Official 2015 RMAF Picture & Comment Thread - Day 2 ...

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Originally Posted by kzhtoo

Thanks so much for the pictures and taking the time to do the live updates, Mike. And Joe for the editing.

How does Gamut room sound? I heard the standmount version of Gamut speaker a few months ago and still think about it from time to time.

Focal Sopra seems to be the real deal. Any info on when no.3 will become available?

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Gamut stand mounts were great.

BUT - Focal Sopra No. 1's were awesome. As I've told everyone since day one "if you like the Sopra No. 2's, wait until you hear the No. 1's".

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Now I am hungry again!

Awesome Audioshark get together! You guys are the best!

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Originally Posted by Mike

Awesome Audioshark get together! You guys are the best!

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Looks like an AARP meeting.;-)

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Originally Posted by jap

Looks like an AARP meeting.;-)

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Seriously!?

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Originally Posted by Dewster

Seriously!?

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Yes.

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Zu Audio throws THE BEST after hours parties!

http://audioshark.org/attachment.php...4&d=1443932376

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Mike what was your impression of the Harbeth 40.2's?

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Originally Posted by Audio 1

Mike what was your impression of the Harbeth 40.2's?

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A great speaker in a bad room.

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Originally Posted by Mike

A great speaker in a bad room.

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I totally agree.

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Originally Posted by Mike

A great speaker in a bad room.

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Isn't that a yearly issue, at any show?

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Originally Posted by Mike

Why it's important to come back to rooms multiple times. The Kii folks removed a CD transport and DAC and went right from the laptop to the Kii speakers and the difference was not subtle. Sitting listening to Ella Fitzgerald. Her voice is sweet and the stand-up bass is realistic. Cymbals sound real.

And I might add...no use of room treatments either to get this great sound.

The Kii also has adjustability for location in the room. The wonders of digital tech. We couldn't have done this as well in the analog domain.

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Thanks, Mike, for this and the other photos.

What made you go back for a second listen?

Seems like the reception to Kii Three at RMAF is not as positive as at their European debut. For example, Gydotron in Belgium claims to have sold 7 pairs at the launch. Hotel rooms vs conventional demo rooms, perhaps? The European demos used a laptop as a source though, using a camouflaged Grimm controller.

Given their improved potential, how would you rank the Kii Three vs the Zero 1 XD series, or would it be too premature?

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Originally Posted by jap

Looks like an AARP meeting.;-)

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It just seems that way because they never let you sit with the grownups.

I am glad my Accuphase A-70 made a 10/10 in your book.

Flying home this morning. It was a great show! Great meeting all of you sharks out there this week. We got a great bunch of guys, both on the forum and in person!



Some pics of my favorite rooms, not in any particular order:

http://audioshark.org/attachment.php...0&d=1443961941

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Originally Posted by Mike

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Why it's important to come back to rooms multiple times. The Kii folks removed a CD transport and DAC and went right from the laptop to the Kii speakers and the difference was not subtle. Sitting listening to Ella Fitzgerald. Her voice is sweet and the stand-up bass is realistic. Cymbals sound real.

And I might add...no use of room treatments either to get this great sound.

The Kii also has adjustability for location in the room. The wonders of digital tech. We couldn't have done this as well in the analog domain.

http://audioshark.org/attachment.php...0&d=1443908659

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How interesting! My pal who got the Goldmund Prologos Mk2 said the improvement from going from a wired digital preamp to a laptop with a dongle was massive! Somehow, wireless blows away wired for these kind of setups.

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Originally Posted by Jack

Srajen seems to be taken by the sound of the Apertura speakers. There are reviews for several models at 6 Moons. Their designer worked with both Focal and Goldmund. The cabinet design seems well thought out. Also Mike do the Holograms introduced here and in California seem to be basically the same as the M1 and M2 with just wood frames instead of the more expensive metal framed models sold though dealers? I have been tempted to try the M3 at $1495 as they would be a good match for my MR amp.

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StereoTimes loved them when they were called Tanagra….The Standmounts got a gushing review. Vive La France.

A very nice weekend. It was great to meet the Sharks attending the fest. Going to attend the show part of the day then heading home this afternoon.

I will ill list my favs and not so good rooms later today.

My blue ribbon for best of show goes to... Soulution. Their amplifiers drove the Magico S7s at the Hyatt, and did an equally astonishing job with the Focals (on the mezzanine at the Marriott). In each case the speaker was effortless commanded with fast and (for me) unprecedented dynamics. Each room took me to a "virtual reality" level of sound experience that I don't get with my mini-monitors powered by my tube amp.

