RMAF 09 Photos

[Lynn Olson]

Here are some glamor shots I took at the 2009 Rocky Mountain Audio Festival. I don't like flash, so I used RAW mode on the Pentax K10D and adjusted the 2250~2450 Kelvin tungsten lighting to a slightly warm balance - this is my approximation of how things looked visually to the show-goer when you visited the room.

First pix, a close-up of the SoundSmith strain-gauge cartridge in action, mounted on a Schroeder arm (these were very popular) and a VPI turntable.

[Lynn Olson]

A medium shot of the same SoundSmith, Schroeder, and VPI phonograph (in the SoundSmith room). The motion blur is due to the long shutter speed - the K10D has image stabllization, so hand-held 1/4 and 1/10 second photographs are possible.

[Lynn Olson]

This was one of the best-sounding systems at the show, using the Feastex as a midrange/tweeter from 200 Hz on up, and a pair of AESpeakers 15" drivers below that. Digitally equalized, but an excellent implementation without the usual digital harshness. There was also a small rear tweeter, which looked like a 3/4" Vifa or Scan-Speak soft dome.

[Sheldon]

Originally Posted by Lynn Olson

This was one of the best-sounding systems at the show, using the Feastex as a midrange/tweeter from 200 Hz on up, and a pair of AESpeakers 15" drivers below that. Digitally equalized, but an excellent implementation without the usual digital harshness. There was also a small rear tweeter, which looked like a 3/4" Vifa or Scan-Speak soft dome.

Open back?

Sheldon

[Lynn Olson]

Well, that's my fourth try uploading a photo, and the server just stalls out and never completes the upload. I'll try again later - more photos to come.

Reply to Sheldon - yes, open back dipole for all drivers. Don't know how much EQ the system used, but they did disclose that the crossover was at 200 Hz. Subjectively, the system was quite flat, no obvious colorations jumped out at me. As you probably know, that is fairly rare at hifi shows, where most of the speakers have EQ problems.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by Lynn Olson

eakers 15" drivers below that.

Joe said they were 12"

dave

[Lynn Olson]

Hi there, Planet10! By the way, who was the exhibitor? I don't remember - but the sound was good, definitely one of the better rooms at the show. As for woofer size, sure, 12" seems likely.

[Lynn Olson]

The RAAL omnidirectional speaker, using four small widerange drivers (two above, two below), and a single small RAAL ribbon nestled between the cylinders. Bass comes a pair of drivers in the floor-mounted cylinder. (Photo shows the Left speaker in the demo room.)

The system is bi-amplified, and the price includes equalizer, crossover, amplifiers, and speakers. I am sure I mis-heard Alexander when he said the whole thing would sell for US$4000.

[Lynn Olson]

A room full of restored Technics tape recorders, with refurbished electronics. Quite a sight, and it was fun listening to analog tape again.

[Lynn Olson]

Close-up of the restored Technics recorders. I own one of these models, with a Tektronix Calibration Lab sticker on one side.