Axpona 2014
SCompRacer
Posts: 8,513
Carl (schwarcw) flew in from PA and we hit Axpona today. I found my new speakers. Called Raptor but Carl likes Terminator better.... More to come.
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
Post edited by SCompRacer on
Comments
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If you happen to hit Fremer's turntable set-up demo please let me know if there was anything worthwhile mentioned. Thanks.
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WOW! that is pure "Steam Punk" there
2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge
HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD -
Carl tried to buy the Magico/Pass mono block combo for about $60K or so. They ran his credit card but it kept going tilt so they just sent him off with a brochure instead....
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
It's certainly is different this year. I wish I was there tearing Chicago apart with you guys.SRT For Life; SDA Forever!
The SRT SEISMIC System:
Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once. -
We missed you Ed!
The Martin Logan 5.1 surround room was interesting. Powered by McIntosh with black lights and lava lamps. Some guy said smoke 'em if you got 'em so Carl lit up a doobie and passed it around.Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Some detail shots of the Raptors. We were thinking the third pic means 'crank' it up.... We were impressed with the art.Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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....Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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This is Carl,
I took a picture of Rich taking a picture of me. Actually, you can see both the front and back of Rich via the mirror. I am the creep in the mirror. Really a cool show!
Ed, we missed you this year! The show is in Chicago again next year. I hope you can make it. That is if Rich has me back. If been eating and drinking everything that I can find in his house. Plus I've been cranking the Salk's to obscene volume levels. LOL!
CarlSalk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
SCompRacer wrote: »Carl tried to buy the Magico/Pass mono block combo for about $60K or so. They ran his credit card but it kept going tilt so they just sent him off with a brochure instead....
I am intrigued with all this Magico. Wilson claims their speaker enclosures are from the same fabric of aircraft wings. Magico with their version of the aluminum bracing. That sounds like sharp resonance to me, but what do I know. So, how did it sound?
Halen -
I don't know which is uglier... you two clowns or the speakers.
The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Rich, too bad I could not have met you there at the show. This was a first for me...been to car audio shows, finals, music conferences, PASIC conventions, etc. but never to one of these. It was a blast, and next year I will know better not to try and get it all in in 3-4 hours.If you don't mind here are some of my pictures.
Salk Sound / Van Alstine (Great craftsmanship!)
Sony SS-AR-1, Rogue Audio (What a nice sounding system...there was some nice thing happening in this room)
Rogue Audio Pharaoh, Dali Epicon 6 (I think the Rogue gear is pretty cool)
Focal Stella Utopia EM, Aesthetix, Clearaudio (WOW! Very BIG thing were going on here. Huge stage and drum sounds. $230,000 room right here folks!)
Sonus Faber Adia, Audio Research (Amazing work of art cabinet design. Very nice sound also...another $200K room!)
Doshi Audio 3.0, Wilson Audio Sasha 2 (1st time hearing Wilson audio...squeaky clean sound)
Kharma Elegance DB-11S, Constellation Centaur, Argento Audio (Eye catching gear here.)
Legacy Aeris, NAT Audio, Coincident (Wish I could have had more time to listen to more tunes in this room)
Emerald Physics CS3 MKII, REL T9, DSPeaker Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0,(OMG! THIS $6000 system from Underwood HiFi has my head spinning. After listening to the $50K, $100K, $200K rooms one would not think a system like this could impress. I tell you what, I really liked what was going on in this room. The system had superfine detail, balance, dynamics, great staging, imaging, and a large sense of space....much larger than the speaker size would suggest. There was even warmth...and there were no tubes inline? This point source dipole design w/room correction just works....who would have thought?
KEF Blade, LS50 (The Blades were awesome and the LS50 had a lot of sound and lower end for a speaker of its size in that big a room.)
Sadurni Acoustics Staccato, Merrill Audio Veritas (Pretty cool sounding horns. I had them put on some bombastic classical and it was pretty fun to listen to!)
Peachtree Audio nova220SE, Zu Audio Druid (I think the Peachtree products are kind of cool. The nova220SE has the same upgraded preamp as their dedicated pre. Nice sounding unit...the Zu stuff was interesting)
2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
You guys certainly have the right attitude,,,hey,, are you guys coloring your hair? :eek:JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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Emerald Physics CS3 MKII, REL T9, DSPeaker Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0,(OMG! THIS $6000 system from Underwood HiFi has my head spinning. After listening to the $50K, $100K, $200K rooms one would not think a system like this could impress. I tell you what, I really liked what was going on in this room. The system had superfine detail, balance, dynamics, great staging, imaging, and a large sense of space....much larger than the speaker size would suggest. There was even warmth...and there were no tubes inline? This point source dipole design w/room correction just works....who would have thought?
I too was very impressed with the Emerald Physics at RMAF last year
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?153649-Rmaf-2013&highlight=rmaf2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
You liked them too? Good to hear. Man, those funny looking speakers really took me off guard as I'd listened to a lot of stuff before those. If I had $6K burning a hole in my pocket I would have jumped on the show discounts they were offering. There were several others before and after I went into the room really digging them also. The sales guy Walter (Same name) was getting bombarded with questions and took a few credit card numbers while I was in the room. One of the highlights of the show for me.txcoastal1 wrote: »I too was very impressed with the Emerald Physics at RMAF last year
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?153649-Rmaf-2013&highlight=rmaf2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
You liked them too? Good to hear. Man, those funny looking speakers really took me off guard as I'd listened to a lot of stuff before those. If I had $6K burning a hole in my pocket I would have jumped on the show discounts they were offering. There were several others before and after I went into the room really digging them also. The sales guy Walter (Same name) was getting bombarded with questions and took a few credit card numbers while I was in the room. One of the highlights of the show for me.
