A Fun Time on a Saturday Night!

[John Parks]

I had a chance this past Saturday night to attend an open house at The Audio Guy, in Lewisville, Texas: Dealer Event in Texas Saturday

Dealer Event in Texas Saturday​

Saturday, January 26, 59pm, The Audio Guy (1590 E. Business 121, Building 2, Suite 500, Lewisville, TX 75056) i...​

It was an excellent evening, with some nice people, good entertainment and awesome equipment. The VPI/GamuT (with PS Audio amplification) was stupendous and borders on the best audio system I have ever heard (as it should be with total cost in the area of $80K!). The VPI HW-30 turntable was dead silent and I do not believe I have experienced finer vinyl playback. As good as the VPI was, the GamuT RS7i speakers really stole the show. Even though they were very dynamic with very, very nice treble and bass, the midrange really stood out for me - very deep and transparent.

The live entertainment was a good change of pace. Although I am not really a Country (and Western!) fan, Robynn Shayne had some good songs. She was entertaining, funny and cute to boot.

The highlight of the evening was in one of the "cheaper" rooms where they had a pair of Dynaudio Special 40s. Man, those are some awesome speakers! They retail for around $3K and I believe they're worth it. Anyway, I was talking to a gentleman who was obviously not dressed for a Texas winter (i.e., too warm, with a thermal shirt and a fuzzy toque). Turns out he was a GamuT dealer from Sante Fe and brought his pair overnight as the ones slated for The Audio Guy got delayed. We got to talking music (the reason he and I are into this hobby) and it turns out we had very similar tastes and backgrounds (we were both in the nightclub business for far too long). Anyway, he would ask me if I had heard so-and-so and load it up on Tidal and I would do the same. I think we both went home with at least ten new-to-us artists (which, as I stated, is why we are into this stuff)!. When I mentioned Coil, his eyes lit up and a long discussion ensued. His wife/girlfriend (sorry, I did not ask) told me he was usually one to bring them up and was surprised when I did.

Anyway, good times for all! If you have the chance, please go to an event like this in your area. Showrooms are fine to audition equipment, but being able to interact with industry professionals, trade war stories (especially when everyone is getting liquored up) and exchange ideas is a lot of fun. It is always nice (and inspiring) to be able to meet like minded individuals!

 

[ryanosaur]

How could that be the best sound? They didn't elevate their cables!

Very cool!

 

[davidscott]

Wow I live in North Irving and I didn't even know about this. Played golf in Lewisville this morning as a matter of fact. Thanks I might have to check this out.

 

[John Parks]

How could that be the best sound? They didn't elevate their cables!

Very cool!

They do not seem like the audio "tweaking" type - I did not see any of those types of accessories on display.

 

[John Parks]

Wow I live in North Irving and I didn't even know about this. Played golf in Lewisville this morning as a matter of fact. Thanks I might have to check this out.

I'm in Euless. My recent go-to dealer has been Home Theater Technologies in Colleyville, but these guys seem pretty cool.

 

[davidscott]

I've bought some stuff from Audio Concepts in Dallas and Audio Advisors online. Audio Concepts has a really nice store. 'll have to check out the Audio Guy. Thanks

 

[CB22]

(we were both in the nightclub business for far too long).

Lol. The "far too long" part make me crack up . Sounds like fun!

I did not know Focal made bookshelf Utopia's, am I seeing this correctly. Very cool. How did you like them?

 

[John Parks]

Lol. The "far too long" part make me crack up . Sounds like fun!

I did not know Focal made bookshelf Utopia's, am I seeing this correctly. Very cool. How did you like them?

Those are the Diablo Utopia. They had them set up in a "lifestyle" configuration (an expensive lifestyle configuration) with the pictured Rogers integrated amp (which was gorgeous, BTW) and a turntable, all on a high credenza and streaming from an unknown (to me) source. They were in the lobby and set-up was not ideal, but it was still pretty nice.

Yeah, as far as the "far too long" nightclub scenario goes, I was young and thought I was going to do that forever. Then parenthood and reality set in so I went back to school so that I could do what I do now (earning a living and have a blast doing it!).

 

[John Parks]

I've bought some stuff from Audio Concepts in Dallas and Audio Advisors online. Audio Concepts has a really nice store. 'll have to check out the Audio Guy. Thanks

The guys at AC are really nice! It is very much a "boutique" store. They try to carry lower priced lines and home theater to pay the bills, but their esoteric stuff is what sets them apart. I listened to some Devore Fidelity speakers a while back and I vowed to not return because I would have to sell a kidney or two if I came back...

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

Sounds like a good time! I love those Focal bookshelves. Coming from a Focal junkie of course..

