AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => ACI => Topic started by: Mike Dzurko on 11 Jan 2005, 12:52 am
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Actually from La Crosse, WI but ABOUT Vegas:
A huge THANK YOU to Darren, Greg and Terry of DH Labs. Darren invited me to do the show months ago and I am SO glad I took him up on it! Greg and Terry did a phenomenal job with setup. By now they've also done the heavy lifting of tear down and return shipping. I can hear them saying , "Dzurko, flies in late, leaves early, leaving us with all the hard work". Next year I'll plan to stay for tear down and I know I owe you guys.
Kevin of Upscale Audio . . .you are a real gentleman. The PrimaLuna amps and Njoe Tjoeb CD player you import are awesome! Dominique and Herman from Primaluna, you are wonderful people and build terrific products. Jarred from Upscale, barely got to know you . . .you're a good guy and we'll talk more at the next show!
How did the system sound? I couldn't have been more pleased. If you're looking for synergy, the combination of DH Labs cabling, PrimalLuna Integrated Amp, Tjoeb CD player, and our brand new Sapphire XLs* was simply amazing. Adding up the cost of the entire system comes to well under $5K and people were saying it sounded more "right", more "real" than systems that were five to ten times the cost. Some quotes,
"This room is an Oasis, it sounds real here, not hi-fi"
"I wish I could sit here all day. This system has detail and transparency but is not at all fatiguing".
"You're kidding, the sub isn't hooked up? Those little speakers sound huge!"
"Wow!"
"Congratulations, I've played this same track in a number of rooms, all with far more costly systems, yours is the best I've heard so far."
All for now, pictures coming soon as well as more info . . .
* Yes, this is BIG info, more to come, including a chance to save a small fortune on preorders.
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Congratulations Mike!!
I can hardly wait to hear more about the new Sapphire
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Mike:
How did the system sound? I couldn't have been more pleased. If you're looking for synergy, the combination of DH Labs cabling, PrimalLuna Integrated Amp, Tjoeb CD player, and our brand new Sapphire XLs* was simply amazing.
[/list:u]Thats nice to hear Mike !! As for the PrimaLuna Intergrated , which one were you using ....One or Two ? Thanks !![/list:u]
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Mike:How did the system sound? I couldn't have been more pleased. If you're looking for synergy, the combination of DH Labs cabling, PrimalLuna Integrated Amp, Tjoeb CD player, and our brand new Sapphire XLs* was simply amazing.
[/list:u]Thats nice to hear Mike !! As for the PrimaLuna Intergrated , which one were you using ....One or Two ? Thanks !![/list:u]
The One was playing when I got there Thursday afternoon. My ears were still plugged from the flight but everyone was VERY happy with the sound. I made the suggestion to switch to the Two because it had a silver face plate and would stand out better visually. I also wanted to hear the potential. We switched the Two in and cooked it overnight. The consensus seemed to be that it was just that little bit better, but certainly worth it. The system just had a harmonic rightness as well as see through quality.
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Let's see if I can post a pic:
(http://www.audioc.com/gallery1/images/xlmodel2.jpg)
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Mike, a picture needs to be on the internet before you can post it here, so you can either create a gallery here, and link the URL, or post it to your website and link the URL.
If you need help, PM me.
The link for the Gallery is in the upper right hand corner of almost every page here.
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Thanks Marbles, finally figured it out :)
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Thank you Mike...... :o :hyper: (http://www.audioc.com/gallery1/images/xlmodel2.jpg)[/list:u]
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I got a chance to see and listen to the XL's on Sunday (Sorry I missed you Mike), and wow, these sounded great! They look very cool too! The picture Mike posted does not do them justice - the speakers....I can't vouch for the girl!
This setup (as well as others at CES) has inspired me to get my speakers placed properly. I only wish I had the room to better achieve this. The XL's did sound huge, and they did not take a back seat to anything I listened to at the show. The bass wasn't thunderous, but the upper bass was so "right" and smooth and silky and wonderful!
At the price I was told they will be selling for, I think ACI has another big winner. All I could think of was "I want a pair". But I already have 25th anneversary Sapphires AND new Panoramas being delivered today! :mrgreen:
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Interesting! No side panels. What's In The Box? What drivers?
