Answering Your Burning Questions First Q&A of 2024

[@davidnguyen5028]

Adrian, why don’t you give us a tour of your home system?

[@DBTAudio]

Excellent suggestion!

[@davidbee8178]

Yes excellent suggestion but he may not do it for all kinds of reasons - one being that he constantly changes it for long term evaluations

[@ptg01]

It's all in his shop I believe ! :)

[@AA-dd5kn]

I’m binging on Audio Excellence videos tonight!

[@JKadison]

Love this video, your honesty is totally refreshing and while I'm not in your geographic territory I appreciate what you do.

[@adrianlow2114]

Thank you!

[@HD-Tech]

Adrian, I can totally relate to your passion for the craftsmanship, beauty, and engineering in high end watches. We share that passion as well as high end audio. If I was in a position to obtain a cost no object audio system D'Augustino would be top of my list. The design, engineering and execution are absolutely top notch! Following you guys from Boston Massachusetts.

[@adrianlow2114]

Many thanks

[@kurtbrisch5776]

I love the look of the DÁgostino amps, if only I could afford them. lol

[@mpi5850]

These are great. More of these please.

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks, will do

[@jdm-uk-yank]

Back in the days before flat screens I used to work in cable TV. I'd see a couple dozen televisions a day. The Sony Trinitron picture exceeded the competition by huge margins.

[@adrianlow2114]

yes, Sony was the Reference

[@ptg01]

Excellent video... speaks from the heart..... So easy to misconstrue..... I still prefer Luxman ! :D

[@joenovak6393]

Yep....Me too!!!!!

[@CJ-vh2hf]

Adrian! We definitely enjoy and appreciate your videos, your passion and integrity jumps through the screen! I appreciate your expertise and being in the business for so long and have been exposed to so many products at different tears tiers , I am amazed how you do not come across with the snobbery we see from other reviewers. We love this hobby and try to learn as much as we can about all the products so you’re demeanor is A1 and helping people stay engaged and take in the knowledge ! Major Kudos !!

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks!!! very kind of oyu

[@andygrenn680]

Adrian in your busy lifestyle do you get a chance to actually sit, enjoy and listen to music. Is music and sound reproduction more to you as a hobby or business. Or perhaps a blend of both with a percentage of time allocated to each. Be interested to know.

[@markzurowski3627]

Today's task - pick up a thesaurus to translate Adrian's descriptions. I love how audiophiles with finely tuned ears can hear these differences with so many potential variables. I would have to do direct A-B comparisons with the same recordings and speakers to hear and understand the differences. Respect to Adrian!

[@adrianlow2114]

Thank you

[@andygrenn680]

About a new product line have you ever stocked and sold Shatki Stone? I bought one Shatki Stone from a Toronto Audio store many years ago . Haven’t seen or heard of a Canadian dealer selling Shatki Stone since. Adrian I don’t believe in much, but I believe in Shatki Stone…

[@paulstearns93]

You forgot the last part of the quote, "Opinions are like A-holes, everyone has one. However no one likes to hear someone else's."

[@bagrubmeister4973]

Another great video Adrain, keep them coming. I am not sure why that person made the comment about the sonus faber. I have had many speakers over the years, focal, von-schweikert B&W Vandersteen, early Energy, Anthony Gallo, Martin Logan. My Olympica Nova V's are by far the best sounding speaker I have owned. You know the saying you can't have you cake and eat it too.. Well I am having it and eating too.. Not only do they sound fantastic, the look like a work of art. They are very beautiful! The rear port design is genius!!! and the back of the speaker looks as good as the front! Thank you for the videos

[@charlespulling394]

I really enjoy the unboxing videos, only thing I may enjoy more is you boxing up your employee of the month!🤣

[@adrianlow2114]

lol, good suggestion

[@psyphonyxaudio]

That's a LOT of editing. Damn. You must love your job! haha.. (and B-Roll follow up - some of these shots look like a familiar style ..lol ) Always good to have answers (whatever can be shared publicly) ... and from someone genuine, honest and decades of experience.

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks!

[@reinhard1888]

Your explanation of the differences between McIntosh and Accuphase was great and truly helpful for people looking for sound solutions in the real world. I love your videos! What is this picture behind you?

