[ThaPapper]

Arrived back in the Netherlands now and slept a lot better on the ferry than last night
 
Also from me a very big warm thank you to Andy, Mark and Andy's family making such a great day possible!
Actually this was my first meet ever and didn't know what to expect but found it to be a 100% positive experience.
 
Hope to see y'all next time folks!

 

[smial1966]

I think that these events are probably more about socialising and chewing the metaphorical audio cud with fellow enthusiasts, than they are about seriously trying to audition new equipment as inevitably background noise impinges upon ones quietude, making serious listening problematical at best and downright impossible at worst. 
Unfortunately it wasn't possible to pair the Wells Audio Headtrip with the Abyss at your behest as the headphone was constantly in use during the morning and early afternoon.
Perhaps future events can have a `quiet room' where noise is minimised and talking discouraged.   
 
Quote:

  Hi
 
As previously stated, this was my first 'Head-fi' Meet.
I attended to hear one item, which wasn't configured as I wanted to hear it,so a bit of a waste of time!
Listened to a few other items but the noise was just too loud for any serious auditions.
Perhaps a few sessions of self imposed silence might be in order ??(may have been better for those interested in IEM's?)
Again, as previously stated,I'm  more in favour of private A/B auditions so if any Member wishes to meet up, please PM me.
(my interests are recorded on my profile and I would wish to audition similar products)
 
Thanks again to Andy and Mark for tremendous effort.
David

 

[Tro95]

Thanks for the amazing day! I particularly enjoyed the HE-6s, especially paired with that fantastic 2A3.

 

[smial1966]

Please post your detailed impressions of equipment that you listened to if possible. More event photo's too please! 

 

[Renderman]

  Please post your detailed impressions of equipment that you listened to if possible. More event photo's too please! 

I totally agree with smial here! This thread is worthless without pics!

 
I was not able to attend myself but I'm still curious what grasped your attention and why

 

[Holowlegs]

Hello there
 
Just like to thank Andy and Paul, and Andy's family for all the hard work they have put into this, I can only image how much stress it could cause. But as the same as last time it all went very well.
 
Also met up and had some great chats with loads of people and thanks for letting use, listen to your gear.
 
Will post impression later.
 
Cheers Frank

 

[pedalhead]

Just a quick check in from a stop on our way home to say thanks to everyone for the great attendance and amazing gear that was brought to the meet. I'll post lots more later on, but for now - it was great to meet so many friendly and like minded people .

 

[Acapella11]

Thanks for a great meet Andy, Mark and everyone helping was very friendly.
 
The upgraded Feliks Elise (cheers Hypnos1) was a great match with the T1. Good soundstage and bass impact. The signature slightly lush and on the warmer side, detailed and addictive. Signature matches well with HD800 too, stage a bit smaller, bass impact very good. Great value for $500 (+ C3Gs and adapters).
 
Not heard the LCD-XCs before (cheers Criterion Audio) and listened to them through my Questyle CMA800 with M-DAC. Sound great. Even tonal balance and plenty of detail, slightly on the lusher side with an appeleaing LCD bass impact. The sound stage was of a good size, not quite HD800 or T1 but felt very natural.
 
Upgraded Woo Audio WA22 (cheers Nic_Rhodes), with HD800 (/w Norne Draugh v2, balanced) from Oppo player. Wow, top match. What a bass, great stage, amazing detail, amp adds a warm tint, very immersing, worked very well for me.
 
Upgraded Eddie Current 2A3 balancing act, Theta DAC (cheers Negura), with HD800s/Draugh v2. Very detailed and musical, very neutral high end tube amp. Matched with HD800/Draugh v2 for a revealing sound experience. 
 
Great socialising with everyone I met.

 

[negura]

Andy & the sponsors - many thanks for organizing this. I got to hear a lot of great stuff and was very good to meet some of the usual suspects, new people and put more faces to the names.
 
Special thanks to all those who brought so many big rigs - it's such a pain and a risk to get this sensitive equipment moved around. Hopefully all got back in people's homes in pristine condition. I am so sorry for the guy with the dead HE-6s - that was a beautiful pair and well thought mod and I would have loved hearing those. I hope they can be repaired without much trouble.
 
