Cape Cod vs. the Room

[JFR0317]

Ivan asked what my thoughts were with respect to his Cape Cod theater and two channel rooms versus the Florida Room. Here is what I had to say:

"That is a really tough question to answer, Ivan. I really enjoyed listening to the vinyl in the Cape two channel room, and of course, the Room in Florida has no vinyl. I also really enjoyed the multi-channel DVD-Audio stuff in Florida, and I did not get to hear any of that at the Cape.

I believe the Cape theater room is better tuned and balanced than the Room. In fact, on the lossless audio tracks, it is the best I have ever heard.

I wish I could have heard an SACD played through the MCD1100 in the Cape two channel room, as that is what gives the best results in my main system.

The MVP881 and Oppo Blu-ray players were exceptional, as I expected from also having them in my main system. The Sony G-90 was equally fantastic at the Cape as its twin is in Florida."

For those of you who have experienced both, please share your thoughts as well.

[Masterlu]

Thank you John! I believe you to be a very discriminating listener, so your endorsement means a lot to me.

Dan, Jimmy, Bob, Rob R, Jim and others have experienced both, let those comments fly.

[JFR0317]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Thank you John! I believe you to be a very discriminating listener, so your endorsement means a lot to me.

Dan, Jimmy, Bob, Rob R, Jim and others have experienced both, let those comments fly.

Thanks for the kind words, Ivan!

[jdandy]

John.......I have had the pleasure to experience Ivan's Parkland, Florida home systems, affectionately known as THE ROOM, and was also fortunate to spend four days with Ivan and family in their Cape Cod home with plenty of time in the two channel room and the theater.

My first visit was to THE ROOM in Florida. I had seen lots of photos before arriving, but was blown away by the impact of actually being there. The flavor of THE ROOM is quite different from what Ivan has created in Cape Cod. It is a multipurpose room where two channel, surround sound, and home theater share the same space. Without leaving the confines of this single space one can experience the full gamut of mind bending audio and visual experiences. What is notably different in Florida versus the Cape is there's no change in amplifiers or speakers as you move from one experience to the next.

The Cape is a whole different experience, and offers alternate opportunities to enjoy different speakers and amplifiers in the two channel room, Sonus Faber Stradivari's instead of McIntosh XRT2K's, and tube amplification, MC2301 amplifiers instead of an army of tri-amped MC2Kw and MC1.2Kw amplifiers. You also are offered a supreme vinyl rig to listen to at the Cape that does not exist in Florida. The Cape two channel room is cozy and intimate, actually designed for no more than two people to enjoy the room at a time. Of course there is no surround sound in the two channel room, but honestly, who needs it when you have a tremendous two channel sound system at this level to enjoy.

Ivan's Cape theater is spectacular and epitomizes what can be done when a room has a single purpose in its design and execution. The Cape theater is a true step up from THE ROOM in Florida because of its no compromise, one purpose design, with every detail attended to in grand fashion. To watch a movie in the Cape theater is to be in the movie, not merely a spectator. When the lights go down and the action begins, you are completely immersed in a visual and auditory experience like you have only dreamed about. It is impossible to remain passive while watching a movie in the Cape theater.

I like what Ivan has created in both homes. Each is a revered work of art, molded and shaped by a highly dedicated individual. I like both home's entertainment facilities, but ultimately my vote must go to the Cape Cod experience. What Ivan has created in the two rooms at the Cape Cod home is off the charts spectacular. Both the two channel room and the theater deliver first round knockout punches in their own right, and leave you wanting for nothing except more time to enjoy what is almost beyond belief.

[JFR0317]

I can't disagree with any of your conclusions, Dan. I will say that one of the many cool things about Ivan's Cape setup is that all of the sources, formats, etc. that are available in the ROOM are also available in Ivan's theater room at the Cape. I would love to have the opportunity to visit the Cape again to try out the things that I mentioned having enjoyed in the ROOM but not at the Cape.

One other thing about the ROOM - it is able to accommodate quite a few more people at once than the more intimately sized Cape venues. For Extravaganza-type demos, having the larger group really creates an excitement that is palpable.

[Masterlu]

Wow Dan... You summed it up beautifully, thanks!

[jdandy]

John.......For sure, there is a surround sound experience at the Cape, but it happens in the theater, so no one will go wanting if a surround sound experience is your desire.

My studio downstairs has two completely separate sound systems installed, and caters to dedicated two channel audio on one system, and surround sound plus home theater on the other system. My limited space was pressed into double duty, but it works beautifully.

[JFR0317]

Originally Posted by jdandy

John.......For sure, there is a surround sound experience at the Cape, but it happens in the theater, so no one will go wanting if a surround sound experience is your desire.

Exactly. My original post was just trying to describe what I had actually experienced at each venue.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Wow Dan... You summed it up beautifully, thanks!

Ivan.......My pleasure, literally.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by JFR0317

I can't disagree with any of your conclusions, Dan. I will say that one of the many cool things about Ivan's Cape setup is that all of the sources, formats, etc. that are available in the ROOM are also available in Ivan's theater room at the Cape. I would love to have the opportunity to visit the Cape again to try out the things that I mentioned having enjoyed in the ROOM but not at the Cape.

One other thing about the ROOM - it is able to accommodate quite a few more people at once than the more intimately sized Cape venues. For Extravaganza-type demos, having the larger group really creates an excitement that is palpable.

John... It goes without saying you and Jenny are welcome back anytime.