Introducing My System
- Thread starter Thundersnow
- Start date
Listening to the original track with headphones you should be able to decide for yourself how far off the mark you are in capturing the specific sound of this recording, especially the vocals. It's hard to tell from a system video.
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It’s a cool little exercise and everyone will have their own take on it. As I said, the last setup I recorded hits the perfect balance for me.
And just to add to that, when listening to a speaker system, my goal is never to get as close to the headphones sound, but rather to hit the sweet spot with the room I’m listening in, regardless of how accurately that may reflect what’s heard on the headphones.
And just to add to that, when listening to a speaker system, my goal is never to get as close to the headphones sound, but rather to hit the sweet spot with the room I’m listening in, regardless of how accurately that may reflect what’s heard on the headphones.
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As I mentioned, it's really up to you to figure out whether you find that the specificity of the recording translates well in your room with your system. No one said it was easy!
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Might as well use my system thread to share this playlist from the Munich High End 2025 I’ve created after wading through the halls for many an hour. It was a rewarding experience for sure. You have a super short comment on each system in each of the video descriptions:
www.youtube.com
Munich High End 2025: DAY 1
My impressions are in the video descriptions. Enjoy the great sound!
www.youtube.com
Thanks! What did you use to record it?Might as well use my system thread to share this playlist from the Munich High End 2025 I’ve created after wading through the halls for many an hour. It was a rewarding experience for sure. You have a super short comment on each system in each of the video descriptions:
Munich High End 2025: DAY 1
My impressions are in the video descriptions. Enjoy the great sound!
Day two of the show and more videos, guys. Again you can read my short first impressions of each system in the video description. Enjoy!
Great coverage, thanks for the hard work and effort.
"No down side but the price" LOL!
"No down side but the price" LOL!
I will use (and abuse) my thread to do a finalized summary of the Munich High End 2025 tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Thundersnow at the Heart of the Storm: Munich High End 2025
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TEXT WRITTEN HERE IS IN THE INTEREST OF MY PERSONAL PURSUIT OF SOUND EXCELLENCE. IF YOU ARE OFFENDED IN ANY WAY BY MY PERSONAL VIEWS I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THE PART WHERE I SAY THESE ARE MY PERSONAL VIEWS. PERSONAL. AND IN CASE YOU’VE MISSED THAT WORD: PERSONAL!
As I start to gather my thoughts after Munich High End 2025, I can say it was an intense two days of packed crowds, sensory overload and an onslaught of good and not so good systems.
In a way, the biggest takeaway from this show is that hi fi is VERY much alive and vibrant — at least if we look at the attendance at the show. Munich was cool, chill and unassuming, the show was well organized, getting around was a breeze and the transportation to and from was great.
In some sort of an attempt to best summarize my impressions I’ll have to categorize the systems in a manner which to me (as an end user) seems logical. Also note that — for the shrewd audiophile — you will be able to easily ascertain my personal preference in music reproduction by my choice of favorites (and duds).
COST VERY MUCH OBJECT (IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY IMPRESSED ME):
1.) ESD
2.) Kharma
3.) IO Design
4.) The big MBL system
5.) Clarisys Atrium
6.) Aries Cerat
So to quickly elaborate some more on my personal tastes. I am firm believer in conveying the dynamics in concert with tone and transparency. I want the live music sound from my music and I’d rather focus on un-amplified instruments (drums and percussions, not to mention string instruments and brass) than on amplified music.
I don’t like it when speakers overdo it in that sense (looking at you Zellaton Ultra), and I don’t like it when a speaker fails to meet this criteria. So to some, what I may find great, others may find too aggressive -- or the other way around. But I am still an active musician so my tastes are formed around what I hear as I interact with instruments on a regular basis.
Finally, if a system is missing from my list (like for example the Wilson/D’Ag Relentless system, or the stellar WE horns), it’s because I didn’t want to wait in old Soviet era style bread lines to get in.
In turn, this brings me to why Clarisys is so far down on my list (after all I own and enjoy their speakers). The answer is simple, the big Atrium system — though impressively sounding like hi-fi cinema and having a very natural way of easing you into the music — lacked power. I am sorry, After you’ve heard Clarisys with Karan POWERa Monos, there is no way you are saying these speakers tick all the boxes with VAC electronics. This is my personal opinion and I stand by it.
