View Full Version : Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2019
Just realised 20 minutes ago it's on again.
Shame was otherwise going to go to Tom's and hear the Silvercores. But that's four hours in the car.
Will take some pics and talk some bullshit as usual.
brian2957
22-02-2019, 21:50
Look forward to it mate . Bit far for me I'm afraid .
Duckworp
22-02-2019, 23:07
Bristol was busy but good today. Highlights:
The new Acoustic Energy AE500 sounded so impressive and at £1000 is a bargain. One of the best speakers at the show, though a lot of speakers sound poor in the small rooms.
The Von Gaylord room for the second year running was amazing. So it should be with £30k of valve gear but sad they can’t seem to get UK distribution as the warmth and depth of the sound was impressive. If a little lacking in detail.
Audio Note sounded brilliant. A giant 8W integrated amp driving some sweet sounding speakers which were rammed up against the wall yet had the tightest bass. This and the Von Gaylord showed valves at their best.
The Falcon LS3/5A special edition (sold out) was a speaker I’d longed to hear. It was amazing with classical but struggled big time on Metallica.
ATCs new integrated amp and CD player were singing nicely.
Disappointing rooms:
Spendor sounded woolly and wet.
Naim was terrible especially given they had a decent sized room. I blame Focals. They never seem to sound good with Naim.
Rega were playing the impressive 7 deck through their underwhelming mini floorstanders which didn’t help them.
Fyne were trying to run large speakers in a room not made for large speakers. BOOM!
I've been to the last few, but will give it a miss this year, for various reasons:
1) Still recovering from man-flu
2) Visitors this weekend
3) Tons of DIY to catch up on because of 1)
4) PhD viva is a week on Tuesday and I need to find time to prepare for that
5) I can't be arsed
willbewill
23-02-2019, 10:26
I visited yesterday, was pretty much underwhelmed by the majority of that I listened to.
Strange but I thought the Audionote room sounded dire this year, in past years it's usually been one of the best for me, and the vinyl sounded vastly poorer than their CD!
Yes the Falcon was good, I've heard a lot of LS3a and it was up there with the best of them, didn't hear any metallica though so can't comment on that.
Agree on the Spendor, very muddy.
Yes Rega was disappointing but their speakers always are.
And Fyne should, according to reviews, have sounded a lot better - could have been worse though - if they'd set up the F1-10.
The best room for me was Malvern Audio Research, and not just because I know Mark, the hORNS sounded just wonderful being supported by some interesting exotic gear.
Once again was getting tempted by the new SP10 - I must resist!
Interesting demo by Funkfirm 'proving' that their arm was better than SME, likening 'normal' arms to wind chimes:lol:
Every year I go I'm disappointed but...had a great trawl around Bristol's second hand record shops later in the day which made up for it.
Vrajbasi
23-02-2019, 10:42
The Uk shows in general are very unsatisfactory, nothing off the wall and badly set up. I still like to visit as like the idea of showing a bit of support it would be sad if they were not there. Its not cheap to exhibit and the returns are small. I have gone of the Munich show its become overcrowded and too many exhibitors and mostly badly set up demonstrations. I have to say I went to the Warsaw show and really enjoyed it, and heard some well set up systems and lots of unusual bits. I find most of the Shows in Asia are rather interesting too.
Munich was dead last year on the Sunday. So there's a tip. But you need more than a day unless you are really familiar with it. Even then you'll miss something.
Bristol is fairly low-fi but I just go cos I am close. Must have done nearly all of them going back decades.
Just setting myself up for show entry.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/bd9a8008ed1084350ed6c8df508415b7.jpg
Beans in their own little pot. Classy! No need to use a sausage as a breakwater. But wtf happened to those eggs?
Eggs were alright. Mushrooms were dodgy.
Test transmission.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/b8b9666eacf06cecb6542e5eb82b6230.jpg
They should make a LED lit plinth for that.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/b53c058e59a3744d0cdfbd84b71ed3b7.jpg
Gaylord's playing Hotel California.
Brightly lit, pretty good. Missing LF but not a large a speaker.
Appreciably less coloured than the Audio Note room next to it.
Good imaging pretty precise. Some trace of hardness.
Not cheap. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/efa971e74450fda2277171a8ee244698.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/c9f1da96c728bc55253d310070b77293.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/819a81d619db4e38ce2f038b89d49ce2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/678f217cd134f13201ee8e737518627e.jpg
Appreciably less coloured than the Audio Note room next to it.
