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Editorial: Freibier Volume 1, March 2008
DK’s Freibier
Volume 1, March 2008
So what’s this Freibier thing? Simple: the term Freibier, literally means just that: free beer. Freibier was something brewery workers received in addition to their weekly pay and was later used as a daily motivational tool by many breweries, though not exclusively. Think of DK’s Freibier as a monthly column by yours truly that is part free advice, free thought and other such trivial wisdom from this crazy Serb, born in Pakistan raised in Austria.
Fitting or not, Volume 1 therefore starts with a topic very dear to me and by association, all audiophiles and music lovers everywhere. The topic is really nothing new or revolutionary, at least in our part of the universe.
Dammit, what is it already? ...
| Permalink | Articles , DAC mods , DACs $1k to 5k , Writer: Danny Kaey | Posted by Danny Kaey on Mar 07 '08
DK's CES 2008 mega-mix ... and the lights came crashing down...
CES 2008… music, music, more music!
Since music is what we are all about, I figured an intro to my very own and special CES show mix is in order. While most exhibitors typically enlist the help of modern day audiophile recordings, camp DK always tries out something else. For this year, I compiled a demo disc with a whopping 19 tracks, totaling a 79:14 on the clock. Wherever time permitted, I’d play my disc to get a better grasp of the sound quality and general vibe of the system. Hey, it’s all about the music and since most non ‘philes haven’t heard of anything beyond our friends at Best Buy, you have to start with music they are familiar with.
Sound wise, this show was an improvement over last year; it would appear that many exhibitors figured out a way to overcome the room challenges presented by the Venetian suites. In general, sound was quite good, although as always, some rooms sounded better then others. Standouts? There were a couple; though you’ll have to be more patient and read the overall show coverage.
Tracks ranged from classic rock, Born To Be Wild, to live Fleetwood Mac, Nat King Cole, Reference Recordings, Scissor Sisters and my all time fave, Yello. Of the 19 tracks, the most requested were these fine examples of DK’s lounge:
James Taylor’s Fire and Rain is a great example of a 70’s recording that was left almost pure and pristine. I listen for JT’s voice and in particular for the tremendous bass thwack of the kick drum which was recorded exceptionally well (there’s just a hint of tape compression, which ads nicely to the fullness of the sound). My recommendation is to get the Hoffman/Grey Warner reissue – A+++
Just Jack’s Life Stories, off his follow-up album Overtones is a fantastic, lyrically stimulating track. A modern day recording, the producers and engineers did an outstanding job capturing the overall feel of Just Jack’s melodies, harmonies and Overtones. The track kicks up with a nice drum track, that has that phat, thick luscious analog sound of nice tape compression. A super demo track, requested rather frequently.
Audiophiles LOVE female vocals. Ok, so here you go: Audrey Morris – Bistro Ballads. An early 50’s full track mono recording off RCA’s budget “X” label, this is as good as it gets. No overdub, reverb or other artifacts to cover Audrey’s absolutely outstanding voice, this track – Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry - was one of the most requested!
Of course, no DK lounge mix would be complete without a little schmalz and swagger, in this case, Nat King Cole’s Love Is The Thing is a wonderful disc, although you have to spring for the DCC / Hoffman reissue ‘cause the commercial disc plain ol’ sucks. Absolutely stunning “you are there” vocals!
The most requested track off my disc was of course none other then Yello’s Planet Dada Mix. This track is always a major challenge for many systems: you can judge speed, bass extension, dynamic resolution and spatial cues off this single track unlike any other. This is also the track responsible for bringing down 2 ceiling mounted lights in the Luxman/Vivid room, cranked up to 115db peaks!!! You want this disc!
Scissor Sisters debut album is a nice, melodic synth pop disc, which has some pretty nice demo tracks. If you are into Yello and similar, you’ll love this disc! Must have in any serious audiophile collection!
Last, but not least, The Viking’s off Keith Johnson’s Pomps and Pipes demo disc. Wow, Wow, Wow! You want to check absolute dynamic resolution in your system, play none other then this (and Yello). Harry Pearson introduced me to Keith Johnson at the show, what a nice, welcoming gentleman! More to come, including full coverage of his new HRX format high-res discs!
| Permalink | Articles , Vegas 08 | Posted by Danny Kaey on Jan 14 '08
120db = Loud, Louder, Loudest, INSANELY LOUD.
Most of my buds aren’t “audiophiles." Naturally, every time a neophyte friend comes over to hear my latest toys or review samples, the most common questions are: how many watts, how loud and what kind of bass does the system play? Considering that most modern day recordings have about 0.1db of dynamic range, I most always reply, “Well, that sort of depends on the quality of the source”. In truth, the more dynamic a recording, the more “natural” it will sound at the low level, but especially at higher, or elevated db’s.
