AKFest 2010

[02audionoob]

In the case of this particular McIntosh system, I thought it was among the lesser-quality setups at the Fest...or perhaps mid-pack. I wouldn't go so far as to judge all of their gear by this one quick listen, but on one of the two rooms I heard a harsher edge to the music than I would have been happy with if it were my system.

[RGA]

poppachubby

First nice show report

Second I am glad to see rooms allowing you to bring your own music and making it a point to ask you - maybe they read my show report and clued in (chortle chortle), though others made the same comments at CES.

Third, never think you have to agree with anyone or that I would get on you for not liking something I like. Though you do know you're wrong, right?

Seriously though, I have read so many responses to Audio Note at show reports over the years and yours is not at all out of line with several of them. And I should point out that I was so unimpressed on my first audition that I didn't even bother to take note of the model names.

I read one not long ago where a reviewer went to the room one day hated it went back to it on another day and had completely opposite reaction proclaiming it the best sound he heard at the show. http://sixmoons.com/industryfeatures...83/vsac_2.html

Fred Crowder had this experience at CES this year as well. At CES Fred said that the "Sound early on Thursday was disappointing, but... http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=694

It is interesting that this seems to be fairly common reaction. If the 6 moons reviewer didn't make the second trip then his view would be wildly different. Though I would find it odd to be boring with the music that Peter brings to the shows - the very high volume level metal and hard rock and trance music he plays should get the pulse going. Though Dave is more of a classical opera guy which frankly doesn't really work at shows in my opinion. It's more intimate music that IMO requires a more intimate setting than an audio show with people blathering away and coming and going. But that's just me. When I listen to classical or most instrumental for that matter I like to be in my chair relaxed without any distractions of any kind. Other kinds of music work better in busier environments - rock dance hip hop etc.

[poppachubby]

Though Dave is more of a classical opera guy which frankly doesn't really work at shows in my opinion. It's more intimate music that IMO requires a more intimate setting than an audio show with people blathering away and coming and going. .

It was quiet and boring. The dynamics were not apparent at all. Detail was quite evident, but I didn't really care.

Perhaps next time...

[RGA]

It was quiet and boring. The dynamics were not apparent at all. Detail was quite evident, but I didn't really care.

Perhaps next time...

It's unfortunate that Dave is suffering from tinnitus - he had to leave the CES room numerous times when Peter started to play the metal. Unfortunately, they need to play Audio Note like a big Horn system like those from Avantegarde or Dual Concentrics like the Tannoys. Not that low volume is not important but at a busy show - put on some Slayer, AC/DC, Nightwish, Evil Nine and crush the room with driving powerful bass. Illustrate what a SET can do - then after that play the 70db Renata Tebaldi, Marias Callas stuff that other rooms love. While classical is great - it is arguably the least popular music being listened to today. So why not play what people "mostly" listen to - and that usually has some sort of drum set.

No excuse - I bet I would have liked several more rooms at CES if they bloody well turned the volume up and put on some music with a pulse. I mean if I have to listen to another room playing some slow ass Diana Krall or the 50 other artists of similar slow ass pace commonly played in most rooms I'll drive a fork into my ear. I mean seriously I don't need to hear someone covering for the umpteenth time one of Ella Fitgerald's tunes - chances are very very likely I end up liking the Ella version a helluva lot better so why would I want to listen to Diana Krall or Nora Jones sing it worse? Makes little sense. Though I like both of those two when they sing new stuff.

I digress.

[poppachubby]

I like both of those two when they sing new stuff.

I digress.

Ya, I don't mind Diana Krall or Nora Jones. I would have been happy to hear them played. Some rooms were far lamer than that.

I was looking for a casket in the room, wondering if we had wandered away from the show, and into a procession.

[bobsticks]

In the case of this particular McIntosh system, I thought it was among the lesser-quality setups at the Fest...or perhaps mid-pack. I wouldn't go so far as to judge all of their gear by this one quick listen, but on one of the two rooms I heard a harsher edge to the music than I would have been happy with if it were my system.

I'm not surprised...Mac is similar to Krell only in that they produce some outstanding electronics (IMO and assuming you like the "house sound") and some outstandingly sucky speakers...

[02audionoob]

I'm not surprised...Mac is similar to Krell only in that they produce some outstanding electronics (IMO and assuming you like the "house sound") and some outstandingly sucky speakers...

That's a good point. I wandered into a McIntosh dealer's shop one time and sat and listened to a Mac digital setup with some B&W floorstanders and it was probably the best system I had ever heard at the time.