Baltimore MD

Not to throw a wet blanket on everything, but shouldn't there be some kind of agenda for the meeting? It's great that we want to gather and share our passion for the hobby, but I also think it would be great if we could learn a thing or two while we experience each other's systems and gather knowledge that may help to improve our respective systems. BTW, what is everyone's system? That would have a big impact on whose home I'd like to visit.

My system is as follows:

Magnepan Tympani IV (w/ modified crossovers and Mye Stands), Joule OTL VZN 160 monoblocks (for mid-tweet), IceAudioH2O Digital Amp (for bass panels), Audio Horizons TP. 2.1 preamp and 8.0 phono stage (with all NOS Siemens E88CC tubes), Michell Orbe SE, SME V, Denon 103R, G&D Transforms CD Player, Behringer DCX 2496, Bag End Infra 18 subwoofer, Fusion Audio Impulse PC, Harmonic Tech PC's, Signal PC's, various homebrew IC's, Paul Speltz Zero Autoformers, Tara Lab speaker cables, homebrew speaker cables, Shakti Stones. I also have a Loricraft PRC record cleaning machine.

My room is pretty big 25 x 25 x 17. I need to push a lot of air, which this system does pretty well. My newest component is the Audio Horizons preamp, which is fantastic. My potential upgrades are cartridge, Gert Pedersen mod's to the Michell Orbe and, of course, cables and IC's. I'm not far from having my dream system, but need some help getting there as I love to tweak and mod or have tweaks and mods done to my equipment. I also like to bargain shop as we all do.

I'd love to serve as a venue for shootouts involving MC cartridges, CD players, speaker cables or IC's.

I mostly listen to audiophile vinyl and CD's. I have some SACD and DVD audios, but do not consider my digital front end to be SOTA.

Jan. 13th is good for me as well. I'd prefer the afternoon. I can serve as the venue on that day if need be. My television is also on the wall behind my speakers so we can even catch the game (without sound, of course).

Sorry about the long post. Hopefully everyone else will add their 2 cents. Thanks.

Sang

I know Richard at Stansbury and he is a real nice guy, but my preference would be to meet at someones house. But I am certainly willing to compromise!

Joe

Sang, your idea for an agenda is good. The first meeting last year over Michaels house in Baltimore was just me. We had a nice talk over wine and cheese and we listened to Michael's system. I brought a few of my favorite CD's and LP's and just listened. We talked about the differences in our systems and our tastes and 4 hours went by very quickly. The meeting at my house a couple of months later was basically the same thing. We had a total of five people. We talked a bit upstairs with food and libation then we went downstairs to my music room. We listened to some of my stuff and some of what others brought. What I am finding important is to hear other systems and understand others tastes. I have built my system for a certain sound for me, but I like knowing where I am at in relation to the world.
This hobby is actually a lonely one. My wife listens occasionally but just nods her head approvingly to anything I say. She does enjoy live concerts and recitals but prefers to listen to talk radio. I feel that trying to make this hobby more social is a good move. I can easily convince myself that this widget over that widget makes my system sound better.
I can offer to bring laptop based RTA that will measure room response. Equipment shootouts I find more of a ego thing which will result in "my widget sounds better than your widget" I will always agree to widgets sounding different but "better" is another bowel of spaghetti.

Sang,

Thanks for the suggestions and the offer to host. I would love to hear your system.
If you host I will volunteer to bring some "refreshments" or whatever. I can probably also bring some cables or something that could be loaned out for evaluation / comparison.

Joe

Sailor,

Much agreed. I have a horrible room, which I've tried to address with the help of a SPL meter. But I'd be shocked if I'm anywhere close to flat. I'd love the opportunity to get with your laptop and conduct some good measurements. I think that's a terrific first "agenda" item. I also have a Behringer crossover unit that has some equalization capability (yeah, yeah, I know. Let the flames start) so that would be very beneficial for me.

I appreciate any offers for contributions for refreshments. Actually, I'm happy to have some items. My flavor, however, may not be everyone's, so please feel free to BYOB if you'd like.

Let's try for early afternoon? Noonish? Bring your reference music (CD and vinyl). Please e-mail for my address as I'm a little hesitant to post that on a public site. It's weathersoh@msn.com.

And, again, please feel free to post your systems when you get the chance. Thanks, all.

Sang