NEBO 15 scheduled for 1st February 2025.

[Floyddroid]

I am pleased to announce that NEBO 15 (North Est Bake Off) is scheduled for the 1st February 2025 at The Blacksmith's Arms in Hartlepool. It's the same venue as last year. As always do let me know if you are coming and if there is anything i can do to assist in any way. Polite request, can we keep this thread about NEBO 15? Many thanks. I look forwards to seeing you all on the day.

https://i.imgur.com/Rl6MX2f.jpg

[Swann36]

1st February in my diary

[mik_rik]

I've got my name down for the other one but can I come to this one as well:):

[Floyddroid]

Excellent to both of the above.

[Halfway Tree]

I'll be coming to this one, too. In fact, I'll be a bit younger at this one than the other one. :)

[Floyddroid]

I'll be coming to this one, too. In fact, I'll be a bit younger at this one than the other one. :)

Ha ha. Indeed. What are you bringing this time Gordon? Iv'e heard nowt from Ken which is a bit worrying.

[Floyddroid]

Would anyone be interested in hearing my NJC reference DAC? I'm also thinking of taking along a Technics 1210 which i bought from Ken.

[Halfway Tree]

Not sure what I'll bring yet Steve. The only only thing I can guarantee is that if I bring some speakers they won't be in a box, if you know what I mean.

As for Ken, I'm sure he'll be along in a while, although he might be off gallivanting (as my mum used to say).

Then again, he may not have left his living room since he got that pristine pair of Canton's after hearing a pair at the last NEBO. :)

Congratulations on your retirement btw, and welcome to the club. There are still never enough hours in a day and everything just goes faster, at least that's my experience.

[mik_rik]

Only thing so far definately on the too bring list is a festival trolley
Getting on a bit to lug stuff around

[Floyddroid]

Anyone bringing speakers?

[Pigmy Pony]

Ken did say at the Maverick show that he expected to be bringing his Cantons.

[Qwin]

Ken did say at the Maverick show that he expected to be bringing his Cantons.

:thumbsup:

[Floyddroid]

Anyone bringing a turntable?

[Pigmy Pony]

Anyone bringing a turntable?

If no one else is, I'll bring my Monarch again.

[Qwin]

Anyone bringing a turntable?

Weather permitting, I will be bringing my whole set up Steve.
So Speakers, Pre/Amps, CD, Streaming/DAC, Turntable/Phonostage.

[Pigmy Pony]

Weather permitting, I will be bringing my whole set up Steve.
So Speakers, Pre/Amps, CD, Streaming/DAC, Turntable/Phonostage.

Well yours and Gordon's set ups made the best sounds at the Maverick show to these old ears, so that's something to look forward to :)

[Floyddroid]

Please do.

[Qwin]

Well yours and Gordon's set ups made the best sounds at the Maverick show to these old ears, so that's something to look forward to :)

Well I don't know about that Steve, but we both had some great comments and folks coming back for a second/longer listen, is always a good sign.

[Macca]

Weather permitting, I will be bringing my whole set up Steve.
So Speakers, Pre/Amps, CD, Streaming/DAC, Turntable/Phonostage.

Looking forward to a listen to your minty Cantons.

My new speakers are a lot like them, just bigger.

[Qwin]

Looking forward to a listen to your minty Cantons.

My new speakers are a lot like them, just bigger.

I made some travel boxes, to keep the Cantons looking minty and I just finished some boxes for the Neurochrome 686 monoblocks. The later still need the foam liners fitting, which I will have to order and fit after Christmas.