In fact, the Soulutions were so conspicuous that the sound from the Focals was comparable to that of the Magicos. The Magicos were decidedly better in every respect. But the sound quality and music experience were of the same type. I've never heard anything like it. I'm told that the way the Soulutions use negative feedback is the trick, and that it is a very complicated and expensive trick to pull off.

One caveat that I shared with a fellow Shark at the show: The Soulutions' look like my grandparents' window-unit air conditioner, circa 1982.

I know folks often have other priorities, but my experience with audio shows is that if you skip the last day or don't spend much time listening that day you are often missing some of the best sound and the best experiences of the show (in large part because the crowds are gone and the systems and rooms are finally tuned "right").

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Originally Posted by wisnon

How interesting! My pal who got the Goldmund Prologos Mk2 said the improvement from going from a wired digital preamp to a laptop with a dongle was massive! Somehow, wireless blows away wired for these kind of setups.

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In this instance, I suspect that part of the improvement could have been due to the fact that, when they stopped using the CDP + DAC source, the additional DA + AD stages were eliminated too since all analog inputs are digitised.

Afaik, the Kii Three does not have the WISA input enabled yet since the WISA controller is not due till next year.

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Originally Posted by rbbert

I know folks often have other priorities, but my experience with audio shows is that if you skip the last day or don't spend much time listening that day you are often missing some of the best sound and the best experiences of the show (in large part because the crowds are gone and the systems and rooms are finally tuned "right").

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Agreed! Another full day for me here today. Lots of rooms to go back to and hear for the second or third time.

Very nice Allen, Thank you for post ! :audiophile:

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Originally Posted by Paul

Very nice Allen, Thank you for post ! :audiophile:

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Awesome job Allen, thank you so much.

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Originally Posted by BayStBroker

My blue ribbon for best of show goes to... Soulution. Their amplifiers drove the Magico S7s at the Hyatt, and did an equally astonishing job with the Focals (on the mezzanine at the Marriott). In each case the speaker was effortless commanded with fast and (for me) unprecedented dynamics. Each room took me to a "virtual reality" level of sound experience that I don't get with my mini-monitors powered by my tube amp.

In fact, the Soulutions were so conspicuous that the sound from the Focals was comparable to that of the Magicos. The Magicos were decidedly better in every respect. But the sound quality and music experience were of the same type. I've never heard anything like it. I'm told that the way the Soulutions use negative feedback is the trick, and that it is a very complicated and expensive trick to pull off.

One caveat that I shared with a fellow Shark at the show: The Soulutions' look like my grandparents' window-unit air conditioner, circa 1982.

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Mark, it was great meeting you there this weekend and sharing some great rooms together! Soulution is great gear for sure!

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Originally Posted by Mike;

Zu Audio throws THE BEST after hours parties!

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Agreed! They had some awesome eclectic music at the AXPona show after hours.

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Looks like a nice dinner crowd! Would one of you guys be able to put names on these faces for us?

Clockwise from closest front left - Dr. John Chait (Doctor by day, Speaker designer by night), Bart Andeer (owner of Resolution Acoustics), Mark Jones (owner of Audio by Mark Jones in Toronto Canada), Allen (SOCFAN12), Tom (MtnHam) and in the back left corner, Mike (RITMO).

Now starting from the back right, Mark (MDP), Mike (Me! Owner of Audioshark and Suncoast Audio), Jock (The Professor), Andy Miles (friend/client of mine), Edward (friend/client of mine), Brent (my good friend and Chief Engineer with VAC Industries).

Ask Andy Miles how comes he does not post here!

He certainly gets around as we was here in Geneva back in June or so and we met up.

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Originally Posted by wisnon

Ask Andy Miles how comes he does not post here!

He certainly gets around as we was here in Geneva back in June or so and we met up.

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I've asked him, but maybe he's too shy. NAH! He'll talk your ear off but maybe doesn't like to post.

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Originally Posted by joeinid

I've asked him, but maybe he's too shy. NAH! He'll talk your ear off but maybe doesn't like to post.

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LOL. He's a super friendly guy. I've asked him.

Thanks Mike!

I think Joe is trying to say…...Best not to wake a sleeping dragon. Just kidding, Andy.

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Originally Posted by BruceLet

I think Joe is trying to say…...Best not to wake a sleeping dragon. Just kidding, Andy.

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Heheheheh. I need to call him soon. Havent chatted in a while...

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Originally Posted by Mike

LOL. He's a super friendly guy. I've asked him.

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Interestingly, I did not see Myles at RMAF this year.

I spent some time with him in 2013 at RMAF in the Paragon Audio room listening to a ton of vinyl. Doshi electronics and Alexias - it was great. I ordered Alexias two months later.