View Full Version : Bristol Hifi Show
Just back in from the show. Delighted to report that far from falling from fashion, the show was packed to the rafters. Loads of foot-fall with both young and old attending. Loads of 2-channel and some really impressive kit. My stand out of the day were the absolutely stunning Sound of Eden Loudspeakers for sheer beauty and build quality. The attention to detail was astonishing (really well designed acoustically). They're a new manufacturer who'd come over from Lithuania , and hats off to them, although their English was poor, they made a real effort to communicate and I gleaned that they haven't yet completed their website, but had the guts to ship their entire new speaker range, all hand built, all the way just for the show.
I'm glad they did; they sounded fabulous.
The Cabasse room was making lovely music with some serious amplification...some of the biggest monoblocks I've ever seen! (speakers I think may have been Cabasse Baltic or something similar with subwoofer).
The Magnapan room was also making lovely sounds with their superb Magnepan 1.7 speakers, surely the high-end bargain in speaker land at the minute.
Quad were demonstrating their new wireless streaming capability and the ESLs sounded very nice indeed.
It was good to speak to Lurcher (Nick from Longdog) of this parish along with Nick Lucas and a few other (now familiar) faces.
Great day out. For those in two minds, don't be. If you're close to Bristol, it is well worth a visit.
Yup going tomoz had to work today and look after a tiler... got any pics, Paul?
dantheman91
21-02-2014, 18:44
Hi
I saw that nytech are going to be there....anything to report for the new resurrected company?
Thanks
Dan
Just back in from the show. Delighted to report that far from falling from fashion, the show was packed to the rafters. Loads of foot-fall with both young and old attending. Loads of 2-channel and some really impressive kit.
Glad to hear that there was plenty of traditional 2-channel hi-fi there, Paul, as the last time I went the first two floors were basically packed full of shite (well, shite to me, as I'm not into mainstream, mass-produced hi-fi, AV gear or anything related to computer audio).
Only the third floor, which was the smallest of them all, had anything worthwhile to listen to on it - but there were only a few rooms taken by exhibitors.
If it's become more interesting than that now, then I might consider going next year. Did you meet Martin T there - oh, and did you pick up any new music (Diverse Vinyl usually exhibit at the show)? :)
Marco.
Heading to the show tomorrow, looking forward to seeing the LDA room. :-)
Enjoyable day out.Nothing blew me away but liked the mags,Graham speakers and AN room.
Naim statement and big focals were ok.
I had a good day out, saw and heard some interesting kit, heard some badly set up kit(well it sounded bad to me so ill blame the rooms), but my favourite for the day was the spender sp1/2r2 speakers, they sounded sublime, i sat down for a while and just listened, just bought a new to me car so ill have to sell a kidney for the speakers.
it was good to bump in to you Paul(several times).
gordy.
Sorry for tardy responses:
No pics Justin as I didn't dig out the camera...should have made the effort really but you're better at the whole show report so I look forward to your photos!
Hi Dan; Nytech had some interesting looking speakers in their room(I think they were from Nero speakers of Germany) plus their pre/power amps but didn't spend much time with them so can't report much except I liked the speakers!
Marco...yes, more than one floor of interest but Bristol isn't about sitting down and supping the atmosphere of a quiet and well set up listening room, it's more about getting a decent impression of the kit and speaking/greeting the guys there who mostly were very forthcoming when pushed for detail, and for the most part very enthusiastic and had no problem giving time up for an extended chat. Some of the newer companies such as the guys from Lithuania were so enthusiastic and their products first class that it was worth the trip just to talk to them (mostly in pigeon sign language!).
I did buy vinyl and talking of Diverse Vinyl, the titles I came home with included Yello's "Touch" album, Neil Young "Live at the Cellar Door", the sound track from the Coen Bro's "O Brother Where Art Thou?" from the original session recordings, and Brahms Symphony Nr 2. How's that for diverse?!
There were still the usual AV rooms, and very average sounding, very expensive gear but in amongst it all were a few gems. The number of young people attending was extremely encouraging too.
Gordy...good to bump into you..several times!
