AudioNervosa

Group Therapy => Sharing Experiences => Topic started by: richidoo on August 15, 2008, 03:19:26 PM

Title: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 15, 2008, 03:19:26 PM
http://www.triangleaudiosociety.com/

A rare opportunity to hear one of the worlds great amplifiers, R.E. Designs LNPA150, on loan from mgalusha, thanks Mike!

It's kind of a pot luck, run whatcha brung! We'll try starting a little earlier this time, 3pm. RSVP by PM.
Thanks
Rich
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Bigfish8 on August 15, 2008, 03:27:53 PM
Rich:

I would like to come and if there would be interest I will bring the ModWright Transporter. 

Ken
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: stereofool on August 15, 2008, 05:38:28 PM
I'm in  :D!
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 15, 2008, 06:35:08 PM
Thanks Ken, can't wait to hear it.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Carlman on August 16, 2008, 11:57:11 AM
I'll be there!  Thanks for throwing this shin-dig, Rich.   
Definitely looking forward to hearing the Modwright, Ken.

:)
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Inscrutable on August 16, 2008, 01:47:41 PM
I'll be there if I am in town. Ditto on the Modwright.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: stereofool on August 16, 2008, 03:49:30 PM
If there is any interest...I can bring the Raysonic CD168 cd player...OR...the REF1...OR...the VT100mkIII.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Carlman on August 22, 2008, 06:38:47 AM
Does anyone know how we could get the Bryston BDA-1 to this GTG?  I'd really like to hear it.

BTW, I have an Eastern Electric phono preamp and a TT I wouldn't mind bringing if anyone wants to spin vinyl...

-C
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 22, 2008, 07:02:42 AM
I would love to hear BDA-1 also. Audio Advice sells Bryston, and you are a legit customer of theirs. They have an official home trial program, you sign stuff out on Friday return it on Monday. Maybe they have one? The very first units are trickling out now, not sure the pipeline is full yet.  I've been excommunicated from Audio Advice for bugging too much without buying anything. No more free love for me.  The new Bryston BCD-1 is probably every bit as good, if not better, maybe they have that in stock for home demo?  It's been out for a while.

Steve bring whatever you want man! Bring it all if you want to compare stuff. I would love to hear any/all of your gear. Starting earlier will hopefully allow more gear to get airtime.

I am just finishing building a new Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid preamp today.

Working on some acoustic treatments. Maybe actually finish some of it this time.
Rich
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Carlman on August 22, 2008, 07:50:47 AM
I am an actual customer! ha.  I'll see what I can do.
-C
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: bacobits on August 24, 2008, 05:47:52 PM
Hey kids, I'm in WS,(Triad) where is the merriment?
Can anyone attend?
Directions via E Mail?

Den
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 24, 2008, 06:35:53 PM
Email sent. Looking forward to meeting you Den!
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: bacobits on August 25, 2008, 06:38:21 AM
Hey Rich, got it!
I can bring my Vista Audio i34 and a Becnchmark DAC1, cables, music.
I'm interested in heariing that Altmann DAC.
I have an EE Mini Max Phono but "Cman" said he was bringing one.
I am going to try and make it.

Den
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 25, 2008, 01:04:22 PM
Great, Den. We might not get to the amp since we have 5-6 amps booked already and might not even get to all of those. But I'm sure the Benchmark DAC would be a fun audition for everybody considering the other fine digital sources coming.

So far this is what might be coming:
Modwright Transporter
Benchmark DAC
Raysonic CD168 CDP
R.E. Designs LNPA-150 ss amplifiers courtesy mgalusha
ARC VT100mk3 ?
ARC Ref1 ?
Plinius Integrated 
Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid Preamp
Sol Samet I-30

That should keep us very busy. Let's save the vinyl for Carl's room because my joist floor is not braced yet. Every step is a skip.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Carlman on August 25, 2008, 04:12:49 PM
I doubt we'll have time to get into vinyl but I'll bring the EE Mini pre just in case.  I'm not using mine at the moment.. I'm amassing loads of stuff to put into a new room... Maybe we could setup a second room? How's that for freakin' you out, Rich? ;) 

We really need to have these things more regularly.  We have good enthusiasm in our group and more gear than we can ever hear in a day.  I'd say there really isn't enough time to do more than 3 or 4 'real' comparisons at a meet.  Anyone else willing to host?