That's a big ask but they managed it. Impressive.
Wannamama Pop Levi on this is ace. Sounded dreadful when I walked in. Lively, dynamic, energetic.
Depeche Mode good too. Personal Jesus
Just goes to show how easy it is to be misled.
Rep says speakers are Brigadier Audio. £5K not quite the bargain I expected. Dead good, though. Man has the balls to play decent music, too.
And it's loud in here. Like, so you can hear it.
Eminem now ranting his balls off. Well.
:)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d7c7e0d4c2ca4c3e3bd705de3aa270ab.jpg
That's a big ask but they managed it. Impressive.You serious? Colouration is the Audio Note game...
Quality colouration you could argue, though.
Back in the Audio Note room.
Easier on the ear than the Gaylord.
The Js are sounding good. The Meishu looks huge.
I'd take it over the Gaylord effort this year. It is a bit too warm, though, no question. Both in the room and sonically. Ultimately the later would piss me off.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d0836f3a19b70d2125224f24dd3edfde.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/a8d4cc8de13307691eab699db9b0c058.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/1d147f6c9f317c53d9a9f5aa4dd45b0f.jpg
Talking to the man who started ASTINtrew but sold it. Went a bit bust doing a DAC:D. He's a consultant to them, now, though.
Arm is a Jap import.
Graham speakers and the STS (TEAC) open reel.
R2R sounding very, very good through the LS6f. Hana ML MC at £1K good too.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/c102c6bc076a9f66eda2c058b251a240.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/90255ea7a9d5a0be0421650155d3313e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/0461ccc347c3ce1e02610b67d4cb3843.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/386989f2be0f4201082142af6256a93a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/202976eb2549f3f8a7a81df5a7b7e3e0.jpg
hifinutt
23-02-2019, 14:25
greatly enjoyed show yesterday . spent a lot of time in malvern audio research room with the horn aria from poland and a nice reel to reel. about 50% of the rooms were at disco levels so wouldnt go in for long
Buskin' show break. Too nice out here.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/649ace775defc6716791866e66d3111f.jpg
Just been talking to Mark in the Malvern Audio Research room.
The 211s are now finished. 20 Watts per channel.
Sounding very good in here with the Golden Gate Lampi running Lampi EML mesh globe 45s playing organ music on the hORNS Aria 1.
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southall-1998_mk2
23-02-2019, 14:58
I'm quite fond of the Audio Note Meishu. Was the AN room run by Dale Linzey of Audio Note Lounge?
S.
You serious? Colouration is the Audio Note game...
Quality colouration you could argue, though.
No, sorry, was being sarcastic. No-one does quality colouration like Audionote. It's the colouration Harrod's would sell you.
Spendor Classic 100 playing some electronic loud and sounding bad ass.
Filling the room easily:)
Playing Liquid Soul Devotion loud with consummate ease.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/44140ee98c92c2bb1c51c377d6864f5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/b331df2251b77e74de18d2d59a2644e9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/b34a9f71dd5ba1f232d1bd1ae59d557b.jpg
I'm quite fond of the Audio Note Meishu. Was the AN room run by Dale Linzey of Audio Note Lounge?
S.It's the dude I almost always see doing the shows if that helps...
southall-1998_mk2
23-02-2019, 16:06
It's the dude I almost always see doing the shows if that helps...
These ''dudes'' have names, you know!
S.
Checking out the new closed back Stellia.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d1e00093d4a1a3109fa1f36b77f37a54.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/c9efba6b6ac73313807b407e1f8f8502.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d27017d9cff395b8da320cc4739d3e78.jpg
These ''dudes'' have names, you know!
S.I'm sure they do but I'll be buggered if I can be arsed to walk up four flights of stairs and ask him if you catch my drift.
brian2957
23-02-2019, 18:08
Checking out the new closed back Stellia.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d1e00093d4a1a3109fa1f36b77f37a54.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/c9efba6b6ac73313807b407e1f8f8502.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d27017d9cff395b8da320cc4739d3e78.jpg
Nice piccies Justin . Keep em comin mate .
It's yurned into a beer, free food and rugby fest here.
More tomorrow.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/f2c7bc5891fe4e15847865e439c5e8a2.jpg
brian2957
23-02-2019, 18:22
Enjoy (-:
willbewill
23-02-2019, 18:54
Just been talking to Mark in the Malvern Audio Research room.
The 211s are now finished. 20 Watts per channel.