Very Retro looking grill. Nice
Bet that pair smells nice ;-)
I'll assume you were a good boy and didn't get confused with that other convention next door.
E
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I got a chance to see and listen to the XL's on Sunday (Sorry I missed you Mike), and wow, these sounded great! They look very cool too! The picture Mike posted does not do them justice - the speakers....I can't vouch for the girl!
This setup (as well as others at CES) has inspired me to get my speakers placed properly. I only wish I had the room to better achieve this. The XL's did sound huge, and they did not take a back seat to anything I listened to at the show. The bass wasn't thunderous, but t ...
Thanks Mikey, sorry I missed you. Next year I plan to fly in Thursday night and fly out Monday so I can be there on Sunday. The speakers are gorgeous in my opinion, more pics to come.
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Here's a view of the room from the entrance:
(http://www.audioc.com/forumpics/room1sm.jpg)
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Interesting! No side panels. What's In The Box? What drivers?
Very Retro looking grill. Nice
Bet that pair smells nice ;-)
I'll assume you were a good boy and didn't get confused with that other convention next door.
E
ScanSpeak all the way on this one. When the Sapphire XLs get back from the show we need to take some good pictures. It's difficult to capture just how gorgeous they are with the mirror like finish . . .
I was a very good boy :)
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Right upfront I'll say I've known Mike D. for close to 35 years. I helped Mike build many of his speakers in the early years (he wouldn’t be where he is without me)! We pretty much learned how to build cabinets, veneer and all that good stuff together. WOW, that was a long time ago. I've owned a bunch of ACI speakers over the years, including my current all ACI dedicated 7.1 theater with 2 Essences V’s in the front, Essence center and 2 pair of Panorama mounted in columns for sides and rears, and one kick butt Maestro built in up front. I’ve got to tell you, my ACI set up ROCKS!! I’ll post some pics when I time. Anyway I'm just back from Vegas where I helped Mike out a bit in his showroom. That little system really kicked! There were a lot of way larger and more expensive setups that didn’t sound nearly as good. However, it was a complete loss trying to teach Mike how to gamble, hopeless for sure. Stick to designing speakers Mike!
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Piledriver:
Just because I lost $10 :nono:
Here's another pic, even better detail of the Sapphire XL
(http://www.audioc.com/forumpics/s2.jpg)
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Piledriver: Sounds like a fantastic theater you have. I'd love to hear more and see some pictures! So how old is Mike anyway? I guess I always figured 40 something . . .you guys meet in k garden?
Mike: Speaking of pictures, keep em coming!
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Hi Harry, yeah I've known Mike a long time. All I can say for his age he is between 45 and 51 but he acts likes he's still a teenager it's great.
We had a blast at CES! It's amazing what kind of money people will lay out just over name recognition. Totally mass produced speakers with half the quality and sound of ACI.
My theater? Well you know the speakers, as far as the rest. The room is about 15 X 25 X 9 high with one riser for the back row. A Marantz 7400 AVR, Marantz 6400 DVD, Sony Sat HD300, 110" Screen Research White Clear Pix II and Marantz VP12S1, all DH Labs cabling and Silver Sonic speaker wire. Really a pretty simple set up. I bought the 7400 AVR just to use in the interum and later move it to my family room, but honestly I'm going to keep it a while. With the ACI speaker set up for now it's all I need until I fill that piggy bank back up.
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Boy I gotta say, Brenda's looking pretty good!
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Piledriver, I actually have the same rec and it is pretty amazing for a >$1K piece. Do you find the Maestro has enough output to fill up the room and stay well defined?
Mike, the new speakers look very cool...who IS that girl?
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BeeBop:
Brenda always looks good, and she is a simply amazing person to have on our team . . . but that's not her.
Harry:
That is Christy. She was a good ole Kentucky girl who lives in Vegas and does a super job greeting people, handing out literature, and keeping things lively.
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Here's the Sapphire XL in piano black:
(http://www.audioc.com/forumpics/blksxl.jpg)
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Harry, I have never heard nor felt anything like the Maestro. I have sat in every area of my room and listened to two channel as well as countless movies and let me tell you it is amazing. The Maestro fills the room during the epic battles in movies yet retains definition and does not come accross as over powering. Listening to two channel audio the definition is unbelievable from the subtle smooth bass violin to the booming kettle drums. The quickness of the Maestro I'm sure will astond you as it does me.
