RMAF 2013 Thoughts & Impressions

sharkmouth said:
Mike, what were the three most used dacs that you noticed?
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I paid no attention to DACS to be honest because most rooms were analog/vinyl. That was my biggest surprise....that it seemed to me that over 50% of the rooms were using a vinyl source. The ones using digital were using a mixture. There wasn't any dominant one or two that I remember.
 
I just read it. Very enjoyable summary.

How was the CH/Zellatom room?

I agree about Emerald Physics...open-baffle/electronic x-over/controlled directivity and DSP control make for a very potent combination. Wally must have been stoked.
 
wisnon said:
I just read it. Very enjoyable summary.

How was the CH/Zellatom room?

I agree about Emerald Physics...open-baffle/electronic x-over/controlled directivity and DSP control make for a very potent combination. Wally must have been stoked.
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Wisnon,
I agree with Mike's summary of the EPhysics smaller models. They were very good value and were set up well in the room. Didn't find the larger ones that special.

Also agree with Jim that the demographics was averaging well past 50 with the exception of Canjam. Reviewers and Press included, with the exception of the audiocircle guys. On one of my visits to the CH Zellaton room, the audiocircle guys were there, with laptops out, reporting on the spot. This is their method and as a team, one photographs while the other types for a couple of demo tracks and then they switch. Demo tracks included a couple of classical, tom waits, and the civil wars. They mentioned that the Zellaton room at RMAF 2012 was their surprise BOS. They were impressed again this year as was I.

I've mentioned a few times several rooms that I really liked with horns (Volti and Cessaro especially) but the room I spent the most cummulative time in was the CH Precision room. Several people have commented on the fact that if there is music playing that is not your thing, you often avoid the room or run for the door. I have a feeling that this was one of the reasons that I enjoyed more time in that room - the music was great!

Wisnon, are you looking into CH amps or Zellaton speakers? I don't know what the total cost of the system is but I'd hazard a guess that it was upwards of $200k, yet it was a small and understated room and set-up (classy and typical european). No need for a grand ballroom for wickedly good sound if you know what I mean. This is probably why I also loved the DeVore room and sound. Unassuming system yet really musical and dynamic.

FWIW, in addition to Mike's great coverage here on AS, check out Jon Valin's coverage
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2013: Speakers $20,000 and Above | The Absolute Sound
and
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2013 Coverage | Ultra High-End Audio and Home Theater Review
 
one other thought. Munich would be a really really fun show to attend. Never been but hope to some year.
 
wisnon said:
I just read it. Very enjoyable summary.

How was the CH/Zellatom room?

I agree about Emerald Physics...open-baffle/electronic x-over/controlled directivity and DSP control make for a very potent combination. Wally must have been stoked.
Click to expand...

It was a good room. I kind of chucked when I saw the CH Precision gear because a friend of mine had been telling me how great it was the week before. Good room, but I don't recall anything special. I don't think I stayed long enough. I meant to go back to that room, but never did. Neither product was on my radar for a return visit.

I know a lot of people like to say, "rooms sound bad at shows" and "you can't judge gear at a show". I say hogwash. It is the manufacturers responsibility to get their gear sounding as good as possible. Bring whatever room treatments you need. Who's to say my living room won't be just like that hotel room (acoustically speaking) or worse! In my case - it would be worse I bet. I have a three pane sliding glass door that meets at a 90 degree angle to a 2 pane sliding glass door. Big windows surround that. Add in no side walls, glass side tables and glass coffee tables and it's an acoustical nightmare.

I've heard all the excuses, such as "but we only have one day to setup". My response "and you've been coming to the same venue how many years now?" "You've attended how many similar trade shows?" If you are forced to rely on unfamiliar ancillary gear (speakers for an amp manufacturer) for logistical reasons - fair enough. But I think it's unacceptable to slap up a couple of speakers and a rack of gear and then get out the laundry list of excuses. Stereo shops are closing across the country by the dozen. This might be a manufacturers only opportunity to reach those new customers and show off their products. Maybe the gear that sounds great at shows will sound amazing in our homes. Maybe this is the best test of all. Just saying.....

That being said - I saw many rooms that brought the silk plants, diffuser panels, absorption panels, bass panels, etc. and had their rooms dialed in beautifully. Bryston, PS audio, Focal, Zesto, Jeff Rowland/Raidho just to name a few. And hats off to those rooms that recognized their deficiencies after day one, brought in some panels (or whatever) and had their rooms dialed in beautifully the next day. Many however, just lived with the poor sound.

