This was the first time I've been to a show like this.

First impression is that it isn't the best enviroment to listen to systems. People are coming and going in and out of the hotel suites, more times than a bedroom farce.

Still although I came away on Saturday thinking I hadn't really scratched the surface, I did gleen some things.

Quad had some tiny new AV speakers in use coupled to a top of the range Arcam set up. What was particulary striking was just the power the tiny rear speakers created...Very impressive!

Saw some systems with serious money thrown at them. One with Avalon speakers I've read about circa £30k I believe, matched with some Conrad Johnson kit among other things. This was obviously going to be a bit of a treat, although in truth I probably expected more from that degree of financial outlay.

Was looking forward to seeing Ken Kessler's £50k dream set up and the door was locked from about 2pm onwards when I wanted to see it. Also missed a talk given by HI-FI News. I wish there'd been better pre event information available.

Still, next time I'll spend more time on research and hopefully get there earlier to enjoy some of the systems a little better.

So was this show catering more to the high end of the market? £20,000 plus equipment?! Well, we all need aspirations I guess...

Not exclusively Brucie, there were cheaper bits of kit although nothing really bargain basement.

Having said that I didn't get to see any more than about a third of it I think.

As regards high end, there was something set up in the Somerset suite (If anyone was there they could help me out), which was ridiculous. The music carried well outside into the throng of people beautifully. I had a look at the bi-wired connection of the speakers and they seemed to have just about the fattest connections imaginable, and there was two per speaker. The mind boggles as to how much that may have cost, just for the cabling.

The car stuff seemed a little incongruous to me and I only went to one of the hotels. so I only did get a partial picture. Have you ever been to one of these events?

The cabling comment made me laugh Patrick, I can just imagine cables costing more than most people's players!

Whilst I concur that they must have amazing sound quality, can something costing £30,000 really play a CD that much better than something costing £1500? Surely there's only so far it can go?

I fear it's a bit like wine, if you get too used to the good stuff, you can't go back to something cheap and cheerful.

It does sound better obviously, whether I can appreciate the degree of difference the money makes, is a moot point. Probably not.

I wouldn't criticise a friend for spending stupid money on a sound system, I'd just find excuses to go around all the time and use it at every opportunity.

Still it was interesting to get a flavour of how good they can be, and if pushed, I'd probably prefer to spend that amount of money on a night out with Kate Moss and have a more affordable system.:-)

Brucie - I doubt it very much, at the end of the day a CD player plays CD's and I think the capacity for CDs to be played better is definately finite.


AVR, I'm quite interested in the new Quad surround system, is this their first such product and do you have any other details about it?

Patrick - a night out with Kate Moss? Surely that just involve a mamoth drugs binge? Thats probably not the best way to spend £20,000....though admitidly more fun ;0)

Euler

I know people spit on such things, but I believe there is a review of the speakers in What Hi-Fi? (A site linked to this referred to it as What Caravaning.. which made me laugh.)It was five star.

Ha ha, maybe you've given away to much about yourself Pat!

If I had the amount of disposable income that would mean I could afford those types of equipment I might use it more wisely on a drugs binge.

Besides before you depart this mortal coil, what would give you more pleasure as your life flashes by?

The fact that you owned and used a fantastic Oracle CD player,(or some vinyl equivalent) or that you went out with one of the most beautiful women in the world?

Hi guys we'll leave the Kate Moss loving/bashing to you but we did get a brief demo of the Quad. Myself and Al sat down to watch a showing of Kung Fu Hustle but we were whisked off by our editor Dave Oliver after about 10 minutes - he was muttering something about doing some work I think.

In the very short period we were able to listen I have to say it was very impressive. Hopefully a full review will follow in the near future.

No honestly Brucie, I'm not that type of person.

I don't have a city type of job and I work in local government. Having the money to give myself the look of someone who has a permanent cold, isn't realistic.

It's just that Kate's beautiful and a little bit vulnerable with the press at the moment. It's a heady mix!

Thanks for mentioning the name of the film, it was very slapstick and very funny.... what I saw of it.

"The fact that you owned and used a fantastic Oracle CD player,(or some vinyl equivalent) or that you went out with one of the most beautiful women in the world?"

Thats a brilliant comment, lol. I fear there are some people in the hifi industry would prefer the Oracle CD player though! (myself NOT included)

Cheers AVR, I look forward to a full review then. It's a shame you were cut short on Kung Fu Hustle, it's brilliant.

Yes it was a crying shame our viewing was cut short! We liked what we saw though so a rental is definately on the cards.