Audio Show East

Waiting for someone to give an impression of the Planar 8 ????

Just an update TonyM was feeling a bit better and right ear now alert, that’s good news. And there were some younger folks again. Managed to bump into Lindsay and family which was nice, still folks with badges I did not track down. But hats off to Signals for the event,  and 112 roastery for charity coffee and doing the badges, putting a face to a name is great.  

I followd up on Nigelb suggestion and spent some time this morning with the Dynaudio contour 50. Much much better, this was  ND555 based 500 amp system and Diana Krall sounded, sublime. Did wonder for £23k if other speakers would be a better bang for the buck. 

Which brings me back to the Fenestria by PMC. My wife was with me today, and her stand out room was the PMC Fenestria, even when she knew the price. The Dynaudio Contour 50 with 500 series Naim system and cables,  costs about the same as the Fenestria speakers with Bryston front end and mono block amps. Yes you would need a rather large room for the PMC, but they were much better imo. Interested in the trickledown technology for the future. As mentioned by another forum member it’s their statement.

Did not get to hear the Chord etude/Dave yesterday with upscaler and ATC speakers. Well if you want small boxes, not many boxes, it is a really good system. I just did not like the Chord system last year, today, it sounded good.

Spent some time first thing with Mike and the other guys with the Naim streamers and Kanta3 speakers.....probably the most musically engaging room......about £23k for NDX2/Supernait, speakers and cables. My wife commented, yes heard some lovely music, preferred the Naim amps for sound, but other combinations could be interesting for the future. I did try asking about an updated server above the Naim Uniti Core with direct downloads like Melco.....tbd. I tried asking about a 972, as a 272/2 or  372 was getting no answer yesterday, just a laugh. 

Just a great Hifi show, small and intimate, the guys representing the Hifi companies are relaxed and happy to talk Hifi and more importantly, share their music. Great one Signals and their contributors....probably missed a few, apologies.....No duff rooms at all.

Gaz

One detail I forgot to mention talking to Mike at Naim was about software and other unintended effects.  In other posts there have been calls for screen off, how difficult etc. Talking to Mike, despite Nova having a really hefty power supply, just having an input activated, like HDMI, will affect power supply rail, even not being used, and then SQ. Turn them off, if not using, as they will affect SQ, to Naim ears.

The naim room was sounding very nice and nice to hear the bigger brother of the Kanta 2’s. No doubt in my mind that naim applification / source has a sound that’s  most appealing to me and the sound of those ultra cool Kanta’s was very pleasing.

I didn’t spend too much time in the other rooms, whilst interesting to see the art of the possible,  some of those uber expensive speakers wouldn’t fit through my front door let alone fit in my lounge....

First hearing of Kudos speakers, couldn’t quite get to grips with them, definitely something about them but maybe it was just the Linn amplification not doing it for me.

Gary

I tried a listen to the Kudos 505 this morning, did not sound as good as yesterday, not sure why, seemed very bright. Not quite sure why they seem so pushy about active speakers.......something they have no control over......lack of Naim support, Linn sound...not ideal?

I thought they were too bright yesterday.. walked and left immediately 

fathings cat posted:

The naim room was sounding very nice and nice to hear the bigger brother of the Kanta 2’s. No doubt in my mind that naim applification / source has a sound that’s  most appealing to me and the sound of those ultra cool Kanta’s was very pleasing.

I didn’t spend too much time in the other rooms, whilst interesting to see the art of the possible,  some of those uber expensive speakers wouldn’t fit through my front door let alone fit in my lounge....

First hearing of Kudos speakers, couldn’t quite get to grips with them, definitely something about them but maybe it was just the Linn amplification not doing it for me.

Gary

Done!! All unused off.. couldn’t hear much difference though!

Sorry I did say to Naim ears......they go for every little piece of gain as it all adds up?Does not cost anything to try though. Just passing on the wisdom.

Interesting it’s all about expectations....I was expecting a lot worse yesterday and they were cold, but only me listening, but could hear the potential . Walked  in today, lots of people, expected better......but, did not like what I heard. I have an open mind on the speakers, perhaps I am just not in tune with Linn amps.

