View Full Version : Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2016
Took a few photos. Will post some and a few thoughts in a bit.
Best room for me? The MBL one. I explained to the sales rep I knew someone with MBL 116Fs, who was a very near field listener. He gave me his card and told me to tell the owner to get in touch for some hints and tips. The things I do for Jerry...:lol:
brian2957
26-02-2016, 17:06
Nice one Justin . I look forward to seeing your pictures . I was there a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it . Just a bit too far these days :)
Says the man who has recently been to Prague for a Coke (as you don't drink beer) ;)
Ali Tait
26-02-2016, 18:03
Aye well, you can only get decent Coke in Prague.. :-)
jandl100
26-02-2016, 18:04
Took a few photos. Will post some and a few thoughts in a bit.
Best room for me? The MBL one. I explained to the sales rep I knew someone with MBL 116Fs, who was a very near field listener. He gave me his card and told me to tell the owner to get in touch for some hints and tips. The things I do for Jerry...:lol:
Pah - I could probably give him some hints and tips. :D
How did it all sound? - was it the 116f model they had there?
rikardo1979
26-02-2016, 18:08
going there Sunday
Looking forward to listen to Wilson Benesch and new Spendor D9
Im still on hunt for floorstanders ... have been offered some Usher Dancer Mini-2 for a great price, around £1k off :eyebrows: but have not listen to them yet
brian2957
26-02-2016, 18:35
Says the man who has recently been to Prague for a Coke (as you don't drink beer) ;)
Don't drink at all Kevin , I'm bad enough sober :)
The wife '' dragged '' me there for her 50th birthday . Nice place though :)
Pah - I could probably give him some hints and tips. :D
How did it all sound? - was it the 116f model they had there?
No 111F - he said 116F was too big for the room.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02391_zps3hbuq6sd.jpg
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Ali Tait
26-02-2016, 18:48
Tasty looking gear.
The 111F's really were sounding good. I honestly think the new amp and DAC are a great match for them, which is unsurprising.
Bass aside, I think checking those amps out would be really worthwhile as I thought the 111F's were sounding seriously good i.e. better than with any amps I have heard with Jerry's 116F. And I have heard a few.
Trouble is, the amp is £12K.
Contact details here Jerry, LOL. Just sling him £25K and be done with it:)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02489_zpsmlajnhmm.jpg
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Technics with ATC. Sounding pretty lifeless and lacking any kind of dynamics, unfortunately.
The deck looks nice, though. Upgrades seem 100% mandatory because this really was not good... no matter which way you try to hear it. Really. I think the Technics amp needs a wake up call too.
Interesting... So how did the new Techy T/T compare with mine, which you heard through those 66s at Scalford? ;)
Marco.
P.S Any idea which cartridge was fitted to the T/T? Oh, and nice pics as usual!
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02377_zpsutllt59e.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02379_zpsiqmxzb66.jpg
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AN with a floor stander. Nothing special heard in here when I was there. Certainly nowhere near as good as AN kit can be.
I'm not going to write a serious show review here, just posting a few snaps and throwing in some value judgements which are simply my opinion of what I heard at the time I was in the room. Take most of my judgements with a pinch of salt and decide for yourself with your own ears, as always.
I know I have just slated the Technics deck, which is popular. I have also heard those Techie decks sound very good, though I'm not sure about that re-issue at all after today.
Interesting... So how did the new Techy T/T compare with mine, which you heard through those 66s at Scalford? ;)
Marco.
P.S Any idea which cartridge was fitted to the T/T? Oh, and nice pics as usual!
See above just seen your post after posting that.
No where near as good as yours. Honest! Miles behind in fact, but the TT wasn't the only problem I am sure.
Ortofon 2M in the Techie, Marco.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02472_zpsbqdb1edz.jpg
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Some very nice Ch Precision kit, which I have heard elsewhere sounding very good. Not here, though. Wilson Benesch loudspeakers have not and probably never will be my idea of good sound.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02470_zpsmctlwwyc.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02471_zpsjssjfv2n.jpg
pure sound
26-02-2016, 19:40
I'm not sure that you can come to any conclusions whatsoever about the potential of the new Technics TT based on that system.
OK this worked. A new Clearaudio TT, and Gamut amps and speakers.