[@MasterofPlay7]

I wonder if accuphase will burn in and become more laid back afterwards

[@adrianlow2114]

It's a photograph by Rodney Lough Jr taken at the Grand Canyon

[@ih-boygreenfield9907]

@@MasterofPlay7 Yes, it definitely will!

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@ih-boygreenfield9907 do you own one yourself?

[@FlemmingDP]

I like both DÁgostino as well as Gryphon ( am a Dane ) . The background for the video setting i find really pleasing.

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks

[@sharingfamspace3156]

Always great to hear Adrian’s take.Thank you bro

[@adrianlow2114]

Thank you!

[@frankfuller450]

Dan D’Agostino gear is gorgeous!!!

[@perfectsoundpursuit007]

I am a fan of Gryphon, but i like D'Agostino.. And other brand, like Pathos, more crafted to design for home, Gryphon is more industrial.. I like your video. 👍BR

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks!

[@pietromanno8916]

SONUS FABER & D'agostino!!! BEAUTIFUL & AMAZING!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!! SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THERE SAYING!!!!!!!!!

[@shanestephenson8423]

Excellent question and answer Adrian. l really enjoyed hearing your perspective.👍🎧🙂

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks!!

[@user-ej3ii8zm2b]

Hi Adrian. Great Q&A with lots of good info. I actually have a question I've been wanting to ask you as a dealer for both of the following... What would be your personal choice between a McIntosh MAC7200 and a Hegel H390? Asking purely from the amp performance perspective assuming they'd be feed via external streamer/DAC and putting aside looks (McIntosh all day!). I know both are considered on the smoother side and very curious which one you'd personally lean towards as a listener. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@adrianlow2114]

It really depends on your taste. McIntosh overall is more forgiving, less punchy and has less bass control and power. However, it has an easy listenability so I can listen to almost all music regardless of the quality.

[@paulomontero12]

Just curious why u don’t carry Rega products? I owned most of the other “high end” brands and Rega outshines most of them. Just give em a chance?

[@adrianlow2114]

Territorial issues, among others

[@davidpetersen7091]

Adrian, I could never afford most of the audio gear you review BUT I enjoy your passion for your products. Mr. Pete------> aging hippie

[@adrianlow2114]

Thank you

[@rw3915]

Hey Adrian - what are your thoughts about Pass Labs and Von Schweikert speakers? Thx.

[@dpwrightjr109]

Adrian, love your videos and thanks for the Q and A. You did an unboxing of the McIntosh MCD 12000 DAC and transport but I haven’t seen a review. Do you plan on doing one? Thanks.

[@adrianlow2114]

yes, as soon as I get a chance! lol

[@AndyHanson-tf6kj]

Didn't quite get there why you chose not to stock B&W, or at least the 800 series. They are a widely regarded synergistic match with McIntosh amplification, where the warmth of the Mac somewhat tempers the phrorensic presentation of the diamond tweeter.

[@morsen18]

To my understanding, the reason is that he moved his shop to an area that had an existing B&W dealer hence he couldn't continue selling the B&W products anymore.

[@MasterofPlay7]

​@@morsen18why not? Is it he can't compete with the other dealers?

[@dajikbatarang1]

@@MasterofPlay7 competing with another local dealer for the same product probably doesn’t make business sense.

[@MasterofPlay7]

@@dajikbatarang1 why not? There can always be some combo he can do differently than the other dealers, it is about giving options to the consumer

[@adrianlow2114]

@@MasterofPlay7 Most manufacturers decide how many dealers they want in a territory. Also if there is an existing dealer that's close by, that is usually not possible

[@tommccarthy3385]

Thanks for addressing my crabby car complaint. :) Don't know if this will clarify what I was trying to get at, but here goes: a good friend of mine has a 911 Turbo S that he loves, and I'm very happy for him. I've also had the opportunity to drive it a few times, and boy howdy, I get the enthusiasm. Still, I would cringe a little if he were to go on about it in a room full of strangers. Just some ethos I picked up somewhere about not advertising your good fortune. Anyhoo, I understand your reasoning. I've tried to describe to people how gear sounds and find it damn near impossible.