Some photos -

Many thanks to the Signals crew of Alastair, Andy, Rhea, Eleanor. All the exhibitors, Roastery112 for the coffee, & of course my fellow audionauts, for a couple of splendid days. The best audio show - great atmosphere, friendly, laid back. You've done it again folks! 

I was stunned by the 505s today

Was not expecting what is after all a small stand mount to sound so impressive... Dispite the costs involved.

The rep told me that they had naims circuit diagram for the active cards and "may" end up making them themselves...

Thought the PMC s looked like they were from out of space ...but also sounded out of this world.

 The ATCs I thought looked like they had been made by a 4th year wood work class.... but Christ did they do the business....

Agreed re ATC’s JS. Still too much Bass energy in that room for me overall, but likely they’d sound better balanced in a real room. The St. Saens, Danse Macabre sounded particularly amazing I thought. The range and scale the speakers are capable of really brought that recording to life. Very realistic rendition of an Orchestra and soloist. 

Hugs thanks to the Signals crew for another great show. Enjoy your evening! 

Japtimscarlet posted:

I was stunned by the 505s today

Was not expecting what is after all a small stand mount to sound so impressive... Dispite the costs involved.

The rep told me that they had naims circuit diagram for the active cards and "may" end up making them themselves...

Thought the PMC s looked like they were from out of space ...but also sounded out of this world.

 The ATCs I thought looked like they had been made by a 4th year wood work class.... but Christ did they do the business....

I thought they sounded really good, but looked like I had made the stands and cabinet. It was an interesting  combination.....I got the feeling the guys were at their first audio show east, and were not as relaxed as other rooms? It sounded really good. The Chord room had ATC speakers, I really liked the sound as well.  I think if we get a show next year the ATC guys will be in the vibe......still sounded great, just...relax a little.

Yes, my abiding impression was that it was something of a speaker-fest. 

The PMCs, ATCs and Kudos's monitors sounded special and expensive on the end of some high end electronics.

The Russel K 150SEs were good too albeit of a smaller scale altogether.

The surprise for me were the new Focal's on the end of Supernait 2/NDX 2 which i didn't want to like but I found them to be quite sublime.

Good atmosphere as usual and I love the way its possible to have some nice chats with quite a few of the manufacturers, including Mr Kudos , Mr Russell K and Tony from True Signals.

Thanks to the Alastair et al for putting on such a relaxed event.

Ray

What a lovely show.  A big thank you to Alastair, Andy, Rhea and Eleanor (i.e. the Signals crew) for organising and staging the best hifi show in the UK.  Credit also to the manufacturer representatives who lose a weekend and have to set up and run the demonstrations for our benefit.

Damn that Chris Harris though.  Once again he proved very effective at extracting money from my wallet in exchange for  delectable vinyl records.

Today was like a grand reunion with Gary, Tony, Lindsay, Nigel, Karen, Nick, John, Kevin and a number of others.  With all the good gossipy catch-up conversations, it took an hour and a quarter to make it into the first demonstration room!

As ever, there were rooms with systems that sounded wonderful, some imposingly impressive and some as work-in-progress.

First chance to hear the new Rega P8.  Even in sub-optimal surroundings with a "mid-range" amp & speakers, it sounded properly, impressively good.  My personal surprise & delight of the show.

The Linn Klimax active + Kudos Titan 505 demo impressed me the most as a musical streaming system, though to be fair I did not hear the Chord + ATC system.  I wonder if those speakers could be driven active with Naim electronics?  Just askin' as all... 

The Naim NDX2, Supernait 2 and Focal Kanta 3 room was generating a lot of happy smiles among the listeners.

Gosh, but those PMC Fenestras are on the impressive side of ginormous.  Imposing is the word that springs to mind.

The Dynaudio demo was a bit of a surprise.  Those speakers (prototypes, perhaps?) sounded so sharp that my ears started to bleed.  And that on the end of a Naim system that I know to be smooth as silk.  Hope there is time to dial that treble back a  bit, before mainstream production starts.

Finally, Alastair very kindly brought along some tuning toys for me to try at home.   I shall report back on those separately.

All in all, a grand day out.  Thanks again to Alastair and the Signals team.