One of the best rooms and you could tell - people were not giving up their seats. The DS Audio optical cartridge is really worth a listen because this really was getting the info off the grooves with very little in the way of any kind of adverse issue.
A very highly resolved system. And I seriously like the looks of the Clearaudio TT in the flesh. This system seemed to do better than other CA/Gamut setups I have heard which are generally always pretty good or better. I was impressed, anyway.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02445_zpsynaujvls.jpg
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I'm not sure that you can come to any conclusions whatsoever about the potential of the new Technics TT based on that system.
Probably very true Guy... but faith in it won't be promoted by that system, which if it genuinely has potential is a bit of a shame.
TAD Compact Evolution One. This might be a good loudspeaker. Certainly sounded promising. The more expensive TADs have generally gone down fairly well with me. I wouldn't buy them for the sums being requested, but nonetheless they do generally sound pretty acceptable.
Defo worth a visit to the room.
That's all for tonight - more tomoz probably.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02438_zpsk6qtyd7k.jpg
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daytona600
26-02-2016, 20:21
Interesting... So how did the new Techy T/T compare with mine, which you heard through those 66s at Scalford? ;)
Marco.
P.S Any idea which cartridge was fitted to the T/T? Oh, and nice pics as usual!
looks like in plug in ortofon _ PNP
PnP Plug and Play
http://snvinyl.co.uk/WebRoot/Daily/Shops/eshop943300/5338/176F/4AF2/0E7B/9965/0A0C/05EA/A1D7/2M-Black_PnP.jpg
How do you know that's what was used, Scott?
If you're right, then that Techy must've truly been broken, if it sounded, to quote Justin (and I trust his ears) "lifeless and lacking any kind of dynamics", with a 2M Black at the helm!! :doh:
It's one of the 'feistiest' sounding cartridges around................ :eek:
Marco.
Those ATC's like to see a lot of power.
It was a 2M Marco see my previous post.
Anyway, I went to St Nich's market with two Wammer's for lunch. Go there the choice of food in offer is excellent and cheap. We had pulled pork and burnt ends rolls. But the other food on offer is also great. And superb VFM.
Those ATC's like to see a lot of power.
Indeed, Mark, but as an age-old flat-earther and T/T enthusiast, you'll know that the music comes from the source (source first and all that), especially in a T/T set-up. If the music's not there to start with, it's pretty irrelevant what happens afterwards, further down the chain, even with an amp/speaker mismatch.
And given Justin's comments about the system concerned, I suspect that its problems lie somewhat deeper than the latter, above.
Marco.
Anyway, I went to St Nich's market with two Wammer's for lunch. Go there the choice of food in offer is excellent and cheap. We had pulled pork and burnt ends rolls. But the other food on offer is also great. And superb VFM.
Good to hear! You can't beat a bit of pulled pork, eh? :eyebrows:
Marco.
daytona600
27-02-2016, 09:33
How do you know that's what was used, Scott?
If you're right, then that Techy must've truly been broken if it sounded, to quote Justin (and I trust his ears) "lifeless and lacking any kind of dynamics", with a 2M Black at the helm!! :doh:
It's one of the 'feistiest' sounding cartridges around................ :eek:
Marco.
£4k technics with a 2M Black should sound good & hard to mark a 2M Black sound bad
Clive197
27-02-2016, 10:44
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02377_zpsutllt59e.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02379_zpsiqmxzb66.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02378_zpshmfql8ae.jpg
AN with a floor stander. Nothing special heard in here when I was there. Certainly nowhere near as good as AN kit can be.
I'm not going to write a serious show review here, just posting a few snaps and throwing in some value judgements which are simply my opinion of what I heard at the time I was in the room. Take most of my judgements with a pinch of salt and decide for yourself with your own ears, as always.
I know I have just slated the Technics deck, which is popular. I have also heard those Techie decks sound very good, though I'm not sure about that re-issue at all after today.
The Audio Note room was very poor. No room mods and kit sounded flat and lifeless. The Rep looked bored and lifeless as well sitting in a corner on his own.
Devialet and Kudos. Sounded pretty good but I would say you could do better than the Devialet amps, which never bowl me over. They always sound a bit constrained and polite to me. In no way offensive, but never in any way exciting. Still, they look cool, I guess, if that kind of aesthetic/lifestyle product floats your boat.
