Nashville, TN audio gathering...

8thnerve · « **on:** 14 Nov 2003, 02:30 pm »

I will be hosting an audio gathering at 4PM tomorrow, Saturday, November the 15th. I realize it is short notice, but it was scheduled with a few of our friends and customers and I wanted to see if anyone else would like to join in. The primary goal is to compare the Carver Pro ZR series amplifiers modified and unmodified, and the Solar HiFi digital amp. We will also be testing the Scott Nixon DAC, the Ack! Dack, the Eastern Electric MiniMax and more.

A list of some of the equipment:

Digital-

Audio Alchemy DTS III Transport
Sony DVP-7000 Transport - modified
Sony DVP-7700 Transport - heavily modified

Scott Nixon Tube DAC
Ack! Dack - With upgraded caps, BNC input and WBT RCA outputs

Ayre CX-7
Nain CD5 with Flatcap2
Arcam CD73
Cambridge Audio 540C

Preamps-

Eastern Electric MiniMax
Naim NAC112 with Flatcap2

Amps and Integrateds-

Ayre AX-7
Arcam A65 Plus
Cambridge Audio 540A

Carver Pro ZR1600 - Stock
Carver Pro ZR1600 - Eighth Nerve Modded
2 x Carver Pro ZR1000 - Eighth Nerve Modded/ in Bridged mode
Solar HiFi Digital Amp
Naim NAP150

Speakers-

Von Schweikert VR-1
Von Schweikert VR-2
Von Schweikert VRS-1
Magnepan 1.6/QR
Acoustic Energy EVO 1

Misc.-

Sharp SD-SG11
Sony AVD-S50ES

If you are interested in attending, please contact me ASAP at 615-742-4283 for location information. Everyone is welcome.

Best Regards,

Nathan Loyer
Eighth Nerve

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Nov 2003, 03:26 pm »

Look's like a great selection of equipement to demo - have fun !!

tybee · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Nov 2003, 01:46 am »

I would like to thank Nathan of The Eighth Nerve for hosting a two day listening session. Not only does he sell great equipment, he is a very gracious host.

We spent a great deal of time listening to Nathan's modded Carvers fronted by the Eastern Electric Mini Max, Naim (toe tapping) electronics and Von Schweikert speakers as well as all of the other equipment listed in the original post. There will be a write up by Hantra which will describe what we heard these last two days.

I also want to thank Hantra for providing Scott Nixon equipment, a modded Sony 7700 and great entertainment for this two day session. As I write this post, he is off to hear some live entertainment here in Nashville. You would think after twelve hours of critically listening to recorded music that he would take a break? A real music lover!

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Nov 2003, 02:59 am »

What were the results?? Will you post them soon?

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Nov 2003, 03:04 am »

I'm curious how the VR2's stack up sonically against the competition in the hotly contested $2.5k price range. Also, how does the fit & finish rate?

And how similar are the VR1 and VR2?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Nov 2003, 05:41 am »

Quote from: tybee

I would like to thank Nathan of The Eighth Nerve for hosting a two day listening session. Not only does he sell great equipment, he is a very gracious host.

We spent a great deal of time listening to Nathan's modded Carvers fronted by the Eastern Electric Mini Max ....

That Mini Max preamp looks nice for the $. I see on Eastern Electric website , they now have a matching tube amp (new product).

Hantra · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Nov 2003, 09:34 pm »

Quote

You would think after twelve hours of critically listening to recorded music that he would take a break? A real music lover!

Actually. . It was more like 16 hours of listening. hahaha

And as good as it was, the most amazing experience was absolutely the Station Inn last night. I've never had such an experience as that, and it was even better than any time I have been to the Station Inn.

Some people might think driving around a thousand miles to hear some gear and hang with audiophiles is lame, but I'd do it much more often if I could, if for nothing else, just to hear that amazing bluegrass jam. Holy cow!

I'll post the complete reviews later in the Critics Circle with comments from everyone in attendance. Some of you may be surprised at our findings.

L8r,

B

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Nov 2003, 11:22 pm »

Hantra, will your findings be out tonight or tomorrow. I'm very interested in your review. A lot of the equipment you listened to I'm looking to purchase.. Maybe

I look forward to your review.. Thanks

Hantra · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Nov 2003, 02:54 am »

After much work compiling all our notes, I have Part I of our review online. This is all the digital gear. .

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=6070.msg52102#52102

Look for Part II tomorrow which will be the amps.

Mad DOg · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Nov 2003, 02:59 am »

what a mega session with a mega list of gear!

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Nov 2003, 09:54 pm »

Hantra, When can we expect Part II?

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Nov 2003, 10:27 pm »

I also look forward to Hantra's review. Part 1 was a very interesting and well written opinion.

Hantra · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Nov 2003, 10:47 pm »

Part II is posted. . .

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=6118.msg52551#52551

Bill, I LOVED that pre!!!!!!!

B