Montreal Audio show 2023 highlights
#hifi #audiophile #amplifier #stereo #Integrated amp #DAC #AUDIOFEST #AUDIOSHOW Patreon: / thomasandstereosystems mentioned in this video
AudioNoteAN-K LX - FINI EXTRA ARDOISE $ 9 900.00
AN STANDS $ 1 450.00
AN-TT1 - FINI BOIS DE ROSE
ARM ONE
IQ2 $ 8 600.00
CD ZÉRO $ 4 500.00
RIAA ZERO/II $ 3 000.00
DAC 0.1x $ 3 500.00
AN-ISIS: Digital interconnect (1 m) $ 750.00
AN-Lexus: USB (1.5 m) $ 700.00
AN-Lexus: Stereo Interconnect (1 m) $ 500.00
AN-ISIS-POWER CABLES (1.5M) $ 825.00
Innuous Streamer and PhoenixHegel H30aHegel P30aAperturaGalion TS120
CSS TyphonApertura Enigma Mk2
Dali Kore
NAD M23 M33PSAUDIO FR20, FR3-Marantz integrated ampMarantz TT15 turntableFonical Flag LB&W 702 S3Graham LS8/1
BOAZU from lejonklou
KEF LS60
B&W 801 D4
Antigone from Dr acoustics
Classe Delta mono and pre
Sourcepoint 10
Mcintosh XRT1.1k
Single shot from Java HIFI
Aperion V8T towers
Pathos Inpol3 Mk2, 45 WPC class A power amp
Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe DAC
Billie amp with the Buchardt S400 Mk2
Пікірлер: 213
Please leave a suggestion for 1 or 2 songs that I should use at Axpona. I am organizing a meet-up at 6pm on Friday and Saturday at room 472 so we can have some private time in Jay's room. VIP audition for our KZread family. Sunday, I will only be there until 1pm. Jump to 5:26 to see PSaudio FR20's first impression.
@modulardesignsystems
Жыл бұрын
To show case the TS120s bass you can use kzread.info/dash/bejne/o6p8mZKpeqmxoNY.html. To showcase the smoothness you can use Sade or Erykah Badu
@antonyharding5360
Жыл бұрын
@@modulardesignsystems I agree, best of sada, Track 14 for bass and smoothness.. Regards Antony...
@milanmaksimovic4865
Жыл бұрын
f you are not in the middle of the stream surrounded by birds, frogs, dragonflies from all sides, including behind and above your head, then the system is not particularly good "Tipper - Dead Soon".
@yoramdiamand
Жыл бұрын
1. Janne Mark, Kontinent, Kingsfold. 2. James Taylor, American Standard, Moon River. (Hires Qobuz)
@sickjohnson
Жыл бұрын
Thomas, thank you for such awesome videos man, keep them coming! I would suggest you use the same songs always for consistency...no? For me I always use Fast Car.
Thanks Thomas for all the hard work you put into this presentation. Very much appreciate your time and insights.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! I do appreciate it!
Great little tour , thank you 👍
Thank you, always entertaining and informative
Angelina Jordan "I put a spell on you" or Angelina Jordan "I'd rather go Blind" are no brainers if you love vocals. Her newer stuff, she's still 17yrs old, Elvis version of Suspicious Minds or her Adele covers. She has a couple originals now too. Voice of an angel who the world will know by name very soon:)
wonderful tour Thomas... Thank you.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
Very nice coverage! Thanks Thomas!
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for the highlight of Montreal Audio Show, as always great vid! Really appreciated.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
Glad to hear you’re attending Axpona. I’ve attended the last 5 shows. Hope to run into you just to say hello. Your video a while back on the Polk Audio LSIM speaker line put me over the top on buying them and now I have a full 7.2.4 LSIM theater setup and recently acquired a 2nd 7.1.2 LSIM setup for my son. The deals on these 2 systems were ridiculously good.
Yeah Thomas you've got what it takes mate. Always a pleasure listening to you. You're an audiophile and a Gentleman... Perfect combination. Btw Ghost Rider happens to play one of my favourite tracks but this one's called Soul Recover.
Nice and honest review, thanks a lot for your time & efforts!!
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
Wonderful job Thomas. Engaging commentary and insightful too.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
thanks, nice work.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
Nice presentation, thanks!