That's the Kudos Titan 808 BTW.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02432_zpsdawhkzsc.jpg
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Gyro running a Dynavector looking type arm. The salesman told me what it was but it went in one ear and out the other. What is it?
walpurgis
27-02-2016, 11:18
I've seen that arm before, but can't for the life of me remember what it is. It may come to me yet! :)
Another good room playing some Kraftwerk. At least it sounded pretty good once the sales rep cranked it up a bit after apologising that he couldn't do so again and again whilst someone talked about buying an MF TVA pre.
John Howe Quad II's, an AN TT running a Benz Micro Ace into Nick's 10K phono stage (WTF?) and some BBC copies - the Graham Audio LS5/9.
Some mild placky bass unit colouration to the sound, but overall pretty decent - 'spacey', clear, well resolved, pleasant.
Didn't get to hear the Nagra.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02409_zps206stzhc.jpg
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mmmmmmmmmmm...Nagra
Superb photography, Justin. Like being there!
hifi_dave
27-02-2016, 11:29
Is that a Hana cartridge on the Gyro ?
walpurgis
27-02-2016, 11:30
It's an Abis SA-1.
16264
Origin Live Voyager-S TT sounding crazy good into some very small loudspeakers - seusskind Phänomen (http://www.suesskindaudio.de/?portfolio=phaenom).
Genuinely surprising sound when I was in there considering the size. Be very interesting to hear them with a far broader range of input to get past the possibility they only sound good with certain types of material, but I really was quite impressed. Don't get me wrong - far from the best there but considering the size...
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02381_zpsln36ktmi.jpg
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Lee Henley
27-02-2016, 11:37
I'm off to the show on Sunday, looking forward to hearing them MBL speakers
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02389_zpskf5gimrl.jpg
]
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/Macca_photos_2009/jetsonsimg-thing.jpg (http://s903.photobucket.com/user/Macca_photos_2009/media/jetsonsimg-thing.jpg.html)
Maybe it's just me.
I'm off to the show on Sunday, looking forward to hearing them MBL speakers
Very good with Yello Lee... hope he's playing the right stuff at a good volume when your there.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/Macca_photos_2009/jetsonsimg-thing.jpg (http://s903.photobucket.com/user/Macca_photos_2009/media/jetsonsimg-thing.jpg.html)
Maybe it's just me.
It's the German inkling for white that hurts me:D
It's an Abis SA-1. Yup not surprised I didn't remember it.
All this tacky overpriced bling and no one went into the multi worldwide award winning Harbeth rooms to hear the SHL5+ and P3ESR's, even to condemn them. You missed a £9k passive preamp too by all accounts :rolleyes:
All this tacky overpriced bling and no one went into the multi worldwide award winning Harbeth rooms to hear the SHL5+ and P3ESR's, even to condemn them. You missed a £9k passive preamp too by all accounts :rolleyes:
Did I now? I think I didn't.
Twat.
brian2957
27-02-2016, 13:05
These are excellent pictures Justin . Thanks for taking the time to post them on here .:)
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02450_zpscxyvrbzd.jpg
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Harbeth P3ESR (LS3/5A) copy. Very high up, as if to establish some surreal importance to it. Very low volume too. No comment, really.
Bigger ones are Harbeth Super HLSPlus. With an apparently £9K preamp. Again no real comment. Low volume, unable to assess it really. The £9K preamp needs to look more £9K though.
Clive197
27-02-2016, 13:28
All this tacky overpriced bling and no one went into the multi worldwide award winning Harbeth rooms to hear the SHL5+ and P3ESR's, even to condemn them. You missed a £9k passive preamp too by all accounts :rolleyes:
I did. Both their rooms sounded fantastic. Sad that the rep in the small speaker room did not know the music playing (it was Emerson, Lake & Palmer) both I and my companion were a little disappointed with his professionalism.
pure sound
27-02-2016, 13:31
the 9K TVC can look suitably luxurious depending on which finish you have.
It's actually made by a couple of former Music First employees who parted ways with Jonathan Billington. They seem to know what they are doing.
http://www.thebespokeaudiocompany.com/#003
Yes Dave, it was a Hana SL playing in that Abis arm. It was the Air Audio room, they distribute the cartridges and that arm.
