Hi-Fi Show Live Windsor

The Magico's were driven with a Constellation combo, however cannot remember the model.   Talking of prices, don't forget what Statement together with Grand Utopia EM would tot up to.  Thought the d'Agostino integrated, Acoustic Research CD9, with a pair of Sonus Fabers would make a very pleasant system.  But then I remember the Audio Note system.  If money was no object, would have to be different systems in separate rooms.

DelR posted:

The Magico's were driven with a Constellation combo, however cannot remember the model.   Talking of prices, don't forget what Statement together with Grand Utopia EM would tot up to.  Thought the d'Agostino integrated, Acoustic Research CD9, with a pair of Sonus Fabers would make a very pleasant system.  But then I remember the Audio Note system.  If money was no object, would have to be different systems in separate rooms.

 

I think it was the Constellation Pictor pre and Taurus power amp with Kalista cd.

So, the 707s, at 3rd place, were driven “more modestly”?  It would be interesting, if a little unconventional, to have swapped a few things around. 

Dave J posted:

So, the 707s, at 3rd place, were driven “more modestly”?  It would be interesting, if a little unconventional, to have swapped a few things around. 

The 707's I think we're partnered with Devialet, they were in the room as a means of demonstrating the newly developed CG1 and CG3 noise reduction units.

The picture further up the thread shows CAD sources with a Trilogy 925 amp.

According to the Kudos Facebook page, the second pair were with Linn Akurate Exakt and were there to demonstrate Audioquest power conditioners.

sunbeamgls posted:

The picture further up the thread shows CAD sources with a Trilogy 925 amp.

According to the Kudos Facebook page, the second pair were with Linn Akurate Exakt and were there to demonstrate Audioquest power conditioners.

I think they swapped between Linn, Devialet ,Naim and the 925 Hybrid over the weekend,  but on the Sunday the dem was for the GC units.

Interestingly most rooms were using mains conditioners of one make or another, the Torus Tor  avr, (automatic voltage regulation )box in the Buckingham Room, Karma Audio was very impressive. 

Finkfan posted:

The Wilson Alexa 2s sounded fantastic. But then should have at an eye watering £65k. 

A higher % of grey hair, bald heads and males than the general population. Can only be a hifi dem!

Thanks Wenger and Finkfan for the feedback.

I have not been to many hi-fi shows but I was somewhat surprised again by the general lack of enthusiasm by many exhibitors. 

Very much a case of listening and very minimal interaction.

The number of rooms entered, you sit down, listen, music stops, then silence until next piece of music is played,  very minimal comments from exhibitors if any.

Possibly only three or four Rooms where you were welcomed and given a summary of what model speakers, sources, cables were being demonstrated.

For a High-end show, it was a very low-end performance by many involved.... 

wenger2015 posted:

I have not been to many hi-fi shows but I was somewhat surprised again by the general lack of enthusiasm by many exhibitors. 

Very much a case of listening and very minimal interaction.

The number of rooms entered, you sit down, listen, music stops, then silence until next piece of music is played,  very minimal comments from exhibitors if any.

Possibly only three or four Rooms where you were welcomed and given a summary of what model speakers, sources, cables were being demonstrated.

For a High-end show, it was a very low-end performance by many involved.... 

I have been to a few HiFi shows and recognise your observations Wenger.

It is all about good old fashioned salesmanship but there ain't much salesmanship about at these bashes I have found. Some but not enough IMO.

nigelb posted:

wenger2015 posted:

I have not been to many hi-fi shows but I was somewhat surprised again by the general lack of enthusiasm by many exhibitors. 

Very much a case of listening and very minimal interaction.

The number of rooms entered, you sit down, listen, music stops, then silence until next piece of music is played,  very minimal comments from exhibitors if any.

Possibly only three or four Rooms where you were welcomed and given a summary of what model speakers, sources, cables were being demonstrated.

For a High-end show, it was a very low-end performance by many involved.... 

I have been to a few HiFi shows and recognise your observations Wenger.

It is all about good old fashioned salesmanship but there ain't much salesmanship about at these bashes I have found. Some but not enough IMO.

On more then one occasion I asked the cost of some of the boxes, not sure said the exhibitor.

The Dan Agostino Room was one example.... 

wenger2015 posted:

nigelb posted:

wenger2015 posted:

I have not been to many hi-fi shows but I was somewhat surprised again by the general lack of enthusiasm by many exhibitors. 

Very much a case of listening and very minimal interaction.

The number of rooms entered, you sit down, listen, music stops, then silence until next piece of music is played,  very minimal comments from exhibitors if any.

Possibly only three or four Rooms where you were welcomed and given a summary of what model speakers, sources, cables were being demonstrated.

For a High-end show, it was a very low-end performance by many involved.... 

I have been to a few HiFi shows and recognise your observations Wenger.

It is all about good old fashioned salesmanship but there ain't much salesmanship about at these bashes I have found. Some but not enough IMO.

On more then one occasion I asked the cost of some of the boxes, not sure said the exhibitor.

The Dan Agostino Room was one example.... 

