[Mr Peabody]

May 8, 6-10 pm  RSVP requested
mfp@musicforpleasure.com or 314-961-5747
enjoy food & drink

They will be showing off some audio/video/home automation as well as
Dynaudio Consequence being driven by Boulder amplification
They've recently added Clear Audio and will be showing their Master table
Sim Audio, Evolution line of gear
If you haven't heard Octave Audio, you should, it's really good tube gear in my opinion.

7475 Big Bend Blvd.
Webster Groves, MO

[Bob in St. Louis]

Would you like me to notify the group?

[Mr Peabody]

I was just sharing but with that turn around time putting it out to the group would be great.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Done! 

(as always, if you didn't receive the GAS email and want to, send me a message)

Bob

[Mr Peabody]

You are, the man

[RaceTripper]

I'll be there. I'm getting ready to order a Clearaudio Performance SEP turntable through them, and probably the Clearaudio Maestro Wood MM cartridge.

[Mr Peabody]

Have you compared the Clear Audio carts to others?  In one room they have the Octave Audio driving Dynaudio C1's, this system has always sounded good to me.  I was in there a couple weeks ago listening to that system that had a Clear Audio table and cart which seemed to leave the system a bit flat, not having the same dynamics I'm used to hearing.  They were using the $1900.00 Sim Audio phono stage.  I suspected the cart but it may have been the phono stage despite the price tag, I'm not familiar with Sim's phono stages, that was my first listen to one.

[RaceTripper]

Have you compared the Clear Audio carts to others?  In one room they have the Octave Audio driving Dynaudio C1's, this system has always sounded good to me.  I was in there a couple weeks ago listening to that system that had a Clear Audio table and cart which seemed to leave the system a bit flat, not having the same dynamics I'm used to hearing.  They were using the $1900.00 Sim Audio phono stage.  I suspected the cart but it may have been the phono stage despite the price tag, I'm not familiar with Sim's phono stages, that was my first listen to one.

I currently have a Rega RP3/TTPSU and Dynavector 20x2H. I have been through some issues with both the Rega and the DV cartridge: my second DV has now failed, my first Rega TTPSU was bad and caused problems that resulted in my P3-24 getting replaced with a RP3. MFP have taken care of me each time, but now I have shell-shock and want something else.

I auditioned their Clearaudio Concept with the Concept MC cartridge in my home system. I have the Simaudio Moon 110LP, which is their $600 phono stage. The Concept sounded great to me and certainly not worse than the RP3/DV I have now. However, the Moon 110LP works better with high output MC or MM, so I want something high output, rather than replacing my phono stage. I really like the Moon. It sounds better than the Dynavector phono stage I compared it to.

In addition, the Concept didn't interact with my room the way the Rega does (the RP3 and my sub do not seem to get along very well, so the Rega is going). So in the end I was ready to replace the table with a Concept, but now have decided to kick it up a notch with the Performance SEP. The Maestro Wood fills the bill for me as a high output cartridge. I will be taking a chance with it unheard, but people I trust have said if I liked the Concept MC I'll like the Maestro Wood even better. I did like the Concept MC a lot. It's just that my phono stage is not optimal for it.

Their Octave stuff sounds excellent. I auditioned it before upgrading my Naim gear (driving Dynaudio Contour S1.4). I could have gone either way.

[Mr Peabody]

I have had a P3 for at least 10 years without issue.  Last year I replaced the Elys cart with a Dynavector 10x5, I hope I don't have any problems with it.  I'm using an AcousTech phono stage.

You didn't notice the high end seeming rolled off on the Clear Audio?  I like Naim a lot and almost went that way when I moved from Conrad Johnson.  I have Revel F52's and the power ratings of the Naim gave me some concern whether they could drive them.  I know Naim builds good amps but when the top model is only 90x2 it still gave me pause.  Plus at the time I was really only looking for a power amp.

[RaceTripper]

If you judge Naim by their WPC ratings, you really don't understand Naim power. It's all about current and headroom, and Naim amps have tons of it. They can deliver amazing peaks of power on demand. Back in the 80s a 18 WPC Naim NAIT integrated totally walked all over a 160 WPC McIntosh separates system I had then. It was better ion every way. After hearing that I sold all my McIntosh gear, bought a Naim system and never looked back.

I have a NAP250 that is rated 80 WPC at 8 ohms and 145 at 4 ohms. I can drive my inefficient Dynaudio speakers to extremely loud levels and the amp's case barely even gets warm. Before I had the NAP250 I used a Naim UnitQute with 45 WPC (30 WPC at 8 ohms) and it drove the same speakers with no problem. It didn't have the headroom of the NAP, but it did a good job.

I have the Contours and a REL sub in a smallish (11x17) room. My Rega just interacts too much and has feedback with the sub. There is a lack of synergy. That just happens, and there is often no rhyme or reason. Your Dynavector should be just fine. It has a great reputation and sounds great. I've just been unlucky. I'm sure MFP will sort out the issue with it, but I'm ready to move on to something else. When I have more than one or two problems with a subsystem I start to get paranoid about it and question if something is wrong when it isn't. That's when I just switch to something else and call it a day.