ESD, as I said, was a clear winner. Yes I only heard symphonies on it, but if I had to listen to only symphonies for the rest of my life — and on ESD — I’d sign that contract. It's a polarizing system obviously, but personally, I think it's due to the country of origin bias. Put simply, I would maintain that whoever is at odds with me on this system is either tone def, or I am tone def and there is no helping me understand that ESD is not the closest to live classical I've heard.
IO Design was a huge (good) surprise. It’s got finesse it’s got extension, it’s good blistering speed and it kicks like a mule. And all in the right way too!
Kharma was as refined and as clear and musical as dynamic speakers get, but with powerful bass to boot. This is a championship thoroughbred, make no mistake about it. And it costs like one. Possibly even more.
The big MBL was as impressive as ever and Aries Cerat was again very soulful though a touch too forward.
COST FOR MILDLY INSANE (SO WBF CROWDS):
1.) Alsyvox Botticelli and Soulution Electronics
youtu.be
This one was tapping on the doors of “cost very much object” but it’s still in the realm of attainable. The sound was fusing the best of planar and dynamic speaker worlds by offering the unrivaled clarity of planar designs and the kick of a potent dynamic speaker.
2.) TAD Grand Evolution One
youtu.be
Attainable in high end terms and supremely musical. Sweet, extended and yet resolute and powerful. One of the best dynamic speakers of the show.
3.) Acora and Audio Research
youtu.be
I have newfound respect for Audio Research. Acora was relatively new to me but it proved a stellar performer. One of the most musical systems at the show. And to think I’d ever like a ceramic tweeter in a speaker is a total shock to me! Seriously, this was one of the most enjoyable systems I’ve heard at Munich. If I had this at my home, I'd be a happy and content audiophile.
4.) Avalon and Doshi Audio
youtu.be
The sound of pure (lively) music. Yes it’s Accuton but it’s Accuton in all the right ways. This was engaging, musical, tonally just right and with great imaging and kick.
5.) Goebel and Riviera
youtu.be
My friend called it “too aggressive”. I call it a system I’d own in a heartbeat. For a few things it overreaches, it does so many things right I’d own this rig no question.
6.) Fischer and Fischer SN370
youtu.be
Detailed but also organic. The violin sounded alive, zingy but in the right way. This is one hell of a speaker.
7.) Lansche Audio and Klaudio turntable
youtu.be
This one came out of nowhere, the plasma tweeter some may dismiss as a novelty, but to me the sound was refined and engaging.
8.) Magico and Pass Labs XP32 and XA200.8
youtu.be
If it were medieval times I would order a decree to behead every audiophile who dare not pair Pass Labs with Magico from this day forth. Extreme? Perhaps, but highly warranted. Not Pilium or any other amp comes close to breathing life into a (fairly) lifeless speaker in my book like Pass Labs does for Magico.
THIS COSTS HOW MUCH?! WHY?
1.) The Zellaton Ultra system
2.) Marten Coltrane Quintet and Audia Flight
3.) Viva Horns
4.) Big Cessaro horns
5.) Audiaz
6.) EgglestonWorks system
You get the idea here.
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TEXT WRITTEN HERE IS IN THE INTEREST OF MY PERSONAL PURSUIT OF SOUND EXCELLENCE. IF YOU ARE OFFENDED IN ANY WAY BY MY PERSONAL VIEWS I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THE PART WHERE I SAY THESE ARE MY PERSONAL VIEWS. PERSONAL. AND IN CASE YOU’VE MISSED THAT WORD: PERSONAL!
As I start to gather my thoughts after Munich High End 2025, I can say it was an intense two days of packed crowds, sensory overload and an onslaught of good and not so good systems.
In a way, the biggest takeaway from this show is that hi fi is VERY much alive and vibrant — at least if we look at the attendance at the show. Munich was cool, chill and unassuming, the show was well organized, getting around was a breeze and the transportation to and from was great.
In some sort of an attempt to best summarize my impressions I’ll have to categorize the systems in a manner which to me (as an end user) seems logical. Also note that — for the shrewd audiophile — you will be able to easily ascertain my personal preference in music reproduction by my choice of favorites (and duds).
COST VERY MUCH OBJECT (IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY IMPRESSED ME):
1.) ESD
2.) Kharma
3.) IO Design
4.) The big MBL system
5.) Clarisys Atrium
6.) Aries Cerat
So to quickly elaborate some more on my personal tastes. I am firm believer in conveying the dynamics in concert with tone and transparency. I want the live music sound from my music and I’d rather focus on un-amplified instruments (drums and percussions, not to mention string instruments and brass) than on amplified music.