[Qwin]

@Pigmy Pony
I see your using Atlas Hyper speaker cables Steve.
These are my goto cables, with what I consider, a very good price/performance ratio.
I was using some Hyper 2.0 then moved up to 3.0 which was fractionally better. I recently found a couple of meters of unterminated "end of reel", Hyper 3.5 on fleabay, at less than half price. The 3.5 was quite a noticeable improvement over the 3.0, even though I'm only using short lengths of 700mm. It has the even handed response, typical of the Hyper range, no frequency is artificially forward or spot lit. But there is even more detail and an even Blacker background, bass texture seems very slightly better. Overall its a very good cable. The construction seems slightly different, fewer, but larger diameter, Copper strands and the PTFE primary insulation is thinner, but it certainly works, what ever they have done. Highly recommended in many reviews and I can only concur.
With all the Hyper range cables, I found they needed 80 to 100 hrs continuous use to sound their best, going through several changes during this period and sounding really bad at some points. I used one album on repeat for this burn in and reviewed the sound every morning at approximately the same time. Towards the end of the burn in, volume increased noticeably, by two numbers on my pass labs Pre. That is to say, I had to reduce it by two steps to keep to the same level and avoid disturbing my neighbours overnight.
I used Hyper 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 inside the cabinets of my Modified Yamaha NS1000m, I will probably do something similar with the Cantons.

[Pigmy Pony]

@Pigmy Pony
I see your using Atlas Hyper speaker cables Steve.
These are my goto cables, with what I consider, a very good price/performance ratio.
I was using some Hyper 2.0 then moved up to 3.0 which was fractionally better. I recently found a couple of meters of unterminated "end of reel", Hyper 3.5 on fleabay, at less than half price. The 3.5 was quite a noticeable improvement over the 3.0, even though I'm only using short lengths of 700mm. It has the even handed response, typical of the Hyper range, no frequency is artificially forward or spot lit. But there is even more detail and an even Blacker background, bass texture seems very slightly better. Overall its a very good cable. The construction seems slightly different, fewer, but larger diameter, Copper strands and the PTFE primary insulation is thinner, but it certainly works, what ever they have done. Highly recommended in many reviews and I can only concur.
With all the Hyper range cables, I found they needed 80 to 100 hrs continuous use to sound their best, going through several changes during this period and sounding really bad at some points. I used one album on repeat for this burn in and reviewed the sound every morning at approximately the same time. Towards the end of the burn in, volume increased noticeably, by two numbers on my pass labs Pre. That is to say, I had to reduce it by two steps to keep to the same level and avoid disturbing my neighbours overnight.
I used Hyper 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 inside the cabinets of my Modified Yamaha NS1000m, I will probably do something similar with the Cantons.

Some interesting observations there Ken. I didn't deliberately choose the Hyper 3.0 - when I bought my speakers I said to the dealer "i assume you'll be giving me some decent cable to go with these", and that's what he gave me. never felt the need to change and I've had them 11 years now.

If you find yourself needing any more 3.0 for your Canton internals, you're welcome to some of mine, the runs to my speakers are overlong anyway :)

[Qwin]

Thanks Steve, I won't be venturing inside the cabinets till after NEBO, but that's good to know.
If I remember correctly, on the Yams I used 3.0 from terminals to XO then 2.0 for Bass driver and 1.5 for Mid and Twt.

[Pigmy Pony]

Well if you find you do want some I'll bring it to NEBO.

[Floyddroid]

Only a few weeks to go. Lets make it a gooden!

[Qwin]

:thumbsup:

[gdbd59]

I've just noticed this thread. I was surprised there had been nothing on the Mav forum.?
I sold my Triangle floorstanders to partner, all I have now is a pair of Castle Avon in lovely Yew Burr (for sale) or M' Audio 703 PMC. I'm very car-space limited this year, but hope the latter will fit. I should also be able to bring last year's cd player/Stereo Coffee pre/ Temple Audio mono's.

[Qwin]

I for one would be interested in hearing either of those speakers hung on to the set up I will be taking.

NEBO15 is advertised on the Maverick website under "Bakeoffs"

[gdbd59]

I for one would be interested in hearing either of those speakers hung on to the set up I will be taking.

NEBO15 is advertised on the Maverick website under "Bakeoffs"

I know, but thought there would be some lead-up discussion on there, such as this.....

[Qwin]

I know what you mean, there's not been much chat this time round, about what folks are bringing.
Not on the NEBO facebook group either.

[Qwin]

Not a lot of chat about what folks are bringing!
I'll kick things off and say I will be bringing this little lot.
So a full playable system with Vinyl/Streaming/CD capability.

https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/281995/9151744/My%20System%2012-01-25%20Web.jpg

[Ali Tait]

Great stuff Ken, looking forward to hearing those speakers. I'll bring a Technics SL-7 linear tracker, Allnic phono stage and a Gustard R26 dac.

