| General Meeting Reports for 2008 |
|
| November 2008 |
|
Rockian Trading |
Another night with Rockian Trading and as usual Ian provided us with a huge eclectic mix of music.
Always interesting. Once again, thanks to Ian and Bev Hooper for giving us their time. The range of music was extensive. Even Santana and Roy
Orbison got a mention. Also thanks to Greg Osborne for helping out with his usual great gear. The new Consonance range gave good listening.
I can hear why it‘s been selling well. Another great listening treat. Thanks guys.
| October 2008 |
|
Top Hat Members Selection Night |
Last meeting we had a another special night of electrostatic speakers.
This time we had a classic pair of Quad ESL63 speakers with one of Hugh
Dean`s latest amplifiers driving it. We had mostly positive comments about the
night and the gear being used.
For myself the best bit of music I heard was the last track for the night of a
screeching trumpet, it truly sounded alive.
Chris Mogford
| September 2008 |
|
Whise Products |
Last meeting we had a special night of
electrostatic speakers. I'd like to thank Charles
Van Dongen for coming along and showing us
the latest wares from Whise. Charles has been an
enthusiastic ESL designer for a long time now
and once again he showed us something that was
special.
The HA1500 was quite a work of art with many
features not found in other ESLs. Specially constructed stator
to provide the maximum dispersion of sound. Integrated
amplifiers for the panel as well as the sub-woofer.
Charles introduced us to the method of acoustic filtering which is vital to
obtaining such copious bass from smaller enclosures.
The very large ELS speakers (HA1800) were on show and we heard them
briefly but unfortunately they were not sounding right. Charles believes that
something must have come loose in its travels.
We heard a compact pair of ELS speakers that would be perfect for small
rooms or desktop audio authoring. This was partnered with a tiny sub-woofer
using the acoustic filtering technology and the big sound belied its small size.
Charles has offered to provide a better listening environment at his workplace.
Those intrigued should give Charles a call. Contact is Charles Van Dongen,
Immersion Technologies 12 Weir St Glen Iris.
Phone 9832 0057, email c.vandongen@iti-plc.com web site www.iti-plc.com
Chris Mogford
The meeting held at Audio Trends was another great night held at their premises.
We thank all concerned for helping make this a night to remember.
We were instructed as to how beneficial calibration of our televisions were and of the virtue of Stewart Screens.
If anyone has a request for specific manufacturers products where Audio Trends may help then please enquire.
Audio Trends is keen to help with any demonstration of a particular kind.
We look forward to further events with Audio Trends.
Chris Mogford
| July 2008 |
|
Linn Klimax DS Demonstration |
For our July program, the presenter Bill Livingston from Linn, came all the
way from Scotland to give us an inspirational talk on Linn's approach to
Audio.
It was fascinating to hear Bill's account of how Linn started in the audio
business, their background in precision engineering, and the Linn philosophy
on listening and evaluating equipment. Bill gave some fascinating insights
into the listening process, methods of evaluating equipment, and the
importance of the front end of a system.
I counted the audience at 104, which has to be one of the club's largest
attendances, and from all accounts, I can confidently say that it was among the
most interesting and best presentations the club has had.
The presentation only contained about 20 minutes of music, which will have
disappointed a few people, however I think Bill clearly demonstrated that The
Linn Klimax DS audio streaming technology is superior to their CD player,
and that the quality of Linn equipment is high indeed - I overheard quite a few
members say it was the finest system they had heard.
For those who were unable to attend, the system comprised Linn's top of the
line system: the Klimax DS Digital Streamer; Klimax Preamp; Klimax 350A
active speakers, and for comparison purposes, the Akurate DS and Akurate
CD player.
David Cathro
Acting Program Coordinator
| June 2008 |
|
AGM + Members Selection |
The June meeting was the AGM, and most
of the night was spent on the club business..
After the break, those who stayed were
treated to an enjoyable session of member's
selections from the Hat. I would love to tell
you what they were, but I did not write them
down and I cannot remember.
The system was your Program Coordinator's
NOS CD player and single
ended preamplifier, Ernie's
power amplifier, and Manny's two way speakers, built and designed by
our own Ron Newbound.
We were asked to use the Theatre, and it
proved to be a fine venue with many
reporting that the sound was
well above average.
David Cathro
| May 2008 |
|
A Comparison of Two Pre-Amplifiers |
The valve preamp verses Solid State (SS) preamp
comparison, at the May GM, caused quite a stir and
a lot of discussion amongst the members. For those
who were not there on the night a complete system
was setup where only preamps were changed between
similar tracks on the same CD via an A/B
switch box. The idea was to compare a valve preamp
with a SS preamp with other components being
shared. Leads were covered so no one knew which was A and which was B
under the A/B comparison test.
Before I go on A was the valve preamp and B was the SS preamp.
