California Audio Show (CAS) Aug 15th - 17th, 2014

[blessingx]

... including "Headmasters" and vinyl sales.

 

http://caaudioshow.com/

 

My favorite audio show* comes around again. Anyone else going? 










* Okay, the only one I go to 'cause it's close.

[ironbut]

I'll be there rolling tape through Justin's gear.

I hope to see some familiar faces (friendly I hope).

[Voltron]

I'm angry a lot but may be there...

[Grahame]

It's always a possibility, knee permitting.

[Grahame]

I'm angry a lot but may be there...

 

Would this make you angrier ...

http://www.head-fi.org/t/714477/official-2014-sf-head-fi-meet-july-19-2014-doubletree-san-francisco-airport

[Voltron]

Would this make you angrier ...

http://www.head-fi.org/t/714477/official-2014-sf-head-fi-meet-july-19-2014-doubletree-san-francisco-airport

Undoubtedly, but I will be out of state and will have to miss that one. So sad. Also realizing I cannot make the show either due to a wedding that weekend. Oh well. Edited June 27, 2014 by Voltron

[blessingx]

About a week away. Anyone else?

[mikeymad]

I will have company that weekend - will check if there is interest - if so then yes.

[ironbut]

This year they've combined headphones and vinyl in the same room.

I'm not sure who's going to be selling lps but it looks like they're expecting a bunch.

[blessingx]

I'll be there tomorrow morning if anyone wants to meet up. Unfortunately need to take off for another event in afternoon. Will definitely swing by Steve.
 
"Music   Life   Audio" O.o?
 

Edited August 15, 2014 by blessingx

[blessingx]

Was short, but sweet visit. Only had a couple hours. Picked up a couple RR CDs, but otherwise wallet survived. Awfully tempted by Sony HAP-Z1ES and new $1K HAP-S1 sources though. Best sounding room? San Francisco Audiophile Society's w/ KEF LS50s! I keed. Zu was definitely most fun. Too much to visit.

Crappy/blurry phone photos...

HAP-S1 all in one


Two new EC amps (including ECSS replacement)




Burwell & Sons beauty


Deal I would have jumped on if situation slightly different (sounded quite nice for price)


TriangleArt table porn (with preamp/preamp/preamp)


Justin Steve


Dusty approved

Edited August 17, 2014 by blessingx

[ironbut]

Glad you caught me with my patented "Who Farted" look on display.

Regardless of how I looked, I've been having a great time this year and I was very happy to see Ric.

 

It's been great chatting with Craig and his wife. It's been way too long.

[blessingx]

Sorry, when using a camera phone you use what's in focus.

Good talking with you too Steve. Wish we had more time. Hope today goes well too.

For those curious, though the Sony HAP-Z1ES gets all the press, the "consumer" HAP-S1 may be more useful for many. Lose the upsample everything to DSD, dual mono design, and half the price, but gain actual digital/analog inputs/outputs (remember streaming services, not supported in either) including a decent headphone out and speaker amp. As Audioholics said "If you ever needed an example of how audiophiles will pay a premium to have LESS features, this is it." Could be an interesting consideration for those looking at Oppo's HA-1, the Peachtrees or the Sprout.

Edited August 17, 2014 by blessingx

[blessingx]

Some more show porn from Mono & Stereo...

http://www.monoandstereo.com/2014/08/california-audio-show-2014.html?spref=tw&m=1

http://www.monoandstereo.com/2014/08/california-audio-show-2014_16.html?spref=tw&m=1

http://www.monoandstereo.com/2014/08/california-audio-show-2014-day-3.html?spref=tw&m=1

[postjack]

 the "consumer" HAP-S1 may be more useful for many. Lose the upsample everything to DSD, dual mono design, and half the price, but gain actual digital/analog inputs/outputs (remember streaming services, not supported in either) including a decent headphone out and speaker amp. As Audioholics said "If you ever needed an example of how audiophiles will pay a premium to have LESS features, this is it." Could be an interesting consideration for those looking at Oppo's HA-1, the Peachtrees or the Sprout.

 

I am interested in the HAP-S1, looks like a cool lil' all-in-one box, but what is up with this amp spec:

 

32 watts x 2 into 4 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 10% THD

 

10% THD? I thought it might be a misprint on crutchfield but everywhere I look its the same spec.

[justin]

http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2014/08/18/canmania-2014-headamp/

 

durple hawaii

 

edit: oops, this is actually from the capital audio fest but they just posted it

Edited August 19, 2014 by justin

[shellylh]

Will the HAP-S1 drive my future KEF LS50s?  

[skullguise]

Even if the amp can't, it has RCA outputs.  Can't tell if it's volume controlled or not, but thinking it's fixed output.  Per Sony's literature:

 

D/A Direct Line Output: You can use the HAP-S1 as a D/A converter by connecting it to an external amplifier, using the unit's D/A Direct Line Outputs (stereo RCA).  These D/A Direct Line Output jacks directly output analog signals through the unit's D/A converter without using any internal connectors or signal switchers. This eliminates as many elements that reduce the sound quality as possible. 

 

You can connect a digital audio device to the Optical Input or Coaxial Input of the HDD Audio Player System and output the signal from these inputs through the unit's D/A Direct Line Output jacks. The D/A Direct Line Output jacks do not output analog signals input through the system's analog inputs.

 

Just opens up another option for an external amp for your LS-50's-to-be....

[blessingx]

Will the HAP-S1 drive my future KEF LS50s?

Exactly what I was thinking. Simple/easy/small rig (it's half the size of larger than expected HAP-Z1). Bring in streaming through toslink and vinyl through rcas if necessary. Question is that amp. One review said numbers are solid. Another the amp isn't its strong point.

[skullguise]

Ric, per the quote I had from Sony's literature, the analog inputs are NOT routed to the line out.....so no vinyl, unless you ADC it first and feed one of the digital inputs.....

[blessingx]

That's too bad, but it's still routed to the speakers and headphone jack (or am I mistaken?), so only an issue if you're using a separate amp or pre? 

[skullguise]

Yup, sorry, was still in my "bypass the amp" mode!

[blessingx]

I'm not sure my home/hair/teeth are gonna look right for the HAP-S1.

If anyone is confused on the differences between the HAP-S1 and the HAP-Z1ES a quick comparison between the above video and the one below should clear things up.  

 

 

 

 

 

On a more serious note, some comparison specs here.

Edited August 20, 2014 by blessingx

[Grahame]

Or your extensive music collection.

[blessingx]

Yo Shelly!

Encouraging, but unfortunately the YouTube English machine-translate produces lines like "Biz solutions of space detection system with roof people." Is that good roof people?

Edited August 20, 2014 by blessingx