Article: AXPONA Meetup and a Question for the Community

[The Computer Audiophile]

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[Solstice380]

Any time / day for me.  Terrace or Sangria Bar?

[Johnseye]

I'm guessing it will be most convenient for everyone to meet in the local bar.  However, if anyone's looking for an alternative or something to do that night, and likes good beer, here's an excellent local brewery a short 5 minute drive/Uber/Lyft away.

 

http://www.mikerphonebrewing.com/mainstage

[austinpop]

Chris,

 

I have similar constraints on Saturday, but I can make 5-6 work.

 

I am also open on Friday 5 or 6, if that works better for people.

[Solstice380]

Or we could just say stop in either Fri or Sat for a beer with whoever is there!  Some can't make one or the other.

[ecwl]

I think a review of Chord Hugo 2 or Chord Blu2+DAVE (without preamp) would be interesting. I think the last Chord review was the QBD76HDSD and lots have changed. 

[ShawnC]

Chris, I'd like to see a few reviews of all in one speakers.  Those that contain amp/dac/DSP for example.  Of course they must have room for analog and digital inputs which most have now.  Some are spendy like B&O BeoLab 90,  Meridian DSP8000, Genelecs ect.. but as technology advances and possibly streaming might be the only option in the future (especially for the youth) this seems like a route to consider for me in the coming years. You could compare them to your rig and then add your DAC for comparison, and yes I'm aware that adding an external DAC to these speakers usually means converting back to digital in the speaker but whatever.   I'd like to create a simple clean setup  ex) Computer/Rendu like ethernet connector/USB to SPDIF converter/Digital speaker.  Good luck.

 

Gayle Sanders of Martin Logan started a new speaker company and will be at AXPONA show casing this type of speaker.

 

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/martinlogan-co-founder-launches-new-speaker-company

[rando]

Curious if Bel Canto manufactures anything that is of interest to you currently.  Having formerly, May 3, 2011 to be exact, had a DAC on the CASH list.  I wonder where their current line of products stands today.

 

Barring that piquing your interest I think you should pick something that interests you.  Unearth something not on anyone's radar.  Disrupt the industry!  

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, rando said:

Curious if Bel Canto manufactures anything that is of interest to you currently.  Having formerly, May 3, 2011 to be exact, had a DAC on the CASH list.  I wonder where their current line of products stands today.

 

Barring that piquing your interest I think you should pick something that interests you.  Unearth something not on anyone's radar.  Disrupt the industry!  

The Bel Canto Black stuff is really interesting to me. I was going to review one of the Black products a while ago, but we just never connected to get it done.

 

I should pay them a visit.

[ecwl]

 

17 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

The Bel Canto Black stuff is really interesting to me. I was going to review one of the Black products a while ago, but we just never connected to get it done.

 

I should pay them a visit.

I thought Audio Perfection in Minneapolis has Bel Canto Black on display but I guess a proper review requires the products to be home for extended listening.

[TubeLover]

Chris, given your experience and focus on DAC's, I would love to see you review the Denafrips Terminator DAC that has so many people talking without a real review yet from anyone in the United States.

 

JC

[Andy Yuen]

Hi Chris, Are you going to publish your Emm Labs DA2 review soon? Thanks

[Anil Kalagatla]

Would love to see the review for Auralic Vega G2.  Especially as a one box solution as an end point for Roon.

[The Computer Audiophile]

5 hours ago, Andy Yuen said:

Hi Chris, Are you going to publish your Emm Labs DA2 review soon? Thanks

 

Yes, it's in my system right now.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Anil Kalagatla said:

Would love to see the review for Auralic Vega G2.  Especially as a one box solution as an end point for Roon.

 

I just sent my Vega G2 back because it didn't power on. Turns out the fuse was bad, not blown. I should have another one soon.

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys - Let's say we meet at the Gather Bar officially on Saturday at 5:00 local time. It would be cool to meet on Friday as well for those who can't make it Saturday, but I'm unsure if I can make Friday. I'll try my best. 

 

I'll update the article above with these details as well.

 

 

Day: Saturday

Time: 5:00

Place: gather Bar

 

AMERICAN

Gather Bar

Features great food and cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere.

Open for lunch and dinner Dress code: Casual Phone: +1 847-303-4022

 

[Anil Kalagatla]

3 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

 

I just sent my Vega G2 back because it didn't power on. Turns out the fuse was bad, not blown. I should have another one soon.

 

Great, thanks for the update.  Looking forward to your thoughts once you have the replacement unit. 

[jrobbins50]

23 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

The Bel Canto Black stuff is really interesting to me. I was going to review one of the Black products a while ago, but we just never connected to get it done.

 

I should pay them a visit.

Chris — have John show you his ACI600 integrated. Trickle down from the Black at half the price. MQA.  I’ve heard it over at his house. Very nice. JCR 

[Johnseye]

Won't be there Friday but I will see you all at the Gather Bar on Saturday.  Looking forward to putting some faces to...avatars...names?

[Andy Yuen]

Hi Chris, 

Many thanks for the response. Is your emm labs da2 downloaded with the latest firmware? The improvement is very dramatic.

 

[mourip]

Hi Chris,

 

I would be interested in your comments regarding the Linear Tube Audio equipment which is designed by David Berning. I believe that they will have equipment in several rooms at AXPONA.

 

They manufacture their amps in a shop near me in the Washington DC area and I now own their MicroZotl v2 preamp and their Ultralinear amp. For me these are end game devices and also reasonably priced. The owner, Mark Schneider, is a great guy and works directly with David Berning, who is also local, to take his designs and make them affordable. Remarkable bang for the buck and remarkable on an absolute level. I have no relation with them other than as a very happy owner but try to recommend them when I can.

 

Best,

 

Paul

[michaelD]

I'll be there and will try to stop by at least one of the days.  As far as reviews would like a see a review of the Bricasti M1 or M12 and the M28's.  You have made some favorable comments in your show reviews the last couple of Axpona's and would like to see them followed up with a review.  Ideally it would be nice to review individually but also as a set M1/M28's or M12/M28's as the ideal pairing.

[Johnseye]

SOtM will be demonstrating its new OCX10 master clock.  It would be good to know your thoughts on its capabilities and impact.

 

There is a new Innuos Zenith music server that is about to be released.

 

I've been interested in how the Nordost Qkore and Synergistic Research Grounding box compare and how much benefit they may provide.

 

On that note, I wonder how well any of the Synergistic Research stuff works.  I sat through a demo last year and couldn't tell.  Probably some of the most controversial tech out there.

 

[nrcyclist]

I prefer you take a unique approach.  Look at the equipment you have.  Envision a complete signal path... which components will you choose?  Create it as a second system in your listening environment.  Article 1: explain the methodology.  Article 2: start at the source.  Which did you choose?  why?  Review it.  Article 3: what is the next component in the signal path?  why did you choose it?  review it.  etc., etc., Then after reviewing all of the components in the signal path, write about how it sounds.  Whats working well, not working?  Then next article, identify one of the issues not working well.  What are you going to do?  write about it.  tell us your experience.  As an example, did you decide to add a LPS to the DAC?  how did that work out?  I can envision a dozen articles including post script.  AND, it will keep me coming back to see how your system is morphing, improving.  PLEASE, don't write a series of dry, spec regurgitation, monologues.  

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hey Guys - I’m in the Gathering bar right now. 

[Solstice380]

21 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Hey Guys - I’m in the Gathering bar right now. 

 

I missed you!   

 

Im in the Gather Bar, at the bar, if anybody wants to drink early or grab a late lunch!  At the far end of the bar.