Our second 2-day Event this year at the Crowne Plaza, Reading East was equally well attended, with most visitors arriving early and staying all day. Some travelled long distances, one taking about 2.5 hours from the west Midlands, for which we are very grateful. Quite a few visited us for the second time. During the break for refreshments, interesting and involved discussions took place amongst the attendees around the coffee machines.
This Event focussed on more affordable audio systems, and a vinyl replay comparison between the DS Audio optical cartridge system and a traditional Luxman moving coil design. The cartridge comparison proved to be illuminating; the general consensus was that the DS-003 was more revealing on finest details and was faster on rhythmic transients, whilst the Luxman LMC-5, which was also excellent at delivering large scale sound pictures, was marginally warmer in tone and more forgiving on brighter sounding LPs.
The speakers used were the Wharfedale Elysian 4 and the Amphion Argon 7LS. Both speakers managed to generate wide and very deep soundstages in a large space (approximately 45 sq m) using either the Hegel H390 and the AVM 30.3 Series pre- and dual mono amplification. The Elysian 4 with the AVM amplification would be expected to fill such a space but the Argon 7LS, with either amplifier, was the surprise for everyone in that its smaller cabinet size did not limit it soundstage, nor its bass extension and dynamic impact with large scale orchestral or jazz recordings.
The CD players used were the AVM CD 30.3 (£2500) and the Audio Analogue Drive and DAC combination (£5750). Both gave a remarkable insight into a true high-end sound for their price points. The AA combo was considered a better all-round player, but the AVM CD 30.3 did not disappoint in either system, offering a sound way above its price point.
We played a great variety of music and visitors were free to play their own albums which meant that all genres were covered to include Michael Jackson, Nils Lofgren, Cassandra Wilson and esoteric jazz all making contributions. Live recordings such "We Want Miles" and "Gil Evans Project: Live AT Jazz Standard" impressed for their natural, large scale, and exceptionally dynamic sound. In fact "Davenport Blues" (by Bix Beiderbecke; arr. Gil Evans 1959 from "Lines of Color"ASBN 0133 artistShare) felt so much like a large jazz ensemble live in the room, our visitors spontaneously clapped at the end. Just what a Musical Event should be about!
We are grateful to Mike Lester of Puritan Audio Laboratories who visited us on Saturday afternoon.
Our sincere thanks to George Sallit of WAM who came for a second time and stayed all day on Saturday. His review of our Musical Event No.5 can be read here.
We were honoured to have Damon Sawyer, recording and mixing engineer for
Crescent Record Studios, visit on Sunday and who stay for most of the day. His contributions to the discussions were illuminating, as was his recording of a large-scale jazz ensemble he has recently remixed. He was very complimentary on the sounds we created with both systems. We are discussing a plan to hold our next Musical Event at Crescent Records in the autumn. More information on this in due course.
Some comments from visitors to our Musical Event No 5 in June:
“Just wanted to pass on my thanks for a very enjoyable event. It was obvious a great deal of care and effort had gone into the system set ups, your dedication to showcasing the different products at their best was impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and it was good fun meeting other enthusiastic and curious hifi spotters.”
Mr TJ from Shropshire
“Thanks for a great event on Saturday. Loved the AVM 30.3 pre-amp and mono amps, the DS-003 cartridge, and the Audio Analogue AAdrive/AAdac.”
Mr RG from Hampshire
“Thanks again for another great event. I was expecting the Wharfedale Elysian 4 speakers to sound excellent, but what we were really surprised about were the Amphion Argon 7LSs; at their price point they are superb. Really interesting turntables/cartridges comparison.”
Mr DU from London
“I enjoyed it greatly! Thank you. Great to hear the DS Audio DS-003 cartridge/equaliser combo.”
Mr AP from Surrey
Visit our demonstration room
4 Zephyr House Calleva Park | Aldermaston | Berkshire RG7 8JN
Demonstrations by appointment Monday – Saturday: 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Telephone or Zoom consultations are available and can be booked at mutually convenient times