Did I now? I think I didn't.
Twat.
Excuse me? Twat indeed - you don't even know me and patronising ad hominem like this isn't appreciated.
OK, let's examine the subject rather than this poster, as I'd like to post these comments on the HUG when the dust has settled.
The stands were custom to get the speakers well off the floor and to get the tweeters nearer to standing observers. Low volume I have no comments on, as private exposure to these models has shown you can thrash them both without trouble. I suppose the low volume means 'bland' and 'uninteresting?' I have no idea what power amp is being used as it's been deliberately hidden. The music was being streamed from a nearby source as far as I can remember.
If they were playing so low in volume that the speakers sounded 'meh' in the extreme, then it's not doing anyone any favours is it. Mind you, I never liked being accosted with excess noise in these exhibition rooms either. A possibly difficult balance to achieve, but there you go.
Thanks for posting the pics of this room. Such a shame you were so underwhelmed by the rooms. I wonder if others feel the same cause of they were, something needs to be reported back.
P.S. The P3ESR's only resemblance to the ancient 3/5A is size in all reality. The original P3 had left the well liked Harbeth LS3/5a (11 ohm) behind twenty five years ago and this new one is a very different animal..
Consider your post and wonder why it received the response it did.
The stand-out rooms for me were not the usual suspects (and frankly I couldn't give a monkeys about whether something's been described as multi-award winning, no harm to any manufacturer there). For me, it was some of the budget offerings that embarrassed a lot more expensive systems. In particular, the £299 Tannoy Mercury bookshelf speakers sounded way better to us both times we visited the Tannoy room than some other (no names) £3,000 stand mounts and comprehensively better!. The new Moon (see what I did there?) integrated complete with phonostage and streaming capability was also excellent and several systems had that amp playing and sounded very good indeed, including the Totems.
I'd have to agree with Justin that the MBLs were very good indeed. Smooth, very phase coherent indeed and not overwhelming the room (most of which which didn't suit monster speakers). For me though, MBL lacked some raw emotion and no-matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get an emotional response from anything I listened to in that room. It sounded very good and right in a hifi sort of way, but not for me.
Some daft price tags knocking about for passive pre amps and phonostages, none of which seemed ground breaking or significantly better than alternatives at more sane budgets.
The big Spendors were not heard because Devaliet were busy talking up their own products or the room was too packed every time I went near it so I gave up in the end. I felt sorry for Terry, as I'm sure he'd rather have had gently glowing bottles powering his new creations in one of the other rooms! (as I'm sure would a lot of other people).
The Ming-Da room was interesting with some genuinely good sounds emanating from the little horn loaded speakers and the turntable package, complete with a really nicely engineered linear tracking arm sounded fab. That was stunning value with the turntable, linear tracker, associated pump and een a decent cartridge packed in for under £3,200! The new Techy I was unimpressed with. Not even remotely worth their asking price imho. Just about everything in the Michell room was though...
Saw a few of you there (Guy, Justin, Kevin, George and several others) but didn't get the time to say "hi" to more than a few people in the end.
Overall, disappointed on many of the rooms which had reverted to clichéd music (if I never hear Dire straights again, it will be WAY too soon) and so-so speaker set ups few of which did the systems much justice.
Overall, I'd broadly agree with Justin's findings.
I apologise for being snarky here, but I suppose it's human nature to concentrate on the wacky stuff first that few can afford to or would actually buy.
I just railed because Harbeth, whatever you think of them, or the heritage they're now increasingly distantly following, have won countless awards all over the world, have garnered rave reviews in the best? US and far eastern magazines and are one of the few runaway UK success stories (it's not difficult to find out how well they're doing compared to other UK manufacturers and dealer chains), yet to people here in their home market, they're all but ignored at first in favour of the 'bling' I referred to that plummets in value so quickly after purchase and are possibly the last place to take pics of, let alone spend any time in.
Thanks for taking the pics though!
P.S. I agree with Paul regarding great sounding less expensive giant-killing systems and hope these people get the kudos they deserve.
Arkless Electronics
27-02-2016, 14:29
A £9K passive is just barmy... It should be possible to get a passive as good as it's possible to make for say £500...
southall-1998
27-02-2016, 14:30
I apologise for being snarky here, but I suppose it's human nature to concentrate on the wacky stuff first that few can afford to or would actually buy.
