kwingylee
Well-Known Member
At the danger of offending the exhibitor's community and members who displayed their wares, I am posting my listening impressions from the fest, and list what I believe to be the sounds/systems from the show that impressed me the most from amongst the professionals and the hobbyists. My judgements are based on listening to music that I brought to the show as well as recordings from others that I am familiar with.
I mainly focus on a system's ability to reproduce the human voice, dynamics and other qualities such as soundstaging, smoothness and performance at the frequency extremes.
I find that in this year's AKFEST, the horn based systems were by far the best:
Classic Audio Reproductions - John Wolfe's monster speakers sounded much better this year than last. Maybe is the room, maybe is the Beryllium diaphrams in his horns, maybe is the field coil drivers, maybe is the Atmasphere amps but I had a really difficult time prying myself away from his room. Wish I had the space and the dough.
AK Member Cosmos and Kegger - big big improvement from 2009. Cosmos Tractrix wood horns and JBL 2445 with Beryllium diaphrams impressed me with their smoothness and dynamics. This system with its 15" bass bottom, biamped with Kegger electronics amps and preamps, is a system to be reckon with. This room was consistently crowded and for good reason. Amazing sound at a price that is reachable.
AKMember DWOJO and PUNKERX - I am never disappointed with Dave's Altec 604 rig. These old drivers still have that Altec "magic". Amazing sound with a mere 20 tube watts. PUNKERX's portable FM transmitter and battery of tuners (including the $180 el cheapo SONY) provides a source that rivals CDs and SACDs. Pure class.
David Michael Audio's demo of the Harbeth 40.1 and Luxman amps did a superb job on my CDs. I am bias of course since I used to own multiple Harbeth speakers. Yes, I am keeping my Harbeths, but maybe its time to upgrade my ALtec and Klipchorns.
Other comments:
AKMember SQUIDWARD - y'know, I can count on the Squid for real innovative thinking. I thought the Cornwalls were better last year. But the bass from this year's bass bottoms wowed me, and that crazy 5 driver horn/combiner - what is that all about!!?
Jim SALK's reference system imaged like crazy and looked great to boot. Very high WAF here.
AUDIO Dimensions? - had the coolest looking speakers (white) with a WAF that is out of the ball park. Unfortunately the great looks of the speakers were more than offset by the gigantic CAT multi-tube amplifier. The system sounded very good.
As usual the JOLIDA room looked and sounded good and the small MBL produced an incredible sound stage. The triangular $199/pair NOLA speakers worked well in the room. Love the reel-reel deck. Could use speakers that were more full range next time.
I attended with a buddy from Chicago and had a great time. We also made a major score on some vintage ALTECs. Very productive trip.
Next year, maybe we can get the Klipsch folks to participate?
I mainly focus on a system's ability to reproduce the human voice, dynamics and other qualities such as soundstaging, smoothness and performance at the frequency extremes.
I find that in this year's AKFEST, the horn based systems were by far the best:
Classic Audio Reproductions - John Wolfe's monster speakers sounded much better this year than last. Maybe is the room, maybe is the Beryllium diaphrams in his horns, maybe is the field coil drivers, maybe is the Atmasphere amps but I had a really difficult time prying myself away from his room. Wish I had the space and the dough.
AK Member Cosmos and Kegger - big big improvement from 2009. Cosmos Tractrix wood horns and JBL 2445 with Beryllium diaphrams impressed me with their smoothness and dynamics. This system with its 15" bass bottom, biamped with Kegger electronics amps and preamps, is a system to be reckon with. This room was consistently crowded and for good reason. Amazing sound at a price that is reachable.
AKMember DWOJO and PUNKERX - I am never disappointed with Dave's Altec 604 rig. These old drivers still have that Altec "magic". Amazing sound with a mere 20 tube watts. PUNKERX's portable FM transmitter and battery of tuners (including the $180 el cheapo SONY) provides a source that rivals CDs and SACDs. Pure class.
David Michael Audio's demo of the Harbeth 40.1 and Luxman amps did a superb job on my CDs. I am bias of course since I used to own multiple Harbeth speakers. Yes, I am keeping my Harbeths, but maybe its time to upgrade my ALtec and Klipchorns.
Other comments:
AKMember SQUIDWARD - y'know, I can count on the Squid for real innovative thinking. I thought the Cornwalls were better last year. But the bass from this year's bass bottoms wowed me, and that crazy 5 driver horn/combiner - what is that all about!!?
Jim SALK's reference system imaged like crazy and looked great to boot. Very high WAF here.
AUDIO Dimensions? - had the coolest looking speakers (white) with a WAF that is out of the ball park. Unfortunately the great looks of the speakers were more than offset by the gigantic CAT multi-tube amplifier. The system sounded very good.
As usual the JOLIDA room looked and sounded good and the small MBL produced an incredible sound stage. The triangular $199/pair NOLA speakers worked well in the room. Love the reel-reel deck. Could use speakers that were more full range next time.
I attended with a buddy from Chicago and had a great time. We also made a major score on some vintage ALTECs. Very productive trip.
Next year, maybe we can get the Klipsch folks to participate?