Bob’s System Evolution

[Bobvin]

Funny how we all have different experiences with the same gear.

Not so funny really, we all hear things a little differently, we have different tastes too. So many variables come into play. That said, I didn't do a shoot-out comparison of any kind like you did, and perhaps, comparing the Extreme to another server, I'd have a different opinion.

Compared to my little Intel i7 NUC, which previously fed files to my Rossini DAC via ethernet, having a no-holds-barred server sitting alongside the DAC feeding via optimized USB, if things didn't sound substantially better I'd be pretty f'n disappointed. The Extreme did not disappoint.

Last night I had a couple friends over, one who has better ears than me, to tinker with placement of the big Bayz Counterpoint speakers. We moved them about a bit then settled down and listened. My digital source hasn't had any upgrade for a couple years, so my friends were familiar with the sound of my system, and they've been by to visit many times to listen to the Alsyvox and the Diesis speakers.

Both of my friends commented it was the best digital they'd heard, exposing texture and nuance to voices they'd not heard before. The Bayz, like the others, are pretty amazing speakers, and when my friends left and I had time in the sweet spot I was astonished by the overall improvement of the sound. For now, the big Counterpoints will stay in place for a time to get fully run-in, but I am eager to listen to digital now with the other speakers.

 

[apdoc2004]

Bob,
Congrats on getting the Taiko Extreme server. Your system sounded so good when I visited to audition the Diesis speakers a couple of months ago; I can only imagine how amazing it sounds now!
Maybe I can request to come over for another listen the next time I am in Lake Oswego. I would love to hear the system with the Alsyvox speakers.
Anshul

 

[MRJAZZ]

Not so funny really, we all hear things a little differently, we have different tastes too. So many variables come into play. That said, I didn't do a shoot-out comparison of any kind like you did, and perhaps, comparing the Extreme to another server, I'd have a different opinion.

Compared to my little Intel i7 NUC, which previously fed files to my Rossini DAC via ethernet, having a no-holds-barred server sitting alongside the DAC feeding via optimized USB, if things didn't sound substantially better I'd be pretty f'n disappointed. The Extreme did not disappoint.

Last night I had a couple friends over, one who has better ears than me, to tinker with placement of the big Bayz Counterpoint speakers. We moved them about a bit then settled down and listened. My digital source hasn't had any upgrade for a couple years, so my friends were familiar with the sound of my system, and they've been by to visit many times to listen to the Alsyvox and the Diesis speakers.

Both of my friends commented it was the best digital they'd heard, exposing texture and nuance to voices they'd not heard before. The Bayz, like the others, are pretty amazing speakers, and when my friends left and I had time in the sweet spot I was astonished by the overall improvement of the sound. For now, the big Counterpoints will stay in place for a time to get fully run-in, but I am eager to listen to digital now with the other speakers.[/QUOTE

Congrats on the Taiko....Question, how was the NUC set up, with the supplied wall brick, (SMPS), or an after market LPS?

 

[Bobvin]

Congrats on the Taiko....Question, how was the NUC set up, with the supplied wall brick, (SMPS), or an after market LPS?

I had spent the last few years since getting my Rossini DAC upgrading my analog side… tonearm upgrade, Etsuro Gold cartridge, bespoke LFD phono cable, and CS Port phono stage. The little NUC on my digital side was as “out of the box” as it gets — basically Roon’s recommended hardware config to have a little non- MS Windows based Roon core. The only tweak I added was an Audioquest jitterbug. I didn’t want to go down the road I read so many people following, that of getting a linear power supply only to find a better one, doing the same with switches, etc. I sat on the sidelines and watched others but then started to follow the Taiko thread on another forum. I finally decided to get one and I am thrilled. It is only a few days old at this point, and I haven’t tried Taiko’s own software yet.

 

[Kingsrule]

Wait until u have 1000 hours on it.......

 

[still-one]

Not so funny really, we all hear things a little differently, we have different tastes too. So many variables come into play. That said, I didn't do a shoot-out comparison of any kind like you did, and perhaps, comparing the Extreme to another server, I'd have a different opinion.

Compared to my little Intel i7 NUC, which previously fed files to my Rossini DAC via ethernet, having a no-holds-barred server sitting alongside the DAC feeding via optimized USB, if things didn't sound substantially better I'd be pretty f'n disappointed. The Extreme did not disappoint.

Last night I had a couple friends over, one who has better ears than me, to tinker with placement of the big Bayz Counterpoint speakers. We moved them about a bit then settled down and listened. My digital source hasn't had any upgrade for a couple years, so my friends were familiar with the sound of my system, and they've been by to visit many times to listen to the Alsyvox and the Diesis speakers.

