N e b o 17.

[Macca]

Just one correction, the Sony 337 ESD CD player was Gary's not mine.

I took a couple of pics but have been a bit lazy and not transferred them yet.

The PA system Mike brought along was a lot of fun but the Arke Solo speakers were the star for me. I've heard them before but not for so long and with so much different music including a few of my own picks.

They're a bit bigger than they look as they're very deep but even so bass is like it's from a larger speaker. They don't wimp out in the mid-bass like a lot of speakers. Expensive of course, but worth it if they will suit your room.

The Dynaudio speakers I think were Contour 30? Very pleasant listen. 'Smooth and full-bodied' as they say.

[Pigmy Pony]

Just a couple of things to add to Alan's post:

Mike's pro audio set up certainly blew the cobwebs out of the room, saved the cleaners a job. In making everything played through those seriously hefty-looking speakers sound like The Prodigy going full tilt and giving my tinnitus something to complain about, I got the sense they might have been a bit too much for the room... entertaining though

The floorstanders, Gary's Dynaudio (Evoke 30?) driven by his Ariston RD11S, into his Primare pre, into the Temple Audio Supercharger monoblocs, I thought were very listenable with a sweet treble and a quality of bass you would not have expected from such bijou floorstanders.

Alan's Arke speakers were the star of the show, they just did EVERYTHING right, regardless of music genre.

The trip to the curry house was regrettable, but in our defence we did not expect to be away anything like as long as we were. The owners apologised about the staff shortage, but unfortunately that didn't bring our nosebag to the table any sooner. We'll know better next time and get it delivered

Thanks to Steve for organising the day, and to landlord Ian for providing the hospitality.

[gdbd59]

Yep, they are Evoke 30. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they filled the room, & had a few folk mention them favourably.

[Barry]

The settings on the Quad 33 look "interesting"! Were they needed for comfortable and accurate listening in the demonstration room?

Would be nice to know who's who there. Any chance of annotating the group photo, or would the attendees prefer to remain incognito?

[Alex_UK]

Would be nice to know who's who there. Any chance of annotating the group photo, or would the attendees prefer to remain incognito?

Yes, I thought the same, unless everyone is a bit shy it would be good to put faces to the names.

I probably said this last year, but I will try and make every effort to travel up to the next one - this one coincided with my daughter’s 18th celebrations and Uni visiting, hopefully not so hectic next time and I can get a weekend pass. [emoji846]

[Marco]

I only recognised Macca. Yep, get the names on!

Marco.

[User211]

I wasn't in a position time wise to add text when I posted the pics unfortunately.
I have now added text to the post with the pictures.

I set out from Tipton early and it took a little less time than I expected. I arrived first and set up my system, I really wanted others to hear what I had achieved with it.

The real stars are the Arke Audio Solo stand mounts, the performance in the big room was very impressive.
The bass had to be heard to be believed coming from stand mounted speakers.

In reality the bar had been set very high to start the proceedings and this was commented on.
As can be seen from the pictures various kit was swapped in and out, including an Ariston TT that I set up for one of the crew, not pictured.

My stomach was demanding food later on so four of us went to the curry house below the Best Western Hotel which was a short walk away.
When we got back a lot of the attendees had gone unfortunately, my bad i think.

Post.

[Pigmy Pony]

Would be nice to know who's who there. Any chance of annotating the group photo, or would the attendees prefer to remain incognito?

Ok, I'll have a go at some of it:

L to R: Mike (JacHawk) begging to have that crap taken off the 'table and "play this instead", Macca earnestly explaining why he always wears white trainers, while I gaze lovingly at the side of his head, and Ali Tait chatting with a concrete pillar, apparently.

I'm rubbish at remembering names, so someone else will have to fill in the blanks.

There are a few missing from the pic - Alan Firebottle (obviously, he's working the camera), Steve (organiser), Gary (gdbd59), Mick (Mik Rik), Ken (Qwin), Paul, and a few others.

[southall-1998_mk2]

How an earth did those Dynaudios suffered that tweeter dome damage?

S.

[Marco]

Steve, so are you the dude talking to Macca?

I didn't recognise Ali there.

P.S Could do with some input from you on the food thread - you did promise to be more active there!

Marco.