Tour of Danny's Business

[Bjorn]

It's amazing that he's able to run such a big business. Hey, maybe I should move to the US!
Styrofoam diffusers absorb a lot by the way.

 

[JSmith]

Danny said he uses measurements etc. to "fine tune" his system.

Jay said using measurements was cheating, that he had never measured his own system and was afraid what they would show.

He also said Danny's system was the best he'd heard "at that price point" of $12 - $15K... meaning he looked down on it, as it wasn't expensive enough to produce great sound to him. Both showed rather nervous body language.

Jay's audience is about expensive "high-end" audio jewellery.


JSmith

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Worse than that, they outgas and cause corrosion and smell horrible.

That’s the risk. Lead-acid batteries release hydrogen gas during charging, and they can also emit sulfur dioxide (which is the unpleasant smell) if the battery cells fail and you attempt to charge them. The ones he use is AGM though, meaning less risk of emitting these gasses under normal circumstances.

I think the videos provide a nice insight. Despite all, I think it was quite honest of him to open up like this.

Jay did not like his container storage though.

 

[Mart68]

If we look beyond the cable lifters and the batteries and all the other stupid stuff, what I see here is one enthusiast visiting another and having a listen to his system and having a chat about it and hi-fi in general.

Something I've done a lot of over the years and met a lot of great people as a result. Of course we don't agree on everything- in some cases we don't agree on anything - but that's by the by. It would be fun to visit Danny or Jay and have a listen and a chat.

I'd like to see more of that. Makes a change from the usual Youtube rubbish of one bloke on his own ranting or pontificating.

 

[thewas]

To hopefully make people avoid clicking on such videos I am posting some AI generated summaries of the videos:

Summary of "I Visit GR Research In Texas!"​

1. Arrival at GR Research (01:06)
   • The host visits Danny Richie’s GR Research facility in Wichita Falls, Texas.
   • The location is rural, spanning 14 acres.
2. Solar-Powered Facility (02:11 - 03:22)
   • Danny’s property is powered by solar panels, reducing his electricity costs to zero during spring and fall.
   • His system feeds excess energy back into the grid, generating revenue.
3. Storage & Inventory (03:53 - 05:33)
   • Products are stored in shipping containers, including diffusers, woofers, and electronic components.
   • Temperature control is more of a concern in summer than winter.
4. New Listening Room Construction (06:09 - 07:12)
   • A new acoustically optimized listening room is under construction.
   • Features include built-in room treatments and a 28ft x 16ft dimension for better sound imaging.
5. GR Research Operations (07:41 - 09:50)
   • The company focuses on speaker kits, components, and upgrades for existing brands.
   • They also produce high-quality, cryogenically treated audio cables.
6. Wilson Audio Speaker Analysis (14:30 - 16:47)
   • Danny analyzed a Wilson Audio speaker, modifying its front baffle to improve frequency response.
   • The project sparked significant interest in the audiophile community.
7. High-End Speaker Designs (17:17 - 18:49)
   • Danny showcases his custom-designed open-baffle speakers.
   • They feature time-aligned drivers, premium components, and optional 12-inch subwoofers.
8. Battery-Powered Audio System (19:58 - 21:05)
   • Danny uses a battery-powered audio setup for cleaner sound, avoiding grid power noise.
   • The system is cost-effective compared to high-end power cables and outlets.
9. Final Thoughts & Future Plans (22:47)
   • The visit provides insight into GR Research’s operations and innovations.
   • More content collaborations with Danny are expected in the future

Summary of "Listening Session At GR Research!"​

• (00:00 - 01:13): The session starts with a mix of music, including Patty Larkin and Alison Krauss. The listener experiences open baffle speakers for the first time, noticing their unique dynamics and contrast.
• (01:55 - 02:57): Open baffle speakers provide a more live-concert feel with better sound dissipation and no "room boom." Servo control enhances texture and decay, offering more accuracy than traditional speakers.
• (02:57 - 04:05): The speakers have a 94.5 dB efficiency, making sound linger more naturally. High-efficiency speakers maintain gradual sound decay, unlike inefficient ones where notes disappear abruptly.
• (04:05 - 06:26): The room is well-treated acoustically, eliminating echo and reflections. The system, valued at $12,000-$15,000, offers outstanding performance compared to high-end brands. The tuning of the system is a key factor in its quality.
• (06:26 - 07:57): The house runs on solar power but is still connected to the grid. The system’s battery setup eliminates AC noise, improving clarity in low-level details. Noise reduction is a major focus in high-end audio.
• (07:57 - 09:32): The system allows fine-tuning, like adjusting bass for Metallica’s "thin" sound. However, the flexibility can be a "curse" for those who obsessively tweak settings.
• (09:32 - 11:50): Many recordings are mid-range focused for car stereos, not high-end systems. The system is smooth, balanced, and non-fatiguing, providing an easy listening experience even at high volumes.
• (11:50 - 13:34): The speaker setup is meticulously adjusted using room measurements. The presenter takes frequency response snapshots to ensure a flat response, making real-time adjustments as needed.
• (13:34 - 14:04): The system is flat within 2-3 dB from 20 Hz up, offering an exceptional in-room response. The setup has remained unchanged for a year.
• (14:04 - End): The session concludes with a discussion on achieving a flat response in different environments, with some humor about avoiding room measurements to prevent potential disappointment.

