Nothing against DartZeel or CH phono that he also has. Sure, it is not our business regarding his money and prices he got. It would've been even less of our business had he not mentioned the money subject from time to time. And he didn't do it in a confident manner. In any case, I wish he'd explained his equipment choices. Maybe he couldn't so he didn't. Up to him, but his video is very disappointing. Playing with Beatles records was not convincing either.
"Do you agree with his choice ?" respectfully, whether I agree or not, or whether any of us agree or not, it was/is HIS choice. And I'm not sure if all the posters watched the entire video, but Mike is upfront about what he owns and what he doesn't. It is none of our business how he pays for it.
@inna -I heard those beautiful DartZeel mono's at the LA Audio Show, along with the matching DZ preamp with Evolution Acoustics speakers and separate crossovers with a Studer RTR playing Frampton's "Lines on my Face", and it was just sublime. You can probably find other comments I made about that system if you search my username. -I've also heard the Alexx speakers very recently and they are really good, but not my favorite though I do love the smaller Sabrina.
I like fancy Chinese words. plenty of gear made over there, perhaps we should have more or perhaps less respect. If I live in that place I would be constantly tripping over power cords and I surely would forget where I put my martini....
Hi, I actually own Michael's last Tara Lab's speaker cable's, the omega gold that he upgraded from, the actual pair, I'm very satisfied with the sound, I am surpised that he has such a small room for the system he has , out of all cable's out there, I can understand why he has not found better than Tara Lab's, but like he said, an audio system is personal preference, however, I own a complete loom just like Michael does, I have always come back to Tara Lab's cable's after trying an enormous amount of other's on the market, I have been useing Tara since their conception of their company, to each their own , so many flavors , There is something for everyone, cheers🥃🍷🍸🍹🍺🎼🎶🎵.
Great videos I’m glad the Sterophile crew is creating these. Jason Victor made a great comment at the end of his about the amount of joy he gets out of his system and he hopes others are also able to find this. Great comment.
Just one recommendation for Mike F, get a leak sensor under that water heater!
*G* Y'know, at the end of the day, it just makes me feel OK that my 'listening space' ISN'T PERFECT....nor will be anytime soon. *S*
Yup, Nice equipment. Considering the 'owner', I'd be shocked if it wasn't. I'll give Mike 'major marks' for posting the vid...it's a real 'enlightenment' to see that 'his space maybe wasn't what you'd expected'....;)
To begin with, he made that video and wanted us to see it, maybe wanted us to discuss it too, so we are discussing it. But where is Michael himself? Michael, why not all Ypsilon ? And what did you do to your Studer ? $30k for Tara speaker cables ? They can go f...ar away from me.
"why does he explain how he acquired this stuff??? "
Because he was explaining that he has that equipment because he likes it enough to pay for it, even if he has to get a loan to buy it, that he does not have it because the manufacturers gave it to him. Believe it or not, there are people who believe that high-end audio is a huge scam, a conspiracy in which audio reviewers conspire with greedy manufacturers to fleece unsuspecting audiophiles out of their hard earned money.
@mr. m. It's called "put your money where your mouth is." I see nothing wrong with what he said so I respectfully disagree with you. Fremer is very fortunate to have a system of that caliber.
It's interesting that at the beginning of the video he says it's nobody's business where all his money comes from. Yet he goes to great lengths of explaining what he owns, what he does not, and that he went to a bank to get loans to pay for equipment. If it's nobody's business, why does he explain how he acquired this stuff???
" I would expect him to have all Ypsilon electronics, I don't know why he didn't do it."
He has very expensive equipment. The Dartzeel is not cheap by any means and the Ypsilon are probably twice the price. I am sure money came into play as to why he didn't get all Ypsilon gear. I have almost 60K invested in my system and that is probably just the price of his amplifiers.
It is definitely for near field listening, almost like big headphones. And he certainly wanted his rig to be very sensitive to the smallest changes. He also had to pay for all that, and though he might've been able to afford better equipment he probably just didn't want to spend huge amounts, what he has is already very expensive, even with deep discounts. I remember reading his reviews of the Continuum Caliburn and Ypsilon phono stage and Ypsilon preamp. Unlike in other cases he was flying out of his pants, he was in awe when listening to those pieces. So he got two of them out of three. I would expect him to have all Ypsilon electronics, I don't know why he didn't do it.
Feng shui is really nothing more than Information Fields with fancy Chinese words. Sound Quality is a function of Entropy. I.e., the less “clutter” (e.g., books, record albums and CDs) the better the sound.
