[Carlman]

I've got some fun gear to hear at my place at the moment... Shane dropped it off mainly for fun, break in some demo gear, etc... but mainly because I wanted to hear what the TacT 2150 amp could do in my room with some stored room correction curves.  

I'm actually having some trouble with it tonight but I'll work out the details of that later...

Currently I have setup:
TacT 2.2x preamp
TacT 2150 amp (integrated)
DK Design integrated amp
Nuforce Amps
Butler 2250 amp

All of these are using my current uber-modified X-718's for speakers and Audio PC for the source.  I have a TT but no phono pre.  So, vinyl isn't a real option with this rig unless someone wants to bring one... Claud?

Well, that's about it.... I have a small room, limited space, etc... Just thought if anyone was interested in hearing this gear in a small room, I've got it to share with others.  If you have a preference for a day please vote.  If you pick a day, I'll use those numbers to get a rough head count.  So, if you really can't make either, please say no.

Thanks,
Carl

[claud]

I'm leaving for another week at the beach this coming Friday. Maybe some time in August we will be here during a weekend, at least to move the boy back to college. Carl, you are welcome to borrow the Minimax Phono if you want it while I'm gone.

[Carlman]

Looks like either day works for a few people so, I'll go ahead and make it Sunday afternoon; starting around 1.  Let me know if you need directions.
Thanks,
Carl

[nuforce]

If there's still time, send the NuForce amp to us for upgrade and you're in for a surprise.
Just mail to NuForce and put a note there with a return address.

Jason

[Carlman]

If there's still time, send the NuForce amp to us for upgrade and you're in for a surprise.
Just mail to NuForce and put a note there with a return address.

Jason

Hey Jason... I just noticed your response.  I don't technically own the amps, they're on loan from my dealer... I think it's a bit too late to ship them but I will be glad to after this weekend.  I'll talk to him and see what's up... They sound very good regardless...

-Carl

[Inscrutable]

Carl, calendar is still kinda fuzzy, but I think I'll make it.

[Carlman]

I've sent directions to 2 new people that haven't been to an AC meeting before. (that I'm aware)  And, I'm hoping Shane can be around although I haven't spoken to him.  Right now I've got 3 definites, 2 maybe's, and probably 1 or 2 more.  So, looks like about 4-6 people will be here tomorrow.

I think it'll be quite fun... I'm setting up the TacT stuff now and trying to figure out how to make everything switchable to compare....  

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

-Carl

[gprro]

What time is the meeting? I know this is really late to be asking, so I may be out of luck. I could bring a pretty big sub if anyones interested. No crossover though. If someone has a spare plate amp?

[Bingenito]

I could bring a pretty big sub if anyones interested. No crossover though. If someone has a spare plate amp?

With the Tact you will not need a crossover. If you guys are planning on using a sub and need an amp please let me know and I will bring one.

I will wait to hear what Carl decides since the amp is 100lbs and I am sure he has some comparisons already planned.

[Carlman]

A giant sub in an 11x13' room sounds unnecessary but also intriguing... But I think we should pass this time.  I don't know if I have enough power outlets for another amp.  I'm already running 4 amps off 1 outlet, into a strip.  (I'm not running them all at once but there's only so many outlets)

I think it would be interesting to see the TacT do its thing with a sub, though... maybe at the next meeting?  Anyone can host one, you know?

I'm hoping all goes well tomorrow... bear with me as I am still learning about digital room correction and I have a lot of gear to swap around.  I'm hoping Shane will be able to give me a hand.

Gppro, feel free to PM me and I'll reply with directions.  

Thanks,
Carl

[gprro]

Yeah, the sub is already a little boomy in my large room in the ported configuration. Sealed sounds much better, and in small room would reach down to 15-16hz with good output. Atlas 15 in 9 cu. ft. Sent PM

[Bingenito]

Yeah, the sub is already a little boomy in my large room in the ported configuration. Sealed sounds much better, and in small room would reach down to 15-16hz with good output. Atlas 15 in 9 cu. ft. Sent PM

Well you were not kidding about a large sub. I used to have a 9.85 cu ft sub with dual 15" Lambda drivers and 2" thick walls, bracing, Black Hole 5. I think it weighed in at around 400lbs. Hope you have friendly neighbors

[Carlman]

Just thought I'd post a quick update on today's meeting; I'll reply with details about the gear comparisons later.

We had 1 new member 'Bingenito' that brought a Blue Circle Music Bar with him.... but also a huge bag of tortillas, 3 jars of dipping sauces, and a 12-pack... What a great way to our hearts!

