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My ritual of taking lots of pictures at audio shows has not changed..... Different town, different gear, same bliss.
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Follow Ups:
Who makes the tube amps in pic 11 on page1? Is that an alien standing outside the window?
Elekit but the guy selling them was from Canada and upgrades the kits. Still a great price. I have his card somewhere, maybe look it up on the RMAF site? this guy has a lot more than elekit.
P
As I slowly slip into the dark cesspool of audiophalia neurosis. . . .
My speaker building site
"Who makes the tube amps in pic 11 on page1?
A Chinese audio manufacturer called "Elekit"..... Don't know the model, the "oval" shape tubes are KT150s.
"Is that an alien standing outside the window?"
Quite possible..... He may have been spying on the show.
Thanks. I have a quad of KT150'S. Great tubes!Are those 211 or 845's on the far left? Didn't know Elekit made that many different amps.
Edits: 10/14/18
Only one of these are on the Elekit site. This guy has more.
As I slowly slip into the dark cesspool of audiophalia neurosis. . . .
My speaker building site
are of course ridiculous for anyone except the top 1% of incomes.
No wonder young people now just do MP3s on a $200 phone. What choice do they have, they sure as hell can't buy $20K speakers.
I got into audiophilia in my 20s, with Boston Acoustics A40 speakers, Dynaco PAT4 preamp and ST-120 amps I built from kits.
What is the future of hi-fi audio now? Bezos and Bill listening in their nuclear proof cave mansions, and the Saudi Oil magnates in London?
Yeah, I don't get it. There's no longer a middle ground: just cheap stuff and crazy expensive stuff.
I couldn't get into "high end" audio when I was in my 20s--took me about 30 years before I could afford it. But one can be interested in audio early on...it's a long term hobby.
Did you spend much time in the Serious Stereo demo room?
Got anything to report on their SE DC 2A3 mono amplifiers?
Sounded pretty good.
OK, in relationship to a lot of rooms guilty of WAY over-driving their spaces.
For example, the NOLA room was one I had to literally RUN OUT OF it was so bad. And they were using similar Seas drivers (with an additional awful sounding ribbon tweeter for some reason?) as the WONDERFUL sounding speakers in the Joseph Audio room.
Go figure.
Thanks for the report.
And to all who posted photos of the event.
DT 667
Since I was not overly familiar with industry brands, I opted to spread my time thin and just see all that I can......
I mean, I could have spent the whole time in the Can Jam (headphone) area, I had to pick and choose there as well.
nt
....the new bluegrass? :--}
Bluegrass is the new polka. ;-)
...And I didn't see even one Philips CDC-935 anywhere. What's up with that?
Thanks for taking the time to show some of us what we missed, Todd.
"Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be. 'Cause now I'm an amputee" J. Lennon
"And I didn't see even one Philips CDC-935 anywhere. What's up with that?"
Don't laugh, I've thought about bringing a Don Allen modified unit to a show...... I was advised against it only because too many representatives would fear their expensive products being upstaged by a 1990s vintage item that in its stock form wasn't highly regarded........... Not to mention potential damage to the unit in transporting it...... I've overheard too many reps at the show lament about damaged gear, it was kind of scary.
But laughing with you, certainly not at you.
If you recall, I've always trusted your assessment of the modded Philips CDC-935 enough that I bought my own 935, but Don died before I could make arrangements to send mine to him.
Speaking of which, if you, or anyone else knows of someone who is doing the tube output stage mod, or even better, has a schematic, I'd love to hear about it.
Thanks!
"Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be. 'Cause now I'm an amputee" J. Lennon
:)
all the best,
mrh
Okay, I've finally finished looking through all three files, and I wondered: Is security a concern at a show like that? Seems to me there are lots of little pieces-parts that could go a'walkin' right outta there.
BTW, in file 3, the shots of the fellow in overalls checking out the gear is worth a caption contest.
Those pictures of the ESD Acoustic system with the man checking it out was to give an idea of the sheer size of the system.
.
nt
Bravo! Todd.
that weren't XXX-rated!
Don't think I spotted anything I could afford, but I'll gladly look again ;-)
nt
As I slowly slip into the dark cesspool of audiophalia neurosis. . . .
