Munich
Posted by: Bert Schurink on 08 May 2018
I am very very much looking forward to the show even combined with the Can Jam, I might also need to go two days instead of one to cover it sufficiently. In this post I will also provide you with a report as I hope others can do.
According to my Magazine the main setup will be ND555, statement and a Focal Grande Utupia EM Evo.....so let’s see
Bert Schurink posted:glevethan posted:Bert Schurink posted:I wasn’t prepared to be so shaken on my mobile audio front.
So first concentrating on the Sony. Just WOW, listened with my Shures. And was blown away. It gives you the impression of listening to a full blown desktop system. What a depth, soundsignature is a bit warm. Also no hiss anymore like my current one, while it never bothered me by the way. Even while it’s 2000 euros more expensive than my current device, it’s a clear indication of upgrading unless totally other options are considered. Just would need to ensure to get the non capped version - meaning outside the EU.
It’s for me clearly ahead of the Astell and Kern Ultima. Yes the Ultima has also detail etc but it doesn’t have the boogie factor and misses the low end quality of the Sony. If you have the opportunity have a listen to it with good cans, you will be blown away.
I have been using the Sony 1Z for the past year paired with a Focal Utopia and the matching Sony Z1R closed back headphone.
If one day I want to downsize and get rid of my 500 system I would have no problem living happily ever after with this setup.
Did you listen to the Sony via the balanced output or just the single ended. If you only heard the SE then you did not get any idea of what this unit is truly capable of. Balanced takes it into an entirely different league.
And almost 24 hours of battery is not too bad either. Along with 256gb internal storage and 512gb micro SD card that is about - 1200-1500 full resolution FLAC albums in the palm of your hand.
For me a Sony 1Z/Focal Utopia/Kimber Axios headphone cable is my portable 552/500/Klimax DS system.
I listened to balanced and SE already with SE I was blown away, balanced indeed added something. Are you running on an European version with capped volume or do you run uncapped as I am interested how it would drive a big headphone as well in the European version ?
Apologies I see on your profile that you are from the US, so you must have an uncapped version. Would love to get my hands on an uncapped version as well.
So also heard my own speakers with Cardas Audio, while liking my own electronics more. Wow it was a treat to hear Fanfare for the Common man from the Minnesota ...., speakers where in ugly white, so also prefer my own finish...
Bert Schurink posted:So let’s talk about the main events. First the ND555 and later the NDX.
First thing to say was that they had organized the entry into the rooms into an odd way. You had to register yourself on a not very well working French keyboard. At the NDX one I couldn’t even find the dot and it crashed. The idea as such was ok, to ensure no overbooking at not people popping in an out, but the result was rather cumbersome.
The first demo was a problem, they had some technical issues in the first demo and the stuff wasn’t yet at it’s peak, so I had something I need to go again and hear it properly.
which I did after lunch. The demo worked and was much better moderated. So besides the odd effect that the Focals are not my favorites, I found them in this setup much more digestible. They had a good set of demo pieces to show prat and detail, so as such it gave a good impression. So if I tune out the effects of the Focals and the Statement, what did I notice about the ND555
1. Massive PRAT, incredible and very enjoyable. The transcends of notes are working perfect.
2. Soundstage is incredible. You don’t hear so often that type of sound stage
3. Detail retrieval, you could hear things happening which I wouldn’t hear in other setups.
4. Tonality was right on the spot, sometimes a bit bloat in bass, but I had the feeling it was more the speakers given the rest of the accuracy, or perhaps still something to improve.
5. It sounded sometimes so perfect, so effortless.
now of course - I am not sure what effect the other components had on the picture. But I have heard the statement with Wilson Benesch and Linn streamer. And in comparison I would say , much better PRAT detail retrieval similar or better.
So while I don’t know the CD555 - I can belief the claim that’s Naim’s best source. Let’s see if I am right in real circumstances with less accomplished other components.....
More photos to follow. And I do understand that people might be less positive as they get too much taken away by the effects of the speakers. While I had the feeling that the speakers had some negative effects - but that it was okish. Also a point to remark the sound in the morning was by far not so good as the demo I had after lunch, and no it wasn’t me....
So I did now the test in my own system. I can confirm especially the first three points from above in comparison what I hear at home based on the track of Sohn, see below - great track to test the system.
So conclusion:
1. Much more PRAT
2. Much bigger soundstage
3. Quite a number of things - little things I don’t hear at home anymore.
now of course other things also play a role speakers 4 times as expensive I belief, amplification 3 times, and I guess they also had Chord Music Ethernet ...
