Munich

Statement was on display with new Focal Utopia Evo and ND555. In another room 200 electronics, NDX2 and Kanta.

It was very difficult to judge the sound of the ND555, I feel that the sound was dominated by the sonic signature of the speakers. It was big, bold, with unlimited headroom, great resolution and detail.

ND555 was demoed with one power supply, and I was told that is just fine.

best, JN

J Novak posted:

Statement was on display with new Focal Utopia Evo and ND555. In another room 200 electronics, NDX2 and Kanta.

It was very difficult to judge the sound of the ND555, I feel that the sound was dominated by the sonic signature of the speakers. It was big, bold, with unlimited headroom, great resolution and detail.

 

Isn’t that EXACTLY how sources should be, no sound of their own, so the system characterised purely by the speakers (of course using the best speakers one can (whether that means speakers with the sound most attuned to oneself, best matching the room, most neutral affordable etc, depending on taste/preference)

Muttonjef posted:

analogmusic posted:

Muttonjef posted:

analogmusic posted:

tonym posted:

Sorry, you misunderstood. I meant streaming from Melco through the DAVE/Blu2 combination, as opposed to DAVE/Blu2 playing the CD directly.

blimey - glad to be corrected. I don't want to pay for the CD player in Blu2 myself.

Chord have confirmed more Mscalers on the way - (hopefully without the CD player....)

Have Chord confirmed more Mscalers on the way? 

Where did you see that? 

It isn't of much relevance to the Hugo TT, unfortunately as it doesn't have the capability to be paired with an M-scaler.

So irrelevant to you.

The Hugo TT 2 was a fairly safe bet for Munich, and a highly likely upgrade for me in the Autumn.

My interest in M-scaler was very relevant! 

HI Muttonjef.

In all sincerity, if it were my hard earned cash - I would buy the Qutest and wait for the Mscaler.

I think it's time to sell the Hugo TT maybe?

analogmusic posted:

Muttonjef posted:

analogmusic posted:

Muttonjef posted:

analogmusic posted:

tonym posted:

Sorry, you misunderstood. I meant streaming from Melco through the DAVE/Blu2 combination, as opposed to DAVE/Blu2 playing the CD directly.

blimey - glad to be corrected. I don't want to pay for the CD player in Blu2 myself.

Chord have confirmed more Mscalers on the way - (hopefully without the CD player....)

Have Chord confirmed more Mscalers on the way? 

Where did you see that? 

It isn't of much relevance to the Hugo TT, unfortunately as it doesn't have the capability to be paired with an M-scaler.

So irrelevant to you.

The Hugo TT 2 was a fairly safe bet for Munich, and a highly likely upgrade for me in the Autumn.

My interest in M-scaler was very relevant! 

HI Muttonjef.

In all sincerity, if it were my hard earned cash - I would buy the Qutest and wait for the Mscaler.

I think it's time to sell the Hugo TT maybe?

You've clearly looked at my profile, so you should be aware I have active speakers and need the TT's pre amp functionality.

TT 2 + M-Scaler should be amazing 

Bert Schurink posted:

Just saw that besides the crazy set with statement they also will demo a normal set with the new NDX, NAC202 and NAP200, connected with the great Focal Kanta 2.

Now that's a system with some relevance for me.  If you get a chance to hear that, I would really like to hear your thoughts on it.  Given my approval for the Focal Aria 926s, I think this next level up in Focal range, combined with new and established Naim gear, could be really interesting.  Enjoy the show.

Otto J,the Dynaudio product manager just posted on the Dynaudio thread...

quote...

Quick note, I’ll answer questions later: note when evaluating price, that the replacement of C4 is really the Confidence 50. It is better in every way. The Confidence 60 replaces Evidence Temptation, not C4.... end quote.

There are now four confidence models,I agree that the new prices are alienating their customer base,I am a previous C1 Mk11 owner.I paid 8500 Canadian dollars for a brand new pair,I would say four years ago now.The C1 replacement is 14k US,so 17,800 Canadian dollars,which is over double the price.

Innocent Bystander posted:

J Novak posted:

Statement was on display with new Focal Utopia Evo and ND555. In another room 200 electronics, NDX2 and Kanta.