-C
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 25, 2008, 05:09:36 PM
My TT is Technics SL-Q2 with Shure M97xe and Bellari tube pre. It is good enough for my 200 old records that I abused as a kid. It is ready to go if anyone wants to bring records. It sounds OK, but don't expect goosebumps - and tippy toe! haha

I like the idea of a second room. I thought of it before, but all my rooms are all just one big room, with no separating doors. With the main system playing loudly, the whole house hears it. You're right though, Carl, it is nice to setup a system and then actually listen to it for a little while before swapping again, especially something major like an amp or integrated. On the other hand, sometimes change is better to come quickly. Enough beer and nobody will care anyway. FI

I agree we should meet more often. A new person called me a couple weeks ago. He was referred by a friend who knows that I am an audio social butterfly figured I must know if there is an active audio society in triangle. He just moved down from NJ where there was an active group which met every month.  I said "well it just so happens we do.... "  Then there's Den learning about us thru AN. Point being  I think there is interest out there for more than what we are currently doing, maybe with some promotion we can attract other established audiophiles who would consider hosting and participating. As much as I hate the idea of more work, it may be time to expand and let the love flow forth!  We can talk about it at the meet.

Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: bacobits on August 25, 2008, 07:00:58 PM
Of course I wouldn't mind hosting here.
BUT, my dedicated room is 11' X12' (a 'la bedroom) so it wouldn't be able to seat more than 3, if that, at a time.
That presents a problem, but we can do anyway.

I agree, to do any justice to the equipment being auditioned no more than 4-5 pieces should do it.
Too many amps and you will never get to them all. Too much music and we will never get to it all is my experience.
 
You have an interesting line up. The R.E. Designs LNPA-150 are from MA and I have never heard them.
They were Martin DeWolf's "big rig" standard for a long time. I sub to Bound for Sound and that is how I read about the EE Mini Max Phono I have. Marty does a pretty good job and better than the bigger publications which have lost most of my respect.

Looking forward to meeting  "Ya all"!

Den


 
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Bill O'Connell on August 25, 2008, 08:07:43 PM
Hi Den,

  Martin is doing a review of our new M156 monoblocks, one of his writers Dr. Rich Weiner heard them last year after the RMAF for about a month and finally wrote the review and convinced Martin he should audition them for a second opinion, Martin HATES tube amps but from an email just received a couple a days ago I believe these monoblocks are changing his mind :D  The review should be in next month's edition.

To many components just taking brief auditions at a get together really is silly, whats the point? to many variables, nothing warms up, be it SS or tubes.

ooh ooh, lets put in a new piece of equipment every half hour :roll:

Just my opinion, but since I'm not making the trek out there I should be moot.
Rich, I'm looking for the schematic, it is in a folder somewhere.
 Later,
 Bill

 
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: chrisa on August 26, 2008, 02:45:25 AM
I would suggest having some of the meets focus on one component in the train. Such as speakers, or amps.  My preference would not to be shootouts to see which is "best", as those would involve frequent switchouts and become more work than pleasure.

If you meet more frequently, it would relieve the pressure of so many components to work into the mix.

Chris
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 26, 2008, 05:25:19 AM
Thanks for the great ideas guys! We are always very low key here, so there's no pressure or worry about getting to it all. Basically it's just tough shit if we don't get to it or if everyone wants to keep listening to one thing all night. Only one occasion did my anxiety about people's feelings cause too much swapping. Now I let the guys run it and everyone is happy. I just cook. :)  But on the other hand I don't want to see people dismantle their system and carry heavy stuff over if there is already too much. I think it's just about right. We are starting 2 hours earlier so should be plenty of time to listen and swap as we desire.

Since we have the HCat meet coming up next we will compare the amps during that meet. Tim has been itchin to bring the Plinius and I've been itchin to hear it too, so that may still come over this time.  So that makes two new amps and the rest are new sources. We can handle that. Steve is bringing his Ref 1 preamp not for comparison, but for the remote, input flexibility and great transparency. It makes everything sound good.

As time goes by we'll have more houses available. Meantime we'll just do as many as we can over here. My wife and I figured that the kids don't have to be banished during the meets. They can be here doing their own thing quietly. My wife doesn't get many weekends off so that's mainly why we could only meet every 3-4 months.
Rich
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: bpape on August 26, 2008, 07:17:52 AM
Sounds like you're gonna have a great time Rich.  Make sure to post some pics of the event and the gear.

Bryan
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 29, 2008, 07:11:53 AM
Thanks Bry, wish you could be here too. Someday we will coax you into coming...

I am working on hanging some acoustic treatments for the G2G. I put up the first one last night, sounds good!  But it probably won't look so good - would you believe that burlap sold at Joann Fabric is only 45" across, not 54" like upholstery fabric. My wife said that's the width they use for clothes fabric.  I said who's gonna wear clothes made out of olive green burlap? Then we figured it out - it is almost scarecrow season.   :roll: 

Will people please bring their super digital coaxial cables for all these DACs that are coming? There was a yellow Analysis Plus digital coax floating around, did mdconnelly end up with that beauty? I PM'ed him. We want to be able to feed CDs to the TP in addition to running SqueezeCenter 7.2. Also feed the Atmann and Benchmark with good cables to give them half a chance. I do have consumer digital cables as backup.

