Axpona 2015 - Best...and not so best of....
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Welcome PureVinyl !
Bobolaclune
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Lightnin' !! My favourite . Jump on into the tank PureVinyl, friendly sharks everywhere. Welcome!
Shodhan
Shodhan
so many good systems, from mild to wild, most systems sounded their best Sunday
those Scansonic 2.5, sounded very nice, for the money.
the D3's and X3's a little different story
both sounded very good at low- to mid level.
when they cranked them up, they sounded more like a HiFi speaker (vocals and instruments don't sound true)
i see why, they have that WOW FACTOR.
IMO- it could be a speaker, that could burn you, out over time (always see them on Agon:|)
one of my fav, was the Vivid G3's with the JL5 (100watt tube amp) Big sound, dynamic, and just sounded true ,what a joy plus a Phenomenal Townshend Rock 7 TT
also the Sonus Strad/PASS combo, great sound
those Scansonic 2.5, sounded very nice, for the money.
the D3's and X3's a little different story
both sounded very good at low- to mid level.
when they cranked them up, they sounded more like a HiFi speaker (vocals and instruments don't sound true)
i see why, they have that WOW FACTOR.
IMO- it could be a speaker, that could burn you, out over time (always see them on Agon:|)
one of my fav, was the Vivid G3's with the JL5 (100watt tube amp) Big sound, dynamic, and just sounded true ,what a joy plus a Phenomenal Townshend Rock 7 TT
also the Sonus Strad/PASS combo, great sound
Bottom left is a ps audio DS dsc or the P5 PWER regenerator . Witch one is it ???I also thought the wyred4sound room was excellent.
audio.bill
Active member
I'd bet that it must be a P5, since it's a Wyred 4 Sound room and they would be using their own DAC.
rockitman
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Good point Myles...you can't judge a system w/o sitting in the sweet spot. Sure you can evaluate off axis response....but who cares about that ? You want the best sound possible and there is only one seat for that spot...Dead F-ing center (DFC)...the comment about analog being dead ? Lol. AXPONA is no rockey mountain...analog is still alive and well...growing and still sounds best.
Bobolaclune
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Actually, I do believe you have misinterpreted my post about analog. The point I made was that analog was conspicuous by its absence more from exhibitor laziness than a decline in interest. As someone with 4 turntables , that was disappointing. Read my post on the Berning-Lahave room.
No Regrets
New member
Although I was there for all three days, I did not go to all of the exhibits. I was mostly interested in vinyl playback, and so concentrated on those rooms. Of those that I did visit, my favorite room that I felt consistently performed very well with all genres of music was the ARC/Sonus Faber/ AMG v12 room. I have both heard and read of people who disparage the AMG v12's tonearm design, but from what my ears heard and the emotions that I felt while listening I would have to say that I could really give a *^A# what it's design or lack thereof is. It made beautiful music!
Other tables at the show that I thought did well was the TW Acustic Raven GT SE as shown here...and I must say that Jeffrey, the importer is one of the best guys in the business.
As for beauty, no one can deny the Artisan Fidelity tables and I thought they sounded wonderful as well.
For most unique design I'd say a toss up between the the Kronos..
and the Clearaudio Statement
And of course, one can never go wrong with the Brinkman Balance.
Best wishes,
No Regrets
Other tables at the show that I thought did well was the TW Acustic Raven GT SE as shown here...and I must say that Jeffrey, the importer is one of the best guys in the business.
As for beauty, no one can deny the Artisan Fidelity tables and I thought they sounded wonderful as well.
For most unique design I'd say a toss up between the the Kronos..
and the Clearaudio Statement
And of course, one can never go wrong with the Brinkman Balance.
Best wishes,
No Regrets
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dlb2
New member
:huh:
:facepalm:
:facepalm:
Well, my notebook (with all my notes) inadvertently got put in to a friend's suitcase and, originally thought lost, has been discovered a few towns over. So I can't make intelligent assessment of all the topics until I get it back. However, to wit:
Favorite Room? Audio Note (UK)
I thought the system, while lacking an analog front end this time (unusual), sounded the most musically engaging. I am aware that this is in conflict with my thoughts on timbre (below), but I am going to have to agree to disagree with myself. It seemed to me to be the system on which I could most easily spend the most time listening to the widest variety of music over the longest period of time. I have heard various Audio Note rooms at seven or eight shows now and I usually find it to be amongst my favorites. Trapped on a Desert Island? With all my favorite recordings, electricity, and $70k for gear? Audio Note. :tup:
Best Room? Quintessence/Fine Sounds Sonus Faber/Audio Research
Simply put, I thought this room sounded the best. And it looks like I'm in good company with this opinion, too.