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
As always great content!
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Much appreciated!
Very nice video/coverage.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
Thomas, the best take away for me from your video was checking out Peppery Man. Really been digging that sound.
What a great review! You cover all the points that anyone would ever want to know. As far as the purist vs convenience, I have started leaning more towards the convenience side. I never thought I would be on that side, but ease of use plus high res capability makes a strong push for it.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Great point!
Free food! Thanks Thomas for taking us along.
Awesome coverage Thomas
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
Dali is really cranking out great speakers these days.
THOMAS, WE WISH EVERYONE SUCCESS 🤗…ESPECIALLY YOU WITH THE GALION😁💚💚💚
Enjoyed this video immensely especially since I used to attend this show every year. Can no longer because of health issues. Here are some of my recommendations: Vincent by Joanna & Wang, Ruo-Lin; for something that our American cousins have never heard: Blanc cassé by Alexandre Poulin, very focused duet; Dégénérations/Le réel du fossé, Mes Aïeux, and finally, a 72 year old recording that still sounds fantastic today: Moi mes souliers, by Félix Leclerc… very iconic. In USA they have the Grammy’s, here we have ´Les Félix ´ named after this guy. He spent his summers 4 kms from where I am writing . All available on Tidal.
SEE YOU THERE !!! =)
Great video Thomas- just the right amount of info on each room you visited. I live 30 mins from the Axpona show, if I can sneak away I’ll stop by.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Hope to see you.
THE NEXT BEST THING TO BEING THERE, THOMAS 🤗👍😁💚💚💚
Slayer: Raining Blood 😂
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
😁
@Veggeku2220
Жыл бұрын
Exactly! when i was at Axpona 2019 we were at the main showcase system (like $1.5M?) and it took some lengthy discussions to agree for them to play (1) Metallica song hahaha. They would only allow 'Orion' because it was purely instrumental and not 'crazy'. They couldn't wait to lift the needle off the record though... you could almost see the guy sweating the entire time 😂
@TheHammerofDissidence
Жыл бұрын
@@Veggeku2220 Pathetic. I'd get kicked out of these shows almost immediately lmao
@Veggeku2220
Жыл бұрын
@@TheHammerofDissidence 2023 goal
@comegetsomedude
Жыл бұрын
@@Veggeku2220 Orion is a great song. I usually have success with the S&M album, which I do love. But yeah, playing anything above classic rock is strictly forbidden. I swear, if I have to hear the Eagles one more time… 😂
Thanks for sharing some photos and your thoughts on the rooms you visited
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
Thomas's presentation here is like a hip Yoda!🤔😛😬🤪 And I love it!😬
Thanks Thomas, seems as though it's been a while since I've seen one of your videos.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Maybe KZread is not promoting? My last video was on the Magnepan sub.
And Peppery Man? respect.
From the Tim Weisburgs album"tip of the Weisburg" first song on the album. Pork Chop. This is an instrumental track only, but interesting is that it is a fusion type album featuring flute. The unusual featuring of the flute really pushes the system to difficult levels. I really think you would enjoy it!
Yello / Oh Yeah (from The Anthology 2009)
Fish: Cliche DJ Gigola: Affirmation Practice
Great video! Thanks for the coverage. By chance do you know if CerwinVega! Had a room there this year?
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Oh I missed that room.
Hey Thomas, thanks for this. The panel speaker, Flag from Fonica is not from France but Italy.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the correction.
Thomas, have you been blown away by anything?
Thomas - great coverage, thank you. Song suggestions - 'All Is One' the first track on 'From the Stairwell' by The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble 'Siphon' from "Okovi' by Zola Jesus Btw, the Fonica loudspeakers are from Italy, not France.
Children of the sun! LOUD
Julian Lage “Everything Helps” Shana Cleveland “Mystic Mine”
Nice coverage. Eyes closed by badbadnotgood and Televised Mind by Fontaines DC. Good prog-jazz and rock tracks.
Dissolved Girl - Massive Attack
I really wanted to come to Axpona, but unfortunately it just didn’t work out! Thanks for these suggestions I absolutely loved both suggested tracks however “make us stronger” made me concerned that my speakers would not survive the whole track 😂. A couple of suggestions for tracks to play - “The Push” from the album The Push by Elliot Deutsch Big Band, and “This Town” from Clique by Patricia Barber!
