Since I'm newish on AK, I was just wondering if the idea of a Toronto gathering has ever been tossed around? Or maybe there has been one in the past??

Hi benjamin, I live 40 minutes north of TO. Seems like a great idea to me!

Greg

I'm two hours south :)

Count me in! We could do it at my place but you'd have to come 2 at a time.

regrdz
Bill

Looks promising! My place is less than ideal as well. My listening room is far from complete in the basement and the upstairs is an open concept with the kitchen, livingroom and dinning all feeding into each other with 9ft ceilings, and not really a huge space
800 sq ft.

How are the acoustics in a fenced back yard?:D

At this rate maybe we could do it at my place. (Does this mean I'd have to tidy up?) I'm not sure how many members we have in southern Ontario but we should be able to put a few warm bodies together for a cold pint and a bit of good music..
Bill

Originally posted by Bill Allan
At this rate maybe we could do it at my place. (Does this mean I'd have to tidy up?)
Bill

I know....I broke the news to my wife that we "may" have a few people over to listen to some music. Fully expecting to be hit with a broom, to my surprise she said, you better get in the basement and finish it. We spent today cleaning it out, and I picked up a load of lumber and Roxul this evening, tomorrow I start at it again!
If nothing else, this idea has motivated me to get my lazy butt in gear, and finish the basement. I wonder how here has taken the longest to finish their basement? I started 2 years ago.:(

How about an AK listening room construction party! Think of the pride you'd experience sitting down for a cold one with your fellow brethren, in a room you built.;)

In all seriousness, my place won't be ready until the latter in the fall, my goal is late October. When is a good time for an event to happen?

We might be on your doorstep yet Bill.

Scott

I'd be up for a get together but my current place can't really accommodate more than a few people at a time - there's only so much room in a 11 x 15 space occupied by Altecs and a bunch of tube gear :) . I'm currently house shopping and a good music room is a high priority so this might change soon and an audio party would be great.

I'm in Newmarket, maybe 30min. north of TO.

...I'd be there for the construction party. If it will help you get you system set up faster...
Maybe doing something in the fall is more appropriate timing if people are away on holidays or whatever. Maybe we will have to have a moving party for Billfort and his new sound room!
Regrdz
Bill

You're probably right, the fall will better time for most people to get out. But if we talk it up now, we'll hopefully generate some interest.

BTW I banged up the final wall to the listening room today, tomorrow I'll insulate and move on to some duct work and putting up resiliant channel. The room will be 11.5ft wide and 14.5ft long, small but I think it will work out nicely.

Scott

Construction continues...

I'm still hopefull for an October completion...

Looking good benjamin. I just purchased a new (to me) home this week and I managed to find something with decent potential for a listening space - a room in the basement has finished dimensions of 12'3" x 22'5" with a ceiling at 7'3".

I may pull down the ceiling drywall to insulate with acoustic glass and use tuned, non-parallel ceiling panels to break up reflections and help as bass traps. The room would be better balanced if a little shorter so maybe I can get it down to about 19' with a false wall.

The wasted space would be a shame so I might just have to put some 30Hz bass horns behind that false wall :) .

I'm hoping to have things pretty much sorted by some time in November so a little get together might be in order.

Sounds like its going to be a nice room. My room isn't that big and as you can see by the size of the opening (60") as per my wife's request (demand), there will be french doors. Not acoustically fantastic but with a room 12X14 it will open the space a little.

What I'm looking for, if you see one around is a 30" pre-hung exterior door to be used going into the furnace room (see pic above). Rona had a 32" on sale for $105...just no 30's...darn!

I think I this room could be an insulation show room..not because of the quality of install, but because in total 4 different types were used.

A get together in Toronto...is coming together!

Thinking to the future and with the bad luck that has insued this weekend (stupid car teefin bastards!), the listening room I don't think will be finished.

So, if its agreeable we could do it on the main floor of my house. Not an ideal listening enviornment, but as long as we don't cram too many people in a once its workable.

Lets start to take a look at some workable dates. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking one of the last 2 weekends in October or the first in November.

Scott

Are we still going to try and make a "go" of this? dates?

Anyone else interested?

Scott

I'm in. Just tell me where to show up and how much beer to bring.
Regrdz
Bill

I'm thinking of hosting a little get together on the first or second Saturday in November, how does that sound to you guys?

Scott

Second Saturday looks good to me. Just have to wait and see if my car will pass e-test so I can put plates on her!

Always wanted to go to Toronto. Specially since i ain't that far...

Second Saturday in November is good for me. Lets do it!

