Your "World's Best Audio System" . . . 2012 Edition

[LL21]

One question about TWBAS...is there a practical way to evaluate/incorporate a custom-build to the room? Many of us cannot (or will not) renovate rooms to properly attentuate sound, etc...but boy does it make a difference. in the true SOTA, a custom room is probably a very worthwhile (in many cases necessary) investment...costing way less than some individual components (isn't the FM Acoustics 1811 over a $100K?, or the Arrakis).

Does it make sense to have a well-known Custom firm use a certain software and apply a certain level of finish to a room that could be incorporated into TWBAS? While clearly the changes will dramatically differ based on everyone's room...i think understanding the kinds of and quantums of improvements you heard in your own room might be an educational experience for some of us to read about.

 

[Steve Williams]

Jeff has a SOTA room which has been reviewed

 

[Jeff Fritz]

One question about TWBAS...is there a practical way to evaluate/incorporate a custom-build to the room? Many of us cannot (or will not) renovate rooms to properly attentuate sound, etc...but boy does it make a difference. in the true SOTA, a custom room is probably a very worthwhile (in many cases necessary) investment...costing way less than some individual components (isn't the FM Acoustics 1811 over a $100K?, or the Arrakis).

Does it make sense to have a well-known Custom firm use a certain software and apply a certain level of finish to a room that could be incorporated into TWBAS? While clearly the changes will dramatically differ based on everyone's room...i think understanding the kinds of and quantums of improvements you heard in your own room might be an educational experience for some of us to read about.

Yeah, I am actually talking with a company now that might make some slight alterations to my Terry Montlick-designed room. This is purely to incorporate some products that would be better than what Terry had to work with (he did my room with all DIY-built products at my request). I do plan to write about this change, though not as part of TWBAS. Terry is a a great resource and not crazy expensive by any stretch.

 

[fas42]

Ultimately, I think the SOTA system should let through the recording completely unhindered: no coloration, no distortion, no nonlinearities . . . just the signal. We're not there yet, but I guess that's the journey.

Personally, that would also be my definition: SOTA should encapsulate the goal, not a particular collection of equipment as a list on a piece of paper, but a configuration and setup that achieves a certain level of performance.

In simple terms, the ability to allow the musical qualities of all recordings to be reproduced such that minimum emphasis is made of any limitations of the recording, and, that the perceived sound quality does not vary with the volume of playback, from a barely audible whisper right up to the point of clipping of the power amplifiers. The latter capability is what can trick the mind into believing that the sound is real, that is, SOTA.

Frank

 

[Steve Williams]

http://ultraaudio.com/twbas/twbas_20050915.htm

http://ultraaudio.com/twbas/twbas_20051215.htm

http://ultraaudio.com/twbas/twbas_20060215.htm

 

[Husk]

Jeff, I am surprised that you have not included the Gryphon Colosseum Solo monoblocks?

 

[DaveyF]

I am sure we will have a lot of fun in this thread, but having heard a fantastic demo of the The Sonus Faber with the ARC 610 , Anniversary preamp and Metronome Kalista setup I think they really deserve the classification of SOTA. Even Alexandria X2 onwers that were present were impressed.

Micro and I are on the same page on this one
Jeff, if you do not consider the Sonus Faber's as SOTA, please elaborate and opine as to why you feel that way.

Unlike micro, I have not heard the Sonus Faber's, however, I have a friend who plunked down some VERY long green for these limited edition speakers, he sold his Marten Coltrane's to help fund the purchase.....the Marten's weren't too shabby either.

 

[JackD201]

Jeff, I am surprised that you have not included the Gryphon Colosseum Solo monoblocks?

I believe I saw RH's blog and saw the Colosseums driving the Arrakis but does Gryphon have US Distribution?

 

[MylesBAstor]

I believe I saw RH's blog and saw the Colosseums driving the Arrakis but does Gryphon have US Distribution?

Not to my knowledge though still get emails from Flemming

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

http://ultraaudio.com/twbas/twbas_20050915.htm

http://ultraaudio.com/twbas/twbas_20051215.htm

http://ultraaudio.com/twbas/twbas_20060215.htm

No pictures of the finished room with something fabulous playing in it...besides Jeff?

Tim

 

[JackD201]

Here ya go Tim

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Ahhhh...toys in the attic.

Tim

 

[Jeff Fritz]

Jeff, I am surprised that you have not included the Gryphon Colosseum Solo monoblocks?

The Gryphon Mephisto has now replaced the Colosseum as the top-of-the-line Gryphon amplifier. I did replace my Boulder 2060 with the Gryphon Colosseum in my personal system.

Micro and I are on the same page on this one
Jeff, if you do not consider the Sonus Faber's as SOTA, please elaborate and opine as to why you feel that way.

Unlike micro, I have not heard the Sonus Faber's, however, I have a friend who plunked down some VERY long green for these limited edition speakers, he sold his Marten Coltrane's to help fund the purchase.....the Marten's weren't too shabby either.

It started when I heard them at CES: http://soundstageglobal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111&catid=55&Itemid=88
I had hoped that the setup was poor, and even surmised that on this forum. But I later saw some measurements in one of the British magazines that were, less than stellar, to be kind. So at this point I do not see them as SOTA because of the listening session and examination of the measurements. 2+2= . . .

No pictures of the finished room with something fabulous playing in it...besides Jeff?

Tim

Here are a number of galleries from TWBAS 2009, perhaps a hundred photos or so: http://ultraaudio.com/galleries.html

 

[garylkoh]

Here ya go Tim

Thanks, Jack. Looks like that would rule out the G1.2 and the G2.2 as contenders for SOTA loudspeakers..... Room too small.

 

[JackD201]

Lemme see. Proprietary drivers...check.....measures great....check......sounds awesome......check......

Too big........oooops

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55369615@N00/1484516154/in/photostream/lightbox/

 

[Steve Williams]

Those are some gorgeous speakers Gary

I have only heard them once and loved them

 

[Steve Williams]

Those are some gorgeous speakers Gary

I have only heard them once and loved them

 

[JackD201]

Same here. I have this thing for linesources and concentric arrays. Someday, someday..........

 

[garylkoh]

There is something about a line source that makes real music. That's why there's never a shortage of visitors when we are running-in a pair of these speakers at the factory prior to delivery. Even in an untreated warehouse they make awesome music. Unfortunately, they need so much space that there's no way they will deliver SOTA performance except in the right room.

Jack, you are in the city with the largest concentration of my top loudspeakers outside of Singapore. Are there still 3 pairs of G1's and G2's?

 

[JackD201]

I know of only one of each. Sadly I believe the G1 owner passed away recently. He was an octogenarian who led a full and happy life. His son owns the G2. They belong to the same society as Jadis (the member here not the brand )

There are a lot of big systems here. X-2s, Grand Slams, IRS', your Genesis G1s and G2s, a Pipedreams, a couple of Evidence Masters, a VR-11, a Trio with Basshorns, a Utopia EM, Ivy's, an XRT2K and that's just off the top of my head. Soon I believe a good friend of mine has MM3s coming he's been in touch with JT for distribution rights last we spoke. Supposedly an Everest is coming to town. The quirk is that everybody wants to be unique. You'll rarely see 2 folks with the same 6 figure speaker.