2013 RMAF must see/hear Products and your Fab Five?

[cjfrbw]

You should consider the Allnic H1500. LCR phono, I traded up to that from Manley Steelhead, should be able to find it used for a good price.

Also, some of the older CAT preamps with phono are excellent deals for sound quality, but I would prefer the Allnic unit.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

You should consider the Allnic H1500. LCR phono, I traded up to that from Manley Steelhead, should be able to find it used for a good price.

I've eyed that one and will look for it. So far (in Canada) I've not seen any for sale.

 

[tony ky ma]

John, all tube with LCR RIAA filter phono stage is the final step for you to looking for, better save money not to other type
tony ma

 

[KeithR]

John-You may have already done this before, but what is your reasonable price? The Manley Chinnook phono stage is tube based and it retails for $2500 I believe. I have heard it and it put a smile on my face.

I know several people who believe the Manley Steelhead was easily bettered by a Jasmine phono stage that costs less than $600 on ebay. YMMV.

 

[puroagave]

the jasmine lp2.0se is really good considering price, i gave a short review somewher on wbf. johnny, if you like tubes check out the rogue ares, you can find one for ~1400 used. i owned a zesto andros at the same time along with the whest ps30rdt, pass ono, aqvox 2ci and krell kpe ref and the ares is what i ended up keeping. jerry siegel loves his http://www.10audio.com/rogue_ares.htm

 

[DSkip]

If there is anyone who is familiar with the Usher 6311 or MD2 and is going to the show, I would to get a report on how they compare to the Magico S1 (if they appear at the show). I'm looking at this possibly being my next speaker in 3-4 years, but don't know when I'll get the opportunity to hear it.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Thanks guys for the options you presented. I've listed them down and will try to get more info about each of them.

How's the show so far?

 

[jazdoc]

The High Water Sound room was the highlight for me today. Also impressed by DeVore, dc10audio/Elliot Studio Sound and Kanso Audio Furniture.

 

[rbbert]

I'm very curious about the sound in the GR Research / Dodd room; $40k line source speakers with tube amps (and possibly battery powered tube preamp?)

 

[cjfrbw]

Anyway, made it through the ground floor, second, and floors 11, 10 and 9. Many great sounding systems IMHO, but the Border Patrol/Volti really blew me away, favorite so far, massive power supply with two 300b's per channel and the corner loaded Klipsch like horns. Imaging was too large, but I suppose I could get used to that.

Got a picture of Fremer's bald spot, if he doesn't give me free Ypsilon stuff, I'm going to publish it.

 

[mauidan]

"RMAF's opening day—lines stretching through the lobby, out the doors, and around the parking lot"

Looks like an AARP meeting.

 

[Steve Williams]

It is an absolute horrible means of registering

 

[Steve Williams]

Here's my flash of the night before I go to bed.

IMHO the one room that stands head and shoulders above the rest is Nick Doshi/Paragon Sight And Sound.

I have been back there at least 6-8 times since yesterday and nothing even comes close. All of Nick's new models were on display. What's even more amazing is all of the gear Nick was showing has already been sold.

I might change my mind tomorrow when I hear the Wilson XLF/twin Thor subs.

Stay tuned.

 

[cjfrbw]

The tapes in the Doshi room clearly create their own unassailable standard. However, the bad juju between me and the smaller Wilson speakers seems to continue, I don't know what it is.

All I could think was, Wow, I would really like to hear this with some Apogee ribbons.

 

[arthurs]

What speaker is Doshi with Steve?

 

[mauidan]

What speaker is Doshi with Steve?

Looks like the Alexias:

 

[Steve Williams]

Indeed it is.

I have heard the Alexia now 5-6 times but it wasn't until now that I really heard them sing

 

[jazdoc]

View attachment 12144 View attachment 12145

Anyway, made it through the ground floor, second, and floors 11, 10 and 9. Many great sounding systems IMHO, but the Border Patrol/Volti really blew me away, favorite so far, massive power supply with two 300b's per channel and the corner loaded Klipsch like horns. Imaging was too large, but I suppose I could get used to that.

Got a picture of Fremer's bald spot, if he doesn't give me free Ypsilon stuff, I'm going to publish it.

+1. Border Patrol sounded great with the Volti.

 

[cjfrbw]

I'll give one more nod to the "so far", the bargain system of the show was Zu Audio system powered by a single Peachtree integrated and a separate subwoofer. Sound punched way up there, utilizing some digital vinyl rip files from a new company called "Sweet Vinyl" who are ripping tens of thousands of premium vinyl records to hi rez digital and have purchased the license to sell them.

The Zu vendors are also very cool, young guys with real audio passion.

 

[ozarktom]

For those at the RMAF show, do not miss the Vaughn Loudspeaker room. This is a must if you have never listened to plasma drivers. Jim says the system is very well dialed in.

This is just a pic from his website.