I would give anlalog exhibitors at shows a bit of break. Set up is an iterative process typically requiring multiple listening sessions and that's in a system/room you are familiar with. This is hardly the case under show conditions.
Obviously an analog system is just that; a system. So synergy certainly plays a role. IMO, the role/quality of the tonearm is relatively underestimated and resources spent on a better tonearm may yield more sonic fruit than upgrading cartridges.
And yes, a 50k rig should sound damn good!
I don't , it's not that difficult , we did it for years, as others , audio shows are nothing new .....
When I go to these shows, I never expect to hear a system like mine. I think that would be unrealistic.
Well if you happen to have a mega million dollar system i would agree ! looking for intimacy, agree ! A knock your socks off reference system over 500K , I disagree...
If one considers all the difficulties in properly setting up a system in a house or show demo room with so much time on your hands to get it just right, one should also understand how much harder it is to set up a room or display at some foreign venue with very limited time.
Disagree, it's not difficult, these systems are being setup by the those in the know, it's not MEP, pulling his Hi-Fi system out of his house, to have a good weekend with the boys ...
(no offense intended MEP ..
)
Many moons ago, when Fred Flinstone Hi-FI was around
after signing up , you knew your room , size , etc, you knew what you were going to use , if room sharing , you would get all items together months before and work on a setup , cables , everything , we knew what we would have for sound before we made one step thru the door, everything , room treatments , power cords , everything ...
The only unknown is the power source, you can and should pay for more if possible, work on having no cock-up's ....!!!
It's not difficult, there is no excuse for a bad presentation, it will not be the best of the best presentation but in no way should it be a bad presentation. You get in the room , set the biatch up , go thru a 100 different selections , find 10 -20 that just rocks and stick with it , tell all requesting to play their recordings the same story, if you give one, You have to give all, Sorry ....!!!!!
Feel free for an in home/ Dealer demo ......
All you need is some audio nutter ( you know them) with some weird recording from their days with hookers and blow, to ruin a whole days work..
I generally do the opposite to most at these shows. Rooms with big displays and speakers generally don't interest me, they generally sound too poor and too loud, mostly at the same time!!! Not my idea of hi-end. However, these rooms may sound compromised, but they still provide a great service ... in that they act as magnets to most 'philes who are attracted by such events. This allows me to visit the smaller rooms without nearly as much "audiophile" congestion. It's in these smaller rooms that I've heard some very impressive setups, but that's more the exception than the rule.
tb1
The reason for that is the smaller rooms are being managed by those who have taken the care to get good sound, they have to !
The big rooms are for the big budget PR types, sound is irrelevant, it's hand shake, cut deals, convince your customer this is the best Dung Heeevar. No serious buyer venturing in , would be swayed by a bad demo, from such GIANTS, they will arrange at their convenience with their dealer(s) for a more Intimate encounter , done deal, he's with the big bwoys ...
