Tarun,you’re videos have become a friday must watch in my schedule. It is amazing how you narrate and explain everything and must say,I’m looking forward to more Neat Acoustics reviews and also the Sibelius. Keep it up 👌🙏
With no music and interviews being recorded over loud background noise, you created the best audio show video I've seen. To answer your question, I'm really curious about the Cabasse Pearl or the smaller Pearl Akoya speaker.
Thank you Tarun for an excellent overview of the show. Thank you too for highlighting the Quad Platina amp and Revela speakers. They've been on my radar since their official release, so it's good to have new pictures of them. Both certainly look visually arresting. I'd love to hear them in due course. And it's great to hear about the smaller boutique brands that I've never heard of before. This space is excellent for democratising access to smaller manufacturers who don't have the big marketing budgets to push their gear. As always, keep up the good work!
Tarun, great video as always! I prefer this swifter format for show reviews than what is typically done by others. Looking forward to your review of the Sibelius. Cheers!
I also went to the show.those 3square speakers stood out above everything else to me.for the size,the price ,the sound coming out of them was excellent.shame i never bumped into you.would have said hi..
Excellent video Tarun. I would be interested in a review of the exposure cd player. As has been mentioned, photos and commentary by you is better than dealing with a video that will have alot of crowd noise.
Another fine video, Tarum. Also, I can fully endorse your comment about the Eversolo DMP-A6 streamer. I received mine 3 days ago, after waiting weeks for delivery, due to the huge demand. I wasn't disappointed. It blows my previous Cambridge Audio CXNv2 out of the water and retails at £50 less that than the CXN.
Thank you for sharing this informative update. Great to see UK brands and innovators still emerging. It is a long time since I visited a HiFi show. It would have been the Penta show from the 90’s during my spell working in a HiFi dealership in the Home Counties. Great memories re-ignited ❤
Hi Tarun I also love the NW hi-fi show, and I note your first photo was taken around 10:00 on Saturday morning at the 2022 show. I'm the grey haired audiophile second in the queue, talking to a guy with a back pack, whilst my son (facing forward) was first in the queue. I digress, the 2023 show was superb. We went on Sunday, this time , and we were very impressed with the Auden hifi set up which features Amphion speakers and Hegel. The star of the show for me, personally, was the high-end and 'can't afford' Kudos Titan 808 which were amazing. Perhaps, them playing Leonard Cohen's Life Itself, and John McLaughlin Paco de Lucia, Al de Meola's San Francisco concert helped.
The 3squareaudio speakers were really impressive for the pricetag totally agree. Also the LS3/5a were rather impressive as well. Other systems of extremely high price tags less so in my opinion. The less than ideal noise floor was a fact but not for all...I was the 6th in the queue on Saturday and managed to listen to a decent amount of speakers without too much noise.
Hi Tarun. Must admit I’ve never been to a hifi show, despite being interested in hifi since the the early 70s . But I enjoyed your coverage , I’m definitely interested in your review of the Sibelius speakers . I watch the designers channel, and like you he seems a really nice guy . Best wishes and kind regards as always. 😀👍👍👍
Hi! There is no shortage of good products with prices to match the quality! It is always fun to dream a little or plan to drain my retirement fund to buy myself a little piece of audio nirvana. Thanks for yhis great video!
Tarun…your photos were fantastic…as were the offerings that you presented from the show. This was much more interesting to this enthusiast than the Munich Show. Thanks for this new effort!
Interesting to see offerings in another part of the world. Thanks for sharing! The orientation of the 3 transformer-type coils in the LS5A crossover looks problematic. I am glad to see someone else making transmission line speakers! You mention at least 3 companies, including the Pearl Acoustic Sibelius.