 

[RickS]

Regarding the listening room in fairness he did show his dedicated listening room is currently under construction.

The battery thing is nonsense though, why do people persist in thinking that's worth the bother?

I was quite surprised at the scale of the operation.

 

[cavedriver]

What about a video of “I visit Amir in Seattle” certainly more appealing

The version of this I want to hear is "I brought my 100+ pound speakers to Amir's and carried them up the stairs and helped set them up on the Klippel." The more big speakers the better!

 

[JSmith]

It continues...

... summary there and all, link.

I haven't watched this in detail, however a quick skim revealed Danny felt cheaper class D amps are performant... then lost me when he suggested they need linear power supplies though to be any good.


JSmith

 

[Mart68]

Not much in this instalment. We learn that Danny prefers tubes for the lushness, Jay likes the low frequency control of solid state.

That's about it.

 

[Mattcc22]

I found it interesting in the first video that Jay had no clue how solar power and storage worked. I felt like Danny was trying really awkwardly hard to not make him feel like he had no clue what he was talking about. Obviously has no engineering type mind on him at all. Also I'm that lady video posted, Jay seems to not have a clue how to integrate a sub and adjust volume levels and that's pretty entry level in this hobby. Felt like all of these videos have been a little awkward.

 

[Steve Dallas]

It's amazing that he's able to run such a big business. Hey, maybe I should move to the US!
Styrofoam diffusers absorb a lot by the way.

Diffusers absorb? What are you? ChatGPT?

 

[mhardy6647]

Worse than that, they outgas and cause corrosion and smell horrible.

The same can, unfortunately, be said of many of us audiophiles.

 

[dfuller]

Diffusers absorb? What are you? ChatGPT?

Ones made of styrofoam sure do. They're porous.

 

[ta240]

Disorbers, the next tube connector.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Ones made of styrofoam sure do. They're porous.

What he's pointing out is that if something absorbs sound, it's not a diffuser but an absorber. They serve two distinct purposes.

Disorbers, the next tube connector.

GR-ABfusers..?

 

[ThatSoundsGood]

He is constantly "defending himself" in videos he creates, badmouthing us, what we do, etc. Indeed, I have a list of response videos people have asked me to do. So don't feel bad for him...

I found ASR because Danny was upset about a review on here and he mentioned Amir. After about a week of reading ASR I sold my tube amp and DIY speakers with GR Research drivers. Then I made some speakers with Purifi drivers and bought a Class D amp from Buckeye. I haven't looked back. My interactions with Danny were always pleasant and I learned a few things about speaker design from him but some of his claims are quite cringe worthy.

 

[dfuller]

What he's pointing out is that if something absorbs sound, it's not a diffuser but an absorber. They serve two distinct purposes.

It probably does do some diffusion, but it's doing more absorption than a diffuser should. They should be generally speaking made of something dense and nonporous - wood, MDF, etc - so they don't act as velocity absorbers too.

 

[RoA]

I found ASR because Danny was upset about a review on here and he mentioned Amir. After about a week of reading ASR I sold my tube amp and DIY speakers with GR Research drivers. Then I made some speakers with Purifi drivers and bought a Class D amp from Buckeye. I haven't looked back. My interactions with Danny were always pleasant and I learned a few things about speaker design from him but some of his claims are quite cringe worthy.

 

[Scrivs]

Danny is just a money grubbing, carpetbagging, snakeoil peddling swindler charlatan.

That is all.

 

[MattHooper]

FYI:

Danny sent his stand-mounted speaker to Erin, and Erin’s measurements and review are on YouTube now. In a nutshell: Erin has good things to say about the speaker. Generally neutral and good sounding with an idiosyncrasy or two.