Also I can share some USB hard drives if anyone wants to bring music on HD.

Steve can you bring the AR Ref 1 preamp so we have abundant inputs (bal/se) and balanced output for the Snappers with SE for the LNPA. Please also bring the Raysonic CDP so the modwright doesn't get "lonely at the top."  I only have balanced mic cables (pro audio) so maybe bring along a fistful of your new JPS balanced ICs? Maybe Shane can bring some single ended SC3s?  Thanks!

RichardS can't attend, but has donated some primo cables for us to have on hand / listen.
Gabriel Gold Revelations, Piega Opus-1. And maybe even http://www.stereophile.com/cables/805harm/  :shock:    Thanks Richard!

Rich
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: miklorsmith on August 29, 2008, 08:14:02 AM
Holy shamolies!  Somebody should add up the Suggested Retail value of all the stuff that's going to be there.  Don't release the number until after the event of course, as unscrupulous types might be monitoring these channels.

I'm getting drooley  :drool: thinking about all that great stuff.  It's gonna be hard to hear it all tho.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: mdconnelly on August 29, 2008, 10:24:51 AM
...There was a yellow Analysis Plus digital coax floating around, did mdconnelly end up with that beauty? I PM'ed him.

Nope, not me.  I thought it was Carl's.   I'm using Groover digital ICs.   Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make it to the G2G - prior family obligations.    I'll catch the next one.    Have fun!
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 29, 2008, 10:56:14 AM
We have a lot of serious audiophiles in our area. Everybody keeps trying and learning, so the toys are always churning. I can't express how much the local gang has increased my enjoyment of the hobby.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: stereofool on August 29, 2008, 01:17:16 PM
Quote

Steve can you bring the AR Ref 1 preamp so we have abundant inputs (bal/se) and balanced output for the Snappers with SE for the LNPA. Please also bring the Raysonic CDP so the modwright doesn't get "lonely at the top."  I only have balanced mic cables (pro audio) so maybe bring along a fistful of your new JPS balanced ICs? Maybe Shane can bring some single ended SC3s?  Thanks!

Rich

SURE!!!

I will pack up the REF1 and the Raysonic...as well as plenty of cables...my USB HD 'finally' with some music on it  :duh...and some cd's as well.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: stereofool on August 29, 2008, 01:19:32 PM
We have a lot of serious audiophiles in our area. Everybody keeps trying and learning, so the toys are always churning. I can't express how much the local gang has increased my enjoyment of the hobby.


Rich,

Your willingness to host so many events...has been above and beyond the call  :clap: :beer: !!!
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Bigfish8 on August 29, 2008, 05:29:05 PM
We have a lot of serious audiophiles in our area. Everybody keeps trying and learning, so the toys are always churning. I can't express how much the local gang has increased my enjoyment of the hobby.


Rich,

Your willingness to host so many events...has been above and beyond the call  :clap: :beer: !!!

Rich:

I agree with Stereofool, if it were not for you there would be no Triangle Audio Society.  Thank you for your commitment to make this a success.   :beer: :-({|=

Ken
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 29, 2008, 05:52:20 PM
 :oops:  Thanks, it's fun!
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Bill O'Connell on August 29, 2008, 08:21:50 PM
Couldn't agree more, a more gracious host you will never find.

 I'm sure Carl ,once the mancave is completed will give Rich competition but until that day comes the Grammy goes to Mr G2G himself. Rich your the best!
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: mgalusha on August 30, 2008, 07:11:02 AM
Sounds like a good time, too bad I'm a few thousand miles away.  :lmc:
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Inscrutable on August 30, 2008, 07:29:51 PM
Both Shirl and I have been sick with the plague today. So spaced I didn't even remember the meet until now. Thought I'd post my apologies. Hope y'all had a great time. I am seriously bummed not hearing the modwright.  Back to bed .....
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Carlman on August 30, 2008, 07:56:42 PM
As you should be, Tim.. ;)  The Modwright is a great sounding piece.  Customizeable with tubes in a truly high-end piece of gear.  I quite liked it... and didn't expect to. (BTW, hope the plague leaves your family soon)

We got to hear Ken's Modwright TP, compared with Steve's Raysonic cdp, and Rich's Altmann. I still have a personal preference for the Altmann, only because it's a non oversampler and has that non-OS sound.  The Raysonic surprised me with its detail and sense of space.  The Modwright had tube character so, I can't definitively say the Modwright has a sound.  The character I heard was the type of tube being used.  The Altmann lacked 'air' and upper extension but if I had to live with it long term, that's the sound I prefer.

