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Post by jagman on Oct 3, 2005 12:43:18 GMT -7
Thomas... how was the RMAF? Did you come across anything exciting? Did anyone else go?
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Post by ThomasW on Oct 3, 2005 13:09:50 GMT -7
It was interesting, far too many little MTM 's, high efficiency speakers, and SET amps for my tastes. Oops, hope I didn't offend anyone with that statement..  The Avalon/Boulder room had the finest sounding speaker setup I've heard in 30yrs of these shows. Actually it was significantly better than most dedicated high-end listening rooms I've heard. Should be though, the combined cost of the gear playing would buy a nice house....   I posted a thread here about Bruce Thigpen's amazing Rotary IB subwoofer. It was the most incredible thing I saw/heard/felt at the entire show. Like last year LarryB and EdP came over. We went out to dinner and talked speakers until the wee hours on Saturday. It's nice to have a show in the region. Timing is weird since many mfgrs are really focused on the AES and upcoming CES shows. |
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Post by jagman on Oct 3, 2005 15:36:26 GMT -7
Sounds like a lot of fun. I noticed the rotary post after starting this thread. I've never been to a big audio show like that. If you had to pick one to go to, which would you recommend? I like the idea of the RMAF because it has so many small/independant manufacturers. I get the impression CES and CEDIA have more of the big guns.
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Post by ThomasW on Oct 3, 2005 18:57:58 GMT -7
The CES is the 600lb gorilla and a real freak show (one expects that in Lost Wages.) But the good stuff isn't in the main area it's at other venues around town. Know that CES is always a mob scene. Think rush hour in Toyko, and you'll have some idea of what it's like..  So unless you want to take a trip (literally and figuratively) avoid the CES and hit whatever show is closest to you. Small local shows like the RMAF allow people off the street to talk one to one with the likes of Jeff Rowland, Bruce Thigpen, Dr Edgar, or whoever. These same people are at the CES, but they're there trying big time to sell product. So it's important for them to glad-hand with members of the press and notables in the industry, not the general public. At any of these shows the sound quality is compromised. So go expecting to SEE lots of cool stuff, and possibly hearing some cool stuff. |
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Post by formica on Oct 3, 2005 22:56:51 GMT -7
Small local shows like the RMAF allow people off the street to talk one to one with the likes of Jeff Rowland, Bruce Thigpen, Dr Edgar, or whoever. These same people are at the CES, but they're there trying big time to sell product. So it's important for them to glad-hand with members of the press and notables in the industry, not the general public. We have two local shows, but don't seem to get the big names.  I do agree that it's more of a place to see rather than to seriously audition equipment. Room variables and time allotted to setting the equipment up don't allow for much fine tuning. Ironically, my home system sounds pretty good after a day of listening to mega $ systems... Rob |
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Post by ThomasW on Oct 4, 2005 8:13:32 GMT -7
Until this year's RMAF my experiences were the same as yours. They debuted the Avalon Isis speaker with Boulder electronics. They had a HUGE room with the speakers centered front to back in that room. There were dozens of DaaD traps. $200K with of electronics driving $50K worth of speakers. It was the finest sound I've ever heard in any listening room ever! After one song ended a member of the audience said "that was great. Now turn on the speakers." He was referencing that fact that the music sounded like a live concert, not a recording  The SQ was so amazing I returned to the show late Sunday just to sit in that room and listen to the music. |
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Post by jagman on Oct 4, 2005 11:00:13 GMT -7
I think CES would be fun... as long as you know what to expect. On the other hand, the idea of being able to talk to Jeff Rowland and others is facinating. Does anyone know of any shows in the Bay Area or Sacramento?
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