Thread: Hello from Toronto Canada

Hi all, long time visitor but first time poster. Been around audio since I was a kid. Dad had a pretty neat system of McIntosh/ JBL, Thoren and Akai Reel to Reel. Worked in the industry since I started University and have been in it ever since. Besides being a dealer, I'm also a collector. Have 27 pieces of McIntosh components at last count, as well as vintage Marantz among others. Look forward to contributing and helping any way I can.

All the best,
Adrian Low
Audio Excellence Inc

Hi Adrian - good to see you here. Welcome to Audioshark. Quick question for you, did you sell those Sonus Faber Anniversario's you had for sale? Those were lookers!

Originally Posted by Adrian Low

Hi all, long time visitor but first time poster. Been around audio since I was a kid. Dad had a pretty neat system of McIntosh/ JBL, Thoren and Akai Reel to Reel. Worked in the industry since I started University and have been in it ever since. Besides being a dealer, I'm also a collector. Have 27 pieces of McIntosh components at last count, as well as vintage Marantz among others. Look forward to contributing and helping any way I can.

All the best,
Adrian Low
Audio Excellence Inc

Adrian if you have anything good to say about Magnepan & McIntosh i for one will believe you.

Originally Posted by Mike

Hi Adrian - good to see you here. Welcome to Audioshark. Quick question for you, did you sell those Sonus Faber Anniversario's you had for sale? Those were lookers!

Hi Mike, thanks. Still have the Amati Anniversarios. Had many offers but seller declined them as they were way too low. I tend to agree. Just connected them a few days ago, and was stunned by how effortless the depth of image is. The speakers totally disappear. Soundstage is a little laid back, but frankly I kinda like that...unfailingly musical. Not the most neutral speakers around but so beautifully done.

By the way, a client has the Lumin. I didn't get a chance to really check it out. How do you like it? PM me if you prefer. I'm trying to narrow down options for network servers with hard drives built in, easy to use etc.

Thanks Mike

Best,
Adrian Low

Originally Posted by MrAcoustat

Adrian if you have anything good to say about Magnepan & McIntosh i for one will believe you.

Mr Acoustat, so good to speak with you. I've read your posts with interest, love your passion for the speakers. I used to sell Acoustat Spectras, 1100 to the 3300. Owned the 1s, 2, and 1+1. Sadly, I could never get them to sound great in my own home. Very robust panels, at least during the time I sold them. Amazing how cheap the speakers were back then. I don't think anyone would be able to make them and sell for anywhere near the price today.

Best,
Adrian Low

Adrian - the Lumin S1 (or A1 or T1) with the add-on L1 is about as easy as it gets. I love the Lumin and have been working on my review of the new S1 for quite some time now.

Welcome to AS!

We like dealers.

Welcome Adrian!

Yes, always good to have dealers around who have listened to a far greater variety of gear than most of us.

Originally Posted by Mike

Adrian - the Lumin S1 (or A1 or T1) with the add-on L1 is about as easy as it gets. I love the Lumin and have been working on my review of the new S1 for quite some time now.

Look forward to reading it when you're done. There's so many new manufacturers today that I literally can't keep up. Seems like every week, 6Moons has a review about another product from a new (to me) manufacturer. My question is "who's buying all this stuff if high end audio is supposed to be on the decline?" And I'm not just talking about the ultra crazy stuff. How do my fellow dealers choose products from all the new offerings?

For example, what made you choose Lumin? I didn't even know about it until May this year!

And I noticed you ordered the Spatial Statements. I just heard about the speakers a month ago. His previous work seemed really difficult to implement.

And Line Magnetic? You have Line Magnetic? Where did they pop up from? Suddenly they are all the buzz on the internet.

Good times for the afflicted. Bad for the poor dealer who's trying to keep up and also have new things to draw clients in...

All the best
Adrian

Originally Posted by the professor

Welcome to AS!

We like dealers.

Thanks. Nice system! I wonder if I should change my pic to an 8-track player...hehe. I actually still have the very first R2R I ever bought, an Akai. Wonder if it still works.

Best,
Adrian Low

Originally Posted by rrwmd

Welcome Adrian!

Yes, always good to have dealers around who have listened to a far greater variety of gear than most of us.

Thanks Rance. Really glad to be a part of the community. And regarding variety of gear, I don't even know half the stuff you own! Well, ok I know most, but Synology? Luminous Audio? I gotta get more reading done. How did you choose those to buy? PM me if you like. I'm always fascinated by what makes one do what we do. Good for you.

