Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2019

[Jimbo]

Great photos as always Justin.

[Beobloke]

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!

[User211]

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]

Agreed. These Spendors were playing with great authority and bass extension.

[User211]

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]

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]

Talking to the man who started ASTINtrew but sold it. Went a bit bust doing a DAC. 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.

Any idea what the deck is Justin?

[Marco]

Spendor Classic 100 playing some electronic loud and sounding bad ass.

Filling the room easily

Playing Liquid Soul Devotion loud with consummate ease.

Ha - brings back fond memories when I owned the previous incarnations (SP100), supported on 'Phase 4' Mana stands/Soundbases:



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

Great pics as usual, Justers, from the show-meister

Plus, looks like there was a bit of younger audience there too, for a change, instead of the usual crusty old duffers!

Marco.

[Beobloke]

Any idea what the deck is Justin?

If Justin will forgive me jumping in, it’s a Planalogue Prelude.

[User211]

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.