Here's a cut & paste from the SR Red fuse thread:
The Newport Show was exceptional this year. It was a lot of fun finally meeting David. David and I had a good time in the Synergistic Research room. Nice to finally meet Ted Denny too.
Here's some of my top picks ... not in any particular order:
Best Demo:
Synergistic Research. SR was demonstrating in a HUGE room, the largest at the show. The holographic imaging was spectacular. When they moved the SR products out of the room, and disconnected others, the image became like a small flat movie screen like you'd see at the smaller movie theaters. When the products were moved back into the room and everything reconnected, it became like a huge, 3-D presentation at a good Imax theater. I want all of their stuff!!
Best Sound:
Keep in mind that I judge primarily on natural musicality and an organic presentation. There may have been systems with more "wow," but for over the long haul, I'll take the systems that play music like its real.
1. Venice Audio ... Harbeth 40.2's driven with Naim solid state electronics and a Well Tempered TT. What wonderful speakers and sound. The tonal balance was right on the money and we just grooved with what was coming out of those speakers. At $16,000 per pair they kill some speakers I heard at the show costing in excess of 100k.
2. Sonic Flare ... Wilson Sasha speakers, Einstein electronics, Graham TT. Danny Kaey, who runs the room is a music lover and a record collector extraordinaire. I love the rooms where they will play the music that you bring into the room. The sound in this room was, to say the least, wonderful. Very natural with a broad, deep sound stage and a true to life presentation. People just didn't want to leave Danny's room. Its always like a party of music with everyone enjoying it immensely
3. Magnaplaner: They used three MMG's this year with one being a center channel. Okay ... the sound was really great, but its a planned presentation by appointment only. They only use pre-selected program material. No way would you be able to have them throw on some of the music you brought into the room. But ... very impressive, none the less.
4. Precision Audio & Video: Finally! Mike Slaminsky really put a good room together this year. Real music from a system consisting of equipment I've never heard of and can't remember ... but the sound was excellent. Could it be because that Mike has finally gone over to the dark side and put a turntable into his room? Nice!
5. Von Gaylord Audio: I'm saving one of the very best for last. Ray Leung, engineer, designer and a super gentleman was demonstrating his latest incarnations ... and how musical they were. Robert and I were the only ones in the room besides Ray and his wife and we just couldn't leave. The sound/music was that good. A very natural presentation with just the perfect tonal balance. I'd say Ray's speakers, as far as a natural presentation is concerned, are right in there with the Harbeth 40.2's that I alluded to earlier, but Ray's speakers are a lot better looking in my opinion. The finish is superb; reminiscent of the finish on the beautiful Venture speakers.
Here's Ray's website if you want to see his offerings.
www.vongaylordaudio.com
So, that's it ... again, there may have been systems at the show that many would prefer over the ones I listed ... but I'm in it for the music, not the audiophile bull that just wears you out after awhile.
Sorry we couldn't have met more of you who attended the show. Perhaps next year we can get coordinated and have a record playing party in Danny Kaey's room. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Take care ...
The Newport Show was exceptional this year. It was a lot of fun finally meeting David. David and I had a good time in the Synergistic Research room. Nice to finally meet Ted Denny too.
Here's some of my top picks ... not in any particular order:
Best Demo:
Synergistic Research. SR was demonstrating in a HUGE room, the largest at the show. The holographic imaging was spectacular. When they moved the SR products out of the room, and disconnected others, the image became like a small flat movie screen like you'd see at the smaller movie theaters. When the products were moved back into the room and everything reconnected, it became like a huge, 3-D presentation at a good Imax theater. I want all of their stuff!!
Best Sound:
Keep in mind that I judge primarily on natural musicality and an organic presentation. There may have been systems with more "wow," but for over the long haul, I'll take the systems that play music like its real.
1. Venice Audio ... Harbeth 40.2's driven with Naim solid state electronics and a Well Tempered TT. What wonderful speakers and sound. The tonal balance was right on the money and we just grooved with what was coming out of those speakers. At $16,000 per pair they kill some speakers I heard at the show costing in excess of 100k.
2. Sonic Flare ... Wilson Sasha speakers, Einstein electronics, Graham TT. Danny Kaey, who runs the room is a music lover and a record collector extraordinaire. I love the rooms where they will play the music that you bring into the room. The sound in this room was, to say the least, wonderful. Very natural with a broad, deep sound stage and a true to life presentation. People just didn't want to leave Danny's room. Its always like a party of music with everyone enjoying it immensely
3. Magnaplaner: They used three MMG's this year with one being a center channel. Okay ... the sound was really great, but its a planned presentation by appointment only. They only use pre-selected program material. No way would you be able to have them throw on some of the music you brought into the room. But ... very impressive, none the less.
4. Precision Audio & Video: Finally! Mike Slaminsky really put a good room together this year. Real music from a system consisting of equipment I've never heard of and can't remember ... but the sound was excellent. Could it be because that Mike has finally gone over to the dark side and put a turntable into his room? Nice!
5. Von Gaylord Audio: I'm saving one of the very best for last. Ray Leung, engineer, designer and a super gentleman was demonstrating his latest incarnations ... and how musical they were. Robert and I were the only ones in the room besides Ray and his wife and we just couldn't leave. The sound/music was that good. A very natural presentation with just the perfect tonal balance. I'd say Ray's speakers, as far as a natural presentation is concerned, are right in there with the Harbeth 40.2's that I alluded to earlier, but Ray's speakers are a lot better looking in my opinion. The finish is superb; reminiscent of the finish on the beautiful Venture speakers.
Here's Ray's website if you want to see his offerings.
www.vongaylordaudio.com
So, that's it ... again, there may have been systems at the show that many would prefer over the ones I listed ... but I'm in it for the music, not the audiophile bull that just wears you out after awhile.
Sorry we couldn't have met more of you who attended the show. Perhaps next year we can get coordinated and have a record playing party in Danny Kaey's room. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Take care ...