But I a, convinced and sure it will be a great upgrade for my system....
And again use the track to make comparison for upgrades yourself, it gives quite some info...
At JBL they had a nice workout of Marcus Miller. Was enjoyable, but accuracy was not at the very highest level. A typical system to listen to for rock music...
One of the limited places at which they played classical music. It was nice and sounded very rounded and detailed. These Wilson Audio speakers I like every time I hear them
I don’t know if this is a horn thing but also with this beautiful horns I found the high notes a bit edgy, so not nice to listen piano music ....
Marantz had I guess the designer playing, while I don’t know him. Was nice for an average family who want a nice sound, but it didn’t hit for me an audiophile level. Bass bloated, detail was not enough... also a quite strange cross setup of the loudspeakers, never seen that before...
Audio data from Salzburg Austria - nice room setup, good full sound. A bit bass heavy though...
Martin Logan. Also one of the limited places to hear classical - violin concerto. Great sound, also top end detail is great. Not edgy, fanntastic soundstage. The only strange thing is that if people walk in front the sound falls away. I liked this setup as well.
The Magico was a nice room with nice audio treatment. The speakers had a kind of organic sound with a bit of a warm touch to them. Quite nice, but specific sound signature..
The stand of Melco showed some Melco and the new extension devices. The stand was full of chord music Ethernet and other connection cables........, should have gotten the Ethernet cable on loan :-)
Kef blades had a good sound, although I had the feeling that the Hegel electronics where a bit of underresourc8ng the abilities of the Blades
Then one of my highlights. The Shure KSE 1200 and the KSE 1500. The last time at the high end I heard the 1500, but didn’t have enough closure, so heard somehow what it could do, but not completely given all the noise around. But yesterday I had perfec5 closure and I was really impressed. Tonality, speed, soundstage just fantastic. These ones are even competing with the best of the full sized earphones. Also bass was very tuneful and round. I tested from jazz to progressive metal and nothing was giving them a problem. For comparison. The 1200 is the same than the 1500 but misses the digital DAC and only connects through normal headphone connection. So a “normal” amp. It’s that great that it could be the one and only solution for you. The 1200 is almost 2000 euros while the 1500 is close to 3000. This product will be on my serious consideration list...
Comb8ned with the Sony Walkman it might be a dream combination, while expensive for mobile. Combined at price level 5000 euros.
At the Ultrasone stand I also like the Edition 15, nice open sound, warm relaxing. I also shortly listened again to the Edition 8EX also very nice...
I also had some nice xperiences with the Senheiser HD820. This headphone combines in a way the best of two worlds without having a lot of the negatives. Tuneful bass, good highs, gorgeous mids, great soundstage. This could be easily everybodies darlings. In the early morning I also had a quick listen, at that point I heard some edgy ness in bass and heights. But later in the day I heard them again, and had a wonderful experience. So must have been either break in issue or warm up topic in the morning. As the headphones where different ones. If you are in the market for 2400 bucks, put them on your listening list....
Also had a listen to the Chord Hugo 2 - as before a great device fantastic for in office or at home hearing. While the leaflets showed mobile scenarios I think that’s less likely. Chord Mojo is for me in a whole different league, much less refined but still a great solution....
Audionet had the usual enthusiastic but nervous presenter. One of the best sounds of the show. Their top end stuff is also a kind of statement. A lot of control, warm sound. Very enjoyable. They always demo with cd’s and get quite good results with the cd’s. They also had a k8nd of interesting demo program with variation ....
Act had a nice detailed sound, quite civilized. As I didn’t hear some rawer stuff I was asking myself how the speakers would react to some rougher material. But with what I head I was pleased. Need to spent some more time with them the next time...
Panasonic showed some nice black in their 4K screens...
With AVM I had two strange experiences. Normally they pair with Gauder speakers and compete for the best sound at the show. Detailed, natural sound - you normally can throw anything to it. Now they focused on something completely different. Some strange looking speakers, which so7nded better than expected, but at the same po8nt left me a bit with question marks as if I missed something. They also had a long layer which was demoed.
Then the 2nd part of the strange experience is that I think it was Michael Fremer who walked in or it was another American similar looking journalist. And he started picking records out of his bag to be played. All kind of styles. Ending with a unique pressing of who’s next. And the amazement was that the speaker dealt quite well with it while I had the feeling that i still wanted to hear a stronger foundation.
