GAS Christmas in September

Scott F. · « **on:** 4 Sep 2010, 11:00 pm »

Hiya Guys,

I know I'm late posting but I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to swing our annual blowout this year. I'm simply too busy at work. This weekend is the last I'm going to have off for the foreseeable future...which is actually a good thing. That means I've got (or will have) projects secure for the next couple of years for our local office.

Tell you what I will do in Christmas in September's place, I'll host a couple of events throughout the fall. I'll need these to be somewhat smaller though, say 10-15 people. I'll pop for pizza and munchies. I just won't have time to prepare for 40+ people like our usual blowout.

We'll do a couple of vinyl nights or something. I've got some cool HiRez gear and HiEff speakers on the way so you'll get to hear something a bit different. I've also got some new generation Slee phono stages coming too. That and those that haven't heard the i-Fi chair yet will get to experience it too.

Well, sorry about not being able to do the 'big' shindig but we'll fill in with a couple of smaller ones to help fill the gaps.

Speaking of gaps, you guys really need to step up and start hosting some publicized events. If we don't, GAS is liable to wither and die. It's great that bside123 is stepping to the plate. I'm going to try to make it (work permitting). Keep in mind, if you are thinking about hosting an event, you can limit it to as many people as you feel comfortable inviting. Don't be intimidated by the size of crowd that shows up at the 'blowout'. I'm just lucky Laura puts up with my obsession. Limit your attendee size by making it first come first serve.

That if you have a few guys over, be sure and take pictures and post them. Try to show that there is life in GAS even if on the periphery. I'm afraid the new people that post wanting to join the group give up when they see nothing going on.

Oh well, sorry for the 'downers'. Look on the bright side, the weather is absolutely FABULOUS this weekend. Don't know about you guys but I'm spending as much time as I can outside working on the house and taking in tunes on the front and back decks

Oh, oh, When I post for the mini-gatherings, it's liable to be short notice (<week). Hopefully some can make it on short notice.

Have a good weekend

electricbear · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Sep 2010, 05:05 pm »

It's good that your job is keeping you busy and your continued employment is not in jeopardy.

I think we should all make an effort to post something everyweek, inject some life back in to things.
It could be a simple as your impressions of a new cd or lp you bought or telling us about a new piece of gear that you've just got. I know that I'm guilty of dissapearing into obscurity for several months at a time but going forward I'm going to become more active. Even if I don't have time to host a gathering I'm going to post more often.

We should not be relying on Scott and Lauras generousity and hospitality to keep us going. Lets all step up to the plate in whatever way we can even if it's as simple as regularly posting something.

Hebrew Hammer · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Sep 2010, 07:09 pm »

it's a double edged sword.. I love the scott/laura hospitality and will miss that large get together.. as it's truly unique and fun... but then again he's always just and email or phone call away from me coming down..

I think this hits home for the Gaser's .. the bottom line is that we need to take what scott has done and create a network of smaller get together's of our own.. it's not about whether or not you feel that your rig is up to par.. but the experience and fun that comes along with sharing it with other audiophiles..

Once my room is up and running I will be doing small showings with every new build and welcome all who want to make the drive and I encourage all to do the same..

BPoletti · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Sep 2010, 10:22 pm »

I'll probably invite a few over when the turntable is complete. Besides, I can always use the extra ears to help set up the new arm / cart.

KenSeger · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Sep 2010, 01:51 pm »

Scott & all,

When I finally get these Bozaks repopulated and get the crossovers upgraded, I would love to have the any of the gang over if they like nostalia. Just don't hold your breath on the date, between work, tasks at home, and et cetra, this will probably be 2011.

Ken

bpape · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Sep 2010, 02:31 pm »

Hopefully, sometime this weekend, I'll be redoing my rack in the living room so I can get the 'Stats back up and running full bore. I'd love to have another gathering at my place. Sue and I had talked about it early this year but work and other things kind of got in the way before the summer flew by. Will definitely be having another bash at my place. Maybe next spring - or even this fall.

I have a somewhat free bedroom upstairs now that could support a smaller system if we can put one together. That would be 3 rooms to listen in and the patio/deck to just hang out and chill.

Bryan

BPoletti · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Sep 2010, 02:31 pm »

Which Bozak model?

KenSeger · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Sep 2010, 07:24 pm »

Quote from: BPoletti on 6 Sep 2010, 02:31 pm

Which Bozak model?

Concert Grand E-type that I bought used several years ago.. The E series of Bozaks were a cabinet style with only a portion of the drivers. Example a E type 300 came with one woofer and two tweeters and a single capacitor for the crossover (mechanical crossover for the woofer i.e. tweeters in front of the woofer), later you added a real crossover and the midrange. An E type Concert Grand could start as simple, mine came with 2 of the 4 woofers, one of the two midranges, and four of the 8 tweeters. I'm building it out to 4 woofers, one mid, one tweet and one super tweet. At first just new caps and a crossover for the super tweeter. Probably not going to put a Tobin network on the tweeters or a Zobel network on the mids, just go to tri-amp and forget the fancy stuff.

