AudioCircle
The Commercial Zone => Audio Shows and Events => Rocky Mountain Audio Fest => Topic started by: zybar on 2 Oct 2005, 06:03 am
-
I thought maybe we could use this thread as the main discussion point for the show. This way we can have all of our posts in one location.
Look for lots of pics and comments on Monday when I am back in NY and have slept a little bit.
George
-
A/C RMAF Meet & Greet Happy Hour
Friday 9/30/05 - 3 to 5 PM
Marriott Hotel - Great Divide Brewing Company Pub
I guess everybody is still hung over or in awe of what they experienced. :D
NB
-
There is a LOT to see at the show. I was there about 8 hours yesterday (minus lunch) and still missed many rooms.
-
Aw, heck, BradJudy!
I was there all 3 days last year and STILL missed a lot!
:wink:
Regards,
DeadFish
-
Hey!!!!! Let's see the PICS!
We don't want to wait till Monday. Come'on! Get those digital cameras downloading.
-
I went back today for a few hours and got to listen to several more rooms. It was good to meet Klaus today and talk with him a bit. It was also great to meet several other AC exhibitors yesterday and today: Danny, Dusty, Steve, Al, Gary (technically doesn't have a circle, but not a stranger to these parts), Rick, Jim. I saw Dan Wright, but didn't get a chance to talk with him. I was in the tweekgeek room, but I don't think Bob from SP was in the room at the time. When I get a chance, I'll write up thoughts and post them with pics (I took ~50, but several didn't come out well).
I think the show was excellent this year with lots of good sound and plenty of interesting characters. :D
-
Ok, I have Chris (aka Lonewolfny42) sitting next to me at the airport as we wait for our 1:00am (Denver time) flight, so I figured why not post some comments on what I thought were some of the better rooms.
Keep in mind that I didn't see/hear everything (a lot of Saturday was spent in front of the tv rooting on the Yankees) and that these are just my opinions. :mrgreen:
Before getting into individual rooms, here are some general thoughts:
- it was great to see so many familiar faces as well as metting many new ones.
- there were a lot more vendors this year, but it still didn't feel overly commerical.
- vendors need to spend more time on setup and room treatments. Too many rooms had zero treatments and it had a negative impact on their sound.
- vendors also need to think about their complete setup and sound. It isn't about getting the most big names in the same room...it is about putting together something that is musically engaging and makes you want to learn more about their product or even buy it! :wink:
Ok, enough of my rants...here are the rooms:
Avalon/Boulder/Tara Labs/Running Springs Audio/Clearaudio
This was my favorite room at the show and the first mega buck system to sound really good. It was dynamic, had great depth, and the music just seemed to hover in the very large space in front of us.
Salk Sound Signature Speakers
Big shock that I liked this room. :lol: Things started off a little rough (too much bass) on Friday, but by the weekend Jim had the HT3's working their magical combination of power and finesse while using pretty "standard" associated gear. It was great meeting Jim and his lovely wife Mary in person.
Modwright/Channel Islands Audio/Penaudio/Jorma Cables
This room was simply a well thought out, musicaly engaging system. Each song that we played had our toes tapping. As always, Dan was also a pleasure to talk with.
GTT Audio & Video (Karma, Nagra, DCS)
Played some acoustic guitar tracks and it was incredibly lifelike and really engaging. They were using some new "digital" amps (maybe some fellow ACers can shed some light).
Bastanis Loudspeakers (not sure about the other gear)
These horns didn't sound like horns and produced a very holographic and enveloping sound. Also had great dynamics and was very tube friendly with very high efficiency (96db +) and powered sub.
Oddyssey Audio
Klaus is Klaus and he was showing off the picture speakers and the Lorelei's. I loved watching people go up to the Lorelei's thinking they were belting out these dynamic, room filling tunes when in reality it was the picture speaker.
Red Wine Audio/Omega Speakers
What do you get when you combine battery powered amps, a modified SB2, and high efficiency speakers? MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC!!! :dance:
I didn't get to hear the modified iPod, but I was told that it was darn good as well.
GR Research/Dodd Audio/RAW
I was only able to hear Danny's still to be named open baffle design, but it was musical and fun to listen. It was well balanced from top to bottom and had a nice effortless sound. I think the Dodd amps had something to do with it and should definitely be on your audition list if you are looking for some powerful tubes that don't sound like soild state.
I'll post more thoughts tomorrow as well as tons of pictures.
George
-
Hi George,
Were there any shootouts between the benchmark or other DACs and RWA modded SB2 ?
Thanks.
-
George,
Re your question about the amps in the GTT Audio room:
I was not there but my guess is they were the Karma MP 150 mono blocks:
http://www.kharma.com/frame.htm?products/matrix/mp150.htm
Nice. Analog Class D. And from what I know of them they are the only amps that might nudge the CIAudio D-series amps out of the current Class D SOTA top spot.
But the MP 150's are $6800.....
