I was in Santa Monica yesterday for a meeting and had a little time to kill afterwards. So, I went to Optimal Enchantment to talk with Randall. The equipment and systems that he has in his one room store/listening room are nothing short of amazing.
I just needed a few moments to relax and talk and hear some great music and equipment. Very top of the line stupidly expensive Basis turntable and tone arm with a stupidly expensive cartridge, into Audio Research REF 10 phono stage and Audio Research REF 10 pre-amp, then into Vandersteen audio model 7 with Vandersteen amps.
He played Diana Krall live in Paris. That was absolutely the best live recording I have every heard. the Engineers and sound recording technicians really knew their stuff.
The worries of the day evaporated and with Diana Krall, Grant Green and Dean Martin playing I was there.
I heard the same system a few months earlier and he used the same setup but with Audio Research REF 250 SE amps. that system completely disappeared. I can't say the same with the Vandersteen Amps.
Don't get me wrong, I'll take the Vandersteen model 7's and his amps without hesitation. They were great.
But, just had to post here that Diana Krall live in Paris is absolutely a great two album set. I ordered it immediately upon returning home.
If you have a chance to stop in on Randall at his shop in Santa Monica, you won't find a more knowledgeable and likeable person.
enjoy