Both of my friends commented it was the best digital they'd heard, exposing texture and nuance to voices they'd not heard before. The Bayz, like the others, are pretty amazing speakers, and when my friends left and I had time in the sweet spot I was astonished by the overall improvement of the sound. For now, the big Counterpoints will stay in place for a time to get fully run-in, but I am eager to listen to digital now with the other speakers.

Bob, just to clarify my post. I was only relating to my experience with the Taiko server. I have not had the opportunity to hear the other gear you have set up in your home. It looks awesome and should able to show all it can do in that wonderful room.

 

[Bobvin]

Bob,
Congrats on getting the Taiko Extreme server. Your system sounded so good when I visited to audition the Diesis speakers a couple of months ago; I can only imagine how amazing it sounds now!
Maybe I can request to come over for another listen the next time I am in Lake Oswego. I would love to hear the system with the Alsyvox speakers.
Anshul

Anshul, you’re welcome anytime, just ping me. Currently the big Bayz are setup and I’m loving the sound, easily in the league with the Alsyvox (maybe even a little better, but my experience with them is short, and I haven’t optimized setup yet, the speakers are still resting on furniture sliders.) These too you should have a listen—they’re remarkable.

But if you want to hear Botticelli I am happy to swap out the speakers, I have improved my swapping skills.

 

[Bobvin]

Bob, just to clarify my post. I was only relating to my experience with the Taiko server. I have not had the opportunity to hear the other gear you have set up in your home. It looks awesome and should able to show all it can do in that wonderful room.

Thank you Jim — I understood you were commenting on the Taiko. And I respect your opinion, I have heard a similarly configured system as yours at the Wilson / Dag / Transparent dealer in Seattle, so I have an inkling how your rig sounds. It is a system many would aspire to. That the Taiko didn’t move you doesn’t shock me, I know you have wax in your ears — just kidding! I cast no aspersions on your experience. Some people have giving me a lot of crap because I said the big Wilson WAMM didn’t move me when I heard them, but another brand’s top offering did. There is only what works for you and your rig in my opinion. Do you stream to the dCS stack? Is there a server you have chosen for yourself?

 

[Stehno]

Oh please - lets call this for what it is - you have made a deal with Rhapsody - this is a business deal - pure & simple - to call it anything else is just BS. All anyone who questions my summation needs to do is wander over to WBF & read your posts on there. The " lay down misère" is the Pre Amp - Amp/s & three completely different sets of speakers - each north of $100k - come from Rhapsody. This business model was tried in AUS a number of years ago by a particular company - it has since quietly lapsed into a coma.

Good points. Not that I've a dog in this scuffle, but Bob may in some ways or at some times be replacing a dealer for any given sale. Assuming Bob's cut is anywhere from perhaps 1% to 30%, doesn't really matter, but it's not loose change for ice cream.

But I do have a few concerns including some of Bob's friends stepping forward seemingly to Bob's defense claiming he has money so he's not doing it for the money and crap like that. That's one of the silliest arguments I've heard lately. But it apparently works as it seems some of us buy right into it. Maybe one of these guys should email Warren Buffet to remind him he doesn't need money so he can stop investing.

How's that saying go again? Ask anybody (that's anybody) how much money they'd like to make and the answer is always more.

 

[pdub]

Good points. Not that I've a dog in this scuffle, but Bob may in some ways or at some times be replacing a dealer for any given sale. Assuming Bob's cut is anywhere from perhaps 1% to 30%, doesn't really matter, but it's not loose change for ice cream.

But I do have a few concerns including some of Bob's friends stepping forward seemingly to Bob's defense claiming he has money so he's not doing it for the money and crap like that. That's one of the silliest arguments I've heard lately. But it apparently works as it seems some of us buy right into it. Maybe one of these guys should email Warren Buffet to remind him he doesn't need money so he can stop investing.

How's that saying go again? Ask anybody (that's anybody) how much money they'd like to make and the answer is always more.

To my knowledge there is only one dealer for the three speakers and amps in Bob's room -- Rhapsody in NYC. Hats off to Rhapsody for finding several enthusiasts around the country willing to entertain potential customers in their homes and demo this esoteric gear. Hope it works out for everyone.
Parker

 

[Mike]

To my knowledge there is only one dealer for the three speakers and amps in Bob's room -- Rhapsody in NYC. Hats off to Rhapsody for finding several enthusiasts around the country willing to entertain potential customers in their homes and demo this esoteric gear. Hope it works out for everyone.
Parker

Is it the role of a distributor to be a seller of one or to build up a dealer network? Unless one is strictly distribution like High End by Oz or On A Higher Note or dozens of others, I think Walter at Fidelis does it right. He’s a dealer and distributor. He keeps the brands he distributes for his area and builds up a dealer network outside of his area.