I just railed because Harbeth, whatever you think of them, or the heritage they're now increasingly distantly following, have won countless awards all over the world, have garnered rave reviews in the best? US and far eastern magazines and are one of the few runaway UK success stories (it's not difficult to find out how well they're doing compared to other UK manufacturers and dealer chains), yet to people here in their home market, they're all but ignored at first in favour of the 'bling' I referred to that plummets in value so quickly after purchase and are possibly the last place to take pics of, let alone spend any time in.
Thanks for taking the pics though!
P.S. I agree with Paul regarding great sounding less expensive giant-killing systems and hope these people get the kudos they deserve.
Mr Hank :)
Does the SHL5+ sound slightly different to the non + predecessor?
S.
A £9K passive is just barmy... It should be possible to get a passive as good as it's possible to make for say £500...
+1
pure sound
27-02-2016, 15:13
My highlight of the day was a good chat with David Giffin of Goldring. He had one of their coil winding jigs set up there with a camera microscope trained on the action. He knows everything necessary to repair/rebuild any cartridge to original or higher spec. Their service can be confidently recommended to anyone who needs it. Don't be coerced into sending your Japanese exotica back to Japan unless of course original factory provenance & the associated value of that is your primary concern.
I apologise for being snarky here, but I suppose it's human nature to concentrate on the wacky stuff first that few can afford to or would actually buy.
I just railed because Harbeth, whatever you think of them, or the heritage they're now increasingly distantly following, have won countless awards all over the world, have garnered rave reviews in the best? US and far eastern magazines and are one of the few runaway UK success stories (it's not difficult to find out how well they're doing compared to other UK manufacturers and dealer chains), yet to people here in their home market, they're all but ignored at first in favour of the 'bling' I referred to that plummets in value so quickly after purchase and are possibly the last place to take pics of, let alone spend any time in.
Thanks for taking the pics though!
P.S. I agree with Paul regarding great sounding less expensive giant-killing systems and hope these people get the kudos they deserve.
They're not all but ignored at all though, that's simply not true and is one of those comments designed to raised web discussion hits which is what Harbeth and many other manufacturer's love. It's just that not everyone likes the Harbeth sound plus there's plenty of other choice out there these days. I happen to like the M30.1 and happen to think it's about the sweet spot in the whole range (along with possibly the C7ES3). Personally, I prefer the Spendor Classic range for that type of thing though. It really shouldn't influence people's choices how many awards something's won as people will choose based on their own aesthetic, budgetary, room and kit matching preferences. Gone are the days when there's just half a dozen manufacturers telling us what we ought and ought not to listen to, like or buy and thank heavens for that!
Firebottle
27-02-2016, 15:16
A £9K passive is just barmy... It should be possible to get a passive as good as it's possible to make for say £500...
It's just bling, hand made, silk bag, fall over backwards make the purchase experience a knicker wetting event :mental:
I've spoken with someone who has tried it in his system and he wouldn't but it even if he had £9K, underwhelming was the comment.
My highlight of the day was a good chat with David Giffin of Goldring. He had one of their coil winding jigs set up there with a camera microscope trained on the action. He knows everything necessary to repair/rebuild any cartridge to original or higher spec. Their service can be confidently recommended to anyone who needs it. Don't be coerced into sending your Japanese exotica back to Japan unless of course original factory provenance & the associated value of that is your primary concern.
The resolution of the cartridge I saw magnified on the monitor he had was a sight to behold, really. Nice kit. Should have taken a picture...
hifi_dave
27-02-2016, 15:42
Mr Hank :)
Does the SHL5+ sound slightly different to the non + predecessor?
S.
Yes it does.
pure sound
27-02-2016, 15:48
The resolution of the cartridge I saw magnified on the monitor he had was a sight to behold, really. Nice kit. Should have taken a picture...
I think that was just an Eroica generator but yes, very nicely wound (if a few too many turns for my taste!). I think Goldring are making the new Linn Krystal cartridge. They did do some of their earlier models but Linn had been buying the last few designs from Lyra afaik..
Pretty Italian bling time in the form of Unison Research. The TT is a Project RPM 10 Carbon.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02406_zpskmvbtetm.jpg
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I apologise for being snarky here.