Mark
-
It was a long weekend!! Due to storms in Chicago, I didn't get home till 2:30am. It was like musical chairs on steroids!! I agree with George(Zybar) the rooms were not set up properly. Some were, others weren't?? One other bitch, not enough VINYL!!! Here is a list of some of my favorite rooms.
1. deHaviland/Nola: Just beautiful music. This is a very musical combo. At one point I thought Shirley Horn was in the room.
2. Modwright/Penaudio/CIA: Like George said. Musically engaging. Well done. The CIA class D amps were the best I've ever heard!! In my opinion based on what I heard at the show they SMOKED the Nu-force amps!! Great synergy between these products. Also, Dan's preamp was KILLER!! Beautiful music from this preamp and that was evident by the fact there were a lot of rooms using his preamp. That speaks volumes!
3. Von Schweikert/VAC/Oracle: The VR-4 Sr speaker is a major upgrade to the VR-4 Jr. They play all kinds of music and do I very well. I will make the upgrade myself.
4. Zu/Audiopax: I was totally blown away with the Druid speakers. They had deep bass, dynamic with rich highs. And I got to hear Rush's 2112 with a pair of 8 watt Song Audio Mono's. Don't laugh!! It was quite good! The Zu guy's were a lot of fun.. Nice Guys!!
5. Red Wine/Omega: I was impressed!! It's not my cup of tea (tube guy)but I thought their products were well thought out!! Great sound, very detailed and open. The Omega speakers were scary good!! Do yourself a favor and give them a listen.
6. Eastern Electric/Vivaldi: If you know Bill, it's all about the music!! And that's what you got, MUSIC. And they played VINYL!!
7. Tyler/Coda: Ty's speakers are great sounding and well built!! Top quality parts and drivers and the sound was open, detailed, full and with deep bass. And his prices don't have dealer and advertising mark-ups!!
BIG ROOMS
1. Von Schweikert/darTZeel: WOW!! $150K room and if I had the money it would be in my house!!
2. MBL: Overkill, In my opinion. Amps the size of coffins!!
3. Avalon/Boulder/Tara Labs/Running Springs Audio/Clearaudio: Well thoughtout system. It cover all the bases. Hard to leave the room.
More to come later.. Hope this helps
Gary
-
Spent Saturday there, mostly in seminars, but saw and met what and whom I wanted, especially Bruce Thigpen of Eminent Technology and Mike Sanders of Quicksilver (which now lives in the Denver area).
I sure didn't hear all the systems, and I'm not about to say that my fave is the show's best system, but here are a few observations.
1. Most rooms I didn't even walk into as they were either too crowded or were playing diddeebopper trash (WAY too loudly) that I RUN away from.
2. The Intuitive Design speakers room was playing an acoustic-bass recording that sounded EXCELLENT. It was closely miked and the bassist was doing lots of whacking and clacking, and the bass really did sound real. Didn't hear anything else there. Their literature reads as if their 2 systems will be QUITE expensive.
3. Herron was demoing prototypes of new, big speakers and subwoofers, and the short piece of the Reference recording of the Rutter Requium sounded VERY good.
4. North Creek's new Advanced Ribbon Technologies Division was playing their new Metro hybrid ribbon system. Only about 3' high, it used a single MR/treble ribbon and a 7" vented woofer. The system had almost no bottom-octave energy and a little too much treble for my taste, but it sounded VERY coherent. Too bad it'll retail for some $7 - $8K/pair. If Eminent Technology promoted their 8 as much as it deserves, he'd sell about 10 times as many.)
5. Bruce Thigpen of Eminent Technology was demoing his new Thigpen Rotary Woofer (TRW) system. This thing is going to be a hit with well-moneyed home-theater and BIG-pipe-organ fans, as it'll generate high SPLs with VERY little distortion at frequencies as low as ONE Hertz! Several of us heard continuous tones at 16Hz.; below that I felt rather than heard the energy. At 2 Hertz it was flapping the room's door about an inch peak-to-peak! 'Only' $13K.
6. The only ABSOLUTELY GREAT-sounding system for me was AvantGarde's Duo horn-based system, driven by Thor tubed preamp and amps. WOW!!!!!! I've never heard big, expensive, horn-based systems before, and it literally had me in tears with, again, the Rutter Requium. I played a lot of my CD of the EMI/Boult Holst Planets, and I was truly amazed at the tonal naturalness, soundstage size, imaging specificity, etc.
-
I'm feeling a need to apologize to my fellow audiocircle members for not showing up at the "meet and greet" on Friday afternoon. Two things contributed to my absence: first, I forgot to set my watch to Colorado time when I arrived, so I was thinking it was one hour earlier than it really was, and second, I was in Keith Herron's room and was so involved in the music and the sound of his prototype speakers that I lost all track of time. By the time I came back to earth, I realized that I had completely spaced out getting down to meet all of you. I was really looking forward to that. So sorry!!
Dean
-
Anyone got a chance to hear the Strata Mini from AV123? I appreciate if you can post some comments.
