What I'd love to hear at RMAF

[marty]

A very simple request. I'd love to hear A/B/C/D/ comparisons in the same room of four very good 30K speakers; Rockport Aquila; Wilson Sasha, Sony SSAR1, and Magico S5. Is that too much to ask?

 

[mep]

Yep. What dealer/distributor would have all four lines?

 

[Bill Hart]

I made a similar suggestion in another thread re: having a shoot out of some top systems, under controlled conditions, letting the manufacturers do the set up, etc, so there would be no excuses, in a large enough room, with appropriate treatment as needed, and have a listening panel do a series of separate reviews, concurring and dissenting opinions, etc.
Of course, being able to hear such set ups yourself would be even better- and to the extent these shows are directed to potential buyers, not the 'trade,' it's kind of remarkable that it can't happen. But, I'm sure most manufacturers would be unwilling to participate if they'd risk getting their ox gored.

 

[cjfrbw]

I bet the Sony would win. Of course, that is my audiophile divining rod, which is subject to the usual vagaries of taste (or lack therof), memory, projection and speculation.

 

[Bill Hart]

I bet the Sony would win. Of course, that is my audiophile divining rod, which is subject to the usual vagaries of taste (or lack therof), memory, projection and speculation.

I watched a guy use a divining rod once, and it worked. Amazing. And true. Unlike demagnitization of household animals.

 

[Mike]

I watched a guy use a divining rod once, and it worked. Amazing. And true. Unlike demagnitization of household animals.

Did he attend the Uri Gellar school of honesty?

 

[Bill Hart]

Did he attend the Uri Gellar school of honesty?

It's actually a wonderful story, but i don't want to derail the thread more than i already have.

 

[jazdoc]

I attended the infamous "Durand -vs- Schroeder Tonearm Shootout" at RMAF a couple of years ago. An absolute cluster@#$% well described on this Audiogon thread: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1298806787&openfrom&24&4#24...

Unfortunately, I can't imagine any way manufacturers would agree to a real, controlled comparison. Nice to fantasize about...sigh

 

[rockitman]

Unfortunately, I can't imagine any way manufacturers would agree to a real, controlled comparison. Nice to fantasize about...sigh

Exactly...what mfgr. would risk negative press against the competition. The preferred model to sell hi if gear, IMO, is to make it difficult for buyers to hear all the competitive options at a given price point on a level playing field. We are a captive audience.

 

[MylesBAstor]

I bet the Sony would win. Of course, that is my audiophile divining rod, which is subject to the usual vagaries of taste (or lack therof), memory, projection and speculation.

What are you betting?

 

[cjfrbw]

What are you betting?

My pet demagnetizer.

 

[MylesBAstor]

My pet demagnetizer.

OK you have a bet Sony not in the league of the other speakers. I find it edgy sounding when I've heard them at shows. Couldn't wait to leave the room.

 

[Mike]

It's actually a wonderful story, but i don't want to derail the thread more than i already have.

No problem, Whart!

 

[cjfrbw]

OK you have a bet Sony not in the league of the other speakers. I find it edgy sounding when I've heard them at shows. Couldn't wait to leave the room.

Heard it once with solid state and vinyl. I thought it had a great, deep, mellow classic sound. Go figure, audio shows and all that.

 

[ack]

I bet the Sony would win. Of course, that is my audiophile divining rod, which is subject to the usual vagaries of taste (or lack therof), memory, projection and speculation.

The Sony cabinet is, as always from a mass-market maker, fairly resonant, especially the top plate.

 

[Bill Hart]

Remember the Sony speaker that was made from conga drums?

 

[A.wayne]

I made a similar suggestion in another thread re: having a shoot out of some top systems, under controlled conditions, letting the manufacturers do the set up, etc, so there would be no excuses, in a large enough room, with appropriate treatment as needed, and have a listening panel do a series of separate reviews, concurring and dissenting opinions, etc.
Of course, being able to hear such set ups yourself would be even better- and to the extent these shows are directed to potential buyers, not the 'trade,' it's kind of remarkable that it can't happen. But, I'm sure most manufacturers would be unwilling to participate if they'd risk getting their ox gored.

Because you cannot share floor space and expect anything near a fair result.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I attended the infamous "Durand -vs- Schroeder Tonearm Shootout" at RMAF a couple of years ago. An absolute cluster@#$% well described on this Audiogon thread: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1298806787&openfrom&24&4#24...

Unfortunately, I can't imagine any way manufacturers would agree to a real, controlled comparison. Nice to fantasize about...sigh

actually the correct link for that 'Durand -vs- Schroeder' tonearm shootout is here;

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1287172116

it is quite the entertaining read.

 

[Bill Hart]

Because you cannot share floor space and expect anything near a fair result.

If you had a large enough space to devote to each, why not? I grant you, it would require resources, but I think the politics would dwarf the logistics?

 

[A.wayne]

It could be done and as a manufacturer participating in such an event , i would want a room that would allow two system from opposing ends, the listening audience would have to turn to listen. There would be no other way to do it fairly...

It would still be a difficult sell IMO , still too many variables to make everyone happy ....!!!