I've now heard 'hi-fi'

audiobliss

After classes were over this afternoon, I had a few minutes to kill, so I went to the local hi-fi store, Custom Home Hi-Fi. All I can say about what I heard is wow.

After I walked around and inspected the new equipment in the various rooms, I entered 'the room'. This room is filled, I mean stuffed full of B&W's. I'm not exactly sure what was hooked up, but based on the pictures on B&W's website, I've determined they were the 803D. (They had the tweeter on top, and then a mid and 3 woofs behind the grill. Beautiful wood finish.) A Rotel RCD1072 was feeding a Bryston BP25 pre, which fed into a Bryston SST amp, which I've determined to be the 2B since the others have handles on the front (this one did not).

Let me reiterate. Wow.

After I got the salesman to turn on the amp (how was I to know the SST emblem was the power switch? ), I was instantly amazed. Well, ok. Maybe not until after I played a CD, too, but shortly thereafter.

I grabbed my Big Mon and Cream of Clapton CDs out of my car. I played the former first. When I pushed the Open/Close button on the Rotel, the transport came out so fast I almost had to jump back to keep it from hitting me. I've never seen a tray open that fast. And, as expected, I was disappointed with how 'sturdy' the tray was. At any rate, track access and everything else was just fine.

I sat back on the comfy couch right in the sweet spot and hit play. My favorite song on the CD, and possibly my all-time favorite song came up first, Darlin' Corey. I heard things (well, namely one) that I had never heard before, and the music obviously had an impact I had never experienced before. For a lack of technical, audiophile jargon to use, and a lack of ability to hear what it stands for, I will leave it at that. The presence and impact the system produced was amazing.

I went through the CD, listening to most of all but 2 or 3 songs. I then put in Cream of Clapton (of course after listening to Darlin' Corey one more time! ). I was shocked. Only this time by disappointment. All the force and energy I had just heard from the system was suddenly gone. The music sounded dead, lifeless. Merely a recording being replayed, instead of an actual performance. I also noticed a lot of white noise in the background, something I assume wasn't present with the other CD since I didn't notice it.

After a few songs I started to warm up to the sound. I concluded that the two types of music were totally different, and recorded differently, and so it took a while to adjust to the different presentation. I also concluded my Cream of Clapton CD isn't recorded nearly as well.



I'm not 100% sure the speakers that were hooked up were the 803D, though they look identical. I was amazed at the bass output, and B&W's website says the 803D only goes down to 35Hz, with the -6db point being at 28Hz. Is it possible that the room came into play here and really reinforced the bass output?

I loved the Bryston gear. First time I've ever heard it. Really the first time I've ever seen it. The build quality and feel is phenomenal. And the remote for the preamp! :eek: Like the salesman said, it's good for two purposes: 1) controlling the equipment, and 2) for throwing at people when they break in! It was carved (milled, w/e) out of solid aluminum, and must have weighed 3 pounds! :eek:



I must say this is my first real taste of the high-end. Remember those few minutes I said I had to kill? Well, good thing I didn't have anywhere to be soon. I ended up being enveloped by my music for a bit over an hour. I wasn't able to precisely pick-out the locations of the artists, determine the width/depth of the soundstage, etc, but I was paying enough attention to be amazed at the overall performance. Maybe if I continue to spend an hour everyday in front of such a system, I'll be able to pick out some of those things.

One thing that really struck me, snapped me to rigid attention, was what I take to be a snare drum hit? I've heard them referred to, but can't say I've heard one...until today. In the opening 30 seconds or so of one of the Eric Clapton songs (can't remember which one; was either Sunshine Of Your Love, White Room, Crossroads, or Badge), there are a few snaredrum hits (assuming that is indeed what they are). The first one hit me squarely in the chest! It was an amazing experience to have something like that come to life so! So much so, I backed up and played it again!...and again! For some reason they backed off after the first one, but that first one is something!


Anyhoo, that was my experience for today, and certainly one I hope to have again...and soon!

audiobliss

Oh, and just to throw it out there, the salesman said the Bryston preamp (BP25) was $2600, and the amp (I believe 2B SST) was $3300. I was quite disappointed in their price on the RCD1072; it was either $700 or $799, and I almost want to say it was $799.

F1nut

Cool

MacLeod

Now ya know how I felt after hearing the SRT's at Polkfest!

Joey_V

Why be disappointed at the price of the Rotel RCD1072? Because it sounds good and doesnt cost $3K? Sometimes, you have to overlook the price.

Anyway, I know exactly what you're talking about... cant wait to go back to my place after spring break and fire up the Summits! Once you've heard true high end, it's hard to go back.

