The ultimate high end thread - (includes Meridian's $65K DSP8000) - (pics)

[btf1980]

Spent my sunday afternoon in Stereo Exchange with some vinyl/audiophile buds, had my camera with me.

We started off with the Sooloos wireless system, hooked up to Meridian's DSP8000. Are you sitting down? Good. The DSP8000 is $65,000. Next to the DSP8000 is the Sonus Faber Amatis, a relative bargain at $30,000. Didn't listen to those, but I know 'em well. I like Meridian sources better than their speakers. The Sooloos system is great, intuitive and easy to use, but it is expensive. A plethora of McIntosh gear on the rack. I think there is over half a million dollars in this room alone.

The DSP8000 are self powered. The Sooloos was hooked up directly to the DSP8000. It sounded fantastic. $65K fantastic? Well, everything is subjective.













more coming...

[btf1980]

From the super expensive to the affordable. Pro-ject's latest turntable was great. It's only $150 more than the debut 3.









Liked these shots...

[btf1980]

Cosmos setting up the gyrodec. Quad speakers, Audio Research amplification with a lehmann phono stage.





A must in any audition





The Michell Orbe turntable. Incredible deck. Listened to some Cat Power on them with Vienna Acoustic The Music speakers. Loved it.

[btf1980]

In mac we trust.

[btf1980]

Sonus Faber Stradivaris - $45,000. Breathtaking!!! The room was a little live with the wood floors, but still sounded good.









Audiophiles that aren't 80 yrs old. Yeah, we exist.



Speakers being discounted heavily.



Affordable Totems.



Not so affordable Totems.



Sonus Faber Ellipsas

[btf1980]

Posted this in the B&W forum also.

Let me just say that to all the people complaining about the way the speaker looks with the silver trim, rest assured that it looks very handsome in person. I think the flash on camera's pick up the silver accent making it more noticeable in pictures. In person, it's a non issue.

Up first was the 802 Diamonds. They were hooked up to the creme de la creme. Top of the line McIntosh gear. Each speaker was hooked up to the behemoth MC2301 tube amp. The source was an MCD500 SACD player (liquid smooth!)

I know the previous 802Ds like the back of my hand and I have heard them with the same mac gear before, but there are definitely differences. To begin with, the new 802 diamonds are more forward. Not a detraction, but noticeable if you know the previous speakers well. In comparison, the previous model has a more polite sound - tamer even. I was very impressed. Impressed enough to drop the dough on it? Ask me in a few years. Not now.

Now the 805 diamonds impressed the hell out of me. To be frank, and I know I might ruffle up some feathers, but the new 805 diamonds with a top of the line subwoofer from the likes of JL Audio is a much smarter buy than the 802 diamonds. That would be a tremendous combination at a fraction of the 802 price.

The 805 diamonds were connected to a lowly Rotel integrated & marantz cd player. The Wall by Pink Floyd (MFSL copy I think) was put in, and WOW! This speaker images like nobodies business. Tight, crisp and detailed. Excellent midrange. There was a couple in the room with me, and the guy whipped out his credit card after about 10 minutes...I left the room to let them take care of business. I think that says it all. I could buy these speakers & be content for a while.

I honestly think most sales for B&W will be between the 802 and the 805 diamonds. The 802 simply because of the leap in dynamics and bottom end from everything below it, and the 805 by virtue of being the only bookshelf in the line up, making it versatile and the most affordable.

Some pics...

[Glen B]

It's been a very long time since I've visited Stereo Exchange. Wonderful pics. Thanks for sharing. :T

[wettou]

btf1980 :T:T:T:T:T

I wished I lived in New York what a dealer. I am sure all these hedge fund managers and bankers spend our $$$ in that store

[Aiden]

What were your impressions of Viennas "The Music"?

[SRT-10 Viper]

How would you compare the Sonus Faber Stradivaris to 800Ds or Current 802Ds? Thanks!

[btf1980]

What were your impressions of Viennas "The Music"?

Fantastic. Very powerful. Listened to some Cat Power records among other things, what impressed me was the bottom end. Very clean, tight bass.

[btf1980]

How would you compare the Sonus Faber Stradivaris to 800Ds or Current 802Ds? Thanks!

The room I listened to the Stradivaris in were a little live because of the wood floors. I have listened to them in a well treated room, and it is superlative. That said, it's also $45K. The New 802 diamonds are $15K. The Stradivaris are certainly not 3 times better.

Have not heard the new 800 diamonds yet.

[Aiden]

Fantastic. Very powerful. Listened to some Cat Power records among other things, what impressed me was the bottom end. Very clean, tight bass.

Thanks, btf!

How much of an improvement would you say they were over their Grand line, or rather, where would you say they improve upon?

[Chris D]

Coooooooool....

I'm jealous. Would hve been nice to be there.

[btf1980]

Thanks, btf!

How much of an improvement would you say they were over their Grand line, or rather, where would you say they improve upon?

Bass - that's the most obvious difference. It's quite noticeable.

[Lex]

Oh, I see why the new DSP$ I mean DSP8000 is 65K, it comes with a human remote control, there to adjust it whenever you need it. No fiddling with mechanical remotes.

Sweet stuff for the conspicuous consumer I guess. I never tire of looking at nice gear though. :-)

The Ellipsas reminds me a lot of Stradavarious design, how did they sound, and price?

Doug

[btf1980]

Oh, I see why the new DSP$ I mean DSP8000 is 65K, it comes with a human remote control, there to adjust it whenever you need it. No fiddling with mechanical remotes.

Sweet stuff for the conspicuous consumer I guess. I never tire of looking at nice gear though. :-)

The Ellipsas reminds me a lot of Stradavarious design, how did they sound, and price?

Doug

The Elipsas sound incredible. They are just under $21,000 a pair. It's essentially a smaller Stradivari. The Stradivari has it beat on the bottom end.

[Ovation]

This store doesn't mind browsers, does it? I will be in Manhattan next weekend and wouldn't mind taking a peek, but I live in Montreal so I cannot make any major purchases (transportation, customs, etc.).

[will1066]

It does not mind browsers. The store is never really crowded, even though it is located in one of NYC's most busy shopping boulevards. The store is cavernous with lots to see, so be prepped to spend some time in there.

[Chris D]

Huh... actually, I'm about to come to NYC too, so maybe I'll do the same. I'm going to be doing a shopping trip anyway, for various things.

[Dmantis]

I see Totem in walls in the B&W 805 pic's. I want to hear them go. Totem is one of my all time favorite speaker companies.