BIG THANKS again to Rich for hosting, cooking, organizing, and spending so much time working on the room.  I think Shane helped dial in the room also and I greatly appreciated the room acoustics.

As always, it was nice seeing everyone.  It was a pleasure meeting Den and his friend Kevin.  Hope to see you both again.

-Carl

Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Bigfish8 on August 30, 2008, 07:59:50 PM
Rich:

Thank you again for the wonderful hospitality tonight!

Wow, there was some incredible gear we had the opportunity to hear!

Raysonic CD168 cd player
Sonos feeding the Altmann DAC
ModWright Transporter
Audio Research Ref 1 Preamp
Manley AMPs
Usher BE 20 Speakers
JPS Digital Balanced ICs
Black Sands PCS and maybe others
Equitech Power Conditioner
An extremely well treated room!

I personally thought all of three of the sources were excellent.  I am certain the group had their preferences but I think one would need to live with all three for some time to determine the best source for their system.  Even though I own the ModWright Transporter I could live with sound quality of any of three of these sources.

Thanks to Stereofool for bringing the Raysonic and the Ref 1.  They are both amazing pieces of gear!

Unfortunately, pretty severe storms passed through the area delaying some of the planned gear swaps.  I had to leave before we had the opportunity to hear the other amps or Benchmark DAC.   If the guys were able to make these changes I will be interested to read their comments!

I failed to mention it above but the Usher BE-20s are extremely detailed and absolutely wonderful.  Rich, you are a lucky guy!

It was a really fun evening and I want to thank Rich again for hosting!

Ken
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: stereofool on August 31, 2008, 06:09:40 AM
YAWN!!!...after getting home 'early' this morning  :?.

Rich...what can I say...you're the greatest...and contiued thanks to Julie for allowing us to come over and play!

It was a great day/evening/night... the room is sounding better all of the time...certainly the acoustics as well as with the Ushers  :drool:.

It was interesting to hear the different digital sources...the Altman, the Modwright Transporter, and the Raysonic CD168...compared to each other. All sounded very good, and I think that I could live with any of them. There were only subtle differences between the three, with each one sounding occasionally better than the others...depending on the music being played. All were very clean, detailed, open, able to convey the acoustic space...and most importantly...let you just sit back and enjoy the music!

I'd have to say that I prefered the Raysonic...but the differences were indeed minor (plus...I'm a bit biased  :lol:).

After most of the gang departed...not wanting to wait out Mother Nature's light show, and it being rather late...we finally hooked up Sol's self designed and built 30W integrated amp, with the Raysonic as its source. Sol has been gradually tweaking his design...and I must say 'well done'. I could hear no sins from this little box...just beautiful pure music. It's kind of amazing to think how well this little 30W SS integrated could drive the Usher BE20 behemoths  8).

Again, thanks to Rich for his wonderful hospitality. Also, it was great to see old friends (Rich, Carl, Shane, Ken and Sol) and partners in audio-crime...as well as getting to meet new friends...Den and Kevin.

I got a few pics and will try to post them later...when I fully recover from a long...but aurally satisfying day  :D!
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: bacobits on August 31, 2008, 08:37:53 AM
Yea, a long drive home last night. No storms or traffic though made it easy.
Great time guys! A big thanks again to rich and his wife.

What a system! I guess my listening habits and priorities are different, so is my music, a bit.
I preferred the Raysonic and Modwright to the Altmann in the short term. The Altmann may be a little bit too laid back for me. These were subtle differences I was hearing in airyness mostly in the high end.  I would have been curious what the Benchmark sounded like on the system since I like it so much on my setup. You really have to live with this stuff in your own system for awhile.
I really like my single driver setup and I think its killer for the cost. I suppose I'm more detailed oriented than I thought too. The mighty Ushers do recreate classical music very well.

Ahh, missed the 30W integrated we had to leave by then getting late for a 2 hour ride home.

It was a blast and we can always revisit the Benchmark DAC at a later date. If I still have it. LOL!

It was pleasure meeting everyone and Rich thanks for the hospitality!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not so sure my wife would put up with it so often. Thank you Julie!.