I have had a P3 for at least 10 years without issue.  Last year I replaced the Elys cart with a Dynavector 10x5, I hope I don't have any problems with it.  I'm using an AcousTech phono stage.

You didn't notice the high end seeming rolled off on the Clear Audio?  I like Naim a lot and almost went that way when I moved from Conrad Johnson.  I have Revel F52's and the power ratings of the Naim gave me some concern whether they could drive them.  I know Naim builds good amps but when the top model is only 90x2 it still gave me pause.  Plus at the time I was really only looking for a power amp.

[Mr Peabody]

OK, I heard the Clear Audio Ovation tonight and my opinion of Clear Audio has improved.  Actually, the Ovation as source for an all Octave Audio driving C2's would have gotten my "best of show" award tonight.  Well, unless the car audio counted then it would have been a tough call.

[Vapor Audio]

Damn, that was tonight ... working from home you lose track of days and I thought the 8th was end of week. 

I'm planning to take a pair of my speakers down there soon to hook up in their rooms.  The place where I buy my shipping foam is right up the street from them, so one day I stopped in and told them about what I build.  They said bring a pair by anytime, that they'd love to hear them.  Anybody here want me to let you know when I'm planning on taking them down for a listen?  I'm thinking early next week. 

[RaceTripper]

OK, I heard the Clear Audio Ovation tonight and my opinion of Clear Audio has improved.  Actually, the Ovation as source for an all Octave Audio driving C2's would have gotten my "best of show" award tonight.  Well, unless the car audio counted then it would have been a tough call.

Joe Wessling from Musical Surroundings gave my wife and I a tour of the product. He played us some Louis Armstrong on that Octave/C2 system, and then he took us to hear it on the Innovation Master/Boulder/Dynaudio Consequence system. That took best of show for me...at $200K. 

They didn't have it on display, but the Clearaudio turntable between the Concept and Ovation is the Performance SEP. They are coming out with a DC motor version of it (Peformance DC). I have asked MFP to order one for me -- with the Maestro Wood -- as soon as they are available. If it's not due for a while, I may just get a Performance SEP instead and add the Smart Synchro outboard power supply later.

[gooberdude]

Last nights event was fun.   Honestly, I had no idea StL had brick & mortar salons of that calibre.   Is MFP the only one left??

And the Hebrew Hammer showed up last night!    Back from the dead...

Ryan's speakers would be cool in any of the MFP rooms.   I kept hearing over and over again 'Isn't the veneer beautiful?'    I was biting my tongue, thinking they really need to check out Vapor Audio.

It was great to hear so much vinyl with tables spinning in most of the rooms.   

Did anyone see the 'rumble' visible on the big $70K speakers?   

[Bob in St. Louis]

And the Hebrew Hammer showed up last night!    Back from the dead...

Dude....you can't drop a bomb like that and walk away!?!?!?!? 
What's the story there?

Bob

[gooberdude]

              


By chance his dad dragged him to the event, it was a total surprise to the GAS crew.
Sounds like he's fired up & ready to get back to making speakers.  Same old Randy i guess. He even mentioned attempting a turntable, as we were gawking at the $50K Clearaudio rig with solid gold cartridge.  Bug him on Facebook to attend the next GAS event.

bob, that TT uses Panzerholz material.  In finished form, looked just like Birch (end grain view). 

[Bob in St. Louis]

Bug him on Facebook to attend the next GAS event.

Yea, I'll get right on that. 

So anyway....Is he doing alright, is he married or divorced, living with wifey, or alone, where 'bouts..bla..bla..bla...

[Mr Peabody]

Turbo I'd like to know when you were bringing the speakers in, I'd also would enjoy a link to your gear if you have one.  I'm not familiar with what you do.

I was there from around 6 to 8, any one else during that time.  I'd like to meet some of you.  I can't drive though.

I didn't get to hear the big Clear Audio table.  The Consequence was pretty good but it needed more room.  When I was in there the guy was streaming WAV files and the sound was all in the center of the sound stage.  He blamed it on the set up done by Dynaudio and I guess it could have been set that way due to room constraints but it took a lot of the "wow" factor away for me.  Also the Boulder and Consequence would have a big "wow" factor but for sheer musical enjoyment based on what I heard that night I still prefer the Octave Audio.  When the rep played Lightning Hopkins he sounded like he was right in the room in front of me and the acoustic guitar the same.  Octave Audio is the best tube gear I've ever heard, better than my former CJ, better than any ARC I've heard.

[gooberdude]

I'd stop by for a listen to Ryans speakers at MFP as well.  MFP's staff was very cool yesterday, I think they'd like the Vapor speakers, especially the Cirrus with some vinyl.     


Bob, sounds like Hammers family situ is the same...  he lives in the City here somewhere, works downtown.  We'll see him around hopefully. 

[Pete Schumacher]

Turbo I'd like to know when you were bringing the speakers in, I'd also would enjoy a link to your gear if you have one.  I'm not familiar with what you do.

Check out http://www.vaporsound.com

Here's a few of my favorite shots of Ryan's work.