Small Milwaukee gathering

Discussion in 'The Meeting Place' started by dBel84, Jul 14, 2018.

  1. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Had a few folk over to the house today to listen to some gear and generally hang out.

    @sodacose; @fraggler; @Ishcabible along with 2 other local musically minded friends got together and spent some time in 2 channel and headphone geekdom. The Orca's are aptly named, and Orc cry is exactly what came to mind . As with most meets we spent more time chatting than actually listening but had a ball switching out amps, speakers and I made a point of at least trying to listen to most of the headphones there as I feel like I have left the general scene behind for quite some time.

    @ sodacose brought a DIY hybrid which sounded particularly sweet , hopefully he will chime in with more details about the design as well as his Broskie tube amp which is the first time I have heard any of the aikido variations.

    The Klipsch HD3 were particularly pleasant and the new LCDC were not.

    Obligatory pics - I took some as an afterthought

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I big thanks to my wife who treated us all to some great food and treats

    ..dB
     
  2. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    I can expand my thought more later, but here are a few observations:

    1. Donald is a generous and enthusiastic host and I am grateful for the opportunity to visit.
    2. The Orcas are definitely not for me. I don't know if they deserve a horrible death, but I now understand why some believe so.
    3. I might be a Magnepan guy now.
    4. The Riva Turbo X is as amazing as reported.
     
  3. Ishcabible

    Ishcabible Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    327
    Trophy Points:
    63
    I agree with all this.

    I’ve looked up to Donald since I was a teen modding vintage orthos and it’s awesome he’s just as nice, if not nicer, in person.

    I thought the Orcas sounded real fatiguing but it’d be a shame for the beautiful cabinets to be destroyed.

    The last time I heard Magnepans was so long ago I didn’t remember how they sound but now I’m definitely a fan for intended use.

    I legitimately think I prefer the Rivas tonally to the LS50.

    I wish I tried @sodacose’s diy stuff. I didn’t think to try to hook them up but from what I’ve seen from him, he seems incredibly knowledgeable and I’m sure it was great.

    I’ve also got to pick up some of that Suntory Toki. I’ve never been that into whisky but that might get me in.
     
  4. sodacose

    sodacose MOT: WTFAmps

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Home Page:
    I'm in love with the Maggie sound now. One of my most memorable listening experiences was a pair of Heils handling 2khz+ and the 0.7s threw a really similar presentation up for us. Measuring my living room now...

    @Ishcabible Sorry I had to cut out early! The amp @dBel84 is referring to is this one:

    https://wtfamps.com/el-estudiante-headphone-amp/

    Simple, class a, direct coupled, 48V. The 7370 tube is a nice sleeper (a 5687 with 20/40V heaters).

    The TubeCAD amp is an Aikido board configured with the WCF output (6N1p and 6N6 tubes). The power supply is a simple MOSFET with 0D3 reference and the Aikido on-board CRC filter. Broskie's boards are Top Notch and the documentation is exhaustive. If anything they're too flexible in how they can be used. I'll review the kit but I've been procrastinating addressing the low-level ground buzz you might have heard (I think it's the pot).

    Hearing all the Cavalli amps and designs (many built by Donald) was a huge treat.
     
  5. westermac

    westermac Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,245
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Milly-wau-kay
    Pretty cool seeing this happen in my own back yard! I've been meaning to find out who else was in the area. Looks like you guys had a blast.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2018
  6. Buck Rogers

    Buck Rogers New

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2018
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    PigsVille, Wi
    Home Page:
    Pretty jealous of that cello!

    From a fellow Milwaukeen.
     
  7. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    @sodacose @westermac @Buck Rogers plus any other Wisconsinites / Illinois etc folk who want to gather this saturday - short notice I know but will have the house to myself and am happy to host a small gathering of folk

    you can bring anything ( even 10 foot OBs if you are up to lugging it about ) , I will complete the NuTube Nelson preamp to make sure people who are interested can hear it.

    let me know if there is any interest and I will get some stuff to eat and drink

    ..dB
     
  8. sodacose

    sodacose MOT: WTFAmps

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Home Page:
    Shoot, I've got Saturday plans. I'm almost done with a new pair of monoblocks though and will let you know when they're ready if you are interested in a listen. I finished my masters in Dec, so I'm hoping to be building more regularly this coming year. Lots of parts saved up for rainy days.

    Which reminds me, I still have a coaster board and 6418s here for you!
     
  9. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Congrats!

    Would love to hear the monoblocks. And totally forgot about the coasters. We will have to meet for a beer :piratemug:

    .. dB
     
  10. sodacose

    sodacose MOT: WTFAmps

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Home Page:
    Would love to meet for a beer! Been to Biloba? One of my favorites on the West side but I rarely get out there.

    I'm hoping I can finish the second mono in the next week. Really just some mechanical and final wiring left.
     
  11. Buck Rogers

    Buck Rogers New

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2018
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    PigsVille, Wi
    Home Page:
    Dang, Sorry I missed this. Didn't get an email notification, Perhaps next time. :)
     
  12. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Wife and daughter are out of town on the 20th, what better time to make some noise.

    Any interest in a small gathering?
     
  13. westermac

    westermac Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,245
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Milly-wau-kay
    I'm interested, could bring some gear as well. Would be good to meet some folks.
     
  14. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    well, 2's a party, the more the merrier :)
     
  15. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    As of right now, I am free and interested!
     
  16. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    @westermac if the GOV2A is still not sold by the time we meet, I will take it off your hands.
     
  17. Buck Rogers

    Buck Rogers New

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2018
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    PigsVille, Wi
    Home Page:
    Sounds good!
     
  18. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Seeing as I am not hanging out at AXPONA, figured I would set this up. Thinking 11am Saturday 20th . Will get something to toss on the grill and beer. PM me if you need my address

    .. dB
     
  19. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,092
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Between SF and Sac
    Wish I was in Wisconsin again (cause its not winter!). I’d join in. Have fun!
     
  20. sodacose

    sodacose MOT: WTFAmps

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Home Page:
    It was great spending a few hours listening to systems and talking audio! @fraggler @dBel84 @Buck Rogers

    The little Frankenstein monitors are what make DIY meet ups so fun. Putting 10W of tube through Magnepans was also something I'd never otherwise attempt :) Great time.
     

Share This Page