[Scott F.]

Hiya Guys,

Just wanted to post a few pics I took at a mini-gathering MerRev's last night.

MerRev (Chris) recently picked up one of John Hillig's Chameleon preamps. This thing is way too cool. It comes with a fixed power supply but has exchangable gain stages that utilize different tubes. The Chameleon also allows selectable feedback adjustment from 0db up to around -6db. The daughter boards Chris had on hand were the 6922, 12AU7, 6H30, and the 5687.

There were just a few of us on hand as Chris' listening room is limited on space. The guys that showed up (in alphabetical order) were Chris, Deadfish, Tim (electricbear), Ron (a new guy to the group), Me and Sturgus. Of course, Chris did a fine job of hosting providing munchies and plenty to drink.

On to the pics
(oh, the pics were done in low light with long exposures so they might not be the sharpest in the world)



Chris' system showing the Chameleon on top, Sturgus' stock Pioneer universal disc player, my MHDT Constantine DAC, and Chris' Chiro C-200 amp all feeding the very cool Meadowlark Osprey's.



This is cool ghosting pic I took by mistake. As I was shooting a long exposure, Chris crawled into the scene to play with the system.


Deadfish brought his rebuilt Altec Bolero's that he picked up on our Music Caravan over the summer. In addition, I drug over the factory modified Jolida 102 EL84 integrated. Nobody expected to hear what we did when we paired Bill's Altecs with Chris' amp and pre and the little Jolida (except maybe Deadfish).

Using the Jolida, all totaled, this system weighed in at barely over $1k cables included and it absolutely killed. We all decided last night that each of us needs a pair of these speakers. It doesn't matter whether you fed these things tube or solid state power, the Bolero's sounded phenominal.

...and finally,

here is a closeup pic of the system with the Jolida's tubes glowing brightly.




Thanks to Chris for hosting this mini-gathering.



Don't forget, if you guys have a mini-gathering, be sure to post some pics and let everybody know what kind of cool gear you were listening to 

[WEEZ]

Hey Scott...(or any Gateway guys)...

Any further description (soundwise) on the Chameleon? Looks like maybe the (3) knobs on the front are select; volume; & balance?

Any close-up shots?

WooHoo!

WEEZ

[electricbear]

Thanks to Chris for having us over. Sorry I couldn't stay longer. It was fun listening to the tracks through several different tubes.

[Scott F.]

Hey Scott...(or any Gateway guys)...

Any further description (soundwise) on the Chameleon? Looks like maybe the (3) knobs on the front are select; volume; & balance?

Any close-up shots?

WooHoo!

WEEZ

Hiya Weez,

I'll leave it to Chris to comment on the different sounds. He's been living with it in his system for some time now. I didn't spend enough time with it to make any real impressions other than to notice it seemed very transparent sounding. Changing boards (tubes) and feedback went from subtle to obvious.

[Sarmck]

Chris, yes thanks again...especially for letting the "new guy" occupy the sweet spot most of the night.  I very much enjoyed the gathering and meeting some of the GAS gang.

Scott F.,  kewl ghosting pic...I didn't even have an adult beverage and I missed that quick adjustment.

electricbear, thanks for the verbal entertainment.



Ron AKA "new guy".

[bpape]

Sorry I couldn't make it over - kids home for the weekend from college - gotta do the dad and family thing.

Sounds like a good time was had by all.  I'll have to stop over another time and hear that new pre.

Bryan

[DeadFish]

Hey, thanks for the fun Chris!
Had a nice time, good listening, and of course, extraordinary company and conversation.
Good to meet you Ron! You fit right in!

Certainly a wide variety of sound, and it was a good ol' time.

I really like that Chameleon pre!  What an exellent idea using it for a platform for the various tubed daugterboards.  I want to hear more of this one.  In spite of Chris' sometimes misgivings, I liked the sound of his Meadowlark Ospreys, myself.  But like Vandersteens, I suppose they aren't for everyone. 

I still cannot believe I heard yet something new in Pat Metheny's 'Last Train Home', and I hope to heck I can get it out of my head tomorrow!    Well, maybe one MORE listen....

I got home and actually found my wife awake, but I got a look that would rival Medusa when I asked if she wanted to help carry speakers and stands in...
                        .....must note "no sense of humor after 1:30 a.m...."

And of course, I waved a fond farewell to Willie's amps, having lifted them for the last time, and now all I have is excellent memories!
Enjoy, Scott!!