I am very fortunate to be one of those invited to listen to the newly arrived Ultra 11s of Jack, aka Big Blue, plus the full chain of CH Precision electronics, plus the 1.5 CS footers in CM racks. That is a mouthful. And the result is as staggering a change in the entire sonic spectrum of Jack's sound from the last time I was there. Off the bat, we played Cantate Domino who is like a national anthem of audiophiles in these islands. And immediately, the sense of air and space of the male vocalists are incredibly rendered it is spooky real. The cut of O Holy Night is completely redefined and seems like I am hearing this entirely in a new light and presentation. Wide, deep, with 3D layering like I've never heard before.
I brought with me my favorite promo and demo LPs, among which is the CES Preview pressing of James Newton Howard and Friends from Sheffield Lab. I have known this album for decades and it never sounded as good as this afternoon, with kick drum whacks sounding like only a live drum set can do, like in a music store that sells and demos drum sets in the malls here.
That is how real it sounded with tremendous impact, low end attack and clarity in crispy clear fashion. Then promo copies of Linda Ronstadt's For Sentimental Reasons and Doris Day's Latin for Lovers came up and the lovely voices set in for each of these recordings, with full bodied mids and tinge of emotion one can feel while they sang. The RCA Living Stereo original LP of Bob and Ray Throw a Stereo Spectacular was next, and the Volga Boat cut was the best I have ever heard for a big band recording. Totally mind boggling realism, dynamics and loudness without fatigue nor shrill. I told Jack that it is like his system has some tubes in it but it actually is all solid state. I thought he had a 12AX7 hidden somewhere in those preamps.
All told, this is a system where yin meets yang and they become one. The tubey sounding mids and highs were there, and so was the tight, powerful, fast and articulate bass. This is my kind of tea. And this kind of tea knocked my socks and jacket off today. Great job, Jack, as I mentioned, you're not only done, you're well done and you've done well. You've created the total package. I know your system will keep getting better as time goes on. Thanks for inviting me for the experience. It's one of the best I've had.
