Topic: LA Meet 2013 Impressions (Read 10061 times)

Marvey · « **on:** July 21, 2013, 10:35:31 PM »

Ethan and Warren did a great job on this one. 180 people showed up. I think 90 were walk-ins (non HF members.) Room conditions were not too bad (depended on which room.) Heavy carpeting. Tiled ceilings. Met a lot of the regulars and some new people too.

First up is Frank Cooter's creations. I keep telling him to bring the radioactive blue toobs. But no go because he's afraid of what mercury might do to him. Maybe purple Xenon tubes next time?

Marvey · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2013, 10:41:41 PM »

Here is a DIY 300B amp. Really made for speakers (original design intent). This sounded awesome. Even orthos sounded good from them (typically a bad match with toob amps.) I just think orthos just need a ton of power.

Marvey · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2013, 10:47:06 PM »

Here are some of Eddie Current's sources. A TT, an EC Phono Pre, an old Moth DAC (Denon transport stacked on top of it.)

I overheard one HF'er say to another: "You gotta hear the EC TT setup from the Super 7. Really smooth!"

Yup. I've got a ton of vinyl, some virgin, sitting in my garage. I'll figure out what to do with it one of these days.

Marvey · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2013, 10:59:09 PM »

Here's Rina at the Schiit table.

Schiit really did not need to bring anything. Their stuff is ubiquitous. With all honesty, I sincerely hope they do so well that they all end up driving Ferraris or restored classic cars with huge gas guzzling motors (whatever tickles their fancy.) They certainly deserve it for bringing good audio at reasonable prices for reasonable people (before audiophile insanity hits them.)

I had already heard Bifrost 2 and Asgard 2 at THE SHOW earlier this year. The sound quality of that combo is strikingly close to the Gungir/Mjolnir - the "sound" is along the same lines. The Asgard 2 sounds very different from the Asgard 1.

Marvey · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2013, 11:04:16 PM »

Here's the EC Electra. I don't think it's $3500 any more. Actually, I don't even think it's still $4000. Getting more expensive.

You guys can read all about it here or on the other site. Just a different sound (very much the EC house sound) compared to what had been around (BHSE, KGSS/HV, Woo, RSA.)

Marvey · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2013, 11:09:31 PM »

Here are the Audeze guys. Nothing new, the same ol' same ol'. Like Schiit, their LCD2/3 headphones are ubiquitous for good reason. Also note the Gungnir/Mjolnir setup on their table. Folks asking for a good hi-fi DAC/amp combo that gels with the LCD2/3, take note.

Marvey · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2013, 11:22:54 PM »

I finally got to hear Justin's (HeadAmp) GS-X. Wow! Awesome. I've seen pictures of it, but the chrome finish looks so much nicer in person than in photos. I sort of regret that I cancelled my order (I needed something ASAP and the Mjolnir was available at the time.)

I would describe the GSX as accurate and honest sounding with a lot finesse (don't use shitty sounding DACs or headphones - this amp is not gonna cure their ills). And I'm not talking about finesse in the wimpy sense, but more like the "finesse" that the 49ers with Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, and Ronnie Lott had. Really digs into the music. I tried out my HE-500s and never heard them so sound good. This amp made a strong a impression on me. There was one other amp (not from Headamp) that I hadn't heard yet that also made a strong impression, but I can't talk about that one unless I kill you afterward (it's currently in development).

I need a pic. Justin or someone else, can you provide me with a pic?

EDIT: http://cdn.head-fi.org/5/5e/5e36151d_LAMeet7.20.1326of31.jpeg

I'm telling you guys, this amp looked great. Like something Cylon from the recent Battlestar Galactica series, and with sound quality which measured up to the looks too!

Marvey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2013, 11:26:36 PM »

This is the RSA DarkStar. I finally got to hear it. It looks really nice, like the GS-X, but in a different style.

Marvey · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2013, 11:29:31 PM »

This is Woo's WA7. I finally got to hear it.

Marvey · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2013, 11:36:29 PM »

I forgot to listen to Donald's Sonett 2. (pictured first) Donald's Stratus (pictured last) has always been one of the favorite tube amps which sounded obviously tubey. Actually I think it's the only tube amp I like that sounds tubey. I was talking to Ethan about this: how Donald manages to marry a tube sound with dynamics, clarity, detail, etc. The 2A3 EML meshes on the Stratus probably push it toward a more "modern" or "solid-state" sound (more my preference) than other tubes such as the Sophia or Shuguangs. So there's definitely some latitude to play with.

Author Topic: LA Meet 2013 Impressions (Read 10061 times)

Marvey

LA Meet 2013 Impressions

Marvey

Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions

Marvey

Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions

Marvey

Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions

Marvey

Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions

Marvey

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Marvey

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Marvey

Re: LA Meet 2013 Impressions

Marvey

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Author Topic: LA Meet 2013 Impressions (Read 10061 times)