Sierra Nevada Audiophile Society / Quicksilver Audio / Bernhagen-Porter / Syncopation
Bernhagen Porter Model 10/12 speakers ($50,000/pair)
Funk Firm Turntable Vector V with FX3-9″ captive ($4,895)
Transfiguration Phoenix Cartridge ($6,000)
Quicksilver Moving Coil Stage ($695)
Quicksilver Phono Stage Preamplifier ($1,595)
Quicksilver Line Preamp ($995)
Quicksilver V4 monoblocks ($6,495/pair)
Quicksilver Interconnects ($150/ft)
Heed Abacus 5 Input DAC ($1,395)
Heed Thesis Delta Transport/Player ($4,200)
Quadraspire Modular Equipment Rack Q4 Evo Veneer ($876)
Genesis Component Interface 1.5 meter single-ended RCA interconnect ($3,500/pair)
Genesis Loudspeaker Interface 3 meter Loudspeaker Cable ($7,200/pair)
Genesis Power Interface 1.5 meter Component Power Cord ($3,300)
Genesis Power Interface 1.5 meter Amplifier Power Cord ($3,300)
Rough total: $94,596
This is the room that wowed me the most yesterday, but today it was just OK. Perhaps the room is way too small for these speakers.
I did like how these $50k speakers sounded with female vocals. There was a certain realism to them that I enjoyed. The voices had a great texture coming through, and this is something unique to these speakers that I did not notice on other speakers that I heard.
I think there was a little disagreement at times in regards to controlling the volume. The main rep would go start a track at a certain volume, and then the other one sitting in the back row would say something like "down slightly" and he'd then he'd turn it down. I thought it would've been more thoughtful if they instead asked the room how the volume levels were and we could've asked for increases/decreases as necessary. This was one of the most quiet rooms I heard, and I don't think playing these speakers at lower volumes was doing them any favors.
Yesterday I had asked one of the reps if they'd be willing to play a record I brought and they said yes. So I went to their room today around 5:30pm as the show was winding down and asked again and the same rep said that unfortunately they were having "issues" with the turntable. I noticed earlier in the day that it hadn't been used. So I said "Oh ok, well maybe tomorrow then?", and he gave me an uneasy look that was something like a cross between "What the hell is wrong with you?" and "Will you please go away?" and then replied "Well the issue seems to be with the speed controller..." So I took the hint and just said "Ah, ok, well that's too bad" and then left. Maybe they were actually having technical difficulties, or maybe he didn't want to play something that could potentially demonstrate the system in an "unfavorable way". I'm not sure. All I know is my record won't be getting played in this room!
We tried to get feedback on volume levels from the crowd, but it was like herding cats. One cannot judge volume from between the speaker, hence my verbal instructions. The sound changed radically depending on how crowded the room was. The bloke walking up to the rack was Lyle, and the bloke in the chair was me (David). We are Bernhagen and Porter, and we designed and built the speakers. We will eventually have models from $10K-100K. Trying to build a really good speaker for less than that in the USA doesn't seem possible. Thanks for all the kind feedback! It is most welcome.
Hey David, thanks so much for jumping on the forum and sharing some feedback. Also, congrats on first runner up in the ultimate component category for your 10/12 speakers!
When I quickly visited every room in the hour I was at the show on Friday, yours was the only room where I had a "holy crap!" epiphany. I walked in and there was some sultry female jazz vocals playing, and like I mentioned in my review, the texture of her voice was palpable. I had a moment where I thought to myself "So, this is what real hi-fi sounds like!". I wanted to look around at the others in the room and excitedly point at the speakers and say "OMG are you guys hearing this?!" but I resisted.
Thanks so much for coming to CAS 8 and bringing your speakers. Perhaps next year I'll get to hear them again!
We tried to get feedback on volume levels from the crowd, but it was like herding cats. One cannot judge volume from between the speaker, hence my verbal instructions. The sound changed radically depending on how crowded the room was. The bloke walking up to the rack was Lyle, and the bloke in the chair was me (David). We are Bernhagen and Porter, and we designed and built the speakers. We will eventually have models from $10K-100K. Trying to build a really good speaker for less than that in the USA doesn't seem possible. Thanks for all the kind feedback! It is most welcome.
[quote="shadowlight;but the agreement with the better half is that if I get something I have to get rid of something.
