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RMAF'2007
Show Reports
October 12-14, 2007
Marriott Tech Center Hotel
Denver, CO (USA)
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Room 538
Matrx Systems
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Room 9003
The Lotus Group
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Lamm M1.2 Ref. amplifiers
Lamm LL2
deluxe preamplifier
ESP Bodhran SE speakers
Argento cables
CMS racks and stands
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Lamm ML2.1 amplifiers
Lamm L2 Ref. preamplifier
Feastrex D9e Field coil speakers
AMR CD77
PranaWire Nataraja speaker cables, Avatar Ref. interconnects, and
MahaSamadhi power cables
Acoustic Revive RGC-24 grounding conditioner
Sound Mechanics PX1 racks, C100 cones and C101 bases
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Positive-Feedback.com
Rocky
Mountain Audio Fest 2007:
The Audio Oasis! Awards, a photo essay
by David W. Robinson
Another
superior room: The ESP Loudspeakers/LAMM Industries/Critical Mass Systems/Argento
Audio Cables/Matrx Systems/Abingdon Music Research/Halfnote Audio space.
(Stop …take breath.)
The
room stack: AMR CD-77 CD player and a LAMM LL2 preamp on CMS stands. These
fed a pair of the superb LAMM M1.2 Reference hybrid amplifiers (my notes
on these in the very near future) via Argento Audio cables, and on to a
pair of ESP Bodhran SE speakers.
I
have to say that I love the LAMM M1.2 Ref hybrid monos, pictured here with
the Critical Mass Systems stands that have become a particular favorite of
mine—Dr. Sardonicus loves 'em too. Intelligently designed, moderately
powerful (110 WPC into a nominal 8 Ohms), and built like a tank, the
M1.2's really hit the sweet tonal spot for me. Very articulate, but never
dry—shaken, but not stirred! A great combo with the LL2, of course, but
the ESPs clearly dug the connection, as well. Synergy galore.
The
pleased proprietors, left to right: Daniel Barnum of Argento Audio
Cables/Half Note Audio; Doug White of ESP Loudspeakers/Matrx Systems; and
Joe Lavrencik of Critical Mass Systems.
A
long-time friend of ours, Joe Cohen of The Lotus Group does his
"tripping the light fantastic" thing with a Feastrex driver
cone. Very spry, Joe, very spry! By the way, these bloody drivers have an
efficiency of, what, around 106dB/W/meter or so. Love flea-powered SETs?
If you've got the bucks (these drivers are not cheap), these drivers with
their enormous ultra-rare magnetic structures could be just the thing. Me,
I can just imagine Harvey "Gizmo" Rosenberg dancing with one of
these himself!
In
which Dave Clark reminds Joe that he is no longer eighteen years old….
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue34/rmaf_dr.htm
by
Dave and Carol Clark
ESP
loudspeakers with Lamm Industries M1.2 Reference amplifiers $21,690 wired
with Argento Audio cables.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue33/rmaf6.htm
Stereophile
magazine
Posted Tue Oct 16, 2007, 12:05 PM ET — By Jason
Victor Serinus
When I entered the room assembled
by Matrix Systems of Pennsylvania, Joe of Critical Mass (maker
of excellent, hand-crafted supports for amplifiers and other
components) was playing a recording of jazz vocalist Mary
Stallings (Maxx Jazz). I was immediately captivated, both by
the sound, and by Stallings' artistry. When Joe recognized me
and asked me if I wanted to play some of my own music,
"No way!" I exclaimed. "Let the music
continue."
As I continued to listen to
Stallings, then finally some of my own music, I remained
transfixed by the system's fabulous, deep, recessed soundstage
and its ability to communicate the heart of musical
expression. No wonder. The system consisted of ESP Bodhran SE
speakers ($16,000/pair) that feature 91dB sensitivity, 8 ohm
impedance, and all new drivers, internal wiring, and crossover
parts; Lamm Industries M1.2 Reference 110W class-A hybrid
monoblocks ($21,690/pair) and LL2 Deluxe tube preamp ($4990);
Argento Audio interconnects (distributed by Daniel Barnham of
Half Note Audio); Abbingdon Music Research AMR CD-77 CD player
($8500); and Critical Mass Systems Grand Master Series
Isolation Systems (price varies). Quite a system, and quite
an experience.