I don’t like it when speakers overdo it in that sense (looking at you Zellaton Ultra), and I don’t like it when a speaker fails to meet this criteria. So to some, what I may find great, others may find too aggressive -- or the other way around. But I am still an active musician so my tastes are formed around what I hear as I interact with instruments on a regular basis.
Finally, if a system is missing from my list (like for example the Wilson/D’Ag Relentless system, or the stellar WE horns), it’s because I didn’t want to wait in old Soviet era style bread lines to get in.
In turn, this brings me to why Clarisys is so far down on my list (after all I own and enjoy their speakers). The answer is simple, the big Atrium system — though impressively sounding like hi-fi cinema and having a very natural way of easing you into the music — lacked power. I am sorry, After you’ve heard Clarisys with Karan POWERa Monos, there is no way you are saying these speakers tick all the boxes with VAC electronics. This is my personal opinion and I stand by it.
ESD, as I said, was a clear winner. Yes I only heard symphonies on it, but if I had to listen to only symphonies for the rest of my life — and on ESD — I’d sign that contract. It's a polarizing system obviously, but personally, I think it's due to the country of origin bias. Put simply, I would maintain that whoever is at odds with me on this system is either tone def, or I am tone def and there is no helping me understand that ESD is not the closest to live classical I've heard.
IO Design was a huge (good) surprise. It’s got finesse it’s got extension, it’s good blistering speed and it kicks like a mule. And all in the right way too!
Kharma was as refined and as clear and musical as dynamic speakers get, but with powerful bass to boot. This is a championship thoroughbred, make no mistake about it. And it costs like one. Possibly even more.
The big MBL was as impressive as ever and Aries Cerat was again very soulful though a touch too forward.
COST FOR MILDLY INSANE (SO WBF CROWDS):
1.) Alsyvox Botticelli and Soulution Electronics
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
2.) TAD Grand Evolution One
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
3.) Acora and Audio Research
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
4.) Avalon and Doshi Audio
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
5.) Goebel and Riviera
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
6.) Fischer and Fischer SN370
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
7.) Lansche Audio and Klaudio turntable
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
8.) Magico and Pass Labs XP32 and XA200.8
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be
THIS COSTS HOW MUCH?! WHY?
1.) The Zellaton Ultra system
2.) Marten Coltrane Quintet and Audia Flight
3.) Viva Horns
4.) Big Cessaro horns
5.) Audiaz
6.) EgglestonWorks system
You get the idea here.
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Great coverage, Thundersnow. I think you have the gift of 'ears'.
I did the crazy thing of playing your YouTube vids over my main system through Airplay.
They sounded better than they had a right to considering the chain. What was kind of strange fun was the way the crowd sounds blew up in the imaging, like the clink-clink stuff in Jazz at the Pawnshop, the background stuff was all over the place in the sound image.
Allegedly, although YouTube uses bit compression, it does not compress dynamics on live feeds, so it is sometimes recommended if you want otherwise to hear music or live concerts with uncompressed dynamic range.
I did the crazy thing of playing your YouTube vids over my main system through Airplay.
They sounded better than they had a right to considering the chain. What was kind of strange fun was the way the crowd sounds blew up in the imaging, like the clink-clink stuff in Jazz at the Pawnshop, the background stuff was all over the place in the sound image.
Allegedly, although YouTube uses bit compression, it does not compress dynamics on live feeds, so it is sometimes recommended if you want otherwise to hear music or live concerts with uncompressed dynamic range.
I am continuing to develop my active DSP-based Yamaha NS-1000M system. I have made further changes to simplify/strip the unnecessary digital elements in the streamer/DSP/DAC section and also further optimize EMI/RFI (still waiting for my case cover to finish that process).
Oh yes, one more thing -- the digital 3-way crossover design was done 100% by AI. I deliberately show the video of a solo violin to have you all get a sense of where one such digital execution is heading:
Oh yes, one more thing -- the digital 3-way crossover design was done 100% by AI. I deliberately show the video of a solo violin to have you all get a sense of where one such digital execution is heading:
By designed, you mean the slope and xo points were selected or something else?
Yes, order and type, high pass and low pass for each driver, cutoff points, low shelf, attenuation and time alignment of each driver.
Played from Qobuz.
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