Accepted.
You'll all doubtless be pleased that I am now equipped with the Monitor Audio "System De-Tox Disk", which apparently burns-in, demagnetises and rejuvenates your system.
I hope it doesn't demagnetise the speakers too much:D
It apparently contains ultra-high frequency sweeps and high energy random noise to achieve this. Not tried it yet... not expecting to be amazed though I have to say.
Sounds similar to the Densen disc ive got..works too
pure sound
27-02-2016, 16:15
It apparently contains ultra-high frequency sweeps and high energy random noise to achieve this.
Up to 20 kHz or thereabouts if it's a CD.
Firebottle
27-02-2016, 16:23
I hope it doesn't demagnetise the speakers too much:D
:eek: :rofl:
Up to 20 kHz or thereabouts if it's a CD.
Indeed but why do I need the sweeps if they are using what I assume is pink noise (high energy random noise) anyway?
Marketing toy methinks.
awkwardbydesign
27-02-2016, 16:37
I swore I would never go again. But I did! Only because my wife couldn't cope with having to be out of the room by 7am at Scalford, and I got a lift to Bristol.
Funny how we all hear things differently; The MBL speakers sounded metallic, just as they always have.
The only two Audio Note rooms I have ever heard sound poor were both at Bristol, sadly. I didn't get to hear what I wanted as I was on the press circuit (schmoozing), but the Russel K speakers sounded good, and the Astell and Kern room was visually fun; it made the short list for best display. But some of the new technology quickly forgets the old. Their "Ultimate" network audio system has a CD slot. For ripping only. So if you have CDs, and just want to play one without faffing about, you can't. You would need a CD player, which of course wouldn't match their pretty casework. So the style statement has gone straight out of the window! Pfff.
I wanted to have a listen to the Parasound A21 in the Cabasse room, particularly the bass, but they were running a subwoofer!
Chord were doing a press demo of their new digital cables, which was interesting. They played the same piece of music with different cables, and there was a clear difference between them. One acoustic guitar suddenly resolved into two! Must have been a trick, surely? Digital ICs sounding diferent? The wine and nibbles were nice too.
I tried to listen to the Harbeths, but it was hard. I have heard some sound good at Scalford in the past, but there was too much noise yesterday. Icon Audio had some seriously scary valve amps, GU81 transmitter valves with EL34 drivers. Which look like ECC83s in comparison! A bargain at about £14k a pair.
And it was scary seeing all those old men wandering around, especially as I think most of them were younger than me!
So I'm never going again. Again.
pure sound
27-02-2016, 16:39
Indeed but why do I need the sweeps if they are using what I assume is pink noise (high energy random noise) anyway?
Marketing toy methinks.
Quite. Just be grateful you didn't pay for it.
You didn't, did you? ;)
awkwardbydesign
27-02-2016, 16:42
Quite. Just be grateful you didn't pay for it.
You didn't, did you? ;)
Well, he couldn't admit it now, could he?
Well, he couldn't admit it now, could he?
Don't worry Richard, you can have it for £25... and I can recoup my losses in terms of a £25 gain:D It turned out to be very special having just tried it. Really.
A few Icon Audio shots, including the amp you were on about.
Have you ever noticed, how, without exception, no matter what the show, the Icon room never sounds even remotely good?
MBLs - 101E and 101E Xtreme sound metallic to me (heard the later 3 times now). 111F and 116F don't. No question the MBL room sounds very "hi-fi". But that has to deserve some respect. After all, that's what the hobby is called. If you prefer to fall under the spell of colouration that's fine - there are some superbly well coloured systems out there if that's yer bag. But it is good to hear something that at least "sounds" accurate every now and then.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02454_zps4ykvzaix.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02453_zpsrzg5cv8r.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02452_zpsqanekvli.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02455_zpsuprvxedi.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02456_zpsx5xraznt.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/DSC02458_zpsdhlhbwmh.jpg
Lee Henley
27-02-2016, 18:16
A £9K passive is just barmy... It should be possible to get a passive as good as it's possible to make for say £500...
I've heard this preamp in a home demo and it's bloody aweful for the money, probably one of the worst sounding passives I've had the pleasure of hearing
awkwardbydesign
27-02-2016, 18:18
Have you ever noticed, how, without exception, no matter what the show, the Icon room never sounds even remotely good?