My speaker building site
The TZ100 was marketed to the European market, the TZ101 to the German market..... The audio in the videos of the TZ101 seems to have more resolution, which was why I opted for that particular version. It was also cheaper to purchase, in spite of the extra shipping charges.
People asked me about the camera used, it was a Panasonic Lumix TZ101. I got the camera for THE Show 2017, and was planning to use it for that show and the Los Angeles Audio Show 2018. Both of those shows happened to be cancelled. It was the reason why I signed onto RMAF for the first time. I finally used the camera at RMAF 2018. (I almost bit the bullet for a Leica C-Lux, which is a tweaked Lumix ZS200.)
People tell me they were shocked that I didn't use a DSLR or a tripod..... The auto-focus and optical image stabilization of the TZ101 are absolutely amazing. It was also the first camera I used at an audio show that didn't require geometric correction.
I did try my cellphone camera, a Huawei P10 Plus, after the battery expired in the TZ101 late on the first night. The pictures were a lot more ordinary. One of those pics is shown above.
I am exhausted,but happy
Silence is golden duct tape is silver
Fabulous pics..thanks!!
Lots of really nice pics! It's almost like being there.
THANKS!!!
....showed me just how many rooms and displays I missed. There's no doubt I missed more rooms than I saw. WOW. Great job, Todd....
I missed a few rooms too.... (I regret missing the one room with the speakers that look like my HE speakers, except for the extra woofer.) It looks like Rod M. got some of those................
I enjoy doing it...... This is all value-added.
x
Vbr,
Sam
Looks like the hobby is doing fine by these photographs. Three of the five audio consultant's shops closed down here in Chicago area in recent years. A few other audio boutique shops opened up to close the gap but they are mostly by appointment only.
I concur with others here on a job well done Todd, enjoyed the many quality photos. And again thanks for your efforts as well as taking the time to share with others, I feel like I was there!
Regards,
/// Tim W. ///
Just want to echo the sentiments of others. What a monumental undertaking and the images eclipse the efforts of many of the so called "pros" who post here. Equally monumental (for me at least) is the task of trying to figure the brands of much of the gear being shown. Not complaining at all but it'll keep me on my toes, that's for sure.
.
Gsquared
About half way down your Page 1, I saw a minimal system consisting of two boxes with wood faceplates and basic looking speakers on tasteful looking cherry stands. I don't recognize the electronics or the speakers, and there were no signs behind the system to identify it. It looks too nice to be a DIY effort. What the heck was it?
It was one of the setups by SoundSmith...... Which incidentally was one of my "best in show" winners, which I'll post within a few days.
I never caught the name of the speakers, but they sounded great with more bass than expected for the size.
Those are SoundSmith Monarchs, I bought a pair new when first offered, going on 10 years now. I surmise a variation of the Bozak MB-80 which Peter designed while at Bozak.
You can call me clueless because I had no idea Soundsmith made whole systems. I thought they just made cartridges and phono preamps.
Soundsmith has been making stand-mount speakers for many years, and showed complete systems at CES as well.
...a lot of which is just plain ugly stuff. Is this a contest?
:P
I can't compete with the dead (Buck W. 2010)
$45 gets them out the door tomorrow. $50 gets them out the door yesterday (Byrd 2016)
Cowards can't be heroes. (Byrd 2017)
Many of those shots had a studio quality to them even though they were taken in ordinary hotel rooms.
nt
I remember your Verdier turntable, there was one at the show...... Do you still use that turntable?
You have a good memory Todd. Yes, I saw that one. Apparently they are still being manufactured. An old customer who became a good friend from Litlle Rock, AK bought it from me and still uses it with his top of the line Naim system. I installed a Lyra Kleos SL for him a few years ago. A really nice sounding system.
Sorry I missed you at the show.
nt
Wow, lots of photos! Thanks!
...appreciate the time and effort it took to put together.
Thanks again.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Great job Todd. Hope you saved some time to listen ;) Looks like if you could only attend one show, RMAF would be the one. Sad now I didn't make the effort. Hope the change in venue next year only helps (not hurts) their momentum going forward.