Ken

BPoletti · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Sep 2010, 09:50 pm »

I had that exact configuration (2W, 1M, 4T per side) in standard CG cabinets. Built them myself (with a lot of help) using Bozak plans in pecan-veneer MDF. Tweeters were slot-loaded along the cabinet edge. Sold them about 25 years ago to a guy that owned a trucking company in Edwardsville.

Remarkable dynamics, great bass. Didn't have the best of tables or electronics back then so their performance was limited.

Would enjoy hearing them when you get finished.

Bill

Blackmore · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Sep 2010, 04:21 pm »

I took Scott's directive to heart and had a mini-mini session last night with MerRev. 4 hours of listening and only one gear swap. That has to be a record at my house. (I'm never sure if people want to swap out gear at my house because we can or because they're hoping the sound will get better?

)

Anyway we listen to the Blackmore v1 with the new Consonance M12 doing bass work. The only swap came when I let the M12 run full range on some Dave Alvin. WooHoo can we rock the front room. And that was driven by the 2A3 amp. Run for cover.

Lordy can they go loud with 3.5 watts. MerRev agreed that the horns sounded better in the upright JBL 1400 fashion.

The Blackmore v1 benefit from the new bass unit. It really fills the front room better and can go a little lower than before. Still no bass-head setup, but an improvement nonetheless. I think we both agree that the M12 will benefit from some No-Rez goodness. I'll get to that soon.

So there's the first installment in my version of Jon DeVore's Monkeyhaus. I'm calling my front room "Lowtherhaus" and you are welcome to come out anytime after marching band season is over in October. Maybe we will have Lowenbrau and Lowthers night

bpape · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Sep 2010, 04:36 pm »

Lowenbrau and Lowthers....

That sounds interesting. I'll bring the Lowenbrau

Bryan

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Sep 2010, 05:54 pm »

No problem Scott, I'll pop in for one of your "minis" when you're ready. Myself, well, I've been busier than a one armed man in an ass kicking contest myself. I do feel a little guilty not taking the "GAS" fellas and rounding them up for more of these"minis". Great idea.

Bob

MerRev · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Sep 2010, 07:59 pm »

thanks for having me out Mark. The Lowtherhaus was rocking courtesy of the Consonance M12 on the bass.

I guess maximum efficiency was the design goal/selling point for the Consonance as we could not feel ANY dampening material inside the cabinet. In tandem with the Lowther PM6A's though made for a really enjoyable and silly fun listening session. Randy's ( HembrewHammer ) Blackmore v1's were stunning in person with their Lexus black high gloss custom paint job.

I chose this hobby and for me personally it means scrimping in other ways in my life but seeing HebrewHammer's work reminded me of just how cool it is to have our custom Harley Davidson sitting in our room every night ready to deliver excitement without consideration of the weather outside. As always it was great to see and bs audio with Mark and hear some new artists/music genres. I hope the dust settles soon and look forward to having Lowenbrau's in the Lowtherhuas.

Blackmore · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Sep 2010, 08:15 pm »

I'm pulling the back off one of the M12 tonight to see what is going on inside. No-Rez to the rescue.

Scott F. · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Sep 2010, 08:18 pm »

Quote from: Blackmore on 12 Sep 2010, 04:21 pm

Maybe we will have Lowenbrau and Lowthers night

Count me in

You'll never believe this but....I've got a Lowenbrau banner

...even I'm amazed at the crap I've collected over the years

I'll bring it along for photo ops

Blackmore · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Sep 2010, 08:45 pm »

Now if I can only find my lederhosen.....

DeadFish · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Sep 2010, 09:08 pm »

Quote from: Blackmore on 13 Sep 2010, 08:45 pm

Now if I can only find my lederhosen.....

I'LL show up for that!

Really impressive looking rig you got going there, Mark!

Love,
DF

Mariusz · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Sep 2010, 09:21 pm »

Hi Guys
Looks like a great time

I see that you had M12s on the menu....... So, what was the general consensus regarding its sound

Your opinion that is - I have heard both M15s & M12s.

Mariusz

mark@marktwain · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Sep 2010, 09:59 pm »

Quote

Maybe we will have Lowenbrau and Lowthers night

Blackmore,

I'm not gonna be hauling my lowthers up the stairs to this one!

Mark

Blackmore · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Sep 2010, 10:20 pm »

Mariusz--pm sent

marktwain-- hell, no! I remember hauling one of those Fostexs like it was yesterday. But you could bring just the drivers and we'll bolt them into the Blackmore v1 frame for fun. It's only a 5 minute swap. Maybe HebrewHammer will bring over the v2 version soon and see how they play with the Dynaudio doing the bass.