Walter is a great guy, bought a Jolida Integrated and DAC from him. Ship quick too.2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
halenhoang wrote: »I am intrigued with all this Magico. Wilson claims their speaker enclosures are from the same fabric of aircraft wings. Magico with their version of the aluminum bracing. That sounds like sharp resonance to me, but what do I know. So, how did it sound?
Halen
The Magico's sounded great. No odd resonances at all. Carl loved them. Back in 2006 I heard a pair of aluminum Magico Reference's that impressed me.nooshinjohn wrote: »I don't know which is uglier... you two clowns or the speakers.
I can only speak for myself and know I ain't pretty. I make up for it with charm. Now Carl always has chicks writing their phone numbers on his hands.Rich, too bad I could not have met you there at the show.
Carl and I meant to post something before the show but things have been hectic lately. Suddenly it was Friday... No problem, add anything you like to the thread. I prefer the SS8's over the new Salk's. The powered woofers allows for a high efficiency mid/top end, like 92dB IIRC. You can assemble a nice system for reasonable money. We put a full 8 hours in, hit lots of rooms.george daniel wrote: »You guys certainly have the right attitude,,,hey,, are you guys coloring your hair? :eek:
Hey George! No coloring, all natural. Lots of miles hidden though, don't let the looks fool you.
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Esoteric had quite a digital setup to debut. Dual mono in separate enclosures, transport with external power supply and external clock.Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
SCompRacer wrote: »
I can only speak for myself and know I ain't pretty. I make up for it with charm. Now Carl always has chicks writing their phone numbers on his hands.
No worries dude... I look like a cross between Winston Churchill's **** and the orangutan from "Any Which Way But Loose"...
The Esoteric stuff... man I want to hear that stuff someday. Mike(Solidsquall) had some Emerald Physics in his place and they were amazing. I was lucky enough to help him set them up in his listening room. Even not set up properly or broken in yet, they sounded great.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
wish some of you guys could make it down to dallas this coming weekend for the lone star audio fest.Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156 -
I made it to the show too. My first audio show and I had a fantastic time. It's great that you can talk to the actual founder/owner of the speaker manufacturer. All in all, I thought most speakers sounded better than expected in the non-ideal set-up and room. The Scaena's sounded awful no matter what was played on them. If I had set-up that system I would have packed it up before the show opened. Kharma also had 3 rooms set-up with their speakers. My impression....yikes, my hears are still in pain. And for some reason, I do not like the sound of KEF speakers. I've listened to them at many brick and mortars and the Blade speakers at the show did not impress me either.
The highlights for me were the Magico's and Salk's besides some of the uber expensive speakers. The Magico's were set-up in 3 rooms and each one sounded great. The lower end on the S3's sounded sweet. I really enjoyed the Salk's. No matter what material was played on SS8's or the new Exotica 3's, they absolutely sounded fantastic. I do agree with SComp, I preferred the SS8's and they would be on the top of my list when I ever upgrade.
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Ethernet Filter: GigaFOILv4 with Keces P3 LPS
Source: Roon via ethernet to DAC interface
DAC: Bricasti M1SE
Pre/Pro: Marantz AV8805
Tube Preamp Buffer: Tortuga TPB.V1
Amp1: Nord One NC1200DM Signature, Amp2: W4S MC-5, AMP3: W4S MMC-7
Front: Salk SoundScape 8's, Center: Salk SoundScape C7
Surround: Polk FXIA6, Surround Back: Polk RTIA9, Atmos: Polk 70-RT
Subs: 2 - Rythmik F25's
IC & Speaker Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, Signal Cable
Power Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, PS Audio
Room Treatments: GIK Acoustics -
A tube you don't see everyday...QB5/1750. Nat SE Class A triode mono block, 120 Watts @ 1 kHz.Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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Rich - I think I have enough old machinery parts in the scrap pile at the farm to build a pair of Terminator speakers ;-)DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
Yeah, I was staring at those while in that room...thinking, " what kind of tube is that?"SCompRacer wrote: »A tube you don't see everyday...QB5/1750. Nat SE Class A triode mono block, 120 Watts @ 1 kHz.2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
Interesting impressions Thorton. I weIll definitely agree with your take on the Scaenas. Absolutely horrible! I thought the big Kharmas were very good but the guy running that room never played anything to really showcase what they can do. Salk generally sounds good but I have heard them sound significantly better than at the show. I really liked the Polymer room. Got to spend about an hour and a half with them after show hours Saturday evening.
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The Magico's were, well magic!
The Wilson speakers powered by the D'Augustino amps were amazing. $60 - $80K can buy you a really good system. I will never own any of this stuff, but It was a blast to see and hear. Good fun!
See you next year in Chicago. Same time and place! Let's get a real Polk crowd going. Polkfest at the Westin!Carl
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