Sounding very good in here with the Golden Gate Lampi running Lampi EML mesh globe 45s playing organ music on the hORNS Aria 1.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/e148e82d304a1d6662bf39cabb5c9bf2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/0e2f025463e9672109e925229622d41a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/4f978c281ff1b852b6e9828f42f0b354.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/19e9ff4a2c1e2ba8e96da0a190e6f9c8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d9b63b0e19259e7b55016a668ece8179.jpgYeah heard Toccata and fugue in there yesterday, absolutely stunning
Great photos as always Justin.
Beobloke
23-02-2019, 19:38
I’m just back and had a good time. I thought there were some excellent sounding demos including PMC, the big Sepndors, Ophidian, Elac and Technics. I love the new SL-1500C too.
However, my favourite dem wasn’t the best sounding by a long stretch but was in one of Karma AV’s room courtesy of Emotiva and SVS equipment. When I went in they were playing a track from a Within Temptation’s Black Symphony DVD which they performed with the Metropole Orchestra (for those who don’t know, Within Temptation are a Dutch heavy metal band with a classically trained female singer). The track they played was ‘The Howling’ and they had it cranked up to a pretty crazy, properly, epically ear-bleeding level.
I bet their neighbours and a good many visitors hated it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had complaints and got told off by the organisers, but It was the highlight of my day and I bloody loved it!
but It was the highlight of my day and I bloody loved it!
That's what it is all about.
I'm just putting the Spendor rendition of Devotion by Liquid Soul up against my system, while I still remember it.
For speed, detail and articulation and general lack of colouration the Spendor system is getting killed. Even in categories like bass extension and articulation they are getting crucified.
That's one well done piece of dance/club/electronica. 7 different mixes on the one I am listening to.
I'm just glad that my modest home system still enthrals me. It's not perfect, but it is high performance.
That said, the Spendors cruised it really nicely. Easily even. Far more relaxed than what I am listening to now, which is far more of an auditory overload of the disbelief kind.
cyclopse
23-02-2019, 21:42
Agreed. These Spendors were playing with great authority and bass extension.
Agreed. These Spendors were playing with great authority and bass extension.Never did find that Quobuz offer. Got accosted by some mad old Warmer and a delusional Hi-Fi Critic dude before I could.
The thing that worries me about the Spendor sounding so easy at high volume is the potential for piss poor low volume performance.
Otherwise, good speaker. Very surprised to hear them play what they were playing. All credit to them. Not a very English heritage choice in terms of music selection in any way.
cyclopse
23-02-2019, 22:08
Opposite HiFi Critic on the Terrace level. Just a desk most of the time with no one in attendance. Vouchers should be on the desk. Might see you again tomorrow.
lordmortlock
23-02-2019, 23:03
Talking to the man who started ASTINtrew but sold it. Went a bit bust doing a DAC:D. He's a consultant to them, now, though.
Arm is a Jap import.
Graham speakers and the STS (TEAC) open reel.
R2R sounding very, very good through the LS6f. Hana ML MC at £1K good too.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/c102c6bc076a9f66eda2c058b251a240.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/90255ea7a9d5a0be0421650155d3313e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/0461ccc347c3ce1e02610b67d4cb3843.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/386989f2be0f4201082142af6256a93a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/202976eb2549f3f8a7a81df5a7b7e3e0.jpg
Any idea what the deck is Justin?
Spendor Classic 100 playing some electronic loud and sounding bad ass.
Filling the room easily:)
Playing Liquid Soul Devotion loud with consummate ease.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/44140ee98c92c2bb1c51c377d6864f5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/b331df2251b77e74de18d2d59a2644e9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/b34a9f71dd5ba1f232d1bd1ae59d557b.jpg
Ha - brings back fond memories when I owned the previous incarnations (SP100), supported on 'Phase 4' Mana stands/Soundbases:
https://theartofsound.net/images/aos_images/marco_system/2009-01/aosm06.jpg
They defo did serious bass (and plenty of other things well too), but the big Tannoys murdered them! Beautifully finished speakers, the Spendors, though, especially in the Rosewood I had them in:cool:
Great pics as usual, Justers, from the show-meister:thumbsup:
Plus, looks like there was a bit of younger audience there too, for a change, instead of the usual crusty old duffers!:D
Marco.
Beobloke
23-02-2019, 23:31
Any idea what the deck is Justin?
If Justin will forgive me jumping in, it’s a Planalogue Prelude.