Now you know. Some members had to leave before it
was revealed which was which and though they tried
very hard to get me to tell them before they left, I refused.
I didn't want it spoiled for others.
Some told me at intermission which they believed was
which and why. Most had it wrong. At the end of the
night, before the preamps were revealed, a vote was
taken which sounded the best. There was a 60/40
split in favor of the Solid State preamp. That did not
stop a lot from saying they much preferred the valve
pre and why.
Thank you for those who attended and your nice comments about the equipment
used all of which was made by me. Also I received a lot of comments about the
wide range of music played which most appeared to enjoy. For those who asked
if they can purchase the preamps the answer is yes, though at this point the valve
preamp has been spoken for.
The list of tracks played below in order:
1. Dee Dee Bridgewater - Red Earth (the warm-up track)
2. Mick McAuley and Winifred Horan - Serenade
3. Jorge Reyes - De Todo Poco
4. Keith Jarrett - Handel
5. Anne Sophie Von Otter - Water colours
6. Enrico Rava / Stefano Bollani
7. Jane Monheit - Surrender
8. Robert Plant / Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
9. Trumpet Concerto - Academy of St Martin in the Fields
10. Claire Martin - Secret Love
11. Australian Welsh Male Choir - Live from Frankston Uniting Church
12. Stan Getz - Final live performance
13. John Williams - Memoirs of a Geisha
David Cathro
| April 2008 |
|
Manfred Kaindel Acoustic Products and Design |
Manfred Kaindel from StudioCEL presented a
range of acoustic products designed for the home
listening environment. Manfred gave some background
theory on room acoustics, and described the
services and products that his company offers.
Manfred then demonstrated the effect of the acoustic
products. We set up a system comprising
Manny's Large speakers, Ernie's Aspen
amplifier, an XTC 3 Pre, and a modified
Marantx CD94 CD player. Acoustic
panels were put behind the speakers to
dampen the rear reflections, and were
removed and added alternatively to
demonstrate their effect.
Manfred charges $120 for a home consultation
visit, and the panels are in the
vicinity of $200 - $300, much less than
in audio shops.
One club member has since informed
me that he has had Manfred round
and for $500 has completely transformed
the sound of his room/system.
If you wish to contact Manfred you
can reach him on 0413 074 451 or email
David Cathro
| March 2008 |
|
Bill Armstrong Melbourne's Mr. Audio |
We had the great fortune and pleasure to have
the legendary Bill Armstrong as our very special
guest for the March General Meeting. Bill
talked about his long and amazing career in the
music industry, and entertained us with numerous
examples of his pioneering recording work.
Bill's career has been quite incredible, and he
shared with us many insights and stories. I have
to say, that I have never seen the MAC members
transfixed in the way they were for this presentation.
To top it off, Bill was a complete and utter
gentleman. For those who were fortunate enough
to be there, I am sure it will be a night that lives
long in the memory.
David Cathro
| February 2008 |
|
Tweaking and Tuning |
Februaries Presentation was a workshop on tweaking and tuning. The idea was to take a
high quality inexpensive system, start with it poorly setup and see how much we could
improve the sound.
The System comprised of: a Marantz CD60 (reclocked and NOS);
Orelle 100evo integrated amp; and Orelle Swing speakers.
This was initially setup with fairly ordinary oxygen free speaker
cable and generic interconnects, the components were placed on
top of each other on the trestle table, and the mains cables were
intertwined with the audio cables.
Initially we played with the speaker placement, but did not spend
too much time here. Admittedly, huge improvements could have been realized from
spending the evening getting this right, and with improving the acoustics, but that was
not the point of the demonstration.
The main changes that were made during the evening were:
- Speaker placement
- Separating the mains cables from the audio cable
- Taking the CD player off the amplifier
- Changing the speaker cable
- Changing the interconnects
- Changing the mains polarity on the CD player
- Placing the equipment on a dedicated rack
- Positioning the equipment on the rack
We also played around with some even more quirky ideas like putting different objects
on top of the speakers, feet under the CD player, and even did a green pen comparison.
The feedback from the evening has been extremely encouraging, with most people reporting
that they heard clear differences with each change, and some even inspired to
experiment themselves.
David Cathro
| January 2008 |
|
Buy, swap and sell |
January meant it was time for the club's usual
buy/sell/swap event. The council very generously
gave us both halves of the Waratah Room, which
meant there was plenty of seating as well as the stall
area. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and there
were plenty of happy people picking up bargains.
I am
told in the past there has
been trouble with dealers,
but I could not see much
that would interest them,
and none showed up anyway.
As is part of this traditional
event, both pizza
and drinks were enjoyed.
Due to Council's policy
refreshments were served
at the bar, and your club
will be picking up the tab.
My thanks to the many members
who came with their surplus
'treasures'.
David Cathro