I have Revival Audio Atalante 5 speakers on order, they make them per order, hand made in France. Looked at Wharfedale Dovedale’s first but at 5500 British pounds for Dovedales vs 3900 for RA Atalantes was a no brained for me. Stands are also beautiful and extremely well made. Saw them on recent hifi show and fell in love with them :)
Loved your statement about the irrelevance of $100k systems to most viewers. But---- These high end products usually do trickle down to the masses and therefore are of value to all. JMF or JMF French pricey amps. The only time I heard Harbeth 40's sound really good was at 2023 Axpona using these $35k Amps. Sounds like the Clarysis $34k was not at your show. Too bad. Was the new $10k Borresen shown there??
Cool vid Tarun. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on the 2 sugden amps and the Galian with the Sibelius speakers. Im interested in all those amps...... 🤤🤤
Thanks for the memories, Tarun. Really enjoyed the weekend with you and the gang and it’s already in the calendar for next year! Those Neat Elite Classics were real stars for me. Harley’s new babies were brilliant but out of my range and too big for my current listening space. Actually, the size of the Sibelius was a surprise. Must be the wide angle perspective in Harley’s filming location/lounge. Anyway, my dilemma now is to either save for the Neats or turbo charge the crossovers on my Quads.
All these boutique or unique brands, good luck when the electronics go loopy and you need to get it back to the manufacturer. Not saying they’re more buggy, but best to buy gear that you can get serviced locally. Reliability and servicing is very important.
Thanks for the insight into the show Tarun! Good to see smaller less known designers and manufacturers there. A couple of products from cabasse have piqued my interest lately. They are the rialto active speakers which seem to have fantastic range and sound, and the abyss integrated amplifier, both of which have great built-in features. Would be great if you could review them 👏🏼👍🏼
Nice video and looks like a sensible show. Looking at TTs with dual arm option, possibly with phono stage upgrade as well. Having a hard time convincing myself what actually makes audible differences, and what not. Currently have a VPI supers-prime scout with SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC* cart (I can hear cart differences: ortofon 2M blue & black), and a EAT eglow petite (better than previous Vincent PHO 701). I noticed you did not mention a single TT in your walk through!
I am kmean to listen to the Quad CD and amp. I have a Naim set up and to be honest the new classic did not impress. I missed the Neats and always felt an under rated speaker. The system I was impressed with was kudos/ Chord. Funny I walked into to the exposure set up and instantly made reference to your taste. I agree the system was not optimised in that room. Great show now totally puzzled which way to turn in my set up. The only certainty is I don't want to move away from a CD front end. 🤔😎👍🎵🎵🎵
Yes, it is very difficult to draw any conclusions based on an audio show setup for oneself let alone for an audience. But this is great honest summary of that event. I must say, I'm intrigued about a tube preamp coupled to a Class D amp coming into Montreal, called Billy, designed by Heaven11. Any chance you get to review it any time soon? Cheers, and thanks for the video...... I'm also eyeing the NWA bundle... but their lack of warranty after switching power supply for Northamerica made me step back..
Tarun, the shows haven’t changed much since I first attended CES in Chicago back in 1986. The ones who have the time and the crew as well as the materials to make acoustical changes are likely to have a better showing. It takes time and a sizable budget to swing that and most don’t have it. The venues are way too noisy and you nailed the issue which is the environment the show is in. You do the best you can and hope it is enough. Glad you had fun at the show. Fun is part of this hobby also. Some don’t get that. Enjoy the music. Good luck to those who sell megabuck gear. In a tough economy, high end is more like dead end! Enjoyed your short version of the show.
The Thomas Galion is a pricey rip off of the Wilsenton. Glad to see you made a show!! Great commentary. Also request a Pass Labs 25INT for review. I will help there too if needed but I think they will agree.
