Chicago Area AK Get Together Redux

[ekmanning5]

What a time I had! The food was good, the gear was great, and of course the AKer's and family were absolutely the best. Thanks to Bob and Colette for grasciously opening their home to us. Also to Snade and Sleddogman for their organizational skills. And to all who attended. I really enjoyed meeting everbody.
What's everyone doing next weekend?

 

[clydeselsor]

What a time I had! The food was good, the gear was great, and of course the AKer's and family were absolutely the best. Thanks to Bob and Colette for grasciously opening their home to us. Also to Snade and Sleddogman for their organizational skills. And to all who attended. I really enjoyed meeting everbody.
What's everyone doing next weekend?

Party at Ed's house!!!!

 

[rgrjit8]

The best fun I've had since Elton showed me what else can be done with stringed sausages!

Surprises for me:

- Carl's little kit tube amp (K-12) really held it's own in the face of bigger, and prettier, competition.

- Though I'm a bass freak, it never occurred to me that any of the systems would be markedly improved by a subwoofer. Tube watt conservation would have been the only real benefit.

- Dynaco A-25s knocked my socks off. I couldn't believe the sound that came from such small boxes. I picture myself swinging elbows and raking eyes to be first to get them if I ever spot a pair. I believe the rotten scoundrel...err.... fine young gentleman, Ed Manning, found them for 10 bucks.

- Klipsch Heresies. I've reviled these speakers on the board for years. I was smug in my impression that the were absolute crap. I had bought them in a package deal with some Mac stuff was the only reason I owned them. I gleefully discarded them to some sucker on Ebay with a great deal of malice aforethought. I prayed they went to an abusive and ruthless new home.
Well, let me tell you, after hearing them last night with righteous front end equipment and tube power, my selling them now ranks as one of the top five audio regrets of my dissipated life.

- Also impressed with Powerman's so-called "beater" 2 way JBL monitors. I believe he referred to them as some type of proto L-200. Nice, crisp, full sound. Model #4671 ???

- I was amazed at the number of times I caught myself caught up in the music, my mind undistracted by thoughts of equipment comparisons, tweaks, speaker placement, room acoustics etc. This is as it should be of course, but it had never happened to me in one place, so many times, for such long blocks of time.

- I have to rethink my entire listening philosophy.

- Finally, a Big Thanks to Robie and his wife for their courage in opening their home to a pack of vicious audiophile types.

 

[sleddogman]

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to Snade and most of all, to Robie and his wife (soon to be nominated for sainthood) for graciously opening their home for all of us to gather and get to know one another.

Thank goodness for name tags! To anyone I didn't get a chance to meet and say hello to, my apologies and I'll surely try to do so at the next event. There was an absolute wealth and diversity of tube equipment, speakers, turntables, and music. My head is still spinning.

For everyone who was asked, "What is that?" here's the list of music I brought and promised to post:

Chiaroscuro - Mike Marshall and Darol Anger

Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano - Jean Pierre Rampal and Claude Bolling (CBS Masterworks)

Enigma - MCMXC a.D.

Link - Oystein Sevag

Red Dust & Spanish Lace - Acoustic Alchemy

Too Far To Whisper - Shadowfax

J2 - The Counterattack of Siberia Yagyu (original anime soundtrack)
​

I hope to see you all again at the next gathering!

 

[Robie]

- I was amazed at the number of times I caught myself caught up in the music, my mind undistracted by thoughts of equipment comparisons, tweaks, speaker placement, room acoustics etc. This is as it should be of course, but it had never happened to me in one place, so many times, for such long blocks of time.

- I have to rethink my entire listening philosophy.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Richard.

 

[cfranz]

No-one wanted my Martini's?

Oh, boy. What a fabulous time. Great food, really good company. Amazing music. You know, I could kind of get to like Trance.

Special appreciation and thanks to Snade, Robie and his wife. Especially for Robie's wife. A saint, that woman. What is it about the wives of audio nuts? I've, over the years, met dozens and they are gems, one and all.


I cried all the way home that I couldn't steal the Hereseys. What amazing speakers. Although I'm sorry I didn't spend any time upstairs as that's where the vinyl was spinning.

And that tube CD player. That's possibly the most articulate I've ever heard. I want one.

Those A-25s. Wow. Perhaps the best cheap (under $200) speaker ever.

The Eastern Electric and the other one (sorry, forgot the name of it) that were downstairs were amazing on the Heresey's. The Forte's also, but just a little more civilized on the Heresey's.


While I'm thinking about it. Several people asked me about that cheap kit amp. I think you just cannot get the K-12M kits anymore. However, you can still get the K-502 which some people like even better. I found them at Antique Electronics which I swear had the K-12 just a month ago. Just cannot find them anymore.

The company which made the kits was S-5 Electronics. They have other kits although they mostly make integrated amps now. And for the record, I have no association what so ever with them.


Several people sounded sorry that we managed to blow the SET 2A3 monoblocks. No worries. Give me an excuse to fool with them again. It appears that I have a bad tube socket. But, if that were all the problem is, I would have expected to blow a different cap. :scratch2: The fun is just starting.


God bless all the people who came and made it special.

