DFWAC Meet #11
 

Where: Albert Porter's House
When: January 15, 2019 (Tuesday) at ~6PM (TBD)

:thumbsup:

[emoji106]

There’s a lot who signed up.

So far:

1. Joey
2. George
3. Ed
4. Larry
5. Terry
6. Alex
7. Dan
8. Barry
9. Seph
10. Steve Nichols
11. Seph
12. Jon S.

Another successful meet!

That's it? No photos or details?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using New Forum mobile app

So we had the opportunity to listen to previous generation Focal Grand Utopia's with Allnic 500W monoblocks, the new Allnic Pre, an upgraded Studor Reel to Reel with quite a few master dupes, I forget what turntable but it was in a huge custom enclosure, and he was using Bricasti DAC for digital. Oh yeah and the Allnic Phono preamp as well. We had a big turn out as I think a lot of us wanted to not only hear the Grand Utopia's but I had not ever seen them in person ... WOW they are monsters! I think the Allnic equipment was very polarizing for our group ... maybe the most ever. Some really really liked it and others did not at all. We usually are a lot closer in opinions but not this night! Personal preferences aside we had a great host and a great evening. As Joey said .. another very successful meet. One note ... we did have dinner before the meet this time with wine and beer consumed ... wonder if that had any impact on our listening impressions? :D

George

Hey George, what do you all think of the Grand Utopias? We heard the new ones at RMAF this year in a less than ideal setting. I've always wanted to hear a pair of the big ones in a properly set up room.

- Buck

Buck,

Unfortunately I was in the camp of not really liking the setup. I don’t think it was the speakers though because I heard focal maestros at a friends house that to me at least sounded far better so I I’ll say I’m still needing to hear the grand utopias also!

George

I've heard them EVERY year at RMAF and never liked them. I just don't understand why...they must be good? :scratch2:

Yeah, I'm your boat too, I've never liked the way they sound, I have no idea why since you would think they have to be excellent with all the positive (and price!) press they get. Damn those things were huge though at RMAF.

- Buck

I've heard them in several different rooms there, too, with different gear. Maybe I just don't like their sound. But yeah, at that price it seems like it would be a fantastic speaker that everyone would universally appreciate.

I've heard the Grand Utopia III at my dealer with big $$$ backing gear (should be obvious with $200K speakers), and wasn't impressed either. Same with the Stellas. Just not my flavor & style. But I've heard impressive sound from Von Schweikert VR55 Aktive in the very same spot of that main room (and some of the same gear), and Focal Sopra 3's in an adjacent smaller room with less expensive gear. That main room is what I would've thought to be a perfect size for the big Utopias, too.

Sorry I missed it guys. Would have gladly traded 5 days in NYC for one good night listening to music!

I was one of the guys that liked Albert's system. My opinion may be skewed given that I don't get to listen to a multi-hundred thousand dollar system every day. I did get to hear the Wilson Sasha DAW demo and I preferred that setup over Albert's. However, if the goal of Albert's system was to present the music in a way that made you feel like you were engaged in the music, then I believe he accomplished this...
I have photos of the system, but unfortunately I can't post photos or even update my profile given that I am so new to the community.
I have a very modest system relative to the rest of the DFW club members and hopefully at some point I can add my details.
Jon

Jon...Welcome to AA!:thumbsup:

Thanks Marc!
Jon

jdsher... Welcome to AA! :wave:

Thanks Ivan!
BTW I am completely blown away looking at the photos of your systems. It's like audiophile heaven.
Jon

Thank you! :tiphat:

Jon,
Welcome to the club. Beware, Ivan is an enabler for upgrades. He makes it so easy for subscribers to feed their habit.

"A wolf in sheep's clothing" LOL!