Edit: update as of 2/15/12. This thread is an ongoing one with various GTG's which have come and past. The next one is scheduled for 4/14/12. Starting at post #423 is the beginning discussions of the next upcoming GTG. Here is some basic info for those who are starting on page 1.......
Okay, so here is what I have for the probable attendees thus far:
Dennis Murphy: Philharmonic 2's - Cannot attend now, but will send speakers
Jim Salk: Salk SoundScape 10's - Confirmed
TJHUB (Duh, it's his house ): Salk HT2-TL w/LCY tweeter - Confirmed
Merrymaid520: Ascend Tower's with RAAL tweeter - Confirmed
Mrs. Merrymaid - Confirmed
krzywica: PSB Image T55's - Confirmed
Nuance (me): Salk SongTower RT's w/LCY tweeter - Confirmed
Mrs. Nuance - Confirmed
Warpdrv (50/50)
ALMFamily - Confirmed and is bringing a case of Coke
dlbeck
Randy Bessinger - Confirmed
Dogearz - Confirmed
Shadow Hunter - Confirmed
John (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Mark (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
oppman99 (from Audioholics forum)
jb5200 - Confirmed
pennynike1
TurboFC3S (50/50): Vapor Audio Cirrus'
Pet Motel
PAD (Big Red Machine) - Confirmed
Archaea - Confirmed
Gregg (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Kevin (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Jeff and Kathy - Confirmed
Gear being used at TJHUB's:
My gear list:
Source: Logitech Touch
My Touch is running the SoundCheck TT3.0 mods with the volume lock activated (very important, and a long story). The Touch is fed via wired ethernet cable from a server computer in my basement. The server computer is set to do all of the FLAC decoding and streams PCM to the Touch. The Touch is also powered by a DIY power supply that almost made me flip out the first time I heard it. The performance is FAR better than just using an off the shelf linear power supply.
DAC: Eastern Electric MiniMax Plus
The DAC is completely stock at the moment, and will likely stay that way. I am using a Psvane 12AU7 tube though. I have some opamps I've rolled, but I'm very happy with the sound as-is.
Preamp: Rogue Audio Perseus
The preamp is 100% stock including the tubes. Since its arrival in my setup, I have been completely satisfied with it's performance. It basically just disappears completely with the tubes providing a more 3D and layered sound stage. For the record, there is no traditional warm or tube sound allowed in my house. I look to get the sound as realistic as possible.
Amps: Odyssey Audio Stratos Extreme SE Monoblocks
These monos have the "Extreme SE" upgrades which are dual transformers, and upgraded wire/components inside. It is my understanding that they output a little over 200wrms into 8ohms, and approximately 360wrms into 4ohms.
Cables: Don't kid yourself, they matter!
For those that care... I have a Black Cat SilverStar 75 digital coax between the Touch and my DAC. I am in the process of trying to decide between the Sweet Spot Reveal IC's and Morrow MA2 IC's. Both sound fantastic, but offer slightly different presentations. Either sets sound absolutely wonderful, so I'm having a difficult time picking a "winner." I'm running a DIY pair of PCOCC speaker cables that I think are the best I've heard. I purchased them pre-made with a loose Litz braid for $60.00 shipped.
Of course my speakers are Salk HT2-TL's with the older LCY ribbon tweeter. I don't think I've found their limits yet, but I don't think I'll be trying to anymore either. I've loved them since day one, and I've heard no other speaker I'd rather have. I do have an interest in possibly getting some Magnepan's in the future.
I do run a pair of EQ'd DIY 18" TC Sounds LMS-Ultra's for both music and HT. I hope to be able to show their performance for music at the GTG, time permitting. I think they are absolutely spectacular, and I can't live without them for my room. Of course they will likely be out of the room for the GTG to allow every speaker to display its full performance. I'm not worried about my HT2-TL's as they easily shake the floor with their bass output.
