Hi-Fi Shopping day
So today 19th Nov 2016 I decided to go and seek out a stereo system ( I really mean 2channel here !)
I started off at Hawthorne Stereo, after briefly stating my budget and tastes the salesman did a sound demo with Sarah Brightman ( my choice has always been pieces from the Phantom of the Opera )
Listening to a Rega Brio R with set of Rega Rx 3, I was not really impressed the Rega speakers.
I then requested a larger set of Tannoy DC 2's, while the sound improved, I was not convinced this setup was for me.
I thanked the sales guy and went to Definitive, just across the road.
Again, I explained what I was after and was quickly introduced to John who was very
knowledgeable ! Listening to a Rotel A12 with B&W 683 S2's, I was impressed with the staging, but the the system lack lower end. All tests are with Tone Bypass (Direct)
We then changed to the CM8's which were considerably better, but I still was not hearing exactly what I was after. John suggested we listen to the Rega Alex R, to which I immediately felt better control and a tighter lower end coming through.
At this point, I had no intention of even thinking of the A12 anymore. We then used the setup with some Focal Aria 926's, I liked the vividness of these speakers at once ! They also had a nice lower end. I did not feel they were as good the wide sound stage the CM8 produced.
John was kind enough to show their demo room with their Momentum mono blocks and Pre-amplifier from Dan D'Agostino, Wilson Audio speakers. This was an amazing experience !!!
Listening to James Blake through this setup, well I don't have the words to express this properly.
All I can say is that at any one time in ones life you should listen to that setup.
After all this work ! I had a great beer and Curry wurst at Die Bierstube.
On my way home, met an incredibly friendly bus driver, who lived in NZ for a year, and we ended up having an awesome chat about great food spots in Seattle, and awesome places to hike !
This conversation even spread to other people who boarded this bus, I have never experienced such friendliness and openness ever !
Ending the day with Dinner at Tandoori Hut, my Lamb Biryani was good, but perhaps I should have asked for "hot" the Dal Mukhni was also good, but I think I like Australia's version a little better.
The Chicken Tikka masala was excellent, I highly recommend it !
Back home a for nice hot cup of Ginger Tea, with some ginger snaps :)
I started off at Hawthorne Stereo, after briefly stating my budget and tastes the salesman did a sound demo with Sarah Brightman ( my choice has always been pieces from the Phantom of the Opera )
Listening to a Rega Brio R with set of Rega Rx 3, I was not really impressed the Rega speakers.
I then requested a larger set of Tannoy DC 2's, while the sound improved, I was not convinced this setup was for me.
I thanked the sales guy and went to Definitive, just across the road.
Again, I explained what I was after and was quickly introduced to John who was very
knowledgeable ! Listening to a Rotel A12 with B&W 683 S2's, I was impressed with the staging, but the the system lack lower end. All tests are with Tone Bypass (Direct)
We then changed to the CM8's which were considerably better, but I still was not hearing exactly what I was after. John suggested we listen to the Rega Alex R, to which I immediately felt better control and a tighter lower end coming through.
At this point, I had no intention of even thinking of the A12 anymore. We then used the setup with some Focal Aria 926's, I liked the vividness of these speakers at once ! They also had a nice lower end. I did not feel they were as good the wide sound stage the CM8 produced.
John was kind enough to show their demo room with their Momentum mono blocks and Pre-amplifier from Dan D'Agostino, Wilson Audio speakers. This was an amazing experience !!!
Listening to James Blake through this setup, well I don't have the words to express this properly.
All I can say is that at any one time in ones life you should listen to that setup.
After all this work ! I had a great beer and Curry wurst at Die Bierstube.
On my way home, met an incredibly friendly bus driver, who lived in NZ for a year, and we ended up having an awesome chat about great food spots in Seattle, and awesome places to hike !
This conversation even spread to other people who boarded this bus, I have never experienced such friendliness and openness ever !
Ending the day with Dinner at Tandoori Hut, my Lamb Biryani was good, but perhaps I should have asked for "hot" the Dal Mukhni was also good, but I think I like Australia's version a little better.
The Chicken Tikka masala was excellent, I highly recommend it !
Back home a for nice hot cup of Ginger Tea, with some ginger snaps :)
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