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks Tom. Appreciate it

[@williamcarters716]

I have klipsch 620f speakers really like them

[@tjerkeikmans4561]

Hey man, I love your video's even the umboxing ones :) So you don't review Totem speakers because you don't sell them. Sad but I understand this. But you do sell naim. So I'm curious: why don't you review like the NDX2? Or the Supernait 3 with HighCap? Just curious. Love Tjerk from Holland

[@pswitzeny]

Great video, Adrian and very welcome treat from the unboxings! I have a question though: When will you conscript Mike and Lewis to being in a few videos! 😂

[@adrianlow2114]

Soon!

[@pswitzeny]

@@adrianlow2114 GREAT!! Maybe one day you'll have me in one ;)

[@adrianlow2114]

@@pswitzeny Anytime! Seriously. Email me and we can work on an idea I have

[@adrianlow2114]

@@pswitzeny Don't know what happened to my follow up reply. Would love your participation! Email me. I have some ideas

[@chebrubin]

Imagine if Accuphase produced a digital processor product for home theater and spatial sound. A processor and amplifier combination.

[@ih-boygreenfield9907]

They did in the past. They still make one of the best digital equalizers in the world the Accuphase Dg-68

[@woody168]

To the person that asked the question about Gryphon vs D’Agostino, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While you can say Gryphon is industrial, who the heck uses a triangular display? To me, that is a third grader’s design on a component display. So you see? Eye of the beholder. And to Adrian, since you mention about MB&F, any other independents that you are somehow collecting?

[@adrianlow2114]

I've been looking at some, but haven't pulled the trigger. I have the original Carlo Ferrara "regulator" where the hour and min hands run on separate "race tracks". Love the originality especially in those days.

[@viooliserweer]

Hello , thank you for your reviews , i have a question about mcintosch ampifliers , two years ago we had a devialet 400 expert in our house running b&w 800 diamond d3 , it was a lot of detail but when we listen to the music it was not easy to listen a long time .I can not explain this but now we have mcintosch gear ( c49 and the mc462 ) it is easy to listen a long time .The Devialet had a lot of damping factor . ( more than 1000 ) mcintosh have only something like 40 or little bit more df. So , how important is the damping factor as well ? Greetings from holland

[@adrianlow2114]

Above a certain amount, damping factor is generally not the main issue. Most decent solid state amps have around 200 - 400. McIntosh's damping factor is very low in comparison. However, the sound is often preferred by many who like a sweeter, more romantic presentation

[@larrymarcus7076]

you aren't wearing a watch and if memory serves I remember you wearing an apple, which is certainly ok but not a Patek 3930 perpetual for example.I love the looks of Dagastino amps.

[@adrianlow2114]

Because the work is so often very physical, I stopped wearing watches. I'm starting to take some out to wear again, just because I miss them. You'll be able to see a few of them from time to time

[@tomcede6428]

I sometimes wonder why people have such negative opinion about a product (Sonus Faber) that they have never heard or can afford. Apparently this happed at AXPONA 2024. A Chinese company spent all the time and money shipping a several million dollars systems to the show and took their time setting it up properly. Then a number of those attending complained about having a "Chinese" audio company at the show without appreciating the fact that hear was a multi-million dollars system very few can event think about having at home let alone ever listen to again. I would love the chance of experiencing the music produced by such a system.

[@misterzero8667]

Do you still have a watch collection , patek is my fav brand just beautiful , though price rises and availability are crazy these days

[@adrianlow2114]

Yes. I sold many a few years back as my work is too physical, and too easy to damage them. I wasn't wearing them so I finally decided to sell some. I still have a few Pateks, VC, Breguet and MB&F. Love wearing the M.A.D. 1

[@careymartin7330]

Do you personally prefer Gryphon or D’Agostino on your Wilson speakers

[@adrianlow2114]

Haven't had a chance to try the Gryphon Apex on my Wilson XVX yet. Too heavy to move easily

[@jakbenardete7707]

Sonus Faber is the Brad Pitt of speakers, most people think they look too good to be good speakers.

[@ganck1147]

Alot of hifi guys are also into watches. Good analogies btw.