Nicely putout video of the show Thomas. Suggestion: Meet The Flintstones by Casey Abrans
Thanks for the walk through review. Did the Billie still impress you as it did a few months ago?
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
It sounded better at my place.
The Hegel speakers what is the half circle next to the ribbon tweeter is that a port?
Buena Vista Social Club - Chan Chan (Lots of instruments going on and can really test a system on how much it can handle) Soundgarden - Limo Wreck (song has good bass, moderately high vocals, and the guitar is also quite prominent. At Audio shows i've found a number of systems fall apart when faced with playing harder rock)
@TheDanEdwards
Жыл бұрын
"Buena Vista Social Club - Chan Chan" - a good song that showcases natural talent well. A decent recording, it is not heard usually at audiophile shows but then again the US and Canadian audio shows are very English-centric, and rarely have music from other places (other than symphonic music from Europe.)
@Veggeku2220
Жыл бұрын
@@TheDanEdwards What's funny is that i've used it as a 'system testing' song for years and now all my friends use it too hahaha. It is a very beautiful and natural song that doesn't matter if you can understand the lyrics or not. Beautiful music is great and worth listening to no matter the language spoken. I very much like showcasing music not often heard at audio shows since that is the best way to see if a system is truly well rounded. Buena Vista showcases how well it can handle a variety of instruments going on all at once and Soundgarden helps test a system in ways that Jazz/Classical just doesn't cater to whatsoever.
@MOOeymania
Жыл бұрын
@@Veggeku2220 What up dude!!! Indeed Chan Chan is one of the best for this sort of thing. Should be fun tomorrow.
Great coverage Thomas. Your impression of the Aprerion speakers greatly interested me as they have recently caught my attention via a couple of glowing written online reviews. I would love if you could get a pair of the Aperion Verus III Concert V8T tower speakers in for a full review. From everything I've read/heard about these speakers, they seem to offer a level of performance and finish far above their asking price of $4K USD. Aprerion may be another of those direct to consumer hidden gems offering great price/performance. Thanks again for your informative reviews.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, I am considering.
Get hold of a vinyl copy of “For Duke” M&K limited production/release. Most realistic recording of trumpet and a big band on earth - period.
Still have never been to an audio show. :( Hoping sooner rather than later!
Yebba- Distance Yebba - October Sky Jacob Collier - Every Little Thing She Does (Police Cover) Christian Scott - Bartlet
See you at Axpona!
Revisiting some REM classics, perfect circle and talk about the passion getting a lot of play from Murmur.
Free food!
Thanks Thomas for this video. Just listened to Ghost Rider and was listening it at 90db. That seemed loud enough with my Sopra 2’s. Awesome spaciousness and 3D sound. Try High Roller - The Crystal Method.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Right on!
i like any set up that has a sacd/cd disc player.
I don’t put my system to insane level NEVER, if anybody does, my condolences!!!!
Thanks for the like Thomas. Here is a instrumental suggestion. I like this to highlight spacial cues and tight articulate base with contrast to tophat shimmer and guitar. Duende by Bozzio Levin Stevens -
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tip!
Hi Thomas, You make mentioned of a speaker at 18.49 mins into your video. What speaker brand is this? Thanks in advance.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Aperion.
Very nice video. It's engaging, as if the viewer is walking with you from room to room. The description of the FR20 speakers sounds spot-on for me. If I was walking with you and I could choose two tracks to try that, it's these tracks: 1. "Icycle" by Tori Amos on her album "Under the Pink" (woman voice + piano); it should almost sound as if she's playing in your room on a real grand piano. 2. "Hey Now" by London Grammar on their album "If You Wait". That song starts quite heavy bass halfway but should still not sound bass-heavy, so it's a difficult one for the system to get it right.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Thanks and you got the same feeling when you heard the fr20?
@colanitower
Жыл бұрын
@@ThomasAndStereo Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to hear them yet, so that's what I hope to find out one day. Your description is a bit like the Wharfedale Linton (I own a pair of Lintons): non-fatiguing even when played loud for a longer time. Lintons are very good for their price but they are not very revealing, which is fine at that price point. The FR20 could remove that compromise. A comparison of the FR20 with the new Wharfedale Dovedale would be interesting, or with the Estelon XB Diamond. I did hear the Estelons on a Dutch audio show last year and I was blown away.
Hi @Thomas . I think you may want to try the track “What If” by Creed, it’s in the playlist of the AudioAnalyst KZread channel. I was trying the Bro 3 bookshelf speakers . I was about to keep those but when I played this track… the Bro 3 just failed … no instrument separation at all. This track is a good one if you want to check if a speaker can play hard rock music of course .
Too late but FYI: 1. Sixteen Tons : Geoff Castellucci 2. Cocoon : Jon Gomm
Hey Thomas, I would like to recommend a couple of recording artists. One is from my hometown of Baltimore; David Byrne of Talking Heads and Donald Fagan would sound good coming through the speakers.
Keep up the good work - incase you missed this one: Stephan Moccio - Le Temps Qui Passe
Julian Lage tune In Heaven (for instrument realism and dynamic range and to treat people to the best trio on the planet today), Derek Trucks until you remember (for vocal realism and detail retrieval and treat people to truly powerful music), Tigran Hamasyan tune Kars 1 (for bass extension, complexity of sound and because that shit is just insanely brilliant).
Great video, as always and nice honest view of products ! For my 2 songs, I am a Jazz guy, so, Miles Davis "Generique" from L ascenseur pour L echafaud (to me a masterpiece !) and again Miles Davis, Baby won t you come home BTW Thomas, i wish there was a place where people who need advise on their systems could go, and discuss upgrades, DACs streamers etc..........
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing!
@yvesgerm1573
Жыл бұрын
@@ThomasAndStereo As i do only vinyls and CDs, i was lucky to find Japanese pressings of Miles Davis s records, they sound amazing to me. Any suggestions on a selection of phono stages ? I was told TriGon
Bahamas: 'Less Than Love'. The Bros. Landreth: 'What in The World'. Molly Tuttle: 'Clue'. I broke the rules and gave three. Enjoy Axpona.
Great video, it was enjoyable to watch thanks to Thomas’s charm and humour. I usually don’t watch the these type of videos all the way but Thomas made it quite entertaining even with gear I wasn’t too interested in. I’m thankful I have a small house as it restricts the range of gear I can practically enjoy but also because it saves me a lot of money on stuff I couldn’t realistically afford anyways and direct my budget more towards a higher end headphone setup.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
Billy Cobham 'Spectrum'
It is shocking to hear a cello in person. It makes you realize distant stereo reproduction is from the real thing. I was waiting for my wife in a office waiting room. Way down the hall in the giant lobby a cello and harp started playing. Even in this impossible space with marble walls the sound was incredible. Pulls at your heart in a way our systems just can't manage.
@ThomasAndStereo
7 ай бұрын
yup, nothing like the real thing.
2 of my go to tracks for testing a new speaker, headphone, or component: Nina Simone - Sinnerman Dan Tyminski - Boy who wouldn't hoe corn (transatlantic sessions)
A bit late but maybe next show and not sure if this has been played by audiophiles. Peter Gabriel Up: Growing Up>Sky Blue>No Way Out. Will bring most systems to their knees at 90db+. Properly setup system reveals treasures inside and sub-bass required to get full effect.
Hay Thomas, thank you for the informative video. But the song suggestion vini vici pounded my chest and about to bring my house down. My neighbours are already on a war path and this song did not help🙂. Please make comments in relation track selection in the future, like listen at your own risk or something along the line. Looking forward review on amps that are warm and which could replace my tube amps. Thank you.
Now that I see your listening to Natalie Merchant on the Hifi I believe everything you say. Exactly what I would play as well.
Fine Days / Hattler Live Cuts 2
The Java HiFi amp is a GaNFet Class D gorgeous amp from New Zealand manufacturer
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Yeah I should get them to review.
A crowd drawer The Kiss from Last of The Mohicans By E Muzeki.
Pink Floyd Dark side of the moon , speak to me, 2023 master release.
Sara Bareilles / Sittin‘ on the Dock of the Bay (Live at the Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA May2013)
Monsieur Thonas, filles means 'girls' and not women which in french is femmes. What a great show. Fantastic portraying of each system, I felt I was there with you. Thank you x
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, yeah I was thinking of the ladies in the room when I translate that and noticed my mistake after but too lazy to correct.