Update post 4/14 GTG
Here is the original Track List, and I added the only ones I could recall:
"Boxenkiller" by Cyrill Lutzelschwab and Martin Hess
"Ntyilo Ntyilo (The Love Bird)" by Hugh Masakela
"Walking On The Moon" by The Yuri Honing Trio
"Chant" by Fourplay
"Aaron Copland - Fanfare For The Common Man" by Erich Kunzel: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
"Jazz Variants" by The O-Zone Percussion Group
"Red Rain (Instrumental)" by Peter Gabriel
"Dream On" by Kelly Sweet
"Just Like Love" by Steve Strauss
"Rubina" by Joe Satriani
"Into The Void" by Nine Inch Nails
"Hells Bells" by AC/DC
There was also a song we referred to as "Boom Boom" by Black Eyed Peas to test bass capability;
Philharmonic 2: $2000/pair
Salk SongTower RT: $2700.pair
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower with RAAL ribbon: $2700/pair
JTR Tripple 12-LP: $3000 (per pair?)
Salk Veracity HT2-TL: $4500/pair
Seaton Catalyst: $7000/pair
Salk SoundScape 10: $12,000/pair
reviews listed by link:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1384
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1208
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1160
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1121
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=994
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=945
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=946
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=916
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=894
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=843
The text below is from PREVIOUS GTG's, please do not confuse it with the information from above which is the upcoming 4/14/12 GTG.
Original post........Hey folks,
The WI audio boys are at it again. We plan to hold another little GTG auditioning my new Ascend Tower speakers among maybe some other speakers at my place in East Troy, WI.
We are shooting for Saturday April 2nd around 12:00.
Please let me know if you might be interested. I prefer to keep it geared towards speakers only so we do not have to worry about switching around cables, wires, amps, preamps, etc.
I will be running the speakers off my Parasound 2100 preamp and proceed Amp 3 using a squeezebox Touch as the source.
Please PM if you are interested in attending.
Attendees so far:
Nuance
TJHUB
Dogearz
I will update this thread on what speakers will be here as the date gets closer. (Im trying to talk either nuance or TJHUB to bring their Salks along)...Hint....hint
Speakers thus far:
Paradigm Sig 2's
Ascend Towers
Salk HT2-TL's
Thanks,
Brandon
Okay, so here is what I have for the probable attendees thus far:
Dennis Murphy: Philharmonic 2's - Cannot attend now, but will send speakers
Jim Salk: Salk SoundScape 10's - Confirmed
TJHUB (Duh, it's his house ): Salk HT2-TL w/LCY tweeter - Confirmed
Merrymaid520: Ascend Tower's with RAAL tweeter - Confirmed
Mrs. Merrymaid - Confirmed
krzywica: PSB Image T55's - Confirmed
Nuance (me): Salk SongTower RT's w/LCY tweeter - Confirmed
Mrs. Nuance - Confirmed
Warpdrv (50/50)
ALMFamily - Confirmed and is bringing a case of Coke
dlbeck
Randy Bessinger - Confirmed
Dogearz - Confirmed
Shadow Hunter - Confirmed
John (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Mark (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
oppman99 (from Audioholics forum)
jb5200 - Confirmed
pennynike1
TurboFC3S (50/50): Vapor Audio Cirrus'
Pet Motel
PAD (Big Red Machine) - Confirmed
Archaea - Confirmed
Gregg (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Kevin (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Jeff and Kathy - Confirmed
Gear being used at TJHUB's:
My gear list:
Source: Logitech Touch
My Touch is running the SoundCheck TT3.0 mods with the volume lock activated (very important, and a long story). The Touch is fed via wired ethernet cable from a server computer in my basement. The server computer is set to do all of the FLAC decoding and streams PCM to the Touch. The Touch is also powered by a DIY power supply that almost made me flip out the first time I heard it. The performance is FAR better than just using an off the shelf linear power supply.
DAC: Eastern Electric MiniMax Plus
The DAC is completely stock at the moment, and will likely stay that way. I am using a Psvane 12AU7 tube though. I have some opamps I've rolled, but I'm very happy with the sound as-is.