The Dan Agostino 'salesman' must live by the mantra 'if someone asks the cost, then they can't afford it'. What these berks don't seem to realise that the vast majority who go into a high end room at a show like DA either can't afford or would never seriously contemplate spending such sums on HiFi.

nigelb posted:

wenger2015 posted:

nigelb posted:

wenger2015 posted:

I have not been to many hi-fi shows but I was somewhat surprised again by the general lack of enthusiasm by many exhibitors. 

Very much a case of listening and very minimal interaction.

The number of rooms entered, you sit down, listen, music stops, then silence until next piece of music is played,  very minimal comments from exhibitors if any.

Possibly only three or four Rooms where you were welcomed and given a summary of what model speakers, sources, cables were being demonstrated.

For a High-end show, it was a very low-end performance by many involved.... 

I have been to a few HiFi shows and recognise your observations Wenger.

It is all about good old fashioned salesmanship but there ain't much salesmanship about at these bashes I have found. Some but not enough IMO.

On more then one occasion I asked the cost of some of the boxes, not sure said the exhibitor.

The Dan Agostino Room was one example.... 

The Dan Agostino 'salesman' must live by the mantra 'if someone asks the cost, then they can't afford it'. What these berks don't seem to realise that the vast majority who go into a high end room at a show like DA either can't afford or would never seriously contemplate spending such sums on HiFi.

Very true.

I am now very much of the mind, that the 200k plus system we were listening too is certainly not worth the outlay compared with are own more modest systems.

Having been around a long time and having a brother who spent his uni year in industry, so I got to go to many shows in many venues, I offer the following -

Shows are exhausting for the man doing the demo, hotels in venues where it is impossible to have natural ventilation. However, last century, each show started with a "trade day" so the inevitable networking was normally done with before the public got in. The incessant hail, well met greeting, back-slapping and talking over the music at the Bristol show is something that makes dearly beloved and I leave the room regardless how interesting the equipment or music being played.

I have a second deal breaker as well, not only for audio, but cars, photography (and in reverse catering equipment) and that is not only must the dealer/demonstrator engage with me, but also dearly beloved, anyone who ignores her or talks to me when she asks a question loses a sale.

nigelb posted:

wenger2015 posted:

nigelb posted:

wenger2015 posted:

I have not been to many hi-fi shows but I was somewhat surprised again by the general lack of enthusiasm by many exhibitors. 

Very much a case of listening and very minimal interaction.

The number of rooms entered, you sit down, listen, music stops, then silence until next piece of music is played,  very minimal comments from exhibitors if any.

Possibly only three or four Rooms where you were welcomed and given a summary of what model speakers, sources, cables were being demonstrated.

For a High-end show, it was a very low-end performance by many involved.... 

I have been to a few HiFi shows and recognise your observations Wenger.

It is all about good old fashioned salesmanship but there ain't much salesmanship about at these bashes I have found. Some but not enough IMO.

On more then one occasion I asked the cost of some of the boxes, not sure said the exhibitor.

The Dan Agostino Room was one example.... 

The Dan Agostino 'salesman' must live by the mantra 'if someone asks the cost, then they can't afford it'. What these berks don't seem to realise that the vast majority who go into a high end room at a show like DA either can't afford or would never seriously contemplate spending such sums on HiFi.

I had a similar experience last week when i popped into a certain "High End" shop in Marylebone for the first time , whilst there I jokingly mentioned not having room for the seemingly 15 foot high Focal Behemoths on show and the salesman replied ' I very much doubt you have the bank balance either " with a mixture of smugness and arrogance . He was right , I don't have the funds for such speakers or the stupidity . 

Many of the manufacturers seem to to be unable to make their products sound better, so they make them look more ridiculous. A CD player that looked like a drone. An amp that looked like a commercial chip fryer and a pair of speakers in the shapes of mannequins and skulls. You seem no longer get more bang for your buck, you get more bonkers! 

Having said that....the DD and Wilson room did sound brilliant. I liked the Marian Hill - Down track they played. 

Finkfan posted:

Many of the manufacturers seem to to be unable to make their products sound better, so they make them look more ridiculous. A CD player that looked like a drone. An amp that looked like a commercial chip fryer and a pair of speakers in the shapes of mannequins and skulls. You seem no longer get more bang for your buck, you get more bonkers! 

The best sounding and most expensive speakers the Alexia 2's looked like they had been lifted from the Dr who set....

I always go Saturday and 9.30 at opening with two other guys. That's the easier day but parking was stuffed even this early. One of us goes straight to the "must listen" rooms with booked demo tickets and gets them staggered throughout the day. This is IMO the most relaxed way of listening with the odd coffee to pace ourselves. Walk in rooms usually have the door open which lets the sound out and the chatter in. Not wanted!. You are usually ignored unless you engage a company guy in conversation. Then they may open up.

So its best for us on timed visits, but you restrict a lot of the show. Even in two days you would be unlikely to see/hear all you want.

Absolute Sounds are very professional, Peter McGrath and Ricardo Fr giving excellent demos. Also Mike Valentine in the Symmetry room with optional  humour built in! These guys will do 5/7 demoes in a day and need to keep it fresh. They also need to switch off the air con so we can hear their systems. All those valves and their heat as well.

Last  year I was particularly keen to hear B and W's latest 800 D3. I attended two demos back to back in the mid afternoon. Classe were sharing  and it was almost scripted in a very subtle way. Still very professional though.

Best sound for me was AS TechDAS turntable.