I’m with the Mikey fans, thoroughly enjoyed his tour and banter and fun nature, my kind of guy, pretty cool. Who cares what Anyone thinks about anyone’s system, It’s about the music and the choices of the listener isn’t it?
Do you really think a manufacturer will say something negative about the sound of Fremer's room? However off scene I've been told directly by one importer who's been to Fremer's place that the sound was just OK that from everything everyone has said here the speakers did not open-up as expected and could have definitely sounded better if they were in a larger room. BUT when a change was made whether it was a cable or piece of gear it was easily heard and that's what Fremer reports on. Fremer is honest and that's all we can ask for in a reviewer.
Reminds me of when pics of the room Harry Pearson squeezed the IRS' into came out (no pun intended ;-). Everyone was aghast, and his judgment and previously-unquestioned credibility became suspect.
I wish I had the ability to look at a room and tell whether this or that equipment will sound good in that room. How is that any different than looking at specs and predicting sound qualities? Any number of manufacturers and other reviewers who have listened in Fremer's room say it sounds great. Are they all in on a conspiracy?
So, how important is it to be KING OF THE HILL? Does everyone have to agree with your choices 100% for you to be “content” with your choices?
Isn't it in human nature to want to be the best or have the best at all costs . . . and argue to infinity if someone dares to disagree with your impeccable choices? I mean, how dare anyone like something different than you or think their system is better than yours?
Where does the arguing lead to as far as solutions? After all, the manufacturers are always coming out with “the BEST” and after all these years of development and diminishing returns, the only thing that this hobby never reaches is the quo-essential BEST . . . or the price tag to go with it. There is a certain amount of snake oil here, as survival in profitability, in job security, etc. is dependent on achieving the next best whatever, before the next best whatever is achieved -- and EVERYONE lusts over it -- knowing full well that they just cannot afford “the BEST.”
But for those whose pockets can afford “the BEST” how do they know in this planned obsolete progression, when even at the time of purchase, their latest and greatest is already today's leftover? I think the ONLY absolute is that debate, arguing, and testosterone will continue to be the factor .. . and that “the BEST” will always be just enough out of reach to keep the hobby fresh, the consumer involved, and the manufacturers happy . . . AND BY THE WAY -- I have “the BEST” and Michael can eat his heart out in envy! Lol!
Wow, that was illuminating. The tour will cause me to greet much of what he reports with a good deal of skepticism. The room is far too small for the speakers--not sure how he can report on soundstage depth or width given the placement. Or bass response for that matter. It matters not how much he spent or what gear he has--in that space he will get nothing better than mediocre sound.
Great video. I think Michael Fremer is an honest and gifted reviewer. I wish I could visit his space and hear what it all sounds like.
...That said, I am having trouble understanding why some comments here completely ignore what Fremer says. In fact, it strikes me that many comments here were made without making any effort to get past whatever bias the commenters bring.
I suppose he certainly derives pleasure from his "work." I prefer to have separate work and leisure spaces. I also believe a cluttered space can make for a cluttered mind, but some thrive in such environments.
Every pair of speakers I’ve owned benefits from ample breathing room, especially when it comes to front-wall proximity. He claims his room treatments negate those boundary issues, but I have a hard time believing that claim. If he does experience bass issues, the culprit is no mystery.
That said, he owns some very nice gear. I love the look of his monoblock amps.
I hope he has his records off the floor. Water heaters eventually fail and he had records right beside his in the utility room. I like a tidy room but to each there own. Like he said it is a work space.
Seems like a typical gearhead, audiophile, mad-scientist laboratory. When you are as busy as he is there isn't time to be neat and pretty. He's eccentric, extremely knowledgeable and pretty humorous as well. Good for him! And - I'll take the Alexx speakers anytime he get tired of them. Go Michael, and thanks for all your work, listening and critiquing.
I remember meeting Michael in one of the notorious RMAF elevators - and as a Coloradoan, well he felt a bit = well you know... from back there. (anybody who knows Pail McGowan knows a typical colorado audio dude).
BUT, you gotta admit, Michael is a TRUE audiophile. Down to the grit audiophile - textbook. I'm impressed with his approach, it doesn't matter who agrees with anything, that misses the point! He's a fanatic, he's welcome back here anytime. And we'll make an extra seat out here for him too...
And by the way, we're all pretty sad out here for sure. Boulder is in mourning. We've lost some true masters of the field.
