A new friend and his setup
Clipdat
Posts: 7,732
Back when I attended the California Audio Show in July of last year, a gentlemen started a conversation with me in the hallway near the end of day 2. He had heard the record I brought with being played on our favorite setup at the show, the Margules room.
We seemed to have a lot to talk about, and ended up exchanging numbers the next day when we ran into each other on the final day of the show. We'd been texting and keeping in touch for a while, mostly talking about music and gear but also life in general.
He seemed to be getting more into the audiophile side of things after the show, going to a few local meetups, as well as a demo of the Wilson Sasha put on by a dealer!
He invited me over to check out his system and I took him up on the offer last weekend. It turned out to be a great experience and it was incredibly insightful to hear another setup after only listening to my own for months! Talk about changing your perspective! Very cool.
Afterward, he mentioned he was apprehensive of what I would think of his setup, since he knows I am way more into the gear side of things than he is. His setup is B&W Nautilus 803 towers, powered by a Bryston 5B ST, and also a 18" powered Bag End subwoofer. An oldschool Lexicon preamp acted as the control center. I took a look and saw 12ga zip cord and Monster Cable interconnects. I held my tongue, although of course with someone like me who's deep into the "cables matter" mentality, I was squirming a bit on the inside.
I let my preconceived notions go, and sat down in the sweet spot with an open mind to take a listen - through a circa 1990s Toshiba DVD player! I just wanted to hear the system as it was, before I swapped in the Rotel RCD-1072 that I brought over for him to try out.
And guess what? It sounded great! Giant banana plant blocking the left speaker and everything! Just goes to show that you can't judge a book by it's cover. I liked what I heard and quickly realized this was going to be a fun day of listening. The B&W speakers were authoritative and presented a seamless wall of sound. In no way were they shrill or bright, as B&W speakers tend to get a bad rap for. The midrange was thick and palpable, voices and percussion sounded excellent.
Later on we played Tidal through his Elac Discovery music server and then switched over to vinyl which sounded the best to us. He played a few great albums that I hadn't previously heard, including Fleetwood Mac - Rumours, and Boston (self titled).
I left him the Rotel RCD-1072 with a pair of Audioquest Black Mamba II ICs, a Schiit Bifrost with Douglas Connection Bravo digital coax, and a Cambridge Audio 640p phono preamp to try out. And also a copy of the latest Stereophile for good measure.
He seemed slightly apprehensive and told me that he's "not a tweaker". I guess he doesn't get that excitement out of trying out new pieces of gear, and just likes what he likes. In a way this was refreshing to hear, as he really puts the music first, and the gear second. Something I'm sure that some of us wish we could do more often.
Anyway, what a great day of listening to new music and hanging out with a new friend! I highly encourage you to go hear a friend's setup if you've only been listening to yours for a while. It could be an enjoyable and ear-opening experience.
Also, his animals seemed to really like me!
We seemed to have a lot to talk about, and ended up exchanging numbers the next day when we ran into each other on the final day of the show. We'd been texting and keeping in touch for a while, mostly talking about music and gear but also life in general.
He seemed to be getting more into the audiophile side of things after the show, going to a few local meetups, as well as a demo of the Wilson Sasha put on by a dealer!
He invited me over to check out his system and I took him up on the offer last weekend. It turned out to be a great experience and it was incredibly insightful to hear another setup after only listening to my own for months! Talk about changing your perspective! Very cool.
Afterward, he mentioned he was apprehensive of what I would think of his setup, since he knows I am way more into the gear side of things than he is. His setup is B&W Nautilus 803 towers, powered by a Bryston 5B ST, and also a 18" powered Bag End subwoofer. An oldschool Lexicon preamp acted as the control center. I took a look and saw 12ga zip cord and Monster Cable interconnects. I held my tongue, although of course with someone like me who's deep into the "cables matter" mentality, I was squirming a bit on the inside.
I let my preconceived notions go, and sat down in the sweet spot with an open mind to take a listen - through a circa 1990s Toshiba DVD player! I just wanted to hear the system as it was, before I swapped in the Rotel RCD-1072 that I brought over for him to try out.
And guess what? It sounded great! Giant banana plant blocking the left speaker and everything! Just goes to show that you can't judge a book by it's cover. I liked what I heard and quickly realized this was going to be a fun day of listening. The B&W speakers were authoritative and presented a seamless wall of sound. In no way were they shrill or bright, as B&W speakers tend to get a bad rap for. The midrange was thick and palpable, voices and percussion sounded excellent.
