Bristol Show in February - who's going?

[Gazjam]

At least a couple of us Scots AOS'ers going, who else? :)

[clap]

I'll prob be there.

[Lee Henley]

I should be going on the sunday

[RichB]

I've been working from Bristol a lot recently, what is the show? Venue and dates please!

[Reffc]

I'll probably be there but not exhibiting this year.

[doodoos]

Too much AV for me. I'll wait for the high end show somewhere around London. Was Weybridge last year - don't know about this year though.

[jollyfix]

I will be there again this year.

[Marco]

Too much AV for me.

Ditto - and, for me, also too mainstream. The parking is also a NIGHTMARE, so I won't be touching the show with a bargepole.

I like the more bespoke kit (particularly valve and vinyl orientated) demonstrated by small manufacturers, usually seen at Whittlebury. However, the best show (at the moment) for genuine audio enthusiasts, is Scalford, which is totally devoid of commercial bullshit :)

Marco.

[Gazjam]

I've been working from Bristol a lot recently, what is the show? Venue and dates please!

See here Rich.
http://www.bristolshow.co.uk/

[RichB]

See here Rich.
http://www.bristolshow.co.uk/

Cheers Gaz, If I can arrange the work to be in Bristol that day then I'll pop along (probably on the friday).

I see its organised by audio-t whose shop I happened to be passing the other day. Of course I had to pop in and have a look, the chaps in there were very welcoming even though they knew I was just being nosy. I got chatting to one of the guys in there who was kind enough to give me a blast of the Rega RP8 with Atheta cart, through a dynavector phono stage and Heed Pre and Monos. I think the speakers were a big pair of Focals. I've nowhere near the kind of dough to afford kit like that but it was nice to be given the time of day all the same.

[Gazjam]

hopefully see you there mate, cant wait to hear the RP8 and other esoteric stuff.

[hifinutt]

hope to go sat this year , always great fun

[Havana]

Ditto - and, for me, also too mainstream. The parking is also a NIGHTMARE, so I won't be touching the show with a bargepole.
Marco.

Not sure this is true, and certainly not a reason to put people off. I parked next door in the multi-story last year, with no problems - only paid about £6-00 for the day - not a nightmare at all..........

[ReggieB]

It is an easy walk from Temple Meads train station.

[Marco]

Not if you're driving... ;)


Not sure this is true, and certainly not a reason to put people off. I parked next door in the multi-story last year, with no problems...


Sure, Dave, providing you arrive early enough to get a space! If not, try finding somewhere else NEAR to the hotel to park, which is cost-effective, if you want to be at the show all day... I'm not walking from bloody miles away, just to attend a hi-fi show... :nono:

I'll either be parking 2 mins away from the venue, or not bothering! That's what's great about Scalford and Whittlebury Hall - you can park your car for FREE in the grounds of the hotel!

Besides, as I've already said, as someone with a passion for 'off the wall' valve equipment and turntables, and next to zero interest in AV, computer pap, or boring mass-produced commercial gear, these mainstream shows just aren't my scene. Scalford Hall is where it's at, if you want to hear PROPER hi-fi systems, assembled by REAL enthusiasts! :exactly:

However, each to his or her own. If you go to the Bristol show, I hope you enjoy it :)

Marco.

[Sonority]

parking used to be an issue - I agree.
I remember paying per every 15minutes one year in the next door car park. Didn't stay long..
That was when the large car park had been demolished and parking everywhere was both expensive and hard to find.
Cabot car park was open for the show last year plus another 3 large ones in easy walking distance - as well as the new shopping ctr to escape to for good coffee and food :)

Just park straight off the end of the motorway (Cabot Circus) and walk the short (and now nearly fully covered) way to the show. Thats if you want to go of course :)

http://www.bristolshow.co.uk/travel.lasso

[chelsea]

Yes parking was fine last year.
Other than the audio note room and a couple others it was pretty so so.

Have no interest in the digital or av side but still an ok day out.

