For those not familiar with the fest, it's a casual social event that spans 3 days where anyone can attend who has an interest in hi-fi.

Everything we sell on the website is here for audition and you're welcome to bring your own components to see how they mate up with our gear. Food and drink will be provided all three days and there are a large variety of hotels within a 5 to 15 minute radius of our place in the country. We also have plenty of room for tents and a large fire pit to camp around.  

There is no fees for attending.  Bring your wives, they always end up having a good time here. Meet the Decware crew and see where and how the amps are made. Enjoy the dedicated listening room without time limits.  Listen all night if you like... several do every year.


Steve

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Just a few more notes about what I have planed special for this year...





FRIDAY and SATURDAY NIGHT AT 10:00 P.M.  I will be demoing the new ZEN TRIODE DAC on my Acoustat Monitor IV's, the speakers that tell all.

Of course during the day and early evenings all the DECWARE speakers and amplifiers will be available for audition, including the the Zen Open Baffle Array that I will have set up on one end of the room.





Another surprise that I'm rather excited about is the final version of our original Zen Triode amplifier, the SE84C, in a further improved chassis done in a white powder coat finish and updated with better binding posts and better volume control! Of course the CCE mod is now standard on this amp.





Pictured above, the new TORII MK III.  Since the Mini Torii SEX introduced at last years fest turned out so good it's fidelity started to threaten our flagship Torii MK II amplifier!  I have since redesigned the MK II and will be introducing the new MK III at this years fest!  It now easily justifies the $1000.00 price difference between it and the Mini Torii SEX.

Any questions are welcome and will be answered here in this thread!

Looking forward to seeing everyone... it's the highlight of my year.

Steve

Hi Jason,

Welcome to the forums!  You can RSVP right here.  No reservations are needed to attend, but we can use this thread to get an idea who's coming this year!

Thanks,

Steve

me too (and Deb)

I'm in!  I'm bringing a guest.

Jason

Would someone be so kind as to bring some seriously good jazz this year? I like it (jazz) but am short on collection/variety, since I passively listen to the jazz channel on DirecTV via SiriusXM.

And on that note I swear sometime I thoroughly dislike the programming director's selections on XM and other times they seem fine. It creeps up on me sorta like listener fatigue and I just get pissed and turn off the XM. Other times I'm fine with the selections.

Anyone else have this happen with music services where you either love or hate the programming on a given weekday or weekend?

See you at FEST!

Wakanda,

Quote:


Since last year's paper I have spent more time with them using a shielded version of the DFR8 driver and am satisfied with the results.  I will demo them again this year at the fest and observe the reactions I get.  Plans will go online shortly afterwords and the speakers will be added to our product line.

Steve

I am sorry I will not be able to attend this year.  This is the same weekend as 2009 RMAF, which I am going to this year.  There is always next year.

I'll check that out Ski!

I'd say if your dog has some manners (no biting) dogs are fine around the House-O-Deckert. But I defer to the host of course.

As you already know, the new TORII MK III is on sale until after the Zenfest, but for all those who attend the fest, we will be offering everything else we make at 10% off during the fest.  That means orders placed during the fest by those who attend will be 10% off.

Looking forward to seeing everyone... 10 days and counting...

Web cam... remains to be seen.   I will likely try, but against two obstacles:  A) my memory of how to set it up and B) my wallet!

Steve  ;D

Julie and I will attend Saturday.

Steve

My wife and I will attend! I will bring my unfinished KIT4 and Kit5 for guidance.

Farewell,
Herman

Welcome Artyg,

The Address is:
DECWARE / High Fidelity Engineering Co.
75 S. Riverview Drive, East Peoria IL 61611 USA
(309) 822 5255

Yes you can purchase speakers and amps there.

Come by and meet some really nice folks and listen to all the equipment.

See you there.

dennis

Hey, Whats going on? I hope the weather is more cooperative there then it is here.  Not cold but wet.
I wore my decfest 06 tee shirt today and I offerd $100.00 to anybody who could tell me what "ITFWSWC" ment. NO winners but alot of creative alternative. some I can't post.
Anyway I'm sure you all had a great time.  Devons soup was a hit and had a good breakfast tomorrow.

John

I guess everyone is SPEECHLESS.

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?  ;)

Don't know if they got any play time.  Perhaps the flaw this year was that new equipment didn't get rotated into the mix. On Saturday I had to ask specifically for the Mini Torii to be put in the system.  The fest is VERY casual, a good thing, but I hope next year that the new stuff gets played on Saturday.  
Decware makes quite a few different products.  I doubt if it's possible to combine all of the amps, speakers, and sources and provide ample time for critical listening.  Remember people brought some of their own gear to see how well it matched up with Decware products.  Dave Dutill brought his Excalibur flagship speaker along to give us a chance to hear his implementation of a Heil driver.  We did a lot of mix and match but didn't have a chance to try everything.  There were a couple of tech glitches too.  They took a bit of time to solve.  Every show has them.  
Maybe next year, those who can't attend can ask for reviews of certain products by attendees.  There were some sharp people in attendance, who would have great comments.  The average experienced audiophile is a much more honest reviewer than  magazine hacks.

Steve

PS:  I personally took time to stop listening to "talk shop" with Steve, Bob, Dave, and discuss listening sessions with experienced audiophiles like Randy.  So much audio & not enough time!!!!

Jason,

Please take some pictures of your horn building experience.   I was very impressed with their sound too.  I heard them before in Steve's old office/room and liked them then.  The new room is a bit tougher acoustically, but I enjoyed them more.  Since I am always too busy to build new stuff, I'd like to find out if the build is very difficult before I try to find time for it.  Good luck & have fun with your project.

Steve F

Was anyone running around with a camera at the Fest?

Would love to see some pics.