If Justin will forgive me jumping in, it’s a Planalogue Prelude.No problem, because in this case Justin didn't have a clue. Don't listen to him. Just another idiot with wax in his ears.
Well, he might have had a bit of a clue.
walpurgis
23-02-2019, 23:49
Ha - brings back fond memories when I owned the previous incarnations (SP100)
Marco.
I loved the SP100, they were a great sounding speaker. One of the best three way 12" bass speakers around years back, along with the MS Signifers and slightly earlier Chartwell PM400 which I owned for a while (they were very good).
Stratmangler
24-02-2019, 08:44
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d9b63b0e19259e7b55016a668ece8179.jpg
Is it me, or do these speakers remind anyone else of David Attenborough's documentaries?
http://gallery.aaltenvoogd.com/gallery2/d/76262-2/20060309_P_0299.jpg
jandl100
24-02-2019, 09:09
Great pics, Justin, as ever.
I couldn't be arsed to go, usually Brizzle is mostly mid fi with the reps nattering away to each other at the back - from the pics I've seen the only dems I'd have been interested in (i.e. interesting and new to me) was the one with the hORNS speakers and the Gaylord also, probably, I read a lot about the firm during my TAS and Stereophile subscription days.
Am contemplating going to the Wam show this year to hear Boenicke W8 speakers ... a long way for one dem! Although meeting up again with some of the old Wam folks would be good.
lordmortlock
24-02-2019, 10:01
If Justin will forgive me jumping in, it’s a Planalogue Prelude.
Ta. I like the look of it.
Silver Machine.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/0f2234ad0bdd5b4c17dac0f62dc948be.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/f5504d0192fcf23ba5f2d17c858fab62.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/60abeda0695d5e239343c7055699207c.jpg
walpurgis
24-02-2019, 10:59
Tasty!
But excessive and somehow irrelevant in a speed limited, eco sensitive world.
But excessive and somehow irrelevant in a speed limited, eco sensitive world.
Balls to that. I'd have one if I had the money. And a licence. And somewhere to go in it.
Balls to that. I'd have one if I had the money. And a licence. And somewhere to go in it.Or just sit in it with the sound system turned up to 11. It's probably better than most people's domestic system.
Never Mind the Width, Feel the Quality:eyebrows:
More Malvern Audio Research stuff.
Looks to be Ming Da kit modded by Mark.
These are all mobile pics this year I am afraid to say. Hosted by Tapatalk. And I'm a passenger in a car trying to type this on a bumpy road.
I believe the 211 monos are £9K. And they are all Mark not Ming.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/2706a75fc844beea098cb4a04d2693f2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/a2529b09202340e2d6568ad141b69c83.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/ea5c778288cc1e65b6823baf6e9675b9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/10c11d8afd37bdf7734d02b03ea7e58b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/400614c51ff09c11379fdb0bcb2dcc37.jpg
hifinutt
24-02-2019, 13:47
best room in the show for me , i went back twice , at 3.5k those horn aria are great
best room in the show for me , i went back twice , at 3.5k those horn aria are greatWhen sat in front of more than £20Ks worth of DAC and amp, definitely. That said I do like a few of their speakers quite a bit. Good brand hORNS.
ProAc K6 sounding OKish but for £20K disappointing indeed with a Trilogy amp and decent Michell / Koetsu Rosewood (looks like) front end.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/f5bd10f834632c706085258200745360.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/53733eb6b42accdfeec0af56b35c7528.jpg
Tim Mellow's 23 year old Gyrodec, which looks exactly like my probably 28 year old one apart from the arm/cart.
And a tiny ESL hybrid made by hand. I spent no time in here apart from a quick chat with Tim about his Gyrodec.
Bit bizarre in appearance but I wish him luck.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/4931de39d3293479800a501c1494d7aa.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/3b62607ce46a89ff74caf2f7be668f19.jpg
Mark Levinson / JBL Synthesis paired at shows seems to be the norm for a while now.
ML TT.
L100 speakers sounding OK but not a patch on the best by a mile speaker in the Synthesis line up, the 4367.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/df54adb17d8ea6918f2c2ab6273e7637.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/e22633019caf5e7e8344b43a2334d1e5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/00b7b57cc11c92a162059fd0e2f1f784.jpg
For Techie heads.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/1a934f11a5018544270641509576499b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/75fdac220347d7147b327611842ce63a.jpg
A new LS3/5a (playing and sounding pleasant) due out in about a month from Rogers.
