Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1

    Jim Smith Come to Town

    I was a Desperate Audiophile -- in need of Getting Better Sound.

    Fortunately, last week, I was able to convince Jim Smith to drive up to Nashville and lend a hand.

    Arriving after dark with two suitcases of gear and a charged dac, the first step was to listen and diagnose. The diagnosis was grim. He went to his hotel, and later told me, called his wife to tell her he didn't think he could help me. She told him something like: "Jim, you always figure something out."

    The problem was a big dip at 40hz which was throwing off the spectral balance. The first job was to correct the dip. The problem was how, as there was no location in the room without this dip. However, in pretty short order, Jim began to fiddle with the Subs while watching his frequency analyser. Amazingly, with raising the sub's crossover and changing phase, the bass smoothed out and made the sound coherent. Big, big change.

    All that was left was to move the speakers 1 foot forward into the room, center and refine the toe in.

    This all seemed to go pretty smoothly-- the result of Jim's decades of experience.

    I used to have a problem listening closer than 14'. The big Avantgarde horns just seemed too aggressive-- like twin cyborgs shouting at me. I now can sit blissfully at 11'6"-- the AG's transformed into music making friends.

    Jim speaks of "un-locking the music" and "musical involvement." This is what this system now gives me to a far higher degree. Thanks, Jim! Very grateful.
    Source: Taiko Audio Server, Cisco 2960 Switch, Gigafoil, Lampizator Pacific Dac. Amp: Bakoon 13r Speakers: AvantGarde Duo Mezzo XD, Cables: Alan Maher Designs Power, Duelund Speaker, Shunyata Sigma IC's Audioquest Diamond ethernet. Room Treatment Vicoustic.

  2. #2
    Super Moderator
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    18,726

    Re: Jim Smith Come to Town

    Awesome, this is great to read. I’m so happy for you now. I’m sure the difference is dramatically better.
    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.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    458

    Re: Jim Smith Come to Town

    Congratulations Willco. I had a great experience with Jim visiting me to set up my Magico Mini 2s. I learned a lot during that day and a half. Jim took my system to a higher level, and I became more emotionally involved with the music. I highly recommend his service. One should not underestimate the importance of proper listening seat and speaker positioning or set up.
    Link to my system thread: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threa...l-sound.32867/
    Analog: Micro Seiki SX 8000 II, 2 NOS SME 3012R tonearms, 2 vdH Colibri Grand Cru, Colibri XPP
    Electronics: Lamm LP2.1 Deluxe, Lamm LL1.1 Signature, Lamm ML2
    Speakers: Vitavox CN-191 corner horns
    Cables: Stock SME phono cables, DIY ICs and speaker cables, Ching Cheng power cords, custom rack and amp stands

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    458

    Re: Jim Smith Come to Town

    I should add that one of the things that has stuck with me from Jim's RoomPlay session is the reference sound that my system had after he left. That reference sound, and its impact on the listener, has guided me forward and helped tremendously when I auditioned a replacement pair of speakers in my system. The sound that Jim created served as a standard to which I could refer back and this helped me to position my new Magico Q3s in the room. I continue to marvel at how completely they disappear in the room and at the quality of Tone, Dynamics and Presence that Jim values and write about in his book.

    These tips can be learned and used repeatedly to set up different speakers, but one has to hear that "reference" sound in his system or elsewhere to understand what is possible and has to be willing to make the effort to experiment with very small changes in speaker position and alignment.
    Link to my system thread: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threa...l-sound.32867/
    Analog: Micro Seiki SX 8000 II, 2 NOS SME 3012R tonearms, 2 vdH Colibri Grand Cru, Colibri XPP
    Electronics: Lamm LP2.1 Deluxe, Lamm LL1.1 Signature, Lamm ML2
    Speakers: Vitavox CN-191 corner horns
    Cables: Stock SME phono cables, DIY ICs and speaker cables, Ching Cheng power cords, custom rack and amp stands

  5. #5
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,027

    Re: Jim Smith Come to Town

    Will - congrats on the improvements. I’ve been fortunate to have Jim Smith work his magic twice for me. It’s frankly the best money I ever spent. Second would be room treatments and third was on dedicated power!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    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/

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

Jim Smith Come to Town

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •