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September, 2018
New SFAS Website Update
We're getting closer to the new SFAS website launch! We're shooting for September 10, but before we launch the new site we'll need to shut down the current site from September 6 - 9. This will give us time to transition some content and conduct functionality testing. Once the new site is up and running we'll still need to incorporate additional content. Please do let us know your thoughts and comments.
AND DON'T MISS OUR SPECTACULAR DOUBLE PRIZE GIVEAWAY HAPPENING AT OUR SEPTEMBER 15th SWEET VINYL - KIRMUSS RECORD CLEANER EVENT!!! See below for details.
Thanks! Larry Deniston [email protected] ------
Chasing Perfection By Albert Dall
Hello, and Warm Greetings to the SFAS Membership!
Lo and behold, it is nearly Fall on the calendar! And yet, these busy times with work, school, and family life, come with cooler evenings and longer nights that lend themselves to more listening time. Yay!
I've been thinking about all of our club events and manufacturer's presentations and how we strive for the betterment and perfection of our systems. There's the reward of research, consideration of components, system layout, and tweaking of the setup. All these factors, lead to some amazing listening experiences. We hear them at home, we see them at shows, we visit manufacturers, and we get to do demonstrations at our club events, all with the goal of making our systems sound more real and involving. But is there ever enough? Don't we all dream of the next speakers, or component, or room, or house, all in the name of better sound and music? I know I do! Literally, I have dreams about listening to music, and sometimes about live performances by my favorite musicians. In dreamland, the music is always perfect! Perfect pitch, perfect balance, perfect stage, and depth. I want this in my home too. That is much easier said than done.
I am always looking for and wondering what I can do to make my system sound as good as some of the wonderful setups I've heard over the years. As was demonstrated at Joe Hakim's and the CMS presentation last month, every piece in a system contributes to the total listening experience. When paired correctly, components, cables, isolation racks, footers, room treatment, all add up to a whole that is greater than the sum of individual parts. And no individual piece will give the magic. It takes a whole system with a synergistic effect to make that happen. Lately, to this end, I've been toying with the idea of swapping the positions of my listening couch and speakers. This will be a lot of work. As a first try to see what it might sound like, I've thought of running some long speaker cables from amps to the "new" speaker position about 17ft away. That should give me a basic idea if I'm moving, in the right direction. I'll let you all know if it turns out to be an improvement.
This idea of flipping the listening/speaker positions came about a few weeks ago as friends were over for dinner and music. Yes, the amps were warmed up nicely, and wonderful jazz music of Pat Martino played through the house. As always happens, the guests congregated in the kitchen and dining area. The music sounded full, spatial, and natural. After dinner, as my high school buddy and I sat on the couch for some critical listening, the depth and width of stage went away. Bass too. What the heck?
We thought we should experiment with finding just the right position of body and speaker. First, we started by turning the speakers 90 degrees so they faced each other, then we took turns sitting directly between them. There was a lot to like! We felt like we were on to something. Progressively we moved the listening spot back into the room and turned the speakers to point at the listener. We eventually found a very nice listening position while sitting on the floor, back against the listening couch's "sweet spot," with the speakers pointed over left and right shoulder. Then, as we raised the height of our preferred position to be equal to sitting on the couch. Bass, definition, and depth of stage went away. It was that position, AND height, that made all the difference! My room cancels things out at an ear height of 38 inches when centered between the walls and 1/3 depth of the living space.
It turns out that the dimensions of my living room, and the physics of sound, makes the audio room and home I've built for the last ten years NOT ideal for listening. IN THAT SPOT! So, in the quest for better (perfect) sound, I'm willing to change the whole layout of my living room. I might even change houses! That's how important it is! I imagine a lot of you might feel the same way. So, as I said, I'll let you know how things turn out. And, please, share your own experiments and results.
Enjoy your Fall listening!
Albert Dall SFAS Director - Amplification Research
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EVENT CALENDAR The San Francisco Audiophile Society -Presents*-
SweetVinyl SugarCube
September 15, 2018 1-4 PM
You should have already received a registration email for this event at our conference room at The Shops at Hilltop for afternoon with Leo Hoarty and Dan Eakins of SweetVinyl. Leo and Dan will talk about and demonstrate the SugarCube SC-1 and SC-2. These pieces of gear that eliminate pops, clicks and surface noise from your records. Please find the program outline and system description here.
PLUS #1 Members attending may enter a drawing to win an SC-1 provided by SweetVinyl! Must be present to win. S orry, guests are not eligible to enter.
See the Michael Fremer review of the SugarCube equipment at the following link: Fremer Review. The following is an excerpt from the review: "The SweetVinyl team has been working on this "real time pop and project for a few years now, improving all aspects of the design and bringing each update to audio shows so we can all hear how the project has progressed.. These guys are committed audiophiles and vinyl fans who bring to this years working in Silicon Valley so what you have here is a product that is technically finessed in the digital domain, informed by experience and commitment in the analog world and built to the level audiophiles expect at an unexpectedly reasonable price."
Additionally, we'll have a surprise guest joining us - Charles Kirmuss of the Kirmuss In The Groove ultrasonic record restoration system. Charles has been interested in all things audio since the age of six and has extensive background in many facets of the audio industry. For more information on Charles and his company please see the following link: https://www.kirmussaudio.com/about-our-company.html
Charles will discus s record manufacturing, the lifetime of a record, what a record encounters and how to conserve vinyl. I'm sure he'd be happy to entertain your questions as well.
PLUS #2 Charles is providing an In The Groove record cleaner for a second drawing at this event!
Two ground-breaking technologies and two give-aways !!! You won't want to miss this special event! Sorry, guest are not eligible for drawings.
------David Gans Interview of John
Curl October 20, 2018
Powerhouse legends David Gans and John Curl come together for a Deep Listening Session you won't want to miss. These two have been part of Rock history and will share with you the details surrounding the making of some of the most iconic recordings ever produced!
------Parasound's Richard Schram and
John Curl November 10, 2018
We look forward to another great event with Richard Schram and John Curl of Parasound. Richard and John will talk about new projects they're working on and the latest insights into the audiophile industry.
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*Please Note: Only current SFAS members may sign up for events. Members may invite a guest, but must pay the guest's program fee.
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Pending Events
* A presentation by Kent English of Pass Labs in the Healdsburg area.
* A Sys-Hop, of sorts, between the South Bay's Gordon Burwell and John Johnson.
* Steve Hoffman, recording engineer extraordinaire * Steve Hoffman, recording engineer extraordinaire
* A used gear swap meet for members (let me know if this is of interest at [email protected] - so far we have heard from three people)
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Critical Mass Systems August 18, 2018 Event Write-Up by Larry Deniston
SFAS Members were once again treated to a very interesting and informative event at Joe Hakim's beautiful home in Soquel. This time the presentation covered the Critical Mass Systems (CMS) MAXXUM equipment rack and CMS 0.8, 1.0 and 1.5 Center Stage2 footers by the founder and president of CMS, Joe Lavrencik.
Joe Lavrencik Joe Hakim
Joe Hakim kicked off the event by reviewing the equipment in his system which includes Ypsilon electronics; EMM Labs DAC2X v2 DAC; Aurender A10 network streamer; Artisan Fidelity modified Technics SP10MK3 turntable with a Koetsu Blue Lace Platinum cartridge; PS Audio P10 power regenerator; MasterBuilt cables and interconnects; Von Schweikert VR-55 speakers; and Critical Mass Systems (CMS) MAXXUM rack and Center Stage2 footers. Joe H. also talked about the sonic improvements he's experienced since he's added the CMS rack and footers to his system including greater resolution and bass response. Quite an impressive observation considering the top notch sonics his system already conveyed!
The main event, Joe Lavrencik, was up next. Joe L. first apologized for his jet lag as he and his wife, Joy, had just returned from the Hong Kong High End Audio Visual Show and was feeling the effects of the travel and time difference. Joe L. talked about how he got started in the business after finding that existing systems did not meet his sonic and construction expectations. He also spoke to the design concept of the racks which I think are well described by the following excerpt from the CMS homepage: (http://www.criticalmasssystems.com/index.html): "Critical Mass Systems racks are not isolation systems as they do not prevent the transmission of vibration. Rather, the filter system manages the flow of vibration into and out of the component as well as the rack architecture supporting it. Our proprietary internal vibration filtering materials and rack architecture operate together to mitigate vibration in the floor, the rack, the shelf and the component at the same time. This ensures even energy transfer throughout the rack architecture and filter system so your component can retain the "sound" that was intended, revealing the inner detail of the music." Joe L. then described in general terms the construction of the MAXXUM rack, the types of materials used including solid aluminum legs (yes, solid aluminum, a question which was asked several times by the attendees) and several material types used for the construction of the shelves. The discussion then turned rather technical with references to materials science along with the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics! During the discussion there were numerous questions which led to the letter below that Joe L. wrote as a follow up to the event which provides clarifications to the questions asked at the event and includes a limited time offer for discounts to SFAS members on CMS products.
After a brief break we then moved to the footer comparison. Joe H. felt that the footers have the greatest impact on the DAC and streamer in his system, so that was the equipment used for the evaluation of the footers. The CMS so that was the equipment used for the evaluation of the footers. The CMS Center Stage2 footers were compared with Stillpoints Ultra SS, Stillpoints Ultra 6 and the Magico QPods. We used three tracks of music to start with, a Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto tune, a classical piece and an Eva Cassidy song. All sounded great with Joe H's system. We started listening with the CMS footers in place, listened to the music tracks then replaced the CMS footers with the Stillpoints. We then went back to the CMS footers. There was a general consensus that the CMS footers sounded better than the Stillpoints with one dissenting opinion. Next we listened to the QPods under the DAC with Stillpoints Ultra SS under the streamer and then switched back to the CMS gear. Again, there was general consensus that the CMS footers sounded better.
All in all this was another great SFAS event with engaged attendees who were able to experience the sonic qualities of an excellent system. Sincere thanks to Joe Hakim and his lovely wife, Debbie, for their hospitality and providing the venue for another great SFAS event.
Critical Mass Systems
To: The San Francisco Audio Society
I want to thank the esteemed members of the San Francisco Audio Society for attending my recent discussion about Critical Mass Systems and Center Stage audio footers. It was a pleasure to meet you and participate in your listening session. I especially want to thank Joe and Debbie Hakim for opening their beautiful home to my wife and me. Joe's system is extraordinary. The level of playback he has achieved is world class. The last vinyl Beatles track played was so beautifully expressive and engaging I was nearly in tears. Experiencing an emotional connection with music is what it's all about for me. Again, I want to apologize for my jet lag. There are two questions I could have answered better. If you don't mind, I'll try to address them here.
1) What is a dual zone, 6-stage damping system in a MAXXUM?
From the outside, the filter (shelf) appears to be "of-a-piece" but the From the outside, the filter (shelf) appears to be "of-a-piece" but the internal structure consists of 8 to 12 channels through which vibration must travel upwards to the component. Each channel consists of 3 damping stages on either side of an elastomeric buffer. The elastomer lowers natural frequency and the damping stages systematically reduce vibration.
Each damping stage is a sequence of hard and soft materials calculated to a thousandth of an inch that pushes certain frequencies to the fore and then converts them to heat. The lower zone's 3 damping stages are equivalent to a 14-layer sandwich of 5 different damping materials specifically sequenced.
The 3 damping stages in the upper zone are equivalent to a 22-layer sandwich of 6 different hard and soft materials. MAXXUM filters are "tuned" to the frame that supports them, so that the MAXXUM superstructure and its filters work as a unit to burn off vibration without degrading the performance of the components.
2) What is the mathematical equation for the ideal border? Inside a component's border are varying arrays of parts forming an electromechanical signal processing network. On the other side of the border is an intensely fluctuating mechanical energy field. Varying electromechanical pathways and differing forms of energy on both sides of the component's border is the crux of the problem that drives the many physical embodiments of answers available today.
Center Stage2, Stillpoints and Qpods are border interfaces designed to minimize electromechanical degradation. The A/B comparisons showed that materials, dimensions, and damping sequences impact sound. Which one of them provided the best border is yours to decide. Center Stage2 is an incredibly exciting product for me because it is the most powerful device I have ever designed at a generally accessible price point. In fact, I am so excited about the product that I am honored to extend a buy 3, get the 4th at no charge offer on all 3 Center Stage2 sizes until October 31st exclusively through Eigen Audio. Please contact Eigen Audio for details.
All the Best,
Joseph Lavrencik Critical Mass Systems www.criticalmasssystems.com [email protected]
This month's video viewing suggestion:
This is an interesting interview with Neil Young about the making of Harvest. Harvest was the #1 album in 1972 (I know, some of you weren't around in '72) and featured tracks recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and tracks recorded in the barn at Young's ranch in California. All-in-all a great album with an interesting perspective provided by Young.
https://youtu.be/VCtoViYVi3E
------Audiophile Humor
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T ec h T al k A new youth movement is energizing the high-end audio market
In spite of the predictors of doom (this is it), the article associated with the link below identify many high-end companies led by a younger generation of entrepreneurs including U-Turn Audio, Hifiman, Vinnie Rossi and Zu Audio who are able to attract younger as well as more seasoned customers now and in the future.
https://www.cnet.com/news/the-new-youth-movement-in-high-end- audio/ audio/ ------New Toys
The new toy for this month is the Kirmuss In The Groove ultrasonic record cleaner, www.kirmussaudio.com . This cleaner does a very good job cleaning records and will be part of the comparison being conducted with the Klaudio and the Audio Desk.
Larry
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Please drop us a line if you'd like to share. T hanks! [email protected]
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Industry News Industry News
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest
OCTOBER 5 - OCTOBER 7, 2018 DENVER, COLORADO
RMAF is coming this October. For more information click on the following link: https://www.audiofest.net/
Our friends from Parasound will be there in room 6032. Parasound has invited SFAS members to stop by to say hi and to hear their favorite music.
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JBL by HARMAN Introduces Updated, Iconic JBL L100 Loudspeaker
LAS VEGAS, NV - HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, is introducing the JBL L100 Classic, a modern take on the all-time best-selling JBL L100 loudspeaker. As with the legendary L100 3-way bookshelf loudspeaker released in 1970, itself a consumer version of the popular JBL 4310 Pro Studio Monitor, the new L100 Classic follows on the heels of the successful 4312SE 70th Anniversary Studio Monitor model launched in 2016.
The new L100 Classic loudspeaker system features an attractive, 1970's- style retro design, with vintage JBL styling including an iconic Quadrex foam grille in a choice of three colors - black, orange, or blue -- all with a black and bronze JBL logo. The enclosures are finished in a genuine, satin walnut wood veneer with black front and rear panels.
For the entire story please see the following: https://news.harman.com/releases/jbl-by-harman-introduces-updated- iconic-jbl-l100-loudspeaker-at-ces-2018
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SFAS Monthly Music SFAS Monthly Music Picks
This column features monthly music recommendations from SFAS staff and sometimes special guests. Members are welcome to submit music picks to Larry Deniston [email protected] .
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Grant's Pick
My album pic for this month is Oscar Peterson Quartet Night Child on Pablo records 1979 vinyl. This album features Oscar Peterson on acoustic and electric, yes electric piano. More on that later. Rounding out the quartet is the great Joe Pass on guitar, Niels Henning Orsted Pederson on bass and Louie Bellson in drums. So yes, I've never heard Oscar play bass and Louie Bellson in drums. So yes, I've never heard Oscar play electric piano. The first tune, " Solar Winds", finds him chording with reserved subtlety, a beautiful mellow phased shifted sound. I've heard him play ballads, but not like this. The sustain seems to make him nurse and savor each chord to the fullest. Ditto on "Soliloquy ", a blues for Doctor John. But never fear, the pyrotechnics are there as well. Amazing dexterity is evident that would make electric stalwarts like Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock stand up and take notice.
The sound is quite good. Joe Pass's guitar is very up front yet tender on "Soliloquy". Niels bass sound is punchy but not exactly deep on his solo on "Solar Winds". Not a lot of kick drum till the final funk track " Teenager", but the cymbals are crisp on the songs featuring Louie. Oscar does play some beautiful acoustic piano on the title track. Overall, one of the most satisfying Oscar Peterson albums I've heard.
Tidal: https://listen.tidal.com/track/1294116 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwphv8M55q8
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Larry's Pick
My album pick for this month is the self-titled Rickie Lee Jones, on vinyl MoFi MFSL 1-392. Once you get past the summer of 1979 hit "Chuck E.'s in Love", the album is full of well produced and engaging jazz/rock tunes. With the likes of Steve Gadd on drums, Tom Scott on trumpet, Michael McDonald vocals, Randy Newman on synthesizer, among many other talented musicians, Jones put together an all-star cast for this great album. Tidal: https://listen.tidal.com/album/93084901 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JkT3p6H4Ws
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Kevin's Pick
13 Shades of Blue:The Best of Mapleshade, Vol.2. I bought this CD many years ago and hadn't played it in 5 or 6 years. After settling on ROON as my primary streaming software, the number 13 in the title popped this toward the front of my collection. I hit play and WOW, what great blues performances!
And what amazing recordings. This is a compilation from the Mapleshade catalog. I don't love every song, but they all swing and boogie. This collection should get you up and out of your seat.
The recording sounds live in the best sense. The recording captures the timbre and attack of the instruments and voices are captured with presence. The recording acoustic is captured and reproduced with just the right balance to the music. Find a favorite song and order the CD it is gleaned from.
And, since I missed last month, here is one more: Tao Ruspoli:Flamenco
I play this CD quite often. Flamenco guitar by a master. A complex character, but a master. This is solo flamenco guitar well recorded in a nice space. I think Pierre records in an old plantation house. Quite dynamic. the songs are emotional and played with great passion. But of course, it's Flamenco.
Sadly, this is not in the Mapleshade catalog anymore. Nor is it on Tidal. But seek out a used CD because this is great music that is well recorded.
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David's Pick Sophia Pfister Birdcage
Sophia Pfister: model, painter, poet, composer, musician, singer, and personal addresser and mailer of every album she sells. She is one busy lady, so it is no wonder it's taken her over three years to get her first full- length album out after the release of her 2014 EP. That December 2014 self-titled EP contained just five songs, all original, and released on a limited-edition vinyl record sold directly from Sophia's apartment in Los Angeles. Although technically, you didn't have to go to her apartment to buy the album, you could order it through her website. And, if you didn't have vinyl playback capabilities, you could purchase digital copies of her music on Tidal, and iTunes.
Sophia only records and sells her own material, and though her first EP contained just five songs, those five songs were mastered and recorded exceptionally well. I was, along with many others, hooked while listening to the sound quality that reproduced Sophia's music and lyrics, which she has described as "sexy, raw, imaginative, and uncomfortably honest."
But just five songs? Her fans wanted more. Well, more came with that big gap of time, and Sophia's passage through life shows up in the eight new songs on Birdcage. Some of the grittiness is replaced by a more mature emotional expression and polish in the music and lyrics. Is that a good thing? I think it's a great thing, not because I like the music on her first EP less, but because this album seems to come from the fruit of the years in between then and now. You can hear the same type of evolution in the music when you listen to the first and second albums by any number of bands, and which album you'll prefer is up to you. In this case, I prefer them both. Ultimately, I think the new album is more than worth the wait- although I do hope we don't have to wait this long between every wait- although I do hope we don't have to wait this long between every release.
Let me clarify my impressions by saying, if you liked her first EP, I think you'll love the songs on Birdcage. Ms. Pfister has again constructed an album that sounds great to listen to, not only because of the compositions, but also thanks to some exceptional recording, mastering and mixing, and a superb vinyl press from the folks at Gotta Groove Records in Cleveland. But, don't wait to place your order from her website ( www.sophiapfister.com) as this is a limited-edition pressing and you will not be able to listen/purchase this on Tidal or iTunes. In fact, Sophia told me she has no plans to release this on anything but 180 gm vinyl, though she did say that YouTube is her chosen online platform right now, and somewhere in the future she may sell digital copies of her music directly from her website, using the pay-what-you-want marketing platform. This is the same plan famously employed by Radiohead on their In Rainbows LP, and still used by Zoë Keating for all her recordings- (see my music pick for next month).
You can check out some of the songs from her new LP on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0ZFFjRduyU
And, Sophia with Dave Alvin- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVK9sZuNX1s
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SUGGESTIONS or SUBMISSIONS? The SFAS Leadership Team wants to hear from you! If you have something written up about some music you'd like to share, or a piece of equipment you're fond of, just send it to us. And if you have an event idea you'd like to have us present, just reply to this email with your suggestions. If we like it, you'll attend the event as our guest and we'll thank you for sharing. Sorry if you thought you would win a new Tesla... we can afford to give you recognition for your brilliance, but that's about it. Besides, we just saved you from the stress of all those speeding tickets.
The Muse Publication Team Contributing Editor: David Hicks Contributing Editor: Larry Deniston Editor in Chief: Alón Sagee
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