It was very difficult to judge the sound of the ND555, I feel that the sound was dominated by the sonic signature of the speakers. It was big, bold, with unlimited headroom, great resolution and detail.

 

Isn’t that EXACTLY how sources should be, no sound of their own, so the system characterised purely by the speakers (of course using the best speakers one can (whether that means speakers with the sound most attuned to oneself, best matching the room, most neutral affordable etc, depending on taste/preference)

I’d suggest that you miss the point. When I heard the Scala Utopia Evo they sounded so unlike real music that it was really hard to determine what impact the electronics were having. Source clearly do have sounds of their own - a Naim streamer sounding nothing like a Linn, for example. 

Innocent Bystander posted:

Muttonjef posted:

analogmusic posted:

HI Muttonjef.

In all sincerity, if it were my hard earned cash - I would buy the Qutest and wait for the Mscaler.

I think it's time to sell the Hugo TT maybe?

You've clearly looked at my profile, so you should be aware I have active speakers and need the TT's pre amp functionality.

TT 2 + M-Scaler should be amazing 

 

However, if you’re used to TT, TT2 would seem a much more logical upgrade than Qutest anyway, seeing that Qutest is parallel to H2 (assuming here is no chance of stretching to Dave?) I imagine, but don’t know, that Qutest is tonH2 as Qute was to H1 

DAVE would be my choice. However, I value high my "crown jewels" which are already under constant threat from my good lady with this crazy hobby.

TT 2 looks to be a significant jump from TT and Quetest and will clearly close the gap with DAVE, so i'm sure i'll be very happy. And of course there is the prospect of a stand alone M-scaler at some point soon.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

J Novak posted:

Statement was on display with new Focal Utopia Evo and ND555. In another room 200 electronics, NDX2 and Kanta.

It was very difficult to judge the sound of the ND555, I feel that the sound was dominated by the sonic signature of the speakers. It was big, bold, with unlimited headroom, great resolution and detail.

 

Isn’t that EXACTLY how sources should be, no sound of their own, so the system characterised purely by the speakers (of course using the best speakers one can (whether that means speakers with the sound most attuned to oneself, best matching the room, most neutral affordable etc, depending on taste/preference)

I’d suggest that you miss the point. When I heard the Scala Utopia Evo they sounded so unlike real music that it was really hard to determine what impact the electronics were having. Source clearly do have sounds of their own - a Naim streamer sounding nothing like a Linn, for example. 

Ok, I understand what you mean re speakers if those aren’t nice - but my point is that whist sources may impose a character, ideally they shouldn’t at all and should be totally transparent - and maybe that is what the ND555 is approaching, albeit masked by the Utopias

A difficult one.....even Naim speakers divided opinion, but I would say the Scala Utopia found not many converts when I heard them.

At least Naim speakers focussed on musical engagement, rather than hifi gymnastics. 

Not sure about the look of those new PMC’s 

I like the look, but not the price st £45k

Innocent Bystander posted:

Muttonjef posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Muttonjef posted:

analogmusic posted:

HI Muttonjef.

In all sincerity, if it were my hard earned cash - I would buy the Qutest and wait for the Mscaler.

I think it's time to sell the Hugo TT maybe?

You've clearly looked at my profile, so you should be aware I have active speakers and need the TT's pre amp functionality.

TT 2 + M-Scaler should be amazing 

 

However, if you’re used to TT, TT2 would seem a much more logical upgrade than Qutest anyway, seeing that Qutest is parallel to H2 (assuming here is no chance of stretching to Dave?) I imagine, but don’t know, that Qutest is tonH2 as Qute was to H1 

DAVE would be my choice. However, I value high my "crown jewels" which are already under constant threat from my good lady with this crazy hobby.

TT 2 looks to be a significant jump from TT and Quetest and will clearly close the gap with DAVE, so i'm sure i'll be very happy. And of course there is the prospect of a stand alone M-scaler at some point soon.

 

So maybe what is needed is a organise a home audition where the threatener of your crown jewels hears and says to you “wow, how come you didn't mention that one? What are you hiding from me? I’ll cut your —— off if you get another one of those stupid TT things (unless it’s a car)” 

Thanks for your help Innocent Bystander, but even my finely honed and impressive BS abilities, would not win this one. She doesn't miss a thing!!!!