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[Stehno]

To my knowledge there is only one dealer for the three speakers and amps in Bob's room -- Rhapsody in NYC. Hats off to Rhapsody for finding several enthusiasts around the country willing to entertain potential customers in their homes and demo this esoteric gear. Hope it works out for everyone.
Parker

Agreed. I've no issue with Bob's endeavors. As I read some of the posts I was a bit concerned about few things but, my radar started to go up a bit further when it seemed like a handful were volunteering to go on center stage trying to convince us, if one has need of money then their intent must be evil.

Bob's relationship with Rhapsody matters not to me and he's to be commended for that as I'm sure he'll enjoy it. But since they have regional dealers, I guess Bob's a startup dealer soon to expand?

Seriously though. I think it'll be fun for Bob and certainly a real convenience for customers in the area so it sounds like a win-win for all. Though, if there's any speaker movement for best sonics, it's gonna' be a little work for Bob, but I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Just checked out Rhapsody's website. They've got 5 others out there like Bob and seems like an interesting business model. And from what I could gather on the other's Bob's presentation should be head and shoulders over the other 5.

BTW, I'm really just glad to see Bob endulge in a few in-room videos. And the George Winston one I listened to sounded rather musical too.

 

[Bobvin]

For sure, it is a different business model. Bob @ Rhapsody is not trying to be a distributor, he is a single point for sales of a number of brands not distributed elsewhere in the USA. Myself and a few others are "remote listening rooms" and we have no part of the sales process. If someone comes here and listens, like what they hear, and choose to make a purchase they'll deal directly with Rhapsody. This should not be confused with the typical distributor/dealer model. There are no local dealers that the "listening rooms" are competing with.

Everyone is hung up on "what's in it for me?" I understand that people will now judge all my comments as promotional and they can sift / sort / filter my comments as they see fit. I've always been honest and straight forward. If you are interested in any of the brands offered by Rhapsody you have less of a travel commitment with the remote listening rooms geographically distributed across the USA, it is really simple as that.

I've had a few companies approach me to be a dealer, even one asked me to be a distributor. I'm in process of retiring and selling the company I build over the last 20 years. I'm not interested in starting another.

 

[Mike]

For sure, it is a different business model. Bob @ Rhapsody is not trying to be a distributor, he is a single point for sales of a number of brands not distributed elsewhere in the USA.

Do those manufacturers know that? When I spoke with Daniele Coen of Alsyvox long before anyone had even heard of the brand, their expectation of a U.S. distributor was to build up a dealer network. Wonder what changed? I can probably still find the distributor agreement they sent me.

Frankly, it’s just not sustainable IMO.


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[Bobvin]

Yes, the principles of Alsyvox, Bayz, Diesis and Pilium are all aware and in complete agreement with the "listening room" model. I know Daniele @ Alsyvox is thrilled with the number of speakers that have been sold in USA. There was one other Alsyvox dealer, in SoCal, before the listening room agreement who is still a dealer. I don't know how he's been fairing with the brand, in California the covid restrictions I expect have made it hard on lots of dealers.

As to sustainable or not—its something only time will tell. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

 

[Mike]

Yes, the principles of Alsyvox, Bayz, Diesis and Pilium are all aware and in complete agreement with the "listening room" model. I know Daniele @ Alsyvox is thrilled with the number of speakers that have been sold in USA. There was one other Alsyvox dealer, in SoCal, before the listening room agreement who is still a dealer. I don't know how he's been fairing with the brand, in California the covid restrictions I expect have made it hard on lots of dealers.

As to sustainable or not—its something only time will tell. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Exactly. We’ll see.


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[Bobvin]

The big BAYZ Counterpoints completely disappear visually and sonically, leaving a soundstage that erases the boundaries of the room… iPhone 13 low light camera provides this nice night-time view from the sweet spot.

 

[Bobvin]

And what do those big BAYZ CounterPoint’s sound like in my room?

I don't offer this as a tool for evaluating sound quality, I’ll leave that to Jay. (I just don’t think a video, recorded on an iPhone, compressed by the YouTube algorithms, and played back on another system is going to tell you much of anything.) But, it can give a wee-little taste of what the Bayz Counterpoints sound like in my room. Forgive me for trying to hold the camera steady for the full song without use of a tripod. (I have a phone-mount on order.)

The track is "Cuando Silba El Viento" by La Segunda on 'Sera Una Noche' (44.1/16bit)

 

[Bobvin]

Konstantinos and Costas of Pilium Audio visited the Portland RLR yesterday -- a treat to spend time with the minds behind the sound. I love meeting with and learning from the passionate and creative individuals who drive this hobby forward.

 

[Paul]

Simply amazing. Whoa


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