Tarun I'm pleased you liked the Atoll Amplifier. I recently bought the Atoll 200 Signature Pre and Power amps as well as a pair of Kudos standmounts. I traded up from my old Kef LS 50 Meta's and the Kudos really sing with the Atolls. Fantastic job, keep the reviews coming bud! 👍🎵🎼🎶
This was my second year at the NWA Audio Show and the only shows I've ever been to. I've taken my children both times and they really enjoyed it. I would have been starstruck had i seen you there. I felt like an idiot when i5 got nervous seeing Harley Lovegrove. My daughters didn't know who he was but enjoyed talking to him while my son and I listened to the Sibelius. The PMC rooms were really busy whenever I went by, oh well, next year.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 THank you for the reply and as much as I would like to be a patron I see that it is $44+ for the email access which I definietly can't affrod, That would have been shared with you during my Possible email contact with some questions. Thank you again for atleast taking the time to contact me, that is more than I can say for the few other Audio Channels I am subscribed to. Cheers - R.M.
Always a pleasure Tarun with your relaxed but incredibly detailed videos. I must have a similar ear to yourself Tarun as I too went straight to the Neat acoustics room and back to it a few times. It was not my intention to butt in while you were talking to Bob but I was just waiting to catch his eye to ask a question. I clocked you downstairs and it was my Dad Merv who showed his appreciation for your work next to the jbl gear. I did remind him of your name later but he just knows you as the you tube guy. Keep up the good work. 👌👍. Your opinion on this stuff is most helpful when making decisions of my own.
I enjoyed it a good day out Saturday! I Thought all the hifi sounded great, but nearly all the speakers where far to big for the rooms far to much Bass!! .Nice to see Wilkinson HiFi Stuart/Andrew!. I Also liked the Sibelius speakers. Just need an understanding wife and some money🤣
I would love to try PMC in my region of France near Montpellier. I visited the official reseller and they announced that they wouldn’t be ordering the new Prodigy models even though she has them for her personal system. They tried to flog me a pair of Kef LS 50 meta on demo. I look forward to you reviewing the Prodigy range .
Great video!! Are you able to comment on how the NVA mono blocks sounded compared to your experience with their entry level bundle. Thank you for your time and hard informative work!
Thanks, as being across the pond I would not take in an audio show as my cousins would not be happy that I didn't spend time with them. I look forward to your reviews of these remarkable offerings. I admit if I don't see an HDMI it is an automatic no. lol
T, I fell into the Mogo hype train and badgered you with questions, a short time ago. I am sorry. I have the most beautiful headphone rig any one could hope for, I need nothing else. Best, D.
Hi Tarun, great to see you at the show and I always enjoy your videos. Like you, I think this is now my favourite hi-fi show in the UK and I suspect it's going to get better and better with even more manufacturer support next year. If you fancy a read over a coffee then I did a two-part show report on Soundstageglobal. I hope it's OK to mention that, but I think we share the same mission - to spread the appreciation of great hi-fi in the UK. See you at the next shindig! ATB, Jonathan
Wow harsh comment about Bristol Hi Fi show. exhibitors will have evaluated the value to themselves. A decade ago Whilst carrying out an outdoor market traders research I met a man who was paying £250 a day for a single stall at a leading annual uk funfair. All he sold was £1 bags of sweets !!! Does it pay or just promotional value" I asked ? Absolutely I'm paying for the huge footfall - 12 hour days but extremely profitable 👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 As you know as in other countries physical hi Fi stores are slowly reducing in number. The shows are the best opportunity for enthusiasts to hear & evaluate equipment 👍
I remember visiting the High End at Hotel Kempinsky Gravenbruch near Frankfurt in 1995 the last time. It was a very cosy atmosphere, we were there half behind the curtain because we helped one of the exhibitors a bit… Carrying a 40-50kg naked mass turntable with mounted EKOS arm and a 10kDM cartridge down the stairways from level 2 or 3 to ground level…. 😂😂 Or the AC problems. 180V mains in the hotel because of the huge amount of electricity all this class a monoblocks were drinking…😂😂
Its a really enjoyable day out!! For me the best rooms were Audio Detail and co, Audio Counsel and the new prototype Quad Platina/Revela kit has massive potential from what i heard. There was a dealer using old Martin Logan ESL off of a 50w Vincent class a beast and playing the Mofi version of DSOTM and its was "a moment". Some disappointments were also present. The big room with the new Naim into Kef Blades was the biggest waste of money ive ever heard!
