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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2014 18:30:23 GMT
Went to the show today and heard the Hornings. Pretty good as Horns go (not generally a big fan). Of course this may have something to do with approx £33K of valve amps driving them. Overall this show is becoming increasingly disappointing though a handful of demos produced pleasing results at a price. There was little 'affordable' gear that was given a meaningful demonstration. Just caught the tail end of Joe Boyd's Nick Drake session and heard an interesting talk with examples of good and bad Lp mastering from Darrel Sheinman of Gearbox Records.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 21, 2014 20:20:10 GMT
National Audio Show 2014 - Whittlebury
It was a quiet show, both from my perspective and when talking to the exhibitors. The good thing for me was being able to sit in a quiet room, listen intently and have a chat with the exhibitor. The bad side is the obvious lack of interest for a show that has had some history of success. The usual hotel-based show issues were evident, particularly the many rooms which didn't sound good and were not well set up by the exhibitors. Would you not think that, with the prospect of showing your high value components in known poor rooms, you would take a whole load of room correction elements with you? This has obviously not occurred to some vendors, with disappointing results.
So just a few photos then (taken with my phone)...
The new Horning Hybrid Eufrodite speakers, driven by enormous valve monoblocks. They sounded as fast as any horn speakers I've ever heard, and with no detectable colouration on female voice. Quite remarkable for Lowther drivers. Apparently Tommy Horning strips each one down and rebuilds them without the whizzer cone. Bass was very tight and well integrated, improving on the previous Agathons by using an array of Lowthers in isobaric format at the rear of the speakers. I felt that the bass could be improved by using more corner augmentation and they were duly moved closer to the corners, with improved bass weight and power. Note the P10 and P5 regenerators.
The Chasing the Dragon room were demonstrating their superb new direct cut recordings. After a listen to their Vivaldi Four Seasons, I picked up a copy which I'll listen to and review soon. Fascinating turntable (I couldn't identify it) and Focal professional speakers sounding good.
At last! A dealer capable of demonstrating Chord equipment. Fanthorpes combined Chord source, preamp and power amp with PMC monitors to very nice effect. Way better than Chord themselves usually manage. Mike would approve of the all-black Chord kit.
Dave Brook of MCRU was doing good business. It was enlightening talking to him about cable design and what sells well. He had lots of fascinating components and footers in his formidable range, and a new range of fuses that I didn't get a chance to ask him further about.
Dave Cawley of Timestep was demonstrating his superb Miyaki cartridges on an unusual dual-arm SME 10. I thought the Rosewood 'Waza' (yes, really) sounded highly detailed with great resolution and a deft hand. Dave explained to me the difference between a mono cartridge and a stereo cartridge wired for mono and it was very educational (see the Paul Rigby article). We discussed the new Beatles mono releases and I have resolved to buy a couple direct from the Apple label.
Alan Sircom of Hi-Fi+ was demonstrating a (cough) rather lovely pair of Usher Be-20s driven by an amp I've never come across before, a BMC. They sounded great and rather familiar, a bit like coming home!
There was more, and I couldn't help but pick up another couple of specials from the Diverse Vinyl range. It was great to meet and chat with Jerry, Hugo (demonstrating his Ammonite components), DaveC, The Brookmeister and TonyC. I also brought back a little present from TonyC: the first of my two Coherent 6D cables was ready. I felt the loss after he took back the demo ones so I'm excited! Full review soon.
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Post by John on Sept 21, 2014 20:29:26 GMT
Some great Pictures Shame the show was quiet this year
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2014 6:50:42 GMT
When I saw the Avid Chord PMC set up I was expecting something dreadful based on previous experience. I was pleasantly surprised by the sound of this system which was far from over incisive if lacking the level of musicality of some of the more exotic valve gear. The Horning set up was very good at a fairly elevated price level. Chasing The Dragon were only playing digital samples of their recordings when I stopped by but the sound was impressive from a set up of largely pro gear.
The Albarry amps did not produce the openness and sweet treble I have experienced but not sure if this was down to their own pre or the RFC speakers used (suspect the later). Don't think the room could be blamed here. Also spent some time in the Alacrity Audio room which I revisited having spotted a 'best room in show' sticker. These transmission line speakers have potential in that they have genuine extended bass from a thin tall cabinet but using Mp3 files as a source is hardly going to reveal the best of them. Rather optimistic retail prices too. Also a great sounding high end set up in the Audio Reference room. Daren't ask the prices.
