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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
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
One good thing is that at a show most rooms are similar in size and shape. It will be easy to tell when a system sounds good or great compared to other rooms and their associated equipment. With a ballroom setup it can be hit or miss, too many variables.

If your hair stands up or you get goosebumps that's a good sign. Take your own material that you listen to regularly. 

Good luck, have fun and be safe. 😉
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The last show I attended one room let us hear 3 different phono stages.

The first two clearly were tube. The third I said to the presenter, "What, solid state?" "Yeah." Not all solid state, I think he said some kind of hybrid, there was a mosfet or something. Point is, I had no trouble hearing to the level of being able to detect one solid state part in a whole component never heard before, in a system never heard before, in a room I had never been in my life, playing music I never heard before.

This was at least 20 years ago.

I don’t know why so many of you find this so hard. I do think however in light of the above maybe pay attention to someone who actually knows what he’s doing? As our second greatest most famous president would say, What have you got to lose?
tvad's avatar
tvad
11,550 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.



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