View Full Version : The North East Bake Off
Hi Chaps,
There was a bake-off this evening in Hartlepool. Below are some pics taken with the rather poor camera on my fone (i need to get it looked at).
Anyway, it was well attended by a good cross section of the hifi fraternity and nice for members of the various fora to come together and do what we like to do.
Credit is due to Mr Steve Petch for organising this do. The venue and hosting was perfect and refreshments were provided.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/richbritton/DSC_0050.jpg
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http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/richbritton/DSC_0051.jpg
Apols again for the quality of the pics, I'm really gutted they turned out like this but pics are better than none right.
I'll explain what the gear is in the next post.
Anti Meep
06-04-2013, 06:32
We could make a bit of a competition out of guessing what's what!
I'd hazard a guess that the taller bits are loudspeakers...
The bit on top of the rack is most likely a phonograph!:D
In all silly seriousness though, thanks for the pics. The Rega Exon's have always held some intrigue for me. Never seen or heard them in the flesh.
Are the floorstanders Ruarks? Gorgeous things they are too.:stalks:
Craig.
Yes, sorry for not describing the gear. I was knackered when I got home and never managed another post.
More by accident than design the bake off found itself organised into two areas, one took a valves and vinyl theme whilst the other focused on digital and solid state.
The first system comprised, a Rega P9, a Rega PSU, an Eastern Electric phono stage, a passive preamp whose make I can't recall, a lovely Radford valve power amp which I became absolutely smitten with and yes, the speakers you see are Ruarks. Cables were a mix of whatever the owners brought, chord, tellurium and maplin silver wire I think. Also in this system we had Steve's ming-da gear, an integrated, a PSU and a phono stage. These are the black boxes in the later pictures.
The second system was powered by a whole bunch of Rega gear a chap from the wigwam had brought with him, when I arrived they were using the Saturn CD player, a Cursa preamp, Exon 3 power amps, chord and vandamme cables with a pair of AE stand mounts. These were quickly relegated when I arrived with my RS3s and they stayed in the system for the rest of the evening.
In this system we went through a few DACs, the first was a DIY 24bit prototype brought along by its builder, clearly no expense had been spared in its construction and when combined with the modified Avondale preamp he brought we were given one of the most 'open' sounds I've heard. I believe he has a number of companies interested in his design and I can see why. For sources we used a powerbook and my laptop playing FLAC in 16 and 24 bit. Also in this system we heard an Audiolab M-dac which handled DAC/preamp duties very capably with the Exons. Finally for an orgy of Rega lovelyness sure set HFS ablaze, we plumbed in my Rega DAC. Mixture of cables used included Rega (natch), chord, DIY, some black rhodium.
Hope this helps a bit.
Damnnnn...........
Wish I had known, I am 8 miles from Hartlepool. Looks like I missed out on an interesting session. :steam:
Damnnnn...........
Wish I had known, I am 8 miles from Hartlepool. Looks like I missed out on an interesting session. :steam:
Hi Ken, the organiser left this forum so you may not have seen his post. There is another thread about this over on the wigwam which is where many of the attendees hang out. Further events will be organised in the future and if you'd like to PM me your email address I'll keep you in the loop. As for the event itself, well I think it set a high standard for how these get together are organised and everyone who attended was as keen to hear other people's gear as their own so it was convivial rather than competitive.
Loads of fun I'm sure. Maybe you could persuade Steve to do it again?
Loads of fun I'm sure. Maybe you could persuade Steve to do it again?
Yes, I think there will be another event in a few months. By the way did you notice how much Rega gear was there. People must like it eh?
The Grand Wazoo
07-04-2013, 10:55
It looks like you all had a good evening. It's always good to see a Radford standing shoulder to shoulder with modern amps and still being able to cut the mustard!
It's a shame though, that Steve doesn't feel as though he can share his thoughts about it with us.
Indeed, Chris. Looks like it wasn't cancelled, then! ;)
Steve hasn't been banned (he's done nothing to deserve being banned for), although his little 'strop off' was silly, which I'm sure he now regrets. Anyway, he's more than welcome to return whenever he wishes. There are no hard feelings here :)
Rich, nice pics, and thanks for sharing them. Looks like you guys had a great time. Feel free to share further pictures in future from any similar events :cool:
Marco.
Rare Bird
07-04-2013, 11:50
Indeed, Chris. Looks like it wasn't cancelled, then! ;)
Even i didnt fall for that one :eyebrows:
Yep, such was the demand for the event I think Steve would have risked a lynching had he not rearranged for the following week.:lol:. As such it was organised by invitation to folks who'd previously registered their interest. I'd estmate at least 20 of the region's most golden ears attended throughout the course of the night and the banter was great. Steve was happy for me to share some pics here and I hope to to get hold of the ones his photographer may took.
