KeithR's "Dream Speaker" Search

[KeithR]

One of my favorite pieces of "kit" at the show - the Riviera APL preamp SE. It was a monster!

 

[KeithR]

And #2 on the kit list, the absolutely massive Pathos Legacy. You can't imagine how big it is until you see it. Just beautiful Italian hybrid design.

 

[KeithR]

And finally, the best experience of the show was afterhours in the Stenheim/VTL playing the 50th anniversary reissue of Dark Side of the Moon. The ~50 person crowd was mesmerized for 45 minutes!

 

[Kingrex]

View attachment 129628

What amp?

 

[gleeds]

Keith, good seeing you as always. Given my room duties, I could only hear the Wolf Von Langa's and the Avantgard rooms. Both were sensational in different ways. The big Credo line arrays, as are their smaller and unassuming floor-standers, are truly special. The brand deserves more recognition in the US, and I know their distributor is working toward that.
Did you get to the High Water Sound room to hear the Alieno electronics and small Cessaro horns with subs? Jeff's rooms are always among the best.

 

[jbrrp1]

And finally, the best experience of the show was afterhours in the Stenheim/VTL playing the 50th anniversary reissue of Dark Side of the Moon. The ~50 person crowd was mesmerized for 45 minutes!

View attachment 129629

Would have been my favorite room of the show if they could have sorted the bass better, but that 30' cube of a room is impossible. The air, speed and harmonic revelation up above the bass has me definitely wanting to hear these in a well-sorted set up.

 

[sbnx]

Would have been my favorite room of the show if they could have sorted the bass better, but that 30' cube of a room is impossible. The air, speed and harmonic revelation up above the bass has me definitely wanting to hear these in a well-sorted set up.

Curious which day you listened to the Stenheims? Each day was a different experience. Firday had some issues. Saturday was much improved and outstanding. I did not get to listen on Sunday but I heard reports that it was even better.

 

[jbrrp1]

Oh, I listened all three days, and can attest to the improvements you note. I went there several times each day, as this is a speaker of great interest to me. Friday was certainly the worst in this regard, but I felt I had to give it allowance for bass lumpiness and smear due to that room every day. I would trust that one could smooth that out considerably in a better sized room and, of course, with normal judicious working on it over time. Shows are tough!

 

[bonzo75]

Would have been my favorite room of the show if they could have sorted the bass better, but that 30' cube of a room is impossible. The air, speed and harmonic revelation up above the bass has me definitely wanting to hear these in a well-sorted set up.

must be the show conditions as Stenheims have great bass, possibly the best in cones

 

[jbrrp1]

It's show conditions, for sure. I know I was struck by their tone and texture on the last day of Munich 2023. Some of the best bass I've ever heard, and the whole presentation got me thinking these could be the ones (certainly on The List).

 

[AudioHR]

And #2 on the kit list, the absolutely massive Pathos Legacy. You can't imagine how big it is until you see it. Just beautiful Italian hybrid design.

View attachment 129628

Thanks for all of the reports Keith!

 

[gleeds]

One of my favorite pieces of "kit" at the show - the Riviera APL preamp SE. It was a monster!

View attachment 129627

Keith, it is not inexpensive but compiled with the Rei, it would take your system to another level

 

[KeithR]

Keith, good seeing you as always. Given my room duties, I could only hear the Wolf Von Langa's and the Avantgard rooms. Both were sensational in different ways. The big Credo line arrays, as are their smaller and unassuming floor-standers, are truly special. The brand deserves more recognition in the US, and I know their distributor is working toward that.
Did you get to the High Water Sound room to hear the Alieno electronics and small Cessaro horns with subs? Jeff's rooms are always among the best.

I did, but didn't get any pictures there or in your room funny enough (you guys had tons of people at all hours). Both were sounding good.

Others I liked but didn't grab shots:

Clarisys w/ Hegel
Sonus Faber w/ SPL
Mofi w/ BAT (looked much better than the last Jones creation)

 

[BruceD]

One of my favorite pieces of "kit" at the show - the Riviera APL preamp SE. It was a monster!

