Jim, sorry we couldn't hook up today, but the family beconed. It's funny you mentioned the Joseph Audio room. I was really jazzed to hear the new Pulsar's, but when I was in the room they were having server problems and all I could do was take pictures of them along with the Ayre electronics. How did they sound to you? Another room I need to try to get back to tomorrow.
I was blown away! They pack quit the punch in a small package, very impressed.
I think my biggest let down was the the over all music played. 99% of it sucked IMO, and I cant be that alone on this. I mean I get that the old guard who has helped this industry flourish in decades past may have largely preferred classical/orchestral/chamber music, but I was so sick of the reoccurring music theme in every room that I could have puked by the end....and if I hear another over produced female vocal with piano or acoustic guitar backing her, well I guess I know I am at another audio show full of clueless industry people who are out of touch with the audience that is now 30 somethings with a good job and money to spend. I mean seriously there are thousands of different types of music, why play the same shit as everyone else there? Why not appeal to the new audience who is now looking toward highend audio? For this all the exhibitors get a fail, broaden your horizens and maybe the consumer will follow....but I digress.
I did get the opportunity to listen to the YG's and Wilsons with some of that new-fangled wacky rock-n-roll and it was wonderful.
The Odessey room had Tool playing in the dark and I wet myself a little. I was very impressed with the sound they made at a budget affordable to the common joe too.
I did think the Burmester looked beautiful but sounded like crap. My system sounds better than their offerings IMO....and I dont buy the room excuse when so many can make it work like Sanders did for example. For that much money they should use some R&D and figure it out, I was extremely disappointed.
The Focal's had a very nice warm sound with mid-range punch that sat me in my seat. I very much enjoyed their sound.
I sat through the Nordost demonstration in their room and felt that they did themselves wrong in the process. The difference was almost nill, and they went from a 2k power cable to a 20k which was explained to us to be more drastic than a 2k upgrade from the factory one. I walked out of that room and heard a group of guys saying what I was thinking, none of us will be buy any of those EVER.
OK, this post has become a run-on ramble so I will stop now.