Canadian Visit

[Buckeyefan 1]

On our 3 day extended weekend visit to the NAIAS in Detroit (Auto Show), we decided to get a hotel in Windsor. Most of our Saturday was spent checking out what you could buy in Canada as far as A/V. There's quite a bit to be had. The two shops we visited were Live Wire and Audio Two. We skipped another three because of limited product offerings. Here's some photos of what we demo'd. Anyone recognize anything?

Sorry for the terrible resolution. All the photos came out dark, and I had to use filters to brighten things up a tad. You can click on the photos and expand them in the lower right for a zoom view.

BTW, great beer. Labatt Blue is so much better than Bud (at least on tap).

Live Wire: www.livewireaudio.com
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB012.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB011.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB010.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB009.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB008.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB007.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB006.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB005.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB004.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB003.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB002.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB001.jpg

Audio Two: (esoteric-ultra high end) I've got plenty to say about this place.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB014.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/Canadian Audio/2006AutoShowB013.jpg

 

[Sheep]

All I see is marantz, denon, paradigm, and mirage.

Thats all they had?

BTW, you should have stayed around a bit longer, you could have voted.

SheepStar

 

[Tomorrow]

All I see is marantz, denon, paradigm, and mirage.

Thats all they had?

BTW, you should have stayed around a bit longer, you could have voted.

SheepStar

Sheepstar,

He's from a blue state. He would have been on the losing side.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

All I see is marantz, denon, paradigm, and mirage.

Add to that Anthem, NAD, B&K, Yamaha, Thiel, KEF, Mirage, Sharp, Toshiba, JVC, LG, Infocus, etc... Live Wire had a great selection. They had three more rooms where I didn't get photos.

Most impressive were the Marantz receivers, and how they sounded with Paradigm. The Denon and Yamaha receivers were nice, but they just looked second rate next to the new Marantz. I still like B&K and NAD, but they are so overpriced. The Paradigm Servo subs did not live up to my high expectations. The PW2200 was more impressive for HT IMHO, BION. The 2200 is no where near the SVS offerings for the same $$, but still a very, very good HT subwoofer.

Audio Two had a VTF-3 which reminded me a lot of the SVS PB12 ISD. Very tall and deep, but extremely "skinny." Still, nice sound, low Hz, and a very competitive price.


Yeah, the election made the front page. Looks like a real nightmare.

 

[Sheep]

Yeah, the election made the front page. Looks like a real nightmare.

Frist year voting for me. Didn't choose any of the big 3.

SheepStar

 

[Tomorrow]

Add to that Anthem, NAD, B&K, Yamaha, Thiel, KEF, Mirage, Sharp, Toshiba, JVC, LG, Infocus, etc... Live Wire had a great selection. They had three more rooms where I didn't get photos.

Most impressive were the Marantz receivers, and how they sounded with Paradigm. The Denon and Yamaha receivers were nice, but they just looked second rate next to the new Marantz. I still like B&K and NAD, but they are so overpriced. The Paradigm Servo subs did not live up to my high expectations. The PW2200 was more impressive for HT IMHO, BION. The 2200 is no where near the SVS offerings for the same $$, but still a very, very good HT subwoofer.

Audio Two had a VTF-3 which reminded me a lot of the SVS PB12 ISD. Very tall and deep, but extremely "skinny." Still, nice sound, low Hz, and a very competitive price.


Yeah, the election made the front page. Looks like a real nightmare.

Buckeye,

Did you get a chance to listen to the Thiels? They disappointed me most in my auditioning. For the price I expected much more. They were VERY back row and compressed to my ears. What was your opinion?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Buckeye,

Did you get a chance to listen to the Thiels? They disappointed me most in my auditioning. For the price I expected much more. They were VERY back row and compressed to my ears. What was your opinion?

They sounded pretty good with the jazz cd he had, but I preferred the Paradigm. Very little bass, but a smooth tweeter. They definitely came alive when the Servo sub kicked in. I wouldn't pay that much for mostly show and no go. Very attractive, though.

 

[Takeereasy]

How did you like Windsor? It's the nice suburb of Detroit. Hope the trip was good and it's nice that there were some local shops that had some decent gear.

 

[claudermilk]

Most impressive were the Marantz receivers, and how they sounded with Paradigm. The Denon and Yamaha receivers were nice, but they just looked second rate next to the new Marantz.