I'm still working on my upstreams.... but I think I have the speakers figured out. I've heard those 803D - at $8000, they are expensive but good. You should go out and listen to the Wilson Sophia (close to that price range, a little more though)... those would give the BW a run for its money with a lower extension.

Either way, congrats on your hifi experience!!

audiobliss

Actually, I was disappointed in the RCD1072's price because I was hoping it would be less!. At any rate, it is an awfully nice CDP at an almost affordable price. Maybe I'll have one someday!

Come to think of it, maybe I'll have an entire setup like that one day...in about 40+ years!

But it really was a great experience. I'm hoping all my Tuesdays will allow me to stop by. And actually, it's got me seriously wondering if they'd let me work there. Small place, but I usually only see one person out on the floor when I'm there. I would love to work there, work with the equipment, learn about it, move it around, etc, and be able to hear it when I'm not doing anything; even if they don't pay but $3/hour!

Dennis Gardner

The down side of great system is how mediocre it makes some of our favorite music sound, since the recordings are simply mastered poorly.

I'm glad you got to here B&W since they are one of the standards out there for accurate speaker systems. The attention to detail in the manufacturing process does create what seems to be an extremely well built line.

I spent an afternoon with 800Ds and 802Ds last month driven by Classe' new Delta series and it took about a week before I could enjoy my rig again and see it for the nice sound value it provides. Kinda like test driving BMWs and Mercedes and jumping back into your used beater for the drive home.

Joey_V

audiobliss wrote:

Actually, I was disappointed in the RCD1072's price because I was hoping it would be less!. At any rate, it is an awfully nice CDP at an almost affordable price. Maybe I'll have one someday!

Come to think of it, maybe I'll have an entire setup like that one day...in about 40+ years!

But it really was a great experience. I'm hoping all my Tuesdays will allow me to stop by. And actually, it's got me seriously wondering if they'd let me work there. Small place, but I usually only see one person out on the floor when I'm there. I would love to work there, work with the equipment, learn about it, move it around, etc, and be able to hear it when I'm not doing anything; even if they don't pay but $3/hour!

You CAN get that system even before you know it. The BEAUTY about audio is to buy USED... so, if you buy used, you really dont lose any of your initial investment.

Case in point...

I bought Polk LSi7 at $200 a pair.... sold them later for $450 a pair.
Bought LSi9 for $600 shipped.... sold it later for $700 shipped.
Bought countless number of other speakers and sold them off for minimal loss (from Sonus Faber to SVS).

In the end, I was left with a bunch of money I had initially invested into audio equipment.. I got it all back, maybe minus a $500 for wrong decisions along the way. But, the point is, usually with audio (as long as you buy used), you get what you initially put in - making it essentially a revolving savings account.

Now, if I never had an audio hobby, I probably would be just as broke - with nothing to show for it. However, because of my unrelenting influx of cash into audio, at age 23 - not much older than you - I got the Summits (used of course, in case I need to sell in a few years). These Summits are $11,000 retail (optional silver aluminum).

Point is, never say never.

neomagus00

mmm, the first true snare experience... that's what i remember most about the polkfest speaker demo, too...

F1nut

Joey_V wrote:

I've heard those 803D - at $8000, they are expensive but good.

My take, a very analytical and sterile sound.

You should go out and listen to the Wilson Sophia (close to that price range, a little more though)... those would give the BW a run for its money with a lower extension.

Interestingly, there was a discussion on another forum where someone suggested the Sophia's. Another fella (not me) suggested that Sophia owners would be shocked at how much better the SDA's sound.

Just my $.02

Joey_V

F1nut wrote:

Interestingly, there was a discussion on another forum where someone suggested the Sophia's. Another fella (not me) suggested that Sophia owners would be shocked at how much better the SDA's sound.

Just my $.02

That's where personal preferences come to play I suppose.

PoweredByDodge

8 grand on a pair of speakers is ridiculous.

Cant you get 7's for around a grand?

F1nut

Joey, agreed.

Shizelbs

If SDAs can sound better than Sophias, I am one stupid man for selling my SDAs.

unc2701

That was a bryston 4b SST- probably the consumer line- they're 17" and don't have the rack ears or handles. The 2b runs around $1500, I think. Anyhow, if you decide to buy anything bryston, lemme know; my friend is one of their top US sellers and I think he can get you that 4b for under 3 grand.

reeltrouble1

Shizelbs wrote:

I am one stupid man for selling my SDAs.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..Shelby Rock on.

RT1

reeltrouble1

PoweredByDodge wrote:

8 grand on a pair of speakers is ridiculous.

I dont think so, except that eight might just whet the appetite for more. Heck eight large is considered very "entry" by some folks deep into the hobby.