Den

Kevin enjoyed it very much.   
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: stereofool on August 31, 2008, 12:04:47 PM
Rich's room before all the 'toys' we added and the ensuing ravages  :rofl:!
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/stereofool/TAS8302008/P8300651.jpg)

Looks like Rich, Ken and Shane were playing with the Modwright...before I arrived.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/stereofool/TAS8302008/P8300653.jpg)

One of the awesome Usher BE-20's
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/stereofool/TAS8302008/P8300662.jpg)

Now I know why Rich looked 'cross-eyed'...after drilling all of those holes...by hand  :shock:!
This definitely helped with the acoustics!!!
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/stereofool/TAS8302008/P8300658.jpg)

After adding in some of the 'foreign' toys...
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/stereofool/TAS8302008/P8300657.jpg)

Some of the inmates...Rich, Carl & Den
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/stereofool/TAS8302008/P8300663.jpg)

Carl...what mischevious thought is running through your head...cracking up Ken
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/stereofool/TAS8302008/P8300655.jpg)

Kevin...a rookie...who we MUST corrupt :twisted:...Rich checking out his picture...and Den ashamed to be seen with us  :lol:.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s202/stereofool/TAS8302008/P8300654.jpg)
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 31, 2008, 12:46:41 PM
Thanks to all who came, we had a blast. Sorry to hear you are under the weather Tim, feel better!

Thanks to Ken for bringing the Modwright Transporter and ancilliary support gear like HD and laptop server. Ken also brought snacks, he is such a gracious guest. Thanks also to Vera if she made the spinach dip? I am so sexist, but after the brownies how could I not assume she is the chef?

Thanks to Steve for bringing the AR preamp, the Raysonic CDP, HD full of music, cables, and his typically cheerful countenance.

Thanks to Carl for bringing the bag of 'warrs,' including the infamous "big yeller" 2M Analysis Plus digital IC (in yellow,) a staple at our G2Gs because of its special magic powers.

Thanks to Den and Kevin for driving in from Winston-Salem, it was great to meet you both. Den is originally from MA so we had that in common, and Kevin is a classical nut, so we enjoyed making the others squirm by playing Bach, Beethoven, Prokofiev.  I warned him that it would scare everyone away if we played Bach at his request, and within 5 minutes we were the only people left in the house! Literally!!  :rofl:   Fuck em we had a blast listening to Brandenburg 6 on original instruments, then Stravinsky Concerto for Chamber Orchestra (Dunbarton), Beethoven 6th, and finally Prokofiev Symphony 5. Finally we showed mercy on the infidels and signalled all clear with some rock. hahaha 

Den brought his Benchmark DAC, but somehow we did not have the presence of mind to play it. Sorry Den. I kept thinking about it and we talked about playing it at least 3 times, but it is too easy for me to get distracted as host. I hope you will bring it again and just break it out and hook it up. Then we can do a direct Altmann / Benchmark comparo which we are both eager to hear. Den brought some great music, especially a great swinging CD by Jane Monheit. I only heard her crooning previously, didn't know she can actually sing jazz. Very rare in these days of female "jazz stylists." Jane actually sounded like she was having fun and meant what she was singing. Which album is it Den?

I enjoyed hearing the combination of AR Ref 1 preamp with Manley Snappers with Grover's balanced cables again. It has been a year since I heard that combo, and it is still my favorite ever (in my house) for classical music, especially perfect for accurate tone, great dynamics, intense presence. This time with the Ushers and some acoustic treatment even more glory was available from this combo. If I had bought a Ref 1 a year ago instead of assorted hifi accessories adding up to the same, I would be way ahead of the game. But at the time, the idea of a $3000 preamp (used) was unthinkable. Now it seems like a bargain considering the listening enjoyment it brings.  Once Steve (internet deal hawk) finds a used Ref 3 then I might have a chance. ;)  The AR made comparing the sources easy and allowed each to strut its stuff without any impedance or gain problems so it wins my MVP award. "Component of the night."

I was amazed at how well the Altmann held up to these two world class digital sources. I was pleasantly surprised on a few occasions when I found out that the input I preferred was the Altmann. I guess I was biased by the beautiful casework and glorious tubes and abundance of internet acclaim that they have received, expecting Altmann and its opamp output to be trounced by the glowing triodes. It wasn't, but it wasn't perfect either. I enjoyed hearing the contrast to other great digital. The Raysonic was the most refined and tonally accurate, IMO. Best bass - detailed, controlled, well balanced, just right. It was also the most beautiful, like a sculpture. At night it is even more impressive with a light show that no other CDP can match!  The Modwright's sound was bolder in the bass thru midrange, more literal compared to the romantic suave of the Raysonic, it sounded more confident and ready to please from the first note. The improvement over the stock TP is incredible, and yet some of the sonic traits do remain, soundstaging is improved, but reminiscent of how I remember the TP I heard last year which was treated with BSC's stealth "cryo and more" treatment. Of course the TP has the advantage of being a one box network player with MANY features that straight CDP or DAC lacks, making it the overall winner from consumer perspective, and as the priciest of the three it should be the winner! The Altmann had slightly more opaque tone than Raysonic, hotter output signal than either tuber, and better spatial presentation than the big boys, but not black anodized case or blue light show. Now I wanna put some super output coupling caps on it to see if it can start to approach the high bar of the others, like the tonal refinement of Raysonic and the punchy confidence of Modwright. Congrats to you guys for making such great picks and thanks for sharing.