[Qwin]

:thumbsup:

[mik_rik]

Have'nt got anything different this year,so I'll just turn up for the show,so to speak

[Halfway Tree]

I don't have anything new either (well I do have a 1959 AMI jukebox, but I'm not bringing that! :lol:), but if anyone still wants a listen I could bring the Linkwitz LXMinis. This time by themselves (without the bass units from the LX521s) so please don't expect the same SPLs and bass output as a couple of years ago. But hopefully the imaging should still be good.

Otherwise, I could bring my Curcio Dynaco ST70 if there is a reasonably efficient speaker to pair it with.

Let me know what you think.

[mik_rik]

Should work very well with the Cantons

[Ali Tait]

Would like to hear the Minis again Gordon. :-)

[Floyddroid]

Sounds good Gary.

[Floyddroid]

Looking good.

[Ali Tait]

Aye looking forward to it.

[Pigmy Pony]

Only 12 sleeps to go :)

For anyone thinking about it: Great venue, great sounds (of course), friendly traditional pub with plenty of space, good beer (brewery next door!), and fantastic pizzas made and sold outside the pub for not much money. What's not to like? :)

[Macca]

There's a Maccies right across the street for getting some power food to carry you through the day, too.

[Pigmy Pony]

There's a Maccies right across the street for getting some power food to carry you through the day, too.

I almost mentioned that, but didn't want to attract any feral kids hopped up on sugar :D Yeah I know we went there last year, but we're old enough to handle it.

[Floyddroid]

Only a week to go. I am really looking forwards to meeting up with you guys.

[Swann36]

All set and ready, only 2 sleeps

[Pigmy Pony]

All set and ready, only 2 sleeps

Only one sleep really, Friday night will be like Christmas Eve :)

[Halfway Tree]

Just cleaned 20 years of dust off the inside of the Audiolab 8000x7 - all seems well, so will bring it along to power the LXMinis - it'll make a change from the Hypex based multi-channel Class D amp I've brought in the past.

As Ken's bringing a turntable I'll try and find time tomorrow to dig out some 12inch 45rpm singles.

See you all Saturday.

[Barry]

Good luck for everything on Saturday. We are expecting great reports, and lots of photographs, both of the equipment and of the attendees. :)

[Alex_UK]

Yes, +1 - hope you all have a great time, Shame it's just too far away for me.

[Qwin]

Just cleaned 20 years of dust off the inside of the Audiolab 8000x7 - all seems well, so will bring it along to power the LXMinis - it'll make a change from the Hypex based multi-channel Class D amp I've brought in the past.

As Ken's bringing a turntable I'll try and find time tomorrow to dig out some 12inch 45rpm singles.

See you all Saturday.

:thumbsup:

Looking forward to that first pint of Strongarm.

[Swann36]

I’ve been thinking about what I can bring and finally decided on the Fiio K11 R2R dac as I’ve thought people might be interested to hear what it can do and it’s a head amp too

[Swann36]

Oh and I’ve popped a pair of Mr Speakers Ethers in too in case anyone wants to hear them

[Floyddroid]

I’ve been thinking about what I can bring and finally decided on the Fiio K11 R2R dac as I’ve thought people might be interested to hear what it can do and it’s a head amp too

That sounds really interesting. I look forwards to getting that hooked up. Will you need a transport or anything?

[Floyddroid]

Bugger it, i'm going to bring my Alchris Audio TX55 Signatures. See you down there honcho's...
https://i.imgur.com/TxbEDLr.jpeg

[Swann36]

That sounds really interesting. I look forwards to getting that hooked up. Will you need a transport or anything?

we’ll need something to feed it I’m bringing an optical cable or it can also take coax in, I hope some one brings a cd player

[Floyddroid]

I will bring one.

[Qwin]

Well I for one, had a great time at Nebo15, a good turn out of some new and old faces.
Good music and crack, here is just a taste of what went down.

https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/281995/9180712/Nebo15.mp4

[Floyddroid]

Great day. I enjoyed every second of it. What a great buch of guys. Some excellent music and kit too. Thanks you all for making it such a great day.