MBLs - 101E and 101E Xtreme sound metallic to me (heard the later 3 times now). 111F and 116F don't. No question the MBL room sounds very "hi-fi". But that has to deserve some respect. After all, that's what the hobby is called. If you prefer to fall under the spell of colouration that's fine - there are some superbly well coloured systems out there if that's yer bag. But it is good to hear something that at least "sounds" accurate every now and then.
Icon were playing their fullrange speakers when I was there. Forward and boomy, I thought.
And I don't know which MBL speakers were playing, but they were definitely clangy. A pity, as I always want oddball designs to work; I still have a pair of Shackman electrostatic tweeters to re-use one day. Especially as I have an aversion to box colourations.
For Techie fans... notice anything special about the deck?
That makes that particular one VERY collectable for some. Might be worth a bit in the future.
Alternatively 0000 might just mean a not for sale demo unit, with 0001 being the one that really was the first production for sale unit?
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02419%202_zpsfa4oeibi.jpg
Just a word re the Harbeth rooms; the one with the diddy P3ESRs (which I own and love) sounded OK until one track broke out in a horrible distorted 'feedback' noise, which drove me out. I couldn't say the £9k preamp was doing anything special though up until then; it was nowhere near as good as the sound made through the same speakers by my ageing Exposure pre/power. The one with the big speakers sounded a bit 'shouty', but I was sitting in the front row, and a lot of speakers sounded a lot worse in that respect.
My highlight of the day was a good chat with David Giffin of Goldring. He had one of their coil winding jigs set up there with a camera microscope trained on the action. He knows everything necessary to repair/rebuild any cartridge to original or higher spec. Their service can be confidently recommended to anyone who needs it. Don't be coerced into sending your Japanese exotica back to Japan unless of course original factory provenance & the associated value of that is your primary concern.
He did a really excellent job of rebuilding a Troika for me (which I am now using) - highly recommended.
jandl100
28-02-2016, 09:37
I'm off to the show on Sunday, looking forward to hearing them MBL speakers
You're always welcome at my place to hear mine, Lee, it would be good to see you. :)
I'm not that far off - closer than Brizzle! ;)
And yes, MBL floorstanders in black look much better. :) Especially if you are fond of Robbie the Robot. :lol:
Pop in on the way home? - GL17 :thumbsup:
jandl100
28-02-2016, 11:26
I didn't go to the Show, but I've just had a long phone chat with a friend who did go yesterday.
He has heard my MBLs many times, with a lot of different amplification.
He says the Bristol MBL dem was metallically bright - he puts it down to the MBL amp. He's never heard that sort of issue in my system.
I've heard similar tales and read similar things in reviews of MBL amps.
So, don't judge MBL speakers when used in conjunction with their amps. ;)
Having heard your speakers, Jerry, I'd agree that they're not bright or "metallic" sounding.
However, you have to wonder what MBL are doing producing that kind of sound with amps which, you'd surmise, were designed in conjunction with their speakers, or indeed the speakers 'voiced' to suit the amps. Therefore, you'd expect the 'marriage' between both to be optimal...
Perhaps the adverse sonic signature in question was derived instead from the source and/or cables?
Marco.
I thought I'd try Microsoft OneDrive technology out.
To this effect, I have uploaded all 115 pictures I took in their original resolution i.e. at the quality I see at home on my PC. That means a 0.5 GB download. If you have high speed broadband the download time should be very reasonable (it is a 2 minute download on a 38 Mbps link).
Here is the link: Bristol 2016 Hi-Fi Show Pics (https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=258D524E1CD72595!465&authkey=!AAZGLtt7xKcUnMM&ithint=file%2crar)
The quality is appreciably better than you see posted here. Furthermore, zooming in allows you to spy on things you can't usually see. Some images are better than others, obviously, but the quality is generally very good, and in some cases, where camera movement has been minimal and lighting conditions good, the clarity is really impressive. There are NO edits, and no deletions. This is the lot - the rough is in with the smooth:D.
Enjoy! If it actually works, that is. Remember, you are downloading a .rar file and you will need to decompress it.
EDIT: download images now removed.