Typically, my non-audiophile friends bring their favorite CDs, like Just Jack, or the latest Cibelle, Goldfrapp, Dylan, Kraftwerk or Spoon. My current CD player is the LessLoss system consisting of the stupendously good CEC belt drive transport and LessLoss 2004 “miracle” DAC. Depending on the flavor of the day, I’ll run the system through either my Brinkmann Vollverstärker, the original pair of Quad II’s, my Luxman MQ88, the mighty Threshold T400 or Lavardin Model IT.
COMMENTS (2) | Permalink | Articles | Posted by Danny Kaey on Jan 04 '08
Rolling Stone Loudness Wars
News is slow with the beast that is CES starting Monday, but here's a superb article from Rolling Stone about the never-ending loudness wars. In case you're not familiar with this bloody battle, recording engineers are cranking up the volume of every instrument, vocal and sound on an album so they can all be heard over iPods and car stereos. As for the hi-fi biz, well...
"...even most CD listeners have lost interest in high-end stereos as surround-sound home theater systems have become more popular, and superior-quality disc formats like DVD-Audio and SACD flopped. Bendeth and other producers worry that young listeners have grown so used to dynamically compressed music and the thin sound of MP3s that the battle has already been lost. "CDs sound better, but no one's buying them," he says. "The age of the audiophile is over."
The article is a must read with great quotes, sample waveforms and more. So is the battle, in fact, already lost? I don't believe so, for no other reason than a cheap Best Buy stereo will reveal the flaws of a dynamically neutered album. Then again, I could be wrong. If the music biz really wants to save themselves, start releasing special editions without dynamic compression -- with this much negative buzz, I bet average blokes would be interested in higher quality sound if they only knew it existed.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Posted to Articles
SonicFlare Top Speakers of 2007
Sports cars have nothing on hi-fi. Each year, hi-fi manufacturers create new speakers and components with more space-age tech and bling than Bugatti. To show you what hi-fi is all about, we decided to present our Top Speakers of 2007 with their corresponding super car identities. After all, racy looks and extreme performance is what hi-fi is all about.
We chose these loudspeakers based on the buzz they received over the course of 2007. While there were many new and exciting prototype products this year, the loudspeakers on our list are all commercially available and showing up in rock star and hi-fi fan's living rooms everywhere.
Hi-fi, like sports cars, is made up of numerous fantastic speakers, each with their own unique strengths. So if you’re new to the glorious world of hi-fi, forget plastic speakers and find out what “sports cars for your living room” is all about.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Posted to Articles | Speakers $10k-20k | Speakers $20k and up | Speakers $2k-5k | Speakers $5k-10k
Steve Jobs Sonic Lifestyle
Recognize the man? It's the great one, Steve Jobs, circa 1982 in his minimalist pre-hegimonic lifestyle.
More importantly, however, is what's in the background. I spy a turn table, amp and big flat panel speakers (in the dimensions of giant iPods, no less). In references to this picture, Jobs said, “This was a very typical time. I was single. All you needed was a cup of tea, a light, and your stereo, you know, and that’s what I had.”
Amen (although I think "cup of tea" is a euphemism for something else entirely). So anyone recognize the speakers and equipment? Check out the original article to see a higher res image.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Posted to Articles
The Joy of Used by Robert Learner
The awful truth is that most new audio equipment is worth half of what you paid for it the moment you power it up. This isn’t the 10 percent a year depreciation of your car; it’s freefall.
Why an immediate fifty percent drop in value of a newly bought component? There’s just not a ton of demand out there for mid-to-high end stuff, and many owners are serial equipment floppers. Furthermore, audio equipment is largely solid-state so there’s little physical wear, and most of the good stuff is somewhat to ridiculously overbuilt. Yet further, unlike the rapidly changing videoscape, audio technology is relatively mature and slow to improve. Low demand, high reliability and lack of obsolescence yields a glut of good used equipment and great opportunity for the savvy music lover on a budget.
Keep reading for full article...
Permalink | | Posted to Articles | Writer: Robert Learner
Stereophile's Stephen Mejias Shouts Out SonicFlare
Who said there's no one hip in audiophilia? Stephen and I met a while back and instantly bonded over booth babes, modern music and our youth. I think our first conversation went something like, "Yo, you're not 80 years old!" "Neither are you!" "Yo!" "Yo!"