[Macca]

Great day. I enjoyed every second of it. What a great buch of guys. Some excellent music and kit too. Thanks you all for making it such a great day.

Thanks for hosting Steve, it was another good one.

Took some photos which I'll put up later or tomorrow, only just got back.

[Ali Tait]

Great day. I enjoyed every second of it. What a great buch of guys. Some excellent music and kit too. Thanks you all for making it such a great day.

Seconded, a really good day, good company and some good sounds.

[Pigmy Pony]

Another great NEBO.

If there was an award for "Putting in effort above and beyond", it would have to go to Ken (Qwin), though so many others worked to make the day a success.

Many good sounds throughout the day, but one that particularly comes to mind is Ali Tait's mint and enormously capable Technics SL7 linear tracker going to a truly high end phono stage provided by Nick Gorham, then via a Music First pre and Ken's Neurochrome monoblocks into Steve Floyddroid's Alchris giant speakers (which had enjoyed some extensive mods and sounded incredible), playing Yello's "The Race" 12" single... (apologies if I got any of the details wrong)... it was a sound I won't forget in a hurry :)

Good to see some young 'uns turn up to enjoy the sounds, maybe there's hope for the future :D

Plenty more kit to enjoy, and some great music, but for me it's as much about the people attending as anything else (you meet the nicest folk at NEBO), and I'm already looking forward to NEBO 16...

[Ali Tait]

Yes that sounded great. For me, it was swapping in Nick's Reference in place of my Allnic phono stage- it sounded ridiculously better even from cold. As for the Technics, I bought that for casual listening and for on the occasion I'm having a few beers so can play vinyl without fear of breaking anything. Admittedly I went for the sapphire cantilever Jico stylus which cost more than I paid for the TT, but I've been really surprised by how good it sounds.

It was a great turnout this time, maybe the busiest yet? Good craic and good music. What more could you want?

[Ali Tait]

I only took a few pics, here's what I have-

https://i.imgur.com/JT8mJCh.jpg
Nick Gorham on the left with Ken's lovely system running those fantastic Canton speakers that look brand new despite being 40 odd years old- the finish on them is superb.

https://i.imgur.com/BlwWu2F.jpg
Steve's lovely Alchris Audio speakers being run by Ken's Neurochrome 686 monoblocks, fed by my Technics SL-7 through Nick's Reference phono stage


https://i.imgur.com/8J5QtOa.jpg
General shot of some of the attendees.

[Macca]

Here's my photographic delights:

Ali's wonderful and minty Technics SL7

https://i.ibb.co/s9h27ZZ9/SL7.jpg (https://ibb.co/602mQkk0)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

Steve's rebuilt Allchris speakers, these are now very impressive - bass, detail, presence, etc etc

https://i.ibb.co/PvBsFqVg/ALLCHRIS.jpg (https://ibb.co/VcX0JfkT)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

A few different amps got tried with them, here shown running off Ken's Neurochrome 686 monoblocs:

https://i.ibb.co/8Db0h1wR/NEURO.jpg (https://ibb.co/4Z27QhLD)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

Vintage Tannoy Cheviots - they did not sound 'vintage' at all:

https://i.ibb.co/67mcVFWg/TANNOY.jpg (https://ibb.co/KpXcRWrF)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

Valve monoblocs originally built in the 1950s, refurbished by (I think) Haden Boardman

https://i.ibb.co/vCyGm3dh/VALVE.jpg (https://ibb.co/LDjW6xgr)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

Gordon's Linkwitz Mini speakers - like the bumblebee they shouldn't work but they do

https://i.ibb.co/pr2k5KwV/linkwitz-mini.jpg (https://ibb.co/M5nJQ1Sw)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

Ken's Canton CT1000 speakers - wonderful things you could listen all day on these, the balance across all the frequencies is just spot on.

https://i.ibb.co/WWmWy1k7/canton.jpg (https://ibb.co/8D1D5VrG)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)



Quite late in the day still quite a few attendees knocking about:

https://i.ibb.co/N2ypB7jH/CROWD.jpg (https://ibb.co/60WbCNPf)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

Mein host Steve has a little lie down:

https://i.ibb.co/dJW5Ggc2/STEVE.jpg (https://ibb.co/wr0zMsLW)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

[Floyddroid]

Excellent pictures. many thanks. Great day,

[Halfway Tree]

Once again, thanks for pulling it all together, Steve. That was about the busiest NEBO I can remember and I've been to most of them. What a great range of gear people brought, not to mention some great music to go with it. Met up with a few people I hadn't seen for a while, so it was a great opportunity to catch up on things, too.