Mike states at least a couple of times before you see his room that it is a work space not a social space. He has that particular equipment because that is what he likes. I'm sure he gets great deals, but obviously he will spend whatever it costs to get what he wants, so what you see is what he wants.
I've read a couple of accounts from people who have visited his room and they were blown away by the sound.
He needs to hire Jim Smith to come in and voice his system since his setup defies everything that the experts tell you to do. For example: the Wilsons are close to the back wall, where is the rule of 1/3's. Where is the room treatments? Again, the experts will tell you the room is the most important element in an audio setup. Maybe it sounds ok, but i'm sure it could be much better.
Funny how probably nobody here has met Mike, been to his home, or understands him as a person. Mike is a music lover, not so much a gear lover. He probably gets a good price on some gear but it is still not cheap. The room is his main listening room and yes cramped and small. Messy yep, and he knows all of that already. The system helps him evaluate other components which is what he does for a living. Hearing the system is something special. It may not be your particular cup of tea in all areas but you get to hear what he hears and then you can understand what he describes when he reviews components. Mike loves vinyl and he knows records extremely well. He would help anyone who asks him for advice on purchasing recordings. IMO Mike is a good person and only tries to offer to help anyone that wants to make a good decision on a component. Happy Listening Mike!
Fremer is a character, and a likable one at that. I really enjoy his stories and his style. That his room is cluttered is fine with me. It's similar to mine in many ways. The clutter is his, and it's what give it his own unique style. I was drooling over all the cool gear and records he has.
Like buying an expensive sports car and only backing it out and back into your cluttered garage. Get a room! Buy a new house if you have to. He may be mentally ill. He's sure not thinking clearly. What a waste of fine equipment. Is this a joke video? But, of course, what's the trite refrain we're obligated to say? Whatever floats your boat? Sorry, Mike, but I believe your boat has sunk. WTF?
No!! He's batsh#t crazy. Out of his mind and in serious need of an intervention. Doesn't he have any friends or family that cares about him?
I didn't get an impression that he liked his rig very much, but he was definitely attached to his turntable. That's the reason, at least one of possible reasons, of why he didn't explain the choices he'd made. I would not question anyone's hearing without knowing anything. In fact, I thought he sounded tired of all this audiophile stuff. Understandable. It's very boring doing it every day, especially considering that there are no breakthroughs.
I did find it interesting that he made no attempt to explain why things sounded good. They just did. To him. That’s fine for him but not very helpful for his readers. Whatever few are still listening probably do not care either.
Now look though, he like I and many others here are no spring chickens. I doubt he can hear anything above 12khz or so anymore like most everyone. So does that matter?
I agree with others here. One cannot pretend to add, subtract or keep any gear he has because he is an audio equipment review professional with a major magazine. Beside that, everyone has their own ear, their own tastes for sound. Additionally, he can listen to far more gear, at outrageous prices than we can. Many people here, rely on word of mouth and what is written in forums like this. At any rate, I can only take 5% of what professional reviewers say seriously. They have bias, they take incentives and it is very difficult to find a critical or negative review from any of them. MF may be a nice guy, but his opinions are comical for various reasons.
Well, it's his style. I stopped reading reviews on a regular basis a long time ago, anyway. Besides, there is so much used equipment that I think this will forever be enough for me. Except for cartridges and cables. Cables keep improving significantly.
Very nice for that room. Lots of good sounding records. That tone arm looks like the bomb. Way too pricey for me though. I bet the fuses are nice too! 😉
For that 1%. He also reviews music, including on cds. I was polite regarding his digital. I am sure he could at least get Esoteric player or something like that.
Why would Mr. Fremer have a better digital front end when he is 99% a vinyl guy? Great equipment and Mike has a great ear. I couldn't live in such a small room that is so messy. I need things very neat. I question how he can get truly great sound with those big Wilsons in such a small room. He must be sitting right on top of them. I would love to hear his system in Mike Levines Barn listening room.
The room does seem small, I would move all those records somewhere, not much of a breathing space for the speakers. As for the equipment choice, well, he is a reviewer and it is possible that it influenced his decisions of what to keep. He might've had a different or partly different set-up if he was just audiophile. I definitely approve Continuum turntable with SAT tonearm and Ypsilon phono stage. Not sure about the rest. But I definitely disapprove the absense of a Studer deck. This is not serious for a reviewer of his rank. Still, I would expect all tube or hybrid electronics and much stronger digital front end.
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