 

[davidscott]

The guys at AC are really nice! It is very much a "boutique" store. They try to carry lower priced lines and home theater to pay the bills, but their esoteric stuff is what sets them apart. I listened to some Devore Fidelity speakers a while back and I vowed to not return because I would have to sell a kidney or two if I came back...

Yeah I bought a NAD integrated amp and tuner from AC as well as a Thorens TT with a Dynavector cart back in the 80s. Lately (within the last 5 years) I purchased a set of Grado phones and a slightly used Rega Planar 3. Always nice to visit and listen to the stuff I can't afford.

 

[John Parks]

Sounds like a good time! I love those Focal bookshelves. Coming from a Focal junkie of course..

Sweet - the Electras are super nice! They also had these Kantas on display:

I did not get a chance to listen to them as they were demoing Audio Technica headphones (was not impressed ) and I do not no if they were the No 2 or 3, but man, they are sexy looking!

 

[<eargiant]

I had a chance this past Saturday night to attend an open house at The Audio Guy, in Lewisville, Texas: Dealer Event in Texas Saturday

Dealer Event in Texas Saturday​

Saturday, January 26, 59pm, The Audio Guy (1590 E. Business 121, Building 2, Suite 500, Lewisville, TX 75056) i...​

View attachment 28031
It was an excellent evening, with some nice people, good entertainment and awesome equipment. The VPI/GamuT (with PS Audio amplification) was stupendous and borders on the best audio system I have ever heard (as it should be with total cost in the area of $80K!). The VPI HW-30 turntable was dead silent and I do not believe I have experienced finer vinyl playback. As good as the VPI was, the GamuT RS7i speakers really stole the show. Even though they were very dynamic with very, very nice treble and bass, the midrange really stood out for me - very deep and transparent.
View attachment 28027
View attachment 28029
View attachment 28030
The live entertainment was a good change of pace. Although I am not really a Country (and Western!) fan, Robynn Shayne had some good songs. She was entertaining, funny and cute to boot.
View attachment 28032
The highlight of the evening was in one of the "cheaper" rooms where they had a pair of Dynaudio Special 40s. Man, those are some awesome speakers! They retail for around $3K and I believe they're worth it. Anyway, I was talking to a gentleman who was obviously not dressed for a Texas winter (i.e., too warm, with a thermal shirt and a fuzzy toque). Turns out he was a GamuT dealer from Sante Fe and brought his pair overnight as the ones slated for The Audio Guy got delayed. We got to talking music (the reason he and I are into this hobby) and it turns out we had very similar tastes and backgrounds (we were both in the nightclub business for far too long). Anyway, he would ask me if I had heard so-and-so and load it up on Tidal and I would do the same. I think we both went home with at least ten new-to-us artists (which, as I stated, is why we are into this stuff)!. When I mentioned Coil, his eyes lit up and a long discussion ensued. His wife/girlfriend (sorry, I did not ask) told me he was usually one to bring them up and was surprised when I did.
View attachment 28033
Anyway, good times for all! If you have the chance, please go to an event like this in your area. Showrooms are fine to audition equipment, but being able to interact with industry professionals, trade war stories (especially when everyone is getting liquored up) and exchange ideas is a lot of fun. It is always nice (and inspiring) to be able to meet like minded individuals!
View attachment 28034

Thanks for posting this. I've auditioned most of the stuff you listed here and I'm glad you had the opportunity to listen to some of that fine equipment. Experiences like that will keep you grounded, especially when you read some of the die-hard strictly measurements commentary that prevails here. You don't know, what you don't know. When you actually hear what's possible, all bets are off.

I agree with your assessment of the Gamut speakers. I auditioned the Gamut RS7 driven by the full Gamut equipment line (amp/pre/cd) about 5 years ago and I thought they were excellent. I remember the track was "The Only Fault" by Rachael Yamagata and it was simply moving on those speakers. Not a perfect speaker on paper, but good lord how it could bring out the emotion of that song as I listened. I remember telling the Gamut reps that the speakers were IMO "Best in Show" that day.

Thanks for reminding me about them.

BTW- What album did you hear on the VPI?

 

[KenM10759]

Very cool. I would love me a Rogers EHF200 Mk2 amp, Conrad Johnson phono amp and VPI Prime Signature TT, perhaps on some KEF Blade 2, YG, or Raidho speakers. I would also have to have a new home and a new wife as I would be ejected from the current setup if I ever did anything like that. Fun to listen to, can't ever bring anything like that home though.

 

[John Parks]

Thanks for posting this. I've auditioned most of the stuff you listed here and I'm glad you had the opportunity to listen to some of that fine equipment. Experiences like that will keep you grounded, especially when you read some of the die-hard strictly measurements commentary that prevails here. You don't know, what you don't know. When you actually hear what's possible, all bets are off.