The E 20 valve integrated was originally an Audio Innovation design, and the floorstanding speaker against the wall is due in about 5 months I think I heard.
The show guide was really lame on information this year. No information on some brands at all.
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nonuffin
24-02-2019, 18:55
Mark Levinson / JBL Synthesis paired at shows seems to be the norm for a while now.
ML TT.
L100 speakers sounding OK but not a patch on the best by a mile speaker in the Synthesis line up, the 4367.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/df54adb17d8ea6918f2c2ab6273e7637.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/e22633019caf5e7e8344b43a2334d1e5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/00b7b57cc11c92a162059fd0e2f1f784.jpg
This room sounded truly awful. Screechy and rough, I stayed around two minutes until I could stand no more :rolleyes:
TBH that's about it. Not much else really worth a mention that I noticed. So really not a very exciting show. Yet I seemed to have a good time.
Here's a few random pics... there's more but they're not worth posting or uploading for a slideshow.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/154c4bf29c2b96c066968bd96a9d1aee.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/e5dd2b6d831a4b72c03019635d4a7308.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/86af360b7be3d890bd564b3beb4ffd64.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/e00471d9ae2037816e178dae19b11c16.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/f855bc9808e7060727a44937d48e98f4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/cd15d2020747035a6a4d618c108ca7f1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/523a19c67ee3a211361bc409ebf38e40.jpg
This room sounded truly awful. Screechy and rough, I stayed around two minutes until I could stand no more :rolleyes:Yeah I was picking up on some early quite sharp sibilance on a female vocal track when I was briefly in there. The rest of the track sounded OK though.
Something that hits that sensitive area of frequency response hard I could well imagine may become very unpalatable.
best room in the show for me , i went back twice , at 3.5k those horn aria are greatRob (the GG owner) was playing some interesting stuff. He has a fab ear for stuff that sounds good.
brian2957
24-02-2019, 19:19
Thanks for taking the time to post Justin , I really enjoyed them .
Thanks for taking the time to post Justin , I really enjoyed them .First time I've posted live at a show. Decent 4G and a reasonable phone. It's getting really easy to do stuff like this these days.
southall-1998_mk2
24-02-2019, 22:41
Which Naim amp/cd combo was the Proac room using?
S.
hifinutt
24-02-2019, 22:56
Rob (the GG owner) was playing some interesting stuff. He has a fab ear for stuff that sounds good.
Yes agreed , Leamington show was also magic with their kit
Which Naim amp/cd combo was the Proac room using?
S.Dunno I am afraid.
Malvern Audio Research
26-02-2019, 09:42
Both Turn tables in the Astin Trew room were Planalogue.. Silver/Black one is Prelude 1 and White one is the newer Prelude 2!
Hope that helps
Mark
To me the show didn’t seem as busy as previous years, still enjoyed it though. Plenty to see and do as always and some good banter with the exhibitors.
Enjoyed the KEF demo, guys always seem to make the effort, and did enjoy listening to the new R11 floor stander, also the little active LSX was sweet as well. The new r series, to me is a massive upgrade from the outgoing version. Most tracks sounded awesome, hooked up to Hegel H190 which performed rather well indeed. Couple of tracks didn’t cut it for me, but you can get that with any demo. All in all great show, few to many beers and the train back North was rammed solid with sour faced rugby fans, can’t blame em really! Few pics for your enjoyment.
New grills on the r series are very impressive, magnetic with an alcantata finish! Very Different
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190226/bc01f6c333f17745773d8964e1a7c3c9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190226/502484dfcc6f022644aac1c357e51564.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190226/84451800a7df41571bd9a94d91381310.jpg
hifinutt
26-02-2019, 10:47
First time I've posted live at a show. Decent 4G and a reasonable phone. It's getting really easy to do stuff like this these days.
yes , even a dinosaur like me managed a pic live !!
keithshifi
26-02-2019, 11:27
when is it? started? finished? god! this bloody site is impossible
rigger67
26-02-2019, 11:29
when is it? started? finished? god! this bloody site is impossible
:lolsign:
Beobloke
26-02-2019, 13:38
when is it? started? finished? god! this bloody site is impossible
I’m sure google will give you the answer but to save you time, the show was last Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Marriott City Centre Hotel, Bristol.
Checking out the new closed back Stellia.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d1e00093d4a1a3109fa1f36b77f37a54.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/c9efba6b6ac73313807b407e1f8f8502.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/d27017d9cff395b8da320cc4739d3e78.jpgI forgot to state the answer to this.
