Axpona 2015 Pics

[Ritmo]

Mike and I spent a lot of time in the Volti room at RMAF in 2013. Actually, that's where we both met. In any event, very nice speakers.

[Mike]

I was thinking the same thing the whole way home last night...somewhat in jest...somewhat


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I was thinking "maybe these Sonus Faber Lilium's with ARC GS150's really aren't that good. Maybe it's just such a relief after the Q7 mk2/Aesthetix room next door!" LOL.

The M's with the big Octave tube amps were much better and they were in a normal sized hotel room. I like the fit and finish on the M's much better too. They are even more gorgeous in person quite frankly. The Q's had a nice big room with big ceilings and everything too. Go figure. I'll be back today to see if things have settled down any.


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[Ritmo]

How does it compare then to RMAF?

[Mike]

How does it compare then to RMAF?

Similar. More bigger rooms here I think. Good to see they also stuck the headphone guys in the basement. LMAO.

...just kidding.


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[tunes]

Doing the same thing today. Trent mentioned to me last night that they made a change to the Q7 setup. Curious to hear them again. Will also head to the Tidal room today as i missed it yesterday.

I was thinking the same thing the whole way home last night...somewhat in jest...somewhat


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I was thinking "maybe these Sonus Faber Lilium's with ARC GS150's really aren't that good. Maybe it's just such a relief after the Q7 mk2/Aesthetix room next door!" LOL.

The M's with the big Octave tube amps were much better and they were in a normal sized hotel room. I like the fit and finish on the M's much better too. They are even more gorgeous in person quite frankly. The Q's had a nice big room with big ceilings and everything too. Go figure. I'll be back today to see if things have settled down any.


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[still-one]

Thanks for all of the photos and comments. I didn't want to comment in the middle of the posts yesterday so as not to break up the flow. Some interesting looking gear.

[madfloyd]

I haven't been around to all the rooms yet, but in general I am impressed with the show. The YG/Kronos room was a standout. Really enjoyed both Vivid rooms as well.

[Mike Lavigne]

Is that a hint you might be thinking of switching camps Mike?

no; I was only offering an alternative to the big Solutions. one that I live with and appreciate every day. if we are going to project ultimate amplifier choices for the Q7 MkII then the 458's should be in that mix.

and a friend had used the 458 dart mono's on the original Q7's while he had the Q7's and I'm told that was the best Q7 amp match those that heard it had experienced. I never had the opportunity to hear that combo myself.

I pinch myself every day that I'm fortunate enough to be able to enjoy my MM7's with the 458's.

taking nothing away from the Magico Q7 MkII.....or any other uber speaker.

[socfan12]

I haven't been around to all the rooms yet, but in general I am impressed with the show. The YG/Kronos room was a standout. Really enjoyed both Vivid rooms as well.

Ian, is that the GTT Audio room w YG/Kronos?

[socfan12]

Where's Myle's posts? He usually posts during the show and then a nice summary on his FB page....

[CDLehner]

Ian, is that the GTT Audio room w YG/Kronos?

I was thinking the same thing. YG, AudioNet...Kubala-Sosna; almost has to be, right?

[bthomas9]

Should have done this yesterday...


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[bthomas9]

Fourth floor room 424 GTT Audio, Kronos, KS, YG, Audionet


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[tomy2]

Anybody have any early impressions from the Vapor Audio room with the Perfect Storm speakers and Lampi Dac setup?

[CDLehner]

O-M-G! I really do, need to go to my 1st show

Is it this, 2016...or RMAF 2015?

Guys...great coverage so far; although more pics than opinions. To whatever extent anyone can, here are the things I'd love thoughts on...

- KEF Blade IIs; I've heard 'em...what do you think? Also, Ref 5s!
- Simaudio's Moon Neo line; a 380D into a pair of 400Ms is up for consideration.
- Ryan 610s! I know Mike has mentioned these; good-looking monitor, for $2k list.
- Merrill Thors; these $4800 Hypex (not 1200) monoblocks, have been on my radar for some time.

Damn...I should have gone!

[bthomas9]

Listened in the KEF Parasound room ALOT. Was a huge room, not as big or tall as 12th floor Q and Lillium rooms, but 30 x 30 with 10' ceilings. The LS 50's impressed me more than the REF 5's. Maybe not it impact or volume of sound (it still filled the room amazingly well for its size) but the imaging was much more to my liking. The blade I I was really off when they put them in. Turns out the little zdac they were using had a problem. After the new dac got put in they had the same imaging I really liked with the full sound of the ref's. I have the LS50's and really wanted to like the REF series because of the price point but the blade ii's were the cats meow for sure. I'm sure it has to do with the single point source sound that imaged so well.

Can't really help on the other stuff other than the Ryan floor standers sounded good with female vocals and light jazz. Can't say how dynamic for rock music they are.

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[bthomas9]

I wish I was going today too...I missed a lot and several rooms I wanted to spend more time in


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[madfloyd]

Yes.

[bthomas9]

One of the bigger disappointments for me was the all MBL room. Stopped in several times as it was right across from KEF and was never impressed


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[bthomas9]

Yes.

Enjoy them for me. Nice meeting you yesterday.


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[madfloyd]

Magico Q7s were really impressive. Never heard such great bass. Apparently speakers were repositioned today and sub removed.

Highs are sharp unfortunately, but I'm told the speakers are broken in. How much this is due to the Aesthetic gear I don't know but I've never been a fan. At this level you have to mate very carefully obviously and I question the choice of electronics.

But it does go to show that this new tweeter can be brutal if not tamed.