Thanks in advance
-
Denver is now safe....I'm back in NY. :jester:
Had a great time :hyper: ...I'll post my comments later tonite...have to get some work done. I know Captain Humble took some photo's, I hope he can post a few. 8) [/list:u]
-
I am trying to post my pics, but it keeps timing out... :cry:
George
-
Lonewolf said:
I know Captain Humble took some photo's, I hope he can post a few.
Chris
I'm scrambling right now. I'll try to get them up tonight.
-
Thanks everyone for posting. There were so many pieces of gear there that I want to hear. I'll post questions after everyone has had there say. I can't wait for the pictures.
-
GTT Audio & Video (Karma, Nagra, DCS)
Played some acoustic guitar tracks and it was incredibly lifelike and really engaging. They were using some new "digital" amps (maybe some fellow ACers can shed some light).
...
Were they they these?
http://www.kharma.com/frame.htm?products/matrix/mp150.htm
I've visited GTT a few times recently, and they have a couple of big setups using these switching amps. And I agree...pretty incredible stuff...
-
Phil, they sounded okay for the short time I had a listen. Out of all the "Class D" amps that I heard, the CIA D-200 was the hands down winner in my opinion. The highs were smooth and detailed, mids were smooth and deep articulate bass. I could very easily live with these amps and I'm a tube lover. The CIA/Modwright/Penaudio room was one of the best rooms in my opinion. Dusty and Dan are true gentlemen.
-
Darth,
Thanks for the comment. Am curious, tho, whether the other components had something to do with it? If the Kharma stuff was being run by a dCS source, dCS is notoriously analytical/sterile sounding...
(btw - I'm not trying to make any judgements here...just pointing out something that everyone here on AC knows; that system matching and synergy is a big factor in what we hear...)
-
Phil, that could be.. Also it may have been the room?? I'm trying to remember their room set up.. But again I didn't spend a ot of time in the room.
-
Here are my show pictures:
RMAF 2005 Pictures (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/modules.php?set_albumName=Zybar-s-Dedicated-Music-and-HT-Room-Living-Room&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php)
George
-
Phil, they sounded okay for the short time I had a listen. Out of all the "Class D" amps that I heard, the CIA D-200 was the hands down winner in my opinion. The highs were smooth and detailed, mids were smooth and deep articulate bass. I could very easily live with these amps and I'm a tube lover. The CIA/Modwright/Penaudio room was one of the best rooms in my opinion. Dusty and Dan are true gentlemen.
I thought they were better than okay, but that's why we need more than one point of view. No one opinion is more right than an other and we all hear things differently.
To my ears, the Kharma setup portrayed a very good acoustic guitar that was not only accurate and detailed, but also had the proper texture to the music. It wasn't sterile or cold.
I totally agree with Darth about the Modwright room being one of the most enjoyable rooms.
George
-
Here is a better link to Zybars RMAF photo's
Nice pics George, thanks!
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=210
-
Good stuff there, George!
Thanks for taking the time and making a great effort!
Obliged!
DF
-
Secrets coverage is up - lots of pics
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_4/show-report-rocky-mountain-audio-fest-10-2005-index.html
I'll work on mine this evening.
-
George, et. al.
Thanks for sharing and great pictures! Looks like you folks that ventured out to Denver had a great time and hopefully some great BEER. Cheers.
NB
-
Zybar - nice photos, thanks for sharing. BradJudy, thanks for the Secrets link.
-
Thanks for the pics! Wish I could have been there.
-
Okay, here's the first installment. I spent a chunk of time on this and then realized that I had only made it through one of the many floors at the show. :P This will have to com in installments.
http://www.bradjudy.com/audioblog/rmaf1/
-
Great update... Thanks!
-
Here's my pictures:
http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/modules.php?set_albumName=albut79&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=1
Jeff
-
We didn't have the resource or time to present at the RMAF this year and I appologize to those people who might be disappointed that NuForce did not participate directly. But we WILL BE THERE next year at RMAF and it will be big :wink:
I will also like to thank TweekGeek and SP Technologies for helping us out by demoing the amps and their speakers at RMAF.
Jason
-
No reviews on the Green Mountain Audio speakers?
How about the Red Dragon amps?
That Kharma room looks expensive. I hope to go next year, I forgot about it untill it was too late.
-
No reviews on the Green Mountain Audio speakers?
My review based on the pictures: They're butt ugly !!!
How about the Red Dragon amps?
Cool design and logo. They probably sounds very much like the JRDG 501 which uses the same ICE 1000ASP modules.
That Kharma room looks expensive.
You can count on that. Funny seeing those itty bitty Kharma MPA150 amps driving the system. They obviously are class D desgins, not sure exactly what module is used though...
I hope to go next year, I forgot about it untill it was too late.
Me too, by the time I found out about it my group had already assigned me to night shifts that weekend.
-
All, being unable to attend RMAF I was pleased to finally start seeing show reports showing up on Audio Circle and elsewhere. But, to my surprise, I am getting the feeling that the Fest was less than what it could have been. I haven't read too much yet, like: "such-and-such was a stand-out room. wow!"