@melarch.5424
Жыл бұрын
Also daughters! Mes filles- my daughters.
Thomas, have you tried running your signal through a stereo hardware limiter? Just slight compression can really bring out finer details. I see the Pro VLA II is a good budget limiter/compressor. Also help to bring to life digital files to sound more analogue.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
No but interesting concept.
@crtgamer2355
Жыл бұрын
@@ThomasAndStereo Yeah, I first noticed this when listening to good analogue radio broadcasts, of course they compress way too much to make the signal as loud as possible, but I always noticed how good it sounded. With slight compression you can get amazing results, you get similar results with good tape compression.
@crtgamer2355
Жыл бұрын
@@ThomasAndStereo Maybe one of your many buddies has one you can borrow for experiments :)
@crtgamer2355
Жыл бұрын
@@ThomasAndStereo I can even upload some audio examples if you want, let me know. I use software compressors, so I can only imagine how good a hardware tube stereo compressor will be.
Hi Thomas, check out “I was make for loving you” by Maria Mena. I love her voice.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
I'll check it out!
Very cool Thomas. Like how you pushed the volume. I like testing like that. I don’t base everything on doing that but it is important to me as well. ❤
‘Til I fell in Live With You (2022 remix), Bob Dylan, Fragments, Time out of Mind sessions. Newly released mix of his classic 1994 album with Dan Lanois producer. Not audiophile but amaaaaaazing. Give it a try.
My son and I agree with you nothing compared to Vincent playing live
@vincentbelanger5078
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
Hi Thomas, 2 very hot integrated amps you should review. Kinki Studio EX-M1 and Audio research I/50.
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
I heard the I50, loved it.
Great review of the rooms and equipment. I preferred having you do the voiceover of your experience instead of hearing the company rep give their prepackaged marketing spiel about how great and innovative their product is, which gives us no impression of how the stuff actually sounds.
What do you think about Apogee Centaur Minors?
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
I missed that room.
One song I would recommend is SPIES - MUSIC OF ESPIONAGE. track 1.
Hi , I recomed Colter wall - snake mountain blues and Avi Kaplan - Aberdeen ... 🙂
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
Cool, thanks!
Some classical: "The Red Violin" - Chaconne for Violin and Orchestra
Demolition Hammer - Human Dissection. Make sure you immediately try to start a mosh pit and shove the closest person to you. Block control of the amplifier and seize any remotes. It'll go great, I promise.
Ministry - "Just One Fix"
@Demonator27
Жыл бұрын
Ripping it right now on my Gryphon Pantheons and it sounds absolutely crushing.
Paul Simon / Homeless
Rel 15inch carbon fibre edition. £5K each
Justin Timberlake - cry me a river Natural high - kahlohe Kai How did you know I love bass Anamorphic - joker Stargazing - Travis Scott Blue suede - Vince staples
Vivacious child in a candy store. :-)
This video was a small sampling of the Montreal Audio Festival. Did you have an opportunity to see every room?
@ThomasAndStereo
Жыл бұрын
70% of the rooms.
@stephennarayan
Жыл бұрын
@@ThomasAndStereo Too bad you missed the Stenheim DarTZeel room that was my best of show
I finally heard the PS Audio FR20 speakers at the Toronto show. Thomas describes them very well. They are pleasant. They do not draw attention to themselves and likely will be pleasant across all genres. IMHO, also not particularly noteworthy. I think people will buy them and be content for decades. Guy at the show mentioned they are a bit finiky to get set right, so likely best in a dedicated room where you can place them without concern for living space.
@ThomasAndStereo
7 ай бұрын
Interestingly, the sound way more detailed at the Toronto Audio show, at the Montreal, they were way darker. Still not to the point analytical and within the pleasant realm. Way way way better at the Toronto Audio show.
@user-od9iz9cv1w
7 ай бұрын
@@ThomasAndStereo Interesting that this is the first time we heard them with Accuphase instead of PS Audio amps. mmm, could it be that it is the PS Audio amp we don't like? I know you can't judge a product by the show demo. I have been disappointed in every KZread demo so had to see them in person. Listening to my recording of them in Toronto and others, it is clear the Toronto show brought out the best in them.