The Southwest Audio Fest 2025
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marvda1
Posts: 4,916
https://www.southwestaudiofest.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srgc1p3c_-o&t=337s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSa0M8AmKjQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3j72ikh5eE
I'll be there the entire weekend. There are several more affordable hotels within walking distance and plenty of places besides the Anatole to eat within walking distance.
There are plenty of flights into DFW International (25 to 30 min.) or Love Field (10 to 12 min.) to the hotel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srgc1p3c_-o&t=337shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSa0M8AmKjQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3j72ikh5eEI'll be there the entire weekend. There are several more affordable hotels within walking distance and plenty of places besides the Anatole to eat within walking distance.
There are plenty of flights into DFW International (25 to 30 min.) or Love Field (10 to 12 min.) to the hotel.
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
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
Post edited by marvda1 on
Comments
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Very excited for this one! I'll be sleeping at home, but I'll be there all three days. If you time it right you might even catch me at the check in desk.Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
Anybody planning on going?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 -
I am going on Saturday and will come back on Sunday if I need more.2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Norma Revo DAC-2, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon, WAY power cables for all other sources.
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I'll be there, and if you're lucky you'll catch me at the check-in desk.
Trying to be more strategic about where I want to spend time this year, so I've already started to look through the brands attending and plan things out.Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
@tratliff what bourbon are you bringing?
I'm bringing tequila 🤪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 -
@tratliff what bourbon are you bringing?
I'm bringing tequila 🤪
Make sure it's not that cimarron swill, bring the good stuff
😂🤣 -
@tratliff what bourbon are you bringing?
I'm bringing tequila 🤪
Not planning to bring any since I am not staying.2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Norma Revo DAC-2, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon, WAY power cables for all other sources. -
@tratliff You don't have to drink it, just leave it with us.
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 -
That's the spirit! Pun intended.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Anyone there now? How is it?
Slim chance I’m going to make it on Sunday🤞Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden -
Anyone there now? How is it?
Slim chance I’m going to make it on Sunday🤞
Was too busy taking it all in, but it was an awesome weekend! Already counting down to next year.Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
No pictures? You guys suck at this.....
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We've had to recover! Hangovers last longer these days, lol.
But I can get some in here.Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
Awesome, LOL all in one.
Thanks Willy
😎 -
And please don’t post pics without a little comment
We can see pics anywhere 2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
I’ll do waves and maybe add some commentary later.
Staring with bigger bucks rooms.
Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
And now upstairs to the slightly less big bucks rooms. (Almost everything was big bucks)
Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
And now my favorites!
Favorite experience. Not the most refined sound, but they played In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, on tape, and loud. It was undeniably fun and tape, big horns, tubes… it felt like this is how this was meant to be.
Favorite sound: Genesis, Heed, The Wand
Favorite Room with things I might actually buy at some point: I was very taken by the VPI Forever Model One. Joe with House of Stereo and Mat Weisfeld was there to talk through the table, play some tunes, and it was generally just a fun time! Between Saturday and Sunday I think I spent over an hour in this room.
Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
Favorite tool: Kirmuss
This thing is a bit of a hard sell. The restoration process does work. It’s not mind blowing, but I did two A/B comparisons, one with a random record someone brought in, and one of my own.
The problem is that it basically takes a minimum of 20 minutes for the full process.
If I ever do purchase this I’d likely get the Upscale one with the 3LP slots and just use it as a regular ultrasonic. Then save the full process for really stubborn records or my favorites.
Best Value: Chesky. These are made by David Chesky’s 17 year old son, they cost $1000/pair, sound great for the price point, and was displayed as a $3k total system.
And lastly, what did I come home with:
Bob’s Devices Sky 20-S SUT + Bob’s cables. I can’t believe I didn’t take a picture of his booth, but I guess I was pretty focused on potentially actually making a purchase. Bob had a Brinkman table with Hana Umami Blue, Sky 20-S, tube phono, tube headphone amp, and 800S headphones. On Sunday I used my own Arya headphones for final demo.
Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs -
And a bonus for the man, the myth, the legend:
I don’t know why I didn’t take any pics with Skip or Brian, but we all got to hang out quite a bit. It was a blast of a weekend and I look forward to next year.
Analog: Hana ML > MoFi UltraDeck > Bob's Devices Sky 20-S > Sutherland 20/20 w/LPS
Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Hifiman EF600 > Hifiman Arya Stealth
Discogs
