A visit with Ivan
 

One of my best friends - who is also a bit of an audiophile - lives up on the Cape, and it had been years since I last visited Steve. So last week, he and I spent some time with Ivan.

Here's the bad news: It was a short trip, so we only had two hours with Ivan. As Ivan noted, that's like spending two hours at Disneyland.

But - what a visit! First, as many of you know, Ivan is very accommodating, applies absolutely no pressure, and really has a passion for what he does. That passion shows in every little itty-bitty tiny miniscule microscopic thing he does with audio. You've probably seen the photos others have posted here of Ivan's systems but - please trust me on this - even the very best of them don't really do them justice. Ivan's systems are things you need to see and hear for yourself.

I've been in many of the best audio salons. None of them can top what Ivan does.

Because so many others have posted photos of Ivan's place, and because I absent-mindedly forgot my camera (Hey! I was on vacation!), I only took a few pics with my phone. I chose Ivan's Sonus Faber / Burmester / Esoteric Grandioso system, because it was my favorite-sounding of the bunch.

Here's a brutal fact: That system is the best digital I have ever heard ... anywhere. To be honest, I was not aware that digital could sound this freakin' good. (I'm using the polite F-word there.) He played Edgar Winter Group's Frankenstein and it was a trip. No, really, it was a real trip - it took me to another place.

So kudos to Ivan for executing such extraordinary audio installs and maximizing every detail - both visually and audibly. And thank you Ivan for such a wonderful time! The only thing that could have made it better would have been if we'd had more time - but that's my fault.

Now, as Paul Harvey used to proclaim - here's the rest of the story:

I've been into audio and hi-fi since I was a kid. I had good hi-fi gear when Steve and I met back in the late '70s: Pioneer SA-9100 integrated, Rectilinear III speakers, Scott 433 tuner, Sony PS-X6 turntable (my nephew is still using it) AKG P8ES phono cartridge ... you get the idea. But it was Steve who introduced me to the high-end when he bought a used ARC D-76A amplifier for what was then the whopping total of $600. I though that was nutso-bucks for a 60-watter ... until I heard it in my system. And the rest, as Ivan would say, is history, and I've been into the high end ever since.

And now, I've returned the favor to Steve, who has been bitten by Ivan's high-end video install.

So, payback is a bear. (I used the polite B-word there.)

Thank you again, Ivan! We had a great time!


https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...9&d=1508351167

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...6&d=1508350849

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...7&d=1508350959

Curtis.......Sounds like a good time was had by all. Thanks for sharing the event.

You are welcome! It was a fabulous time! It's really making me rethink digital ...

That is one beautiful system!!

Ah... Frankenstein. I heard it on the non grandioso setup 3 years ago. Sounded great then, must be even better now!

Very true, I’ve been to many audio stores but Ivan’s rooms, systems and the meticulous setup and tidiness just can’t be beat. Always a treat to visit Ivan.

Curtis... thanks for visiting, and your super kind words. Ya’ all come back soon! :hswhome:

Thanks, Ivan!
To paraphrase Gen. Douglas MacArthur: "I shall return."

Brilliant stuff guys. Ivan looks a real entertainer, and definitely someone with a super-human sense of attention to detail -like, get-some-treatment kind of meticulous!

I'm sure you and Steve had a phenomenal time no matter the duration. Keep asking my bosses (my club has American owners) to summon me to a meeting real soon. Nearest to the Cape as possible ;)

All the best,
Fernando

Or Ah-Nold "I'll be back"

Sounds like you had a great time which is not surprising knowing Ivan. It's Disneyland for audiophiles.