Question for RGA

[92135011]

RGA,

What did Soundhounds have in stock the last time you were there? I think I'm gonna head over there on thursday to try out some of their things. I have never been to an audition for a long period of time before. How much time do you recommend me spend on each speaker and how much music to bring?

Thanks

[RGA]

Well time of course should not be a problem since you just go to a room they set-it up and leave you to it. So really you're not in the way unless it's extremely busy - on a Thursday? I doubt it would be packed.

I would listen for an hour to each speaker at least. Some of course you won't want to and others maybe longer. If you want to listen to the Es phone ahead - they have the E's set-up in their big room and freestanding and no corners or near any side walls for that matter. Then again you may want to hear them in that position just to hear them in a less than ideal spot. Considering they dropped the N801 - you see the confidence they have with the E in a less than ideal position is still better. You won't get the bottom end bass from this spot though.

As for music they have a ton of LP's and cds - You could try the comparision by contrast method - but that is time consuming - do bring a mix of albums and don't be concerned with supposedly lesser recordings. You might be surprised that the lesser recordings are just fine and merely ruined by a lot of speakers.

They had two kits built - may be a chance to hear one of them. They have four rooms. A H/T room which is maybe the best. The room I auditioned in is maybe the worst with a celiing that is maybe 15-20 high relatively narrow and very long(extends to the H/T room). But the important thing is not the room but how the speakers compare in the room. Just so long as everything is on the same playing field. I make sure to try and listen to everything in the same room and same gear. The room by the used gear is very good but is SS gear. If you had time listening in both rooms with different set-ups could be interesting as well.

They have K's J's and E's in stock. The E/XL was in - the store owner brought the E/SEC home. They had AN monoblocks not set-up. They had a good used section with Bryston etc. They don't have the J stands though - still waiting for a delayed shipment when Audio Note was moving. I did a pink noise test at home and I understand why Q is adamant about 15 inches. So I will probably trade mine in when the time comes.

Unfortunately you won't get to hear Peter's system there he has the Sogon's no doubt. I believe Paul owns the E/XL though.

They have the Paradigm Studio 100V3's the B&W 700 series and N805 - maybe the N804, Linn/Wharfedale Boston Acoustics. They carry more Audio Note gear - the AX models and the AZ 3 which I didn't get a chance to hear. The owner was working on a juke box last I was there which was taking up considerable space.

You may be able to hear the Maggies - and if you can get the number for me because I can't remember it and want to be fair - it was an older model. Bring some bass discs.

Listen to something like the B&W or Paradigm stuff first - then listen to the Audio Note's but be warned - at least to me - there is no going back.

[RGA]

Also - try and e-mail ahead so they know you're coming and generally what you want to listen to. This way they might be able to set stuff up the night before. For standmounts it's no big deal but to lug the Studio 100 or other big floorstanders around is more difficult.

And also if you can find out how much the one box cd player is going for.

[RGA]

Also get a map - the place is a nightmare to get to. It's at the opposite end of a oneway street so you have to go ~four blocks to be able to take a left turn then it's on the corner of a street you can't make a left turn on - bugger. Plus it'sthe corner where Pandora avenue changes names to some other street. The first time I went there I was driving around in circles - especially since I didn't know the street name changed so I was trying to find what happened to Pandora avenue?? Double Bugger.

[92135011]

thanks for the advice RGA
I'll send them a mail tomorrow to set up some stuff for me to try out.
Although I'm not too sure whats happening to the ferries - supposed to be a incoming strike or something.

[RGA]

Not ANOTHER strike Do these people ever actually work?