I posted my thoughts in another message but I think it was lost in the noise.
Listening to an unfamiliar system is always a bit tricky but my impressions of the system while not the wow of some was generally positive. It helps that the room was large and the speakers were pretty good! I am a believer that larger rooms are generally better and this was a very large room.
First thing I noticed, and I have heard in past demos was that when the first track was played (Redbook to DSD512) the soundstage was distorted in space. Didn't seem to affect the music but positioning was off from what I expected. My general sense from past sessions with other upsamplers is that the harder the equipment is working it tends to do wierd things to the soundstage. Maybe it was the track itself but the effect was not repeated in later demos.
The second issue is that the sound was to me in some ways too good. I spoke with Edward after and compared it to HD video. Sometines what I see is too good. I am looking for a little cinema coloration and when it's presented as HD there's a sense of being overwhelmed. It's not a bad thing, at least for me but it's noticeable. I wouldn't describe it as lifeless but I can understand how someone could feel that way.
If you like the full force of the music to take over this is in your sweet spot. I myself like a little less of everything and I totally get how the system can be customized for that which makes it one of the more flexible available.
As I said at the event if I have the $$ I would definitely have this on my audition list to test out it's full capabilities.
Thanks again to the Sound Galleries team for inviting the WBF contingent to what I thought was going to be a small meet and greet and turned into a really fun night.
Beau
Listening to an unfamiliar system is always a bit tricky but my impressions of the system while not the wow of some was generally positive. It helps that the room was large and the speakers were pretty good! I am a believer that larger rooms are generally better and this was a very large room.
First thing I noticed, and I have heard in past demos was that when the first track was played (Redbook to DSD512) the soundstage was distorted in space. Didn't seem to affect the music but positioning was off from what I expected. My general sense from past sessions with other upsamplers is that the harder the equipment is working it tends to do wierd things to the soundstage. Maybe it was the track itself but the effect was not repeated in later demos.
The second issue is that the sound was to me in some ways too good. I spoke with Edward after and compared it to HD video. Sometines what I see is too good. I am looking for a little cinema coloration and when it's presented as HD there's a sense of being overwhelmed. It's not a bad thing, at least for me but it's noticeable. I wouldn't describe it as lifeless but I can understand how someone could feel that way.
If you like the full force of the music to take over this is in your sweet spot. I myself like a little less of everything and I totally get how the system can be customized for that which makes it one of the more flexible available.
As I said at the event if I have the $$ I would definitely have this on my audition list to test out it's full capabilities.
Thanks again to the Sound Galleries team for inviting the WBF contingent to what I thought was going to be a small meet and greet and turned into a really fun night.
Beau