+1 for Sound of Eden and very pleasing sounds from Audio Note. It was good to see so much vinyl being used for demos. Pity more demonstrators hadn't paid any attention to treating their rooms - lots of one-note loose bass as a result and pretty average sounds. Shame really as the kit was good. All in stark contrast to those who had made the effort. All in all, a worthwhile outing.
+1 for Sound of Eden and very pleasing sounds from Audio Note. It was good to see so much vinyl being used for demos. Pity more demonstrators hadn't paid any attention to treating their rooms - lots of one-note loose bass as a result and pretty average sounds. Shame really as the kit was good. All in stark contrast to those who had made the effort. All in all, a worthwhile outing.
Good to hear such positive views Stuart. RE the rooms, they were on an up-hill struggle with wobbly stud walls acting like passive radiators, lots of people wandering in and out (it was hard to hear anything over the chatter except in one or two rooms) plus treating a room properly takes measurement, design and installation. They could have thrown a few bass traps in the corners but tbh whether that would have made much of a difference, I don't know.
The point for me was partly to see what was new, meet people for a chat and support our hifi industry with out whom we wouldn't be listening to anything. I think that a vast majority of contributors made a very decent effort. It is a costly and time consuming business to organise and invest in a show for the exhibitors and all in all, it was great to see such numbers of people. I agree about the vinyl aspect; great to see that, better to hear it!
(well, shite to me . . . . . anything related to computer audio).
:eek: good grief Marco, I didn't realise . . . you've been keeping that one close to your chest, you old luddite scallywag you :lol:
Anyone know if there was any sort of incident yesterday, as I read a Tweet (https://twitter.com/HarbethHQ) from Harbeth UK that there were a lot of police vehicles outside the venue last night?
Unless you were there frightening women and children in your adult baby-gro! :D
"Shite", incidentally, in that context, simply equals stuff that doesn't interest me, not that I think computer audio is shite (it most certainly isn't). Just thought I'd clear that up ;)
Marco.
I'm at the show today and so far so good.
P.
Clive197
22-02-2014, 11:34
I enjoyed the show yesterday, just walking around talking to people I know. Sound wise the usual hotel room sounds, "What do you expect from cardboard walls" said a man from Spendor. Liked the Spendor D7 but am sure they would sound better in my lounge.
The rooms that did not have cardboard walls had wood paneled walls, HARD or what!
Also bought some vinyl from David (Lou Reed - Transformer and The Doors 1st album) our main man at MCRU.
Clive
So I think I've heard my next pair of headphones! The PS500's from Grado are stonkingly good... Also for anyone at the show, the Audio Note system is stunning :)
So best system today was easily the new Naim big power, big expense amp and Focal speakers combo… wow they were REALLY good…
Second has to go to the Audio Note system
After that there were a number of good sounds from companies like Heed, Spendor and Proac… very nice show.
Only real disappoint for me was that there wasn't any Sonas Faber's to hear and Everyone seemed to want to play the music sooooo blooming' loud… now I like my music with volume, but TCI, Wilson Beanesch and others… rare :doh:
Paul.
Well I thought the Naim/Utopia system sounded pretty good - scale and bass extension in spades, with great clarity and better subjective speed than I was expecting. Some things I heard were lightning quick. Very impressive, but not absolutely mind blowing.
The only thing I thought was a bit naff was the Utopia's electromagnetic bass - the huge driver is made of what feels like a very thick piece of plastic (not sure what it actually is though the tap test on it sure felt like it). Moving that is the reason for the EM drive. However, I detected a bit of a plastic colouration in the replay. It's impossible for a system not to show some sort of colouration and it was a minor gripe, but hey, it was there.
Music choice wouldn't have been mine:D. Poor amp suffering from finger marks as people just have to touch it, LOL.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14681-qpr_zps56313e0f.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14681-qpr_zps56313e0f.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14672-qpr_zps0c667aae.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14672-qpr_zps0c667aae.jpg.html)
Tannoys were really struggling badly when I was in there... over-bloated bass, surely too close to the rear wall with listeners too close as well. Nice woodwork on all Tannoys there, though.