Someone pointed out the new venue for next year's show...... The place is huge...... 1,500 rooms......
I also get note that the show next year might be four days..... Which would be nice because one has to do quick listens in each room, because there was so much stuff at the show.
Yeah, but I also heard somewhere that the 4th day (assuming Thurs.) would be for dealers/manufacturers only.....much like CES :(
The huge Munich show also starts with a trade only day. I went to it during the 2017 show and would tell you not to be worried about not attending that day.Why? Many of the rooms are silent or otherwise have restricted entry as the manufacturers are talking over arrangements with their dealers or are having a wine and cheese (coffee and cakes?) gathering for them. Audio journalists can also get the chance to talk about new products without having " Keith Don't Go" being played at 100dB at the same time.
Even more important to punters like us is the fact that if the trade day is the first day of the show (usually is), the systems will only have been installed on the afternoon or evening of the previous day and will have not had time to settle in or to be fine tuned. I went to several rooms where the sound was not very enticing on that initial morning yet when revisited the next day were best sound of the show contenders.
I would not use my connections to attend another trade day when I next go to Munich. The latter depends, of course, on whether or not I will have to get a visa to go to Germany after Brexit. If so I will stay put.
Edits: 10/11/18
Yep, it sounds almost advantageous for regular attendees. In theory, like you say, system set ups should be better tuned by the Friday opening.
What were your impressions of the Monarch bookshelf speakers?
I was impressed with the sounds in that room...... I have about ten "best in show" winners, nothing stood out, so it's a big tie.
I took cryptic notes, but I'll figure it out.
I have the original Monarchs that he released . I'm wondering if there has been any major changes to it . Also have his Aida cart.
I wasn't familiar with his Monarch speakers until Todd's picture sparked my interest, so I read what I could find on the internet about them. Lots of positive comments in show reports, but very few reviews. How do you like yours?
I saw that the price has gone from $3k in 2012 to $4k in 2015 to $8k now. And the smaller Dragonfly has gone from $2k to $6k. I don't see any mention of upgrades or revisions on SoundSmith's web site, so I don't know what's behind the huge price increase.
I'm limited to judging them by their appearance/construction, but $8k seems pretty steep.
I bought mine when they were first introduced and I enjoy them very much for low volume easy listening. The original model used a Davis driver, and I believe the soft dome tweeter (for that tweeter option) was an Audax. Very natural presentation and good imaging.I had to replace a Davis driver (actually bought a pair), which had to be sourced from Germany, when my kid hot switched his phone audio thru a Marantz 3600/510M (volume pegged), and the cone got blown past the phase plug! Fried!. The tweeters survived, probably because of the dome lamp protection. I suspect that the Monarch & Dragonfly are an offshoot and new generation Bozak MB-80 (I have two pairs of those-one completely restored) which Peter designed. Very nice budget bookshelf at the time of my purchase, but for $8K I think thats a large stretch. That's more than I paid for my Legacy Focus SE's brand new!
I heard them years ago at The Show in Vegas. Wonderful speakers that seemed a touch overpriced, but not outrageous at that time. Yes, at $8K, they have now entered outrageous territory.
nt
aa
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
.
Well done.
Thanks for the great show pics Todd !!
But I have to ask, what's up with those phono cartridges that have built-in LED lighting? I noticed a couple that have LED lighting up front sort of like a headlamp. I wonder how the LED is powered and if there's separate wiring in the tonearm??. Will this interfere with the cartridge's minuscule signal?? Did you get the manufacturer of those cartridges??
I can see how a cartridge headlamp -might- be useful for illuminating the record in a dark room while lowering the needle. On the other hand, it could be just a gimmick like the LEDs we find under vacuum tubes for enhanced coolness factor. Vacuum tube LEDs remind of piped in exhaust note found in some newer cars. Is it really necessary?? ;-)
My favorite "lighted" cartridge was from SoundSmith........
But that SoundSmith 'strain gauge' cartridge is only $8600 !! I looked it up on their website.
What we need is an aftermarket bolt-on LED headlamp kit for the less affluent masses. ;-)
Very clean detailed sound
https://www.ds-audio-w.biz/?page_id=39
Great job Todd, just like being there, thanks!
Big J
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
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