proftournesol Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 I was reading an article in the latest edition of Stereophile by Colleen Murphy, an American DJ who also appreciates good sound. She was a DJ who discovered the value of good sound after attending a private dance party that used a massive Klipsch/ Mark Levinson based hi-fi system. She then began a business called Classic Album Sundays that plays entire albums over audiophile level equipment. Now she does it as a business and charges admission (a reasonable $8) but it got me wondering why SNA can't use its resources to do the same thing? Perhaps a small charge top cover the hire of a hall, perhaps an opportunity for forum sponsors to audition their systems? Always, an idea to enjoy good music. I know that this is really just a variation of the existing GTG format that we all love, but it gives an opportunity to also invite music lovers who haven't discovered what a good audio system adds to their enjoyment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 It's what a lot of the audio clubs do isn't it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 I'm about 3 issues behind in Stereophile. I'll get to it by next month............hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddisgeek Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 This was in the latest Hi Fi news as well, bloody great idea Prof, especially if we could get some sponsors on board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 The Queensland Audio Club ( I am a paid up member ) does this pretty much once a month at a members home It's more in line of a get together and to highlight another members system that you haven't considered, and in some cases never heard of that make or brand before So it's a sound and equipment trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proftournesol Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 It's what a lot of the audio clubs do isn't it ? I suppose that this would be more of a 'music club' than an audio club, the focus would be on music rather than gear as a way of introducing music lovers to the benefit of good sound 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proftournesol Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 I'm thinking of more of the 'classic album sunday' concept of the focus purely being around the music rather than the music and the gear so that the audience is non-audiophiles, but with the opportunity to show them the benefit of a good sound system brings to their music. We audiophiles already know that. The evening is hosted by a DJ or a music person, not a 'gear person'. The next audio show might be a great opportunity for this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDent Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 I suppose that this would be more of a 'music club' than an audio club, the focus would be on music rather than gear as a way of introducing music lovers to the benefit of good sound MAC home meetings, of which there are several a month are for the most part entirely music focused. Usually for Jazz, classical, opera and even sometimes for Pop an entire musical program can transpire without even a single equipment change http://www.melbourneaudioclub.org.au/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proftournesol Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 Ken, it isn't that similar things aren't happening but if you listen to this, I wonder what it is about the way that Coleen does it that attracts new audiences of non-audiophiles? I wonder if this for instance is a way of attracting more women to the benefits of good audio systems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDent Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Currently listening to some rather loud music but I will have a listen to the clip later. I rather like the idea of Classic Album Sundays. The logistics of it all might be a bit of work but I guess that's what the $10 a head is for. As for non-audiophiles, well it's the music and the presentation that they're probably going for. A lot more people are into music than the gear needed to reproduce it. Convincing women as to the benefits of anything more than what's required for the job audio equipment wise. Good luck with that. Like herding cats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proftournesol Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 I wonder how the event is different through being presented by a DJ rather than by an audiophile? I wonder if it is the reason that these events attract a different audience? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newman Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 This is a great thread, thanks prof. I wonder what it is about the way that Coleen does it that attracts new audiences of non-audiophiles? I wonder if this for instance is a way of attracting more women to the benefits of good audio systems? A good start would be if a rule was set that a every event must be hosted by a woman. And I mean 'host' being the MC, not the stereotyped 'hostess' who brings in cupcakes and tea at the middle of the show!!! :mad: The challenge of even finding these people would show how different the concept is to the the typical audio club afternoon. And such hosts would be likely to have a network of more music-focused contacts that could come to the meetings and change the whole flavour. HMMMMMMM??????? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDent Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 (edited) I wonder how the event is different through being presented by a DJ rather than by an audiophile? I wonder if it is the reason that these events attract a different audience? Okay I've listened to the City Radio doco and done a bit of a search on the interweb and to be honest I don't think the audience is that much different other than many of them don't have the ability to do this at home like most of us can. I can see why it's popular though because of the social aspect of it and of course you get to not only hear the album on very good gear but you also get a complete informed background piece on it. I also wouldn't underplay the "gear" aspect of it compared to the music as there is a lot of emphasis placed on how good the gear is and giving people the opportunity to hear the album on very good equipment etc, and on vinyl instead of the usual digital/mp3/iThingy crap. Their logo sums it up nicely... "Classic Album Sundays - A Communal & Audiophile Listening Experience". And in London it's held in a pub. http://www.twentysomethinglondon.com/classic-album-sundays/ Bit far for her to come to Australia though but a possible franchising opportunity Edited July 22, 2013 by KenTripp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gee Emm Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Very cool idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Sensations Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Ask yourself: does your local audiophile society play New Order's Technique or Talking Heads' Remain In Light? I doubt it. Classic Album Sundays do. Cultural significance (rather than sound/mastering/pressing quality) informs their choices. They don't let the tail (hifi gear) wag the dog (music). I doubt CAS will be playing Jazz At The Pawnshop or Diana Krall anytime soon. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newman Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 OTOH prof is saying we might open the CAS crowd eyes a some of the effects of good sound, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Sensations Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 (edited) One is more likely to bring fresh blood into the audiophile fold, to get them to care about sound quality, with albums like DSoTM, Sgt Pepper and Pet Sounds than one ever will with Patricia Barber. Edited July 22, 2013 by John H. Darko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDent Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Ask yourself: does your local audiophile society play New Order's Technique or Talking Heads' Remain In Light? I doubt it. Classic Album Sundays do. Cultural significance (rather than sound/mastering/pressing quality) informs their choices. They don't let the tail (hifi gear) wag the dog (music). I doubt CAS will be playing Jazz At The Pawnshop or Diana Krall anytime soon. I can't speak for other audio clubs and certainly not for the only one in this country that actually has "audiophile" in it's title but you might be surprised by what we play down here in Melbourne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Sensations Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Ask yourself: does your local audiophile society play New Order's Technique or Talking Heads' Remain In Light? I doubt it. Classic Album Sundays do. Cultural significance (rather than sound/mastering/pressing quality) informs their choices. They don't let the tail (hifi gear) wag the dog (music). I doubt CAS will be playing Jazz At The Pawnshop or Diana Krall anytime soon. I can't speak for other audio clubs and certainly not for the only one in this country that actually has "audiophile" in it's title but you might be surprised by what we play down here in Melbourne. I might well be. But the music choices at (many, many) audiophile gatherings and societies is the main reason I don't attend so often. It just isn't aligned with my own; which makes it super tough to appreciate the usually excellent sound quality and friendly people. I realise it's me that's the problem here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Sensations Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 My tastes are closer to Colleen Murphy's choices than, say, that which is probable at the next ASoN meet: Norah Jones, Jennifer Warnes, Jazz at The Pawnshop (!), the one ray of light being The Beatles White Album. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proftournesol Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 I wonder if what deters a wider audience from experiencing the joys that a quality system can bring to music reproduction is the perception (right or wrong) that the focus is on the hardware, that the music is being played to demonstrate the hardware rather than vice versa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Sensations Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 (edited) I wonder if what deters a wider audience from experiencing the joys that a quality system can bring to music reproduction is the perception (right or wrong) that the focus is on the hardware, that the music is being played to demonstrate the hardware rather than vice versa? Nailed it in one. Interestingly, one room (I forget who: reel2reel tapes) at 2012's RMAF played The Who's Tommy from start to finish one night. The room was JAMMED. They did Sgt Pepper the following night to an even bigger audience. EDIT: It was the Von Schweickert/Jolida room. Edited July 22, 2013 by John H. Darko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Sensations Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 It doesn't matter how good the system sound is, if people can't connect with it through music they know/love then they're less likely to develop an interest in good sound and/or invest in a setup of their own. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Sensations Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I think this is why the headphone market has exploded via a far younger demographic. At head-fi meets they get to try gear with music of their own choosing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gee Emm Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 I might well be. But the music choices at (many, many) audiophile gatherings and societies is the main reason I don't attend so often. It just isn't aligned with my own; which makes it super tough to appreciate the usually excellent sound quality and friendly people. I realise it's me that's the problem here. Interstingly (predictably), if someone with some auditory skills introduces the album discussing some of its history and 'coming to be' I am more attuned to unfamiliar music. Sometimes, it just needs a bit of a vwerbal intro that you can relate to, for you to get he hook to unfamiliar music. Then scare the schit out of me with 100dB of dynamics and I'll buy you an ice-cream. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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