[Danny Richie]

I want to start by saying thank you to everyone that helped out with our room. It wouldn't have been what it was without you.

First off, thanks to good friend Gary Dodd. I know of no other electronics that are as good. I certainly wouldn't trade them for anything. The new battery powered 15 watt amp and tube buffer pre-amp (these products need a deserving name or series type....) were everything and did everything really well with zero noise floor and really low distortion. These also made a huge statement that you need not mega bucks to have top level sound. At only $995 for the amp and $995 for the buffer these had to be one of the best values at the show.

Next, I have to thank my good friend Dave Elledge. His diffusers were a room savor. We lined our room with our typical curtain system that looks great and really cuts down on room reflections. With the open baffle speakers it over dampened the room though. Highs in the top end were really soaked up too. Even the measurements made in the room showed it. Dave's diffusers really brought the system back around and gave us back a little bit if the depth and imaging that I get at home. I also can't be more happier with his power conditioning products, the Majik Buss and Uber Buss. Both are great values and my customers are loving them.

I would also like to thank the guys from dB labs. Their new Tranquility DAC is world class and beats up most of the cost no object DAC's while still only being $995. There was an issue with their DAC's as it was a first production sample. Once it got really warmed up there was a little drift in the regulation that made us have to pull them and put in our old stand by, the Modded DAC-60. They will have this problem fixed as soon as they get it home with it. While we had it in though, it sure took the system up a notch.

I have to thank Robert from Ridge Street Audio. He loaned us a USB cable, and we also used one of his power cables on the DAC, and a couple of his interconnects. Top notch cables for sure. http://home.comcast.net/~ridgestreetaudio/FRONT_PAGE.HTML

On the less expensive cable side we used several of the power cables, interconnects, and speaker cables from Electra Cable. Not the end all of be all of cables but  a strong line that touches and beats some of the top level stuff while still being in the budget price range. I liked these well enough to have been a dealer for them for a while now. They have a basic web site up now too:  http://www.electracable.com/ One of these days I need to get their products up on my own page so I can sell them on line. If I only had more time.... Big thanks to them too.

I have to thank Eric for getting me a pair of enclosures ready for me just in the nick of time for the show. These were the Super V enclosures that were up and playing. These sold at the show.

Also, Denny sent a beautiful pair of Super V enclosures that were on static display at the back of the room. We also had one of them in the hall way. These sold the day after the show to another show goer. This pair will be sent to Germany. Denny plans to have these available soon in flat packs and fully completed. He has a few other cabinet obligations to complete right now so it may be a little while, but these will be available.

Special thanks also to Rich and Chris for helping us pack up. I really appreciate it and owe you guys one.

I also want to thank the guys from Virtue Audio for displaying the little V-2's (the Venuette) in their room. I heard a lot of good things about the sound that they were getting down there with those. They brought a lot of speakers to show how well their amps would drive different types of speakers, but it sounds like the V-2's were a clear favorite and might have gotten a little extra play time compared to the others. Thanks guys!

A thought or two...

We have now been to RMAF all 6 years and have always had rooms that were favorites among show goers, but this year may have been our best and certainly the most fun. Our room was always packed with people, as it often is, and this has also caused a problem. I am still thinking on this one. So any insight is welcome.

Let me highlight the problem... If you made it to our room and actually listened to some music then chances are were made it into a small handful of rooms that were in your favorites. If we were not mentioned in some ones favorites then chances are they didn't make it into our room. Here is where the full room deal comes in. Many people peep in and see the crowd then walk right back out hoping to come back latter when their is less of a crowd. But there never is less of a crowd. Even the reviewers have to push their way to the front to take a quick pic or two then say that they will try to get back later when it thins out. But it never thins out or they never do get a chance to come back. Some reviewers make time to come back and really spend the time listening. Steven Stone is a good example. He made time to come back the next day. He sat down and really listened. Most reviewers pop in, take their pics, ask what it is, what it cost, and take notes.

I may have to set aside a special time after hours for the press guys. Maybe I need to have a dinner for them in the room or press party to get them to come back and listen. Even being able to shoot pics without the room being overly crowded and full would be good. I noticed that when Stephen Stone had me stand by one of the speakers for a photo opt, there were a handful of others that were taking advantage of the opportunity to take pics as well. I am not looking to buy their attention or anything or certain have it appear as such, but I am certainly not making it easy for them with the crowded room. Thoughts on that are welcome.

[jtwrace]

As a business man, you need to do what's best for you / GR Research...I don't see how having a dinner party would affect anyone.

[Hugh]

Danny,

It was great to see you.

I think your idea of after hours audition is a great idea.

I'd love to spend some quiet time with the Super-V so I could really appreciate their SQ and yet, anytime I got there, the room was filled with people so I had to leave.

