naamanf

I figured I would chime in with my thoughts and favs of the show. I did the tour of the rooms this year with my friend Dave who has pretty much the same ear and taste in speakers. We usually sit down and take a quick listen, and know relatively quickly if the speakers are worth a further listen. There were some systems that we didn't listen to because we had a relatively good idea what they would sound like based on driver selection. I would say we gave 95% of the systems there a shot. Of those there were really only a handful that we thought sounded good. In my opinion the MBLs were the best at the show, just an amazing speaker with a sound stage like no other. At around $100K they are not cheap. I really liked the Tad speakers with the Tad driver Pioneers being a real standout due to the price and the fact it was a "Pioneer". They were priced at about $5K Next was the Evolution Acoustics MMMicroOne. They just sounded amazing and were one of my favorites of the show. Such an amazing sound stage and dynamics from a small package, a good looking one at that. $2500 puts them in the realm of affordable, I really wouldn't mind picking a pair of these up. Last but not least where the Hsu HB-1 Mk2s. I almost didn't go into the room because I figured he was just showing off his subs and the boring black box bookshelves were just there to fill in the upper end of the sound spectrum. Boy was I wrong. They sounded really good, better than 90% good. And that isn't even taking into consideration their price. At $300 a pair it almost made the rest of the rooms seem silly. The rest of his system was super simple and very un-audiophile. Sony DVD player source, Onkyo integrated, zip wire cables to the speakers. It was almost comical how cheap it looked compared to all the rest of the rooms. One thing he did have that many rooms didn't was lots of sounded panels around the room. There were many rooms that probably have sounded much better if they would have used an appropriate amount of room treatment. Actually kind of amazes me that companies will bring 1000lbs of gear costs as much as a house but not a single sound panel. There loss I guess. Some others speakers I thought sounded pretty good were the Focal Be Utopias (I have always really liked these), Thiel CS 3.7, and Lawrence Cello. Wilson Audio actually sounded okay for once but nothing to get excited about. Best part of the trip was Saturday night drinking some fine Montana brew provided by Todd. Had a great time hanging out with Dinny, Tyll, Todd, Pete, Steve (who I don't think remembers anything), Val, Dan, Jude, Jerry, and everyone else.

Get really drunk while wearing snow shoes.

It was a weird situation, I was stopped in the turning lane right next to a motorcycle accident. Police car pulls up as I get ready to turn and pulls in front. I move to lane next to mine in front of a Semi and the cop gives me the hold just a minute finger. I hold as the light turned green but I guess the Semi wasn't paying attention or even looking in front of him. Plows into me and pushes me a couple feet. All with the cop watching. Can't think of a better witness. I just hate dealing with all the BS that goes with dealing with insurance companies and driving a rental. I guess if your going to get hit by a semi it can't get any better than this.

That is good news, hopefully celebrating a happy birthday with you. My day ended not so good. 18 wheeler not paying attention.

Happy happy birthday!

After listening to some of the best speakers on the market this weekend, there were a couple standouts, but one that really stood out because with was only $300. Sounded better than 90% of the stuff there. Hsu HB-1 mk2. Off an Onkyo integrated fed by a midrange Sony DVD player. All hooked up with zip wire.

Enroute to Colorado now.

Well looks my plans for GABF are now off and I'm scalping the tickets. Now I just need to decide if I'm going to drive in for Friday and Saturday for RMAF. Anyone with a suite to share?

Well as in typical fashion the Army giveth and taketh away. My friend who was supposed to go with me now can't go (most likely) and I need to figure out what to do. I have tickets for GABF on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. I also have hotel reservations at the Hyatt from Thursday-Sunday. If anyone is interest in a ticket (and hanging with me while we drink beer) and sharing a hotel room (when I'm drunk after drinking said beer) let me know. Fuck.

Agree. It's getting crazy

1000 day Gouda

I normally cook at the 5-6 o'clock position in the summer and 7-9 in the winter. Little lower when it's really hot and higher when really cold. I have not tried real wood chips, but the Trager pellets work really well and you can just drop a little handful between the grate.

That's some good stuff. Going to hit up some 1000 day Gouda when I get off work.

Then why did you still post?

Reminds me I need to try smoking some cheese on the Traeger.

I love cheese with a bit of blue/green.

Hipitty Happity Birthday!!!!

Like Jews and bacon. <---Raises hand

Vegans. Suckers.

Figured I would kick this one off, unless I'm the only cheese-head here. Solid largish American cheese company. Love their Merlot Bellavitano.

I totally get it. When I was new at my last unit I would bring a baseball bat into our meetings. Strangely enough nobody messed with me.

You know it! Thursday and Saturday will be big beer drinking days for me, might have to switch to cask strength whiskey on Friday

I'll be at the Convention Center Hyatt downtown Thur-Sun but will definitely be coming down at least Friday.

Which one?

Personally I would prefer a time machine, is if you could work that out it would be great. As for the new iPhone I was not that impressed and really have no urge to upgrade. Maybe the 5S