Best regards, FT

Forgot to mention the music, it’s all important. The guy from Chord put on a band I have never paid any attention to. Apparently just out Primal Scream...Give out but don,t give up, The original Memphis sessions that were discarded, listening on Tidal. This is a keeper.  NIgelb where are you ?, you need this.

Was once again an excellent show.  I’ll get the negative out of the way first.  in the past I’ve been a great admirer of Dynaudio speakers including owning a pair but today with a full Naim 500 series they were awful - harsh, relentless, bright.   Can’t offer a reason why I’m afraid   

However, the Naim/Focal I thought excellent and it was good they we could request particular favourites.  As FT says the Rega dem even in virtual open forums was very good.  

But the highlight was the Kudos 505, a simply stunning presentation regardless of the music being played.   

Great to catch up with guys.  

Regards,

Lindsay

They were really horrible imo on Friday morning with Nigelb, better in the afternoon according to Nigel. I agree, better this morning....had a few words with Dynaudio lady, I think they are still running in?

Yes there is something strange going on in that Dynaudio room. It was around midday on Friday when Gazza an I heard an echoey, harsh, out of control sound with quite a bit of bloom emanating from the Dynaudios. I could not believe the difference on my third visit to that same room at about 4.00pm. So much better, no echoes, no bloom, properly driving the room, those speakers (and of course system) sounded much more in control.

I have also heard differing reports form others who visited the same room, so I suspect the speakers are very new (they were flown from another show direct) and need a lot of running in. It also appears that they seem to 'warm up' during the day and I guess there is a settling in period. The ND555 may also have been on run-in.

Who knows, but I would not write these speakers off quite yet.

Have to say the 4th time I’ve heard the ND555 - perhaps I’m a sort of anti-Christ but I’m not convinced. Every time I’ve heard it with both Kudos and Focal and now Dynaudio I’ve thought it bright.  Sorry 

Regards,

Lindsay

Lindsay...I would agree. I had a long chat with a Mike from Naim that every demo of it , undersells it’s ability to connect, emotionally with the performance. The Dynaudio speakers really did not help. As posted earlier the PMC or Dynaudio rooms...cost about the same. I would have hoped the Naim system would have fared better, but did not. The Dynaudio lady today did not try to interact, so I made a few enquiries and she said they were still burning in?

I attended both days and met many Forum people there and caught-up with friends - and it was a fascinating event. I enjoyed both days but for some reason Saturday was more fun, as I think I'd decided what I wanted to follow-up on with on Day 2 after a general explore and listen on Day 1.

Others have said a lot of what I also enjoyed so I won't repeat.

Thanks to the Signals extended crew for all the work that went into the event. Great fun and always different every time.

DB.

Looks like ASE 2018 went OK then!  Massive thanks to all who came along, some over stupendous distances.

Mick Dab took some pictures here

Support from all the manufacturers, large and small, was epic as usual. Huge thanks. These guys give up their weekends and have long journeys to make. 

So much help, too, in lugging the kit and curtains, building them all up and dismantling at the end. Thanks from Andy and me to my old school chum, John Woolnough and to the excruciatingly fit Mick Dann. Thanks to Andy's partner, Lorane and my wife Rhea, daughter and son in law to be Phil. It was a family affair. Guess this is what makes us tick.

While I'm in Oscars mode, winners of the prizes:

Special Beatles White Album signed by mastering engineer with the handwritten notes (thanks PMC) : Martin Lomer

True Signal Interconnect: Terry Turner

Quadraspire Qplus interfaces : Adam Cronin

£40 record voucher from Chris Harris : Roy Mellor

Emotiva 'posh' USB cable from Karma AV : Paul LLoyd

Here I am, old, awake far too early, utterly knackered and posting this as a diversion while trying to fix my Apple ID.

Oh yes, it's . . . life. Some have wished as well for the next 25 years. Really?

Alastair

Utterly forgot to mention Roastery 112's contribution to ASE. Nicks lovely and under priced coffee raised £243 for St Elizabeth's Hospice. `in total, the Hospice got £644.30.  There were some generous donations in the bucket and people bought used records etc from them.

Signals will top this up to make a nice round £1000. 

Alastair

Thanks guys for a great event.......Almost a wrap for this thread until next year?????