Best,
Adrian

Originally Posted by Adrian Low

Look forward to reading it when you're done. There's so many new manufacturers today that I literally can't keep up. Seems like every week, 6Moons has a review about another product from a new (to me) manufacturer. My question is "who's buying all this stuff if high end audio is supposed to be on the decline?" And I'm not just talking about the ultra crazy stuff. How do my fellow dealers choose products from all the new offerings?

For example, what made you choose Lumin? I didn't even know about it until May this year!

And I noticed you ordered the Spatial Statements. I just heard about the speakers a month ago. His previous work seemed really difficult to implement.

And Line Magnetic? You have Line Magnetic? Where did they pop up from? Suddenly they are all the buzz on the internet.

Good times for the afflicted. Bad for the poor dealer who's trying to keep up and also have new things to draw clients in...

All the best
Adrian

I became interested in Lumin last year after I got tired of the DAC & Mac merry go round.

Not sure who told you Clayton's speakers were difficult to implement. Do you mean setup or just because of the passive crossover and all that?

As for Line Magnetic - blame Doug.

Globally, high end audio isn't in decline. The interest and attendance record at Munich was excellent. Here in NA....yes, I would agree (sadly)....but there is hope.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Adrian,

So good to see you in here. I will say Hello when I coming by next time. You will recognize me However I do like your new store with nice interior and gears.

Again nice to have you here

Originally Posted by Mike

I became interested in Lumin last year after I got tired of the DAC & Mac merry go round.

Not sure who told you Clayton's speakers were difficult to implement. Do you mean setup or just because of the passive crossover and all that?

As for Line Magnetic - blame Doug.

Globally, high end audio isn't in decline. The interest and attendance record at Munich was excellent. Here in NA....yes, I would agree (sadly)....but there is hope.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I read a review of his earlier design with Emerald Physics on 6Moons. Srajan reported on the fact that Clayton had to remotely adjust each frequency band etc. Quite a lot of reading in the article. I'm told that the new Emerald Physics is much easier to implement. The DSP comes preconfigured as long as the factory knows the gains of the amps and the room dimensions. I've asked for samples to try.

By show accounts. the Spatials seem like very special speakers. And they look nice to boot.

Manufacturers I speak with say global business is not as strong as before. Better than the US, but that's not an easy comparison to make as the US drove the high end market for a very long time, so the drop is felt much more. China is a big market, though I'm also told it has softened significantly from last year.

Show attendance is one metric, but I'm not sure if that really tells the tale. I'm optimistic, however.

Are you a dealer for Line Magnetic? I'm thinking about the line...what's your impression? What previous tube products have you owned?

Best,
Adrian

Clayton has left Emerald Physics and started Spatial audio. His new line of speakers don't require any frequency adjustments....BUT the bass is "tunable".

I'm not a dealer for Line Magnetic. I only carry Lumin (for now).

The LM 219ia sounds wonderful, but it's huge, heavy and hot. I think it can run with separates I've had costing many multiples. It definitely is a great value - like Hegel.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Adrian
Welcome to Audioshark Are you by any chance a Leafs fan

Welcome to AS Adrian, we're glad you're here !

Adrian is one of the best in my back yard, the GTA, Welcome to the Shark Adrian.

Originally Posted by Mike

Clayton has left Emerald Physics and started Spatial audio. His new line of speakers don't require any frequency adjustments....BUT the bass is "tunable".

I'm not a dealer for Line Magnetic. I only carry Lumin (for now).

The LM 219ia sounds wonderful, but it's huge, heavy and hot. I think it can run with separates I've had costing many multiples. It definitely is a great value - like Hegel.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Hi Mike,

Yes I was aware that Clayton had left, and read with interest that his new line doesn't require DSP, something he very specifically highlights . I've used some DSP with very good results, but I don't like the manual ones as it gets way too complicated for the average music lover. One of the best I've tried is the Lyngdorf Perfect Room, once available as a stand alone unit. McIntosh licenses it as the MEN220. The technology behind it is quite incredible, as is the main guy behind it.

Looking forward to your review

Best,
Adrian Low

Originally Posted by Toobs

Adrian
Welcome to Audioshark Are you by any chance a Leafs fan

NOOOOO!!!!! haha. I'm a masochist, as evident by being a dealer in this crazy industry of ours, but I'm not THAT crazy!

All the best,

Adrian Low

Originally Posted by MDP

Welcome to AS Adrian, we're glad you're here !

Thanks Mark. Lovely speakers. Heard the Raidho mini monitors years ago when it was distributed by a different company. Did the TAVES show with them, demoing the Nordost cables. Was very impressed by them then.

