[btf1980]

Spent my sunday afternoon in Stereo Exchange with some vinyl/audiophile buds, had my camera with me.

We started off with the Sooloos wireless system, hooked up to Meridian's DSP8000. Are you sitting down? Good. The DSP8000 is $65,000. Next to the DSP8000 is the Sonus Faber Amatis, a relative bargain at $30,000. Didn't listen to those, but I know 'em well. I like Meridian sources better than their speakers. The Sooloos system is great, intuitive and easy to use, but it is expensive. A plethora of McIntosh gear on the rack. I think there is over half a million dollars in this room alone.

The DSP8000 are self powered. The Sooloos was hooked up directly to the DSP8000. It sounded fantastic. $65K fantastic? Well, everything is subjective.

more coming..

 

[btf1980]

From the super expensive to the affordable. Pro-ject's latest turntable was great. It's only $150 more than the debut 3.

Liked these shots...

 

[btf1980]

Cosmos setting up the gyrodec. Quad speakers, Audio Research amplification with a lehmann phono stage.

A must in any audition

The Michell Orbe turntable. Incredible deck. Listened to some Cat Power on them with Vienna Acoustic The Music speakers. Loved it.

 

[btf1980]

In mac we trust.

 

[btf1980]

Sonus Faber Stradivaris - $45,000. Breathtaking!!! The room was a little live with the wood floors, but still sounded good.

Audiophiles that aren't 80 yrs old. Yeah, we exist.

Speakers being discounted heavily.

Affordable Totems.

Not so affordable Totems.

Sonus Faber Ellipsas

 

[btf1980]

Now for the main attraction - The new B&W 802 & 805 diamond speakers.

Let me just say that to all the people complaining about the way the speaker looks with the silver trim, rest assured that it looks very handsome in person. I think the flash on camera's pick up the silver accent making it more noticeable in pictures. In person, it's a non issue.

Up first was the 802 Diamonds. They were hooked up to the creme de la creme. Top of the line McIntosh gear. Each speaker was hooked up to the behemoth MC2301 tube amp. The source was an MCD500 SACD player (liquid smooth!)

I know the previous 802Ds like the back of my hand and I have heard them with the same mac gear before, but there are definitely differences. To begin with, the new 802 diamonds are more forward. Not a detraction, but noticeable if you know the previous speakers well. In comparison, the previous model has a more polite sound - tamer even. I was very impressed. Impressed enough to drop the dough on it? Ask me in a few years. Not now.

Now the 805 diamonds impressed the hell out of me. To be frank, and I know I might ruffle up some feathers, but the new 805 diamonds with a top of the line subwoofer from the likes of JL Audio is a much smarter buy than the 802 diamonds. That would be a tremendous combination at a fraction of the 802 price.

The 805 diamonds were connected to a lowly Rotel integrated & marantz cd player. The Wall by Pink Floyd (MFSL copy I think) was put in, and WOW! This speaker images like nobodies business. Tight, crisp and detailed. Excellent midrange. There was a couple in the room with me, and the guy whipped out his credit card after about 10 minutes...I left the room to let them take care of business. I think that says it all. I could buy these speakers & be content for a while.

I honestly think most sales for B&W will be between the 802 and the 805 diamonds. The 802 simply because of the leap in dynamics and bottom end from everything below it, and the 805 by virtue of being the only bookshelf in the line up, making it versatile and the most affordable.

Some pics...

 

[Gazza]

Did you guys buy anything or were you just tire kicking?

 

[btf1980]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazza /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did you guys buy anything or were you just tire kicking?

Having spent over $30k in this shop over the years, I think I have earned the right to listen to gear here.

But, it was a planned visit with them. We were invited.

Cheers

 

[brat]

Not all expensive toys are high end

You're a lucky man if you like so many of these things...

 

[vcoheda]

cool pics. thanks.

 

[Jon L]

Did you compare the Quad 'Stats with any dynamic speakers there?

 

[n3rdling]

Really surprised to see a bare wooden floor in one setup and a Quad setup with the speakers so close to the wall, especially in a high end shop. You should tell them to give the Quads some more room from the back wall (same goes for any other planars they might have setup). I've listened to the old 802D's briefly and thought they sounded pretty bad for the money. Nice pics! I love the look of McIntosh amps and Michell TTs.

 

[Deadneddz]

Those Quads look so awesome. Can't imagine how transparent they must sound.

 

[Audio-Omega]

Did those B&W speakers sound good ?

 

[tintin47]

I don't understand audio shops that sell $65000 equipment but don't understand the need for acoustic treatments. Nice pics though.