Some thoughts on Heathrow

The Ypsilon and Rockport stuff was nowhere near as good as it could be sadly. It worked well with the Enya we gave it at the end of the day though. This is the Amadeus Audio room.

they play classical mostly but didn't mind requests.

 

I thought the ypsilon looked fabulous and sounded a bit so-so.
I must have tried the Asparta room , but it clearly didn't make an impact. a shame as I used to love those impulse H2 (pair no 4)
Has anyone got a photo so I can remind myself of the Asparta room?

 

Folks,

I liked (and hence remember):

Audio Note
Audion
Noteworthy
Pinch (except too bright and no real bass)
Tusk with the small Dali's (surprisingly good)

The Brighton Exchange setup with the Mangers & ASR Emitter was much better than I remember Mangers, this tim e the treble was notably overcooked, a change from the "dead feet" Manger sound of the early 90's, maybe Weiss DAC is to blame?

Musicology with Zu Druids and Sub was refreshing, if not perfect by far.

I was especially disappointed with the Rockport/Ypsilon Setup and Naim/Emotion setups, while not offensive or obviously bad, they seemed to fail to deliver much else. Tannoy also failed to live up to expectations, it may be a 15" Tannoy, but it sure ain't a 15" TMR or TMG.

Maybe a polite mention is due to Townsend, but their own Amp had released the the black smoke contained in the semiconductors and hence had to make a trip back to Oxford, the replacement where pretty grotty.

<EDIT>
I forgot to mention the new NHT active system with digital crossovers and amp's which was pretty decent, the small satellites struggled with highly dynamic program, but is all around pretty accomplished.
</EDIT>

Much of the rest sounded okay enough, but unremarkable.

MBL was as expected, extreme amounts of extra reverb, they shure "filled the room" and produced a phasy, discombulated resonant sound, typhical of Omni's, if you like it you do, it has little to do with reproducing music IMHO and is best considered an effect.

There was some realy grotty sound around the room was mentioned elsewhere, suffice to say that it featured what must be the worlds worst (by a long stretch) £ 2,000 pound speakers. I have heard worse, but not in a long time. Next to that my TV and boombox in my kitchen sound good.

Ciao T

 

Actually T might have a point. On reflection the mbl room, whilst impressive, was a bit reverb heavy, almost like an old quad demo. Thanks for pointing this out. The soundstage was vast, but not properly defined.
Can't agree with the Pinsh however, which I found constricted and harsh, whilst the audionte was a bit average to me. BTW I think I saw you wearing a (very) loud hawaian shirt, which was noisier than most rooms!!

 

Hi,

Which model where they playing? I think they where switching them around. I found them tilted up (bright) but not as such harsh or grating.

The Shirt was not Hawai, it actually is Manga, with some major super hero (or villan) dude laying the smackdown on whoever it is being laid on. I normally prefer dragons and tigers.

Ciao T

 

The Lindermann looks so tasty it's almost rude not to have one on display. A bit like ML really. However I couldn't justify spending that much an a pretty case, when a 1k dac will sound as good.

 

I've changed my mind after listening to a CD I bought at the show. The highlight for me was listening to some PROPER Punjabi dhol (drums). S&M, Robbo and Ian, I'll bring it over the next time we meet (unless you come over to mine first of course). It's fast, very energetic and relentless bass.

 

big loud drums.....

I'll dig some out for the weekend Dev and while I'm at it I'd better pop a few warning through the neighbors letter boxes - Fast Energetic and Relentless Bass ALert - Clear The Area

 

I'll bring it over Rob. See what you make of it.

 

Dev me ol' mate, whats it called?
Sounds like the kind of thing i been lerkin fer.

 

Play it LOUD Dev,

you know, like the shirt.

 

It called Big Drum Small World by Dhol Foundation. Track 12 is awesome, if you like that sort of thing of course.

S&M, I did, but not sure if it was louder than the shirt.

 

Cheers Dev.

SM, you mean like Bob Flipper?

 

I've just re-tubed the power amp this weekend - just in time it seems

 

I found their website.

http://www.dholfoundation.com/

 

Great album isn't it Dev?

It came out about three years ago if I remember correctly. Used to sound awesome on the Tact setup!

 

Judging by the media clips that's superb stuff. Definitely bring that over.

 

Should've known you'd already have it. The deafening drums make very good argument for big cones IMO.

 

You should know I like Indian percussion almost as much as samosas Dev.

We need big cones. That album is as good a reason as any to get those Westminsters.

 

Get the Westminsters Dev. You know you want to!

btw Mike, been on the Tannoy website and their bass is quoted as 18hz (-6db)