Events like these are important I think as when we're all in the same room you'd be surprised how well we all get along.
brian2957
07-04-2013, 18:02
Looks like you had a great day Richard . The Scottish mafia had a little get together yesterday and although I had to leave early it was a great day . I think some of the Scottish contingent would be interested in this get together so I have PMd you my email address. Cheers :)
Thanks for sharing the photos BTW.
Gmanuk101
08-04-2013, 09:48
bloody brilliant!!!!!!
Could we put some names to faces here, chaps:
http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/7006/nebakeoff.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/nebakeoff.jpg/)
Rich, which one are you, and which one is Steve (Floyddroid)? :)
Marco.
Could we put some names to faces here, chaps:
http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/7006/nebakeoff.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/nebakeoff.jpg/)
Rich, which one are you, and which one is Steve (Floyddroid)? :)
Marco.
I'm the handsome one in the green striped sweater, Steve's not in the pic. The rest are wammers I think
Lol.... Nice one, dude. I don't think I know any of the Wammers.
Marco.
Gmanuk101
09-04-2013, 08:54
you look like the new boy at school who hasn't made friends a milk break yet ;)
you look like the new boy at school who hasn't made friends a milk break yet ;)
Yep, they are wammers after all and I don't want to risk guilt by association. :lol:
Had a good chat with the long haired chap in the check shirt about his M-DAC which he runs alongside a benchmark and 2 power amps with his Maggie's. A nice bit kit us the m-dac.
As I'd hoped here's some better pics:
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/richbritton/_tIsUJwVj9hz8zQCV5n1eUuJkk_I_95f0QlYbv2wbIw.jpg
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/richbritton/1liYOdDUEaRqxvTCu3KQgjkEN4is04SxipAH6-PvcH8.jpg
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http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/richbritton/XwzCXDu5nU4lmOjxccfI4PA4N9ZGzPgV0zh4Ym19d3o.jpg
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/richbritton/ZfMrMu2IOR5_ZXKPEZ7ynUvtmP95mT1ca-1eQm-k5gM.jpg
As you can see these are much better than my rubbish phone pics... enjoy:cool:
Mr Kipling
10-04-2013, 21:08
Had a bit fiddle with your other photos last night with my mobile. Don't know if you think they're any better.
Mr Kipling
10-04-2013, 21:13
5 More
Mr Kipling
10-04-2013, 21:17
Last
Great pics, chaps!!
Rich, are any of these dudes Steve (Floyddroid), or indeed is anyone here from AoS:
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/richbritton/jOtepl5qIKA6ZYJDIPoHpNrvplus41MNvyLC_7Ior_M.jpg
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/richbritton/QrRXfu3VZz8qBoEDz5dZYniYLyDi8cqwhdHKjZi74zE.jpg
:)
Marco.
The Black Adder
10-04-2013, 22:50
You had music and drink so where are the girls? :lol:
In the kitchen, making the dinner, of course!! :D
Btw, for a giggle, does anyone fancy having a go at writing what was being discussed in the pictures above? :eyebrows:
Marco.
The platter on that Rega? deck doesn't look at all level.
The platter on that Rega? deck doesn't look at all level.
hmmm well spotted Martin, i didnt notice that at all. FWIW it still sounded incredible, especially in the valve amp set up.
Wakefield Turntables
11-04-2013, 11:02
The platter on that Rega? deck doesn't look at all level.
Martin that's a really geeky thing to spot. :D
The platter on that Rega? deck doesn't look at all level.
I would say this, wouldn't I, but I think it's a trick of the light - the slight taper on Rega RB tonearms may trick too... I love the Apheta too, but readily admit it's definitely not to everyone's taste. As a modern Decca-esque product though, it's a very strong contender IMO :)
I noticed it immediately and I don't think it's a trick of the light!
I noticed it immediately and I don't think it's a trick of the light!
The owner of the turntable seemed a fastidious sort so I'm going to suggest it might be trick of the light.
There were also a fair few eyes on it that night too, especially when it was put in the valve system and everybody stood spellbound.
I was trying to describe the sound this system made to mate of mine the other day and the nearest I could get was to compare it to an audio equivalent of a cuddle with Kelly Brook.
Hi
Its my P9, and it is either a trick of the light, or the picture was taken when the deck had been put down, but not set up. Well I assume that, as when the deck was put back together after the bake off if you put a level on the plinth, sub platter, or platter they are all level.
The Apheta is not for everyone that’s for sure, especially anyone looking for a warm and cuddly take on vinyl replay.
The apheta and minimax phono stage made a really nice pairing to listen to, thoroughly enjoyable, some of the detail and leading edge attack that I enjoy with the ios was missing, but it did not make it any less satisfying.
