RMAF Thoughts 2013

[2fastdriving]

MAN! You were there, huh? So was I. I really wanted to meet you, Jim. Dammit!

[kfr01]

Jim: Thanks for your notes. You triggered some good discussion.

"Disappointing Rooms where I expected more
Room 9026 - D'Agostino Mono's and Pre with Vandersteen 5 Carbon Fiber. I know how good the gear can sound. Not sure why it didn't come across with these speakers."

I noticed he had the bass tuned very tightly and dialed way too politely in this room.

I should explain: Each speaker has an 11 band EQ, adjustable gain, and adjustable Q. The bass sections are sealed, not ported. And, the bass portions are internally powered. In other words, the bass section was not driven by the DAGs. Adjusted flat, gain turned down, and/or with the Q turned low, the Vandies can be tuned to sound VERY different than most of the other speakers at a show like this. I actually can't name another low Q sealed and EQ'd speaker (beyond both Vandies) at the show.

It should be noted that the Vandersteen 5A Carbons and Vandersteen 7s have the same bass sections, but those rooms sounded totally different in the bass.

On my own system, I have found that tuning the 5A's bass section too flat or turning the gain or the Q too low results in an unexciting/lifeless sound.

I tend to think a light touch on the EQ (not flat), Q off the floor a bit, and the gain turned up so there's a little bloom through the bass section is the way to go with these speakers for exciting sound.



Edit: Frankly, I don't know why they paired the DAG amplifiers with the Vandersteens. The Vandersteens are often used with tube gear for a reason.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by kfr01

Jim:


Edit: Frankly, I don't know why they paired the DAG amplifiers with the Vandersteens. The Vandersteens are often used with tube gear for a reason.

The dealer mentioned he had just picked up the D'Agostino line.

[Masterlu]

I noticed once again this year, the music being demoed was surprisingly poor in general.

Very obscure artists/titles, poor vinyl transfers, etc. The majority of rooms were streaming music, however their tracks left so much to be desired.

Just my .02 cents.

[bachrocks]

Jim,

Thanks so much for your thoughts and show report.

You know, when I was young, the music I listened to on just average anybody-can-afford equipment was so deeply meaningful to me. In comparison to now, my setup is expensive and sounds very nice, but still, I really miss the impact music had on my life.

I don't disagree with the necessity of introducing younger people to great gear--not at all--however, I'd like to propose the opposite.

What I wish someone could do is to give this over 50 audiophile back some of that magic of youth, which was so powerful that the effect of the music I loved was oblivious to whatever gear I played it on.

thanks,
ron

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by bachrocks

Jim,

Thanks so much for your thoughts and show report.

You know, when I was young, the music I listened to on just average anybody-can-afford equipment was so deeply meaningful to me. In comparison to now, my setup is expensive and sounds very nice, but still, I really miss the impact music had on my life.

I don't disagree with the necessity of introducing younger people to great gear--not at all--however, I'd like to propose the opposite.

What I wish someone could do is to give this over 50 audiophile back some of that magic of youth, which was so powerful that the effect of the music I loved was oblivious to whatever gear I played it on.

thanks,
ron

Ron
I agree with you 100% on your last point. I will only purchase "high quality" versions of music I truly enjoy. You will never find any Myles Davis, Patricia Barber, Beatles, or DOSM latest "demo quality" versions in Hi Rez or on LP in my music collection.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I noticed once again this year, the music being demoed was surprisingly poor in general.

Very obscure artists/titles, poor vinyl transfers, etc. The majority of rooms were streaming music, however their tracks left so much to be desired.

Just my .02 cents.

Ivan
Good point. I wonder how many of us made quick decisions on rooms based on brief listens to unfamiliar or odd selections no matter the source.

[harri009]

My thought was there were to many rooms to sit and wait for them to stop making my ears bleed. I will be honest though I stayed in some rooms that didn't sound great just because I wanted to listen to some decent music.

[antipop]

I always enjoy going to my dealer in Paris because I know that each time I'll discover some truly great artists and albums. I always buy three or four albums right after leaving his store. Same thing happened after meeting Ivan, my dad, brother and I immediately bought the CD he used to demo his reference rig.

The guy who does the demo sometimes participates in shows and his room is always packed. It is more for his knowledge and great selection than for the hardware.

No matter how awesome the gear, garbage in garbage out !

[Antonmb]

Yes, I found bleeding-ear volumes and poor recordings not uncommon. I probably missed some great equipment along the way because at some point my wife and I decided not to go in if the volume was unpleasantly loud. And like Ivan I found quite a bit of not very good music being streamed. A number of rooms had turntables set up but weren't playing them. On the other hand there were many rooms playing good, real non-audiophile-approved music at reasonable levels. Among others Sumiko with their SF/ARC setup, Acoustic Zen and Bryston stood out for me.