They used gigantic Focal speakers when they demonstrated the Statement at the Bristol Show. I remember my reaction was similar to Tintin’s and Captain Haddock’s in my avatar.

Impresive but too much.

Keith

We want munich information this days .Hugu bla bla can wait.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Muttonjef posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Muttonjef posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Muttonjef posted:

analogmusic posted:

HI Muttonjef.

In all sincerity, if it were my hard earned cash - I would buy the Qutest and wait for the Mscaler.

I think it's time to sell the Hugo TT maybe?

You've clearly looked at my profile, so you should be aware I have active speakers and need the TT's pre amp functionality.

TT 2 + M-Scaler should be amazing 

 

However, if you’re used to TT, TT2 would seem a much more logical upgrade than Qutest anyway, seeing that Qutest is parallel to H2 (assuming here is no chance of stretching to Dave?) I imagine, but don’t know, that Qutest is tonH2 as Qute was to H1 

DAVE would be my choice. However, I value high my "crown jewels" which are already under constant threat from my good lady with this crazy hobby.

TT 2 looks to be a significant jump from TT and Quetest and will clearly close the gap with DAVE, so i'm sure i'll be very happy. And of course there is the prospect of a stand alone M-scaler at some point soon.

 

So maybe what is needed is a organise a home audition where the threatener of your crown jewels hears and says to you “wow, how come you didn't mention that one? What are you hiding from me? I’ll cut your —— off if you get another one of those stupid TT things (unless it’s a car)” 

Thanks for your help Innocent Bystander, but even my finely honed and impressive BS abilities, would not win this one. She doesn't miss a thing!!!!

 

 

Ah, but that’s the trick - she has to think its her idea: you were listening simply because you were offered it at the same time as TT2, and took it out of curiosit but with  no intention of getting it. 

When I was auditioning at home, against TT and Hugo, my wife in the next room asked why I kept changing it back and forth - and then said something to the effect for goodness sake, that one is the best, so just get it and stop messing about! Any chance of subtly engineering that? (I can’t tell you how, as mine wasn’t engineered)

Are you sure you're a scientist and not a double glazing salesman, as you sales skills with the faire sex are impressive!

Being a rather male dominated hobby (sadly) this is clearly a huge hot potato of a subject for most of us chaps. Perhaps Richard will consider starting a new forum subject dedicated to what is clearly a significant issue for most of us?

When the TT 2 is out in wild, I'll home audition with the DAVE and chance my luck. If I end up as an audiophile Eunuch I know who to blame!!!

Moving on from the Chord dogma fest, any new impressions of the ND555, new Dynaudio speakers, exotic turntables, unfeasibly expensive cartridges, Melco announcements about Roon compatibility, etc.?

Best regards, FT

Is there any chance of stopping the endless requoting? It’s really hard to read on a phone? And is there any chance of restraining the endless Chord obsessiveness? Isn’t there a Chord Forum to play on? Not all of us care about the godlike Mr Watts and his infinite taps. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Is there any chance of stopping the endless requoting? It’s really hard to read on a phone? And is there any chance of restraining the endless Chord obsessiveness? Isn’t there a Chord Forum to play on? Not all of us care about the godlike Mr Watts and his infinite taps. 

Is that a rock band I've missing? 

And, yep, let's hear what folk make of the ND555 and other kit at Munich.  

I feel there was no way to tell how ND555 sounded or contributed to the overall sound. Sorry. Any other interpretation is misplaced. Including one that claims my experience points toward it being neutral, without a sonic signature.

The new PMC sounded impressive. As did YG, atc, Magico, TAD, Auralic/ Ryan combo. I am sure a number of others did, too. 

Thanks Hungryhalibut! I couldn’t agree more ... maybe the Chord forum is offline

As today was a apparently a trade only day, I suspect most potential responders will not have been yet, so maybe not much input likely until tomorrow or Saturday evenings.

Muttonjef sorry I forgot you need the preamp functionality.

well the Hugo tt2 looks very tempting. It is better than Hugo 2 for sure (technically)

I guess we'll have to wait for the standalone Mscalers.....

All speakers are a compromise .. but those big Utopias sound so synthetic....has it been designed with a guy who has a digital hearing aid!!!