For whatever little time I did listen to the V, they were really dynamically powerful.
I think they'll do a much better job in a larger room.

Anyway, here's to another winner.

PS: I think I'll need to find room for a pair in my home.

[dvenardos]

Sounds like you need to farm out your speakers to more amp/dac guys.
The after hours idea sounds great.

[Ridge Street Audio]

Hi Danny.

First, thanks for the kind words regarding RSAD. Glad we were able to make a positive difference in an already fine room.

For what it's worth and to affirm what others have said, I'll throw my two cents in: In a show environment there's always going to be some degree of compromise. The trick is to balance those compromises. I think to balance those compromises effectively requires two foundational things: excellent equipment and a good knowledge of how to tame a room in context of that equipment. The GR Research room had both going for it - most rooms didn't - lacking one or the other or worse...both. To these ears there was only one room that bettered the GR Research room and it took $225k + to do it. That was the Lotus Group room. Hope you got to hear that room too. While the GR room made people want to dance, the Lotus room literally had grown men crying with some of the music selection. Point is, both rooms had that 'gottchya' presentation that was elusive in other rooms.

Anyway....

To your question Danny. I think you'd probably do well on a lot of levels with a larger room. There were some rooms that facilitated a larger exhibit/demonstration area and also had a little kitchenette area. These rooms were very accommodating for both listeners and folks who wanted or needed to converse. They never felt over crowded - just very comfortable rooms to be in contributing to not just better sound and accommodations but the whole experience. Know what I mean? These rooms also tended to exude a more professional atmosphere compared to the kinda amateurish feel of the smaller rooms. I think all the concerns you expressed would be addressed if you exhibited in one of these rooms instead of the little cubby hole most rooms are. Seems to me your exhibit and the attention it gets deserves this.

Hope that's useful.

Cheers!

Robert
RSAD

[stevecuss]

Hi Danny,

I went to RMAF on Friday and wasn't able to get back over the rest of the weekend unfortunately.  Last year I brought my small kids and this year I brought a dear friend who is limited to a scooter wheelchair because of an illness he is battling.  So I was short of time/attention span both years and didn't get a chance to find you and say hi.  I think you definitely need a bigger room and I think you're onto something with perception in these smaller rooms - it is a whole claustrophobic feeling.  When I went into the GR/Dodd room, it was packed and when I popped my head in two other times it was packed - a great sign for you, for sure. 

May I ask, is room assignment based on price of room or ?  The Luxman room was huge and the Peachtree room had ample space, it seemed.  How do they assign? 

I'll plan on being there next year again and look forward to it.  It would be fun to assist with setup if needed

Steve

[Danny Richie]

Yes, it is good to be packed but I know that there were a lot of people that just couldn't get in.

And those double sized rooms are double the price. If you prepay then you can get them for $4,300. It is still not that easy though as venders that have those rooms have first choice to have them again.

[Steven Stone]

As a journalist, it's my job to at least poke my head into every room (and hopefully not get it lopped off )

I try to make either before show or after-show appointments for those rooms that I think are going to be packed during show hours. I visited Danny early on Sunday, which is traditionally the slowest time during show and his room was still nearly packed.

As for taking journalists to dinner - I've never known a journalist to turn down a dinner invite (except for the hair-shirts from consumer reports who MUST pay for all their meals out-of-pocket).

As long as Japanese rules apply (once liquor has passed anyone's lips they are no longer responsible for what they say and can't be held accountable the next day for whatever rubbish does sneak out.)

[Danny Richie]

Steven, your input and participation here is greatly appreciated.

[ltr317]

As a journalist, it's my job to at least poke my head into every room (and hopefully not get it lopped off )

I try to make either before show or after-show appointments for those rooms that I think are going to be packed during show hours. I visited Danny early on Sunday, which is traditionally the slowest time during show and his room was still nearly packed.

As for taking journalists to dinner - I've never known a journalist to turn down a dinner invite (except for the hair-shirts from consumer reports who MUST pay for all their meals out-of-pocket).

As long as Japanese rules apply (once liquor has passed anyone's lips they are no longer responsible for what they say and can't be held accountable the next day for whatever rubbish does sneak out.)

  Amen to the Japanese rules.

[dBe]

We have now been to RMAF all 6 years and have always had rooms that were favorites among show goers, but this year may have been our best and certainly the most fun. Our room was always packed with people, as it often is, and this has also caused a problem. I am still thinking on this one. So any insight is welcome.

Danny, here is my take on all of this as a friend, business man, room designer and old dude.

I think a bigger room would be a good thing for many reasons:

There were many people that could not get into the room because it was always packed.  It was packed for a few reasons: it was a small room; friends in a small room; people coming back to listen 2,3 even 4 times; we were making music in a small room when many people weren't in any size room... lots of sound, but not a lot of music at the show.  I'm still astonished at the number of BIG $$$, ho-hum rooms there.