I have heard these sound a lot better shoved out into the room with quite a lot of toe in. Shame.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14666-qpr_zps3cbf4ee4.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14666-qpr_zps3cbf4ee4.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14664-qpr_zpsa052170f.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14664-qpr_zpsa052170f.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14600-qpr_zps2ca7695e.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14600-qpr_zps2ca7695e.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14599-qpr_zpse941f99a.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14599-qpr_zpse941f99a.jpg.html)
BTW I read somewhere that the Naim amp had valves in the preamp section. Talking to the amp's designer, it doesn't, but that rumour did spread around the web a bit.
I really do think it is an excellent amp for its type. Was the Naim/Utopia system the best there? Objectively, all prejudice out of the window, yes, by no small margin.
Tastiest TT award:
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14692-qpr_zps6d9115ca.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14692-qpr_zps6d9115ca.jpg.html)
Nick "Longdog" amps 'n' bits 'n' bobs. No sonic comment no time to judge - twas end of show time:(.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14700-qpr_zps9dd99519.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14700-qpr_zps9dd99519.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14698-qpr_zpsa68c868e.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14698-qpr_zpsa68c868e.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14697-qpr_zps0f0af175.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14697-qpr_zps0f0af175.jpg.html)
Thanks for the pictures Justin, really enjoying them :)
Best post some more then Tim:)
Then again, this could be the tastiest TT, depending on your angle.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14636-qpr_zps93a6671c.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14636-qpr_zps93a6671c.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14635-qpr_zps0f83ecfb.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14635-qpr_zps0f83ecfb.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14634-qpr_zps47724371.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14634-qpr_zps47724371.jpg.html)
This TT sounded fine driving Maggie 1.7s at Silverstone. However, the 1.7s sounded rubbish in the quick, short time I was in the room that housed them. Dead and lifeless. Shame - they are very good for the money. Proves it is hard to judge stuff at shows.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14693-qpr_zpseb8d969c.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14693-qpr_zpseb8d969c.jpg.html)
Audio Note room was good. Slate Type Es - first time I've heard them and not too bad at that. This system had great tonality and affinity with stringed instruments.
Always hard to take a decent pic in an AN room as they're always really dark at shows. The slate versions of Es cost the same as wooden ones if I got the AN rep right.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14668-qpr_zps31a20039.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14668-qpr_zps31a20039.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14667-qpr_zps5bb1a74d.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14667-qpr_zps5bb1a74d.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14671-qpr_zpsa7d67895.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14671-qpr_zpsa7d67895.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14670-qpr_zps1ebac13e.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14670-qpr_zps1ebac13e.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14669-qpr_zps1e7e5c0e.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14669-qpr_zps1e7e5c0e.jpg.html)
rubber duck
23-02-2014, 14:37
The only thing I thought was a bit naff was the Utopia's electromagnetic bass - the huge driver is made of what feels like a very thick piece of plastic (not sure what it actually is though the tap test on it sure felt like it).
They let you tap the driver?!
They let you tap the driver?!
They weren't looking:D Look at the amp finger prints... they would not have cared if they'd seen me. Plus you'd have to try to damage that bass cone:)
Nice Clearaudio Double Matrix (http://clearaudio.de/en/products/cleaning-double_matrix_professional.php) RCM.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14637-qpr_zps9757356d.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14637-qpr_zps9757356d.jpg.html)
New Nytech gear. I think it has lost quite a lot of its originally quirky visual appeal - should have been designed with some cool retro sliders/faders IMHO.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14640-qpr_zpsed3f4967.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14640-qpr_zpsed3f4967.jpg.html)
Buy that man a pint for his efforts!
:cool:
dantheman91
23-02-2014, 16:17
New Nytech gear. I think it has lost quite a lot of its originally quirky visual appeal - should have been designed with some cool retro sliders/faders IMHO.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14640-qpr_zpsed3f4967.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14640-qpr_zpsed3f4967.jpg.html)
:cool::eek:
Looks lovely i do love there old gear but until you hear it for yourself you never know if you like it you can't go by looks alone.
Did you listen to the ARC speakers apparently they sound quite nice..
We all have different tastes & hearing
Thanks for uploading.
Some quite cool gear - Nagra open reel, Pass Labs X100.5 and some BBC design knock-offs. Sonics not awe inspiring but better than a lot of the stuff there.