I agree with your assessment of the Gamut speakers. I auditioned the Gamut RS7 driven by the full Gamut equipment line (amp/pre/cd) about 5 years ago and I thought they were excellent. I remember the track was "The Only Fault" by Rachael Yamagata and it was simply moving on those speakers. Not a perfect speaker on paper, but good lord how it could bring out the emotion of that song as I listened. I remember telling the Gamut reps that the speakers were IMO "Best in Show" that day.

Thanks for reminding me about them.

BTW- What album did you hear on the VPI?

Your welcome @<eargiant ! The biggest takeaway for me on the Gamut speakers was that they were "organic". I know that does not really narrow it down, but my mental imagery when music was playing had to do with "reeds" and "wood" - that's a quick way of conveying it. My KEF speakers are very "white" and "silver". Sorry - I see colors and textures when listening.

"it could bring out the emotion of that song as I listened" - exactly and exactly why I am in the game.

They played a lot of jazz, which bored me (not that I do not like jazz, it's just "audiophile" jazz is kind of meh). What really stood out was Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" - plain old discount LP, no fancy pressing. The wood and resonance from the stand-up bass was unlike anything I have ever heard before.

 

[John Parks]

Very cool. I would love me a Rogers EHF200 Mk2 amp, Conrad Johnson phono amp and VPI Prime Signature TT, perhaps on some KEF Blade 2, YG, or Raidho speakers. I would also have to have a new home and a new wife as I would be ejected from the current setup if I ever did anything like that. Fun to listen to, can't ever bring anything like that home though.

I hear ya!

 

[<eargiant]

Your welcome @<eargiant ! The biggest takeaway for me on the Gamut speakers was that they were "organic". I know that does not really narrow it down, but my mental imagery when music was playing had to do with "reeds" and "wood" - that's a quick way of conveying it. My KEF speakers are very "white" and "silver". Sorry - I see colors and textures when listening.

"it could bring out the emotion of that song as I listened" - exactly and exactly why I am in the game.

They played a lot of jazz, which bored me (not that I do not like jazz, it's just "audiophile" jazz is kind of meh). What really stood out was Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" - plain old discount LP, no fancy pressing. The wood and resonance from the stand-up bass was unlike anything I have ever heard before.

Absolutely! - "organic" is a perfect description of their presentation, I know exactly where you're coming from.

Walk on the Wild Side huh...yup, you're talking about the beginning of the track. Isn't it amazing how you can hear a song you've heard a million times and be floored at how you hear it in a completely different way - hearing it like you've never heard it before...be careful... it's addictive.

Do you remember what cartridge was on the HW and did you get to listen to the Prime Scout that I saw in your pics?

 

[John Parks]

Absolutely! - "organic" is a perfect description of their presentation, I know exactly where you're coming from.

Walk on the Wild Side huh...yup, you're talking about the beginning of the track. Isn't it amazing how you can hear a song you've heard a million times and be floored at how you hear it in a completely different way - hearing it like you've never heard it before...be careful... it's addictive.

Do you remember what cartridge was on the HW and did you get to listen to the Prime Scout that I saw in your pics?

I will be careful - I promise! *checking to see if I still have two viable kidneys*

I did not have chance to hear the Prime Scout - good eye! The cartridge on the HW would be the Audio Technica AT-ART1000, which can be had by all for a mere $4,999!

 

[killdozzer]

Your welcome @<eargiant ! The biggest takeaway for me on the Gamut speakers was that they were "organic". I know that does not really narrow it down, but my mental imagery when music was playing had to do with "reeds" and "wood" - that's a quick way of conveying it. My KEF speakers are very "white" and "silver". Sorry - I see colors and textures when listening.

"it could bring out the emotion of that song as I listened" - exactly and exactly why I am in the game.

They played a lot of jazz, which bored me (not that I do not like jazz, it's just "audiophile" jazz is kind of meh). What really stood out was Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" - plain old discount LP, no fancy pressing. The wood and resonance from the stand-up bass was unlike anything I have ever heard before.

Do you remember anything else that was played through these Gamuts?

 

[John Parks]

Like I mentioned previously, there were quite a few "audiophile" recordings and I really did not pay much attention. The tone was stupendous, the music, meh. I assure you, if something really caught my ear, I would have asked! This happened in the "budget" room several times with the Dynaudios playing. The only other record of note on the big rig was Talk Talk's It's My Life. The presenter really made a big deal of it, telling the story of, after their success, how they were able to record what they wanted and produced an incredible (if not as successful as previous releases) album. It's My Life is not that album. I believe he was mistaken and was actually talking about The Colour of Spring, which is really good.