Tarun, I enjoyed the commentary. I’ve been to Capital Audio Fest and Axpona here in the US. Both were dominated by components in the multi thousands of dollars vs more affordable stuff. To answer your question about what peaked interest, Andrew Jones had his new Sourcepoint speakers. He had the 10s last November at CAF and the 8s accompanied the 10s at Axpona. My interest is usually with vintage gear. I felt they were such an extraordinary value that I bought a pair of 8s. It also helped I received a large “buy at show” discount. That said, I’m wondering if they are on your radar.
Thanks for sharing Tarun. Like all shows it's a mind boggling collection of audio equipment. I've only ever been to two and that's due, in the main, to the background noise. But any info and pictures are much appreciated. One upgrade I am thinking about is my turntable. The other day heard a Rega P3 and it's as good as my Pro-ject Classic, which was 1k table. I can only guess it majors on aesthetics, so I'll probably look at a Rega P6 or Pro-ject Xperience 2.
Nice video again . I am very intrigued by the Grimm MU2 - you didn’t mention it but I wonder if it was at the show ? It’s basically the MU1 with a dac and pure analogue pre amp / headphone amp . What did you think of the MU1 ? Did them demo it without the Grimm speakers ?
Hi Tarun, have you ever listened to norma audio integrated amp recording 140? Rich full sounding amp from Italy with deep soundstage and good grip and control to my ears. You may enjoy it too
I can recommend Revival Audio spearers to test. Try out the Atalante serias, 3 or 5. The 3 is a bookshelf speaker. It's very good, I bought one after a listening demo. And try out Heed :)
I dont understand the sense behind these audio shows. The Acoustics are terrible, mostly a lot of noise from the visitors and you have not enough time to sit in the sweet spot, and mostly a lot of the same brands on every event - and mostly nothing thats interest me in terms of the technologys (no Strauss, Genelec, Barefoot, ME Geithain, ATC, Quested, PSI etc)…. Maybe its more for the gear-heads who like to look at speakers
Thanks, for the overview Tarun. Would be interesting to see a review of a quad amp. Had you ever listened to any their past amplifiers and found them to your liking? Looking forward to the Sibelius review 👍
Hi Tarun, thanks for the report on the NW Audio show. It looks also to me like something I would enjoy more than the High End show. But that is a matter of taste. I am really looking forward to the pearl acoustics review you are planning. I hope you are allowed to talk about the technology. Is it a life speaker or a dampened one, transmission line, and what not. I have seen a review on it quite a while ago, I do not remember by who, but sadly the reviewer was gagged by pearl acoustics, so the whole affair was almost treated like a black box. Lately I am intrigued by the combination of life cabinets (more made like a musical instrument than a speaker box) and low powered amplifiers. I found a lot of inspiration for this on a tiny YT channel called Real World Audio. Janos is doing a great job sharing a wealth of audio experience he has.
I had tickets but on the Saturday morning I was told it was chaos - parking and big queues - so I didn't go. Think that was a mistake as u I heard lots of positive comments
I live in munich now, so i had the opportunity to go to the largest audio expo on the entire planet. Needless to say, the preparation that its ironically the worst audio event in terms of audio quality payed off. As ive always found, the open baffle speakers, whether it be the panels or the dynamic dipoles, always sounded vastly superior. Also omnidirectionals like the mbl's. They simply don't need the level of treatment box speakers do for such difficult conditions in these events.
This is great. I enjoyed the still images. Still pictures are a good way to show equipment without the distraction of show audio that comes with video presentations.
You’re probably right, but the benefits of biamping and biwiring can’t be replaced by having a more powerful amp afaik. Like passive speakers, much in hifi seems more about money than SQ.
I saw you at this hifi show, ive also got a bald head and you walked past me near the hotel bar, i was in a que nearer to the end of the long table. I listened to higher end cables by Chord company, £500 and £1000 and they were not very good like many other high end products, a lot of digital just didnt pull me into the sound. Overpriced with a lot of sound missing to me.
