Your "World's Best Audio System" . . . 2012 Edition

[JackD201]

Hey, I'm just waiting to see the pics or better yet the video of Jeff and Randall pushing the Q7s through the holes on The Vault's floor. I'm also living vicariously. I imagine it would be rather fun to get pretty much whatever you want in your own room and play with all the stuff without having to buy any of it first or ever. It's the exercise that's entertaining to me, I may not agree with the choices (obviously because I haven't heard any of them) but that doesn't take anything away from it in my case.

Lift Randall, Lift!!!!!!!

 

[Randall Smith]

It is fun to get the stuff, but unpacking and packing equipment or speakers that cost and weigh as much as a Q7 isn't always fun. It can be very nerve-racking and scary. Lifting the top portion of the Arakkis up over top of the other sections was insane. Sure, Andy Payor designed a lift that would do it, but the thought of having 350 pounds suspended 5 ft off the ground is crazy. Then, sliding the bottom part under the top and lowering it down in just the right spot was fun. After that is done, then you have to move the speaker into its spot and then tweak it until its perfect. I was lucky the Arakkis stayed around as long as it did. Most speakers, like the Q3, are only around for a month or so. I heard it only a couple times but saw it 3. The Boulder amps that weigh close to 300 lbs. The JL Audio Gothams that Jeff has owned. The Watchdog, the X-2's, and the WP-7's. There are dozens more that have gone up and come back down within a few weeks. It is fun, no doubt, but it can be a tedious process.

Hey, I'm just waiting to see the pics or better yet the video of Jeff and Randall pushing the Q7s through the holes on The Vault's floor. I'm also living vicariously. I imagine it would be rather fun to get pretty much whatever you want in your own room and play with all the stuff without having to buy any of it first or ever. It's the exercise that's entertaining to me, I may not agree with the choices (obviously because I haven't heard any of them) but that doesn't take anything away from it in my case.

Lift Randall, Lift!!!!!!!

 

[MylesBAstor]

It is fun to get the stuff, but unpacking and packing equipment or speakers that cost and weigh as much as a Q7 isn't always fun. It can be very nerve-racking and scary. Lifting the top portion of the Arakkis up over top of the other sections was insane. Sure, Andy Payor designed a lift that would do it, but the thought of having 350 pounds suspended 5 ft off the ground is crazy. Then, sliding the bottom part under the top and lowering it down in just the right spot was fun. After that is done, then you have to move the speaker into its spot and then tweak it until its perfect. I was lucky the Arakkis stayed around as long as it did. Most speakers, like the Q3, are only around for a month or so. I heard it only a couple times but saw it 3. The Boulder amps that weigh close to 300 lbs. The JL Audio Gothams that Jeff has owned. The Watchdog, the X-2's, and the WP-7's. There are dozens more that have gone up and come back down within a few weeks. It is fun, no doubt, but it can be a tedious process.

Yeah and just think of the shipping costs if you have to send one of those puppies back for repair

 

[FrantzM]

This reeks of politics and marketing. There are so many prodcts which in their own are better than this. Sorry but their website just lost all their credibility in my mind innless agrees to explain why every other contender was dismissed individually.

I have no invested interest in this project.. but what products do you think would have helped them (Soundstage Network) maintain their credibility? Also do you think this could have been accomplished without poltics and marketing?

 

[Randall Smith]

Here you go guys!!!

 

[Jeff Fritz]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your patience! Just to address a couple points:

The Esoteric products are the best transport and DAC the company has ever produced. Like sometimes happens in high-end audio, as technology marches on better products can be introduced at lower prices. This is the case with the P-02/D-02 versus the flagships that are in fact more expensive.

The Vitus MP-M201 amplifiers are not on their website yet. These are in the final stage of development at this time so there are not any product photos.

With the above in mind, please do be aware that the ads are not necessarily indicative of the products in the system.

Please have fun with this. That's what it's ultimately about: bringing some fun and excitement to high-end audio and doing something unique.

It may take a while for me to respond to any questions, with the show starting in the morning and all.

 

[JackD201]

Agent Smith,

Oh, I've been through exactly the same thing assembling VR-11s twice. At one point I thought the whole tower would tip over the first time. I almost had a heart attack. It's not something I look forward to. The owner couldn't even watch! Watching others go through it on the other hand.....LOL. Not to be mean, but I like watching Nascar for the less honorable reason! While I'm hoping and praying none of you get hurt hoisting 700lb speakers, what, 10ft or more? I'd be less than honest if I said I didn't find any of this exciting, in that perverse Nascar way! Never mind the gear, I'm sure the manufacturers will insure them, or do what we do which is hire movers that provide insurance.

Yes, it is all for fun. If it isn't fun, what's the point right? One of the main reasons I love being a distributor is precisely because I get to play with a lot of gear, especially the statement gear we don't carry and that I would never be able to afford. God knows I'm not going to get rich from doing it, not in a market as tiny as ours anyway.

 

[Jeff Fritz]

I've had a few questions from various sources that I thought I'd answer here in one post:

I did originally choose the SRA Craz rack system, but SRA was working on the Scuttle3 and said the prototype was just amazing, even implying it may very well be better than the Craz for less money. That was too good to pass up.

The Q7 at CES was triwired, but biamped, hence the three sets of binding posts. In TWBAS 2012 it will be biamped as well, but will only have two sets of binding posts as we will not triwire.

The Esoteric P-02/D-02 combo, although exceeded in price by the company's older P-01/D-01, is their most advanced and best-sounding combo. This is a case where the newer product is just better than the older, more expensive units. I think the older units will be phased out or upgraded at some point.

