FLORIDA AUDIO EXPO FEB 7-9th 2020

[MattHooper]

That's what I call "listening in the near field"

It can get close sometimes! I can adjust the sofa position/speakers such that I can vary the distance from between just under 8 feet to 6 feet from the listening position. Usually it's around 7 1/2 feet or so. I like a wide speaker spread for a large soundstage and more immersion (without sacrificing image precision). Especially with speakers like the Josephs (and the Thiels) a wide spread like that just makes the room behind them "melt away" when playing music. I enjoy that transported vibe.

 

[Sal1950]

Does he own any other clothes than those pairs of shorts??? That is all I ever seen him wear at these shows.....

You need to get into a Florida state of mind Yankee
Isn't it time to go shovel your snow now?

 

[Martin]

You need to get into a Florida state of mind Yankee
Isn't it time to go shovel your snow now?
View attachment 49687

I’ve lived in shorts and sandals for the 10 years I’ve been in southwest Florida. I put on a zippered hoodie if it gets “chilly.” The only time I wear pants is when I’m required to travel for business.

Martin

 

[restorer-john]

Those little USB powered IKEA LED lights are awesome for turntables or in my case, in my computer and power distribution cupboard under my bench.

No home should be without several.

 

[restorer-john]

Thanks guys for bringing just a bit of this show to us blokes down-under.

 

[Sal1950]

Going to finally wrap my report up tonight with some stuff I found interesting.
When I walked into the room with Von Schweikert Audio speakers they were playing an LP that shocked me it sounded so bad. Not the system but the LP itself, there was so much surface noise and rice krispies going on I couldn't believe they would use this pressing for a demoz? Later with other material the system acquitted itself with some first rate sound top to bottom.
Look at those cables!

For you vinyl guys I did some close listening to the noise reduction products from a company called SweetVinyl. I was quite amazed at the ability of the SugerCube boxes to remove clicks and pops without doing any damage to the sound quality that I could detect. Using some badly damaged and worn LPs I listened to quite a number of instant A/B switching and we seemed to jump from the sound of a 1960s jukebox record to a near pristine digital recording. A "must have" for any vinylphile IMHO.

I very much enjoyed my time in both the Muraudio room. Their electrostats being everything they should be, fast and detailed.

Another speaker that caught my ear was the Wharfedale Linton. Though quite a bit different in charactor then the Mura's, I found them very smooth, warm, and easy to listen to.

 

[RayDunzl]

Magico, the big ones, M6 (?), in the big room

Yes, M6, I guess

https://www.magicoaudio.com/m-series-m6

Photo: email from www.suncoastaudio.com crediting SoundStage! Global

 

[restorer-john]

Going to finally wrap my report up tonight with some stuff I found interesting.
When I walked into the room with Von Schweikert Audio speakers they were playing an LP that shocked me it sounded so bad. Not the system but the LP itself, there was so much surface noise and rice krispies going on I couldn't believe they would use this pressing for a demoz? Later with other material the system acquitted itself with some first rate sound top to bottom.
Look at those cables!
View attachment 49967

For you vinyl guys I did some close listening to the noise reduction products from a company called SweetVinyl. I was quite amazed at the ability of the boxes to remove clicks and pops without doing any damage to the sound quality that I could detect. Using some badly damaged and worn LPs I listened to quite a number of instant A/B switching and we seemed to jump from the sound of a 1960s jukebox record to a near pristine digital recording. A "must have" for any vinylphile IMHO.
View attachment 49970

I very much enjoyed my time in both the Muraudio room. Their electrostats being everything they should be, fast and detailed.
View attachment 49971

Another speaker that caught my ear was the Wharfedale Linton. Though quite a bit different in charactor then the Mura's, I found them very smooth, warm, and easy to listen to.
View attachment 49974

Thanks Sal for your updates and opinions. I really love the look of the Lintons and their matching stands. They are what HiFi is supposed to look like to me. And those Maraudios look very interesting and unique.

 

[Sal1950]

I gave a short listening session to the tiny speakers in the Wynn Audio room. The rep told me they were very big in Japan and were just now trying to break into the US market. He also told me he placed great importance in the Entreq Olympus grounding boxes.
I wouldn't invest in any stock.

I was disappointed in Benchmarks silent (except for headphones) room but it was very enlightening to actually see there component in person. Their diminutive size doesn't come thru in photos as they do in person. Amazing where modern technology has taken us.

Also as I noted earlier, I was disappointed that JBL was MIA. But I did listen to an option for my personal quest for a speaker upgrade.
Later in the day the folks from Legacy Audio did bring in from the other room their stand mount Studio HD passive speakers. With a folded pleated ribbon tweeter and a 8" woofer they make for a healthy sized standmound. They also do very handsome woodwork. At $1800 a pair they are priced near identically to the JBL HDI 1600's I've been looking at. Bill promised a 30 day in-home listening demo with only the cost of return shipping. Hummm.

That's about it except I thought some of our members might like to see the inside of a Synergistic Research Power Cell
What is it about Carbon Fiber that brings out the GOODIE in hifi? ROTFLMAO

 

[Wes]

Those little USB powered IKEA LED lights are awesome for turntables or in my case, in my computer and power distribution cupboard under my bench.

View attachment 49862

No home should be without several.

does it have to be plugged in? or will it work on batteries?

 

[restorer-john]

does it have to be plugged in? or will it work on batteries?

USB powered. I use the "always on" or powered USB ports on the PC for it. You could use a little 5V USB phone charger.

White:
https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/30238270/

Black:
https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/10266985/

 

[Wes]

I'm anti-cable. I need a battery version.

 

[Sal1950]

I'm anti-cable. I need a battery version.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1014670831?pid=715717

 

[amirm]

You need to get into a Florida state of mind Yankee
Isn't it time to go shovel your snow now?

Hey, I used to live in Florida. But I would not wear the same pair of shorts to every event. Hygiene alone would call for buying at least a second pair.

 

[Sal1950]

He might be eccentric and own 20 pairs the same color?

 

[Wombat]

He might be eccentric and own 20 pairs the same color?

Purchased at Sal's retirement clearance?

 

[Juhazi]

He might be eccentric and own 20 pairs the same color?

This stragegy is brilliant with socks too. Always only one wihtout a pair, no matter how many you wash!

 

[cjfrbw]

Hey, I used to live in Florida. But I would not wear the same pair of shorts to every event. Hygiene alone would call for buying at least a second pair.

Maybe it makes for good mosquito repellant.