The BHSE/009s was an experience I was lucky to have - and certainly worthwhile. Many thanks to Richard for letting me hear this on a downstream I was familiar with (in this case the Theta Gen V). It was a long time since I heard this amp and while in some areas it matched my expectation bias of how it was going to sound, it was surprising too. The sound stage was the best I've ever heard with the 009s and it had a very rounded and relaxed sound. In particular it was amazing with vocals. In a quiet environment I'd imagine it would be very easy to just become lost with the music. As well as get a more complete understanding of the experience.
 
I didn't get the chance to take too many pics as the time was just flying... but I am hoping some others did and will be happy to share.
 
 
 

 

[britneedadvice]

Hi Andy
Further to your comments re quietness for auditioning equipment.
Firstly,how do the Sponsors view this matter? Surely their purpose is to sell items! If as discussed(privately) the Sponsors are imposing conditions on the Meet, then surely their main purpose is for items to be heard!
I did mention this (noise) to one of the Criterion Staff . When he asked me what I thought about items I'd just auditioned, I informed him it was too noisy to judge.He agreed!
Secondly,I can't imagine all Members came to the Meet for a 'jolly'. Surely, many Members were intent on listening to and making a judgement on equipment (whether it was presented by the Trade or Members).
Several Members bought along some serious high-end gear, some of which needed careful handling/transportation.Was it really worth these Members efforts?
I was listening to Raz's EC2a3/HD800 and was seriously interested to compare with my own Teton/HD800.There was absolutely no chance to make an informed decision!
It maybe the 'nature of the beast' that this type of event will never be totally quiet.Let's not forget that other traditional HiFi shows would expect a degree of quietness when demoing products?
So, whether this was a Members meet or Trade meet a certain degree of self imposed quietness is necessary.How about a quarter of an hours quietness every hour?
 
As far as the Headtrip was concerned, the noise would have made it totally irrelevant no matter how it was configured.I'm sure the Owner of this item would have at least liked it to be heard and preferably in it's 'dual mono' configuration? This item was billed as 'The Beast' and in other places as the possible the King of Headphone Amps. Surely, it must have been worth giving it a chance to show itself of?? What was the point in bring it along?
As we both know, I had the chance to bring along two prime American Headphone Amps (which certainly generate much interest in the US).Other than the fact that I would have been able to audition these items in the privacy(and quietness) of my own Home, I'm glad I didn't bother to bring them to the Meet as it would have been a waste of time!!
Regards
David

 

[Duncan]

That's me Duncan, don't remember talking to you, are you in the photos above?

Hi...

No, I'm not very photogenic, so tend not to pop up

I was over by the criterion audio stand the whole time - FWIW, I'm only up the road, in Shefford

 

[AndrewH13]

Personally had no problems listening to any gear. Maybe I had volume turned up louder

 

[oscarsaudio]

Many  thanks  to Andy (plus his family) & Mark for organising this free event , was great to listen to some awsome gear and see the faces of two members when they listened to vinyl for the 1st time ever !
 
I'll add some pictures and write a little more later .
 
Just a few things to add about the negative responses -   this event was FREE with FREE refreshments and an amazing raffle , lots of money raised for charity  with lots of nice knowledgeable members willing to let you try their gear out .Maybe anyone that thinks it should be done different would be willing to organise a meet !
 
Keep up the good work Andy & Mark!

 

[ThaPapper]

Many  thanks  to Andy (plus his family) & Mark for organising this free event , was great to listen to some awsome gear and see the faces of two members when they listened to vinyl for the 1st time ever !

I'll add some pictures and write a little more later .

Just a few things to add about the negative responses -   this event was FREE with FREE refreshments and an amazing raffle , lots of money raised for charity  with lots of nice knowledgeable members willing to let you try their gear out .Maybe anyone that thinks it should be done different would be willing to organise a meet !

Keep up the good work Andy & Mark!

+1

 

[walakalulu]

+1

Even though I didn't attend I totally agree. Those carping should try organising it themselves rather than criticising others efforts. What do you expect at a meet? Private booths?
Well done to all involved.