Wilson + VTL Awarded Best of Show at RMAF

[daveneumann]

Check out the link to the Audio Beat's coverage of the RMAF. I think the Sashas and VTL amps are the least expensive components in the system! Over $100,000 in cables...

The Audio Beat - RMAF 2010 -* Best of Show - VTL, Wilson Audio, dCS, Basis Audio

[Still-One]

Where did you read here that it was Best In Show?

The way I read it, in a show as large as RMAF calling anything Best In Show is suspect.

Jim

[PHC1]

They certainly put together a system that had all the makings of being best in show. Sasha with Transparent Opus is already a very serious music making combination, throw VTL, dCS, Basis into the mix and I can see how just about everyone would walk away extremely impressed.

[vintage_tube]

Here's a shot of that 4 stack DCS rack -- lovely. I agree, a very nice sounding room but for 15-20 minutes or so listening -- the best, I'm not so sure as there were at least 10+ rooms that sounded on par with this one.

I don't walk away from this event toiling with what was number 1 -- too hard to do IMO as visitiing between 2 excellent rooms there are many, many inbetween that are just okay.

Had a TT too.

Bob

[PHC1]

I wonder if Basis made a custom stand for their TT?

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by PHC1

I wonder if Basis made a custom stand for their TT?

It looked that way to me Serge.

Bob

[vintage_tube]

I just blew up the placard below the TT and it states it is a "Inspiration Stand" supporting an Inspiration TT.

Bob

[PHC1]

I thought that would be the case. Thanks Bob.

[cmalak]

It's interesting. The folks from Stereophile found this room had some issues: Stereophile: VTL's Big Launch

Here's a quote from the blog:

The system produced genuinely deep, immaculately solid bass and an amazing airy soundstage. This was a system that was not afraid to go deep on one end while reaching to brilliant heights. Anyone who claims that tube components cannot achieve the low-end control of solid-state needs to hear VTL's latest achievement.

The system's brilliance, however, added an aggressive silvery edge to everything from Dire Straits and The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" from the LP of Love to the voice of Arianna Savall and McGrath's high-resolution WAV files of pianist Valentina Lisitsa performing Schubert. Even VTL's favorite lyric tenor, Fritz Wunderlich on LP, sounded unnaturally forceful and less sweet than usual. This sonic signature was consistent on CD, LP, and computer master files.

Given that both Bea and Luke adore Wunderlich, and use his voice to tune their components, I am certain that they did not sign off on such a sound. (I use VTL's prototype Series II monoblocks in my reference system, and know very well the beauty that the company strives to achieve). I'm also assured that the Sasha's sonic signature is quite different from what we heard. A puzzlement, to be sure.

[Still-One]

I agree with Serge that Sasha's and VTL should make a great system in anyone's home. The set-up in many of the rooms at the Marriott was never going to give you the best sound. Buying decisions should not be made at shows such as this.