Reading some posts over at the Asylum, there seems to be much disappointment with many of the rooms: music was harsh, bright, too loud. Now even taking the comments of the inmates with a grain of salt, I do respect opinions when presented in detail.
The coverage by Secrets was not...coverage at all! Like reading a price list with photos.
So, Circle folk, for those of you who spent time at the Fest, can you raise my spirits? What gear combos stood out, what combos disappointed, what did you hear that represented great audio at a price that those of us with more modest means can pay?
Thanks.
-
Thanks for posting all the pics. What did you think of the VR4-Sr? Pictorally they look big, but rather ugly and cheap. I know they aren't, but I just don't find them attractive. How did they sound and look in person?
-
All, being unable to attend RMAF I was pleased to finally start seeing show reports showing up on Audio Circle and elsewhere. But, to my surprise, I am getting the feeling that the Fest was less than what it could have been. I haven't read too much yet, like: "such-and-such was a stand-out room. wow!"
zane9,[/list:u]I've been to many audio shows...in NYC.This was my first RMAF visit.. and I enjoyed this show the most !!![/list:u]As for rooms sounding harsh, bright, too loud...sure, there were a few...but not all. Most sounded very good...IMO.[/list:u]Plenty of rooms could of used room treatments to there advantage to help with the sound....don't know why they didn't ??? I even mentioned this to zybar/George.[/list:u]As for reports...they will come, give it time. I know for myself....I'm still recovering....a very long weekend (long days....and even longer nite's 8) ).[/list:u]And still with all that time....I missed getting to some rooms.[/list:u]As others return...you'll see more posting.[/list:u]IMO...I think you'll get the best reports on AC....just keep reading. 8) [/list:u]Chris[/list:u]PS....As for playing "loud".... when I was in a room...and they handed me the control's...
I did turn it up....rock on... :guitar: :drums: :guitar: :smoke: [/list:u]
-
All, being unable to attend RMAF I was pleased to finally start seeing show reports showing up on Audio Circle and elsewhere. But, to my surprise, I am getting the feeling that the Fest was less than what it could have been. I haven't read too much yet, like: "such-and-such was a stand-out room. wow!"
Reading some posts over at the Asylum, there seems to be much disappointment with many of the rooms: music was harsh, bright, too loud. Now even taking the comments of the inmates with a grain of salt, I d ...
I would say that most shows are like this one in terms of the sound quality. Only a handful of rooms are very good and approach or surpass what you have at home.
I always find it a little suprising that more vendors don't use room treatments and don't necessarily try to present a complete solution. While I understand that rooms aren't cehap, I think too many vendors share space with products that don't necessarily mate well or fully optimize their products. As we all know, a single product in the audio chain can have a significant impact on the overall sound.
Anyway, in a subsequent post I will try to elaborate more on the rooms I really liked best (just gave real brief blurbs in a previous post).
George
-
Zybar or George, can you comment upon the Exemplar room? What about the sound of the horns? I have been intrigued about them since I have had a glimpse of them. Are they as big as they seem and if you were able to listen to them, do they sound "horny" or they sounded fullrange, without emphasis in all frequencies?
Paul K
-
hey,
as far as good sounding rooms i would say that that for the money that the gr-research room kicked ass.
they had a overall balance and sound that was very pleasing and a good crossover with the ribbon that they used.most ribbons i have heard in the past sound like shit.but they had a ribbon that was very pleasing.
i will write more tonight when i get home from work.
-
hey,
as far as good sounding rooms i would say that that for the money that the gr-research room kicked ass.
Kicked Ass.... :lol:...but your right Dave !! A good combo of gear....plus the guys draped three walls of the room with full curtains so you could focus on the sound...and it paid off...sounded very good !!!! :D [/list:u]The Modwright room sounded very good as well. Attention to detail...Modwright player and preamp, Channel Islands amps, and PENAUDIO speakers (such a little thin speaker...but big , clear, detailed sound... http://www.penaudio.fi/ ).[/list:u]And yes...I spotted treatments all around the room. :D [/list:u]
-
A room that disappointed me...Room 7209 - Pathos and JM Labs. The sound was flat, dull, and veiled. I've enjoyed the Pathos intergrated at past shows when I heard it....here, it was just not the same. Played one NY Audio Rave Reference track....Ben Harper...didn't help....I moved on... :?
-
Dean Sheen wrote:
No reviews on the Green Mountain Audio speakers?
I'm certain opinions will vary, but the Green Mountain Audio Continuum 3s were certainly one of the better sounds at the show. They were being amplified by the dehavilland GM-70 SET power amps and the Verve preamp, and the sound was tonally correct with excellent instrumental timbres, was very detailed and possessed good dynamics. The soundstage reproduction was excellent as well, provided it was on the recording to begin with.
It was clear to me that Roy or someone had done a great job of setup and on the time alignment of the drivers, as I heard the C3s in July at Green Mountain's facility in the Springs, and this demo surpassed that one in numerous ways. I suspect that the amplification differences between the two demos played a role as well.