Stephen recently penned some kind words about the SonicFlare redesign here. Thank you, man, and everyone, be sure to check out his blog for the hippest voice at Stereophile. While you're there, make sure to scroll on down for a little hi-fi booth babe action. Yeah, cheerleaders and hi-fi are a taste sensation.
Speaking of audio smut, Stephen and I were recently talking about everyone's favorite SF article from this past CES, the Booth Babe Retrospective. Here's to hoping those booth babes make a reappearance. And, in the name of advancing audio, we'll bite the bullet and interview the CES babes to find out what floats their proverbial sonic boats (and, like gentlemen, compare notes afterwards). The things we do for you...
Permalink | Comments (3) | Posted to Articles
Beginner’s Guide
Music lovers, your life is about to change forever. The hottest electronics market in the world is one you’ve probably never even heard of: high-performance audio.
A super hi-fi system is, simply, a sports car for your living room. Instead of horse power and 0-60mph times, hi-fi will give you the most intense and amazing sonic experience possible. In three easy steps, you’ll be rocking a system that’ll amaze your friends and impress the ladies. Here’s how:
Permalink | Comments (5) | Posted to Articles
SonicFlare's Sonic Circle
Hi-fi is, if nothing else, huge. The massive number of speaker and component manufacturers rivals the diversity of sports cars, fine wines, luxe watches and designer clothing. Each product is a masterpiece with its specific qualities and unique audiences. Alas, hi-fi magazines propagate the misconception that there is, in fact, one "best of the best" component and an “absolute sound” to be achieved. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
SonicFlare’s motto is “sports cars for your living room” and there’s a good reason why. To illustrate, answer this question: which is better, a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce or Aston Martin? While you may have your personal favorite, the question is meaningless because there is no overall best of the best in automotive.
These same rules apply to hi-fi. Unfortunately, the current audio culture revolves around a generic 0-60mph test. A supercharged Honda hatchback will beat a Porsche in a drag race, but does that make the Honda a better car? Not a chance. And just because a component measures flat from 20Hz-20kHz doesn’t mean it’s a world-class performer. We all know there are different sounds and different flavors. The Sonic Circle was born out of this need for a better way to discuss hi-fi.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Posted to Articles
The Guide to Women + Audio
The wisdom herein is so powerful and life-changing, it should really be sold as a DVD on late-night cable between commercials for Girls Gone Wild and herbal manhood enhancements. Instead, we’re giving you these golden nuggets for free. So whether you’re looking for meaningless sex, steady relationships, or simply want your wife to stop complaining about your speakers, get out of your listening chair and put this guide to use. SonicFlare is on a mission to expose the world to super hi-fi and you can do your part by getting some loving tonight.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Posted to Articles
Vegas07 Booth Babes: A Retrospective
SonicFlare, where the show coverage never ends! One hot topic among CES goers is the booth babes. Usually the conversation revolves around which rooms are a "must see." Of course, babes isn't the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of audio shows, but there are always a few savvy manufacturers who hit the Vegas yellow pages for some traffic-building PR.
Now, normal electronics companies use copious amounts of BBs to attract the loveless journalists who are far more interested in the flashing smiles than the latest 1080 DLP. In the hifi ghettos of Vegas, women are so rare I nearly dropped my complimentary Vegas Joe when, upon entering the Vincent Audio room, I was met by Brittany (or was it Mandy...Nancy, maybe?).
Naturally, I had to interview her for journalistic purposes. Brittany has mucho Vegas show experience and knew how to smile at the right times to get the crowds in the door. Did it work for Vincent Audio? Not really. "The guys here are kinda like the guys at the normal electronics show...only older." Alas. Where the visitors over at the main show tend to holler obscenely and throw dollar bills at the BBs, the crowds at the hifi home just walked by lovely Brittany as if she didn't exist. I should know, I watched for quite a while.
Suffice it to say, I don't remember a thing about the Vincent Audio room. Check out the plethora of other show reports if you really care. But Brittany was great and didn't even blanch when I asked her about macrodynamics.
The other room with a booth babe was Haliaetus (picture below). People, this is not the woman to hire. Unlike Brittany above, the Haliaetus babe was truly the worst person imaginable to provide audio information. She was very attractive in an Angelia Jolie kinda way, but, god...this is the real conversation: Me: "What am I looking at?" "Speakers." I stare at her for a second -- she's dead serious. "Yeah...and?" "What?" "What kind of speakers are these?" "Haliaetus." "Okay, do you have any lit?" "What?" "Literature." "What do you mean?" "Paper with information about the speakers on it." "Uh, let me check."
