41 replies to this topic

[b.d]

Thinking about hosting a GTG after threatening to in the past. Had a bit of interest in hearing some new Feastrex 5" full range drivers I've just got in, and though it might make sense to turn it into a little social event, and a good idea to do it before I possibly leave my current residence in and dedicated listening room in Cottesloe for a smaller apartment, and while I've got both the Bastanis Prometheus and the Feastrex at my place (because I'll have to sell of one pair soonish - not yet sure which).

In the next week or two I'll be building some Beta 15 ripole subs, as well as a sealed enclosure for the Feastrex (currently in makeshift ob), so dates will be a bit wait and see, I'm just wanting to see if theres enough interest to organize a little GTG, otherwise anyone interested will just have to drop by whenever they can.

cheers
Bevan

[kye]

I would love to pop by - GTG or another time.. i'm curious to hear how the Bastanis compares with my Hawthornes, and also hearing a feastrex would just be brilliant!

[jeuring]

I would love to pop by - GTG or another time.. i'm curious to hear how the Bastanis compares with my Hawthornes, and also hearing a feastrex would just be brilliant!

Popped into Bevan's place today to pick up a sub to demo and had a listen to the Bastanis and feastrex. I'm no audio expert but I do like what I heard. The music was sweet with all instrumentals and voices very clear, and the Bass was nice and subtle just the way I like it. I couldn't believe this was all powered by a little diy valve amp. I'll be seeing Bevan in the next week or so anyway once I decide on the sub, but certainly count me in for a gtg, as I would like to meet some of the other guys as well. Maybe we could make it a diy thing like someone wanted to do last year. I think it might have been you Kye.

regards
John

[wolster]

You can add me to your interested list, Bevan.

Cheers
wolster

[flemo]

I'm keen as well, flemo.

[b.d]

Great, thats enough interest to warrant a gtg me thinks. might have an idea next week about a date. cheers

b.

[b.d]

Quick update, I had hoped to have the gtg this Sunday, but all of a sudden we're moving house on Sunday. Luckily the new digs should have room for the OB's to sing [though they'll have to go back nearer the wall after the guys have left, I'm told]

Ripole subs and the OB's and boxes for the Feastrex driver are three quarters done, so a few more busy days and a week or two to set up and we'll be back in business!

B

[jeuring]

Hi Bevan....Moving house is always such fun....if you need some help, just say the word.....BTW, did you get any of my PM's....still havn't had a reply. I know you've been busy, so I understand. Maybe there is something wrong with the PM system or maybe just at my end, cos I've PM some other people with no replys.

cheers
John

[b.d]

Thanks for the offer. Luckily I got a mate with a panel van so it shouldnt be too much of a drama.

Havent had any pm's from you since the one where you said you would give the sub another go on the upcoming weekend. I seem to have not received another recent pm from flemo so it might be that somethings amiss on SNA.

cheers
B

[jeuring]

Thanks for the offer. Luckily I got a mate with a panel van so it shouldnt be too much of a drama.

Havent had any pm's from you since the one where you said you would give the sub another go on the upcoming weekend. I seem to have not received another recent pm from flemo so it might be that somethings amiss on SNA.

cheers
B

There must be something amiss.....I've just sent you the PM again......If you dont get it, maybe you can just try sending me a dummy one and see if it works.

cheers
John

[jeuring]

OK....got your PM just now.....so must be something up.......Anyway I still have your ph number, so I'll give you a ring tomorrow and also get onto a moderator to figure out whats wrong.

cheers
John

[tuyen]

Count me in for a GTG

[jeuring]

Count me in for a GTG

Good to see you're going to go to Bevans GTG, be great to catch up with you, and I think you're going to love Bevans new feastrex drivers.....awesome sound.

cheers
John

[mackem]

I would love to be included, let me know when you have a date
Regards Roger

[Asteroid]

I'm keen too!

