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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Decfest 2021
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Message started by Palomino on 10/03/21 at 21:03:42

Title: Decfest 2021
Post by Palomino on 10/03/21 at 21:03:42

I think this was my 6th or 7th fest. It seems like each year the ratio of talking to people vs listening to gear goes up. A few years ago it was maybe 30/70. This year it was 90/10.

But I got most of what I wanted to get done from a listening standpoint but a few comments:

1. Budget deal of the fest: Caintuck Audio Fast 8 with the W15 woofer. I’ve heard many of Randy’s creations and this was simple and sounded great for the money.

2. Tube tots. A very listenable and enjoyable speaker. I didn’t get the chance to evaluate their real imaging capabilities but I believe Steve when he says they are good. Steve says they go into the 60hz region but they sound much lower. Big sound. Great choice for a small monitor to run with lower power tube amp.

3. I never got to listen to the new DM945s but they certainly looked good.

4. Lii Audio big ass cabinets with silver 10. I liked these as well. I think the silver has a little on the crystal 10 but I like my bi amp setup with the Acoustic Elegance woofers better. But for an all in one the Lii certainly delivers. I wish we could have heard these with the listening space positioned lengthwise.

5. Steve’s wood shop. Wow.

6. Decfest regulars. Good to see everyone. I don’t always agree with everyone’s opinions but I appreciate everyone’s perspectives and they make me think.

7. Steve’s new Mini garage. This was great to see/experience. Ever since Randy did his he-shed I have been thinking about building one of these.

8. Schlitz. What more do I need to say. Nice addition to the brew selection.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Brian on 10/03/21 at 22:51:14

Hi, Palomino.
"5. Steve’s wood shop. Wow."
I was wondering, Did you mean wow! acoustics. Or wow! wood tools?

It sounds like it was a great party. I am glad for all who could attend.

Brian

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Palomino on 10/03/21 at 22:54:44

The tools. As somebody who dabbles in woodworking, it’s a really nice shop.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by litefootdan on 10/04/21 at 00:50:53

Palomino! Don't forget to give yourself an "Ata Boy" Your pizza set-up was fantastic and you pulled it off wonderfully. It was a very fine way to get the group mulling around together. Well done Sir, Well Done!!!!!

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Brian on 10/04/21 at 02:15:25

Thanks, Palomino.
Tools are always fun.

Brian

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by HockessinKid on 10/04/21 at 12:41:07

Wait, I just woke up from my nap. Did I miss Decfest again☹️.

HK

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Palomino on 10/04/21 at 12:57:37

Yeah Dan, the pizza was a good social event. Next year, Tacos al pastor.

Good cooking with you.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Steve Deckert on 10/04/21 at 19:10:35

DECFEST 2021 - Two 11 hour videos:

Friday: https://vimeo.com/620013088

Saturday: https://vimeo.com/620865295

I was really nice to see everyone who came this year! Many new faces and for the regulars it seemed like a much needed family reunion : )

We sent the streams out to both facebook and youtube, who deleted it and threatened us if we do it again. It's a real shame that the ass hats in the music industry and big tech don't realize that their music is useless without stereo equipment to play it back on. I'm sure every manufacture like us has about had it with this BS since we are the ones that make listening to music possible.

On a more positive note, above are linked 22 hours of live video from the main listening room : )

God Bless everyone who came this year and we look forward to lots of great sound in the coming year! Keep an eye on the site / forums as we slowly add these new products to our offerings.

Steve

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Tommy Freefall on 10/04/21 at 22:20:41

One of these Octobers - before I permanently assume room temperature - I'm going to attend a Decfest!

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Randy in Caintuck on 10/05/21 at 01:55:44

Thank you so much Steve, DeVon, Bob and the rest of the Decware team !!!

Another successful Decware Audio Fest .....

It was so good to see many of the regulars and some new attendees as well.

The smaller listening room that Steve set up was a treat for me.
The size of the room and the overall sound made me feel right at home and if I closed my eyes the similarities were pretty amazing.

