Anything you liked at the Newport Show?

I went this year with checking out certain vendors in mind. In retrospect, I'm not sure it was the best idea, but its done now. I think, for me anyway, this year was much less spectacular. I heard very few systems that did anything for me. But let me describe for you the few that did.

I was waiting at the Mbl room at opening. They played some great music, most of which I was not familiar with. But the system sounded absolutely wonderful with the 101 E MK II speaker played through the new Nobel Line mono blocks, Mbl's big preamp and either their DAC or an RTR. The sound was very open, lively, deep, and convincing. I returned again around 4:30 PM for another extended listen of about an hour and it only sounded better to me. If finance weren't an issue, I'd have an all-Mbl system. For me, they are always tops each year and supremely musical.

The Magnepan room was fun with it's three-channel presentation using the three of the MMG panels. I don't particularly like the scheduled demo way of presenting the speakers, but it is what it is.

I also got to sit in the sweet spot in the Sanders room. Next to all others, only the Mbl room was better to me. I really like ESL speakers (I have MartinLogan Vantages) and the Sanders just sung. Excellent extension and great bass response as well. And that beautiful midrange that ESLs are known for. I'm not super hot on the 70s look but the sound really is very nice. I could easily live with Sanders Sound for sure. I recall also liking them much in previous years of attending THE Show.

Gamut. That was a nice room with speakers, amp, and preamp all by Gamut. Didn't notice the maker of the TT, but the sound was very nice. The TT was very quite on the three or so tracks I heard and all were from different records. For stand mounts, the speakers were nice and full and I liked the lively musical presentation.

THE Show was more spread out this year and just seemed like the general vibe on Saturday was down from previous years. Really, I think, it is better to have two days to go so you can slow down a bit and try to see more vendors. Again, not as much fun this year as in previous years but I had to go it alone when the person I was to attend with had to stay home to take care of a domestic duty. He did get to go the previous day but he seemed to have a similar take on the vibe as well. There were a ton of reviewers in attendance and I had to give up my spot for two or three of them. In the end, I hope that benefited the vendor. Business is business.

On a side note, I looked and asked for the new Wilson Audio Sabrina's but they apparently weren't being shown. I really liked them last year with D'Agostino/Bricasti electronics; that was a very satisfying musical setup. I was hoping to have some comments to contribute to rinpoche but alas, only the larger Sasha was being demoed.

In the end, what room a vendor is given and the skill at which they have to setup their gear properly in that room, and of course the quality of the media they play, will all determine the overall quality of their sound. I can only imagine that some of the other rooms I heard, but weren't so impressed with, could have sounded better if they were able to get more of these critical factors right.

Dougmc,

I quote you "Sabrinas were used in the Peachtree room on the 11th floor. Peachtree featured two integrated amps/dacs: one for $1,500 and one for $2,000. The speakers on the lower priced model were the new $500 Elac bookshelf speaker, and the speakers on the higher price model were the Sabrinas."

So, did you like the Sabrina's with the Peachtree? I've really liked the Sabrina's the two times I've heard them with both ARC and D'Agostino power. A bit to a lot out of my comfort zone on a total price basis though.

I heard the German Physiks with Merrill mono blocks but was underwhelmed. Goes to show you how much taste varies. And probably the tracks I heard played weren't up to the task. The speakers just sounded lack luster. You could tell the amps could grip the speakers and they had authority but there was no energy or liveliness to them. Makes me wish I went back to the 14th floor for an additional listen. Who knows, maybe I'd have had a different experience then.

Gamut room was nice, very lively open analog sound.

dougmc-

Thanks. I have been to an Elac demo before and I think that their speakers sound great. Very amazing for the price. I heard the towers and several of the bookshelf variants and they were all impressive. I also heard them from the doorway for a few moments at Newport and what I heard was also good. They do need quality electronics but the result is pretty nice.

fourwnds

I too visited Klaus's room. Sounded very good on rock music. Clean, open, realistic; nice punch. I was there when a man and his son had apparently just made the deal to buy the system in the room. They were pretty happy. I didn't catch the name of the TT. For the level of the sound, Klaus's prices are very good.

alanoutaoz

Went specifically to hear any Raidho speaker and the smaller stand mounts were not working and they switched to a speaker that was also designed by the designer of the Raidho's. So, I didn't get to hear any of their line. Maybe someday I will.

dramapsycho

I too noticed a lower attendance and not much new happening. I do also admit that really one needs two days to see all the rooms. I wonder if I missed a really great room or two? I'm not a marketing guy, so no real suggestions, but it would be nice to see some newness breathed into the event. By the way, loved Sanders Sound and Mbl; I could easily live with either in my home.