Ok...rant over.
 
Perfect, Mike. That's how I feel too.
C'mon, these guys are in the business of selling audio performance. If they can't match gear and room into a cohesive thing, they need help.

I truly don't think these guys have to present a flawless, perfect audio presentation, like you can get at people's homes. But they should present something that will at least stand out from the pack. Isn't it why they're there for? To make their gear sound good and make people notice?

alexandre
 
asiufy said:
Perfect, Mike. That's how I feel too.
C'mon, these guys are in the business of selling audio performance. If they can't match gear and room into a cohesive thing, they need help.

I truly don't think these guys have to present a flawless, perfect audio presentation, like you can get at people's homes. But they should present something that will at least stand out from the pack. Isn't it why they're there for? To make their gear sound good and make people notice?

alexandre
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Exactly. It's like showing up at your local Toyota dealer to test drive the new Camry and he says, "we don't have any 2013's, but here's a 1993 Camry....it's still a Camry....try that."

I wonder how many people went home, turned on their systems and went "holy sh**, my system sounds better than 95% of the rooms I heard" and consequently decided to buy nothing new? I wonder how many younger folks, put back on their ear buds and decided "this doesn't sound too bad!" Hard to grow an industry like that.
 
Thanks Guys,

How about the Lawrence Audio room?

Also, was Brodmann there?
 
wisnon said:
I just read it. Very enjoyable summary.

How was the CH/Zellatom room?

I agree about Emerald Physics...open-baffle/electronic x-over/controlled directivity and DSP control make for a very potent combination. Wally must have been stoked.
Click to expand...

When I stopped by it was a bit crowded. I really liked the looks of the product but the CH pricing was crazy high.
Amps- $37k each
Pre amp - $31k
DAC- $35k
CD - $38k
Power Supply for DAC/CD - $15k
Speakers - $50k
 
still-one said:
When I stopped by it was a bit crowded. I really liked the looks of the product but the CH pricing was crazy high.
Amps- $37k each
Pre amp - $31k
DAC- $35k
CD - $38k
Power Supply for DAC/CD - $15k
Speakers - $50k
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Yes, that's a good 20% more than prices here in the Helvetic Confederation.
 
Mike said:
Exactly. It's like showing up at your local Toyota dealer to test drive the new Camry and he says, "we don't have any 2013's, but here's a 1993 Camry....it's still a Camry....try that."

I wonder how many people went home, turned on their systems and went "holy sh**, my system sounds better than 95% of the rooms I heard" and consequently decided to buy nothing new? I wonder how many younger folks, put back on their ear buds and decided "this doesn't sound too bad!" Hard to grow an industry like that.
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So, having said that, would you say the show is worth going to? And what are your thoughts about CES? Better, worse, or the same... By the way, I'll be there. Hope to see you!
 
Dave said:
So, having said that, would you say the show is worth going to? And what are your thoughts about CES? Better, worse, or the same... By the way, I'll be there. Hope to see you!
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Yes, RMAF was well worth it. Meeting people, seeing gear, hearing gear - it was all great. Without going, I would never have heard Volti speakers and the Kronos table for example.

I've been to CES. Its so massive and an absolute madhouse that you must plan ahead of what you're going to see and hear and stay focused.

I may go ... I'll see what management (my wife) says.
 
Thanks for all your hard work, between shooting all those pics and the great summation, you really helped give us a feeling of what it's like to be at the show !!
 
MDP said:
Thanks for all your hard work, between shooting all those pics and the great summation, you really helped give us a feeling of what it's like to be at the show !!
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You're very welcome. Thanks for letting me crash at your place on the way to RMAF. Always great to hear your great system, in your awesome (aesthetically and acoustically) room. And you're not too shabby of a cook either. ;)
 
Mike said:
Yes, RMAF was well worth it. Meeting people, seeing gear, hearing gear - it was all great. Without going, I would never have heard Volti speakers and the Kronos table for example.

I've been to CES. Its so massive and an absolute madhouse that you must plan ahead of what you're going to see and hear and stay focused.

I may go ... I'll see what management (my wife) says.
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Oh ok, that's cool...

I know what you mean about CES. That's why I go on the last day! lol.

Sounds good. Let me know, I'll be around.
 
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