[James Romeyn]

This will be brief for now, may add more later. Anthony Jones designs the "TAD Home Audio" & new Pioneer/TAD high end home speakers. He & another crew member, in stark contrast to the French Audio Aero-ists, are two of the cheeriest, most gracious high end pros I've met. Incredibly accomodating & pleasant, an absolute first class treat to visit their room & hang with them for a too brief half hour.

System had at least four or more Pass class A amps, probably their biggest, baddest, most costly, doing serious heat damage in that end of the room. AC full blast, exiting right behind my head (I'm 6-3). This system could add literally $2k per month to the AC bill in a hot climate, it was only high 60s-low '70s in Las Vegas.

DAC's were two Pacific Microsonics circa mid-'90s. The shorter crew member said these were about $10k new & the only digital device to have inflated in used value vs. new, sorry folks no longer made because the chips are n/a.

Anthony played my favorite test track for this CES. It was just splendid. In some parameters it was the best I've heard this CD, was just a joy overall. Not quite the emotional level of involvement as one other room, but incredible detail, imaging, musicality...

All of TAD's software sounded fantastic, but there was one experience that was almost unspeakably beautiful. TAD pro speakers are the mastering choice for Paul Stubblebine Mastering Labs, someone I met years ago when he was doing a project with Noel Lee. Anthony introduced each chosen cut. This one particular cut was from a soon to be released Boz Scaggs CD. Recorded in Boz's home (am almost positive he lives a few minutes south of me in either Marin County &/or SF). This cut was comprised of Boz singing & playing his incredible, wonderful, superlative grand piano, tuned &/or recorded like I may have never heard one tuned (not to brag but I have an extremely high sensitivity to pitch irregularities).

Here's the catch: our source in the room was apparently a hard drive, which received the music directly from Paul Stubblebine's actual master recording device (no idea what), & transferred at a state of the art 24k/196 bit rate. The music appeared from the blackest, quietist background I could imagine. It was eery.

He sang "My Funny Valentine", slow, but not to slow, with almost painful emotion, with beautiful pauses, yet silky smoothness, like you have never imagined this song could be sung. We've all heard this man's voice a million times. I tell you, unless you were there when this was recorded (he may have been alone), or you sleep with Boz, the people hearing this cut now know better what his voice is capable of than anyone else, IMO.

This is embarrasing, but I must say it. Tears welled up in both my eyes. I did not expect this, try to make it happen, or want it to. It just did. I was not prepared. I'm thankful they did not fall down my cheeck. They stayed there till the song was over. I have never had such an experience outside my home, & rarely, maybe never at home (though I have experienced great moments of high emotional involvement).

That's it, no appropriate ending to this story. I was glad I was in the back row to avoid embarrasment.  My eyes had been closed.  I imagine Anthony may have seen my reaction, but that's OK.  It was a few minutes after the close of T.H.E. Show (4pm Sunday). I asked a few questions of the assistant, told them both several times how great a job they did, thanked them for their effort, & left.

I will definitely be spending more time in their booth next year.

[gonefishin]

Sounds like you had a great time.  Hearing speakers that are low distortion yet low in compressing the dynamics and able to produce clean spl's at high levels is not everyones cup of tea.  

    If it is your cup of tea...it sure is nice.  


    take care,
      dan

[JoshK]

I like that cup of tea too.  Read my post today on a visit to Dr. Geddes.

[Marbles]

Here's the catch: our source in the room was apparently a hard drive, which received the music directly from Paul Stubblebine's actual master recording device (no idea what), & transferred at a state of the art 24k/196 bit rate. The music appeared from the blackest, quietist background I could imagine. It was eery. ...

Sounds like a nice source!!!

Hard drives or computers are the future in hi-fi sources.

[Mike B.]

I am a fan of the model 1. Wish I could afford them or the twos for that matter. The co-ax mid/ tweeter is the key to the incredible imaging IMO. I wish TAD would offer it to the DIY market.

[James Romeyn]

I am a fan of the model 1. Wish I could afford them or the twos for that matter. The co-ax mid/ tweeter is the key to the incredible imaging IMO. I wish TAD would offer it to the DIY market.

Don't hold your breath.  The new Pioneer high end speaker line was designed by Anthony Jones of TAD.  The TAD name is on the back.  The Pioneer line has the vapor deposited BE tweeter but "only" a magnesium mid.  The TAD home line mid is also vapor-deposited BE.

It's hard to tell the exact source of the performance difference upstairs (Pioneer-TAD home line) to downstairs (TAD home line).  But so far, from my admittedly limited experience of digital switching amps, & from conversations with an analog engineer & a celebrated, succesful, well-known physics PhD, digital amps up to now have severe design problems.  IMO the Bel Canto EVO rig powering the upstairs Pioneer-TAD speakers were exactly wrong.  Yes, very dynamic, transparent, & fast transients, but still unsatisfying somehow.  There is something amusical & disturbing to me about digital amps so far.  I think the great Bruce Moore gear powering VMPS or the VAC powering Von Schweikert would have produced far sweeter results.

The guys at both booths were friendly & impecably well mannered.  I'll visit again for sure next year, if all goes as planned.

[gonefishin]

Don't hold your breath.  The new Pioneer high end speaker line was designed by Anthony Jones of TAD.  The TAD name is on the back.    

  Not sure if I follow what your trying to say???

   thanks,

 dan

[James Romeyn]

Sorry for being cryptic.  There's no way, IMO, TAD would ever start catering to DIY with such expensive parts.  It might be counterproductive for their regular marketing plans for high end stores.

But it would sure be nice!!!!

[JoshK]

fwiw, it was already asked on another diy forum and the answer what the coax was not available for DIY, but would cost many thousands if it were to be offered.

[Fife12]

The TAD Model 1 was amazing!

The Pioneer $9k speakers looked like a very capable speaker. However, I do not think the Bel Canto amps did the Pioneer speaker justice. Just like Jim, something sounded wrong

I too do not find digital amps too musically satisfying. They may be ok for monitors but I have yet to find any digital amps power full range speakers properly. Not to knock on digital amp technology but most of the digital amps that I heard at CES/Show, the highs were very detailed and the soundstage was large, but somehow many lacked the mid-range punch.

[gonefishin]

Sorry for being cryptic.  There's no way, IMO, TAD would ever start catering to DIY with such expensive parts.  It might be counterproductive for their regular marketing plans for high end stores.

But it would sure be nice!!!!

The 4003 's aren't expensive enough for you at $2,300 each?  TAD does cater (and has catered) to the DIY/pro crowd.  Though a cost of doing business with them is the expense of their drivers.

   I'm still not sure what you mean here...but that really makes no difference.  I don't suppose that TAD products or speaker systems will show up at an audio store near you...but DIY'ers do have the option of using many of their drivers.  Couple that (haha) with the options we have in various horns out there and you've got some nice options to come up with  


   It's good to see the marketing at TAD pick things up a little too.  It's a long time coming!


    happy spring  (60's and sunny in nothern Ill.)

   dan