Preamp: Rogue Audio Perseus
The preamp is 100% stock including the tubes. Since its arrival in my setup, I have been completely satisfied with it's performance. It basically just disappears completely with the tubes providing a more 3D and layered sound stage. For the record, there is no traditional warm or tube sound allowed in my house. I look to get the sound as realistic as possible.
Amps: Odyssey Audio Stratos Extreme SE Monoblocks
These monos have the "Extreme SE" upgrades which are dual transformers, and upgraded wire/components inside. It is my understanding that they output a little over 200wrms into 8ohms, and approximately 360wrms into 4ohms.
Cables: Don't kid yourself, they matter!
For those that care... I have a Black Cat SilverStar 75 digital coax between the Touch and my DAC. I am in the process of trying to decide between the Sweet Spot Reveal IC's and Morrow MA2 IC's. Both sound fantastic, but offer slightly different presentations. Either sets sound absolutely wonderful, so I'm having a difficult time picking a "winner." I'm running a DIY pair of PCOCC speaker cables that I think are the best I've heard. I purchased them pre-made with a loose Litz braid for $60.00 shipped.
Of course my speakers are Salk HT2-TL's with the older LCY ribbon tweeter. I don't think I've found their limits yet, but I don't think I'll be trying to anymore either. I've loved them since day one, and I've heard no other speaker I'd rather have. I do have an interest in possibly getting some Magnepan's in the future.
I do run a pair of EQ'd DIY 18" TC Sounds LMS-Ultra's for both music and HT. I hope to be able to show their performance for music at the GTG, time permitting. I think they are absolutely spectacular, and I can't live without them for my room. Of course they will likely be out of the room for the GTG to allow every speaker to display its full performance. I'm not worried about my HT2-TL's as they easily shake the floor with their bass output.
Update post 4/14 GTG
Here is the original Track List, and I added the only ones I could recall:
"Boxenkiller" by Cyrill Lutzelschwab and Martin Hess
"Ntyilo Ntyilo (The Love Bird)" by Hugh Masakela
"Walking On The Moon" by The Yuri Honing Trio
"Chant" by Fourplay
"Aaron Copland - Fanfare For The Common Man" by Erich Kunzel: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
"Jazz Variants" by The O-Zone Percussion Group
"Red Rain (Instrumental)" by Peter Gabriel
"Dream On" by Kelly Sweet
"Just Like Love" by Steve Strauss
"Rubina" by Joe Satriani
"Into The Void" by Nine Inch Nails
"Hells Bells" by AC/DC
There was also a song we referred to as "Boom Boom" by Black Eyed Peas to test bass capability;
Philharmonic 2: $2000/pair
Salk SongTower RT: $2700.pair
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower with RAAL ribbon: $2700/pair
JTR Tripple 12-LP: $3000 (per pair?)
Salk Veracity HT2-TL: $4500/pair
Seaton Catalyst: $7000/pair
Salk SoundScape 10: $12,000/pair
reviews listed by link:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1384
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1208
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1160
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=1121
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=994
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=945
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=946
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=916
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=894
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=843
The text below is from PREVIOUS GTG's, please do not confuse it with the information from above which is the upcoming 4/14/12 GTG.
Original post........Hey folks,
The WI audio boys are at it again. We plan to hold another little GTG auditioning my new Ascend Tower speakers among maybe some other speakers at my place in East Troy, WI.
We are shooting for Saturday April 2nd around 12:00.
Please let me know if you might be interested. I prefer to keep it geared towards speakers only so we do not have to worry about switching around cables, wires, amps, preamps, etc.
I will be running the speakers off my Parasound 2100 preamp and proceed Amp 3 using a squeezebox Touch as the source.
Please PM if you are interested in attending.
Attendees so far:
Nuance
TJHUB
Dogearz
I will update this thread on what speakers will be here as the date gets closer. (Im trying to talk either nuance or TJHUB to bring their Salks along)...Hint....hint
Speakers thus far:
Paradigm Sig 2's
Ascend Towers
Salk HT2-TL's
Thanks,
Brandon