Best,

Adrian Low

Originally Posted by Mark Jones

Adrian is one of the best in my back yard, the GTA, Welcome to the Shark Adrian.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the kind words. I wish I could picture who I'm chatting with but over the years, I have forgotten names. I do remember faces better. How is business? We should chat and commiserate . Very good lines you have. Don't hesitate to call if I can ever help in any way

Best,

Adrian Low

Originally Posted by rszk

Hi Adrian,
I see you sell the Maggies too. Just got a pair recently. This is a great meeting place for consumers and dealers!

Hi Rod,

Thanks. Been a Maggie fan since 1986 when I first heard them at a local store called Stereo Factory. Been a dealer since we started in 1991 or shortly after. Great speakers, especially for the money. Let me know if I can help in any way. What electronics are you using? I just ordered some samples of Wyred 4 Sound to try with my demo units to see how the Maggies would work with Class D amps. Clients tell me the control and dynamics are spectacular, especially with the newer Class D amps.

Best,

Adrian Low

Welcome To AS! Lots of guys from the great white north here.

Sent from my HTC One.

Originally Posted by Adrian Low

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the kind words. I wish I could picture who I'm chatting with but over the years, I have forgotten names. I do remember faces better. How is business? We should chat and commiserate . Very good lines you have. Don't hesitate to call if I can ever help in any way

Best,

Adrian Low

Thanks adrian same for you.

Ex Whitby Audio, Mark. Oh and I love Maggies too, sold many MG 1, 2, and 3's back in the late 80's during Whitby Audio's 2ch heydays.

I first met you when you were selling Watt/Puppies on Spadina.

Originally Posted by Mark Jones

Thanks adrian same for you.

Ex Whitby Audio, Mark. Oh and I love Maggies too, sold many MG 1, 2, and 3's back in the late 80's during Whitby Audio's 2ch heydays.

I first met you when you were selling Watt/Puppies on Spadina.

wow, that's a looong time ago! I remember old Whitby Audio, lovely store. Saw the Radford amp there. Good for you that you have started your own gig. And such nice lines! Congrats. I'll try to drop by one of these days and get reacquainted.

Best,
Adrian Low

Originally Posted by rszk

Thanks for the reach out for assistance. I actually am basically finished my full upgrade. I just need to round it out with new cabling. Probably won't happen this year as I will let everything settle first.
I posted my system configuration on the Audioshark Member Systems thread.
Cheers!

Hi Rod

Just in case it was misunderstood, I wasn't offering to sell anything. Just advice if needed. Are you going to TAVES this year? Should be a lot of fun

Originally Posted by dlb2

Welcome To AS! Lots of guys from the great white north here.

Sent from my HTC One.

Thanks! Nice system!

Originally Posted by rszk

Well if advice is being given, then YES! I am researching how to properly dissipate via acoustic diffusors the rear wave of the Magnepans. My speakers are about 5 feet away from the front wall. I will probably start a new thread though and not mess up your thread.

Thanks!

No problem. You can find diffraction/diffusers by RPG and a few others I'm sure. You can also find plans on line if you wish to make them yourself. Otherwise, bookcases work very well in a pinch, filled with books and records etc.

Originally Posted by stirlingtrayle

Hi Adrian,
I just joined as well. So glad to see you picked up Dan's electronics. Have you tried the integrated yet. Wow...super smokin good. Hope all is well.
Stirling

Morning Stirling, how are you? Long time. Haven't had the integrated. The monos and preamp are breaking in very nicely now. Hope things are well with you and family

Hello, Adrian,

I bought my Magneplanar MG 1.6QR's from Audio Excellence a few years ago. I drove from London, Ontario to Toronto to pick them up -- well worth the trip. I'm still enjoying the 1.6's, one of my best hi-fi investments

For a while I drove my Maggies with the low-cost, high-value Class D Audio SDS-258 amp; that worked very well. Today I use a Pass Labs X150.5 which is very nice indeed.

Originally Posted by Feanor

Hello, Adrian,

I bought my Magneplanar MG 1.6QR's from Audio Excellence a few years ago. I drove from London, Ontario to Toronto to pick them up -- well worth the trip. I'm still enjoying the 1.6's, one of my best hi-fi investments

For a while I drove my Maggies with the low-cost, high-value Class D Audio SDS-258 amp; that worked very well. Today I use a Pass Labs X150.5 which is very nice indeed.

Hi Bill

Thanks for the post, and I'm glad you are enjoying the speakers! Drop by sometime. Would love to catch up.

Nice amp, the Pass. The designer is one of the best in the business. Have owned many examples over the years. Are you going to TAVES? We are planning to have a lot of really neat stuff there

Originally Posted by Adrian Low

Hi Bill
... Are you going to TAVES? We are planning to have a lot of really neat stuff there

I'd love to attend but it's unlikely I'll be able to make it. Thanks for the invitation though.

That's too bad. Lots of great manufacturers this year, and supposedly the rooms will be better