hallo Guys, let me report a few thoughts from Munich after facing Horizon in few different locations.
1st, all the comparison questions related to tube rolling make no sense in context of the show conditions. It is almost impossible game to get in with all 3 being in a different acoustical environment and in a different context system.
2nd, I guess, the choice of tubes in particular room had been probably made on the setting day as these is what we face on the show and often it differs from what we prefer in our own, recognised, tweaked venues, final voicing etc.
However didn't discuss that with Lukasz, being busy on many fronts, just like himself.
What I can say is that in both rooms: AlsyVox/Jadis/Talko/Lampizator/Omega cables
and
Gershman Acoustics/VAC/ Lampizator Horizon+Gulfstream
the sound is completely different, although both are very classy. First is simply heavently open and simply shocking and it is down to the phenomenal vertical and horizontal projection that those speakers are capable to deliver, and despite of the use classic Jadis tube amps with 30 watts only the sound images are mind-blowing and super solid. Of course with sources being top notch , cables well chosen and speakers open like heavens gates there is a perfect match. Amps, as I always say, must be as close to the bare wire, as it's possible.
I listened to many particular recordings on this system with Daniele's kind allowing me to dj there on my multiple comebacks to the room. Not only I know how they sound on other other gear, but I also had a pleasure to listen to the music in particular places where it was recorder. I know that those venues has very distinguish reverb, like Le Mont St.Michel monastery ( Michel Godard's recordings for Alpha) or Jordi Savall's HesperionXX music recorded live in Maguelone Cathedral for his own AlliaVox level. 1st is Gothic church, another is Roman cathedral.
The sounds in each of them are like the two different lives. Full stop.
On this system, in this room I heard it all so phenomenally distinguished amd obvious like never before in life. This is the best room on the show to me, no doubts. Yet one have to be said to address often asked question: Horizon direct or through the pre?
1st day we listened through the pre, on the second direct. First day it was great, second day it was phenomenal. Jadis pre isn't naturally the best around, but if Horizon volume implementation sends it for cigarrettes it says it all. It takes a heck great pre to beat it.
Second room was completely different flavour. Great on its own terms and showing what's possible in the system voiced more analytically, with the amps which take no prisoners. Although it wasn't my sound in the way that other was, it was equally distinctive and had his own charm. But in the room number one I got lost so many times that I spend there more time than in my own. So far and txs to having these year 2 trade days in Munich. Won't be possible today, as visitors are coming, but I know I will be there back again.