IMHO, about the only area where the C3 falls slightly short is in bass extension, and to a lesser degree, impact. If I had a pair, I would probably opt for a good sub to go with it. In short, you could do a lot worse than owning a pair of C3s, and based on my 30+ years as an audiophile, not a whole lot better. It's a speaker I could live with, and I'm pretty jaded. Hope that helps, Dean.
As far as the rest of the show goes, the most spectacular sound I heard was in the Audio Limits room where they were demonstrating the Genesis 201s with FM Acoustics' electronics. On the last day of the show I popped into their rather palatial room to the sound of "Jazz at the Pawnshop", and my jaw dropped. This was probably the best stereo reproduction I've ever heard--such clarity, presence, dimension, tonality, you name it. I didn't stay long as time was running short for me and I knew if I stayed I'd want to own it--something that would have been detrimental to my financial health (like two or three mortgages on the house).
I'll also comment on the Herron room. I'd never met Keith Herron before and I'd never heard any of his gear. I found his prototype speakers driven by his VTSP-2 line stage and M-1 monaural power amps to musically be one of the most soul satisfying audio experiences I've been party to. IMHO, the sound was decidedly on the dark side of neutral, but the reproduction of the power range of music was quite exemplary. It is this aspect of reproduction that I find most lacking in most so-called high end systems, my own included. That's my 2 cents worth. Cheers to all.
Dean
-
G.ear,
Thanks very much for that review. Thats about what I expect from all that I have read about GMA's products. I have been contemplating a drive about 1.5 hours away from here to listen to the Calypso but havent made the trek. I'll probably just wait till the next RMAF. I dont think those are ugly speakers at all & I'm much more concerened with their sound vs. their look.
Currently, the speakers that most intrique me are the GMA stuff and the Cerious products. But since I live in the real world, my next pair of speakers will probably be from GR Research.
As far as the Red Dragon goes, they seem to be 'leading' the pack in low cost ICE units. I really am waiting with everyone else untill these digital amps come down in price. The way some people make it sound, tossing an ICE module in a box with a PS is pretty simple stuff and the markup seems tremendous if this is true.
Best
~DS
-
The Modwright room sounded very good as well. Attention to detail...Modwright player and preamp, Channel Islands amps, and PENAUDIO speakers (such a little thin speaker...but big , clear, detailed sound... http://www.penaudio.fi/ )]
I only stepped into this room very briefly, but the snippit I heard sounded very good. At first, I thought the speakers were some variant of an Exodus/CSS/RAW product as I assumed the mid driver was the WR125S. When I grabbed the lit and saw it was a Finnish company, I wasn't so sure. Does anyone know for sure?
-
I'll slowly add coverage to my site and post here when I do.
I will say that I thought the show was great and the sound was good overall. I wouldn't say that my jaw dropped anywhere, but I had a number of good experiences.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to really experience some of the rooms that good marks from others. For example, I went to the Avalon/Boulder room that many people enjoyed toward the end of the show, but the person listening had U2 'Mysterious Ways' playing. While it's an enjoyable song, it is not challenging and doesn't demonstrate system capability. The most notable thing about this room was that it was a huge room with the speakers about halfway in the room and treatments everywhere. Perhaps if you can afford the speakers and equipment, you can afford to devote a 30x50 room to your system.
Overall, I think people did a better job of setting up rooms this year. Perhaps I should have done what I considered doing: use the rest of my cotton insulation to make a bunch of panels and then stopped by the hotel on Thursday/Friday and rented/sold them to the various companies who didn't bring their own. :)
While most people brought their own lighting, few dimmed the lights to a relaxing level for listening (I know, one must compromise to accomodate both the lookers and the listeners). Klaus actually turned off the lights while I listened to the Loreleis.
Tip for next year's exhibitors: my #1 favorite freebie was the one room that had a bucket of water bottles on ice. :)
-
Okay, here's the first installment. I spent a chunk of time on this and then realized that I had only made it through one of the many floors at the show. :P This will have to com in installments.
http://www.bradjudy.com/audioblog/rmaf1/
Brad,
Thanks for the link and info on the Mini Strata. I'm looking forward to hear them real soon.
-
Being comfortable during an audition can't be stressed enough. Even though some hi-end audio stores do a good job with this, I am still not 100% relaxed. That is why I prefer to test out equipment at home.
For non-rock music, such as jazz, I like to listen late at night, with a glass of red wine (ok, a bottle of red wine), lights dimmed, my dog at my feet, head back, and eyes closed. Takes the edge off, and I get lost in the music.
-
A room that disappointed me...Room 7209 - Pathos and JM Labs. The sound was flat, dull, and veiled. I've enjoyed the Pathos intergrated at past shows when I heard it....here, it was just not the same. Played one NY Audio Rave Reference track....Ben Harper...didn't help....I moved on... :?
Lonewolf, I agree with you on this room. Major disappointment. Most of the rooms sounded good, some much better. The Herron room sounded pretty darn nice. But in a normal house, I'm not sure where you would place those subwoofers??
