Off to Chicago for AXPONA - Room 831

jsalk · « **on:** 6 Mar 2013, 06:07 pm »

Well, we're off to Chicago and hoping they have the roads plowed after the storm. Should be a fun show.

We will be in room 831 with Audio by Van Alstine.

We will be featuring the SoundScape 8's, Supercharged SongTowers and the as-of-yet unnamed RAAL/Illuminator bookshelf speakers (which will probably be named Silk as in "smooth as silk").

Here is a picture of the Suprcharged SongTowers we will play at the show...

This pair will be available for sale at the show. We will also be bringing another recently finished pair that will also be available. These will remain packed however.

Here is a picture of that pair...

Hoping to meet a lot of great people. If you are in the Chicago area this weekend, stop by room 831 and say hello!

Here is a link to the show information...

http://www.axpona.com/Default.asp?

- Jim

TF1216 · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Mar 2013, 06:20 pm »

Such awesome contrast in the two pairs. Best of luck at the show Jim. I will be spending in your room for sure.

benguin · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Mar 2013, 06:53 pm »

We are planning to be there Saturday. From what we're seeing on the weather it should be pretty clear for Friday and Saturday.

Looking forward to seeing you there!
- Ben and Nancy

laulau · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Mar 2013, 08:56 pm »

but, but, Jim,

If you're in Chicago, who's going to be finishing up my curly walnut ST-RT 5.0 system??? /just kidding.

Hope you have a great show.

audio1246 · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Mar 2013, 09:38 pm »

Those two pairs look awesome! I hope to see you on Saturday and will be spending a considerable amount of time in your room

rohrej · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Mar 2013, 11:40 pm »

What kind of veneer is on the second pair? They look great!

Every pair of these I see makes me all the more anxious for my SCSTs to be born!

carusoracer · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Mar 2013, 01:56 am »

Good luck Jim and have fun!

PETE6737 · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Mar 2013, 02:59 am »

Wishing you a safe trip. I hope you sell enough speaker orders to keep you busy all year. I love my SS8s!!!!!!! Pete

RSB · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Mar 2013, 04:50 am »

Looking forward to seeing you at the show! We are all plowed out, with big snow banks.

Randy

Nuance · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Mar 2013, 01:59 pm »

Happy travels, Jim (and crew).

listener_111 · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Mar 2013, 02:25 pm »

I visited the room yesterday, listened to Salk speakers first time, really impressed with all of them, especially with the bookshelf, such a small speaker but goes so low and very clear, it's a wonderful speaker, will be visiting again today : )

yyz67 · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Mar 2013, 05:54 pm »

Quote from: listener_111 on 9 Mar 2013, 02:25 pm

I visited the room yesterday, listened to Salk speakers first time, really impressed with all of them, especially with the bookshelf, such a small speaker but goes so low and very clear, it's a wonderful speaker, will be visiting again today : )

Cool... I'm very interested in this speaker (actually any of the Salk monitors). Love to hear more detailed impressions and comparisons to the other two speakers. Thanks....

benguin · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Mar 2013, 04:56 pm »

Jim and Frank's equipment sounded top notch on Saturday. We spent a fair amount of time there and the comments that I overheard were all very positive.

One telling factor was that there always seemed to be standing room only, and open seats were quickly occupied.

The SCST's sounded great in combination with the AVA preamp and the Synergy and FetValve amps. I don't think we had a chance to hear the Silks while we were in the room.

The spalted beeswing SS8's sounded as good as ever, and I thought they have taken on an even richer tone (acoustically and visually) than when we saw them in August.

A great thanks to Jim and Mary for making the trip, plus hauling and setting up everything! I hope we'll see you again soon.
- Ben and Nancy

mark funk · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Mar 2013, 06:27 pm »

We went Saturday. Not too many things gassed me. But the biggest shocker was the No Name speaker! The Salk

two way

sweet man! Oh ya SS8s with Synergy and T8+ and what ever else, Fet Valve DAC, SalkStream sever. Sweet I'll take them!!

martyo · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Mar 2013, 07:32 pm »

Those were the most beautiful SS8's I have seen. I'm a little more on the conservative side(veneer only) but those speakers are stunning. There was quite a synergy with the 450 and the SS8's. ( I like that analytical sound)

The "Silk's" were and with amazing bass. Better low end than many 2-way towers or other so called "full range" speakers. A full range book shelf!

One of the better acoustically balanced rooms I heard.

martyo · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Mar 2013, 07:38 pm »

Quote

The spalted beeswing SS8's sounded as good as ever, and I thought they have taken on an even richer tone (acoustically and visually) than when we saw them in August.

I think my wife was supposed to come along. In 2007 at RMAF she talked Jim into selling us his HT3's at the time. If she would have seen these(of course along with hearing) she would have been...........

jsalk · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Mar 2013, 08:22 pm »

Thanks to everyone who paid us a visit at AXPONA. It was a very successful show for us and we had a great time meeting old friends and making new ones.

We received many extremely positive comments about the sound in our room.

One highlight for us was playing with Frank Van Alstine's ABX switch. When people would ask to hear our new Silk bookshelf speakers, we would hit the switch and instantly change over. The transition was so smooth, most people did not hear any difference. When we explained that the Silks were now playing, it was fun to watch jaws drop. More than one person got up and approached the Silks to make sure they indeed were putting out all that sound. Fun!

Thanks again...and see you in Chicago next year!

- Jim

Art_Chicago · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Mar 2013, 08:45 pm »

Jim,

It was great to see you and Frank again in Chicago. My jaw was dropping all right every time you switched from SS8 to Silk. The SCST are amazing as well.
Cannot forget Frank's electronics- Fetvalve 600R has plenty of power to run the speakers including Silk. The bass from that combo was unbelievable.

asliarun · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Mar 2013, 08:48 pm »

Jim,

Yours was one of the best sounding rooms. I finally got to hear your speakers after only reading about them on AC. The Songbirds don't just look gorgeous, they sound really really nice too, especially considering they take up as much room as a pair of monitors with stands. Plus, got to shake your hand!

Regards,
Arun

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Mar 2013, 10:00 pm »

Jim...

Found a photo ...Enjoy The Music coverage....AXPONA 2013...

And another from HTS...

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/forum-announcements-news/66134-axpona-2013-show-report-joe-alexander-hts-5.html#post597855