For me, the Utopia is better by a good margin. It's hard to beat a good open back.
The Utopia simply sounds more upfront and naturally alive to me. And less shut in and distant than the Stellia. More like my own home system. Closer to the truth, in other words.
That said, it does suffer from a lack of isolation like all open backs.
Chose your poison.
It's still not excellent, which is why I won't buy a pair. No headphone is ever gonna give you the feeling the room, you and your emotions are under attack.
But it is alive and vibrant and my current headphone fave. Done a few pairs over the years, so not exactly unqualified to comment.
A three way headphone review from me will land soon, in the mid-price wireless NC sector versus a wireless non-NC wired solution.
Now how does that work?
Malvern Audio Research
27-02-2019, 18:35
More Malvern Audio Research stuff.
Looks to be Ming Da kit modded by Mark.
These are all mobile pics this year I am afraid to say. Hosted by Tapatalk. And I'm a passenger in a car trying to type this on a bumpy road.
I believe the 211 monos are £9K. And they are all Mark not Ming.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/2706a75fc844beea098cb4a04d2693f2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/a2529b09202340e2d6568ad141b69c83.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/ea5c778288cc1e65b6823baf6e9675b9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/10c11d8afd37bdf7734d02b03ea7e58b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/400614c51ff09c11379fdb0bcb2dcc37.jpg
Just for exact info! Yes Justin is spot on, the 211 amps are my own design and build! And yes the Ming da amps are sonically upgraded my yours truely! Lastly we realised the "Aria 1" price was somewhat inflated..oops..apologies guys... They are in fact £2750, plus optional "carpet" stands for £250.00..
Thansk for your positive comments :)
Malvern Audio Research
27-02-2019, 18:41
These are all mobile pics this year I am afraid to say. Hosted by Tapatalk. And I'm a passenger in a car trying to type this on a bumpy road..
Still brilliant Photos..Well done that man!! Wish I could take pics that clean!
walpurgis
27-02-2019, 18:47
Question for themanfrommingda. Are any of the TVC pre-amps coming to the UK? Just curious, I already had one sent over from China.
Pieoftheday
27-02-2019, 19:00
Never been to a hifi show, im amazed that systems costing many thousands sound just ok! Is it that the gear isn't up to much or they're set up badly in some way?
Never been to a hifi show, im amazed that systems costing many thousands sound just ok! Is it that the gear isn't up to much or they're set up badly in some way?
A lot is down to the fact they are crammed into a small hotel room. Personally it’s a great venue to see the kit and meet the manufacturers/owners and have a good chat.
ianlenco
27-02-2019, 19:04
Question for themanfrommingda. Are any of the TVC pre-amps coming to the UK? Just curious, I already had one sent over from China.
Not sure Mark is a member here but I know him well so I've emailed him on your behalf. To be honest I've never seen a TVC pre up at his place.
Lawrence001
27-02-2019, 19:10
Not sure Mark is a member here but I know him well so I've emailed him on your behalf. To be honest I've never seen a TVC pre up at his place.He just posted here so he must be!
Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk
Lawrence001
27-02-2019, 19:11
A new LS3/5a (playing and sounding pleasant) due out in about a month from Rogers.
The E 20 valve integrated was originally an Audio Innovation design, and the floorstanding speaker against the wall is due in about 5 months I think I heard.
The show guide was really lame on information this year. No information on some brands at all.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/7aad257cd7b1fd646e69bd2e3bcf4366.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/877fe05f6a1fc5fbd6e1a52a11393837.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/30b44d82a2d70727119547691e685f23.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/91f861f6d2fb504519d272bc5cfed4ed.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/cd0fa2c0519bb56f927511a5600505ab.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/49b9e0dfc935335e5feb943f56ea8cb2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190224/d4ffca93ded8f540512cd2b9eaf26ef2.jpgI'm impressed by the convincing retro styling, HiFi is starting to look nice again!
Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk
Lawrence001
27-02-2019, 19:12
An alternative "professional" take on the best of the show:
https://www.whathifi.com/news/clarity-alliance-picks-five-winners-at-bristol-show-awards?utm_source=Selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1645&utm_content=What+Hi-Fi%3F+Newsletter+27_02_19+&utm_term=
Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk
walpurgis
27-02-2019, 19:26
Not sure Mark is a member here but I know him well so I've emailed him on your behalf. To be honest I've never seen a TVC pre up at his place.
