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RMAF 2008 - Your impressions,...

I know there's still few hours to go but I was wondering what my fellow Audiogoners think of RMAF 2008. What equipment left great impression, even what was a bit of a let down...As for me, it was my first year and my time was very limited, but I have to point out Emerald Physics for their CS1 and CS2, which are great speakers, selling for much less (esp. CS2) than you would think. They sound a bit different than what most of us are used to due to their unique design. Unfortunately their need for two amps make it little difficult to integrate them in my system, otherwise they'd be on top of my list. I also have to mention AV123 and GR-Research whose X-static speakers must be one of the best bargains on the market (I know, we all have heard it before...), anybody looking for a $1000 dollar speakers (and even much more) need to give these a listen.
branislav

Showing 3 responses by shadorne

shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I have heard one of the UK's most respected hi-fi reviewers personal system on more than one occasion and I must say it brought tears to a glass eye.

Gawdbless,

Out of curiosity - What were the components in this system?
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Gawdbless,

Interesting. Thanks. I'll swing by Lindfield (beautiful place) one of these days and have a listen to Impulse.

FWIW on "philosophy" - it depends on experience and needs. I have big spaces to fill and a passion for totally realistic dynamics and accurate (not copious boomy) bass. Despite what anyone will tell you - this does NOT come cheap in any speaker. My subwoofer alone is $10K - almost as much as both main speakers. The system custom soffit speaker installation was as much again. I could easily spend twice that on a CDP if I wanted to - but why bother - (do you really think I have not tried?). I do find digital to differ (slightly). Indeed I do prefer my Benchmark DAC1 to the analog cheap Sony megachanger output or the DAC in my preamp but it is not "night and day". While I do get "night and day" differences from speakers - although mostly in the bass and lower midrange when you go to greater expense (massive woofers/cabinets) and to custom installs (including room treatments). So like anything I guess my "philosphy" comes from both experience but also partly different goals/needs.

To sum it up I guess I expect percussion ( a drum set ) to sound like the real thing. I have never heard percussion that sounded realistic on a small speaker - period. However, even a cheap CD player can do a passable job at reproducing drums although the crash, ride and hi-hat can sound a bit grainy on a best-buy type player.
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Gawdbless,

where did you get Lindfield from?

Impulse Electronics used to be in Lindfield, Sussex. I did some digging and it seems they are in Cornwall now (Aspara Acoustics). Sorry, my bad.

got the older TD-8 kit (in storage), always wanted to play drums (to amuse ones self with headphones of course

Good for you! It is a lot of fun but do take lessons as you need to have a goal each week otherwise you simply won't progress. The TD-9 has very good sound. Although not nearly as dynamic as the real thing but pretty good for an electronic set - darn realistic in sound. No positional sensing so I am also considering a TD-12 or TD 20 one day in the future. (Actually I many wait to see if Roland upgrade the rest of their line - the TD-9 only just came out so perhaps in a year or two a new TD-12 will appear?) The mesh pads are simply brilliant - great feel. I use the famous sportcasters headphones and they work great - Seinheiser HD 25 pro. Not quite as nice sound as my trusty AKG 240 headphones but you really need a bit of acoustic isolation when playing electronic drums and as you may have guessed - these headphones are the most dynamic I could find! (Yes my taste for dynamics is insatiable!)
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