We listened to the LNPAs for a little while after most of the gang left (after the 9pm storm cleared.)  Compared to the Snapper we had been listening to all night the bass was more pronounced but also less resolved. The highs were not as subtle as the tube amps, but stronger, seeming more detailed. The new room treatments enhanced the treble energy in the room, so the LNPA was a little forward, but without the treatments is close to perfect, I spent plenty of nights listneing up close for hours. I thought that the Snappers werre a little much in the treble also. Acoustics are not a one day job. It will need a lot of tuning and changing to get right. The midrange is this amp's strongest attribute, and the one for which it has garnered some great reviews, like from Lynn Olsen. It gets the midrange right in a very impressive way, with bass and treble well balanced to support an overall very musical and satisfying sound. I love this amp. At home in regular day to day use I prefer it over the Snappers with the Minimax preamp. But with the AR preamp the Snappers were hard to beat last night. I have wanted to hear these amps for 2 years and finally got the chance. Thanks to Mike Galusha for lending them. Mike bought the very last pair. Had they been in production 3 months later I would have bought them too.

Sol's I30 has reached a high level of refinement and transparency. It was very satisfying listening. The imaging of this amp is incredible. It really gets the timing right, tempo, Prat, dancy feeling are very strong. Tone is sufficiently detailed for me to listen intently to string quartet, but I do tend to get carried away by the music with I30, which is what Sol wants to happen. I like to be on the fine edge of swept away OR study the details - my choice. So I-30 is a bit too involving and hypnotic.. hehe, just kidding... The music really does wash over you though, not the sound, the music. Very cool for a piece designed to a price! I awoke with a vision for a beautiful casework for I30. I-30 is getting closer to finished, which will be a great day for budget audiophiles. I would like to hear the formula 1, boutique audiophile parts version myself, but whenever we tried that on my projects against Sols advice, it is mostly a waste of money. Sol's parts selection is painstaking and experienced.

I made some diy acoustic treatments for this meet. They were simple wooden 1x4 frames glued and stapled together.  4x8 feet in size they were stuffed with 5" cotton bat from Sensible Sound Solutions. I chose to use kraft paper over them to prevent sucking out too much air, but that was too bright, so I will try plastic pallet wrap again, but it is so ugly I will have to cover with acoustic fabric. A couple comforters dulled the side panels for last night. Panels were placed front rear and both sides. All panels were up on extension legs to center them on the tweeter/mid since midrange reverb is my biggest problem. It worked good, the space was noticably more cozy and less ringy, but Den still heard some, and so did I. I tried to tell him how crazy it was before, but I don't think he believed me. hehe  The front panel had a homemade binary amplitude diffusion mask. It was drilled by hand with about 5000 holes over a 4 day period. That will never happen again. But the result was awesome. Image specificity, tonal detail, midrange ringing, even some bass control were added with it. It has 5" of cotton behind it, with a 8" airspace behind that, and centered between the front speakers. Best part, Julie thinks it looks cool, so I can add more. Oh my aching back from all that drilling!!  I think she only said more because she knew I would never do it again... I had a couple boxes of cotton bat left over after building these 4 panels so I stuck those into the front corners kitty corner, still in their cardboard shipping boxes. Awesome! The best bass traps I have ever heard! Enormous difference in bass clarity and power. Even bettering the GIK tritraps, Carl's 6" thick FG panels. They are 2 x 4 feet wide, and 20" thick!! My son thought it was too much bass, I told him "you will get used to it." With more panels added sides and rear it smoothed out and was well balanced and low distortion crystal clear through all bands. I still think it is a bit hot in the mid/treble due to the hyper clarity of the b.a.d. panel, but Steve convinced me that it sounds correct and said "you will get used to it." haha  Thanks to Bryan at Sensible Sound Solutions for advice and inspiration on the acoustics.  He sells the cotton too, which is a great abosorber. I will try OC703 FG for further treatments because it is easier than building wooden frames for the cotton, even though FG is not quite as good absorber and more expensive.

Next G2G I hope to have finished the acoustic treatments, which will be more numerous, better integrated and better sounding than this first diy try. Also I'm hoping to feature a demo of the H-Cat pre and power amps from H-Cat dealer Dennis Jeffers of Jeffers Electronics in King's Mountain, NC. Since Dennis is also the area Feastrex dealer I'll play my Feastrex single driver speakers with yet another new new box, based on planet10's Maiko design. Maybe we can have some world-class amps on hand from the society's personal collection to compare to H-Cat. Butler? Plinius? AR? Mac? Samet?