-
Was anyone able to have a listen in the Cryoparts room? They were using Eastern Electric gear including the new M520 integrated. I have no idea what the speakers were, something with a flat panel mid and tweet.
-
I just looked up the speaker - Eminent Technologies LTF-16. I'll have to make that change to my report.
I didn't really listen since the host was talking power cable connectors with someone at the time. I figured I would come back later and never got around to it.
-
mca, I heard the M520 with the EE CD player, phono stage and Vivaldi speakers($9K a pair). Sweet sounding room. The Vivaldi speakers were a very good match with the EE equipment. Just a great tube sound all around.
-
A few more notes and pics up on my site now:
http://www.bradjudy.com/audioblog/rmaf2
-
I just looked up the speaker - Eminent Technologies LTF-16. I'll have to make that change to my report.
I didn't really listen since the host was talking power cable connectors with someone at the time. I figured I would come back later and never got around to it.
Sorry I didn't get to talk with you. I saw you a bunch of times, but I don't think we ever got to meet.
I used the LFT-16 for Friday and part of Saturday. I think it's a killer little speaker, in fact I liked it so much, I now own the pair I was using--I'm going to use them in my office at the shop. Check them out if you ever get a chance. Perhaps I will bring them with me to a future "Jam" so other Texas guys can listen to them.
The M520 was pressed into service to power them--thanks go to Bill for helping me out--he is the best! IMHO, this is a great integrated, for a very affordable price that deserves a lot more recognition.
I don't sell ET or Eastern Electric, so I hope the above doesn't come off as self promotion. :-)
I did get to talk with "Lone Wolf", and a couple of other AC'ers (I'm sorry but my memory is failing me as to who they were) and it was great fun to put faces with names. A nice bunch of guys!
BTW--I put some pics up on my site of the ET's and Eastern Electric if you want to take a look.
Regards,
Lee
-
I did get to talk with "Lone Wolf", and a couple of other AC'ers (I'm sorry but my memory is failing me as to who they were) and it was great fun to put faces with names. A nice bunch of guys!
Well thank you Lee, it was good to meet you as well.[/list:u]The other guy's were Captain Humble and Gordy....we traveled in a pack. :lol: [/list:u]I enjoyed your room, sounded good. Thanks for letting me play all the cd's I wanted !! When we were there you were using the Sonicweld speakers...big sound for a small speaker !! I had spotted the ET's in the corner...too bad I missed them.Next time... Thanks again !![/list:u]
-
Well thank you Lee, it was good to meet you as well.[/list:u]The other guy's were Captain Humble and Gordy....we traveled in a pack. :lol: [/list:u]I enjoyed your room, sounded good. Thanks for letting me play all the cd's I wanted !! When we were there you were using the Sonicweld speakers...big sound for a small speaker !! I had spotted the ET's in the corner...too bad I missed them.Next time... Thanks again !![/list:u]
Oh, that's right! In fact, I am going to go visit CH's restaurant next week. I am looking forward to that!
It was a joy meet you guys--and all of the other AC'ers that came by.
Regards,
Lee
-
Oh, that's right! In fact, I am going to go visit CH's restaurant next week. I am looking forward to that!
Yep...that would be Dodie's Seafood Cafe II in Carrollton, TX. One of these days I hope to make it there as well. The reviews I've read sound pretty darn good...enjoy it !!!! :thankyou: [/list:u]
-
A few more RMAF comments...posting in short takes due to my lousy typing, and the site slowdowns.
I came to Denver with a list of about 30 rooms I wanted to visit, but even with three full days, I didn't make them all. Time went too fast !! :cry: [/list:u]As for a past comment on how loud the rooms were...I had a sound level meter...most were not that loud (IMO)....75 to 85db's. When I had a chance, I did boost my tracks up to the 90db range. As for music selections...mine start off with the cuts we play at the Rave's...then I go into Jazz or R & R. The only Classical I played was the Telarc recording "Fanfare For The Common Man".[/list:u]And my companions on this listening tour were Gordy and Captain Humble.[/list:u]Room 521 :[/list:u]I wanted to hear the Harbeth 30 speakers. Always liked their look and size, and I've read many good things about them. They were there, powered by some new Cayin amps. To me they sounded excellent. Not a big speaker, but good for a smaller room. I played a number of tune's....none disappointed. Had a very full sound, with good depth and soundstage. And what a nice finish on the speakers....I liked them !! :D [/list:u]Room 7000 :[/list:u]This was the Usher room. A company not mention much on AC....but which sounded very good at the show...but sounded better after they took out the big (new)Dancer speaker (too big for the room)...and put in a smaller Usher. That fit the room much better. Power was by Belles, their new 350A Reference amp, and Belles preamp. I enjoyed the sound I heard with the Belles....that was my first listen to them. Some very good products in that room !!! 8) [/list:u]
-
Room 549 :
The Zu room. Finally got to meet Sean and Adam...two very nice guys. They had their Definition in place when we arrived. They were using a computer setup...forgot what amps :? ...but I was very interested in their sound. Its a big speaker...beautiful finish...even with the low lighting in the room. Played a number of tune's, low to high volume....enjoyed them all. I did what to hear the Druid's...but it was late afternoon, and I thought I could make it back a 2nd. time...nope, ran out of time. Oh well, next time. 8) [/list:u]
-
Thanks for the plug Chris. The $5 is in the mail. :mrgreen:
-
BTW, any guess as too what percentage of rooms were running off PC, iPods, and the like?
