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Thread: California Audio Show pics
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July 31, 2019, 02:42 PM #1
California Audio Show pics
Went to the CA Audio Show on Saturday.
The show was marked by a pretty small number of exhibitors, but still there were some good or reasonably interesting rooms.
I will say it was disheartening to still be hearing the same of the same old, same old I've heard over the last 10 years: Diana Krall, Nils Logren Keith Don't Go, Dire Straits Ride Across the River, etc., lots of big, bombastic "stereo demo" stuff (will they ever learn? Hmmm. Doubtful. )
Anyhoo, here are some pics...
The Bricasti room had some really big M28 mono blocks and the M21 and M3 DACs with Tidal speakers.
The Marchard Electronics BTA40 "monoblocks" were single-ended amps with a single tube, 805A, Bricasti DAC, Bernhagen-Porter 10/12 speakers (96dB 1W/m), and Audio Reference Technology (ART) cables.
These ART cables were incredbly expensive, massive, and, IMHO, ridiculous...
Salk Sound with SS 9.5 speakers and Exogal Electronics. One of the better-sounding rooms. Jim Salk always builds some nice speakers.
The Audio Note UK room was one of my favorites. While I've never been a big Audio Note fan, Peter Qvortrup of Audio Note was there leading some interesting discussions, the folks at Audio Note were spinning LPs with the new AN tri-motor turntable with "real music". In fact, they had me come back at end of the day to play the Classical LPs I had brought with me (Mendelssohn A Midsummer's Nights Dream with Peter Maag conducting the LSO on Decca, Celedonio Romero playing Guitar Music the from Spanish Courts on Mercury Living Presence)
Ypsilon Electronics, Aurender W20 server, and Wilson-Benesch A.C.T. One Evolution carbon-fibre loudspeakers. One of the better rooms. The big "tire" in the room on the floor is an "infrasonic generator". The only downside was they were playing Dire Straits' Ride Across the River when I walked in...sigh.
The Voxativ room. This room had the Absolut "all-in-one" system comprised central box with built-in DAC, 35 Wpc Class A/B amp and DSP subsystem, and the Voxativ Hagen stand-mounts. This system was pretty much "streaming only" for digital content the only inputs being WiFi or Bluetooth sources from streaming services (e.g. Qobuz, Tidal, etc), or 24/96 input via a single TOSLINK optical port. The central box had no inputs other than RCA inputs for a phono stage; no Ethernet or USB, and zip, zilch to any other input. Virtually all inputs are digitized to 24/192 by the DSP subsystem for output to the speakers. At >$8000, I struggled to understand how this system would be a value proposition being limited to Wifi/Bluetooth streaming content only, and sorry, Voxativ, but I don't want my LPs "digitized".
The Zesto Audio Labs room. George and Carolyn Counnas of Zesto always put together a great-sounding system. Here the new Zesto Audio Labs Leto 1.5 preamp, Eros 300 Class A Monoblocks, Andros Deluxe Phono Stage and new Allesio SUT were driving Joseph Audio Perspective2 Graphene Speakers. Source was a Merrill-Williams turntable with two Tri-Planar tonearms and Benz Micro Gullwing Stereo and Ortofon Cadenza Mono moving coil cartridges. This was one of the best-sounding rooms I heard. The one thing I found odd was George was reluctant to play any of the LPs I brought because the system might "not sound good" with them.
Aurender, along with Bricasti, had a big presence at the show, and their own room with Aurender W20, Berkeley Audio Design DAC, Constellation mono-blocks, and all Shunyata Research power: Denali 6000/S V2 and all Alpha cabling with the exception of a Sigma digital coax cable from the Aurender to the Berkeley DAC. Of note were some new Aurender prototype loudspeakers. Great sounding system.
All photos taken by yours truly with the little Fujifilm X100F "wonder camera".
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August 3, 2019, 02:11 PM #2
Re: California Audio Show pics
Very nice report Stephen.
Odd that George (Zesto) did not want to play your vinyl. He’s always very pleasant and very willing to play music from attendees._______________
Mike
Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
ICs and SCs: Wireworld Platinum 8
Rack: Artesania Exoteryc
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August 3, 2019, 02:51 PM #3
Re: California Audio Show pics
Thank you so much Stephen, well done!
Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.
Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE
NAD C 658 streamer.
First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)
Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.
Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.
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August 3, 2019, 03:18 PM #4
Re: California Audio Show pics
Thank you Stephen. Great job. Beautiful pics.
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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August 4, 2019, 03:39 PM #5
Re: California Audio Show pics
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August 4, 2019, 03:40 PM #6
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August 4, 2019, 03:40 PM #7
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August 4, 2019, 05:11 PM #8
Re: California Audio Show pics
Hey Stephen
I may of missed it but where was the show?
Perhaps not do big, but it allows you to really see what you have in place versus some of what’s out there.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProSource Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
Speakers: Wilson Alexias
Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS
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August 4, 2019, 09:48 PM #9
AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
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