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OB was playing some pretty full on metal, at pretty high levels, and even though the speakers by rights should have been far too much for the room, it all hung together pretty well. Amazing looking speakers - and loved the fact that he was using a pink Hello Kitty TV as his monitor screen! :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
You remember i asked the chap if they happened to be Decca London ribbons? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
Marco;Cheers, mate :)
We all really missed you this year, and TBH, although things went well, it wasn't the same. And besides,:lol: ;)Quote:
Beechy didn't quite suit the frock we'd reserved for you, and it wouldn't fit John!
Damn, i cant believe i misssed the frock!:doh::lol:
Realy sad i missed the show this year and everything else that goes with it, ie; the banter and fun we usualy have etc, also missed out on meeting a few more of the AOS team.:(Quote:
However, we'll make up for your absence big time next year!
Yep, i'm up for that!Quote:
I'd love to hear your Soul amp driving the Celestions, which would act as a nice contrast to Martin's superb Chord. We could do half the day with each amp, which I'm sure would be very interesting...
Looking forward to it already.Quote:
We can also go for a curry and a few beers with the lads from Wigwam, so that should be a giggle! :cool:
Anthony,TD...
Marco.
Being a 401 owner, I was keen to talk to Richard about his Russ Collinson plinth, which looks fabulous in the flesh, and considering it is the bottom of the range, hollow type, there was not a hint of rumble as far as I could hear. Richard was struggling a bit with the SME - you'll notice he was missing the spacer, (a replacement had been won on ebay, but the seller had let him down in getting it out to him) so it sat too low on the plinth, so the pillar had to be extended to it's fullest reach.Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
Like mine, the 401 is long overdue a service I believe, but it sounded fab through the amp and the little Royd's, producing one of those sounds that defied the size of the speakers - this was another of my favourites, and a system I could happily live with.
You know you need to get that 401 plinthed Alex
It was good to meet Adam, a thoroughly nice chap, and this was certainly one of the most interesting rooms, and Adam is to be commended for doing something different. The 70's kit looks fab, and sounded good too - the Panasonic amp was so shiny it looked like it was brand new! Adam commented that he was probably the only exhibitor not to have a remote control amplifier, but did have remote control turntables!Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
The Aiwa turntable was an intriguing device, as was the Sony - a technical masterpiece. I particularly liked the look of the wooden plinthed ADC (Accutrac 4000 I think?) with its "Space 1999" typeface on the control panel, Track selection buttons (yes, really!) and another one with remote control!
Thats correct regarding the armtube my mistake :doh:Quote:
Originally Posted by chelsea
Those tiny drivers had no right to produce the amount of bass they did - the horns obviously doing what they were supposed to do! I was really pleased to see a 124 - they look unbreakable! The Fisher amp was something differennt, and it certainly sounded good overall.Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
(By the way, if I haven't commented on a system it is only because I don't really have much to say about it - for various reasons - i.e. couldn't get into the room properly, or by the time I got to listen to them my ears were shot! They were genuinely ringing on the way home - I think some rooms could maybe do with dropping the volume a little...?)
Oh yes - next on the list after the speakers arrive... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by John
That Empire Troubador was an amazing deck at the time and sonically, a total Linn anihilator from memory. The arm was out of its time - far too massive for Empire's then top cartridge (2000Z), but this deck rocked brilliantly. A shame so very few made their way to the UK.Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
I can't remember what source was playing, but another system that suited the room size perfectly. Unbelievably, the PMC DB1 is in the tradition of PMC a Transmission Line design, the World's smallest, apparently. They certainly sounded very nice, and I remember the depth of image was particularly good with this system. Very nice. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
Missed it! I think the room was busy when I was in that corridor, and once off down those labyrinths......Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
I missed a few things, such as the Apogees.
rabski's a 'friend', as we share interactions. He gets tempted by horns; then I get tempted by ELSs. So we tell each other NOT to be tempted, etc.
Yes, his system WAS lovely. I'm still trying to work out WHERE I could fit ANOTHER set of speakers......I had ELSs in 1980, before my Klipschorns for the following 25 years!
Andr'e, funnily enough, nothing special. Quantegy 478. £6 a pop when I bought it. I think the trick is finding a tape that works with the bias of your deck. My Nagra is biased for broadcast tape, rather than the (what was more common, and now starting to become unobtanium) musical master tape. I've tried a few different ones and 478 is in the sweet spot of performance and price.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre
Well, I was very keen to hear the AVI's, as I know from discussions on here that they "divide opinion" (I think that's the polite way of saying it!)Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
Firstly, what a simple setup - If you need to have a decent sound in a cramped space, or if you move around a lot - perfect. That said, the system was very impressive - extremely musical, and accurate, no hint of any digital "harshness" (I think that's another hifi myth...) for such a digital system, and the non-AVI sub integrated very well. Another positive FBA and tiddly speaker experience!