[Monkeyboi]

I would love to be included, let me know when you have a date
Regards Roger

Hi, b.d.

If you set a date for a GTG you will most likely get more people interested.
From experience, leaving it open to a group of people all with different commitments and agenda can lead to a good idea never getting off the ground.

How about a Saturday or Sunday arvo (say March 21 / 22 ?).

There is a GTG in Bunbury next weekend (Saturday March 7 starting at 1:00PM). Several Perth members have already said they will definitely be there and we expect a number of the local South Westers to be there too over and above the ones who have already indicated they will be attending.

Of course the Bunbury GTG is an open invite to all SNA members and their partners. SNA members are welcome to bring along fellow audiophiles too.

In the meanwhile I'll express an interest in attending a Perth GTG. A date fix would be good.

Cheers,
Alan R.

[b.d]

Yeah you probably right, though I'm happy if turnout is small. But lets make the date Sun 22nd March 4pm and see how that sits. Should give me enough time to get things setup.

Went over to the new place for the first time today, with couches, coffe tables and wife. Had to be quick in thinking where to put them before my wife got to comfortable with the couch against the back wall. I won some valuable ground by agreeing to give up my most ugly bass traps for some degree of symmetry within the room, but the battle is far from over...

[kye]

no separate audio room then? having ugly hifi bits can be a good negotiator for that..

[Monkeyboi]

Yeah you probably right, though I'm happy if turnout is small. But lets make the date Sun 22nd March 4pm and see how that sits. Should give me enough time to get things setup.

Sounds like a good plan to me Bevan. Count me in. I've already pencilled into my diary of must get to events. Now all you need is a few more starters to get the ball rolling.

Went over to the new place for the first time today, with couches, coffe tables and wife. Had to be quick in thinking where to put them before my wife got to comfortable with the couch against the back wall. I won some valuable ground by agreeing to give up my most ugly bass traps for some degree of symmetry within the room, but the battle is far from over...

Well, I always believe in getting in and staking a claim early in the piece. You can always arbitrate the arrangements of furniture after the event. In any case I've never known a woman to be happy with any fixed arrangement of decorating on a permanent basis. Just think how many times you've probably repainted a room or two and rearranged the furniture and re-hung the pictures more times than you probably care to remember.

Looking forward to listening to your gear.

Cheers,
Alan R.

[Monkeyboi]

no separate audio room then? having ugly hifi bits can be a good negotiator for that..

Ugly hi-fi Wash your mouth out kye.

Once the music is on and I'm reclined back in the LC4, my eyes are shut and the look of the gear isn't an issue for me. Just as well, my gear isn't the prettiest sight.

Cheers,
Alan R.

[Asteroid]

22nd is good!

There's something sexy about raw mdf and bare components

[flemo]

Hi Bevan, 22/03/09 sounds good, count me in.

I did reply to your last pm, but there is a problem with sending/receiving pm's, also on ebay as well. You may consider this when you pm those intending to come along to your GTG?

flemo.

[jeuring]

no separate audio room then? having ugly hifi bits can be a good negotiator for that..

Those OB Bastanis and feastrex drivers might not look a million bucks, but they sure sound it. I cant wait to hear them again, and you know I'll be there Bevan.

[Damosan72]

I would be interested as well please.

[wolster]

G'day Bevan
My hand is still up from when you first mentioned a GTG.

Cheers
wolster

Should also mention for future reference that I spoke to Clifford at Audio Synergy a while ago & he is willing to host a SNA GTG should we wish to use his premises. Great listening room & plenty of cables for BYO gear
His gear sounds good too.

[Monkeyboi]

I would be interested as well please.

Damian,

Good to see you finally posting. Took you long enough.
Hope this GTG gets to happen. Look forward to catching up if you can make it.

Cheers,
Alan R.

[Monkeyboi]

Should also mention for future reference that I spoke to Clifford at Audio Synergy a while ago & he is willing to host a SNA GTG should we wish to use his premises. Great listening room & plenty of cables for BYO gear
His gear sounds good too.