[Marco]

parking used to be an issue - I agree.
I remember paying per every 15minutes one year in the next door car park. Didn't stay long..
That was when the large car park had been demolished and parking everywhere was both expensive and hard to find.
Cabot car park was open for the show last year plus another 3 large ones in easy walking distance - as well as the new shopping ctr to escape to for good coffee and food :)

Just park straight off the end of the motorway (Cabot Circus) and walk the short (and now nearly fully covered) way to the show. Thats if you want to go of course :)

http://www.bristolshow.co.uk/travel.lasso

No worries, Stephen. Things have probably changed since I was last there, about 6 years ago!

Anyhow, for reasons explained, it's not my thing, but if you go, enjoy it! :cool:

Marco.

[Sonority]

Don't really go for the show any more, but have a nice bunch of mates that meet and chat, then go for a nice meal after, beats watching football :)

[Marco]

Sounds like a good day out to me! :respect:

TBH, the social aspect and the chance to buy some new vinyl are the main reasons I go to any show these days, quite simply because rarely, if ever, do I hear systems at hi-fi shows that are better than what I use at home :)

Marco.

[Lee Henley]

Sounds like a good day out to me! :respect:

TBH, the social aspect and the chance to buy some new vinyl are the main reasons I go to any show these days, quite simply because rarely, if ever, do I hear systems at hi-fi shows that are better than what I use at home :)

Marco.

Same here Marco

[jollyfix]

The social aspect for me too, as the Bristol show only 35mins drive for me its a nice day out. I made the mistake of getting there about lunch time one year, never again, to full, almost like the shops at xmas time. Scalford sounds like the one for me, a show for enthusiasts, run by enthusiasts. I hope it doesn't get jam packed like Bristol.

[Sonority]

We aim not to be in the show at lunchtime :)

Couple of years ago we found a large 'record store' (formerly Zavi?) 5 minutes away. Spent an age in there along with a small fortune :) They have a large selection of very varied vinyl in there as well. That went down well. It even stayed open overtime for us to continue. Talking to the owner(s) it seemed to be a passion for them as well.

The show itself - well, as you say, if you go expecting to hear anything approaching what anyone has in a home setup - then also expect disappointment.

Considering the amount of time they have to set up, the rooms and everything else that goes to make a show, it's hardly a surprise.
What has been fascinating has been the evolution of what is actually been on show over the past ten years or so.
I'm willing to bet this one is going to show the flux that is music playing at present. A lot have reverted to vinyl, plenty are sitting on the fence waiting for their cd players to expire, and the brave are making the jump into digital music storage in a solid state form - ie, file not disc.

I doubt you are going to see very many new hi end cd players, or any new cd players per se - there will however be a proliferation of valves and vinyl, along with dacs and streamers.

For all that though - me and the guys just see what we want and have an interest in, float in & out of the show over the day, mooch around the few shops that interest us, chat about all things music, a few pints and a good meal:cool:

As for the AV side of it, I am continually amazed at the public interest in it, and how advanced some of it is. I love the Sim demoes, and if money was no object then a separate room would become a dedicated one for AV. Trying to mix the two at high level = disaster imo.

Anyone trying to form a concrete opinion on an item of kit under show conditions is on a hiding to nothing. It does however, usually allow the chance to see and talk to someone who can point as to just how to go about hearing it in a correct manner.
Pays your money & takes your choice ;)

[pure sound]

Too much AV for me. I'll wait for the high end show somewhere around London. Was Weybridge last year - don't know about this year though.

Its in Manchester at the airport at the end of March, so not very near to London!

[ninedecks]

Don't let parking put you off. As already mentioned, at the bottom of the M32 there is a very big car park. Just try to get there at a sensible time.
It's local for me and this will be my third year, I just like looking:) and listening where possible.
Ikea is on the way home, Swedish meatballs and chips, never to be missed.:lol:

[brian2957]

That's the only reason I go to Ikea David:lol: Sometimes SWMBO furniture , then I 've got to assemble it :rolleyes:

[hifinutt]

hoping to go but my word the next weekend is the wam show [3rd march] then the next weekend the guildford audio show in reading

oh my goodness too much man :eyebrows::eyebrows:

[Gazjam]

I'll be there. :)
Be good to meet up with some AOS'ers, come up and say Hi.

I'll be at the MCRU stand all three days, demonstrating my new Toy.
Shame Scafords so close, ah well...defo next year.

[Floyddroid]

i'm going.:eyebrows:

[Rowlf]

I would be going on Saturday. The exhibitors list looks impressive!

See you guys there.