[QUOTE=Alex_UK;194724]I used that very same plinth for my Lenco and it was very, very good, Russ does a solid version, the hollow one is still very heavy, dread to think what the solid one weighs. My 401 is still sat waiting for an arm board,,,,grrhhhhQuote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
The AR was playing, and thiswas another very clear system, that fitted the room supremely. The little ProAc's did a super job of filling the room with great imaging and a clear presentation. And yes, that turntable is a thing of beauty... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
(By the way, please feel free to tell me to stop if I'm doing your heads in with my "What Amateur?" mini-reviews...!)
Lol! I'm just impressed you could remember all the gear! Are you a carnival memory man in your spare time Alex?!
No, keep on going. This is great stuff for those of us who couldn't make it. I can almost hear the music...Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
I happened to be there at the same time as Alex, our opinions don't differ by very much in all honesty ;) I pretty much remember the whole lot as well tbh, at least when faced with the pictures :eyebrows:Quote:
Originally Posted by Beechwoods
Just a shame it looks like we missed a few good rooms :doh:
What a fun room! Lego equipment stands, and the tiniest Tannoy's you've ever seen! Bear in mind that that's a netwbook, and it will give you an idea how small the Tannoys are (it's a 4" driver!) I did learn also that the current Aura brand is nothing to do with B&W - they sold the name to the Korean company April Music sometime ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
The sound was ok, but didn't quite hit the spot for me - but then it was getting to "ears tired" time. Got a bit of a shock though when I checked the price of the little Tannoys - £1,500! :eek: The Aura Note was also £1,500 new, so suddenly you've got an expensive pairing. But I don't think that's the point - hugely entertaining in their own way.
(Thanks for the kind comments Martin, I'll carry on, then, as the photos appear! I might think about joining a freak show, actually Nick! :lol:)
Dean is clearly a music fan first and foremost - piles of records and CDs. I can't remember exactly the track that was playing - some sort of reggae I think? (Mark may be able to help here?) - it was a very old recording, might even have been mono? That made it difficult to be objective about the system, but it certainly sounded fine, and that Avid is a lovely looking turntable.Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
If i told you i would have to kill you, lets just say he's a legend in the valve world and currently works for a very high end firm, he has a very good set of ears and we tend to agree on most things,
I just found the Mini T very enjoyable and made a complete mockery of some so called high end kit, i know its not perfect and ultamately lacks a bit of bottom end but what do you expect it's only 60 bloody quid, i've had 20k plus amps here that don't sound so musical, its probably going on the end of a Audio Note Valve pre amp going into my Tannoys, we shall see what happens, time will tell if i can live with one though :)
This is pocket money hifi for which i get a lot of enjoyment from, thanks Jerry for the enlightment and it was a pleasure to meet you :cool:
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfie2902
I spent a bit of time in this room as well, very nice sounding system these amps are very good with these speakers, i've had there bigger brother 2nd Audio 2A3's here on my Tannoys which worked really well for me
Jerry, took his Mini-T, l bit that ruffled a few feathers:), awesome amp grab one before it is too late:cool:.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jandl100
Thanks Jon - nice to meet you, too. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonboy
Yup - the 'legend in the valve world' as Jonboy called him, who was so impressed by the sound of my Mini-T into the Tannoy Lancasters, told me he worked for some obscure company .... ummm .... lemme think ..... I seem to recall it was an anagram of "o tune idea" .... :eyebrows:
Wadyya reckon Pete/ISC? !!! :ner:
:lol:
Dear All,
Just wanted to say a big 'thank you' to those who took part on Sunday. It was my first Scalford experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it :) I have now settled on my 'show' fixes; Whittlebury at the end of the year and Scalford at the start. Judging by the numbers in attendance, it certainly seems to have the legs to continue. I like the AoS idea of trying different things, different themes...
Some of the sounds to be heard were remarkable; my first experience of Tannoys 'in the field' was revelatory; first room and what a benchmark! :) I popped into the AoS room in the afternoon and was highly impressed with the Celestions and the kit feeding them - Marco, the Technics looks stunning and is exceptionally quiet - the Mike New mods have worked beautifully...and as for the Nagra...:stalks:
Loved Adam's retro room - you could sense his passion for what he does and the sounds were delightful, especially from the Cambridge CD1. I'm sure I read that Stan Curtis cast the mechanism himself in his kitchen (okay, I made the kitchen bit up, but I'm sure he did it :lol:)
Loved the AR turntable; sounded wonderful and looked beautiful - stunning veneering job.