Later on we played Tidal through his Elac Discovery music server and then switched over to vinyl which sounded the best to us. He played a few great albums that I hadn't previously heard, including Fleetwood Mac - Rumours, and Boston (self titled).
I left him the Rotel RCD-1072 with a pair of Audioquest Black Mamba II ICs, a Schiit Bifrost with Douglas Connection Bravo digital coax, and a Cambridge Audio 640p phono preamp to try out. And also a copy of the latest Stereophile for good measure.
He seemed slightly apprehensive and told me that he's "not a tweaker". I guess he doesn't get that excitement out of trying out new pieces of gear, and just likes what he likes. In a way this was refreshing to hear, as he really puts the music first, and the gear second. Something I'm sure that some of us wish we could do more often.
Anyway, what a great day of listening to new music and hanging out with a new friend! I highly encourage you to go hear a friend's setup if you've only been listening to yours for a while. It could be an enjoyable and ear-opening experience.
Also, his animals seemed to really like me!
Comments
Seriously though - nice that you got to spend an afternoon with another audio enthusiast, that’s something I never get to do.
Currently enjoying: Legacy Focus 20/20, McCormack DNA 225, Bill D C1, Oppo 105
That dog and cat can tell if a person is cool or not. They sense those things.
I think the oxygen level in that room is high due to that plant, therefore your listening experience was heightened. Well those speakers and amp helped a little too I guess.
I think I've heard the B&W speakers get really good starting with that model. Way above the 600 series I've read.
I use to test speakers sound with that Boston album. A lot!
I've heard great things about that "Rumours" album.
I've heard a lot of people say that, but I thought it was just a....nope....I'm not gonna.....
Remember when I first heard the full Rumours album in 1977 going on a ski trip by car to Taos NM with some friends. I have loved Fleetwood Mac since then and they are great in concert.
"Edge of seventeen" is awesome.
This is nice to read the words along with her voice!!!
I often wish there was somebody close by that would like to audition their gear or even swap to go for a test drive.
Parasound HCA1500(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Oppo BDP93, Marantz UD7007, modded Polk SDA 2B.
You're welcome to drive down and help me clean out this ol gal! But my Polks aren't as big as yours, so no making fun...
Monitor 4a (Peerless), Monitor 4b (Peerless), Monitor 5a (Peerless), Monitor 5b (SL2000), Monitor 7b (Peerless), Modified Monitor 7c’s (194’s, Dynamat, Sonicaps, Mills, H-nuts), SDA CRS+ (SL2000), RTA12c (194's), SDA SRS 2 (SL2000)
Repair pile: SRS 3.1TL (198’s), (1) lonely RTA 11TL to become a center channel... someday...
Pairs that have passed through:
Monitor 5b (SL1000), Monitor 10a (Peerless), Monitor 10c (3x pair), RTA8, RTA8TL, RTA 11T, SDA2, SDA2a, SDA1b, SDA SRS2
...and more to come, it’s a sickness.
Fixed it for you! I do too!
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Vinyl II: Audio Technica AT-LP120X USB * AT120Eb * ART DJ Pre II * Acrylic Turntable Mat
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * ROKU Streaming Stick + * Z-line Designs Elektra
Yes, indeed, hearing another person's setup is a great idea. I used to check out @SCompRacer setup and it was really eye-opening. Seemed like every time he made a change, things got better and better.
The first setup of his that I heard featured the SDA SRS 2's and the bass on that setup was unreal. Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine" was the first track he played. The initial thump from the machine was wicked.
Not many people around here, unfortunately, for me to demo my gear or go hear their gear.
Glad you got to hear the ELAC Discovery music server. I've tried pairing it with many DACs but, to me, the analog outs sound the best on their own.
Thanks for sharing Drew! Love that beautiful black cat! Reminds me of my little buddy
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Vinyl II: Audio Technica AT-LP120X USB * AT120Eb * ART DJ Pre II * Acrylic Turntable Mat
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * ROKU Streaming Stick + * Z-line Designs Elektra
If you guys love Ms Stephanie Nicks, well, you might enjoy this anecdote.
From the late, lamented Larry Rogers @ audioasylum.
https://db.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=mgeneral&n=215222&highlight=stevie+lwr&search_url=/cgi/search.mpl?searchtext=The+PreAmp+%2B+Bridged+Typhoon%27s&b=AND&topic=&topics_only=N&author=&date1=&date2=&slowmessage=&sort=score&sortOrder=DESC&forum=ALL
I am chagrined! I cannot recognize this receiver
I started an audiophile club locally where we get to experience each others’ systems.