Nice pics steve, I will upload mine shortly.
Rich
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 31, 2008, 01:25:23 PM
A super-system: Ready to satisfy and delight
(http://www.parkwestlake.com/nopw/rich/g2g/DSC_9628.JPG)

Carlman's shot, one try, manual settings, with MY camera, no processing   Why don't my shots look like that? Coooool...... 8)
(http://www.parkwestlake.com/nopw/rich/g2g/DSC_9639.JPG)

Carl puttin the voodoo on the slim networking driver, see him phasing in and out? Heavy stuff. The room smelled like violets afterward. Steve is ready to grab him in case the wormhole forms again.
(http://www.parkwestlake.com/nopw/rich/g2g/DSC_9647.JPG)

DJ Bigfish Bustin a move and laying down the groove! See the modwright tubes?
(http://www.parkwestlake.com/nopw/rich/g2g/DSC_9650.JPG)

I-30 integrated amp and Raysonic CDP - synergy!
(http://www.parkwestlake.com/nopw/rich/g2g/DSC_9653.JPG)
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 31, 2008, 02:23:10 PM
Lost and found: a USB cable (standard > mini plug) near DJ Ken's setup, and Nextel Blackberry phone 625-5751. No voicemail activated so I don't know who's it is.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Bigfish8 on August 31, 2008, 03:42:25 PM
Lost and found: a USB cable (standard > mini plug) near DJ Ken's setup, and Nextel Blackberry phone 625-5751. No voicemail activated so I don't know who's it is.

Rich:

USB Standard Cable with Mini Plug is mine!

I will make arrangements to pick it up from you sometime soon!

Thanks,

Ken
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on August 31, 2008, 07:19:46 PM
I'll mail it to you. Crackberry is found too. Happy ending!  :D
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: bacobits on August 31, 2008, 08:58:42 PM
Holy sheet all I can say is, Rich you drilled all those holes by hand?
Whowee! You only need 4 more like it to match. It is actually pretty nice looking. My wife would never let me do that to our living room.

I'm not so sure on the synergy of the Ushers and the Snappers. There I said it. I wish I had more time to listen to the LNPAs which I though sounded pretty nice. Not long enough again.Would love to hearr Sol's 34 too. We were out of time. I have not listened to solid state in years. I have a friend at home that loves his Logans but won't spend what he needs to do for amplification. He's probably pissed at me but I don't like his big Logans. I bust his balls all the time. They just don't boogie. To be constructive and by no means to offend (please!) I thought the system lacked PRAT.
Am I nuts? I'm used to a much different sound here. I was playing here today and I couldn't sit still.
Maybe it was the Classical music which the system does very well but not so much on the stuff I mainly listen to.
Again, I don't mean to offend in any way. Maybe the Altmann is too smooth with the combo of the Ushers and the Manleys.
The system may be too sophisticated for me? I know what I like and we are ALL different. Oh, and, I am old and like the hands on silver discs and stinky vinyl too. I have not succumbed yet to server/ HD digital thingys.

If I was fortunate enough to be living with the system I would be messing with the amps. I don't think it was the room.
My philosophy is simple, and keep it simple as possible. It has been, if you like the speakers pursue the best synergistic match with the amps. If it is the amps that are dear pursue the speakers to match.
Of course you have to throw the Pre in there too. Maybe the Pre and Amps by the same manufacturer? Oh, the thrill of the hunt. Ahh, the $$ involved.

BTW the Monheit album is, "Taking a Chance on Love" good stuff.

Rich it was a blast and great to meet the people behind the handles.
Please don't take any comments personally in any way. What the hell do I know anyway? I like Benchmark.  :duh


D
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Carlman on September 01, 2008, 06:34:19 AM
...Just a quick note about what AN is really all about...
Den,
Just wanted to say thanks for posting what you really think.  That's really what this forum is about.  I'm not saying let's all go flame something but we all have opinions and I think we should be honest about them... I wouldn't take any offense if you said the same thing about my system... In fact, if I open up the flaws to discussion, I expect to hear some feedback... good or bad.
Now, back to the topic.....
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on September 01, 2008, 08:49:10 AM
 :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:   OK, I'm fine now..

Thanks for your honest criticism, Den, same as what you said to me at the meet, with which I agreed. I attributed it to the acoustics which were the biggest change for me, but it is also the preamp.

The Snappers have personality but mostly they are very transparent and all tube preamps have a sound, (except SAS ;) )  A ss amp would have even more bass precision, but the Snappers have other advantages over most SS. The Snappers have been blamed over and over by me and everyone for almost every sin, but in the end it always ends up being something else, or old tubes, or noisy power, or whatever. I have learned to trust them to a degree, at least until I can rule out other causes. I have wanted to dump them many times, but no good reason to do it yet. They are redeemed at the last minute, like a cat with 9 lives.  Until something comes along that equals the lucid midrange and accurate tone and dynamics at the Snapper's price then I will stick with them. I know their foibles well now, so I can steer around it.