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks

[@davidbee8178]

Design is in essence a matter of opinion of the designer of how a product should look like and how it should perform. So obviously, not everyone will agree with the designer's point of view - HOWEVER it IS healthy to keep an open mind to innovation and to have a curiosity about why a product looks and performs the way it does . . . the mind is like a parachute - works best when open : -) That's why I hate Sonus Faber . . . NO NO just kidding !! LOL Actually in my OPINION they DO look beautiful and surely sound great too but probably the reason they get a "bad rap" is because people know that a lot of the cost of a S F speaker goes into its box and that they would rather put their money into "sound" rather than the "look" - LOVE your videos Adrian! - THIS one is particularly a fun one to watch ! Keep up the great work !!

[@adrianlow2114]

love your parachute saying! lol

[@sportsfanivosevic9885]

Frenetic is the wrong term. It means frantic, frenzied. I doubt very much that Accuphase amps sound like that.

[@tony8354586]

What high end audio racks do you handle? Regards, Tony

[@adrianlow2114]

Norstone, Solid Steel, Basso Continuo are a few

[@Zulus22]

I see that you don't take Hegel H600 into account at all, which has many advantages over the Mcintosh and Accu ;)

[@ivanfilatov7913]

Probably he's not that impressed by it, sound signature. I think he even kinda mentioned it before.

[@adrianlow2114]

I was just replying to the question which specifically asked about McIntosh and Accuphase.

[@Zulus22]

​@@adrianlow2114Really?😉

[@adrianlow2114]

@@Zulus22 yes

[@RobertKohut]

The new filming setup looks crate.... 🙂

[@adrianlow2114]

lol

[@sidesup8286]

The sound quality is only as good as the source, be it lp, cd etc. I think a well chosen under $10,000 system with the right tweaks and great synergism pretty much can get you there. If I am wrong, then name 2 qualities or aspects of sound quality that you could confidently say " A great under $10,000 system just cant 1. ._____ and 2. .____. What two qualities do these mega expensive systems have, that you would never hear from a well chosen under $10,000 system?

[@jamesdante2335]

If I am ever kidnapped, I will tweet, I wish Adrian would do more unboxing videos.

[@adrianlow2114]

lol, if you can tweet, you could probably beg for help!

[@sevestan]

I have two nice systems in my house but honestly I do 90% of my listening w/airpods because I am always working or outside. If I sit down in my comfy seat and turn it up I might tap my toes for 30 minutes max....have to wonder if all this audio hocus pocus is mostly for anal retentive basement dwellers?

[@jamesschneider3828]

My comment is, is their a way to up the gain in your microphone? Yours are always hard to hear compared to other KZbin videos. I watch a lot on a 10 year old tablet and with its volume maxed out and have a hard time understanding what you are saying. Many others I have to turn down the volume because it comes through so loud and clear. By the way the person who stated that the D'agastino looks itoo ndustrial must have confused it with the Griffen.😏

[@adrianlow2114]

Odd, the volume on my computer and my headphones is fine.

[@davidbee8178]

One more thing . . . it may be a blessing in disguise that you DON'T presently carry B&W LOL! IF ever one day you DO have a choice between carrying, say, B&W speakers and Dynaudio the latter is IMHO a winner by quite a margin - I've had both and the Dynaudio's outperform the B&W's by quite a margin. The Esostar tweeter is responsible for a lot of that plus the design and materials are on another level too. Just saying :-)

[@contemporaryhomeaudio]

I can understand no online sales but not allowing the price to be posted online is ridiculous. Is it a secret? This is 2024 isn't it. Isn't Accuphase just another retail product? Goofy.

[@PBlaik]

But I've never seen you wear a watch Adrian 😆

[@adrianlow2114]

The watches get in the way when I have to move and carry items. Plus most of my collection, inadvertently, ended up being dress watches (with a few exceptions). I once banged a very complicated AP on a wall, and that's the last time I wore watches to work

[@PBlaik]

Be careful with any AP!!!! @@adrianlow2114

[@enniol8043]

I guess I am someone with more money than brains. That might be the more ignorant and arrogant statement I have ever heard. Arrogant because the person who said it assumes they are correct, this is taste based hobby. Ignorant in that if you understood the engineering, the man behind the brand and the universal accolades it has you will see you are in the minority. I think it looks exquisite as well. Lastly, while I love this hobby and debates are great, some in this hobby just resort to insults and rudeness from the onset. Me thinks it's envy.

[@mcintoshkid]

FAKE