Rocky Mountain Audio Fest - Day2

[MiTT]

Marten

OK, I won't keep anyone in suspense regarding my last contender for Best Sound of the Show. Audio Federation out of Boulder was demonstrating the amazing Marten Coltrane Supreme speakers that Mike and Neli just bought as their personal reference for (holy sh!t) $250,000.00. That's right - one quarter of a MILLION f*@king dollars - ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! How did they sound? Well, I already said that the Kharma Midi Exquisite's sounded like a million bucks, so these sounded like at least a quarter of a million more. I mean music was just "there". Miles Davis - THERE. Al DiMeola - THERE. John Coltrane - oh for Pete's sake, they're named after the man and he was THERE! But wait, there's more...

 

[MiTT]

Marten supporting cast

So, what do you use for a supporting cast when you just spent a QUARTER OF A FREAKIN' MILLION DOLLARS on a set of speakers? Well, Mike and Neli have done it by using Audio Note Kegon 22 watt single ended triode monoblocks on the mid/high towers ($49K), EDGE Signature One 400 watt monoblocks on the bass towers ($40.4K), the Audio Note M10 pre-amp with dual outboard power supply chassis ($50K), the EMM Labs/Meitner CDSD SE transport ($8.4K), the EMM Labs/Meitner DCC2 SE DAC ($13.5K), the Brinkman Balance turntable and Brinkman 10.5 tonearm ($18.5K), the Lamm LP2 Delux phono stage ($6.9K), the Lyra Titan cartridge ($5K), and various Nordost Valhalla, Stealth Indra, Jorma Design, Shunyata Hydra and Anaconda and Elrod Statement cables (somewhere in the neighborhood of $35K), and then set it all on a pair of Harmonic Resolution racks ($11.5K each). Total system cost (hold on to your shorts) $499,790.00 Let's call it a cool half million.

It's kind of like me and Terry Hatcher. I know for a fact that I will never call it my own, but it was intoxicating to spend an hour alone with it.

 

[MiTT]

Metronome

So how on earth do I top the Marten Coltrane Supreme system? Well, I can't and anything else I post is going to seem anti-climactic. None the less, Metronome was making some fine music via their new CD-5 Signat CD player at only $1800.00 (seems like a freakin' bargain now doesn't it), hooked up to some Boulder 850 mono's driving the Manger Zerobox speakers. They were playing the same bootleg Paul McCarney track that we'd heard in the Classe/B&W room.

 

[MiTT]

Moscode

Moscode was using their 401 HR to drive a pair of Joseph Audio speakers quite well. Source was the Esoteric DV-50S (just like mine) feeding a Placette Audio passive linestage.

 

[MiTT]

More Moscode

The Moscode amp is a thing of beauty...music was Dianna Krall, "The Girl in the Other Room".

 

[rtagle]

Tim,

My hats off to you! Your review, pictures and comments were like I was there at the show led by an audiophile guide, minus the sound. Who could ask for anything more? Thank you for taking the time to share the show to us!

 

[kwr]

Sensational effort Tim. Have enjoyed your posts hugely.

Kevin

 

[TomDac]

Tim,
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this with all of us. GREAT JOB!!

My fave: The MBLs. Very interesting design.

 

[rtagle]

So next year if and when we'll have a Rocky Mountain Meet, may i nominate Mr. Tim Bingaman to be our Host and official show guide!

 

[jtwrace]

Rmaf

Great Job on your updates! Yes, you need to be the host next year.

 

[Beat_Dominator]

Sorry Tim, I fainted after you posted pictures of the MBLs and those sexy amps of theirs!

 

[twich54]

yes sir, next year it's Denver in Oct !!!

 

[roberto]

thanks Tim...

Hola Tim, thanks a lot for your report!...it made me be with you walking around again all the booths...can you tell us what did you like best? Did you see any ML around?...what was the best value? Thanks a lot again,
Regards from Costa Rica my friend,
Roberto.

 

[MiTT]

Thanks guys, I've been having fun sharing all of the things I saw and heard from the show. There's still more to come, but it may take a few days what with having to make a living and all. I'm glad that people are enjoying the coverage.

Next year we should seriously get a group together to attend. I would love to share the show with others and serve as tour guide for my home town. Denver is a beautiful place in the fall - Right Dave?

 

[Beat_Dominator]

I'm close enough that it would be a possibility

 

[Kruppy]

Wow Tim, I can say that I've never read better show coverage in any of the audio magazines. You must have written quite a few notes to keep track of eveything. Makes my system look like it's all right out of Best Buy.

Come on lottery, Daddy needs some new expensive equipment.....

 

[Robin]

Wonderful Coverage...

Tim,

Your coverage was excellent. I loved all the great digital photographs you took. Thanks for the outstanding information. I especially liked your take of the MBL and Butler show rooms. A wealth of information and a treasure trove of audio porn to look at in our leisure time.

You've given all of us a wonderful gift, Tim, Thank you so much.

Your three day experience recorded here and on the other thread simply blows me away. This RMAF you attended seems soooo awesome of an experience and it's a pleasure to behold... I am even considering attending in the future, mostly due to your coverage / photo's of this years event.

Thanks again.

 

[Robin]

MBL Of America...

Beat_Dominator,

I couldn't help be notice that MBL of America, the official importer for MBL gear is located in Scottsdale AZ... Have you ever been there? The reason why I ask is that you live so close. If so have you seen all of the MBL up close and personal and auditioned?

 

[Beat_Dominator]

Ah it is about... oh a 20 min. drive from home to their HQ.... alas I have not visited yet. To tell you the truth I am a little intimidated by the idea. Here I am, a 24yr old with no disposable income..... and I want to barge in on their daily operations.

...but I guess it never hurt to ask

 

[MiTT]

Still not finished

Guys, I've still got more from day 2 to post and all of day 3 - so much good stuff to share with you all.

Listen Up was displaying the Musical Fidelity gear with Sonus Faber speakers, the Amadi Aniversios to be exact. This very synergistic combination could be yours for $48.5K...