2. misc-audio
  3. 170419-10840

How to listen /audition at audio shows?

I’ve been to RMAF a few times and learned a lot. Great fun and I eventually bought quite a bit of gear that I heard there. Right now I am going to Capitol Audio show to try to audition several high-end streamers (Aurender, Lumin, Innous, 432 EVO, Grimm and Antipodes are on my list). My request is for advice on how to compare models that will, of course, be in different systems in different rooms, etc. We all know how limited listening is in hotel rooms and that it will always sound different in your house with your system, etc etc. Accepting that, what are some of the smart strategies you’ve found to compare components at an audio show? Wouldn’t it be great if I could get two of the streamer vendors to connect their units to the same system, say after hours ... Not likely I know but any other ideas, tips or strategies? thanks
mcmanus

Showing 3 responses by tvad

tvad
11,620 posts
 
If one is offered an opportunity to hear multiple brands/models of a component in the same room/system (in this case a streamer) keeping all other elements unchanged, then yes, one could potentially hear differences among those streamers. That’d be an ideal situation; one @mcmanus would be fortunate to have.

However, what @mcmanus mentioned in his original post is the more typical audio show scenario wherein each room features one streamer, with a different brand/model streamer in each system.

@mcmanus:
My request is for advice on how to compare models that will, of course, be in different systems in different rooms, etc.

In that scenario, the best one can do is identify rooms with sound that connects with the listener, and use that info to audition the related streamers at home.



tvad
11,620 posts
 

Ever notice how someone will form an argument by twisting up some pretzel logic based on something that was never stated?

It’s called a straw man. And here, folks, we have a classic straw man; stating it was written in this thread that attending audio shows is a waste of time.

Do some work. Carefully read every post prior to the straw man. Find the post where someone wrote attending audio shows is a waste of time.

It will take a long time. Forever, in fact. Because, no one wrote it.

What was written, is that it’s impossible to separate out how one component affects the sound of an unfamiliar system at an audio show. Any logical audiophile knows this to be true.

So, let’s assume one has listened to six systems that include six different streamers. Of those six systems, three sound fantastic.

What is possible, is to conclude that a streamer in a system that sounds fantastic is contributing to that system’s fantastic sound, and perhaps it will contribute to fantastic sound at home.

Therefore, hearing systems at an audio show can be very helpful insofar as it leads to the next step in the evaluation process.

Hardly a waste of time.



tvad
11,620 posts
 
You can’t compare components at an audio show. It’s impossible to hear an unfamiliar system and separate out the affect one component has on what you’re hearing.

The best you can do is spend time in rooms that have components you are interested in and narrow down the rooms that sound best to you. Then, re-visit those rooms later in the day, or on another day to confirm your listening impressions.

Ultimately, you will need to audition streamers in your system.

Jim Smith, in "Get Better Sound", discusses the approach of listening from the hall just outside the door. If it sounds good there, then it’s a good sign. If it doesn’t sound good from the hall, then it won’t sound better in the room.


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