|
Posted by Paul S on
06-03-2018
|
This year’s THE Show was in bustling Irvine, rather than tony
Newport Beach. The difference in the
locations is just a few miles, but it was down-market all the way, with so few exhibitors (and so few attendees) it would surprise me if the promoters were
able to do it again next year. Frankly,
there was little to see (or hear) compared to years past, not even serious
portable streaming or headphones. No
TechDas, no Brinkmann, but we did “hear” a new, top line Technics ‘table that seemed
to be very well made, and it’s sold with a tonearm that looks for all the world
like the long-gone (but very fine) EPA-100 arm.
We also heard a pair of very small Raidho (D 1.1) speakers that seemed
quite remarkable, for anyone who needs really expensive small speakers. There were no really big speakers, but “the
best sound at the show”, IMO, came from Milton tubed electronics driving JBL
Everest (horn) speakers, even though they were fed a digital source. In fact, to tell the truth, I heard no better
sound this year from “the best” analog vs. “the best” digital. A decent percentage of the exhibitors managed
to deal with their rooms effectively this year.
Again, too bad there wasn’t more to hear. This year I couldn’t find anything acceptable
to eat inside the hotel or outside, from the “gourmet” food trucks. All in all, it appears that THE Show [2018] still
suffers ill effects from its cancellation and near death, last year. I have no idea where the “high end” went,
despite some pretty high prices asked for gear that in no way set itself apart
from other, less expensive gear. Not
that I think price always correlates with performance; rather, I hoped (as
ever) to hear the best smart people have to offer in the way of hi-fi equipment,
regardless of price. Oh, well.
Paul S
|
|
|
|
Posted by BR78 on
06-03-2018
|
Paul was reporting about the last Audio Show in Irvine, about a good system being demonstrated , the amplifier that it was talking about the 'Milton',I think the real name of this tube amplifier is 'Melton' MC33 what I can remenber from this amp is a very musical sound close to the old LAMM ML1 tube amplifier.
Do you agree with me ?
Regards
Bernard Renaud
|
|
|
|
Posted by Paul S on
06-03-2018
|
Sorry, Bernard, you are probably correct about the spelling, but it's too late for me to edit the post. I always figure anything good one hears at a show means it is possible to get good sound from the gear in question, while bad sound might say comparatively little. My approach to the shows is to actively seek out and try to home in on the good. I did not really try to "figure out" the "Melton sound" in that room, where sources were unknown and the speakers unfamiliar, not to mention the overall listening conditions. Really, evaluating hi-fi gear at shows is similar to evaluating wines at big, barrel tasting events during foul weather. In my own set-up, I developed the original Lamm ML-2s' special qualities with tone and texture using all dynamic, paper drivers (apart from ribbons over 10k Hz), while the JBL Everest used horns on top and fairly dead dynamic drivers on the bottom; so I hesitate to "connect" the Melton stuff to the old Lamm ML-1. If I set out to do it, it would still take more time than I gave it yesterday. I should also mention, they had run out of literature, and I don't even know the topology of the Melton amps, nor the tubes they use. Still, I will say outright that the Melton gear was "interesting" enough to follow up on, and anyone familiar with it should feel free to share here, on the "Industry Bulletin Board", unless they want to get into it more "seriously", meaning they will be subject to return fire on the other boards.
Best regards,
Paul S
|
|
|
|
Posted by Paul S on
06-03-2018
|
I should have known the new Technics tonearm was not a "factory reinstatement" of the old EPA-100. Having just googled it, I can now see it looks more like the (later but still discontinued, I think; also, cheaper...) EPA-500. On the one hand, it figures. OTOH, who knows how it works, anyway? People thinking of running out to buy an EPA-100 need to know at least two things before buying one: 1) They have been subject to knock-off "reproductions". 2) Originals are almost always fairly well trashed, no matter what sellers say about them.
Paul S
|
|
|
|
Posted by Paul S on
06-03-2018
|
OK, I can't resist dropping this 800USD "ultra sonic" record cleaning device in here. I couldn't make much out of it at THE Show, and I am still confused after watching the long video:
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/if-charles-kirmusss-record-cleaning-machine-and-regimen-correct-everyone-elses-wrong
Warning: May cause hypnosis!
Paul S
|
|
|
|
Posted by xandcg on
06-03-2018
|
What you think about THIS one with list price of US$4800? hahaha
|
|
|
|
Posted by Paul S on
06-04-2018
|
Well, I always say, why pay more for the same thing? So it gets down to what they offer for the money. For 4,800USD I don't like the blow dryer in the record cleaner. And, despite what is said on the Kirmuss video I linked to, I do not believe there is a "venturi effect" from the vacuum cleaners that sucks back more dust that a cloth moving through the air would typically leave. Since I already own a vacuum-type cleaner, I guess I could pair it with the Kirmuss, if it turns out it actually works better than manually scrubbing the LP, which seems in any case to be a big part of the Kirmuss protocol.
Perhaps this post should move to the record cleaning thread.
Paul S
|
|