View attachment 129627

Ah yes when my good friend Chris Sommovigo (RIP) returned from Japan some years back he remarked to me his intention to get the Brand recognition into the US
Sadly he is not with us to see this eventuate.

BruceD

 

[KeithR]

Overall show thoughts - sound was pleasantly good in most rooms. There were a few misses, but I'm not going to go there this year. Traffic was good even on Sunday until late afternoon. I was there when the Junkie shot the Focal room at 2pm on Sunday with 50 people squeezed in.

Speaking of YouTubers, the show was so big I didn't run into my friend Jay over 3 days lol. I met Steve Guttenberg for the first time and he's as nice as they come. Saw Jay's Iyagi numerous times, rushing from room to room like he was on a mission. And of course our own Ron Resnick was a YT socialite being dragged all over for interviews. I continue to think social media and influencers is good for the hobby despite the boomer reviewer/dealer demographic's views. Speaking of, I saw more young people than any show in recent memory. Even saw a few families!

Music was still hit or miss - too much jazz, Steely Dan, and Fink Live. I deem the latter the new overplayed cut that has trumped Keith Don't Go. Sorry folks! We need a broader musical palette for the new audiophiles joining our hobby. Treehaus Audio was playing Kruangbin and Japanese Breakfast, John Devore (as always) was playing a variety of cool vintage and new stuff, and I requested Kid A that I saw on LP in the ampandsound room. Michael Vamos always plays fresh stuff; the JMF room was solid. Jeff Catalano's LP collection is still amazing and the opposite of show music. But most of the big rooms play the safe boring stuff, afraid of rocking the boat.

Till next year,

KeithR

 

[sbnx]

Agree with you on Fink. Although I like and own several of his albums. I did take requests. (As long as it wasnt too crazy). We even played Bob Denver “take me home, country roads” for one little girl. When it finished everyone clapped for her. Really nice. I hope you got to listen to what you wanted to on Subday.

 

[gleeds]

Overall show thoughts - sound was pleasantly good in most rooms. There were a few misses, but I'm not going to go there this year. Traffic was good even on Sunday until late afternoon. I was there when the Junkie shot the Focal room at 2pm on Sunday with 50 people squeezed in.

Speaking of YouTubers, the show was so big I didn't run into my friend Jay over 3 days lol. I met Steve Guttenberg for the first time and he's as nice as they come. Saw Jay's Iyagi numerous times, rushing from room to room like he was on a mission. And of course our own Ron Resnick was a YT socialite being dragged all over for interviews. I continue to think social media and influencers is good for the hobby despite the boomer reviewer/dealer demographic's views. Speaking of, I saw more young people than any show in recent memory. Even saw a few families!

Music was still hit or miss - too much jazz, Steely Dan, and Fink Live. I deem the latter the new overplayed cut that has trumped Keith Don't Go. Sorry folks! We need a broader musical palette for the new audiophiles joining our hobby. Treehaus Audio was playing Kruangbin and Japanese Breakfast, John Devore (as always) was playing a variety of cool vintage and new stuff, and I requested Kid A that I saw on LP in the ampandsound room. Michael Vamos always plays fresh stuff; the JMF room was solid. Jeff Catalano's LP collection is still amazing and the opposite of show music. But most of the big rooms play the safe boring stuff, afraid of rocking the boat.

Till next year,

KeithR

Keith, make a short playlist of your coolest music, and I guarantee I'll use it at The Home Entertainment Show in June. Loved your recap and industry comments!

 

[christoph]

Agree with you on Fink. Although I like and own several of his albums. I did take requests. (As long as it wasnt too crazy). We even played Bob Denver “take me home, country roads” for one little girl. When it finished everyone clapped for her. Really nice. I hope you got to listen to what you wanted to on Subday.

Which Fink track is the new "Keith don't go"?

 

[morricab]

Which Fink track is the new "Keith don't go"?

Probably "Trouble (is what you're in)"