It’s a great hobby indeed.
We have about 20+ members now.
Current Gear:
Torus RM15 -> Emm Labs TSDx/Bluesound Node 2 -> Emm Labs DAC2x -> ??? -> Boulder 2060 stereo amp (w/ Audioquest WEL Signature) -> new speakers + JL Audio F113v2 x2
Rotel RA1592 Super Integrated -> Sonus Faber Olympica 3
Oppo 105D -> Rotel RC1570 preamp -> Rotel RB1582 amp -> Focal Kanta 2
Main speakers system evolution over the years:
Klipsch Promedia 4.1 -> Axiom M22ti -> Sonus Faber Concertino -> Sonus Faber Concerto -> Polk LSi7 -> Polk LSi9 -> Martin Logan Mosaic -> AV123 Onix Ref 1 -> Martin Logan Vantage -> AV123 Strata Mini -> Martin Logan Summit -> Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor -> BW 802D2 -> Sonus Faber Stradivari -> Rockport Avior -> BW 802D3 -> BW 800D3 -> ???
Old Gear:
Speakers:
BW PM1 (3.5/5), CM10s2 (3.75/5), BW800D3 (5/5), Rockport Aviors (5/5), Sonus Faber Stradivari (5/5), BW 802D2 (4.5/5), Martin Logan Summits (4.25/5), Martin Logan Vantage (4/5), Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor (3.75/5), AV123 Strata Mini (3.5/5), ML Mosaic (3.25/5), Onix Ref1 (3/5), Sonus Faber Concerto (2.75/5), SF Concertino (2.5/5), Axiom M22ti (2/5), Polk LSi9 (3/5), LSi7 (2.9/5)
Source:
Squeezebox 3 -> PS Audio Digital Link III -> Cary 306/200 CDP -> Cary 306 SACD -> EMM LABS DAC2X/TSDX
Preamplification:
Rotel RC1070 -> Rogue Perseus -> Cary SLP98 -> Cary SLP98F1 -> Cary SLP05 (sold and then repurchased) -> ARC 5se -> ???
Amplification:
HK AVR330 -> Rotel RB1070 -> Rotel RB1090 -> Plinius SA102 -> Cary 211FE -> Classe M600 -> Boulder 2060
Subwoofer:
Infinity Entra2 -> SVS 25-31PCi -> SVS 25-31PC+ -> Dual JL Audio F113v2
Pioneer SX-737. Needs lots of love!
Monitor 4a (Peerless), Monitor 4b (Peerless), Monitor 5a (Peerless), Monitor 5b (SL2000), Monitor 7b (Peerless), Modified Monitor 7c’s (194’s, Dynamat, Sonicaps, Mills, H-nuts), SDA CRS+ (SL2000), RTA12c (194's), SDA SRS 2 (SL2000)
Repair pile: SRS 3.1TL (198’s), (1) lonely RTA 11TL to become a center channel... someday...
Pairs that have passed through:
Monitor 5b (SL1000), Monitor 10a (Peerless), Monitor 10c (3x pair), RTA8, RTA8TL, RTA 11T, SDA2, SDA2a, SDA1b, SDA SRS2
...and more to come, it’s a sickness.
Well, that is extra embarrassing -- There's one of those upstairs here...
no, check that, it's an SX-727 (previous generation).
That was in Texas, right? Are you still there or have you relocated to Cincinnati?
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Nagaoka MP-110 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Vinyl II: Audio Technica AT-LP120X USB * AT120Eb * ART DJ Pre II * Acrylic Turntable Mat
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * ROKU Streaming Stick + * Z-line Designs Elektra
Current Gear:
Torus RM15 -> Emm Labs TSDx/Bluesound Node 2 -> Emm Labs DAC2x -> ??? -> Boulder 2060 stereo amp (w/ Audioquest WEL Signature) -> new speakers + JL Audio F113v2 x2
Rotel RA1592 Super Integrated -> Sonus Faber Olympica 3
Oppo 105D -> Rotel RC1570 preamp -> Rotel RB1582 amp -> Focal Kanta 2
Main speakers system evolution over the years:
Klipsch Promedia 4.1 -> Axiom M22ti -> Sonus Faber Concertino -> Sonus Faber Concerto -> Polk LSi7 -> Polk LSi9 -> Martin Logan Mosaic -> AV123 Onix Ref 1 -> Martin Logan Vantage -> AV123 Strata Mini -> Martin Logan Summit -> Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor -> BW 802D2 -> Sonus Faber Stradivari -> Rockport Avior -> BW 802D3 -> BW 800D3 -> ???
