So I went to a thing and heard some other things.

codycatalist

Scrolling through Facebook Friday night and a sponsored post shows up, "Esoteric Audio Simaudio open demo". I figure why not show up and see what these demos are about as this is my first time in a real hifi audio store. I get to the place and they have some beautiful speakers, amps, transports, dac you name it but nothing playing. This being my first time at such a high end establishment I felt hesitant to ask questions and eventually made my way around the back, looked at some turntables then a door opened and I heard it.

I make my way in the door and there is a full Simaudio moon set up including two Moon 888 mono blocks connected to Rockport Cygnus towers! I eagerly sit down with my wife as they play some jazz, folk, African tribal music and some sweet sweet vinyl.

I wish they turned the system up more to open the speakers and amps up however I heard great relaxed but detailed highs, tight musical bass and great natural mids. I'm very impressed with the experience as a whole and hope to start and branch out to more of these events, even if I will never have the money to make a purchase.

I'll upload some pictures I took tomorrow morning!

msg

You are tempting fate, my friend

Curious, what kind of participation did you see? I should start looking to see if there's anything like this where I live.

Also, curious, does your wife enjoy this with you, or does she just humor you?

rpf65

Second mortgages to buy audio gear is a really bad idea.

mhardy6647

rpf65 wrote: »

Second mortgages to buy audio gear is a really bad idea.

Heh, QFT, as they say.

On the other hand, most of of have two kidneys... but we can get by with only one. That surplus kidney could be used to generate seed money to scratch that hifi itch.

Now, if you'll excuse me -- time for dialysis.

tonyb

Actually, even though you may never be able to buy high caliber gear, it's good to get your ears on it. Why ?

So you can register in your brain the sound you like....or don't like. The gear you can afford comes in many flavors that could get you close to those sounds. Also, what may appear out of reach today, price wise, may be affordable 4 or 5 years down the road on the used markets.

mhardy6647

Yup, good point! Every system we hear gives us another reference point, which I find incredibly useful. Listening to this stuff is (I'd humbly opine) much more valuable than reading (or writing or talking) about it.

When I started in this furshlugginer hobby, I had no money, a fair amount of discretionary time, a car (well, a truck -- back before trucks were considered cool by the rabble) and the luxury of a number of fine hifi emporia in easy driving range (DC/Baltimore area, mid-late 1970s). I listened a lot and learned a lot.

The broader one's exposure, the less likely, I think, one is to get dogmatic about a brand, or a technology, or a source. After a while, one stops regurgitating others' opinions and starts to spout one's own opinions

As in my day job discipline (science), an open mind is a really valuable tool, as well. Hold your beliefs lightly, because you might be surprised by something you hear.

codycatalist

codycatalist

msg wrote: »

You are tempting fate, my friend

Curious, what kind of participation did you see? I should start looking to see if there's anything like this where I live.

Also, curious, does your wife enjoy this with you, or does she just humor you?

She loves audio and good replication but it's not her passion she just knows it's mine and likes to tag along.

Not too many people were there, id say about 10ish maybe.

nooshinjohn

My interest in Rockport has been piqued, and there is a set for sale on the 'Gon that is at the end of my reach...

txcoastal1

That's where I started after joining the forum and listening to these guys talk audio.
All the different lingo associated peaked my curiosity.

Now I take every chance I get and stop at the few audio shops, go to shows, and make it to every gathering I can.

msg

maaaaaaan, cool stuff!

codycatalist

txcoastal1 wrote: »

That's where I started after joining the forum and listening to these guys talk audio.
All the different lingo associated peaked my curiosity.

Now I take every chance I get and stop at the few audio shops, go to shows, and make it to every gathering I can.

My problem is that being a young guy with little budget I feel odd being at those kind of shows looking at items that cost more than I make in a year. However I had a great experience at this show and no one seemed to pay us any negative attention so I am going to try and go as much as possible now too for reference.

msg wrote: »

maaaaaaan, cool stuff!

DUUUUUDDDEEEE SUPER cool!

DSkip wrote: »

Yep. Now, get your arse down here in October for my meet. It will be well worth the trip bud.

Hopefully! I haven't had a Texas trip since January, let me line my ducks in a row.

xsmi

[/quote]

My problem is that being a young guy with little budget I feel odd being at those kind of shows looking at items that cost more than I make in a year. However I had a great experience at this show and no one seemed to pay us any negative attention so I am going to try and go as much as possible now too for reference.

msg wrote: »

maaaaaaan, cool stuff!

The thing is, not all of those older ladies/gents have the means either. I usually go to Paragon Sight and Sound when they have their events (I missed last Thursday's Wilson Audio event.) and there is absolutely no way I'd ever be able to drop $150K on speakers. But, they want me there and the bug me through email until I relent. So GO! Get your ears on as much gear as you can. Enjoy the ride.

WLDock

Yeah, think of it this way..

One can go listen to middle school band concerts every season. However, once you step into a premier venue for acoustics and hears some live professionals musicians doing their thing it changes your perspective about live music and how great it can sound. Listening to high end audio can give you that same perspective about what's possible.

Sometimes you may hear expensive gear that does not sound that hot....maybe it was the music, the setup, the room, ??? It just proves that there are no absolutes in audio and HELL yes there is a point of diminishing returns for us poor ordinary working folks.

I was in college when I first stepped into a high end audio store. By then, I had played all types of music, in all types of venues around the US, Europe, and Mexico. I've always had an ear for pure sound. Right away the sound caught my ear...it became fun to go to different stores and listen. Along the way, I ran into some serious audiophile snobs that would not give me the time of day. Then there were shops that would let me have my way! They would hand over the remote and let me listen to all the personal CD's, albums that I wanted. Back then I remember some Kef 107, B&W 801, MartinLogan, Krell, Mark Levinson, Conrad Johnson, tubes, and vinyl moments that left a lasting impression. Also, one of the stores had a room that looked like a nice upscale family room with a full McIntosh theater system. The salesman dimmed the lights, walked out, and closed the door. The movie Jurassic Park was on. I tell you, this was one of the best home theater moments for me at the time.

I just remember telling myself that the 'true' high end gear was out of reach....especially given all my other hobbies at the time. I told myself if I'm successful in life that maybe in my 40's-50's will I be able to afford a $20K-$50K stereo. So, I just gave up on home audio and settled for a basic MCS, Sony, Marantz, Yamaha, etc. rack systems over the years. I did however go car audio crazy because I was into cars at the time. I had some pretty high end car audio stuff at times.

Well...... I'm 51 and still chasing a decent mid-fi 2 channel system. Where did all the time go? Who knows when it will happen....but I'm trying to turn the corner soon. The quest continues.

Bottom line, listen to as much as you can....even if its gear that you don't own or can afford. You don't have to own high end gear to enjoy the music coming from it!