And that was the show's problem, really. Floors 1 & 2 did little to inspire sonically. 3 & 4 faired better, but there was very little magic to be heard. There seemed to be a lot of rooms with quite obvious bass problems. Why it was so bad this year I do not know. But it was - furthermore I had this confirmed time & again with the people I was with. So it wasn't only me thinking it.
One thing, I very rarely get to hear Pass amps, but I felt I heard a little of their personality in the short time I was in here. I don't think they're my bag - bit disappointed considering the brand is generally held in high regard. Maybe in a different system...?
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14610-qpr_zpscaf84f9c.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14610-qpr_zpscaf84f9c.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14609-qpr_zps58767678.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14609-qpr_zps58767678.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14608-qpr_zps1b474b2f.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14608-qpr_zps1b474b2f.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14607-qpr_zps6966d49f.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14607-qpr_zps6966d49f.jpg.html)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202014/sdc14606-qpr_zps28428486.jpg (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/User_211/media/Bristol%202014/sdc14606-qpr_zps28428486.jpg.html)
:cool::eek:
Looks lovely i do love there old gear but until you hear it for yourself you never know if you like it you can't go by looks alone.
Did you listen to the ACR speakers apparently they sound quite nice..
We all have different tastes & hearing
Thanks for uploading.
ACR speakers? Maybe but if so I didn't take then in, so to speak.
People were coming into this room and taking their coats off! Proof they liked what they heard I expect!
https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1912388_652228974833935_1358782269_n.jpg
Perhaps, but if they'd been unzipping their trousers instead, then you'd really have nailed it!! :eyebrows:
Anyway, hope you had a good (and productive) show, daftee!
Marco.
People were coming into this room and taking their coats off! Proof they liked what they heard I expect!
Well I spent a good ten minutes in there and heard nowt, apart from the ramblings of a Longdog. Woof, woof!
I'm a sucker for copper topped tube amps though:)
custodian
28-02-2014, 22:39
I spent some time at the show on Friday. Didn't have opportunity to listen to everything but from what I heard, the most musical sound came from the Audionote room. Choice of music was varied and entertaining.
Didn't hear the Pass Lab amps at Bristol but I did own the X1000 monoblocks for a few years prior to the Halcros. I also had the matching 3 box X0 preamp and it was a musical combination which I enjoyed a lot. Slightly soft in the resolution stakes so needed careful system matching. I suspect the current amps are similar.
Disappointment for me was the Quad room which, like last year, didn't impress. Maybe just me because others have been much more positive about that room.
I spent some time at the show on Friday. Didn't have opportunity to listen to everything but from what I heard, the most musical sound came from the Audionote room. Choice of music was varied and entertaining.
Didn't hear the Pass Lab amps at Bristol but I did own the X1000 monoblocks for a few years prior to the Halcros. I also had the matching 3 box X0 preamp and it was a musical combination which I enjoyed a lot. Slightly soft in the resolution stakes so needed careful system matching. I suspect the current amps are similar.
Disappointment for me was the Quad room which, like last year, didn't impress. Maybe just me because others have been much more positive about that room.
I think that the AN room benefited from lots of careful music selection David which other rooms paid scant attention to and it was well set up but it didn't set me on fire I have to admit. Quad, like many other manufacturers seem to be trapped by the advance of technology perhaps dominating sound quality principles. I may be wrong, and this is not a criticism of Quad or anyone else, but the trend is to chase the younger generation and to remain marketable to remain in the race. They're caught between a rock and a hard place and have no choice but to develop and market along these routes (unlike many cottage industries that don't rely on large markets so can concentrate on SQ perhaps as their main target although R&D budgets are obviously very limited). Having streamed Wifi in a neat little box is a clever solution but I suspect that, like many other transitional systems, this is designed more around the technology than the SQ. To my mind, Quad systems a decade or so back sounded better. The speakers were pretty good from what I listened to but having stayed quite a while in the Quad room, there was notable variation in music quality. Some was far more compressed than others.
Interesting though to listen to some great new kit which was inspiring. Sound of Eden comes to mind particularly. The Cabasse room for me was the best sounding of the show but at the cost, you'd hope so!
I remember some Cabasse satelites and a sub driven by Halcros at Bristol a few years back. I thought it was outstanding TBH.
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