All in all, a great show. I'm not so good at cold introductions, so apologies for not introducing myself :rolleyes: However, I look forward to next year...a great concept and a thoroughly enjoyable day out. Thank you.
Paul.
Echoing all of the positive comments about the day, it was indeed a 'Grand Day Out' and I had a total ball, as I have for the previous 2 years of this Show.
I managed to grab a 5 mins natter with Marco at the start of the day, and was really disappointed to not get time to have another quick listen to the 66's later in the day. Still, they were sounding very good indeed at 9.30am on the Sunday. I've a real soft spot for these speakers - an old school mate's dad had a pair of these and I was always in awe of them.
As to 'my day' I had great fun again - tried to spin as much different sorts of music as possible, from Debussy Images to AC/DC and the little Royds didn't let me down. I adore these wee speakers, and sincerely can't ever see me parting with them. The 401 also behaved itself all day, holding its speed pretty much spot on once it was warmed up (about 30 mins from cold) and despite what must have been some pretty badly polluted mains in the hotel, it ran steady as a rock.
Looking forward to next year. :)
Your system was fab, Richard - one of my favourites, and you should rightly be pleased! If you do ever decide to part with the Merlins, please add my name to the waiting list - I'm sure there are plenty of other people who have offered to take them off your hands before me! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit
Thanks Alex - you're very kind. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
I've always maintained that system matching is a somewhat inexact science so have always relied upon my ears to tell me everything about what does and doesn't 'go'. Fortunately I've managed to hit a sweet stop every so often - it's not always worked out but gladly, at the moment, the rig is in a fairly settled phase.
As to selling the little Merlins - you'll have to join a long queue I'm afraid. ;)
Steve Toy has written up some thoughts on Scalford, and has posted a few pictures as well, over on AudioFuture - http://www.audiofuture.net/showthrea...Hall-Show-2011
Ouch, a cable touching the wall :scratch: :scratch:
Better get out the helium balloons me thinks ;)
It's all in good fun Mark, bit of an ongoing joke TBH :ner: :)
Glad to hear it, i'd be worried if there was a serious side to that :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Beechwoods
Nice write up - sorry Steve for teasing you about the cable touching the skirting board! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Beechwoods
I think Steve would have heart failure if he saw my cabling behind the scenes. I simply can't avoid some of them touching the wall and many of them (interconnects, speaker, mains) lying alongside each other.
Ah well, I'll take the opportunity to tidy the runs when I rip it all apart to try Mark Grant's balanced cables when they're ready <cough>.
That sounds like my system :eyebrows: ... cable spaghetti. Yummy!Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
Just keep your signal cables away from the mains. my wires have always been perfectly laid out cos thats how i am anyway, not for reasons some do. saying that if peoples mains cables are so fantastically effective at doing what they do why worry eh :eyebrows:
Interesting thread that I missed on Wigwam, started here by Steve Toy:
http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread...it-more-detail
It's nice comments like that which make the (considerable) effort involved in exhibiting (our third year in a row) all worthwhile! :)
I will comment on some of the observations made later :cool:
Marco.
Marco
What about this statement from Steve !
Oh, one more thing, as much as the praise of our system felt good, the speakers played only a very small part. If a system is setup properly using good components and ancilliaries, any old ropey pair of speakers will do...
Was he not too keen on the 66's then ?
LOL! Far from that - he loved them (much like everyone else) :)
What he was getting at was the fact that people were attributing the good sound we produced mainly to the sonic qualities of the speakers, and somewhat ignoring the (huge) influence everything else was having, particularly our attention to detail in terms of cabling, supports, and 'mains management'.
It's that attention to detail which Our Ethos here (and also that of AF) is all about, and speakers aside, the results we achieved speak for themselves...
I will tackle the problems with having a speaker-first philosophy to system building later, but it's safe to say that I think people should consider spending less on the boxes (and yes, also speakers) which make up a system, and more on ensuring that they're able to hear the full potential of whatever equipment and speakers are chosen in the first place. That is only achieved through optimising the set-up.
Experience tells me, time and time again, that a system containing well-chosen, yet fairly inexpensive (or not outrageously priced) boxes and speakers, set-up optimally, always outperforms a mish-mash of overpriced 'audiophile jewellery', badly, or less optimally, set-up - FACT!
Ok, so the AoS system we demonstrated wasn't exactly cheap, but neither was its total cost equivalent to the value of large detached house, as are some systems demonstrated at commercial hi-fi shows!!