I've spoken to Mike, the StudioLAB designer of their Reference series to see if he was interested in dropping by to discuss the ins and outs of speaker design and he would be more than willing to come by if your interested. I'll run by the dates with him. I'll see what speakers he can bring along as well.

Scott

Sounds good. I'll be there. Looking forward to it.
Regards
Bill

(Bolly, Put a new catalytic converter on it and it'll be fine.)

benjamin- How's about I bring along a little pair of speakers?





You got it...them ones in my avatar! :thmbsp:

Sure Bolly...by the looks of them. We could shake the neighbourhood! :banana:

I'll PM the people that are interested to pass on some details (directions etc.).

Scott

Sound as Clear as Light! :D

Alright then, confirmed so far is:
Bolly
Bill Allan
Myself

Anyone else? I think think I can comfortable hold 6 or so people...so step up.

Bolly is bringing his speakers.
I have some Rega (amp, cdp speakers), StudioLAB ReferenceOne speakers and cables! Hopefully a TT by then.

If interested I can still invite the speaker designer from StudioLAB??

Scott

benjamin- On the 6th of NOV I have Base Duty, I'm in the Canadian Forces. And on the weekend after I'll be travelling to North Bay for my daughtrers' birthday. I'll have to sit this one out. Damn!

Thats too bad Bolly...next time. So you're in the military..awesome. My brother was remustered from the navy to the army and has been sent back to university to finish his BBA. He is in officer training for logistics. This summer he'll be in Borden, and hopefully have a better summer than the previous 2 in St. Jean doing Basic training again.

Right in Toronto meself. Would love to join you guys!
Let me know
Erik

BTW benjamin- That's where I am located, at CFB Borden. Been here 3 months now. Let's hope for another near Toronto gathering in the near future!

Greg

If we're talking about Saturday November 13, count me in :)

Awwww, man ! I'd give my EYETEETH to be able to come ! But from Tennessee...youse byrds may as well be in Alpha Centauri...Boo..Hoo Hoo...<grin>-Sandy G.

Yes, Saturday November 13.

So far...

Bill Allan
BigErik
Kamakiri
Benjamin

I can accomodate a few more people. If you plan on taking some gear, let us know!

Are you guys interested in getting StudioLAB's designer to come and chat? If so, I'll invite him.

Scott

Nov 13 it is! I would only bring some gear if you thought I have something you want to hear. I'll definitely bring some music. Let me know if you need a hand with anything.
Regrdz
Bill

I think I'm ok on that day, count me in.

Geez, I knew I should've booked some holidays that week. :cry:

Bummer...

Might as well meet in Iceland. :worried:

Have fun. :thmbsp:

And then there was 5...

Bill Allan
BigErik
Kamakiri
Benjamin
Billfort

Any hi-efficiency speakers on hand benjamin? - thinking of bringing along my 300B SET's or if you have REAL hi-eff., my 45 SET.

Hi Bill,

Not yet. Maybe we should make a list of people intereted in taking some gear. It would be nice if everyone could bring a piece or two and some music.

What I have right now is:

Rega Brio Integrated
Rega Planet 2000 CDP
StudioLAB ReferenceOne speakers
will Have Rega Ara speakers
and hopefully will have a RegaFono and Goldring GR1 TT
and Cables from QED, MapleAudio, Ascendant, Gutwire and Acoustic ZEN

More might be added in the weeks to come!

Scott

Ok Scott, doesn't look like SET territory and the Altecs don't travel well :) . Maybe I could bring my Sony 777ES SACD player for an interesting 'alternative' view.

True...Altecs would be quite a handful to carry! The SACD player would be cool! I have a number of hybrid discs and have never listened to the SACD layer yet.

Who knows, maybe someone else would like to take some horns!

Scott

So far we have....

sixt8mopar
Bill Allan
BigErik
Kamakiri
Billfort

Lookin good :thmbsp:

Scott

Wish I could make it...but I have a hard time driving to grumps.........

Make shure you get pictures....LOTS of pictures....... :banana:

Wish I could make it...but I have a hard time driving to grumps.........

Make shure you get pictures....LOTS of pictures....... :banana:


For sure, I'll be clicking away!

Scott

The 13th is fast approaching and just wanted to get confirmation from everyone that said they were dropping by. I'll PM my address to you, to use mapquest for directions.

We should get some times nailed down as well to try and get most of us here at close to the same time. And, if anyone is bringing gear/music with them.

We've now added Omer's Clearwaters to the list and hopefully I'll have another surprise tonight!