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Very nice finish!
I guess I missed it in the earlier pictures, but what is the reason for the "stepped" shape of the cabinet?
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Ahhh, now I see the rest of the cab. Still interesting.
You're teasing us, what's in the back?
Has that `I mean Business ' Look.
E
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Very nice finish!
I guess I missed it in the earlier pictures, but what is the reason for the "stepped" shape of the cabinet?
Thanks! Looks far better in person :)
Controling cabinet resonance is extremely important to the ultimate sound quality of a speaker. The side panels of most speakers have the largest area, and radiate the most out of phase energy. Using the right material is important. Extensive bracing helps, but we found out a long time ago that varying the thickness of the wall can make dramatic improvements. Greater improvements than simply making the wall thicker. For this reason, in the Sapphire XL and XS, the rear half of each side is double thickness.
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For this reason, in the Sapphire XL and XS, the rear half of each side is double thickness.
Okay, I'll bite. What's the difference between the XL and the XS?
Or how about some spec's on either one? Comparisons to the existing Sapphires? :) Price? :D Something!
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The XL is the standard model and the XS is a premium model with some upgrades which we'll be listing shortly. Both are available in a variety of finishes including piano black (standard), Lexus Pearl White, Maple, Rosewood, and Cherry. Additionally, they can be special ordered in virtually any automotive paint finish!
In addition to our room at CES, Bow Technologies of Denmark used a pair of Sapphire XL with their superb CD Player and Integrated amp. I don't know a lot of detail about this setup as I was only able to visit briefly. I believe they said the pricing on the CD player and Amp were around 9200 Euro each . . .beautiful gear!
(http://www.audioc.com/forumpics/bowtech.jpg)
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New Sapphires look great Mike!!
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Mike
Does this represent a design evloution across the line in the future or just something for the 2 way system?
I agree with Eric - that fat rear is growing on me ;-)
E
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Thanks! Looks far better in person :)
I believe it!
Controling cabinet resonance is extremely important to the ultimate sound quality of a speaker. The side panels of most speakers have the largest area, and radiate the most out of phase energy. Using the right material is important. Extensive bracing helps, but we found out a long time ago that varying the thickness of the wall can make dramatic improvements. Greater improvements than simply making the wall thicker. For this reason, in the Sapphire XL and XS, the rear half of each side is double thickness.
I love it when people figure out new, simple ways to solve a problem! :)
I wonder if a wedge shape would work as well... i.e. instead of adding a second, partial span, full thickness layer of material to the sides, add a full span, tapered layer of material. Thus, you would gradually thicken from just the single layer at the front edge to two full layers at the back edge. At the very least, I'm sure that the poor guy that has to sand the finish around those corners would be happier! :lol:
Actually, now that I really think about that for a bit... it really would be easier to finish without the additional corners, which means that it would take less time, which means that it would cost a bit less. Of course, that is only a plus if it works just as well as the "step" variation in thickness.
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Mike
Does this represent a design evloution across the line in the future or just something for the 2 way system?
I agree with Eric - that fat rear is growing on me ;-)
E
Eric:
This is something that is still under discussion . . .but I'll say that there is a very strong possibility of heading this way.
Brg:
You're right, as far as resonance control, a varying thickness wedge is also a good way of doing it. As far as production, with the equipment used, and techniques, it won't be much of a cost factor.
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Brg:
You're right, as far as resonance control, a varying thickness wedge is also a good way of doing it. As far as production, with the equipment used, and techniques, it won't be much of a cost factor.
But it would look cool too! :D
Thanks for the response, Mike!
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Terry of DH Labs sent me a CD with more pics from the show. Here's one of them and I'll post more when I get a chance:
(http://www.audioc.com/forumpics/ces.jpg)
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Mike, the more pictures the better, how about some more pictures of the lady?
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Mike, the more pictures the better, how about some more pictures of the lady?
Harry:
You dog you :) I'll have to see what I have . . . I wish we would have taken a group shot with all the crew from our room . . .
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Here's the very cool Primaluna integrated amp we used:
(http://www.audioc.com/forumpics/prima.jpg)