Torus Power is the same manufacturer as Plitron transformers. Plitron can be thought of as the parent company and transformer design is their specialty.

 

[microstrip]

Please have fun with this. That's what it's ultimately about: bringing some fun and excitement to high-end audio and doing something unique.

Wise words. You should include them in your signature, as we often forget it!

 

[docvale]

The Q7 at CES was triwired, but biamped, hence the three sets of binding posts. In TWBAS 2012 it will be biamped as well, but will only have two sets of binding posts as we will not triwire.

How were the Q7 driven at the show? From the pictures it is clear the preamp was a Spectral DMC-30SS, but I couldn't find the power amps anywere...

 

[Steve williams]

The power amp is nameless by Alon and is under development and can be seen in my pictures as 2 black boxes each weighing 120lbs

 

[LL21]

I've had a few questions from various sources that I thought I'd answer here in one post:

I did originally choose the SRA Craz rack system, but SRA was working on the Scuttle3 and said the prototype was just amazing, even implying it may very well be better than the Craz for less money. That was too good to pass up...

...The Esoteric P-02/D-02 combo, although exceeded in price by the company's older P-01/D-01, is their most advanced and best-sounding combo. This is a case where the newer product is just better than the older, more expensive units. I think the older units will be phased out or upgraded at some point.

Hunh...2 products which are new, superior in performance to the flagship products...and cheaper...and from 2 super high-end names. Refreshing!!!

 

[Jeff Fritz]

Hunh...2 products which are new, superior in performance to the flagship products...and cheaper...and from 2 super high-end names. Refreshing!!!

Thanks . . . I've had some folks take me to task for not picking the most expensive products in the line without even asking about the performance!

 

[LL21]

So when does this actual system get set up in your auditioning room?

 

[Jeff Fritz]

So when does this actual system get set up in your auditioning room?

The Torus unit will arrive within three weeks. I needed the extra time since it takes an electrician to install and some wall modification in my room.

The rest of the gear will start to arrive in early March and all be set up and written about on March 30 and 31. All the manufacturers will be here then and we'll cover it on SoundStage! Global. The I get to start sending stuff back

 

[egidius]

Audio Consulting

So, let’s hear what you think would be “The World’s Best Audio System” . . .

In every branch of thought will be somewhere somebody, who chooses to do things differently:
Hearing the system of Serge Schmidlin, owner of Audio Consulting Switzerland made me acutely aware, that I had never heard such a nice gamba playing - single instruments, singers, you name it - everything that did not feel the need to shatter you, seemed overwhelmingly beautiful, and for the rest: there seemed absolutely no need for shattering levels. A Japanese garden!!
Here we go:

http://www.audio-consulting.ch/?Music_Systems_by_Audio_Consulting:Audio_Consulting,_Switzerland

I have a good system, and I live with Music all day, being a violinist. But Serge lives with this system all day, which reproduces something you could call "the best".

(As an afterthought, it certainly can keep up with some of the more astonishing prices around, I am sorry to say ;-)

 

[Orb]

Thanks . . . I've had some folks take me to task for not picking the most expensive products in the line without even asking about the performance!

Yeah unfortunate they missed the point about this project and Jack-Lloyd-and co to me picked up on what it is really about.
There are many audiophiles who do appreciate this from either or both aspects of Best system-components (does not necessarily mean most expensive models)/the path-experience-fun for all (including various manufacturers) in such a project.
On the last point this really was noticable last year, even for competing manufacturers who joined in the spirit of such activity.

Cheers
Orb

 

[Jeff Fritz]

OK guys, here we go. There are individual articles profiling each component in TWBAS 2012, so a lot of fresh reading: http://www.soundstageglobal.com/ind...nt&view=category&layout=blog&id=84&Itemid=268

Also -- and this may not interest all of you that are already familiar with TWBAS -- I wrote a historical piece on TWBAS. It started in 2003 . . . http://www.ultraaudio.com/index.php...from-the-beginning&catid=25:opinion&Itemid=27

Please feel free to ask any questions about the products. I can get to the right folks if I can't answer.

Thanks,

 

[Roysen]

First of all I would like to point out that the Vitus Audio configuration in their MP M201 amplifiers with one input- og and two output- stages pr. stereo channel/monoblock amplifier is not new. The Swiss made Soulution 700 mono amplifier also has such a configuration. This amplifier doesn't have an internal crossover though. This amplifier is also the prefered choice of Magico at shows around the world. If that configuration was the reason for the amplification choice, I can't but think the choice made was a mistake. The Soulution 700's specs for distortion and speed are unparalelled in the business. I have heard them with the Magico Q5 several times - and WOW. The transparency, dynamics and musicality are stunning.

There are also so many other new alternatives on market as the amplification choice that even after reading the description of the Vitus MP M201 wouldn't make me consider these as my choice with the Magico Q7 (these are just some of the new transistor based options):
- Boulder 3050
- Pass Labs XS-300
- Constellation Audio Herkules
- Jeff Rowland 925
- Gryphon Mephisto
- Analog Domain Apollo
- darTZeel NHB-458
- Goldmund Telos 3500
- FM Acoustics Resolution Series 1811

I would like to know why these were rejected. Didn't these companies want to give their products for free and pay to participate?

BTW, I have not listened to the Esoteric combination myself, but from those who have there certainly is no consensus that the P-02/D-02 is better than the P-01/D-01 - quite the contrary actually. The 02-combination might include some new and interesting technology which would be an interesting addition to the 01-combination, but I thought the choices here should be based on sound.

 

[Jeff Fritz]

I would like to know why these were rejected.

There could only be one set of amplifiers . . . and one speaker system, and one set of cables, etc. The inclusion of one product does not mean that another choice would not have been valid as well.