Hearing the M Project now and almost immediately left because a violin was ripping my ears off but changed seats and it's better but still a little bright.

[madfloyd]

Anybody have any early impressions from the Vapor Audio room with the Perfect Storm speakers and Lampi Dac setup?

I hated it. Bass, treble and not much in between.

[CDLehner]

The blade I I was really off when they put them in. Turns out the little zdac they were using had a problem. After the new dac got put in they had the same imaging I really liked with the full sound of the ref's. I have the LS50's and really wanted to like the REF series because of the price point but the blade ii's were the cats meow for sure. I'm sure it has to do with the single point source sound that imaged so well.

I can't believe, they're demoing...$25,000 Blade IIs; with a $550 DAC. Talk about non-believers

[tomy2]

I hated it. Bass, treble and not much in between.

Judging by the pics they looked like they could have benefited from a much bigger room like the Volti speakers had.

[bthomas9]

I can't believe, they're demoing...$25,000 Blade IIs; with a $550 DAC. Talk about non-believers

Not only that they were using straight wire cabling. While it's good I'm not sure it's up to 25k speaker ability


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[CDLehner]

Not only that they were using straight wire cabling. While it's good I'm not sure it's up to 25k speaker ability


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Unfortunate. Sounds like a marketing thing, rather than picking properly, complimentary components.

This is one of the reasons, I've never thought I'd enjoy a show.

[bthomas9]

Unfortunate. Sounds like a marketing thing, rather than picking properly, complimentary components.

This is one of the reasons, I've never thought I'd enjoy a show.

The sound was still enjoyable to me and they are VERY squarely on my radar now. Now to get SAM going...


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[mauidan]

Magico Q7s were really impressive. Never heard such great bass. Apparently speakers were repositioned today and sub removed.

Highs are sharp unfortunately, but I'm told the speakers are broken in. How much this is due to the Aesthetic gear I don't know but I've never been a fan. At this level you have to mate very carefully obviously and I question the choice of electronics.

But it does go to show that this new tweeter can be brutal if not tamed.

Hearing the M Project now and almost immediately left because a violin was ripping my ears off but changed seats and it's better but still a little bright.

In the Q7 room, it was probably the Pass preamp.

[Mike]

In the Q7 room, it was probably the Pass preamp.

HAHAHA! NOT!


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[Mike]

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[Mike]

Audioshark member AJ of Soundfield Audio. Sounding GREAT AJ!!!

Hard to believe these are $12k.


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[Mike]

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[Mike]

QUAD + BAT = Beautiful. Simply stunning.


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[Mike]

Harbeth Super HL5 with Vinnie Rossi.


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[KeithR]

Unfortunate. Sounds like a marketing thing, rather than picking properly, complimentary components.

This is one of the reasons, I've never thought I'd enjoy a show.

Dave Wilson stunned people using an iPod one year. A cheap parasound another time.

[CPP]

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Mike, the flash is your friend

[Mike]

Verity with AudiaFlight. GORGEOUS sound.


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[Mike]

Mike, the flash is your friend

I'm using an iPhone with flash. It was awful with flash.


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[Mike]

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[Mike]

Vivid Giya G3 + CAT + Lumin


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[Joe P]

[MDP]

Not only that they were using straight wire cabling. While it's good I'm not sure it's up to 25k speaker ability


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You might be surprised about Straightwire if you ever home demo them!

[tunes]

Taking a caffeine break
Q7 sounded better today on digital source. Sub gone to static display. I'm guessing it's something with the rhea sig phono stage or clearaudio setup that's a mismatch with the Q7 making it harsh on top.
Tidal was excellent on softer acoustic music but they seem to have nothing to play on their server with serious electronic tempo so it's hard to judge if these ceramic drivers can keep up.
Sonus faber lilium sounded better to me today. No idea if it was the sweet spot or something they changed but it was better today.
Resolution acoustics room treatment demo was an interesting idea and made some improvements. Personally, part of why i think the demo worked is because the strads are too big for that small hotel room. A pair of elipsa se would probably do better and require minimal treatment. Even if i had a dedicated listening room, $30k is alot. Might be cheaper to renovate the room and maintain WAF
The new red finish on the strads is gorgeous.
The m pro room really works in the sweet spot only. Then it is excellent IMO.

[Mike]

Q7 mk2's were a little better today, but the sound was very diffused. I went back three times already today. I keep hoping to be blown away. To me, the Harbeth's sounded better. Way more musical.

My favs are still the ARC GS150 with Sonus Faber Lilium. It's like they combined audiophile qualities like imaging and resolution and bass definition with musicality and soul.


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[Dizzie]

Was it possible to play a CD in the Sander's room or is Roger sticking to his limited play list?

[Mike]

Was it possible to play a CD in the Sander's room or is Roger sticking to his limited play list?

No idea. Haven't gone there yet.


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[audionirvana]

and one of the few rooms that would play my stuff so far. Sound was excellent.

Jaxwired, You there? I just left late Friday and I am with you some of the material they were playing in some of the rooms where not helping speakers sound better. IMHOP. 2 out of the 4 Dynaudio Rooms were good, but I thought the XD didn't sound all that great and the C2 Platinum room was playing a local guys music recorded in a church, it was decent but not good to really make those speakers sing! I had to come home and put some of my good demo music on! I did buy a pair of the Scansonics 2.5 at the show which I thought were amazing for the money. The Raidho Room they had dialed in very good, the D3 were amazing.

[Mike]

Salon 2's.


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[mauidan]

HAHAHA! NOT!


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Not a good idea to drive an amp that doesn't use any negative feedback with a preamp that does.

[Mike]

The best sound of the day!


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