Honorable Mention? Paragon: Doshi/Wilson
I am *supremely* impressed with the Wilson Sabrina speakers. The driver integration is probably the best I've ever heard from any "box" speaker. And Nick's gear is just special. To be honest, as I am typing this I am considering that this is probably really a tie with the Audio Note room. Hmmm ... :skeptical:
"Wow!" moment? Muraudio
I revisited Muraudio Saturday afternoon, late. I had come from the two MBL rooms (always like these rooms and this was no exception) and I positioned myself in the center, just behind the back row of chairs. The sound was absolutely encapsulating, in a good way. A very good way. Actual chills down the spine at that moment good. I have no recollection of what was being played, but it was, true to their catchphrase, "everywhere."
Other "take away" thoughts
Electrostats (and perhaps planars in general):
As a musician, I am keenly interested in the timbral accuracy of a speaker. (Don't get me started on horns.) I can be widely forgiving of other sonic sins if the color is just right. And I found that (most of) the electrostatic speakers I heard (and have repeatedly heard at numerous shows) seem to get that right every time. King Sounds was my favorite. Superb in every way. Sanders was a second, but I was frustrated by the "head in a vice" sweet-spot focus; I don't listen with the posture of a statue, I'm afraid. Quad was good, but I didn't listen seriously until Sunday afternoon and was irked by a particular song that was playing (that I hate, not the sound, but the song) and had a hard time listening through that emotional filter. Martin Logan? I was disappointed. Presentation was dead flat. (And for $10k speakers, I found myself wishing they had tried a little harder.) I was sitting at the bar on Saturday evening and struck up a random conversation with another attendee and he agreed (I didn't bring it up), saying that he and his son both thought it sounded just lifeless. Meh.
Analog:
The best, most resolving, more complete, most "there" sources I've ever heard have been tape. And this was no disappointment. I even attended the tape seminar on Sunday. I wish it was more affordable, but I'm going to see if I can manage to dip my feet (or at least my toes) into the medium. Yummy.
Stillpoint/Shunyata demo (power cords, isolators, treatments):
Surprisingly (don't ask) revealing and very telling. I need to pay more attention to the power coming in to my Music Library. (The current knob-and-tube wiring from 1929 is obviously not doing my system any favors.)
Wished I spent more time?
Acoustic Zen/triode:
Usually a favorite of mine. I was disappointed on Friday afternoon - something was not right. I popped my head in on Saturday and it was better, but crowded. Unfortunatley I didn't return.
Salk Sound:
I like Jim Salk and usually enjoy his stuff. (I thought the Exotica 3s at RMAF were spectacular, helped probably by an appropriately huge room.) Also crowded every time I was on the 4th floor, so I didn't get to hear this time.
Volti/Border Patrol:
I popped in Saturday afternoon for a minute, and returned on Sunday for a bit. Super nice, for horns. Wish I had listened more.
Disappointments?
I think I have enough experience to tell if something I don't like is likely a room problem (which I think I can usually "listen past" or "listen through" if it's not too bad), possibly a gear issue, or probably a bad source. Yes, I was disappointed in some cases. I'll refrain from commenting until I get my notes back and support my recollection.
Will I go again? Yes, in a heartbeat.
Probably remember more/better later, but this is what I have after a couple of days off.
Favorite Room? Audio Note (UK)
I thought the system, while lacking an analog front end this time (unusual), sounded the most musically engaging. I am aware that this is in conflict with my thoughts on timbre (below), but I am going to have to agree to disagree with myself. It seemed to me to be the system on which I could most easily spend the most time listening to the widest variety of music over the longest period of time. I have heard various Audio Note rooms at seven or eight shows now and I usually find it to be amongst my favorites. Trapped on a Desert Island? With all my favorite recordings, electricity, and $70k for gear? Audio Note. :tup:
Best Room? Quintessence/Fine Sounds Sonus Faber/Audio Research
Simply put, I thought this room sounded the best. And it looks like I'm in good company with this opinion, too.