A larger room will be much easier to treat considering the scale of your speakers.  Not their physical size, but the size of the soundstage that they are capable of creating.  Considering the size of the room I think we did a reasonably good job of makiing music.  Your Super V's were constrained from what they could have been doing in the context of realism by the simple physics of the equation.  Those babys need room to breathe.  In the right room with the right treatment they could have been nothing short of spectacular... all on 15 watts.  THAT would have really grabbed peoples' attention.

A larger room would give us the ability to do so real merchandising with charts, displays and purdy gurls... OK, maybe not the gurls, but Gary would look stunning in a two-piece and pumps.  I could wear my sequined jock stra........!!!!!!! What am I thinking???  Anyway, you get my drift.  We could do the real thing with more room.  I have a daughter that is a whiz at room display design and she could hook us up.

I know the money part is daunting, but I'm sure that it would make sense to do a bigger room.  If you, Gary, me, Ninja, Robert, the DB labs dudes all chipped in we could have a killer room and there would be room for people to sit and listen, talk and hang out (which is half of the fun) as well as get some of the other reviewers to come by.  Steven was a boon to have there.  I think that he liked what he heard.  I hope that we get a good bump from him.  I heard that Robert Harley stopped by but could not get in.  It is guys like those that make news and bring the rain.

The best part about a bigger room would be the social aspect I think.  Friendships, as well as business deals, are made at shows like this when people can just have some quality face time with music as a drawing card.

I had a stellar time last weekend.  Being able to do something that I love to do, with people that feel the same way I do and make friends and establish relationships... life does not get any better.  Meeting Rich, Mr. & Mrs. Ninja, Robert and the others, seeing people like Mark and Chris, having Tyler Folsom, Bob Hodas, Chad Stelly, Ian and all of the guys from Albuquerque participate: that is what it is all about for me.  Making a living is good, but they print money every day.  Seeing old friends and meeting and making new ones just doesn't happen every day, especially ones that share a common affliction (addiction) - music.

That's my $1.98.

Dave

[lonewolfny42]

To make money....you have to spend money....I'd go for a larger room....then everyone would be happy.

Would you need a bigger trailer now ?

[Ridge Street Audio]

What Dave and Chris said.  I'm betting that wisdom is knocking on your door here to help you go where you wanna go. Definitely a risk and a little painful but I suppose that's how good investments usually work. This investment is for 'people' who, in the end, pay the bills. Seems obvious you've already done an excellent job in investing in product and it's paid off. Maybe this is a good opportunity to bump up the people side again. Have a little trust brother - I doubt you'd be dissapointed.

Regards to the 'task' of securing a larger room, you might keep an eye on 2024. I don't have any certain insight here, just a half witted hunch.

or.....maybe I'm all screwy.

Robert
RSAD

[jtwrace]

How about trying it out at www.axpona.com?   

[HT cOz]

I'm going to give a counter thought to the bigger room argument.  I could be completely off base here. 

I'm not sure a bigger room would pay off until you have finished line or speaker to sell.  The reality is that many people will not go for a kit, flat pack, or even buy a soldiering iron.

I also don't know if selling finished speakers is the way to go because of the other parts of your business.  At a minimum I would try to have options for people and real product lined up because the orders will be coming in...

Only worth maybe 1/2 a cent... lol

[chosenhandle]

why don't you think about side by side rooms? A couple of other vendors did that and it seemed to work well. One "front room" was for chatting and casual listening and the second was dimly lit and reserved for detailed listening.

I poked my head in your room three times and I never did get a chance to sit down and listen. Perhaps next year...

[Steven Stone]

Here's a link to a Blog I just posted about RMAF...

http://www.avguide.com/blog/steven-stones-best-rmaf-2009

[Hank]

Danny, I've been to lots of audio show rooms and can say that you need a bigger room.  Monitor size speakers do fine in the smaller rooms, but big soundstage speakers need a big room.  A big room may be too big of a business expense if you're just after DIY orders, but that's your call - I have no idea of the DIY market size.  And, if you're not going to sell finished speakers, then think about having a stack of DAC's, a stack of interconnects and speaker wires and conditioning products, etc ready to sell to that percent of attendees who will actually buy something on the spot.
Congrats on a successful show.  You might look into that Florida show that jtwrace suggested.

[dvenardos]

What about teaming up with someone with a complementary product like Virtue and sharing a larger room? Same cost and both of you benefit (they get more traffic and you get the room that you need).

[Danny Richie]

Steven, I appreciate you posting your feedback and also really appreciate that you actually sit and listen to the rooms you visit. This really sets you apart from the journalist that only pop in to make note of what was in the room.

I also appreciate all of the comments about the room size and accommodations. I will see if I can score a larger room for next year.