I must admit that I had reservations as to what a ZROCK would do to the sound ..... since I am a died in the wool minimalist when it comes to adding more components and cables to the audio chain.
However ..... I am now a TOTAL believer .....

The ZROCK does not affect any aspect of the sound ..... imaging, focus, clarity, etc. in a negative way.

What it does is add body and weight in the lower midrange and upper bass, as well as "density" to the instruments and vocals.

We played some Metallica with the ZROCK in the system and the jaws of everyone in the room hit the floor ..... amazing !!!

The soundstage bloomed and the end of the room where the speakers were totally disappeared.

If you don't own one, buy one ..... especially if you are using open baffle speakers. It's a revelation.

Looking forward to Decware Fest 2022.

Best wishes,
Randy

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Dominick on 10/05/21 at 06:11:44

Steve… Congratulations on another successful Decfest!
I really enjoyed listening to the live feed on my system while having the video feed piped up onto my television.

I wish the live feed could have went past 12 o’clock. I can remember years in the past when the hardcore audiophiles would stay up until like two or three in the morning to do some critical listening. It was nice to hear their evaluations and comments.

Also..looking closer at the pictures…is it me or do the HR-1s look a bit different? They seem a bit more squared off with a unibody design.

It sounds like everybody had a great time.… Looking forward to some pictures of the event.

Dom

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Lin on 10/05/21 at 14:07:57

Dom,
HR-2 now. 8-)

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by DPC on 10/05/21 at 15:26:21

Someone I know sure has been talking about the new HR2’s a lot lately.

Just sayin’

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Dominick on 10/05/21 at 17:25:15

Lin,

Yeah I knew they had been updated, but I haven’t seen any pics of the new cabinet design until now. A lot of the guys are saying that the update is quite noticeable and not minor. I had talked to Bob, and I’m going to pull the trigger on them. I love my Err’s, but I know these new HR2’s are going to really blow me away.

Dom

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by mperdue63 on 10/05/21 at 18:41:26

Dom,
Good afternoon!
Did Bob indicate what the wait time is for the new HR2's?
Best
Malcolm

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Lin on 10/05/21 at 20:19:31

Malcolm,
6 months.
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1630451610/1#1

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by mperdue63 on 10/05/21 at 21:46:21

Many thanks!

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Tommy Freefall on 10/05/21 at 22:05:10

Are there any good photos available of the HR-2s?

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Lin on 10/06/21 at 03:06:51

The pictures above show the HR-2s.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Dominick on 10/06/21 at 05:56:26

Tommy,

Now that Decfest 2021 is in the books…i am sure Bob and Steve will work on updating the website. I had asked Bob to email me some pics, so I’m sure the new pics will surface soon.

Dom

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Archie on 10/06/21 at 06:34:33

It looks like Bob simplified the case by eliminating the angle change.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Palomino on 10/06/21 at 11:55:47

Maybe I am just so used to seeing the angle that I didn't notice it was not there, but I thought it was.

Pretty sweet looking set at the fest this year. Birds Eye maple, I think.

Also, this new version uses one of my favorite tweeters. I just like the way the highs sound with that tweeter.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Archie on 10/06/21 at 16:48:38

Missing the dado at about 2/3s up -- where the angle changes. I like the aesthetics of the break in the case side of the HR1.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Steve Deckert on 10/07/21 at 03:11:26

Well, they almost made it! The new Lii Audio Silver 10 Reference speakers showed up today and me and the cats spent some time this evening getting them unpacked, assembled and situated in the room.

As you can see my little buddy Smokey, after helping unpack the speakers and patiently watching all day as things slowly progressed, is now frozen in the sweet spot. It is no mistake where he is setting. He loves our stereo. You have to realize that for the cat, this is no different than hearing the music of the Gods... anyway he loves it. He is glued to this pair.

