It was a fun time and I learned a lot talking to everyone. This was my first time attending. I second the Mini Torii. That amp had a sweet sound. My main purpose was to listen to all the speakers that Decware has. All I have to say is I was impressed. They all sounded great but I did have my favorite, well actually two. The ERRs sounded great and a beautiful looking speaker. But my favorite was the corner horns. I call it the wall of sound. Those speakers just fill the whole room. Huge sound, but what is amazing about them is the bass they produce from a 6" full range. The only way to describe it is quick and deep. I wish I had more time to spend there but other things got in the way. I would like to thank all the Decware folks for the hospitality.

John

..another great time at Decfest!  Thanks to the Decware crew for their efforts and hospitality.  Again I learned much and was challenged by what I heard and again had to throw out some long held misconceptions about audio.  Steve has raised the bar again in digital sound...his new dac and cd player beats my tried and true vinyl by a substantial margin...back to the drawing board for me as I rethink the possibilities of digital ala decware!..I received a lot of wise counsel from Decware veterans and met/made some new friends...thanks everybody for a wonderful event..
Dave Atteberry
dla405j

First let me say that Julie and i enjoyed getting together with old friends and making some new ones too.  The Deckert's are great hosts. Everybody feels like family. Really guys, you owe it to yourselves to attend a fest.

The highlight of the fest had nothing to do with audio! I saw Dave eat a hot pepper, turn red, and well... DeVon had something to do with that.

The audio highlights were interesting too.  I am super critical of loudspeakers.  I have auditioned a lot of them over the years.  I thought that the corner horns were smooth and natural.  If your room can accommodate them you really can't go wrong there.

THE special audio moment of the show was plugging the new Mini Tori into the system.  We were listening through the Radials at the time.  This diminutive amp is the best product of Decware's lineup.  Here's why.  After listening through a couple of older amps, I asked Steve to please put the new amp in a system.  As soon as it turned on, there was an improvement in dynamics and frequency range.  Then Steve said wait about twenty two minutes and the sound would improve.  He was wrong.  It took twenty three minutes.  I was turned around, away from the speakers.  All of a sudden the sound field floated above the Radials.  The sound was held tight "in a vise" with a three dimensional palatability I've only previously experienced with the best OTL amps, and a super expensive monster SET design.  This little amp is compatible with a wider range of speakers though.  I hope to visit again and bring two or three pairs of my designs and Ed Schilling's Horns to confirm what I heard.  This amp was loaded with a very neutral tube set.  I wouldn't change a thing.  You tube rollers could have a lot of fun trying different combinations.  Not me.  I hate tube rolling.  

This is Steve's best effort to date, and places him with some of the best designers out there.  I want one.  So go ahead and take a bow Steve, you've earned it.

Stevef

Mini-TORII
Heard it last year was good! Heard it this year ordered it on the spot!
Steve & DeVon we love you guys! Thanks for the warm welcome and hospitality. I look forward to this every year and really enjoy all the fine and now can call "old" friends I've made in this "obsession" of hi-fi audio.

Randy & Dave two of my favorites, always a pleasure to see and talk with you guys. Thanks for the attenuator!

Jason G. great time meeting you! Folks here is a young fellow who "gets it" and is DIYing a pair of Decware Corner Horns. I'll be in touch!

Great to see  you Jason (morpheous85) and your new gal! I was tired on Sunday when you and your friend were there. We could have swapped more equipment in and out for you.

Dave Att, nice to chat (briefly as it were) with you again. Want a copy of the Orthodox Church choir? Send a PM.

DPC Paul Campbell, you were missed on Sat. and Sun. ???

Steve & Julie, always a pleasure and when will we hear Julie sing?

Rob S. Great time man!

Dan K you and your wife are a fixture here and always glad you came. I learn something from you every time I come to DecFest. Great Zen kit build, sounded tremendous.

Doug and Mary, thanks for coming, great talks!

Dean, you telling me that your adult children come home to visit and you have, music listening sessions with them. Well that is just so cool! DVD movies..... NAHHH... let's just sit down and listen to some tunes and sip on a fine beverage with the "old man". May I be blessed with those moments when my son is grown.

Wally, what can I say man? Separated at birth? We TALK TOO MUCH! But I loved it. Can you say positive attitude? This guy has it in spades! We'll be in touch. Take care.


Bob Z, as always thanks for building great Decware speakers. You and Steve have changed the face of hi-fi in some great or small way no matter what happens down the road.

Steve, continue to be "unorthodox" in your approach. IT WORKS. You already know that but affirm it anyhow.

Sarah your a breath of fresh air and your mom has a lot of confidence in you. Keep up the good work.

Sorry if I left anyone out! To all the rest, great to meet you.
I missed my family this weekend very much and I was tired this weekend so if I was off a little that was why.

Thanks again for a great time,
Chris

As in "Murphy's Law" (different Murphy than "Father Murphy").

I'd love to hear details about the DAC if anyone has some to share including any pricing that may have been mentioned.

More on the Mini TORII.
The little amp when swapped into the system on the west wall of the listening room made heads literally turn to see, including mine. Unfortunately this magic started to happen Sat. afternoon when some folks had already said their last goodbyes. We then proceeded to throw all the various speakers at the little guy and the thought that occurred to me was that this was the most robust and sweet sounding 4-5 watts ever heard. The amp got on well with all the speakers but was especially good with the radials and the MG944. This amp hooked to the HDT's later in the evening was the first time the HDT and my ears got along. HDT's had always been a problem for me. I wanted to like them but never could. Well the Mini TORII is so nice it just gave the HDT a liquid feel that used to be dry and sterile to my ears previously. No loss in detail just a "wetter" more musical sound from the HDT with the Mini TORII. I went to the FEST thinking TORII MkIII and now I've gone and ordered the Mini TORII. The thing just charmed me to no end. It's cute and ballsy at the same time. Another attendee remarked to me he though it was Steve's best amplifier effort ever! That just might be true. I'll tell you when I have it in the house for awhile. I'm almost certain it won't disappoint.

What about the Zen Open Baffle speaker?  :)
How well did they sound?
How are they compared to the HDT?  ;)