UK Ultra High End Audio Show - First Ever 'Cranage' 2014 - Review/Updates

By Sophia H Agathangelou: Inspiring first show at Cranage on fathers day ;) We're into DAC's, appreciate good sound from any source, couldn't help admiring some of the love involved in this hand made deck. Check out our first place "BEST SOUND" award for this first time UK audiophile event. And other photo highlights.

Look inside.

This was the first acceptable sound of the day (below) and it's becoming clear that we (my dad and I) are a couple of base heads so those looking for little speakers have been warned. ;)

 WOW, what's this?

OK, so finally we come to our opinion of the 'Cranage' 1st exhibit in terms of ultimate audio heaven, (below) Audio Counsel demonstrating Audio Note UK was the first to take our breath away and approach the capabilities of our beloved 'Bunker' (yes we are biased).

The excellent 98db type E Audio Note speakers were the culprits along with (below) CDT 2 transport, DAC 4.1X, Audio Note Conqueror 300B power amp and the M2 pre amplifier. The sound was right from top to bottom, a little fat, very nice. We rate the show room at 10/10.

Close for absolute sound today was GPoint Audio's collection featuring the first set of FP-15 hORNS.pl in the UK, thanks to our friend Robert, they are his babies.

Along with the FP-15's, (below) Tectron TK Reference, Van de Leur Audio 002 pre amplifier. Digging deep thanks to that great new DAC7 we have had the pleasure of in our 'Bunker' recently. This is all real world attainable stuff for the dedicated. We have already rated the new Lampizator flagship DAC7 in our last review.

The sound coming from here (below) was nice, just think, you could make those weird looking but great sounding speakers yourself for only around €10,000. LOL :) That's what the maker told us. They did sound sweet.

More interesting stuff.

I'm only 5 and now I'm tapped out! Here's some more select sounds from the show.

OK it must be said that this MCRU room (below) had a good sound and that you should remind your dad to clear his ears after taking advantage of the hotel's swimming pool before an audiophile review. Poo! So we double check... It's good, but we hope we didn't miss anybody else of note. Like this show, this was our first team effort.

Take care, love you, Byeee.

Photos by Sophia H A and WD.

Thanks to Nordost rep. Dave, who gave me a panda feet badge. ...We had made our own 'vintage' set for free with a piece of spare wood. We think they are a bit doily and actually use a little acoustic foam at suspension points more for protection of our own Nordost Red Dawn's. As the really bonkers priced products include a sort of wood sleeve damping we speculate there might be some minor sonic benefits but we can't hear it.

This is one of my favourite tunes...

Another Brick In The Wall - Pink Floyd

 

Edited by WD ;)