Honorable Mention? Paragon: Doshi/Wilson
I am *supremely* impressed with the Wilson Sabrina speakers. The driver integration is probably the best I've ever heard from any "box" speaker. And Nick's gear is just special. To be honest, as I am typing this I am considering that this is probably really a tie with the Audio Note room. Hmmm ... :skeptical:
"Wow!" moment? Muraudio
I revisited Muraudio Saturday afternoon, late. I had come from the two MBL rooms (always like these rooms and this was no exception) and I positioned myself in the center, just behind the back row of chairs. The sound was absolutely encapsulating, in a good way. A very good way. Actual chills down the spine at that moment good. I have no recollection of what was being played, but it was, true to their catchphrase, "everywhere."
Other "take away" thoughts
Electrostats (and perhaps planars in general):
As a musician, I am keenly interested in the timbral accuracy of a speaker. (Don't get me started on horns.) I can be widely forgiving of other sonic sins if the color is just right. And I found that (most of) the electrostatic speakers I heard (and have repeatedly heard at numerous shows) seem to get that right every time. King Sounds was my favorite. Superb in every way. Sanders was a second, but I was frustrated by the "head in a vice" sweet-spot focus; I don't listen with the posture of a statue, I'm afraid. Quad was good, but I didn't listen seriously until Sunday afternoon and was irked by a particular song that was playing (that I hate, not the sound, but the song) and had a hard time listening through that emotional filter. Martin Logan? I was disappointed. Presentation was dead flat. (And for $10k speakers, I found myself wishing they had tried a little harder.) I was sitting at the bar on Saturday evening and struck up a random conversation with another attendee and he agreed (I didn't bring it up), saying that he and his son both thought it sounded just lifeless. Meh.
Analog:
The best, most resolving, more complete, most "there" sources I've ever heard have been tape. And this was no disappointment. I even attended the tape seminar on Sunday. I wish it was more affordable, but I'm going to see if I can manage to dip my feet (or at least my toes) into the medium. Yummy.
Stillpoint/Shunyata demo (power cords, isolators, treatments):
Surprisingly (don't ask) revealing and very telling. I need to pay more attention to the power coming in to my Music Library. (The current knob-and-tube wiring from 1929 is obviously not doing my system any favors.)
Wished I spent more time?
Acoustic Zen/triode:
Usually a favorite of mine. I was disappointed on Friday afternoon - something was not right. I popped my head in on Saturday and it was better, but crowded. Unfortunatley I didn't return.
Salk Sound:
I like Jim Salk and usually enjoy his stuff. (I thought the Exotica 3s at RMAF were spectacular, helped probably by an appropriately huge room.) Also crowded every time I was on the 4th floor, so I didn't get to hear this time.
Volti/Border Patrol:
I popped in Saturday afternoon for a minute, and returned on Sunday for a bit. Super nice, for horns. Wish I had listened more.
Disappointments?
I think I have enough experience to tell if something I don't like is likely a room problem (which I think I can usually "listen past" or "listen through" if it's not too bad), possibly a gear issue, or probably a bad source. Yes, I was disappointed in some cases. I'll refrain from commenting until I get my notes back and support my recollection.
Will I go again? Yes, in a heartbeat.
Probably remember more/better later, but this is what I have after a couple of days off.
AJ Soundfield
Well-known member
rockitman
New member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2014
- Messages
- 220
Although I was there for all three days, I did not go to all of the exhibits. I was mostly interested in vinyl playback, and so concentrated on those rooms. Of those that I did visit, my favorite room that I felt consistently performed very well with all genres of music was the ARC/Sonus Faber/ AMG v12 room. I have both heard and read of people who disparage the AMG v12's tonearm design, but from what my ears heard and the emotions that I felt while listening I would have to say that I could really give a *^A# what it's design or lack thereof is. It made beautiful music!
Other tables at the show that I thought did well was the TW Acustic Raven GT SE as shown here...and I must say that Jeffrey, the importer is one of the best guys in the business.
As for beauty, no one can deny the Artisan Fidelity tables and I thought they sounded wonderful as well.
For most unique design I'd say a toss up between the the Kronos..
and the Clearaudio Statement
And of course, one can never go wrong with the Brinkman Balance.
Best wishes,
No Regrets
Looks like some fine TT's showed up....