So while she's checking, a couple guys walk in. She never does return with lit, and never informs me of her failed quest. So one of the new guys asks: "what am I looking at?" "Speakers." "You're kidding! God, I couldn't tell! Wow, speakers! Shocking, considering this is an audio show! And I've never seen a speaker before! You don't say! OH -- MY -- GOD!" She takes a moment to respond. "Your sarcasm is not appreciated." And then we all had a good laugh. Except her, of course.
At that point, I wasn't even going to bother asking her to pose with the speakers. She retreated to a corner and folded her arms while the rest of us took pictures and talked shop.
The only other BBs I saw were in passing -- two skinny 18 year olds wearing nothing but Vicky Secrets and smiles cruising down the halls of THE show. Or they the could have been show-goers, who knows.
That said, I think audio should really be pushing this hip, main stream angle. I'm not a big fan of ridiculous amounts of flesh piled on audio equipment (like those blasted car audio companies with their big booths and real revenue), but there's something to be said for an exciting presentation, smiles and obligatory small talk. Even if it is prepaid.
Keep reading for Brittany in her full-length glory...and some Vincent speakers.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Posted to Articles
Vegas07 GYL Audio Equipment Roundup
A number of manufacturers really know how to spice up the classic audio shapes, adding subtle design touches that turn a regular old box into a conversation piece (the good kind of conversation). I'd say "WAF" but some of us don't have wives and, really, that's not what audio is about. Back in the day, hifi was all about inviting a girl over, lighting some candles, putting on some vinyl and talking about the subtle differences of tubes versus transistors.
Maybe not, but there's great acronym bantered about by those who know the roots of audio: GYL. Forget wives, will your stereo Get You Laid. Flashy speakers won't get the girl in the door, but once there, at least she won't think you're going to stuff her inside of your coffin shaped speakers. And, of course, you'll have a great conversation about your "passion for music" and "appreciation of the fine arts" and any other BS you can come up with. WIth any luck, you'll actually have something interesting to talk about on Audio Asylum in the morning.
Here's a roundup of the equipment with the highest GYL factor in Vegas.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Posted to Articles
Verity Audio Holiday Tour by Sandy Greene
Every holiday season my family travels up to Quebec City to visit with my wife’s family. This was the second year in a row I paid a visit to Verity Audio. Verity Audio manufactures some of the most physically beautiful and beautifully musical speakers I have seen and heard.
Last time up I had a tour of their facilities and listened to a couple of their models in their amazing listening/testing room. This year I was hoping to hear their new Rienzi model. The Rienzi slots second into their line above the Tamino’s, which I reviewed (and loved) last year. The Rienzi’s use the same two drivers that the Tamino does (midrange/woofer and tweeter), but breaks the cabinet in two like all the other models up the Verity line, and adds a woofer to an either forward-firing or rear-firing bass cabinet. Unfortunately their new Rienzi was just packed up to go to CES. I look forward to a review of the Rienzis for SonicFlare.com sometime next year.
Keep reading for all the details...
Permalink | | Posted to Articles | Speakers $10k-20k | Writer: Sandy Greene
KEF KHT3005 Thinks Charitable
KEF, the big-time British hi-fi company, has gone pink. Their $1500 KHT3005 home theater setup isn't just an attempt at attracting the young female demographic (though that's a great idea), but rather a one-off special edition to help raise money for breast cancer.
Charity auctions are potentially a great way for audio companies to get a lot more exposure. Sure, parting with $1000s worth of product is a rough write-off, but the exposure along side other items such as luxury clothing, furniture, artwork and exotic cars is surely a way to help take audio to the place it needs to go -- out of the DIY underground and into Barney's NY.
Apple has shown the way as well, with their iPod tie-in to the (red) AIDS campaign. The (red) product page shows the AIDS-fighting shopping mall with companies like Armani, Motorola, Gap, AmEx, etc. What would it take to get a legit hi-fi company in that crowd? Don't know, but it's sure worth exploring.
Dallas Casey over at Zu Audio sent me his mockup of pink Hello Kitty Druids after my article about Fender's Hello Kitty Guitar. Alas, Sakura Inc. has yet to contact Zu to create full line of Hello Kitty Druids, but I'm sure there's a whole cult of Japanese fan girls out there screaming their eyes out with audiophile lust.
So why don't we see more tie-ins and attempts at cross-industry pollination? Because hi-fi is a blob-like entity too focused on selling to audiophiles and has forgotten just how damn cool audio can be. There are some major hurdles that need to be overcome (like $1000+ cables, isolation devices and other zaniness) but done right, hi-fi can inspire lust in the most unlikely of people.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Posted to Articles