I thought Steve’s Ruarks did a really good job of reflecting changes to the preceding system all night. Changing the Ming Da phono stage to the minimax was really very marked, for the better to my ears. The change took the slightly smeared and slower bass away and replaced it with a quicker fleeter footed sound, with really good texture and timbre to vocals and through the mids. Swapping the Radford in brought more of the same. That Radford was really a bit special.
In the digital system, I obviously have a problem with my ears, as I preferred the sound of either the Saturn or Rega Dac, and when we had the laptop feeding the Rega Dac, Cursa Exon and RS3’s the musical involvement was right on the money. The system was just forgotten, all you were aware of was the music, the interplay between instruments and voice, one musicians reaction to another was wide open to enjoy. All the detail you wanted without being detail for details sake, may not the highest of fi, but just musical enjoyment laid out.
When you consider the rats nest of speaker/mains/I/c's and far from stable table in use, I wonder just how much better a sound we could have achieved if we had been able to spend a few minutes on a bit of basic housekeeping.
Hi Colin,
Nice to see you popping in again to say hello. I enjoyed listening to your system at Scalford: very cohesive and musical sound :)
Marco.
Its my P9, and it is either a trick of the light, or the picture was taken when the deck had been put down, but not set up.
Ah, thanks for that Colin and sorry to cast aspersions on your deck!
Hi Colin,
Nice to see you popping in again to say hello. I enjoyed listening to your system at Scalford: very cohesive and musical sound :)
Marco.
Thanks for that, it was a enjoyable day, as was the NE bake off good bunch of guys.
Halfway Tree
28-04-2013, 20:48
Sorry, I missed this thread - thanks Richard for posting the pics. It was great night and I enjoyed the chat we had (I'm the guy with the long hair and checked shirt whose face you can't see in the picture because I'm too busy gabbing to Richard). And I'm on AoS - the system Richard refers to is here (http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc480/musicmusic2/gordonhifidec09201201.jpg)
Gordon
Sorry, I missed this thread - thanks Richard for posting the pics. It was great night and I enjoyed the chat we had (I'm the guy with the long hair and checked shirt whose face you can't see in the picture because I'm too busy gabbing to Richard). And I'm on AoS - the system Richard refers to is here (http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc480/musicmusic2/gordonhifidec09201201.jpg)
Gordon
Hi Gordon, nice to make your acquaintance. Yes we had a good chat about our respective DACs and I remained most impressed with how your M-Dac performed as a pre amp with Rega power and speakers. I'd previously heard it described as quite 'dry' sounding but not a bit of it. I'd have one in my system anyday. Look forward to catching up again at another of the local meet ups soon. I've always been fascinated with Maggie's and electrostatics, an itch I will scratch one day. Maybe get yours along to a future meet up.
All the best.
Halfway Tree
05-05-2013, 13:34
Yes, hopefully we'll have another North East get together soon. Would love to bring along the Maggies, but they are just too big, need two amps, active crossover and have a rather fragile ribbon when it comes to moving them. However, if you're down Durham way anytime you are welcome to stop by and have a listen. Just let me know.
337alant
21-05-2013, 02:45
If there is another bake off I would like to attend as I live in Hartlepool as well :)
Alan
Sand Dancin Donkey Walker
21-05-2013, 11:36
Hope this helps Alan
http://imageshack.us/a/img713/2744/nebo2.jpg
Andy - SDDW
337alant
21-05-2013, 12:36
Hope this helps Alan
http://imageshack.us/a/img713/2744/nebo2.jpg
Andy - SDDW
Hi Andy,
Hope what helps?
Alan
Sand Dancin Donkey Walker
21-05-2013, 12:52
Alan, don't miss the North East Bake Off, next month on the 21st June :)
Andy - SDDW
Hi Andy,
Hope what helps?
Alan
337alant
21-05-2013, 16:13
Sorry Andy
Your fantastic picture didnt show to me as I was at work :doh: ??, but I see it now on my home comp;) .
Thats great news I would like to go.
Alan
Sand Dancin Donkey Walker
21-05-2013, 17:47
Hi Alan
The photo was done by Steve (Progmeister), who does the organising for the Bake Off
Get in contact with him and I'm sure you will be made very welcome.
Will be trying to get there myself, though I will not know until closer to the date.
Andy - SDDW
337alant
21-05-2013, 17:59
Andy
Yes I went ahead and phoned Steve on the mobile number on the link you posted to register my interest, so see you there if you can make it :)
Thanks for the link
Alan
Sorry I've been neglecting AoS of late as I've been doing a bit of gallavanting....
I started another thread for the NEBO 2 in the blank canvas section but it got a bit lost over there.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=25563
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