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In Reply to: RE: An Open Letter To Robert Harley posted by rlodad on July 4, 2009 at 12:16:06
>> He couldn't even discuss what he has heard at audio shows or friend's systems with either of these [Wavelength and Ayre] implementations of USB only DACs? <<
Dunno about Wavelength, but I have heard through the grapevine that Harley is so mad at me that he has forbidden any of his writers to mention Ayre, even in show reports. I must be doing something right...
Follow Ups:
"Also on the 34th floor was Andrew Jones’ beautiful, three-way, floorstanding TAD Reference One loudspeaker ($60k)—with its famous concentric beryllium midrange/tweeter and two ported 10" woven-Aramid-sandwich woofers—fed by Ayre electronics and one of The Tape Project 15ips, two-track tape players. The sound on the tapes was, needless to say, astonishing. On my own discs, the results were mixed—very good on Captain Luke’s voice and guitar on “Rainy Night in Georgia,” less impressive on Mark Cohn’s “Ghost Train,” where the bass seemed weak. Perhaps it was the arid Ayre electronics, of which I am no fan."
Wanna guess the writer?
Either he thought that it was an Ayre CD player (it was not -- only the amps were from Ayre) and was trying to get a jab in, or he is incapable of any logical thought. How can the amps make glorious sound with one source, but "arid" sound from a different source?
Duh, gee, maybe the source had something to do with it? Good thinking, there Jon....
It was an "as is" transaction.
I guess no refunds allowed, but you can usually learn something from almost anybody.
C'est la vein, as they say.
Charles, how long has it been? Last time I saw you (at the Tuscany maybe?) Ayre had one of the best sounding systems at the show. And if I remember correctly, it was also one of the most affordable. Sure was fun that year. Hope I can make it back to Vegas for 2010.
Hope all is well.
Sue
Hi Sue. You haven't seen me at a CES since January 2006. I was paralyzed in an accident that fall and haven't been to a show since, not even the Rocky Mountain show in Denver.
I'm glad you liked the sound we were getting, but as far as I know there was no mention of Ayre in any show report for quite some time.
In the Feb. 2007 issue PG.59 3rd RMAF coverage. Neil wrote "Even though Ayre Acoustics and Vandersteen were shoe-horned in a small room, the system had "star" written all over it. Not overpowering in scale, it was pure musicality in its ease and spacious soundstaging. The new Ayre Mx-R monoblocks ($16,500/pr.) and K-1xe preamp ($7000) represent a stylistic departure for Ayre - their narrow width and increased depth are today's popular profile. The Mx-Rs' platform is an ultra-rigid, aircraft-grade aluminum chassis with circuitry that improves upon Ayres zero-feedback fully-balanced designs. Orchestral microdynamics were exceptional, no doubt due in part to the twin transformers. With the Mx-R outputting 300w into 8 ohms and doubling that into 4 ohms and analog courtesy of the Linn LP12, the Vandersteen Quattros ($6995/pr.) exhibited a sense of control and liveliness that was stunning."
thanks
barondla
Of an event that occurred in October 2006???
I think that predates our dispute with the magazine.
I believe Mr. Valin mentioned something about Ayre having 'arid' sound, in conjunction with positively commenting on another manufacturer in the same room in the report. I believe it was Vegas.
Valin wrote some completely illogical nonsense about how the sound in the TAD room sounded glorious with master tapes (or something like that), but only mediocre with his CD's.
Then instead of maybe doing something logical like, oh, blaming the CD player, he blamed the amps (the only Ayre component in that system).
So you tell me -- how can the amps sound glorious with one source, but "arid" with another source? Or was Valin just out to take a jab at Ayre?
The cable episode was enough for me to dismiss anything he says.
-Wendell
the Parasound Halo A21 until Valin's strong recommendation came along. I have since auditioned it and think its a fine amp but I can't talk myself into buying something he recommends. Heck, I stopped reading TAS once I realized what the guy is all about.
nt
Charles,
It's been longer than I thought since I met you. It was the previous year in 2005 when T.H.E. Show was held at the Tuscany. I wasn't covering CES for TAS that year but attended as a civilian. I did a bit of digging last night and found a few photos. Like I said, Ayre was one of my favorite rooms at the show that year.
I did hear about your accident and sincerely wish you the best.
Sue
If it's not true? This is not meant as a rhetorical question.I bet Hansen knows the date better than you, despite your denial that there is no such policy to not give any mention of Ayre.
To be honest, I'm not sure when the last time Ayre was mentioned in TAS. I believe I was the last to review an Ayre product in 2007 (not positive on the date) and after that I'm not sure. I was responding to the statement that TAS writers were forbidden to mention Ayre. If so, guess I'm in big trouble :)
Seriously, in the 10 years I've been writing for TAS, I've never been forbidden to mention any manufacturer. I'm not saying Charles is lying, just saying this is the first I've heard of such a thing.
Sue
> > I believe I was the last to review an Ayre product in 2007 (not positive on the date) and after that I'm not sure. < <
Yes, that was the last review of Ayre in TAS. You had just finished up your review when the Valin cable episode came to light. Your review was already at the publishers. A few months later those components (now I can't remember if it was just the CX-7e or that plus the AX-7e) made the recommended components list. I was pleasantly surprised that they did, but all other previously recommended Ayre components were dropped from that edition of the list. There hasn't been any mention of Ayre since.
Hi Charles, first I want to remind you and anyone else that we are friends, as well as competitors.
I have found, in my experience, that you don't want to attack and insult reviewers, if you want them to give you any notice. You have attacked and insulted Valin and by implication, others on the staff of 'The Absolute Sound' except perhaps HP, who needs a good 'dressing down' for his antics over the decades.
Reviewers have the power of the pen, and if you don't get along with them, you should, at least, be polite. Attacking them just doesn't do it.
Unfortunately, I don't get much press in 'The Absolute Sound' either, at least not as much as I might like, and I am, and always have been friendly to Bob Harley. Sometimes, it just depends on what they want to talk about.
Edits: 07/09/09
rw
(nt)
Over the years I have generally enjoyed Robert Harley's work. On the other hand Valin has always seemed to me to have strong biases and modest stardards. Certain brands seems to always get a strong rating...even before the product is on the market...and other items get ignored...and most everything seems to be a break through....always a revolution...not evolutionary design progress. Coupled with his apparent interest in reselling items he doesn't own...not that I have any first hand knowledge...well perhaps I do. Years ago the company I was with sent a review sample to TAS....none was forthcoming, the amp never was returned to the factory.
But I can't remember what year the "cable sale on eBay" took place.
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