In part Seven of Adventures in High Fidelity Audio’s coverage of 2012’s National Audio Show we will continue our exploration of the upper floor of the exhibition.
S17 – Epicurean Audio
I enjoyed my time – albeit short – in this room and it was nice to get an opportunity to hear amplification from Edge again. This American brand – based in Chicago, though it was once based in Florida – has been seen in various rooms in UK shows over the time I have been covering UK audio shows for AIHFA and I have yet to hear a bad sound from any room these amplifiers have been used in.
Epicurean had put a system together including: Sorten Acoustic Panels, an Edge G3 integrated amplifier £6800, Avalon Idea speakers Conrad Johnson HD3 DAC and Theus HD.
The G3 integrated amplifier is a 115 watt amplifier, which incorporates trickle down technology from the high-end NL series products.These products and the G3 have a somewhat Art Deco look about them and the purposeful look is matched by an equally purposeful sound that lacks no finesse or delicacy.
Edge Electronics http://www.edgeamps.com/
Epicurean Audio http://www.epicureanaudio.com/
S18 – Kudos Audio/Cymbiosis
There was a time – when I was a bit more closed minded – when I would not have crossed the road to hear a Naim/Linn system and truth be told I just didn’t get or understand the classic Linn/Naim approach to reproducing music and if I had held to those dislikes I would have missed out on the lovely sound this room was making.
They were using Kudos Audio Cardea Super 20 speakers and Naim electronics to great affect as the system was beautifully open and detailed in its sound.
Also on display in the room were examples of the wonderful craftsmanship of Chris Haraban of Woodsong Audio who make Reference and Artist plinths for the Linn LP12 turntable. The wood used is beautifully finished and magical to touch – like liquid silk. Woodsong Audio also undertake one off Private work, so if there is a wood they don’t use in their plinths why not contact them and see if they can turn your idea into a reality.
Kudos Audio http://www.kudosaudio.com/en/
Cymbiosis http://www.cymbiosis.com/
Woodsong Audio http://www.woodsongaudio.com/
S19 – Peachtree Audio
Peachtree Audio this year had their own room dedicated exclusively to their products and nicely presented it was too. Both times I visited customers were being sold too and music was not being played so sadly I can’t comment on sound in the room.
The system being used was a Nova pre-amplifier £2500, Peachtree 220 power-amplifier £1200, Deco 65 integrated amplifier £750, Nova 125 integrated amplifier £1350, Oppo BD93 and speakers by Paradigm.
Peachtree Audio http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/dac-it-digital-to-analog-converter.html
S20 – Quadral
I can’t really comment on the sound in this room as both times I visited it no music was playing and due to time constraints I was unable to return.
The system being used was made up of electronics from Quadral’s Aurum marque and their speakers.
Quadral/Aurum http://www.quadral.com/
S21 – Kudos Audio/Cymbiosis
The system in this room was to a much bigger scale than in the other Kudos Audio room and perhaps it was too big for the room as sadly this particular Naim/Linn/ Kudos speakers setup – while playing Fleetwood Mac The chain – while nice was also a bit bright and edgy, and the bass was at times edging into boom.
No doubt in a different room things would have been better. Rooms in hotels can be very hit or miss and a room can make or break a set up and this room was certainly having a say on how things sounded – overall the sound in this room was still better than how some others were sounding.
Kudos Audio http://www.kudosaudio.com/en/
Cymbiosis http://www.cymbiosis.com/
S22 – Music First
It is always lovely to see Harry O’Sulliavan and Stephen Billington of Music First both of whom are passionate gentlemen; passionate about music and the products that are hand assembled by Music First.
The system on demonstration in this first MF room was made up from a Baby Reference pre-amplifier, Bel Canto S300 power-amplifier, Chord DAC 64, Sony Vario laptop and Howes speakers.
Also on static display at the back of the room was Music First Classic Vs pre-amplifier £2645 and a very nice Revox A77 reel to reel tape deck that they had used for denos in the past. Rodrigo Vs Gabriela track Stairway to Heaven was playing – off the laptop – and while this has become one of those somewhat obvious audio show demo tracks it still sounded lovely.
Music First http://www.mfaudio.co.uk/
S23 – Music First
In this room the system consisted of a Baby Reference pre-amplifier, Quad 405.2 power-amplifier. Rodgers LS 3.5A speakers, Revox B77 reel to reel recorder and all equipment was housed on HiFi Rack stands – a simple but very effective system that Harry O’Sullivan was justly proud of.
The music played while I was present – Black Box Recorder – was stunning sounding, with a lovely sound stage, great detail, clarity and musicality – I could have spent hours in this room but time was pressing so onwards I had to go.
I have yet to hear a bad sound in any Music First room. so well done guys for keeping the standard up – no mean feat.
Music First http://www.mfaudio.co.uk/
Neil
The next part of NAS 2012 will follow very shortly, with more coverage of the upstairs rooms.
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