Oh boy o boy, I should not let my wife read this, I will not let my wife read this,
I cant let my wife read this! Doh
I come out ahead with the agreement so no complaints from me. She does not give me any hassle when I go out and get new music so working with her on equipment purchase is easy. Also, doing 1 for 1 replacement keeps the clutter away.
If you'd only learn how to use the quote format Drew.
Nicely done reviews, thanks.
I've heard the Pulsar's on tubes.......an emotional experience.
Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
The Destination Audio room was one that several other reviewers said they were looking forward to hearing. The Destination Audio Horn Loudspeakers ($95,000/pair) are very interesting with a vintage-looking cabinet and a huge horn mounted on top. I was really looking forward to hearing what this speaker could do, but that didn’t happen either time I was in the room. Even though they had a TriangleArt Master Reference turntable system ($39,999) sitting in the room, they were not using it either time I was there. And even though the speakers are 105dB efficient, they played them at very low volumes. When I asked for the volume to be turned up, I was told that they were playing at the appropriate volume. I heard several others say that they thought the sound was boring. I don’t think it was boring, but I think the digital source and the low volume didn’t show what these speakers can sound like. So, while I found the speakers very interesting, sadly I have no idea how they can sound."
I'm not sure why the author of that article incorrectly states that Margules Group is based out of Tijuana when they are actually based out of Mexico City.
I was thinking about the Margules Group room last night, and I realized that they didn't have any forearm sized power cables, megabuck power conditioners, shakti stone sitting on top of said power conditioner, cable risers, or any extensive room treatments - only a few small bass traps placed into a small cubby/cutout that was located on the rear wall.
I'm posting these gorgeous shots from Dave Clark of the Margules gear here because it's like explicit audio pornography to me. I love the real solid wood front on the speaker, and the circuit design engraving on the amp.
I'm posting these gorgeous shots from Dave Clark of the Margules gear here because it's like explicit audio pornography to me. I love the real solid wood front on the speaker, and the circuit design engraving on the amp.
I think it is just light reflection but it looks like the speakers center line is higher than the front edge from below the 2 woofer to the bottom. It looks like that in the Margules Facebook picture also.
Nicely done review Drew. Very comprehensive. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Now I have to just wipe the drool away. Wow! Never been to a show, but I got a hankering now!
Basement: Polk SDA SRS,Cary SLP-05 Pre,Enlightened Audio Designs CD Transport,Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC,Cambridge 851N streamer,Marantz SA-14 SACD,McIntosh MC300 Amp,Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Digital Cable,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Pangea Power Cables,Wireworld Oasis 8 RCA IC's,MIT Shotgun S3 IC's,MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
I think it is just light reflection but it looks like the speakers center line is higher than the front edge from below the 2 woofer to the bottom. It looks like that in the Margules Facebook picture also.
If it really does have that it looks cool to me
You are correct, the wood on the front had a definite raised peak. It's "center line" was raised, but it wasn't in the very middle of the speaker, it was at a diagonal angle. There was a very faint and tiny seam, almost like it was two separate pieces of wood, but it was hard to tell for sure. Either way, it was stunning and looked even better than it does in the photos.
Nicely done review Drew. Very comprehensive. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Now I have to just wipe the drool away. Wow! Never been to a show, but I got a hankering now!
And a little bit of information about the speakers. I wish everyone on this forum could have experienced how amazing they sounded at CAS 2018.
"The speakers were conveying a huge, majestic sound stage with astonishing cohesion for a 2.5-way design. Closer inspection revealed a transducer that was equipped with aluminum-ceramic mid-bass drivers, and tweeter featuring low-mass titanium voice coils, and a solid-wood fronted cabinet with separate acoustic chambers for each driver segment. The Orpheus utilizes a first-order crossover, is a 4-Ohm design that is 88dB sensitive, so SET-owners may want to look elsewhere, but those with at least 30 watts on tap will be pleased at the weight these beauties can fill a room with."
Speaker line revamped in collaboration with a design studio, features an engraved solid, sustainable exotic wood front panel, independent chambers, massive structural integrity, 2.5-way ceramic drivers, first order time and phase coherent crossovers, air coil inductance, ultra-fast capacitors.
Ultra-fast, high audio-grade coupling capacitors. High grade passive components. Continuous cast, oxygen free copper wiring, ROSH compliant silver solder."
