6381 owners order crossover parts from me, but I haven't designed any new networks for them. I have not heard from Mini 2 owners yet, but they are still pretty new and there are not many out there.
-
it's getting to be that time of year again.
make plans.
http://lonestaraudiofest.com/
I hope everyone has a good time there...!
PS: Nice web site....
-
COUNTDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!
-
Nice hanging out with the gang from 5one2 audio room. I got trapped on the first floor so I didn't get a chance to say goodbye but glad I could connect with you guys. Went by Audio Concepts before heading back to Austin/ XLF room was very nice :)
-
Nice hanging out with the gang from 5one2 audio room. I got trapped on the first floor so I didn't get a chance to say goodbye but glad I could connect with you guys. Went by Audio Concepts before heading back to Austin/ XLF room was very nice :)
Thanks. I was one of the 4 guys in the 5one2 room. We had a great time hosting, and we got around to the other rooms a lot as well. I thought the "system" (comprised of a hodge podge of our various stuff) certainly sounded good enough to sit and listen to, and of course the free beer didn't hurt. It seemed like we had our share of people in the room all day.
Were you the one who brought us the Kolaches? If so thanks! With all the drinking we were doing they sure came in handy :thumb:
-
Yes that was me Mr Kolache :) Glad you liked it. Room was head and shoulders better than 90% of the rooms at the show. I was actually very disappointed at the turnout...
-
I was actually very disappointed at the turnout...
Hard to believe but it was worse than last year! No audioFred, Bob Brines, oddwatt, GR Research, etc...
Keeping my fingers crossed for next year!
gab
-
Agreed, demos and attendance were down the from last year - visitors WAY down. Very concerning... I too hope that it will happen again next year.
What's happening??
J.P.
-
Still, there were some upsides. No fighting the crowd and rarely much wait to get a seat to listen to a system or hang out and chat.
My favorites:
211 - Audio Thesis. One of the good sounding rooms. Many of them suffered badly from a big resonant peak somewhere around 80 Hz, but this was one of the least affected. Lucky, or good setup?? :-)
214 - 5one2 Audio. This might as well have been someone's living room. Great atmosphere, good chats and a well set up system. LSA-1s sounded great in there.
215 - Manzanita. I ws confused... Where were the Open Baffles. He had some great sounding box speakers this year - who'd a thunk it?
Trying to remember the rest, but these were high on my favorites list.
J.P.