Hey, that venue suits me just fine. It's within staggering distance of home.

Cheers,
Alan R.

[b.d]

good to hear you're all keen.

Should get the system up and running in the new room this weekend. Really hoping its not a step down from the last.

BTW, got got two diy tube shaped absorbers that my wife wants me to get rid of, if anyone wants them gratis. (dont get too excited till you've seen them)

cheers
Bevan

[Monkeyboi]

good to hear you're all keen.

Should get the system up and running in the new room this weekend. Really hoping its not a step down from the last.

BTW, got got two diy tube shaped absorbers that my wife wants me to get rid of, if anyone wants them gratis. (dont get too excited till you've seen them)

cheers
Bevan

How big are they Bevan?

Cheers,
Alan R.

[b.d]

1.45m high, 35cm diameter

[Monkeyboi]

1.45m high, 35cm diameter

Thanks Bevan,

I'd be interested in trying them out. If you don't chuck them, how about I rake then off your hands at your GTG? Can do earlier if you prefer.

Cheers,
Alan R.

[tuyen]

Count me in Bevan.

thanks

[b.d]

great Tuyen.

I'll keep them for you Alan.

Listening to some tunes on the new setup, not sounding too bad.

B.

[wolster]

Hi Bevan
Can you please PM your new address & times for the GTG to me & others who may not know. Guidelines on what we can bring would also be appreciated. (food & beverages as well as hi-fi gear )

Cheers
wolster

[kye]

if there is still room I would also like to come along.. would LOVE to hear the feastrex!!

[b.d]

I've just send a pm with details to everyone in this thread that expressed interest in coming on Sunday. Please let me know if you didnt receive. cheers
Bevan

[flemo]

Hi Bevan, it was good to meet you and the other SNA members who attended. I was really impressed with your speakers, well the sound of the whole rig actually. It was the first time I'd ever heard such a set-up and most of the music was new to me as well. Sorry I had to bail early but I was looking at purchasing house, missed out in the end anyway.

I enjoyed the experience very much and look forward to another gathering.

Cheers mate, flemo.

[wolster]

Many thanks to you and Mrs d. for your hospitality, Bevan. Good to chat, drink, eat and listen to and experience your terrific speakers. I had heard your sublime Bastanis before and they sounded just as good this time. The standouts for me are the detail and imaging.
Bevan, perhaps you can post the details of the other gear used and did you get a chance to try the great-looking tube amps that Kye bought along?

The music that stood out for me was Jacintha singing Danny Boy and two CD's that were new to me: Blue Alert by Anjani and Up,Up,Up by Ani De Franco.

Unfortunately I only got to hear one track on your newly built Feastrex OBs before I had to go (how can 3 + hours go so quickly?). Would love to hear more some other day as the guys were as stunned as I was at what we heard.

It was great to put faces to the names of those who attended and now the big confession - I took a camera with a battery that only had enough power for one pic. Sorry guys. Problem was I was the only one with a camera!

[ATTACH]6651[/ATTACH]

From the left: Bevan (b.d.), Kye, Roger (mackem) and Alan Rutlidge.
Sorry to you other guys that were there that didn't make it into the picture.

Cheers
wolster

Attached Files

•  IMG_2140.JPG   126.98K   61 downloads

[b.d]

Was good having you guys over. Sorry you missed out on a house for it Flemo, may you still get that listening room. Wolster, you forgot the Lorraine Hunt Lieberson singing Handel arias which shut the guys up for a while.