http://blog.stereophile.com/rmaf2007/
www.6moons.com
Name:
Haruhiko 'Hal' Teramoto
Affiliation: Feastrex
First Album Purchased: Beatles - Help
Year Purchased: January 1966
Most Recent Album Purchased: Beatles / Nat King Cole
Name:
Joe Cohen [above right]
Affiliation: The Lotus Group/Prana Wire
http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/rmaf07/stephaen.html
Yet
another room where the AMR CD-77 found shelter saw it
mated with Lamm hybrid electronics and ESP Bodhran
loudspeakers. How about the use of $5 earthenware plant
saucers for cable lifts? The result was a nice
down-to-earth sound.
http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/denver07m+h/denver_6.html
www.audio xsell.com
http://www.audioxsell.com/community/events/7/1094/Rocky-Mountain-Audio-Fest-2007/LAMM-Industries.htm
www. audiojunkies.com
http://www.audiojunkies.com/blog/686/rocky-mountain-audiofest-day-2-part-1-pictures
http://www.audiojunkies.com/blog/693/rocky-mountain-audiofest-day-2-part-2-pictures
www.unitedhomeproducts.com
http://www.unitedhomeproducts.com/rmaf_page2.htm
www. StereoTimes.com
Larry Borden's favorites
Of dynamic driver speakers, the ESP Concert Grands are amongst my favorites.
Displaying a warmth and ease reminiscent of the Rogers LS6 monitor, they
always struck me a the kind of speaker one could listen to for hours without
growing weary. Their $40,000+ price tag however, does put a bit of a damper on
things. I was thus delighted to hear the smaller version, the $16,000 Bodhrans,
which seem to have much of the magic of the larger version.
http://www.stereotimes.com/RM2007.shtml
Bill Wells
My very first stop was to check in with the folks at the Matrx Systems
exhibit. This was a first time ever exhibit for this company at RMAF and the
room was filled with some wonderful products. There featured speakers were the
ESP Bodhran SE loudspeakers and were powered by Lamm electronics.
Additionally, the system was wired together with Argento Audio cables
throughout. Included in this system was the Avatar Acoustics CD player along
with numerous Critical Mass Systems isolation devices.
As I entered the room, I was quickly greeted by mostly familiar faces and one
or two new ones. Additionally, I quickly became aware of a sound reminiscent
of the classic ESP sound. The Bodhrans, priced at $16,000, look quite similar
to the magnificent ESP flagship Concert Grand Si loudspeakers, and can sound
wonderful mated to the right electronics, cables and fed with a really good
music source. First and foremost, these speakers provide a realistically very
authentic soundstage that is wonderfully filled with music. No doubt the
superb electronics used during this year’s exhibit (i.e., Lamm M1.2
Reference mono blocks and LL2 Deluxe preamp), outstanding Argento Audio cables
(Serenity interconnects/speaker cables and Flow power cords), Avatar Audio AMR
CD-77 CD player and Grand Mass Series Isolation Systems from Critical Mass
Systems) helped achieve the good sound.
http://www.stereotimes.com/RM2007BW.shtml
Clement Perry
Seems pretty unanimous when a product gets
voted three out of three thus was the case with the ESP Bodhran loudspeakers
($16k). Like their bigger sibling in the mighty Concert Grands, these babies
love to soundstage and throw images further back than almost any loudspeaker
I've heard regardless of their cost. To leave out the fact this room was using
state of the electronics would be a crime and we all know how good Lamm
electronics are, but the Abbingdon Music Research CD Player wasn't no slouch
either. This was one of the few rooms I found myself utterly relaxed and
comfortable in.
http://www.stereotimes.com/RM2007CPa.shtml
JazzTimes.com
Another highly musical and listenable system was composed of
ESP loudspeakers, Lamm tube electronics and Argento Audio cables. This was a
room I returned to several times as it offered true sonic relief from the
audio overload experienced in many demos—it was just pure musical pleasure
to listen to CDs on this equipment. I know the Lamm amps are quite well
respected, but I’d hazard a guess that the main cause for the totally
satisfying sound of this demo room lies in the ability of the ESP speakers to
transmit music without mucking it up in any way whatsoever. And isn’t that
the secret to any well-designed audio gear? Whatever the reason, ESP (esploudspeakersna.com)
has a clear winner in its Bodhran SE speakers ($16,000). Thanks to Doug White
of Matrix Systems, an ESP and Lamm dealer in Philly, for putting this hypnotic
kit together.
http://jazztimes.com/reviews/audio_video_files/reviewDetail.cfm
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ML3 Signature