Old Gear:
Speakers:
BW PM1 (3.5/5), CM10s2 (3.75/5), BW800D3 (5/5), Rockport Aviors (5/5), Sonus Faber Stradivari (5/5), BW 802D2 (4.5/5), Martin Logan Summits (4.25/5), Martin Logan Vantage (4/5), Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor (3.75/5), AV123 Strata Mini (3.5/5), ML Mosaic (3.25/5), Onix Ref1 (3/5), Sonus Faber Concerto (2.75/5), SF Concertino (2.5/5), Axiom M22ti (2/5), Polk LSi9 (3/5), LSi7 (2.9/5)
Source:
Squeezebox 3 -> PS Audio Digital Link III -> Cary 306/200 CDP -> Cary 306 SACD -> EMM LABS DAC2X/TSDX
Preamplification:
Rotel RC1070 -> Rogue Perseus -> Cary SLP98 -> Cary SLP98F1 -> Cary SLP05 (sold and then repurchased) -> ARC 5se -> ???
Amplification:
HK AVR330 -> Rotel RB1070 -> Rotel RB1090 -> Plinius SA102 -> Cary 211FE -> Classe M600 -> Boulder 2060
Subwoofer:
Infinity Entra2 -> SVS 25-31PCi -> SVS 25-31PC+ -> Dual JL Audio F113v2
Current Gear:
Torus RM15 -> Emm Labs TSDx/Bluesound Node 2 -> Emm Labs DAC2x -> ??? -> Boulder 2060 stereo amp (w/ Audioquest WEL Signature) -> new speakers + JL Audio F113v2 x2
Rotel RA1592 Super Integrated -> Sonus Faber Olympica 3
Oppo 105D -> Rotel RC1570 preamp -> Rotel RB1582 amp -> Focal Kanta 2
Main speakers system evolution over the years:
Klipsch Promedia 4.1 -> Axiom M22ti -> Sonus Faber Concertino -> Sonus Faber Concerto -> Polk LSi7 -> Polk LSi9 -> Martin Logan Mosaic -> AV123 Onix Ref 1 -> Martin Logan Vantage -> AV123 Strata Mini -> Martin Logan Summit -> Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor -> BW 802D2 -> Sonus Faber Stradivari -> Rockport Avior -> BW 802D3 -> BW 800D3 -> ???
Old Gear:
Speakers:
BW PM1 (3.5/5), CM10s2 (3.75/5), BW800D3 (5/5), Rockport Aviors (5/5), Sonus Faber Stradivari (5/5), BW 802D2 (4.5/5), Martin Logan Summits (4.25/5), Martin Logan Vantage (4/5), Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor (3.75/5), AV123 Strata Mini (3.5/5), ML Mosaic (3.25/5), Onix Ref1 (3/5), Sonus Faber Concerto (2.75/5), SF Concertino (2.5/5), Axiom M22ti (2/5), Polk LSi9 (3/5), LSi7 (2.9/5)
Source:
Squeezebox 3 -> PS Audio Digital Link III -> Cary 306/200 CDP -> Cary 306 SACD -> EMM LABS DAC2X/TSDX
Preamplification:
Rotel RC1070 -> Rogue Perseus -> Cary SLP98 -> Cary SLP98F1 -> Cary SLP05 (sold and then repurchased) -> ARC 5se -> ???
Amplification:
HK AVR330 -> Rotel RB1070 -> Rotel RB1090 -> Plinius SA102 -> Cary 211FE -> Classe M600 -> Boulder 2060
Subwoofer:
Infinity Entra2 -> SVS 25-31PCi -> SVS 25-31PC+ -> Dual JL Audio F113v2
Sounds like a great time. Enjoyed the write up.
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.
S15
Sony 790S
Denon DP 300f
Rumour confirmed. I know I've seen the Behind the Music interview when Stevie talks about introducing it to the band. Before that it was just her habit. Then they basically lived in the studio, hardly ever sleeping. Their budget was being eaten up by non-stop mountains flake. That's how they did Rumours.
S15
Sony 790S
Denon DP 300f
Because my plantar fasciitis hurts like hell if I go barefoot!
The speaker cable for the right channel actually goes under the floor before it feeds back to the amp.
This song was developed when Stevie asked Tom Petty's wife when they met - her answer was at the age of seventeen.