If you ever wondered what a 2nd density audiophile looked like, this is it. When this cat dies, he will have no choice but to come back as a human male audiophile... trust me ; )

Anyway... meet my dearest listening buddy, Smokey. If only I could hear like he can... but I can't so I watch his ears triangulate to the music and from that we can map out a very precise sound stage and room reflections. If we video taped it and then went back and compared his ear directions with each sound in the recording it would tell you everything you need to know about your room : )

I've been using cats for 20 years to understand room acoustics : ). My first was named Tesla. He was all black and got his name because I would rub him upside-down on the carpet and then let him go -- sparks would fly off his fir in the winter.

Every cat I've ever owned was a rescue from certain death. That's why my cats are so good. They appreciative, and thankful.

Also, you can see sexy new HR-2's in the photo. I will have these on the site this fall with lots of great pictures. The sound is so refined it really has to be heard to be appreciated.

You will be hearing a lot about both of these speakers this winter and both will be for sale on the Decware web site.

Listening to these Lii Audio Silver Reference speakers off to the side while I work -- I can understand why Smokey is locked-in to these somewhat giant Lii-Audio Reference Speakers... having some experience with a drum kit these reproduce cymbals as realistically as I have ever heard. And even without break-in, the bass is refreshingly clean, tight, zero bloat, fast, free, and has no aftertaste. This is pretty impressive considering the low end weight that is also there. It's just so flat as the bass drops it really commands notice. Very exceptional.

-Steve

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by will on 10/07/21 at 03:17:30

Nice to see Smoky and the two new speakers. I really like the new HR2 look! Elegant.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Brian on 10/07/21 at 07:08:46

"If you ever wondered what a 2nd density audiophile looked like, this is it. When this cat dies, he will have no choice but to come back as a human male audiophile... trust me ; )"

2nd density! Steve has read the Ra books!
Carla was my pen pal for several years. It is a delight to find someone who has read those writings.

Brian

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Dominick on 10/07/21 at 08:27:30

Steve… The new Silver Reference 10’s and the HR2’s are absolutely beautiful! While I did like the design and shape of the HR1’s , the new design of the HR2 is just as captivating. Looking forward to the write up of the new speakers.

Could you elaborate more on the comparison of the sound of the HR1 vs. the new HR2’s?

Dom

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by morp on 10/07/21 at 19:31:59

My wife's comments when I shared Steve's cat post and picture:

"This is awesome how he uses cats as helpers! His posts just need more close ups of his cats. I can’t find them in the photos.

Oh there he is! sitting turkey legged! And that room looks crazy."

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Tony on 10/08/21 at 05:26:52

I had to smile at Smoky listening to music as my cat Chunk does the same thing most nights. When she's into it, her ears independently move to what she hears from the speakers. It’s a hoot. I just thought she was peculiar, and she is, but good to know there's another cat that appreciates music.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Steve Deckert on 10/08/21 at 05:36:09

The best picture of my cats comes from Neko who sat motionless for 30 seconds during a long exposure shot. Only the fur on his chest is blurry from the heart beat.

click for full size image.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Steve Deckert on 10/08/21 at 05:48:51

click to enlarge

Here is another one of Smokey when he's not listening to music...

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Steve Deckert on 10/08/21 at 06:15:33

Quote:

2nd density! Steve has read the Ra books!
Carla was my pen pal for several years. It is a delight to find someone who has read those writings.

It's a brain melter... at first. Thank God the universe isn't our distortion of it. If you ever communicate with Carla give her my gratitude.

Steve

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by will on 10/08/21 at 07:04:38

Nice! Healthy cats are so cool... I love them.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by morp on 10/08/21 at 16:25:16

Thanks for sharing Steve! She will love these.

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by morp on 10/08/21 at 16:44:34

From Jen: "These are excellent. I especially like the second one! Thank Steve for me!!"

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Brian on 10/09/21 at 03:49:16

Yes. Gratitude. That is exactly the word.

Brian

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by BadWolf on 12/28/21 at 03:53:32

My photos from the fest.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzwuCu

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by DPC on 12/28/21 at 10:24:51

Excellent work!

Title: Re: Decfest 2021
Post by Palomino on 12/28/21 at 13:29:42

Yes, great shots. Thanks