L.A. Show, likes, loves, 2 cents

rbbert

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Dec 12, 2010
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Aesthetically I prefer the EXact "towers" with the MM3 and MM2, but these appear smaller and perhaps more easily hidden?
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Aesthetically I prefer the EXact "towers" with the MM3 and MM2, but these appear smaller and perhaps more easily hidden?

my thought was in some living rooms the crossover boxes could be disguised as twin side tables to satisfy WAF issues......so hidden in plain sight.
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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room 475---MSB Technology---second visit---this time playing the new Reference Dac (on top). and yes, I could tell it was not quite the same as the Select II. notice the 3 Select II chassis turned off below.

MSB ref.jpg
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Salon 210---Perfect 8, High End Zone, Ypsilon, Aurender---this room was not operational the first day, they had some gear issue. sounded fairly good but not at the level I expect from this top notch kit. the room was very live and little treatment, maybe they were just satisfied they could make some music. it was just a bit 'harsh' sounding.

P8-1.jpg P8-2.jpg P8-3.jpg
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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Room 320---Zesto Audio----2nd trip---sounded lovely. heard an excellent mono reissue pressing of female vocal on a Mono Ortofon Black cartridge. just a nice sound, not slow or cloudy, just music.

zes-3.jpg zes-2.jpg
 

BruceD

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Dec 13, 2013
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Santa Barbara--(3rd floor)--Cardas, AMG, VTL, Wilson Audio, Audio Element---for whatever reason this one was 'an icepick to the ear' and I ran out.

View attachment 32881 View attachment 32882

Grateful thanks Mike for the excellent Pics and yes your info additions ARE indeed welcome to correlate the gears--Kudos there for the "extra" effort! ;)

Interestingly I know Wilson only use Amps( Mfgs)that do not have/make/etc any association with Speakers their product list--but have to say I agree with your comments on the sonics experienced in this Combo

I've attended numerous Wilson "demos" and why they persevere with those VTL Amps -I'll never know--at least it not McIntosh :mad:!

Sorry I feel both Amps fail to bring out the best in a Fine Speaker presentation.

YVMV

BruceD
 

jazdoc

Member Sponsor
Aug 7, 2010
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I agree with most of Mike's assessments with one major exception....I thought the Tidal room was terrific. My last couple of visits to the VAC/ VonSchweikert room were also great. They played a tape of Piazzola's "Tango Zero Hour" that was a memorable highlight. Catalano's room cost me a lot of coin in LPs (as always). Intrigued by the new Evolution Acoustics speakers; J Tinn's room is always fun!
 
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flez007

Member Sponsor
Aug 31, 2010
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Thank you Mike. almost like "being there".. always curious on the Vivid speakers and the Zest gear...
 

cjfrbw

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Sounds like it was worth attending. Maybe next year.
 

amirm

Banned
Apr 2, 2010
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Man, this is some first class photography Mike and detailed notes to boot! Was great to see you at MSB suite finally.
 

amirm

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Apr 2, 2010
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It was great touring rooms with Ron, Mike, Amir, and others. Turns out Ron and I share similar taste in audio components. I also chatted with Jonathan Tinn, Alex and Fabio, Kevin Hayes, Jim White, JC from Jadis, Volker from Einstein, etc. We have a wonderful WBF contingency and that needs to be pointed out more often :)
For sure. It was great to keep seeing familiar faces, comparing notes, etc. I think we made other people jealous.

Speaking of Jealous, some of you guys are big time royalties at the shows. I saw how companies catered to you.
 

Hi-FiGuy

Member Sponsor
Feb 23, 2015
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I appreciate all the pictures and opinions from everybody, unfortunately I was not able to make the show this year, thanks guys.
 
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asiufy

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Jul 8, 2011
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room 475---MSB Technology---second visit---this time playing the new Reference Dac (on top). and yes, I could tell it was not quite the same as the Select II. notice the 3 Select II chassis turned off below.

View attachment 33234

Hi Mike!

Great to see you again!
The Reference was fresh off the production line (they didn't ship the units back from Munich), and they had just 2 days of burn in on them. Thus, they were sounding *much* better on Sunday, after being on for the duration.
That unit is going back to the factory (here in CA) for a few updates, and then coming back to us, so we shall see how far it is from the SELECT :)


cheers,
alex
 

Folsom

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Oct 25, 2015
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I have to imagine it's hard to impress you at a show Mike, you've simply got it so much better at home.
 

Mike Lavigne

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Apr 25, 2010
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I have to imagine it's hard to impress you at a show Mike, you've simply got it so much better at home.

there is that.

but a show is much more than trying to compete with our references from many higher level, fully mature, completely sorted out systems. which is why the show systems sound so much better by Sunday. they get just that little bit more sorted out......but not all the way for sure.

I can still get immersed in the experience at a show, and listening in a group, where we are all hearing together, brings something to the experience I value.....as well as all the social aspects and exposure to new music and meeting new people.

OTOH I did get home last night and even though it was late I put on reel #1 of 5 reels of a master tape I bought at the show of 'The Allman Brothers', "Live at Fillmore East". OMG! OMG! OMG! it was amazing sounding in the EA room at the show on the ATR-102. in my room on the big rig with the Studer A-820 and King-Cello it was a religious experience I've still not recovered from.

so my system does not take away from the enjoyment of a show, but I know what I'm coming home to.

maybe if a show did not have much gear I had some interest in then that could make a difference.
 

KeithR

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May 7, 2010
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shows are about fun though as Mike alluded to - I mean where else can you meet all the great manufacturers in our hobby? I was chatting with JC Calmettes from Jadis for 20 minutes on power, impedance, and tubes :)
 

SCAudiophile

Well-Known Member
Sep 11, 2010
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Thank you for starting and carrying on with this thread guys,...the photos are amazing and for those of us could not make the East-West commute, very much appreciated!
 

MadFloyd

Member Sponsor
May 30, 2010
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Thank you so much for the wonderful photos and commentary, Mike. And of course to all others who commented as well.
 

asiufy

Industry Expert/VIP Donor
Jul 8, 2011
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shows are about fun though as Mike alluded to - I mean where else can you meet all the great manufacturers in our hobby? I was chatting with JC Calmettes from Jadis for 20 minutes on power, impedance, and tubes :)

That is, for sure, one of the nicest aspects of audio shows!
BTW Keith, did you see that Hervé was there in the Evolution/darTZeel room?


cheers,
alex
 

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