I did. Both their rooms sounded fantastic. Sad that the rep in the small speaker room did not know the music playing (it was Emerson, Lake & Palmer) both I and my companion were a little disappointed with his professionalism.
The reason is because Alan Shaw did the playlist on Wednesday and I think Andy, who would have been in the second room, was ill.
Harbeth P3ESR (LS3/5A) copy. Very high up, as if to establish some surreal importance to it. Very low volume too. No comment, really.
Bigger ones are Harbeth Super HLSPlus. With an apparently £9K preamp. Again no real comment. Low volume, unable to assess it really. The £9K preamp needs to look more £9K though.
"High up" to get tweeters at ear level. They are not high up, they are at the right level.
One of the main things about Harbeth is their low volume performance. Most of the dynamics are retained. That's why I use then (and other reasons). Most of the manufacturers cover this up with loudness. Unless the audiebnce is quiet, difficult to assess.
I didn't go to the Show, but I've just had a long phone chat with a friend who did go yesterday.
He has heard my MBLs many times, with a lot of different amplification.
He says the Bristol MBL dem was metallically bright - he puts it down to the MBL amp. He's never heard that sort of issue in my system.
I've heard similar tales and read similar things in reviews of MBL amps.
So, don't judge MBL speakers when used in conjunction with their amps. ;)
There was no trace of Metallica:D that I heard. Not so 101E and 101E Xtreme that use the bigger omni driver which seem to lean that way by default.
As I said, I thought the MBL amps sounded great.
It just depends on what you hear when you get in there, I think. Many speakers can be made to sound that way with the wrong material.
Actually, thinking about MBLs a bit more, I reckon their might be some mileage in the MBL amp criticism.
Having heard 101E and 101E Xtreme multiple times, always with MBL amps, they can sound a bit mid bright/metallic. There has been a lot made of this on other forums. I'm thinking What's Best. Whilst I had put it down to the larger MBL omni driver, that is actually a bass driver as they call it (it doesn't go very low at all and may go quite high in Hz terms - too much 3 - 6Khz can't cause hardness and metallic edges to appear). On the flip side, it is hard to see an amp made by MBL having any significant linearity problems.
Whilst I didn't hear any evidence of that on Friday, that is not to say it isn't happening with some material. What I heard sounded excellent.
I thought I'd try Microsoft OneDrive technology out.
To this effect, I have uploaded all 115 pictures I took in their original resolution i.e. at the quality I see at home on my PC. That means a 0.5 GB download. If you have high speed broadband the download time should be very reasonable (it is a 2 minute download on a 38 Mbps link).
Here is the link: Bristol 2016 Hi-Fi Show Pics (https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=258D524E1CD72595!465&authkey=!AAZGLtt7xKcUnMM&ithint=file%2crar)
When I log on it says that this item has been moved, removed or I don't have authority to view it.
When I log on it says that this item has been moved, removed or I don't have authority to view it.
Why am I not surprised, LOL?:)
It is set to public share i.e. anyone with the link I posted should be able to download it. It works for me on the originating computer. Let me go try it on a computer that has no knowledge of that account.
No it works on that computer.
Has the photo file download (post #80) worked for anyone?
BTH K10A
28-02-2016, 14:02
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/Bristol%202016/DSC02426_zps0zjy6of5.jpg
Gyro running a Dynavector looking type arm. The salesman told me what it was but it went in one ear and out the other. What is it?
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?34280-Abis-tonearm&highlight=abis
http://mockingbirddistribution.com/abis-tonearms/abis-sa1-tonearm/
pure sound
28-02-2016, 16:32
Glad to see they are using the clamp now. They weren't on Friday and the record was all over the place. (presumably because the spacer was in position underneath?)
rikardo1979
03-03-2016, 18:41
For me the best sounding system was Gamut Audio RS3 system. That was really impressive... shame I have not taken any photo
And than I really liked the Zellaton Legacy. Never heard of them before. And by looking I will not see or hear them anywhere here :) as they seems to be sold only in Germany exclusively...
I just don't get why to show on show here than???
http://snag.gy/xgcZw.jpg
Gamut are an odd company. They seem to produce some very diverse designs that share little in terms of technology or design theory. I well remember listening to some of their large, multi way, statement models that sounded particularly disjointed and badly integrated - very odd indeed.
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