 

[sleddogman]

So where are all the photos that everyone was taking...? awprint:

 

[Robie]

Pics from March 8 Chicago Get Together

I have about 40 photos that I have been reluctant to post as some people may not want their pics on the internet.

I have posted pics but not identified anyone by name. If you are pictured and don't want to be, PM me and I'll delete it.

BTW, thanks to my friend Gary for taking most of these pics.

Click to enlarge.


Opening art shot to establish the sophisticated context.


The ladies were well represented.


A motley crew in search of tubes.


Tech extraordinaire in the house.


The basement was the place for multiple tube-based systems and was actually quite busy all day.


Thanks to both of these guys for contributing so much to the event.

 

[Robie]

More Pics


Mostly Sleddogman's Dynaco tubes including his Carver tube CD player. I believe that is SWL_3600's Juicy preamp on top that I somehow missed.


Our event's opening fireworks. Unfortunately, smoke but no sound. Cfranz's SET amps we never got to hear.


Klipsch, JBL, Allison and Rega speaks.


The messy part of my mancave (utility room) with MA230, Genesis Model 10/Spendor SA2 and Rotel TT (not in picture) rocking this room all day for the reflective crowd.


The living room set up. Mostly Stereo 70s but with some glorious sounding Dynaco A-25s. Even with a quick set up in an existing room they sounded remarkable. (Note 50/50 male female mix which made for an even better event.)


The living room was mostly socializing with some great tunes. Event organizers should consider providing both listening rooms and rooms for socializing.


Events like this are as much socializing as listening.


Some of our lovely guests. Hope the wives had as much fun as the men.

 

[Robie]

Even more pics.


Even the women seemed to be having a good time.


Rgrjit8's delicious homemade eggrolls being warmed by our hostess. Hostess did a phenomenal job and, like the host, managed to have a bit of fun along the way.


A quiet room for socializing.


Our host with well known JBL maniac.


Attendees all the way from the frozen tundra to the north (Wisconsin).


More socializing around the food. Note to self: Hide all the boxes the equipment and food arrives in before taking pictures.


Attendees try to figure out how sound so good comes from a pair of lowly A-25s.


The amazing Eastern Electric integrated (with chrome handles) in the foreground.


Note to self: Provide tables for amp and equipment setup for future events.


Two temporary occupants of the sweet spot in the basement.

 

[Robie]

A very audio savvy couple.


Host's daughter/TT nut and host's college roommate/friends/audio nuts. Daughter deserves great thanks for helping out with transportation duties and greeting guests before "escaping" to a HS dance.


Two attendees and "old" friends/audio nuts.


Some critical listening even with the photographer standing in front of the speaker and ruining the soundstage. We were all mesmerized by tubes that day and got to hear some great pieces of equipment.

Thanks everyone for attending and bringing your equipment to share.

 

[ekmanning5]

Thanks for posting these great pictures Bob. Mrs. Manning enjoyed seeing the faces behind the stories!

 

[Fisherdude]

That's what we're talkin' about!

As Bob mentioned several times, and as the pictures clearly show, the standing around with a beverage while yapping with a bunch of like-minded audio nuts was tied with the music as the high point of the evening.

One request of future photographers...please don't take pictures of me in profile. My daughter saw the shots and went into hysterics. "You look like you're 80!!":sigh:

 

[ekmanning5]

One request of future photographers...please don't take pictures of me in profile. My daughter saw the shots and went into hysterics. "You look like you're 80!!":sigh:

Hey, I shaved my beard off after I saw the first pic from Snade. Who the hell was that old man with the grey chin? Man its rough gettin' old.

 

[Robie]

I have several other pics. If any attendee wants a copy of pics, PM me with an e-mail and I'll send you pics.

 

[Savjac]

What a great event this must have been. I almost am sorry I moved from Chicago until I looked out the window of one of the photos and saw that white stuff. Never the less, thanks for sharing.

 

[Zekeman]

I think we should have a Quarterly AKChicago event. The gig at Robies was alot of fun...far too much to wait for another year. I say we take Clyde up on his offer of the Athenium and jump on it and nail down a date.

Any endorsements?

 

[ekmanning5]

I think we should have a Quarterly AKChicago event. The gig at Robies was alot of fun...far too much to wait for another year. I say we take Clyde up on his offer of the Athenium and jump on it and nail down a date.

Any endorsements?

I second!

 

[Robie]

I third.

I'll contact Clyde (cfoster).

Who's going to be the organizer, were you volunteering Zekeman?

Perhaps Cubdog will volunteer for a Summer event.

 

[Retro Stereo]

I think we should have a Quarterly AKChicago event. The gig at Robies was alot of fun...far too much to wait for another year. I say we take Clyde up on his offer of the Athenium and jump on it and nail down a date.

Any endorsements?

Perhaps you fellas (and wives) should take the short drive (and I really mean short drive) to Detroit for one of your events, AK Fest to be exact! :yes:

Us boys (my wife and 14-year-old son are going as well) from Minnesota, Iowa, and Kansas City are meeting at Army's place for our trek to Detroit early Friday morning. We'll be more than happy to stop anywhere along the Interstae 80/94 route south of Chicago to add more to our caravan.



Retro