-
BTW, any guess as too what percentage of rooms were running off PC, iPods, and the like?
There were a few, but the minority. Perhaps 10-15%.
-
BTW, any guess as too what percentage of rooms were running off PC, iPods, and the like?
Very small percentage.
I saw way more vinyl than PC/iPod.
George
-
Oh, that's right! In fact, I am going to go visit CH's restaurant next week. I am looking forward to that!
Yep...that would be Dodie's Seafood Cafe II in Carrollton, TX. One of these days I hope to make it there as well. The reviews I've read sound pretty darn good...enjoy it !!!! :thankyou: [/list:u]
I've been there twice now on visits to ACS in Dallas. It was about 1/2 hour away from where I typically stay, but well worth the trip. DO NOT MISS the Oysters Dodie - damn, they are something else. The raw oysters as well rank as the best I've had - hopefully the trouble in the gulf won't preclude Jeff from getting hold of them! Everything I've had there has been good, including the ice cold Miller Lite!! Trouble for me was I wanted to try so many things on the menu but portion size is generous and my eyes were typically bigger than my stomach.
OK, now back on topic, sorry for the diversion!
-
Anyone care to comment if they have heard the Exemplar room, in particular the horns? There is got to be someone who did.
-
Anyone care to comment if they have heard the Exemplar room, in particular the horns? There is got to be someone who did.
I didn't hear them this year, but heard them last year and was specifically focused on the speakers. I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked, but I thought they sounded excellent. Not 'horny' at all - mellow, deep. rich, but articulate and didn't seem to gloss over detail. I don't remember the details on front-end; I think that Galibier was in the same room, and the digital front-end would presumably be the modded Denon, but I don't remember the amps.
I was specifically looking at 'high efficiency' speakers last year at RMAF, and the Exemplars, the Edgars and the big Tannoys were my favorites of the ones I heard.
-
Lee, no worries. The problem with a show that big is that there just isn't time to see everything unless you don't stop to listen or talk, which would make for a boring show. :) I made it to more than half the rooms this year (I think) in the ~10 hours I spent at the show.
-
See above. Repeated posts due to DSL modem failure.
-
Did ANYONE care to comment about the Exemplar room, especially on the sound of the Horns, if they happen to have visited. Thanks a bunch.
Um, what's with the impatience? Two desperate pleas for information separated by 37 minutes on a board that typically only gets a few posts an hour? Maybe you should chill out and give it some time.
Sorry my experience from last year is useless to you.
-
Dwk, my DSL line is acting up, so whenever I thought I had posted something, the modem would fail. So, it was not until your post I realized that the supposedly lost "pleas" had been posted.
Thanks for the info DWK. Are those horns as big as they seem or is it an optical effect?
-
Paul:
The Exemplars were in my bud's (Thom Mackris) Galibier room. They're his personal speaks. Yes, they are huge. Yes, they sound like horns. Yes, they sounded great (almost disappeared), although slightly hot on top. I think they'd benefit from some X-O work. Thom may be tackling that with John Tucker.
Regards,
Larry Welsh
-
My third page is up:
http://www.bradjudy.com/audioblog/rmaf3/
-
I wish I could have attended!
Did anyone spot a great-sounding pair of conventional tower speakers, selling for less than $2500?
Jerry
-
Just my two cents on the fest. I wasn't able to see 99.9% of the vendors there. In a word it was "bloated" I really wish I could have seen a lot more, but there was just soooooo much that I didn't even know where to start. I only had about 3 hours and to be cut-throat honest most of what I heard was down right aweful.
.The highlights were Klaus's kick ass on wall picture speakers. Honestly I'm so out of the loop I hadn't even heard of them and I thought they were just another one of Klaus's frufru potporri-flowery-pillar type things he puts in the room for added class, but they were excellent sounding and very nice looking as well. --- Hey Klaus can I get the pictures with you on it striking a pose??? :thankyou:
The other highlight was the wonderfull surround sound demo from Kimber Kables. By far the most refined sound that I heard that day. Honestly that should speak enough for itself --- I know what you're thinking,"Refined" sound at an audio show?, not something I would use normally to discribe sound from any audio show, but it's true. Of course as always Ray Kimber was so fun to talk to. The guy has a true passion for what he does and a deep wisdom of sound capture/reproduction.
Anyway that's all yer gettin' from me. Anything else anyone claims I said is a dirty lie and they need to have their filthy mouth washed out with soap.