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 30, 2014 19:37:31 GMT
AUDIOJUMBLE 2014
Sunday 5th October 2014 9:30am Early Entry: £10 10:30am Standard Entry: £5 THE ANGEL LEISURE CENTRE, TONBRIDGE, KENT. TN9 1SF. Website
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Post by MartinT on Sept 30, 2014 20:36:59 GMT
Even they have an electrical safety warning!
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 5, 2015 19:17:39 GMT
2015 NORTH WEST AUDIO SHOWCranage Hall, Chesire 28th June 2015FREE tickets available here! The 2015 North West Audio Show has just been announced for 28 June at Cranage Hall in Chesire. I went last year and it was excellent, not least because the quality of sound achieved was consistently way ahead of anything I've ever experienced at any UK show. It's a great venue and there's even free onsite parking.
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Post by MartinT on Jan 17, 2015 12:24:52 GMT
CES 2015 Report from The Absolute Sound
See the report here.
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Post by MartinT on Jan 22, 2015 6:43:29 GMT
CES 2015 Show Report: Speakers $20k and Under
Report here.
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Post by pwiles1968 on Feb 1, 2015 19:07:50 GMT
Not 100% sure if I am allowed to post links to other forums apologies if I am breaking any rules but it is a forum specific meet so no other choice, this one os for UK headphone fans, its a HeadFi meet in Cambridge 25th April, I really want to go but not sure about ground clearance yet from the boss. www.head-fi.org/t/748039/uk-2015-head-fi-meet-cambridge-saturday-25th-aprilI have never been to one of these most of the equipment is privately owned, there are some links to rules on the first page.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 1, 2015 19:12:38 GMT
That's fine, we have no problems with relevant forum links.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2015 17:33:25 GMT
MODERATION:
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Post by pwiles1968 on Mar 14, 2015 9:57:04 GMT
Just a heads up about a Record Store day at Frank Harvey in coventry coming up on April 18th. This is the store I use for most of my HiFi purchases the staff are fantastic and the events they put on are great, I might not make this one myself but for all you Vinyl and HiFi fans it is worth a look. Taken from www.hifix.co.uk/news-and-events : "Record Store Day Saturday 18th April 2015 We can now officially announce that our next Record Store Day 2015 will be Saturday April 18th. Frank Harvey Hi Fi Excellence will be holding an open day to celebrate this annual event, so all vinyl lovers are all welcome. So what is Record Store Day? It started in 2007 when over 700 independent stores in the USA came together to celebrate their unique culture. The UK followed suit and 2014 will see the seventh celebration of the UK's unique independent sector. This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special Vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the event. To celebrate this day, and the second anniversary of our expanding Vinyl Record store, we will be offering some really exclusive Vinyl releases as well a number of one-day only promotions. We will also have a very special system set up in store featuring one of Rega’s award winning top turntables."
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Post by alaska on Mar 14, 2015 12:12:47 GMT
Hope to see you there Paul...
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Post by MartinT on Mar 14, 2015 14:19:10 GMT
I'd love to pop up there and note that it's on a Saturday, so it may be possible.
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Post by pwiles1968 on Mar 14, 2015 20:25:33 GMT
Alaska - I will see what happens, it is my birthday weekend and I will be off out the country for my actual birthday so probably need to spend some time with family :-) but will be good to catch up if you are there.
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 15, 2015 7:43:34 GMT
The Wigwam Scalford show - Sunday 29th March - 2 weeks away today. Anyone here going or demming? I'll be sharing a dem room - I'm supplying most of the electronics, as well as leading the dem, Matt will be supplying his rather surprising DIY build speakers. I was over his place last night helping to finalise the design of the x-overs! Come visit and see and hear my awesome vintage Rotel RA-1412 amp, Technics SL-P1200 cdp as well as my more modern NAD S300 amp and Wyred4Sound DAC.
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Post by John on Mar 15, 2015 9:45:26 GMT
It is a bit to busy for me as a punter I would love to do a room if I could get one the right size (but that would be highly unlikely). The last time I tried I ended up not demoing one bit of my own equipment and feeling let down by the behaviour of people I went out of my way to help
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 15, 2015 9:57:31 GMT
Sounds like a bad experience, John - my own experiences at all of the Scalford shows have always been highly positive. Without doubt the most enjoyable hifi shows I have attended. I've demmed there myself several times, on my own and shared (always with just 1 other person) - a hugely enjoyable thing to do. I'm thrumming with excitement about this year's show !!
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Post by John on Mar 15, 2015 10:17:53 GMT
Yes you get a good bunch and guess can be a lot of fun. I would want a reasonable size room if I was to try it again. But they not easy to get and seem to based on who you know
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