Last night I put my new Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid preamp in and it prats like crazy with Snapper. We were all dancing to the blues radio show.  I didn't use it in the meet because it stills sounds a little edgy to me. It has "adequate" parts which I will be upgrading before the next G2G. It has loads of prat and I think tone will improve with some parts mods.

The AR is a detailed but very smooth pre, maybe smooth on the bass attack too. Steve has no worries about bass attack, he has Butler amps and ACI subs and bass on his system is awesome. On my Legacy speakers the AR / Snapper combo worked well, but maybe it is not ideal for the Ushers. We'll do a pre comparo again sometime.
Rich
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: bpape on September 01, 2008, 09:05:24 AM
Sounds like you guys had a ball.  One of these days I'll make it out there.

You've got a lot more patience than I do to do that binary diffuser array DIY.  That's a TON of work

Bryan
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: bacobits on September 02, 2008, 02:45:04 PM
Rich, I felt bad after I wrote the comments. But I was delicate. I could have just declared it "dog shit"! :rofl: 
We all have different tastes for sure. My system is very different because it is a
MLTL single driver set up with sub and can sound similar to good horns. Not to mention cheap. You were fiddling with horns for awhile and I'm sure you will agree they are a very different experience from the Ushers.
 
I will just push more of my music in next time. Oh, and my Benchmark. LOL!

I have to have my jaw drop when I hear something for the first time. Umm, especially at those $$.

Keep at it, all will come together.
And, hey this is a friggin hobby, right?

Enjoy the journey, I know I do.

I used to hang out (90's) a fair amount of time at Sound II in Dartmouth, MA ran by Leo Masie. Knew him well.
Anyway, he had some pretty lofty stuff in there at times. I used to go in and listen to one of his primo setups and declare it
"dog shit". He used to say, you asshole, that's $75,000!
I did it to Hales when they were demoing some of their offerings there. He took me serious by the look on his face.

Den
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on September 03, 2008, 01:39:26 AM
I could have just declared it "dog shit"! :rofl: 

You could have, but I'm really glad you didn't.    ;)

Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: mdconnelly on September 04, 2008, 03:00:41 PM
Rich,  tell me about your acoustic wall of holes... it looks awesome.   

I saw your earlier post about how you made it.  That must have been a painful process drilling all those holes.  Is there a reference somewhere about placement for a panel like these?    While my speakers straddle an archway into another room, I have been toying with finding a spouse-proof approach to acoustic panels for first or rear reflections and your panels look great.   Just curious about how well they're working for you and if that approach might work on side walls where 1st reflections occur?   Any insight is appreciated.  (wish I could have made it to the G2G).  :duh
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: richidoo on September 04, 2008, 05:27:26 PM
Hi Mike, we missed you, next time?

They are just a diy spin on BAD panel sold by RPG. It sounds very nice up front, but I also have some smaller real RPG panels hanging behind which are also quite audible.

They are diffusion and absorbtion so they can be used in either application, both aspects are audible. Front wall usually needs absorbtion but I don't like the dead feel so the diffusion aspects offsets that and then some. Plain absorbtion is cheaper and accomplishes first reflection jobs fine. Rear wall is often given diffusion. I need a lot of both, so tried this to see how it would fly. I would like a few more but that is probably not in the cards, too much work.  You can buy them from Audio Advice or BHphoto. As with all RPG products they are expensive but seem to work well.

Bpape and I have PMed about them so I will add Bryan's comments about BAD as I remember. They are a compromise in order to stay flat where aesthetics are important. Real absorbtion without a reflective mask and real phase diffusion will always have significantly higher performance than BAD. I will be experimenting with some traditional phase diffusors too. I think they might be easier to build too, and even cooler looking, but a little thicker and heavier. Actually this diybad is pretty damn heavy framed and filled with 5" cotton. But it does sound good.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: mdconnelly on September 15, 2008, 09:26:27 AM
Does anyone know how we could get the Bryston BDA-1 to this GTG?  I'd really like to hear it.

Hey, Carl... did you ever get a chance to check out the BDA-1?   I keep seeing good things about it.
Title: Re: G2G @ Rich's - 8/30
Post by: Carlman on September 15, 2008, 02:11:38 PM
No, I might save significant DAC comparisons until my room is finished.  I don't want to waste a free demo at a time when I can't afford it nor can I hear it in my own system.  I do want to hear it though.. and I'm doing everything I can to get into this room by the end of November.  It's tough times out there right now.. so, we'll see.

-C