OK, thanks.
No TVC's on the UK site.
ianlenco
27-02-2019, 20:05
He just posted here so he must be!
Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk
So he did, shows what I know :whistle:
montesquieu
27-02-2019, 21:50
Are they re-making that old Rogers amp? An Andy Grove design apparently. I've always wanted a play with one of those (there was a 40-watt one as well doubled up on tubes which must get pretty hot) but I've never had the dosh to hand when one came up. You see them on ebay now and again. Anyway done well I suspect it could be a winner.
These are all mobile pics this year I am afraid to say. Hosted by Tapatalk. And I'm a passenger in a car trying to type this on a bumpy road..
Still brilliant Photos..Well done that man!! Wish I could take pics that clean!
Hi Mark,
You have a PM. Please reply ASAP. Cheers:cool:
Marco.
Colin Wonfor
28-02-2019, 10:07
At the Bristol Show I met Gareth James of OPHIDIAN. The speaker he designed looked very attractive and the musical sound emanating from them was very good, This delightful pleasant young man should go far given the breaks he will need in this business. Good luck Gareth.
http://ophidian.co.uk/index.html
Beobloke
28-02-2019, 12:41
Agreed. I've yet to hear a bad Ophidian speaker and I reviewed the original P2s a year or so back - they were very good.
johnsteer
28-02-2019, 17:29
Iv'e heard those Colin and really liked them but at that time already had Marshall Choong cm3s,how do they compare
Malvern Audio Research
28-02-2019, 20:37
Hi Mark,
You have a PM. Please reply ASAP. Cheers:cool:
Marco.
Hi Marco
You will be pleased to know I replied this morning :)
M
These are all mobile pics this year I am afraid to say. Hosted by Tapatalk. And I'm a passenger in a car trying to type this on a bumpy road..
Still brilliant Photos..Well done that man!! Wish I could take pics that clean!They are still definitely third rate by anyone trying and investing in decent enough gear to take good ones.
That said, nay bad for a mid price phone. 2019 and they are catching up with OK cameras circa 2012-3. Maybe.
graham67
28-02-2019, 23:20
Are they re-making that old Rogers amp? An Andy Grove design apparently. I've always wanted a play with one of those (there was a 40-watt one as well doubled up on tubes which must get pretty hot) but I've never had the dosh to hand when one came up. You see them on ebay now and again. Anyway done well I suspect it could be a winner.
Hi Tom, i had a good chat to Andy Whittle (now with Rogers) and Kevin Edwards of Talk Electronics who said they will be producing the Cadet amp. The one on show was an original so it will be a while before this breaks cover. However the cadet speakers shown were new. They are designed to well against a wall so well suited to a typical brit front room, in fact perfect either side of a fireplace!
I was impressed with their plans to bring a good deal of manufacturing and assembly back to the UK, working with Talk Electronics. The LS3/5a sounded terrific on the end of the E20.
There were quite a few BBC (and BBC inspired) speakers at show and this more than held its own. Unfortunately, the Falcon Acoustics didn't seem to gel with the Primare switching amp used.
montesquieu
28-02-2019, 23:24
Hi Tom, i had a good chat to Andy Whittle (now with Rogers) and Kevin Edwards of Talk Electronics who said they will be producing the Cadet amp. The one on show was an original so it will be a while before this breaks cover. However the cadet speakers shown were new. They are designed to well against a wall so well suited to a typical brit front room, in fact perfect either side of a fireplace!
I was impressed with their plans to bring a good deal of manufacturing and assembly back to the UK, working with Talk Electronics. The LS3/5a sounded terrific on the end of the E20.
There were quite a few BBC (and BBC inspired) speakers at show and this more than held its own. Unfortunately, the Falcon Acoustics didn't seem to gel with the Primare switching amp used.
Cool! I had a Cadet for a bit, lot of fun and hope they keep the retro look :)
Malvern Audio Research
01-03-2019, 10:20
Hi guys
Just ot let you know, the passive is NOT an autotransformer unit..It is resistor switched, I believe, or I would have one on demo...
This is why We and Mingda China strongly recommend buying from the in country distributor, as there is no practical warranty aside from the distributor(I give 3 years!) We only stock the top gear, that is checked, upgraded and tested in the UK..Lastly there is a danger you can get fake gear buying from these sites! There is no such thing as a free lunch, or a cheap one! Sorry..
