Comments on: California Audio Show 2018

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 01:17:00 +0000

Thanks for your extensive & entertaining coverage of the Californian show. All three reports were very illuminating, keep up the good work.

By: The California Audio Show 2018The California Audio Show 2018, Another Take - Positive Feedback

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 23:17:45 +0000

[…] There are fairly extensive reports filed by Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney (HERE) and Malachi Kenney (HERE), this is more of a filling in of blanks, and additional […]

By: The Lotus Group - Positive Feedback

The Lotus Group - Positive Feedback — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 21:12:29 +0000

[…] so as part of our trip up to the California Audio Show (see Malachi's and Kirsten's show reports HERE and HERE) Carol and I decided to add in a visit to Sonoma wine country as well as a visit to Mono […]

By: art smuck

art smuck — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 19:28:00 +0000

In reply to Malachi Kenney.

Malachi,
No rough feelings here at all my friend. We're thrilled with the emotions you related in writing about our efforts and are totally comfortable that there is balance in your perspective. The 50's were display only but I forgot about the phono stage so yes, sixtyish is the better figure!
I would relish a listening session together and if you bring the beer and Basie, I'll bring the whiskey and Stevie Ray. Based on that I would vote we just leave the red pens at home and enjoy some good times...
Be well,
Art

By: David Bernhagen

David Bernhagen — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 18:59:00 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, Malachi. It is most gratifying to have your work appreciated by someone who is discerning and articulate. We have plans for a line-up from $10-100K. Unlimited bass extension and dynamic range are the most difficult and expensive things to achieve, and we wanted that in our first offering. All our speakers should sound similar and be similarly efficient, just not with the same bass extension and dynamic range. I hope you don't mind that we put a credited quote on our website. Again, thanks!

By: Malachi Kenney

Malachi Kenney — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 03:01:00 +0000

In reply to art smuck. Thank you, Art. I'm sorry we didn't have the time to connect during the show. You folks have the right to be proud of that system. It's absolutely gorgeous, and, if it didn't quite energize the right wrinkles in my lizard brain during a couple of brief auditions at a show, that's hardly something that can be blamed on the system. Shows are tough at the best of times. If you ever feel rough about anything I wrote, please feel free to insist that I'm a deaf loudmouth with no taste (I've been tempted to get business cards that say that very thing). I do want to apologize about the factual errors. I was going by the posted equipment list that listed both your 45 and 50 amplifiers as being in use. Before we correct the prices, I'd like to confirm that the amplification chain in use consisted of your 417A Phono Stage ($24,000), 76 Tube Preamplifier ($15,000), and 45 Monoblocks ($24,000/pair) for a grand total of $63,000 in folding money. Would "sixtyish thousand dollars" be close enough to right? In any case, I look forward to having the good luck to experience your efforts again -- as soon as possible. I'll bring the beer and the Basie; you bring the red pen to correct the stupid mistakes.

By: art smuck

art smuck — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 13:23:00 +0000

Malachi,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful piece on our system and speakers. A couple of quick corrections, the front end Destination Audio preamp and amplifiers are more like thirty-odd thousand versus the ninety-odd quoted and the speakers were each being driven by a single 1.8w monoblock amp based on the 45 tube, not bi-amped.
We recognize that our system, or any other for that matter, doesn't do everything perfectly for every listener, and we deeply appreciate both the glorious positives you found in our work and the feedback you shared which can help us improve in the future. We were fortunate enough to be voted Best Component and Best Overall System by show attendees and are quite thankful for the love shown us by those who voted and by you in your piece here.
Your passion for music and audio genuinely comes through in your writing, and as a reader I truly appreciate the style and wit with which you write.
In your own spirit and certainly meant with respect and appreciation, I can't agree with all of your notes about our system, and will read it again for the 150th time immediately after I proudly hang it framed on the wall above my desk. 🙂
All the best,
Art Smuck
Destination Audio North America

By: Spanky Wanky

Spanky Wanky — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 04:05:00 +0000

There's a "California audio show"? This is the first I am hearing of it.

By: PJM

PJM — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 00:25:00 +0000

Well done Mal!

By: Tom Gibbs

Tom Gibbs — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 18:55:00 +0000

Nice job, Malachi!! Very enjoyable read...

By: PositiveFeedbackDiscussions

PositiveFeedbackDiscussions — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 17:53:00 +0000

In reply to Frank iacone. The actual report is that of the author, Malachi Kenney, and not me... though I did take a lot of the images.

By: Frank iacone

Frank iacone — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 17:48:00 +0000

Nicely done Dave!