JDavenportBriggsIV
08-30-2006, 12:26 PM
A report from The Briggs Conference in Caribou , Maine is found below.
Last month, the venerable J. Davenport Briggs met at his compound with some of the wold’s finest UHE representatives to decide how the industry would play out in the early part of the 21st Century. Needless to say, the word “Sanyo” never came up.
After a two day event, the industry decided to move toward higher priced products, toward those containing wood and other natural materiel, and to tighten up the field for those attempting to enter into the business. Tweaks were really the topic of the day. Expect more from all vendors on that front. Analogue figured prominently. After a discussion, it was decided that America will continue leadership in this field, with Northern Europe a close second.
A very lengthy discussion on cables ensued with no real agreements reached. As a point of confrontation, you should expect a great deal of diversity here. Davenport will remain open-minded on the issue and not take sides so as not to sway the industry. He will continue to support all facets of cabling.
Digital was lead by SACD for the first time with the Accuphase (2-piece ) unit delivering the reference material played through tubed Jadis monoblocks- superb. There were no compromises here, with digital finally being considered a true rival for analogue. Classe’s SACD player was present, but , for the first time, the name “Sony” was not present in this area.
No doubt that analogue would lead the pack- too many experts there in this field to count. JA Mitchell’s turntable ended up shooting it out against the old Forsell AFO, too close to count. The AFO was fitted with the impressive Audio Note Kondo cartridge, with a custom job by AJ VDH on the Mitchell. Then entered David Gaines with his Clearaudio Master Reference with Grand Master TQI Arm- Goodbye to everyone else. WOW! The Caribou experience is very exciting esp. in this venue.
As for amps- too much to tell. Dan & Rondi’s offerings are always there kicking against the best of Mark Levinson (what a rivalry), but a surprise contender was the Air Tight entry against the Jadis Defy amplifier
In the tube class. But it was tough, imagine all of the UHE “names” almost getting into a fistfight in the parking lot over this one. Jadis pulled it off and then went against Graaf’s best- a slam dunk for the Germans against the French, WWII all over again.
More to follow. I hope to get written permission from Davenport to reprint his opening speech.
Diandra
Assistant to Mr. Briggs
The Briggs Compound
Caribou, Maine
Last month, the venerable J. Davenport Briggs met at his compound with some of the wold’s finest UHE representatives to decide how the industry would play out in the early part of the 21st Century. Needless to say, the word “Sanyo” never came up.
After a two day event, the industry decided to move toward higher priced products, toward those containing wood and other natural materiel, and to tighten up the field for those attempting to enter into the business. Tweaks were really the topic of the day. Expect more from all vendors on that front. Analogue figured prominently. After a discussion, it was decided that America will continue leadership in this field, with Northern Europe a close second.
A very lengthy discussion on cables ensued with no real agreements reached. As a point of confrontation, you should expect a great deal of diversity here. Davenport will remain open-minded on the issue and not take sides so as not to sway the industry. He will continue to support all facets of cabling.
Digital was lead by SACD for the first time with the Accuphase (2-piece ) unit delivering the reference material played through tubed Jadis monoblocks- superb. There were no compromises here, with digital finally being considered a true rival for analogue. Classe’s SACD player was present, but , for the first time, the name “Sony” was not present in this area.
No doubt that analogue would lead the pack- too many experts there in this field to count. JA Mitchell’s turntable ended up shooting it out against the old Forsell AFO, too close to count. The AFO was fitted with the impressive Audio Note Kondo cartridge, with a custom job by AJ VDH on the Mitchell. Then entered David Gaines with his Clearaudio Master Reference with Grand Master TQI Arm- Goodbye to everyone else. WOW! The Caribou experience is very exciting esp. in this venue.
As for amps- too much to tell. Dan & Rondi’s offerings are always there kicking against the best of Mark Levinson (what a rivalry), but a surprise contender was the Air Tight entry against the Jadis Defy amplifier
In the tube class. But it was tough, imagine all of the UHE “names” almost getting into a fistfight in the parking lot over this one. Jadis pulled it off and then went against Graaf’s best- a slam dunk for the Germans against the French, WWII all over again.
More to follow. I hope to get written permission from Davenport to reprint his opening speech.
Diandra
Assistant to Mr. Briggs
The Briggs Compound
Caribou, Maine