One last thing before you leave, go here and get yer self a free Ipod http://ipodnanos.freepay.com/?r=22805012
-
My third page is up:
http://www.bradjudy.com/audioblog/rmaf3/
Brad - nice coverage. Did you get to hear Ron Wellbornes room? I thought his was one of the best at the show. I took my own reference recording to several rooms to compare. I thought Kara Chaffees DeHavilland room was great as well.
Steve N.
-
Steve:
Gotta agree about Ron's and Kara's rooms. Nothing spectacular or mind-grabbing, but making music is supposed to be the goal.
Regards,
Larry Welsh
-
Brad - nice coverage. Did you get to hear Ron Wellbornes room? I thought his was one of the best at the show. I took my own reference recording to several rooms to compare. I thought Kara Chaffees DeHavilland room was great as well.
Thanks Steve. Unfortunately, I didn't hear either of those rooms. Since Ron is local, perhaps I'll be able to hear his setup sometime (assuming he was showing a setup that he uses himself).
The show is almost too big. I think it would take a minimum of two full days to see all of it if you actually listened to at least one full song in each room. Longer if you actually wanted to talk to people. I tried to hit some specific rooms, but more were suggested and curiosity got the better of me on others. :)
I still have at least one more page to write up. Those three pages pretty much cover my Saturday though.
-
Thanks Steve. Unfortunately, I didn't hear either of those rooms. Since Ron is local, perhaps I'll be able to hear his setup sometime (assuming he was showing a setup that he uses himself).
The show is almost too big. I think it would take a minimum of two full days to see all of it if you actually listened to at least one full song in each room. Longer if you actually wanted to talk to people. I tried to hit some specific rooms, but more were suggested and curiosity got the better of me on others ...
Louisville? You know I worked for StorageTek for almost 10 years. I was raised in north Denver.
Steve N.
-
Louisville? You know I worked for StorageTek for almost 10 years. I was raised in north Denver.
Yep, we've been in Louisville for about 4 years, Boulder before that. I have been past StorageTek many times. You probably wouldn't recognize the area around there anymore. It has been changing a lot in the past few years.
-
Any comments on the Selah Audio room, anyone?
Thanks.
--amit
-
Page four is up
http://www.bradjudy.com/audioblog/rmaf4/
I commented on the Selah room on page 3 of my posts.
-
I also posted some show conclusions here:
http://www.bradjudy.com/audioblog
It should be interesting to see what people think of the comments. :)
-
One week later....forcast for Denver today....light snow :o . Glad I was there last week...weather was beautiful. :D
Thanks BradJudy....for your excellent reports !!!! :beer: [/list:u]
-
Thanks, Bradjudy, for your thoughtful and detailed reports from RMAF.
My concern, which I think I mentioned many posts ago, is that we are seeing as the "new normal" for pricing of systems on display. If RMAF evolves as the landmark 2-channel show in the USA (plus our show here in Canada in Montreal), I think these shows need to show "best-of-breed" at all price-points.
J.
-
I think these shows need to show "best-of-breed" at all price-points.
Which is why I want to encourage companies to actually show systems at different price points. A friendly competition seemed like the best way to bring out 'best of breed at $x' systems instead of, or in addition to, their no-limits flagship systems (bring both if you want/can). I would love to see an entire floor of $5k systems and another floor of $10k systems in addition to the four floors of price no object systems (if we assume staying with around six floors of exhibits).
-
Spotted more coverage of the RMAF '05 on Positive Feedback (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue21/toc21.htm)...bottom of page...even a video. :D
-
Thanks for the link. It's interesting to see coverage of the show even though I was there. It's almost like I went to a different shows because it seems like much of the other coverage focuses on rooms I didn't check out. :)
-
Thanks for the link. It's interesting to see coverage of the show even though I was there. It's almost like I went to a different shows because it seems like much of the other coverage focuses on rooms I didn't check out. :)
Your right...there we a lot of rooms there....I tried to make them all....would of needed another 3 days to get to them all.Well...there's always next year.... :lol: [/list:u]
-
C'mon Chris, you know 3 days won't be enough either! :wink:
It didn't work for me last year.
NEXT year, I take a backpack with coffee.... :D
Regards,
DF
-
IF you can organize an under $5K room category, I can almost guarantee that ACI will be there next year. Our total rig at last year's CES was around $4500, and was extremely well received. Planning a very similar system for this year's Vegas show. I do hope we can be there for next year's RMAF!
-
Good to hear Mike, it would be great to have you and ACI at the show. I'll see what I can do over the coming months to make the $5k challenge happen. I need to get in touch with Al and the others involved in organizing the event. I'm guessing if I volunteer to organize the $5k portion and can get interest from some critical mass of exhibitors (need to find out what would be critical mass), then it would be a reasonable proposition.
-
This would be fun :)
Sean
IF you can organize an under $5K room category, I can almost guarantee that ACI will be there next year. Our total rig at last year's CES was around $4500, and was extremely well received. Planning a very similar system for this year's Vegas show. I do hope we can be there for next year's RMAF!