Wow, what a great way to open a new sound room! Thanks to everyone who brought food, good attitudes, compliments, suggestions, and so on.. I didn't get to hang out with everyone as much as I would've liked.. and I didn't get to do a few things I'd intended (more on that in a minute).. but it was a great party and I was so happy to see so many enjoying themselves.
Thanks to Ken and Steve for shooting photos.. Excellent shots!
One thing I'd meant to demonstrate was the difference a USB cable can make.. I have the Axis cable on the SN DAC.. and it was in use the entire night... But by the time we'd gotten to DAC-swapping I was exhausted and my mind was slipping a bit... So, I forgot to do the swap for the standard cable. When we compared the Oracle to the SN most of the folks there seem to prefer the Oracle but I still like the organic, whole sound of the non-oversampling SN. The SN would've sounded less resolving with the stock cord which would've further widened the gap... but I'll probably write up the differences on that in its own review because it takes the SN to a higher level... and it deserves the praise.
Special Thanks for the 'above and beyond' type help with this room:
Thanks to Rich for all the hands-on help (subs, panels, etc.), advice, analysis, and support throughout the room project. I learned a lot thanks to you and I know I can test the patience of a teacher.
You really did a lot for me on this project, thank you.
Thanks to Shane, for the help with panels, multiple loaner cables, dacs, and deals.
Thanks to Bryan Pape for good advice and good deals on the room acoustics, including design principles, and application advice.
Thanks to Chris, you came a long way! It was greatly appreciated... as well as the nice nice cables you left us to try.
And thanks to my wife, Christine. If it weren't for her financial skills, this room wouldn't have happened.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing others have a great time, enjoying themselves, getting inspired and learning from something I did. That was the true joy to me of this meeting. I think the room sounds great and I'm glad others thought so as well!
Looking forward to more meetings in the future.. whether I host or not.. It's just a nice group of folks to hang out with.
-Carl