We had some regulars as well, Shane/HTDoc, Tim/Inscrutable, Vik/Vrao, and myself.  

There were some initial setup issues so things were a little late getting started however, once they did I think people were reasonably impressed with what room correction can do.... especially in my room.

I've been playing with this gear off and on throughout the week and have been simply amazed at what I'm getting... or more importantly, not getting.  The room correction gets rid of so much upper midrange 'noise' while taming my boomy bass that I can hear into the music more, listen louder, longer, and with no fatigue.

We compared all 4 amps... and my opinion is that I could keep any of them and be perfectly satisified.... WITH room correction.  Basically, I have learned that I want room correction and the amp is sort of an afterthought... or something to 'flavor' the sound a bit.  

The Nuforce was round and buttery... quite a surprise to me.  It was warmer than the Butler... which to me was neutral with some 'tubey musicality' on the upper mids and highs... The DK was ballsy and also detailed but not as warm as the others... but not strident or grainy either.  The 2150 to me had the best PRAT.  Every part of every sound was where I thought it should be in space and time.  There was a little upper midrange harshness that I think is due to lack of break-in... time will tell as I 'help' Shane by burning it in a bit more.

Speaking of, I greatly appreciate Shane's help in getting this whole demo setup.  He brought all of this gear to my house, helped me set it up, troubleshoot it, and has just been a good friend in getting this all setup.

I also appreciate that everyone who attended made it fun and had good attitudes about it.  I had a great time today and I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

I'll write more technical details about the setup tomorrow... I'm a bit tired tonight...

Many thanks,
Carl

PS, I forgot to take photos.. (sorry LW.. and Vik even wore his AC shirt! )

[Bingenito]

Carl,

I would like to thank you and your wife very much for having me over and allowing us to crank up tunes to 90db. It was great to meet fellow AC members and listen to some good music.

We certainly had enough amps to compare- courtesy of Shane (You like how I snuck the BC606 Music Bar in the mix? Can’t let Shane have all the fun now can we   )

Amps and listening impressions:
* When I arrived the first amp was the DK. I did not spend much time listening to that one since I was too busy chatting. Sorry!
* Nuforce: Carl describes the sound well. It is smooth yet dynamic and has a great low end punch. These amps are the size of paper back books and weight around 3 lbs. Looks can be deceiving.
* Butler: Powerful but a little warmer then the other amps. I would say that it was more refined on the top end. More to my liking.
* Tact- probably the best attack of the amps we heard today. Very dynamic but a little harshness as Carl mentioned. The amp was not fully broken in.

Overall it was a great day listening to music and chatting about audio gear. The system sounded very good. The amp that matches the closest with my personal taste was the Butler. I like harmonic richness and warmth without giving up detail retrieval. The amp did a good job with the Usher monitors.

  Very nice job pulling this gathering together. Hopefully within the next month I can host a meeting here in Charlotte.

Take care

Bryan

[Inscrutable]

Mucho thanks to Carl for hosting another nice get together.  Nice to meet you Brian, and good to see you again Vic.  And of course, big props to Shane for bringing lots of gear over.

After hearing the TacT in both Shane's and Carl's rooms, i'm almost certain to want to hear it in my room ... indefinitely ... if i only had a %#^& room!  soon ... soon ...

Like Carl, I could live happily with any of the four amps we tested - with room correction.  It was amazing to me how the TacT sorta 'normalized' the differences among the amps.  Not that they sounded alike - there was still some flavoring - but not a dramatic like it/don't like it as there would be in an uncorrected room.

I'm trying to guess at which would go better with my speakers and taste, and I think I'm still sold on the Butler (although I'd like to hear the TacT after it breaks in).  I really liked the Butler in my old room, and it can only get better with the RCS.

I also continue to be amazed at how good it sounds with just a cheap computer as CDT.

Next time we get together, I'd like to hear the TacT A>D and D>A for vinyl against a good phono pre and analog preamp.  Maybe we could cart the RCS to Claud's - I bet it doesn't leave there

[lonewolfny42]

Carl :

PS, I forgot to take photos..  (sorry LW.. and Vik even wore his AC shirt!  )

[/list:u]

Ahhhhh man !! Carl....no pictures...can't you just snap a few for everyone to see...come on... [/list:u]
I was happy to see that Bryan made it to your meeting. I've meet both you and Bryan, and I value the comments that you both post. I know that you both..."tell it like you hear it" ....so I hope you guy's can get together more often to review equipement. Thanks for posting the results of your listening session.... [/list:u]
Chris[/list:u]