Axpona 2019 Schaumburg IL

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  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited April 2019
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    I was in on Friday. It was great to spend the day with Aaron, Rich and Doug. Got to meet Drew and Joe and as always it was good to see Brian. Gotta admit my head was spinning most of the day. It was my first AXPONA and holy crap there's a lot to take in!

    Lest I forget my first encounter with Skip. I felt violated, yet strangely aroused. ;)
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,972
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    one of my best rooms of the show.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dAo5y7Q5gw
    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
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,979
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    I know right Marv! That was the one room I went in and said “well they are gonna suck” and they sure didn’t. They were on point!
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,972
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    $97k :#
    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
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,327
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    marvda1 wrote: »
    this is something worth taking out a 401k loan, i should know.

    Yep.

    And yes borrowed from another thread.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 12,017
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    And they utilize GRANITE bases. ;)B)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.

    “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
    --Mark Twain.

    “If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited April 2019
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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
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    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Tony M wrote: »
    And they utilize GRANITE bases. ;)B)

    So much wasted potential there... should have used something like balsa wood to cut down on resonance...

    You can't help but be a p r ick can you.
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited April 2019
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 12,017
    edited April 2019
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    I researched the website and I was puzzled about those tubes. I was expecting some ports in the back or bottoms. I didn't see any. Carbon fiber tubes...NICE!

    I remember when Kicker made those GREAT tube speakers 35 years ago and I think they still do along with Dewalt and others.

    I guess there are ports AROUND each woofers' rims. Their picture looking down at them looks like they point into the tube. I don't see any vents or ports in the close-up pic I just found. See below.

    I didn't read the websites' literature fully yet. Maybe in a minute I'll go back and see if there are vents/ports around the woofers.

    I love radical designed tweeters and midranges. I've owned the ESS's Heils for 30 years now. :)

    I thought the speakers were HUGE...but I see their size in this picture.
    1wiimtopsfcl.png
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.

    “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
    --Mark Twain.

    “If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,979
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    Brian and I agreed that the best bang for the buck there were the Kilpsch we heard on floor 14 fantastic sound for the coin. $4k a pair I believe right Brian?
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    Tony, the model at the show were the larger ones. The one in that photo are the smaller model.

    I spoke to them for a while and they informed me there was a port at the rear.
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,979
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    tvz85ih2gial.jpeg

    My guess was 6ft tall
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    edited April 2019
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
    edited April 2019
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    The gentleman I spoke with said one of the reasons the highs sounded so good on their speakers, was because their high frequency drivers had no "breakup modes".
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,979
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    Agreed Skip. My first reaction, though the performance didn’t match this, was not pleasing at all. Almost gimmicky
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  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,979
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    The Klipsch I was referring to:

    7vps0rzqbuyj.jpeg
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    DSkip wrote: »
    I’m not sure I could ever own them based on design alone. I don’t find them offensive but I don’t like looking at them.

    I love the design and the fact that they are made out of carbon fiber.
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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,248
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    joecoulson wrote: »
    The Klipsch I was referring to:

    7vps0rzqbuyj.jpeg
    Forte III seem to get a lot of praise. I haven't had a chance to hear them anywhere yet though.
    Analog: Hana ML > VPI Prime Signature 21 > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    Norma IPA-140 > Rosso Fiorentino Volterra
    Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
    Discogs
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    DSkip wrote: »
    They look like earrings to me.

    Ironic, considering they probably have the least WAF out of any speaker at the show.

    Another thing that was somewhat disappointing is that they were playing a very short/strict set of songs, probably 12 or 15 total, and were not taking requests.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,327
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    joecoulson wrote: »
    Brian and I agreed that the best bang for the buck there were the Kilpsch we heard on floor 14 fantastic sound for the coin. $4k a pair I believe right Brian?

    I was very suprised on how well they did in those rooms. They sounded nothing like i remember. Warm, clean, powerful with a great soundstage. I Googled them and they do have some great reviews. I have only heard version 1 of them. New 4k is correct. I found some open box models for $1300 each on my search.

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    Brian, I really wanted to like the KLH speakers, but I just didnt care for the tweeter.

    Maybe they would sound different in my own room. They did do some things very well, namely coherence. I will follow up with the gentleman who was running the room, as he suggested sending me a pair to review.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,327
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    Agreed Drew. They did mid and low end good for a 1300 set of speakers but the top end got a bit harsh especially when pushed a bit.
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    edited April 2019
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    Good point Ivan. Also the digital source was a Dragonfly DAC. Not exactly the best.

    It's certainly possible they would be a completely different listen with some other gear behind them.
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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
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    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Who is the one resorting to calling people names... Pot, meet kettle.

    Perhaps you should try cultivating a sense of humor.

    You are a pric k. I have no problem calling you out as one. When you run your mouth like you do I'm going to call you out for what you are. If that makes me one as well than I'm cool with that. I've never had anyone on here calling me out like this. You earned it, own it.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,104
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    DSkip wrote: »
    What did Cambridge run in their room?

    Heavy focus on their new TT. All Edge series electronics.

    Not their own Aeromax towers, but instead, these: https://www.qacoustics.com/floorstanding-speakers/concept-500-floorstanding-speaker-pair.html

    I was not impressed with what I heard, but perhaps it was just a lame record.

    Anyone else get ears on the Cambridge room?

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