Glad to see I'm not the only one. I love my Marantz/Paradigm Studio combo.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

How did you like Windsor? It's the nice suburb of Detroit. Hope the trip was good and it's nice that there were some local shops that had some decent gear.

You should have seen the hole we stayed in. $260 for two nights in ghetto Windsor. We were only a few blocks from downtown, and the houses were trash. The hotel was nice, but smelled like an ashtray. I tried for rooms at the Raddison and Hilton, but were booked solid. It's so different from Toronto and Edmunton. I guess Detroit carries it's sludge across the river.

I'm not ragging on Canada. Heck, we prefer Windsor to Detroit. That's the third time we've stayed in Windsor for a three day weekend.

The bars are great. Although I'm 14 years removed from college, I still get carded - and enjoy every minute of it.

The girls up there get so drunk, and are so friendly and outgoing. The girl to guy ratio is probably 3-1, so who can complain. Beers were $4 a pop - the hard stuff $6 to $8, so it was an expensive weekend to say the least.

The border patrol are total dics - both directions. TG they didn't pop the trunk - had a 12 of Stella Artois, a 12 of Dos Equis Amber, and a 12 of Gordon Bierch (all of which we killed the first evening).

The auto show was impressive. As soon as I load the pics into photobucket, I'll give you guys a link.

The new Camaro and Challenger were pretty cool. The new Chrysler Imperial was even better than the 300C. The Lincoln Zephyr's tail lights are hilarious.

The new Mercs and Bimmers looked very good, as did the Audi's. Didn't spend too much time in the far east markets. The Accord's taillights changed for the better, and the Camry's front end nose looks horrible. Chevy had a semi/pickup truck with all the rednecks. Couldn't even get near it.

 

[Matt34]

Hey Buckeye, has Dodge released a suggested MSRP on the Challenger yet?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Hey Buckeye, has Dodge released a suggested MSRP on the Challenger yet?

No, since it's only a concept car at this point. The car forums say it will most likely start out around $23,000 and go up from there. It's geared to compete with the new Camaro concept. They're going to need to start with a honkin' V8 to move all that weight around. It's a BIG vehicle. Here's a few pics.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB114.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB115.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB117.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB119.jpg

 

[Matt34]

Yeah, you aren't kiddin, that thing is huge. I'm guessing the 6.1L Hemi will go in it, other than that...???...viper V-10?

 

[Sheep]

OMG, That car is B E A UUUtiful! My fav. muscle car reborn.. with a stereo.

Any pics of the camaro?

SheepStar

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Yeah, you aren't kiddin, that thing is huge. I'm guessing the 6.1L Hemi will go in it, other than that...???...viper V-10?

I doubt they'll do a V10. Probably an SRT-8 just like they do every other Mopar. But yeah, the 6.1L. Here's a neat Charger, and the new Camaro:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB123.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB125.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB143.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB144.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB147.jpg

 

[Sheep]

I doubt they'll do a V10. Probably an SRT-8 just like they do every other Mopar. But yeah, the 6.1L. Here's a neat Charger, and the new Camaro:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB123.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB125.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB143.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB144.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB147.jpg

Wow, the Camaro is ugly. Very ugly. If they new ANYTHING, they would go with retro styling. Oh chevy, when will you die already?

SheepStar

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Wow, the Camaro is ugly. Very ugly. If they new ANYTHING, they would go with retro styling. Oh chevy, when will you die already?

SheepStar

LOL. I hate the front end. They should have made the yellow bowtie emblem a little larger - don't you think?

Right smack behind the new Camaro was this. Sheep - see any similarities?

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB148.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB149.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB150.jpg

 

[Sheep]

LOL. I hate the front end. They should have made the yellow bowtie emblem a little larger - don't you think?

Right smack behind the new Camaro was this. Sheep - see any similarities?

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB148.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB149.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/tpc3416/2006AutoShowB150.jpg

Not one. That is a travisty.

SheepStar

 

[j_garcia]

I hate the Charger. Love the Challenger. We only got the Charger here, not the Challenger or the Camaro The shows here pretty much suck, though they were theoretically not released when the show was here. I like the Camaro, though the nose could be cleaned up.

WTF is with those gay rims on that otherwise decent '68? I've seen much better...

I liked Windsor when I was there. Didn't get to do any audio exploration though....

 

[kjohn]

Man Buckeye I live like 15 mins from both of those shops and could have taken you to a few others I purchased most of my equipment from Glenn at Audio Two who is a friend of mine if you ever come back let me know.

Keith J