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Southern California AK 2022 / 2023 Meet-up Info & RSVP

David_NC

David_NC

Super Member
I thought we should have a thread for a 2022 / 2023 meet-up. It's been well over 2.5 years since the last big one, as far as I know, and it's definitely time we plan another one.

We have quite a bit of planning - where, when, format, featured equipment and systems, etc. Let's use this thread to get it organized.
 
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Here's a repost I made on the old 2021 thread, but it still applies:

One thing that might help with this is to start thinking about and planning a 'theme' or topics of interest for the get-together. I've found that doing this helps events come together and be more fun and useful. In the past we had a couple small workshop type things going on - ultrasonic record cleaning and tube testing. Of course, we had several systems set up to compare and enjoy.
Some random thoughts that come to mind might include DIY / home-built equipment (such as amps and speakers), equipment restoration, high-end SS amp shootout, tube preamp comparisons, best low-cost system, turntable and cartridge setup and tweaking, reel-to-reel show and tell, vintage tube amps, subwoofers, speaker and room testing (REW, calibrated mics, etc), and flea watt amps with appropriate speakers.
Personally, I'll be putting together a set of open baffle speakers with vintage EV coaxials. If they turn out well, those might be fun to include, as I bet many haven't heard any OBs or coaxial hi-fi speakers. I also have Subzilla, a Covid project from last year that resulted in a great subwoofer.
Maybe those who are interested in a meet-up can come up with some ideas of what they'd like to share or demo or of topics or equipment they'd be interested in hearing and learning more about.
 
A new listener was added to our household last Wednesday. Say hello to Dani California.
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Dani’s Song

Getting born in a park beneath the seesaw
Papa was a guard dog, mama was a Shiba
Up in Chino, she was a disaster
Price you got to pay when you’re raised without a master


She never knew that there was anything more than poor
What in the world does the dog catcher want me for?


Got no collar, ain’t no brawler
Spent her time living in squalor
She's a runner
Rebel, and a stunner
On her own saying baby, “whatcha gonna?”


Chasing tires up on Interstate 405
‘S just no way to survive


California, be at peace
Days of torment soon will cease
California, show your teeth
She's my doggie
I'm your beast
Yeah, yeah


She's a lover, baby, and a kisser
Should've seen it coming, glad I didn’t miss her
With a name like Dani California
Day was gonna come when I was gonna own ya


A little restless, she was chasing another truck
I can’t believe my own luck


California, be at peace
I have come for your release
California, show your teeth
She's my baby
I'm your beast
Yeah, yeah


Who knew the love inside of you?
Who knew that doggies died there too?
Too true, can’t say goodbye to you
Who knew, can’t say, say, say


Eat the Kibble, fatten up the middle
One for the now, and eleven for the nibble
Never caught a Lexus or Toyota
Catcher man
Was gonna make his quota


In Costa Mesa she was saving the best for last
She’ll finally have the last laugh, Get your own pound hound fast


California, be at peace
I have come for your release
California, show your teeth
She's my sweetie
She’s no beast
Yeah, yeah


California, be at peace
You have just received release
California, show your teeth
She's my puppy
I'm your beast
Yeah, yeah


 
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I would be interested as well. I like the idea of a stereo shootout and maybe an overall theme of "best sound ever" would be fun and could extend to specific equipment, recordings in various formats, or vintage vs. modern.

Tom
 
Keeping a lookout, would love to attend! Thanks for starting the thread. :beerchug:

Would sure enjoy hearing some open baffles, been wanting to make a pair myself for a long long time.
 
We seem to have some interest, and a couple have thrown out some fairly specific ideas (such as the 901/I's and open baffles). That's not gonna be enough for a get-together; we need more!

Let's try this; instead of an overall theme, maybe list some things you're willing to bring that is:
  • your favorite piece of equipment / one (or two) components that you think sound the best or that give you goosebumps
  • audio equipment that you've built
  • what you listen to daily / most
  • something rare but sought-after that others would likely not hear elsewhere
  • a piece of equipment that sounds much better than most would expect ('hidden gems')
  • media - records, SACD, DVD-A, digital / streaming, etc that impresses you
Next, let's add some stuff you'd like to hear. Some ideas might be:
  • open baffle speakers and 901's (both listed above)
  • tube amps, maybe vintage vs modern
  • big subwoofers
  • mid-line (aka affordable) 'classic' SS amps and receivers from the 70's
  • media - records, SACD, DVD-A, digital / streaming - HD / high-res, records, formats you're interested in experiencing
Then, we can work on location and date.