Roll on the next one!

[Firebottle]

Mein host Steve has a little lie down:

https://i.ibb.co/dJW5Ggc2/STEVE.jpg (https://ibb.co/wr0zMsLW)
upload image (https://imgbb.com/)

What, again?

Lie down or fall down this time :eyebrows:

[Ali Tait]

Better soundstage from that position. :lol:

[Pigmy Pony]

Better soundstage from that position. :lol:

He might have overheard our conversation about lying on the floor with a speaker either side of our head after a night at the pub :) He seems to be missing something there though :doh:

[Ali Tait]

LOL aye maybe!

[Floyddroid]

https://i.imgur.com/R4aE2Id.jpeg

What can i say? It's taken nearly a week since NEBO 15 for me to come down from it. Phew! What a great day. Wonderful music, great kit and the most wonderful folks on the planet in attendance. Before i say thank you to all of the folks who travelled many miles to make NEBO happen again, i have to thatnk Ian Humberston who as a landlord and friend saw a bigger picture than most providers that i have sold the idea of NEBO to in the past. Ian as a musician could see my MO and went with it. Thus far Ian has accomodated four NEBO meetings and went above and beyond all that went before. Sir, my cap is doffed!
And what a day eh? Ken Wynne yet again going the extra mile with his extaordinary kit. The Cantor speakers are to die for. The Nuerochrome power amps are also phenomenal pieces of kit.
It's always great to see Ali Tait, the remaining member of the Scottish mafia who used to attend Nebo in years gone by. Seeing Ali is like welcoming a brother and he always brings the most fantastic music with him too. On this occasion Tash Sultana hit me between the eyes.
Gary D helped me out with his amplification and also provided some fabulous music. Thanks too to Nick Gorham who provided his music first pre-amp and letting us listen to and his show stopping reference phono stage. It really is something special. I am gobsmacked that closer to seventeen years on we are still having the most wonderful time at NEBO. It makes me so proud to have provided a platform and physical event for so many people to be a part of. Thank you all so much. You make me feel humble. Thank you to all those who brought equipment i haven't mentioned though i suspect will be mentioned elsewhere in this thread. IE GordonHalftree's wonderful LXmini speakers driven by his Ausiolab power amps. Also the Filo DAC that and gentleman and his lovely wife brought along. Mik Rik's fantastic valve power amp made it's usual splendid account of itself driving my Alchris Audio speakers. Paul Garrish's superb Tannoy Cheviot speakers also struck a chord with me too. So much happened up and above the amount of alcohol i consumed that i simply have difficulty recalling. Shame on me! All great stuff. Well done guys. Are we doing it again?

[Ali Tait]

Yes!

[mik_rik]

Hi Steve
You bet!.
Thoroughly enjoyed '15 (as always).They can't come round quick enough.Good to see some young'ns, very keen and very knowledgable, they stayed til the close and ended up like NEBO veterans - good to see.
Catch everyone next time
Mick

nearly forgot - good to see Neil B again ,one of the NEBO originals.

[Floyddroid]

Whan do we want NEBO 16?

[mik_rik]

Whenever it's arranged,I'll be there.Aways appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed.
Mick

[Pigmy Pony]

Same here. One of the year's highlights for me :)

[Floyddroid]

How about the first weekend in October?

[Macca]

Except for Easter weekend I've got nothing in my diary between now and Christmas :)

[Pigmy Pony]

Sounds good to me! Better than February because it's sooner :)

[Macca]

And warmer.

[Ali Tait]

Sounds good Steve.