We heard the Bastanis Prometheus driven By Bottlehead set, with NAD C370 on the 15" Augie bass driver. Then we heard the Feastrex D5nf driven by the NAD, with an old Yammaha powering the Eminence Beta 15A ripole subs. Dac was always the Zhaolu 2.5 with Zapfilter output stage. Then we heard Kye's dac into his Dared 300b monos into the Feastrex. The 300b's jelled better with the feastrex that the 6DN7 Bottlehead, quite dynamic and extended. Kye's dac had a bit of a hum going, but apart from that it sounded good and has got me thinking along the lines of a 300B to replace the NAD which was only meant as a short term fill in. Anyone know any good 300b's with 16ohm taps?

cheers
Bevan

[Monkeyboi]

Yes, I would certainly like to extend my thanks to Bevan and his wife for opening their home up to a bunch of renegade audiophiles.

The Bastanis and the Feastrex certainly worked well in the room. Personally I preferred the imaging and presentation of the Feastrex, but it was a close contest with the material auditioned on both sets. I'd like to hear them again but with different and a wider range of material. It says a lot for what can be acheived by DIY if you have the time, resources and inclination.

No doubt for me Lorraine Hunt Lieberson singing Handel's Arias was the showcase track of the evening. As was commented on "...which shut the guys up for a while", and it did! A definite must purchase album on my list.

Of course catching up with fellow SNA'ers is always a highlight of any of these events. Putting a face to a name I think always conveys what the person is all about, rather than merely reading their posts. The lively discussion and debate on everything from tubes vs SS to different types of capacitors and resistors is so much better in real time.

Looking forward to the next one guys. We haven't had that many in the past 6 months so we are well behind the Crow eaters who seen to have one every other week. .

Cheers,
Alan R.

[kye]

As others have said Bevan was indeed a very gracious host, along with his wife who sat reading for quite some time while sweet music filled the room, the apartment and probably several other apartments as well

I found the visit to be interesting in a number of ways.
I am informed that the Bastanis are made by Eminance (who also make the Hawthornes) and the similarity in presentation to my own Hawthorne setup was quite striking.
Bevan has done quite well with his room acoustic treatments which have been achieved through a combination of fabric-covered insulation panels and a very forgiving partner who allows the panels to be put in all the right places.

It was great to catch up with some people, and meet new ones. It was also great to hear some new music, and we all walked away with a number of excellent titles to pursue.

The standout for me though was hearing the Feastrex drivers, not only because they surprised me in a number of ways, but also because when I first read about them online I thought they were so niche market and so expensive that I would never get to hear a pair in real life!

There were a number of surprises from them:
- they played loud quite easily, despite being a fullrange 5" in open baffle driven fullrange
- they were understated, not sounding all that different than the bastanis until you start to listen into the music, where the coherence and inner information is waiting for you to pay attention to it
- despite being paper with a whizzer cone, they didn't sound at all rough at any point in the frequency range, including the extreme high end, where cymbals were rendered in a nicely metallic way, but were never brash or over-emphasised. there was a good amount of information to accompany the highs too, the spacial qualities of the highs were also communicated
- perhaps not a surprise, but they imaged fantastically.. you would hope that they would do, being a single driver in open baffle in an acoustically treated room, but the imaging was still noteworthy

I would summarise their sound as being ultra coherent and "right". They made it very difficult to listen to the speakers, rather, you just found yourself enjoying what was on the disc.

I was also surprised at the levels that were achieved (not the absolute levels, but the ease with which the louder volumes had) from the small bottlehead amp. it was very clear and a real performer - I wouldn't have thought 2W would have been quite that much.

My DAC does indeed have a small hum problem due to the idiot designer (me) not insulating the input/output jacks from the chassis when installing them, and throwing the little plastic insulators away. This will be fixed in the rebuild, which will happen in the next few weeks.

Thanks again for organising the event Bevan!

Edited by kye, 23 March 2009 - 09:41 PM.

[mackem]

Just like to say thank you to Bevan and his wife for a great afternoon, it was my first gtg and everyone made me feel very welcome. It was the first time I have really listened to open baffle, and I was very impressed at what I heard, for me the speakers disappeared and the music found its place in the room. Sorry I did not hear Kye's 300b's, maybe next time
Regards Roger