To get started, I can include pretty much anything that I have that anyone is interested in hearing. This would include Dual 1219, Sherwood S-5000II and HK A300 tube integrateds, Sony TA-2000 preamp, Pioneer ER-420 tube receiver, Concept 4.5D receiver, Dynaco ST-70, Marantz 1060, higher powered pro amps (surprisingly good!), electronic crossovers, several models of ADS speakers, open baffle speakers (Electro-Voice), homemade 'Subzilla', and things I know I'm forgetting.
Things I'd like to hear would be higher powered tube amps, tube preamps, 70's audio equipment, open baffle speakers, amp/ receiver and speaker pairings that sound way better than they should and are 'flexible'; that is, they can handle classical, rock, electronic, organ, vocal, whatever music at normal levels and still sound good. Subwoofers that play deep and low are always fun, too.
 
David
I would like to hear some open baffle speakers. I have read some very good writeups and it sounds interesting. I have some ZU dirty weekend speakers I would like hear on tubes. I am using a 135 watt SS Outlaw receiver and they sound great. Tubes are supposed to make them awesome. Hope to see the gang soon. Can’t believe it almost been 3 years
 
Dcur said:
David
I would like to hear some open baffle speakers. I have read some very good writeups and it sounds interesting. I have some ZU dirty weekend speakers I would like hear on tubes. I am using a 135 watt SS Outlaw receiver and they sound great. Tubes are supposed to make them awesome. Hope to see the gang soon. Can’t believe it almost been 3 years
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It's def been too long! Those Zus would be great to have as part of the get together. I've got several tube amps we can use - ranging from about 12 watts up to 30-35 or so, and I know others will likely be willing to bring theirs, too.
Since we have a couple requests for OB's - make that three requests; I'd like to hear more - let's have OB speakers as part of this one. Mine sound better with a subwoofer, and I have one available for any who need one. These OB's need some space around them to sound best, sort of like 901's, so a larger area would be good for these. I've used them in a mostly empty garage and outside with a wall 5' or so behind them with good results.
 
David_NC said:
It's def been too long! Those Zus would be great to have as part of the get together. I've got several tube amps we can use - ranging from about 12 watts up to 30-35 or so, and I know others will likely be willing to bring theirs, too.
Since we have a couple requests for OB's - make that three requests; I'd like to hear more - let's have OB speakers as part of this one. Mine sound better with a subwoofer, and I have one available for any who need one. These OB's need some space around them to sound best, sort of like 901's, so a larger area would be good for these. I've used them in a mostly empty garage and outside with a wall 5' or so behind them with good results.
Click to expand...
Those same room to breathe and rear space requirement’s work for Dahlquist DQ-10’s which are Semi-OB and also benefit from a sub. A pattern is emerging. I could bring my DQ’s if there will be a nice big amp there. Add in some Magnaplanars and some ‘stats and we have a great unconventional/no-box speaker shoot out. Even though 901’s are boxes they’re pointed at the back wall so close enough?
 
I can bring my Wild Burro Betsy/Eminence Alpha OB's. Fun build but lack bass. I could bring my DQ-10'S, recapped, ribbon tweeter modded. I also have turntables and carts if we wanted to compare MM's/MC's. I have a good feeling we could assemble more gear than we get to in one day. I can also bring wine, I have plenty. I've been looking forward to meeting my local AK'ers for some time. Really looking forward to this.
 
elcoholic said:
Those same room to breathe and rear space requirement’s work for Dahlquist DQ-10’s which are Semi-OB and also benefit from a sub. A pattern is emerging. I could bring my DQ’s if there will be a nice big amp there. Add in some Magnaplanars and some ‘stats and we have a great unconventional/no-box speaker shoot out. Even though 901’s are boxes they’re pointed at the back wall so close enough?
Click to expand...
901's are definitely 'unconventional', so they work. It'd be fun to hear the DQ-10's and the Magnaplanars. I wonder how much space we'll need for these to breath; that might be good info for when we work out where to have this.
I've got a nice dual-mono QSC 3350 power amp with 200 / 300 watts (@ 8 and 4 ohms) that I'll be glad to provide, if needed. Otherwise, I have a Parasound HCA-1000 (125 / 200 watts) that's also available. I also have a couple active crossovers we can use, if any of these allow for bi-amping. Tubes for the highs and mids with SS for the bass is easily accomplished, if we want to try that.
 
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