I returned from VSAC last night after driving in from Boise.
It was a very interesting trip. The drive (over 40 hours out and back) wasn't too bad. I did enjoy the trip west more than the trip to Ohio. I was by myself, so not having to put up with Pez for the entire time may have added to the fun factor
The rooms were terrible. Absolutely the worst I have encountered in my short time at audio shows. There were exhibitors right next to each other and the walls and floors were very easily excited. The hallways would bounce as you walked by.
The Bolder Cable/ Teres Audio room was right next to Electron Luv. Those guys from Salt Lake tend to play their music rather loud. The new amp Josh built uses a Russian RF transmitter tube that was putting out on a LOT of Frequencies. Not only could you easily hear the music coming through the wall, when I tried to use the phone to check in at home, I could hear their music through the receiver.
It took me until Sunday morning to really get the room tamed. The first day the sub was far too boomy. I got rid of most of it by Saturday afternoon. Sunday was the best sound but there weren't many folks coming by and we shut down and started packing up by 2:00 pm.
davehg stopped by after I had shut down. It was fun to talk to him, even for just a short while. Bubba came by twice and we had a few beverages and talked video on Sunday afternoon/evening.
I had a great time meeting Jim Hagerman and we were able to do some business. Jim has decided to concentrate on his half kit business and building the Trumpet phono preamp. He is no longer going to supply a finished version of the Cornet phono preamp. We have agreed that I will offer a finished version of the Cornet for those who wish to use Jim's design but do not care to build it themselves.
I also got to meet Chris Brady's brothers. These two guys do much of the actual fabrication work for the Teres turntable. There is a good possibility that I might be able to have them build some cases for the phono preamp. I also might have them make a new case for the DI/O. All of this still needs to be finalized and I will not have any product for delivery for a few months. I will post here when these projects become reality.
The Cornet does sound absouletly awesome with the right tubes. Jim sold the Trumpet we were using on Saturday. I brought out a version of the Cornet that Marbles bought. He sent it to me to do some upgrades and to install step-up transformers. I didn't get around to installing them before I left, but John Chapman lent me a pair of his TX-103s built into a nice case.
A great guy who was hanging out in the room, just happened to have a pair of NOS Tungsram 12AX7s that we put in the Cornet. The sound was truly transformed from the Sylvania's that I was using. It was really close to what we were getting from the Trumpet.
I think the one item that excited me the most was learning that there will be an audio fest here in Denver next year in October. Ron Welborne is helping to put it together. I do hope that more members from AC will make the trek out here.
Ron has asked for some ideas to set this fest apart form others. I have offered to look into making a special batch of beer just for this get together. I believe I can get one of the local brepubs to let me come in and brew it. I will need some help with making sure it is all consumed. I will have to make at least 15 kegs worth.
I will post some pictures from our room later on. In the meantime check out the shots from 6moons
http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/vsac03/vsac_10.html