Comments
When I quickly visited every room in the hour I was at the show on Friday, yours was the only room where I had a "holy crap!" epiphany. I walked in and there was some sultry female jazz vocals playing, and like I mentioned in my review, the texture of her voice was palpable. I had a moment where I thought to myself "So, this is what real hi-fi sounds like!". I wanted to look around at the others in the room and excitedly point at the speakers and say "OMG are you guys hearing this?!" but I resisted.
Thanks so much for coming to CAS 8 and bringing your speakers. Perhaps next year I'll get to hear them again!
bringing them to lone star?
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Transport/Dac: L.K.S MH-DA004, Cayin Venus cd-100i, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkI,
Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Organic Audio Organic Reference 2, Analysis Plus Black Mesh Oval 9,
Cerious Technologies Graphene Extreme
Interconnects: Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2, Gabriel Gold Reckoning
Power Cables by: Cullen Cables, 6sons Audio, Swiss Cables
I come out ahead with the agreement so no complaints from me. She does not give me any hassle when I go out and get new music so working with her on equipment purchase is easy. Also, doing 1 for 1 replacement keeps the clutter away.
Nicely done reviews, thanks.
I've heard the Pulsar's on tubes.......an emotional experience.
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk
https://theaudiobeatnik.com/california-audio-show-2018-show-report-3-five-interesting-new-products/
"Destination Audio Horn Loudspeakers
The Destination Audio room was one that several other reviewers said they were looking forward to hearing. The Destination Audio Horn Loudspeakers ($95,000/pair) are very interesting with a vintage-looking cabinet and a huge horn mounted on top. I was really looking forward to hearing what this speaker could do, but that didn’t happen either time I was in the room. Even though they had a TriangleArt Master Reference turntable system ($39,999) sitting in the room, they were not using it either time I was there. And even though the speakers are 105dB efficient, they played them at very low volumes. When I asked for the volume to be turned up, I was told that they were playing at the appropriate volume. I heard several others say that they thought the sound was boring. I don’t think it was boring, but I think the digital source and the low volume didn’t show what these speakers can sound like. So, while I found the speakers very interesting, sadly I have no idea how they can sound."
Your system was absolutely incredible!
https://www.facebook.com/MARGULESMX/posts/2144119415660417
HT - Panasonic BDP/Tivo Bolt - Marantz SR5013 - Def tech C and In ceiling - Sony XBR 75"
I was thinking about the Margules Group room last night, and I realized that they didn't have any forearm sized power cables, megabuck power conditioners, shakti stone sitting on top of said power conditioner, cable risers, or any extensive room treatments - only a few small bass traps placed into a small cubby/cutout that was located on the rear wall.
https://positive-feedback.com/show-reports/california-audio-show-2018-kirstens-highlights/
https://positive-feedback.com/show-reports/california-audio-show-2018/
Amplifier photo courtesy of Margules:
I think it is just light reflection but it looks like the speakers center line is higher than the front edge from below the 2 woofer to the bottom. It looks like that in the Margules Facebook picture also.
If it really does have that it looks cool to me
Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Hey Dave, glad you liked the room reviews!
Strange how he says "That’s every room at CAS", but yet he didn't mention the Margules room at all in either report.
"The speakers were conveying a huge, majestic sound stage with astonishing cohesion for a 2.5-way design. Closer inspection revealed a transducer that was equipped with aluminum-ceramic mid-bass drivers, and tweeter featuring low-mass titanium voice coils, and a solid-wood fronted cabinet with separate acoustic chambers for each driver segment. The Orpheus utilizes a first-order crossover, is a 4-Ohm design that is 88dB sensitive, so SET-owners may want to look elsewhere, but those with at least 30 watts on tap will be pleased at the weight these beauties can fill a room with."
Above taken from this RMAF 2016 review: https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2016/11/03/rmaf-2016-margules-one-of-the-sweetest-systems-youve-never-heard/
"Margules Orpheus Loudspeakers
Speaker line revamped in collaboration with a design studio, features an engraved solid, sustainable exotic wood front panel, independent chambers, massive structural integrity, 2.5-way ceramic drivers, first order time and phase coherent crossovers, air coil inductance, ultra-fast capacitors.
Ultra-fast, high audio-grade coupling capacitors. High grade passive components. Continuous cast, oxygen free copper wiring, ROSH compliant silver solder."