Hi Tom, i had a good chat to Andy Whittle (now with Rogers) and Kevin Edwards of Talk Electronics who said they will be producing the Cadet amp. The one on show was an original so it will be a while before this breaks cover. However the cadet speakers shown were new. They are designed to well against a wall so well suited to a typical brit front room, in fact perfect either side of a fireplace!
I was impressed with their plans to bring a good deal of manufacturing and assembly back to the UK, working with Talk Electronics. The LS3/5a sounded terrific on the end of the E20.
There were quite a few BBC (and BBC inspired) speakers at show and this more than held its own. Unfortunately, the Falcon Acoustics didn't seem to gel with the Primare switching amp used.Of which you speak...https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190301/dd1b1a60beda968e54237099eabfd115.jpg
And Harbeth P3ESR.
Actually talking of littleuns the Kanto speaker below is notable in that it has an AMT driver, albeit a small one, at £799 I believe.
There are AMTs and AMTs, though, and I believe the ones in my Mark & Daniels are significantly better than these. Much more expensive, though.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190301/f614eebf2a851b811018e1cc7bfce2fa.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190301/4495a16d5710bf9ac46e65ef25fe387c.jpg
rubber duck
01-03-2019, 21:00
Are they re-making that old Rogers amp? An Andy Grove design apparently. I've always wanted a play with one of those (there was a 40-watt one as well doubled up on tubes which must get pretty hot) but I've never had the dosh to hand when one came up. You see them on ebay now and again. Anyway done well I suspect it could be a winner.
Yes, the E20 was an Audio Note UK commissioned design, as was the bigger version, E40 I think. I had one when they were first released. They were not bad but I found it too full and warm, and nowhere as good as AN's own amps. I think Peter Qvortrup mentioned to me it was designed to Rogers' specifications/requirements. So push-pull when AN favoured SE amps.
Martyn Miles
03-03-2019, 17:56
Hi Tom, i had a good chat to Andy Whittle (now with Rogers) and Kevin Edwards of Talk Electronics who said they will be producing the Cadet amp. The one on show was an original so it will be a while before this breaks cover. However the cadet speakers shown were new. They are designed to well against a wall so well suited to a typical brit front room, in fact perfect either side of a fireplace!
I was impressed with their plans to bring a good deal of manufacturing and assembly back to the UK, working with Talk Electronics. The LS3/5a sounded terrific on the end of the E20.
There were quite a few BBC (and BBC inspired) speakers at show and this more than held its own. Unfortunately, the Falcon Acoustics didn't seem to gel with the Primare switching amp used.
I assume that Rogers were running a pair of the 70th Anniversary LS3/5as that were a Limited Edition.
Andy Whittle told me that an LS3/5a Classic was planned and was to be built in the UK.
I wonder whose drive units they’ll be using...
Malvern Audio Research
04-03-2019, 10:56
Hi guys
Just ot let you know, the passive is NOT an autotransformer unit..It is resistor switched, I believe, or I would have one on demo...
This is why We and Mingda China strongly recommend buying from the in country distributor, as there is no practical warranty aside from the distributor(I give 3 years!) We only stock the top gear, that is checked, upgraded and tested in the UK..Lastly there is a danger you can get fake gear buying from these sites! There is no such thing as a free lunch, or a cheap one! Sorry..
Hi all again further to my earlier comments
Sadly the MC9-SE is not tapped Auto transformer and Ming Ming da factory tell me that China-HiFi-Audio have never ordered one for stock!
So not suire what you have or are getting..Hence my warning and Ming da's own warning about buying off unkown websites! It maybe a ral MC9-Se(I hope) but is nit wjhat you expect! If it was a tapped Auto I would have one here for evaluation.. I am going on one of my twice yearly visits to the factory in May, and will raise the idea of a stepped auto tranny passive!
So I think the gain is purely simple step up tranny's within the unit..
I hope this helps, but if you need anything Ming related, please do not hesitate to go to www.mingda.co.uk or call me.:)
Thanks
Mark
graham67
04-03-2019, 22:36
Hi, I am fairly sure, the Rogers LS 3/5a pair being demmed was the prototype classic (as they had just completed them for the show)
Martyn Miles
06-03-2019, 20:33
Hi, I am fairly sure, the Rogers LS 3/5a pair being demmed was the prototype classic (as they had just completed them for the show)
Any Whittle did tell me that they’d have the Classic at Bristol, but I assumed from what I’d read before that the
pair being demonstrated were the 70th Anniversary ones.
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