Scott

What time we talkin, anyways? :)

I'm pretty flexible with the time. I was thinking afternoon, but it doesn't really matter.

Scott


What time we talkin, anyways? :)

I'll definitely be there. Looking forward to it. Time is not an issue for me on Saturday..
Regards
Bill

Anytime before 6pm would work for me. My wife and kids are clearing out for the day, but I need to let them back into the house at some time :lmao:

Scott

If anyone else is interested in dropping by let us know! :banana:

Heads up, just replaced the tweeter in the Unity Clearwater. The one that'll be at the meet at benjamin's will have the "old" tweeter in them.
:yikes:

Because only Bill Allen, Billfort and Kam have confirmed attendance, I've opened it up to a few more people to attend. I've arranged for a number of other equipment pieces to be added as well from a local distributor.

Scott

Found a better tweeter? Whats the MSRP on the Clearwater?

Scott

Since this is tomorrow, have we settled on a time? :dunno:

Found a better tweeter? Whats the MSRP on the Clearwater?



MSRP is CAD$299 taxes in, even with the new tweeter. :deal:

Hi Kam and everyone else thats dropping by. My doors are open between 10-6pm you can drop by whenever. It would be nice to get the AK crew here at the same time. I picked up a lot of new toys today and a lot of music!

I think the most exciting piece is the new Goldring GR1 with a 1006 cartridge! Take your lps!

I was even able to arrange a little surprise for all the attendees. :banana:

Scott

Might be a good idea to PM the people like myself that are coming with your phone number in case we get lost ;)

Sounds good. I'll PM everyone now. BTW everyone has confirmed!

Scott

Sniff-sniff-sniff..Mbwaaaah !! I wanna go !! Hit ain't fair.... SOMEBODY-preferably a couple of y'all- PLEASE remember to take pictures !! Seriously,have an Extremely Large Time, There'll be a lot of us there in spirit, if not in body.-Sandy G.

Leaving in 10 mins....see you guys there :)

Well it finally happened and was a great time! Listened to some good music and had some great conversation.

Here is ap ic of the gang: (from L to R) Bill Allen (seated), sixt8mopar, kamkiri, Billfort..the good lookin guy took the picture!

Here is some of what we listened too:

Billfort's Sony SACD player:

And some more:

Bill Allen's Arcam FMJ:

Bill Allen's Brown integrated, which we didn't get around to listening too, but was left for me to play with :banana:

I hope you have more pictures....cause it looked like you had a 'jammin' good time there .....

Makes me want to have a get-together myself...but everybodys sooooooooo....far away!!!..... :sigh:

maybe someday!!...

More pictures please!

And finally all the gear I had for the guys to listen too and hopefully enjoyed....

Rega Mira3
Rega Brio
Goldring GR1 TT with a 1006 cartridge
Rega Planet 2000
Gutwire Basic speaker Cables
Ascendant and QED interconnects
Castle Conway3 speakers
StudioLAB ReferenceOnes speakers
Rega Ara speakers
and Unity Clearwater speakers (not in picture)
Target equipment rack

another pose:

Was great meeting you guys.....except Billfort ;)

(him I met and drank with before! :D )

Let's do this again soon....next time I'll bring a big STACK of albums that skip! :yes:

Fun time and thanks for the hospitality Scott, always great to meet up with Ak'ers and I continue to be amazed by the quality individuals that frequent this place (accept Kam...who I've met before...so I know he's ok :) ).

A get together like this motivates me to get the listening room done, maybe next time we'll do it at my place for a taste of that goofy low power SET/high-eff speaker stuff and I promise to shut up about how evil the digital devil is (well, maybe not :D ).

Thanks to Scott for taking the initiative and getting this together. I had a great time.. Wonderful hearing some new music and meeting all you guys. I'm quite looking forward to Next Time! Maybe we need to have a workparty at Billforts to help him get his new sound room together (the only thumbs I crush are my own). Sixty8mopar brought his new Thunderbird (please post a picture) which is very cool and very large!
Thanks again guys
Bill

Awww, man !! Looks like youse guys had an Extremely Large Time-sure do wish I coulda been there...-Sandy G.

Thanks again Scott!Thanks for having us!I really enjoyed meeting everyone!For the next one I will be a little more prepared with music and gear.I had to bring my truck in for a new gas tank Friday.Had the truck loaded ,then had to unload it.I almost felt naked not bringing anything.But I'm really happy to have had a chance to meet up with you guys,chat and listen to some tunes.Pics of the Bird to come!..........Jeff

It was a pleasure having you guys drop by my place. I hope you all enjoyed my little gift.

Scott