Some manufaturer's stress correctness in reproducing the signal others stress musicality, neither right nor wrong just different.

RT1

madmax

PoweredByDodge wrote:

8 grand on a pair of speakers is ridiculous.

It's all relative. I know people who would consider $400 for a pair of speakers ridiculous. (No association with said party )
madmax

mldennison

madmax wrote:

$400 for a pair of speakers ridiculous.

it's ridiculous that someone would only spend $400 for a pair of speakers

Shizelbs

I used to be in the camp that thought eight large would be insane for some speakers, but now I wouldn't be suprised if I did just that same day down the road. Way down the road.

Early B.

For 8 large, you can hire someone to build custom made speakers to your specs with the highest quality parts in the most exotic wood veneer that will outperform anything on the market at any price, and have money left over to buy a used car, a bottle of champagne and some late night companionship.

crazy

mldennison wrote:

it's ridiculous that someone would only spend $400 for a pair of speakers

I second that - I did but then again I was just a student at that time.

audiobliss

unc2701 wrote:

That was a bryston 4b SST- probably the consumer line- they're 17" and don't have the rack ears or handles. The 2b runs around $1500, I think. Anyhow, if you decide to buy anything bryston, lemme know; my friend is one of their top US sellers and I think he can get you that 4b for under 3 grand.

Ahh, so there's a pro line and consumer line edition for each amp? I guess that would make sense, then...

Thanks for the heads up about your friend. Who knows. I very well may be interested in Bryston equipment one day, but rest assured, that day is not coming up within the next 2 or 3 years.

audiobliss

mldennison wrote:

it's ridiculous that someone would only spend $400 for a pair of speakers

I whole-heartedly agree...I paid $500!

unc2701

audiobliss wrote:

Ahh, so there's a pro line and consumer line edition for each amp? I guess that would make sense, then...

Yep, but only difference is the pro line has a screw on the back to adjust the gain. Bryston even sells faceplates if you want to switch the look of your gear.

Joey_V

Early B. wrote:

For 8 large, you can hire someone to build custom made speakers to your specs with the highest quality parts in the most exotic wood veneer that will outperform anything on the market at any price, and have money left over to buy a used car, a bottle of champagne and some late night companionship.

Somehow I dont believe that just sticking the best parts into an awesome cabinet is enough to make it sound good. If that were the case, then this whole speaker quest wouldve been done a LONG time ago.

Early B.

Joey_V wrote:

Somehow I dont believe that just sticking the best parts into an awesome cabinet is enough to make it sound good.

I'm sure it's obvious to most everyone else, but that's not what I meant.

HiPerf360

Early B. wrote:

I'm sure it's obvious to most everyone else, but that's not what I meant.

Early,

I think that might be a little off...

You could never design a new speaker to rival anything on the market for eight grand; however you could probably reproduce almost any speaker on the market for 8,000.00.

The R&D costs of just one new speaker that could be that competitive would be many times that amount.

Early B.

HiPerf360 wrote:

You could never design a new speaker to rival anything on the market for eight grand; however you could probably reproduce almost any speaker on the market for 8,000.00.

I'm not talking about designing a new speaker. I'm referring to acquiring custom made speakers. Custom made does not mean designing a new speaker. There are a ton of small speaker building outfits that make exceptional speakers at a fraction of the cost of brand name speakers, and they often use the same high quality parts. The customizing comes with your choice of crossover components, veneer, outboard crossover, bass module, etc.

Also keep in mind that price in audio does not dictate sound quality. Too much subjectivity. A $500 pair of speakers can sound just as good TO YOUR EARS than a $5,000 pair.

Joey_V

Early B. wrote:

Also keep in mind that price in audio does not dictate sound quality. Too much subjectivity. A $500 pair of speakers can sound just as good TO YOUR EARS than a $5,000 pair.

I could agree with you on this one...

I do prefer the LSi15 to the Von Schweikert VR4jr.... but then again, I could just be odd.

Early B.

Zero wrote:

Early B,

I wont get into it. I think you're crazy, plain and simple. But the other day I did something I haven't done in freakin 4-5 months (if not longer). I jammed out to good music (poor recordings). Metallica, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Doors, SoundGarden, Stratovarius, a lot of raggae, and on and on. Those $500 gems allowed me to enjoy music I previously have by and large ignored because of super high res. monitors. Yep, I dont think I would jam out the same way listening to a pair of 802D's. Ears are still ringin - I f***in love it.

OK, so you're supporting my argument based on your own personal experiences, but I'm the crazy one?:rolleyes:


(BTW - I don't disagree that I'm crazy, but it's for reasons unrelated to audio. )