I mean, has anyone heard as good a sound from the system demonstrated in the Absolute Sounds room at Whittlebury Hall, often totalling a cost high into six figures, as we achieved in the AoS room at Scalford with a pair of totally unmodified 1970s speakers? Think about it, and then wonder why I always bang on about 'badge-fi' and SPPV ;)
Marco.
:lolsign:Quote:
Originally Posted by chris@panteg
I missed that when I read the original thread!
Utter bollocks, that what it is. I have NEVER heard a bigger difference in sound by changing say, a cd player, than I have by swapping out speakers. If this were even remotely true Steve would flog the big tannoys and spend the money on flash mains leads and a pair of Kef Coda's! Plus, please stop going on and on and on about bloody straw men!!! Every bloody post you make you are going on about them,,,,I know you are reading this so from now on I will refer to you as the scarecrow, then everyone will know what I mean, straw man indeed!!
Hi Adam,
Lol - it was a somewhat tongue-in-cheek remark designed to draw people's attention away from just the speakers being largely, or even solely, responsible for the sound we achieved.Quote:
I missed that when I read the original thread!
That's a notion we will be dispelling next year when we'll be inviting other exhibitors to bring along any of their own speakers to use, and see what influence that has on our system.........
It will undoubtedly change the tonal and 'hi-fi presentation' aspects of the system, but its musical communication qualities (largely attributable to what's happening upstream and how that's optimised through judiciously selected ancillaries and correct set-up) will still be present - regardless of the speakers used (unless they're utterly bereft of merit)! :eyebrows:
Testament to this is the fact that I use a pair of much smaller Celestions (15XRs), from the same range as the 66s, downstairs in my lounge.
And with the 15XRs downstairs in the lounge, on the end of my system upstairs, scale and size of sound aside (one cannot defeat the laws of physics), the sonic qualities and music-making ability of my system (largely consisting of the components demonstrated at Scalford Hall) is very similar to what's achieved when I pop the 66's on the end of the same system, either upstairs in my listening room or downstairs in the lounge......
Go figure! ;)
Right, gotta go - back later!
Marco.
Meanwhile, another interesting thread, showing the AoS system (and others from the Scalford show) on the Martin Logan Owners forum:
http://www.martinloganowners.com/for...ad.php?t=11995
Check the vids out, and in particular, the one where the Techie is playing 'Dissidents' by Thomas Dolby... DSJR should enjoy this, as he loves my 'plump and syrupy' sounding SPU!! :eek: :eyebrows:
Marco.
I can see both sides of the ancillaries right with any speaker vs speakers totally change things views, but ultimately, the room-speaker match is the final arbiter for me...
I once heard a well sorted (by an acoustician who cares) room where some cheapo Heybrook HB1's and baby Wharfedales (I forget which ones now, but they could have been 505's?) sounded practically as good (within volume reason) as some ATC actives like mine were. Both sounded better than I was getting (and with similar driving electronics and cabling) and it was this that showed me how important speaker-room matching really is.
Having said the above, in a vinyl based system certainly, IMo it's USELESS having a collection of superb gear and not setting it up correctly - and that goes for gear at any age or price. The fact that much old gear which is still working well sounds better than it ever did new is testament to that I reckon..
So to conclude my mini-essay, Get speakers which will work the room right and THEN set the system up to within an inch (oh alright, a centimetre) of its life. You'll have the best of both worlds then :)
Is that, in a roundabout way, you conceding that the SPU doesn't in fact sound anything like you decribed, daftee-chops? :lol: ;)
Next year, get yer arse to the show, as I'd like to meet you (that is if you don't dissolve, implode or something, outside of bloody Suffolk)!
Marco.
After coming back from the show I have never been more content with my set-up.
There was so much diversity and excellence I didn't know what I might like to try next.
So my modest gear suits me fine ;)
Mind you that Nagra reel to reel was good and what about that Rega P9 :eyebrows:
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Marco
I nearly imploded this afternoon having had dealings with a sufferer of ADHD literally bouncing off the walls, floor and ceiling. Pushed all my wrong buttons he did :steam:
Sorry Dave but imo there is no such thing :eyebrows: It's just a modern way of giving a name to naughty people that cant be disciplined because the governbent says you can't dish out some good old fashioned corporal punishment when they were kids :steam:Quote:
Originally Posted by DSJR
Personally if someone got on my nerves that much i'd show them the door, if they didn't like that then they'd be thrown out the bugger ;)
I hope you have managed to restore an emotional equilibrium now :)
I entirely agree Marco; far too many people confuse quantitative judgements with qualitative ones (often those who erroneously believe that the speakers are the defining component of a system).Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco