When non-audiophiles listen to high-end audio...

The New York Times article on the Devon show at the Lisson Gallery, www.nytimes.co...
The OJAS speaker kit, ojas.nyc/produ...
Twitter: @AudiophiliacMan
Instagram: / steve.guttenberg
#ojas #hifi #turntables

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Devon's system details were covered a month ago on this channel, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV7Ef5qkd9eDiKc

[@wedjr97]

It’s always such a shame that WE can’t listen to any of the systems that you show us.

[@DavidJohnson-tv2nn]

High end audio equipment with vacuum tubes????

[@barkatthemoonlunatic1715]

@@wedjr97 Well, that's up to you to find where to listen to it.

[@kloss213]

I've made old men cry, I've had old ladies say it's art not just sound. I've had jaded horn-hating audio designers sit mouths wide open when listening to my large horn systems. I have had non-audiophile actually think live music was playing as they walked up to my home.

[@Cocteau61]

I am sure that's true (hi John)

[@ENGLISHISBEST]

I heard people listen & say why?

[@ipsofacto7386]

@@LightningFlashofAlef What's even funnier than insanely overpriced audio equipment? Insanely overpriced limited edition occult tomes which are full of nonsense.

[@anthonynicholson5523]

I've had multiple pizza delivery people think there is a jazz band set up in my house when I got Klipsch forte IIs. And two other older Klipsch. Before that I had bowers and Wilkins, Polk audio, and many other non horn speakers and nobody..... nobody thought it was anything other than a stereo in the living room. But when I started my Klipsch heritage journey, it became a constant remark from neighbors and deliverey drivers . Not because I had the volume loud but because they thought real instruments were being played . As a side note, all speakers over the years were, and still are powered by a marantz 2285b. in nearer fields or smaller living rooms I do not aim them right at my ears. I listen slightly off axis. Fully emersed . I prefer them to my headphones. I can only imagine this guy's system

[@scrotiemcboogerballs4967]

Have you had many people call you a pretentious prick?

[@nburton01]

Reminds me of when, as a teenager, I was taken to the Royal Albert Hall in London to listen to a full symphony orchestra for the first time. At that time I mainly went to rock concerts, and mainly listened to rock music, so I wasn’t expecting to be all that impressed but the scale and volume of the orchestra was quite an experience especially the performance of the 1812 with what sounded like real cannons. If you have never been to a classical concert, you should go at least once, even if you don’t listen to classical music. It’s not an experience you will forget. After all it’s higher quality than even the highest high end audiophile system ;-)

[@Coneman3]

It’s real but different

[@ronchambers3713]

I get comments along the lines of, “it sounds really nice……you paid how much, I use my phone for music”

[@rosssmith8481]

Are these the same people that don't blink an eye, when someone drops $100,000 into a car?

[@mrpositronia]

@@rosssmith8481 or TVs, or watches, or jewellery, or holidays. basically any 'normal' hobby, but hiifi... "get out of here.. how much!?"

[@davidkalil5698]

Nobody ever asks me how much it cost. It's only musisician friends who have even noticed the tube amp. And everything is right in the living room. Maybe I need bigger speakers to attract attention!

[@mrpositronia]

@@davidkalil5698 nobody ever asks me about my hifi when we have visitors. I'd love, just once that someone showed interest.

[@hogey74]

I love every little thing about this. Perhaps most of all is knowing that you gave so many people those experiences that they didn't expect and didn't know were possible. The moment someone stops and lets themselves go in a moment ... they're the moments I love to help make happen.

[@quintno]

I went to see and hear Devon‘s set-up at the LIsson Gallery. It was the most extraordinary experience I’ve had in my five decades of listening. The 78rpm jazz records he played had a liveliness and presence as if the musicians were in the room. And the tape recordings were unlike anything I’d ever heard before-with a vivid, airy, lifelike quality that made the room disappear and feel like I’d been transported to a late-night jazz club. Wish I had the space-and the money-to get anywhere near what Devon has been able to create.

[@falconquest2068]

Auuggh! I would love to sit and listen to that system. I doubt I will travel to NYC to hear it however so thank you for your impressions.

[@clercfred]

Is it still showing?

[@jebrehbaker8613]

@@clercfred no. Ended

[@clercfred]

@@jebrehbaker8613 I am so bummed. Guess you have to go to public records to listen something from him, but probably not as close when it comes to the overall experience!!

[@quintno]

@Drew Young I didn’t see any acoustic treatments, but from what I heard-which was the most massive, but musically precise recorded material I’ve ever listened to-room didn’t need it. I’m still reeling from the tangible power of the sound.

[@ferguswaveforms]

I really believe this kind of thing is the future of Audiophile experiences. It's cool to have a nice system at home, but to be able to share great sound and music with the public is a truly special thing.

[@juneguts]

we need music theatres like movie theatres haha

[@athathsonty2925]

Very very true. Its no joke. Music Theatres are really the Need of the Hour if HiFi is to survive and become cool ever again.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

You make a good point. I have gone into high end audio showrooms just to experience high end equipment. But there was a disconnect in that the show room is there to sell their stuff and I was clearly not a customer. So they really did not want me to waste their time and I felt the same. So I go to an audio show and the equipment packed into a crummy little hotel bedroom sounds like crap. I would love to sit for a couple of hours and listen to this display. I would enjoy the sound and the industrial art form.

[@michaelgebauer5235]

Something similar already exists. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra offers a digital concert hall where live concerts are broadcast in 4K and HiRes audio or with Dolby Atmos. For some concerts, such as the New Year's Eve concert, these are also broadcast to large, suitable cinemas. Of course, you can also enjoy these concerts at home in your home theater with sound and vision. There are also special events to introduce children and young people to classical music in a fun way. All these concerts are also available in a large archive and can be accessed according to taste.

[@delefo]

Seriously fantastic idea.

[@ihorp]

IMHO being an audiophile has less to do with equipment and more about listening experience. If you listen to music as a primary activity, and place speakers and listening position for optimal sound, you are an audiophile.

[@Jack96993]

Before l begin serious listening l get out my tape measure : )

[@lwwells]

How DARE you! Jk

[@Jack96993]

@@lwwells Hey measured within + - 1/16" : )

[@slode1693]

Agree. I can always tell just by how someone's speakers are set. Few take the time to even setup left and right symmetrically to a main listening seat. If I walk in a room and the speakers are evenly spaced and toed to a central seat you know whoever sits in the seat LISTENS to music. For the rest it's just background noise.

[@Jack96993]

@@slode1693 Here is my Stereo rig with my Magnepan 7's If you read the description it shows the position of my Maggie's based on my room My little doggie doesn't mess with the sound : ) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKvCop2antd7qrc

[@EirkenElite]

When I let people try my hd660 with a topping setup ... Not super high end but good enough to let others try...sometimes they get confused cause they have listened to a song for the last 20 years they know it back to front up and down and when listening they say I have never heard the music like this before or they say it's like their listening to the song for the first time again

[@RockCity1111]

I love the experience your talking about. When the music sounds like that it it's very special. For example. I played Born on the bayou from Creedance on the Polk 2 200s with a pair of paradigm subs and it shocked me because I'd never heard it that good. So I tried it with the Focal chorus 807v I just bought and while it sounded awesome it was different. Certain speakers do better with Certain types of music.

[@TorToroPorco]

I think this is a brilliant concept especially if it catches on with museums which are visually oriented. Most people are accustomed to and have access to high definition imagery by way of the HDTVs in their homes, large screen theatres and original pieces of art. The high end reproduction of music is not something that is broadly experienced and it really should be given the guttural and spiritual impact that music can have.

[@albertpintor3522]

I see far too many people have a good tv but sound is always mediocre as most people get a cheap sound bar or small bluetooth speakers.

[@esk8er900]

U have a great point there. It’s always drove me nuts how the vast majority solely focus on the visual quality/ screen size / cutting edge video processing etc. ignoring the rest of the AUDIO visual experience. Even a “cheap” (sub-$2500) yet well thought out home theater/audio system can make all the difference for a truly immersive experience. A well balanced properly calibrated setup doesn’t have to be complex, unsightly or expensive. The sad truth is most ppl are so jaded by really convenient but super compressed streaming audio but don’t recognize or appreciate the beauty of high quality nuanced sound regardless of the format.

[@albertpintor3522]

@@esk8er900 not just tvs but new phones for a grand every 2 years is something I see very often as well. I still use a 4 year old samsung s9 but I did just upgrade my front and rear speakers a few months ago. I hate how underrated real stereos are nowadays

[@Chex_Mex]

@@esk8er900 It's partly because when you walk into a store, you immediately can see the visual quality of tv's but there are no easy access accessible ways to understand how good quality audio can sound.

[@petertorda5487]

Well because 90% of people are totally deaf and can't recognize difference between soundbar and high quality big 3way speakers powered by real strong amp.

[@ThePgkessler]

Brian Eno considers himself a visual artist that paints with sound. What an amazing way to demonstrate the art of reproducing sound to the best level within a working sculpture! Bravo Devon!

[@pedrofernandez8729]

The last time I sampled a high end system with music I am familiar with, I did not use my wimpy stereo for about a month. I almost sold it.

[@thehandyman83]

I went about a week after your first interview with Devon and it was absolutely amazing. When I first entered the room after my first attempt of navigating NYC on my own I was a little disoriented and took me a bit to settle in, but man that stereo was something. Devon had came shortly after I arrived, lit some incense and gave the volume a healthy bump and it was fantastic. Once in a lifetime for me. My only negative comment is that like other big systems I have heard in the past I never get to hear 'my music' on these systems; usually jazz that I am unfamiliar with. I would love to hear something like Rufus Wainwright or Norah Jones voice coming through equipment of that level, but I guess I am just going to have to save and do it on my own haha.

[@toonman361]

As I've aged (I'm now 60), I went in reverse. I listen to spoken radio more than music. When I do listen to music, I like the music of the 1920s-30s. Artifact noise in the background is evidence of the time and is in a way, art. I used to have separate audio components starting in the 1970s and went from vinyl to CD. I found after 15-20 years, I couldn't ever keep up with the latest thing and became disinterested in wanting "the best." As I grew in age, I came to appreciate history and began dabbling in old, antiquated music. Now I am fully invested in my great grandparent's sounds.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

The bottom line is, some people get it and some don’t. It makes for great conversation. How can an iPhone ever replace high end audio? I guess there’s a time and a place for all of it.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

No worries. I wouldn't expect this to replace an iPhone. It's not portable and doesn't have a mega pixel camera.

[@davidsardenga9704]

I can hear those Altec components in my sleep ..

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Glad to hear that the appreciation for vinyl is not dead.A pleasing topic. Steve Guttenberg giggling in the background has me laughing 😃. His enthusiasm is contagious inside of my audiophile enlightenment. Thank you for this post Steve Guttenberg. Where would we be without you your guidance is appreciation.

[@toonman361]

Heck, as far as I'm concerned, shellac is not dead!

[@rumbepack]

Vinyl is has 2022 the most popular physical format of music.

[@thehandyman83]

One other comment I walked away with after my visit was how nice the other visitors were. It seems others in this 'hobby' are good people and made me feel pretty good my whole commute home from there.

[@ismaelgonzalez1754]

Sir, did you ever receive your new technics turntable. I received mine yesterday sl1210g, took 4months to get Setting it up now

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes, I have my 1200 G! Love it

[@davidsolomon5499]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@jeffhanson664]

Man I just watched this video for the first time and I could say a lot things that others have already said, but I’m just going to say that… this video, the content, was just Great! Simply great! Like many others I’m sure, what I would give to have had the chance to experience this “Music Art” show. I’m certain that it is beyond immersive, with that huge soundstage that the system produces.

[@curtisscott9251]

Most people enjoy listening to high-end. What's annoying are those people whose only comment was that it was "too loud". Then you try to explain how the cannons in the 1812 Overture are supposed to be loud ... you know, like cannons....

[@alskooper3319]

Too loud is any movie theater. It’s been 19 years now since I was last subjected to that noise level.

[@dab9742]

The main difference between a big system and a small one is like at a concert, either you are in the best place in front of the stage, or you are at the back, and sometimes even in the toilet...😄

[@TheRealSamPreece]

Audiophiles like to imagine they are the elite of sound perception, when in reality they are not. Musicians perceive the dynamics of sound to a much greater degree, and are not deterred by unpleasant sounds, which are fundamental in producing specific nuances.

[@ProgRockKeys]

I was playing Wendy Carlos’ Switched On Brandenburg for some young guests. The woman - daughter of a professional Trumpet Player - simply dropped her jaw. Her male friend, after a number of minutes said “wait … this is vinyl? But I always thought vinyl sounded … bad?”

[@mkshffr4936]

I find that classical musicians are far more likely to have that stopped in their tracks reaction. They are intimately familiar with the sound of instruments in their natural habitat.

[@ScottGrammer]

I've gotten similar responses from a number of people who think the distorted, static-laden sound they've heard for years is just "the sound of vinyl." The first time they hear a clean record on a properly-set-up turntable with a decent cartridge (it doesn't even have to be a really high-end combination either), they're often slack-jawed at the sound that can come from vinyl.

[@greganderson1681]

I still have my original Switched On Bach. The one by Walter Carlos!

[@ScottGrammer]

@Drew Young Speaker placement can be hard, especially in some rooms. But if you don't get it right, you're pretty much wasting your time.

[@dilbyjones]

Most still don't have access to it. It's great though. Especially for the classics.

[@love2spinvinyl]

I always enjoy your interviews with Devon, would love him to bring his listening room to Australia so I could have the experience.

[@2ridiculous41]

I'm in Queensland and I'll come to hear it.

[@karlsonkab51]

I'm an old guy (72) - in all my time with female friends, wives, I've noted they never cared one bit about decent quality sound reproduction and am sure most of them had 1/3-1/2 octave higher hearing range than most men. My late 2nd wife did comment on a Kinetics Eagle amp calling it "Darth Vader" ;^) I've gone trough more toys than many folks including custom Bruce Moore, C-J, Acoustat, EAR, Spectrascan, Tympani 1D. Edgarhorn, Threshold. Bedini and great vintage tube EICO (which is still some of the best tube stuff ever made) One time I gave a gal a Belles system with Fried mini speakers - she probably would have been happier with a Yorx phonograph. Learn to build your own stuff - tubes are very easy - horn systems can be built pretty cheap which are quite satisfying which will play with single ended tube amps. Don't dump money into high end stuff which really is "not" - unless you can trade and sell with little monetary loss.

[@octothorpe12]

This is the stuff the younger generations need! They need exposure to it, as they literally don't know what they haven't experienced. When all you have is a crap bluetooth connection to terrible earbuds, your connection to music is simply 'consumable'. Show them something like this, and they see it can be so much more! Bravo!

[@ScottGrammer]

You are correct. I run a vintage audio repair shop that is situated inside a thrift store. College kids come in to check out the thrift shop, and then they talk to me because they see the cassette decks and turntables. Then I play them something over my set of 50-year-old Smaller Advent speakers and they are routinely gobsmacked. So many young adults have never heard a real stereo system - it's like you said, all they've ever heard is earbuds, mp3's, and the like. As soon as they hear the real thing, they want it.

[@dilbyjones]

Exactly. 💯

[@dilbyjones]

@@ScottGrammer could you post a short you tube video?

[@sparky_klystron_w1zot]

Get off my lawn!

[@Manu-Official]

Well said, I cringe whenever I see a kid wearing those overpriced apple earbuds.

[@bobb.9917]

Sooooo glad that you followed up on this! I was sooo curious about how this went down! I called the gallery…but they had no weekend hours…so I just could not swing it 😕

[@RockCity1111]

I know right. The Gallery looks great and his system looks to be one of a kind?

[@StephaneVorstellung]

Grumpy art viewers are a riot. It is still amazing to me that genre-defying forms have been the norm for contemporary art for over 100 years, and yet, there is never a shortage (even in NYC!!!), who take an adversarial stance in the midst of work like this.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Great that it was well received and lots of people got to experience traditional Western Electric style of equipment (vinyl, triodes and horns). I do not get why this would be any harder to sell to an audiophile with a dedicated room than any other system large enough to demand a dedicated space. It is no bigger than the system in my room for example. It would sell or not based on the merits of the sound. Like any one off piece of electronics you have to deal with the notion of no warranty. That can be explained that it is extremely simple electronics that can be serviced by any qualified tube service tech. With time when it ages it can be renewed with new caps or tube sockets as required so it is actually a system that will last far in excess of any audiophile brand which is often junk after 15 years. The only thing that is difficult is to flip it on audiogone. There is a much more limited market than there is for the typical audio brands reviewed by Stereophile.

[@bongofury3176]

inspiring interview. I thought we had all agreed to keep this stuff secret ?

[@Golddragon214]

Building a Stereo System is art. I get it. I wish I was closer to the city to be able to see this exhibit and talk to the artist myself.

[@smojphace87]

Love the fact that the system is connected by what looks like pretty basic speaker cables straggled across the floor - very Japanese!

[@BastianUllr]

yup!

[@emeeul]

Except they’re some custom Western Electric-style braided copper cables with cotton sheaths. Dude’s really into authenticity. I appreciate that commitment.

[@rabit818]

Audiophile equipment and music as art installation. My take away from this show was people were quiet and listening and I’ve been to art shows that were quite noisy. I went to a Santa Monica Brian Eno show eons ago, it was quiet.

[@Cocteau61]

I call what Devon's doing 'parlaying the unexpected into the marvelous'

[@williamsharp5973]

Great interview. I can imagine that the listener being 'immersed' is like feeling you are 'in' a bubble. The walls of the room are there, but in that room we do not hear the sound as would in most rooms. Even those of us who know how the sound is affected by listening room and treatments will be affected differently. Those who do not understand these things at all - well, just imagine. So, the bubble is within the walls, and not visible - only audible. I'm wondering if the sound is not just heard but also sensed physically - felt in some way. After all, those sound waves are moving through a fluid and displacing it. So, it's like being a 'medium' of moving air and of sound. The equipment being so large in scale that it adds a visual component most people have never seen , let alone been in the same room with. The participant is enveloped in all of this, all at once. NYC, of course. I only had coffee this morning, I swear it.

[@ladieslistentoo2953]

Oh my goodness! I wish I could crawl into a time machine and go to this exhibit! Better yet, show up with a sleeping bag and have a campout! What an absolutely FASCINATING exhibit this must have been! He should take it on a road show. People would love it! Maybe the Walker Museum in Minneapolis! I would have gone to this several times. Beautiful. What a delightful interview as well. His passion for his art is so obvious. So is his love for it. One of the best shows EVER Steve. I just loved it.

[@mkshffr4936]

Interesting concept. I like.

[@SarcastSempervirens]

I am not an audiphile nor an artist but this has been an enjoably 23 minutes of my life, just what I needed in this crazy time we live in - a normal, pleasant conversation video that's just interesting and new, it went by so quickly. Wish I lived on the same continent so I could come in and listen. I think I could give this a go, experience and equipment-wise, never had anything but a computer or a discman or a CD/KZbin to listen to music, no amps or real speakers. Thought about it ocassionally but never had the money. Might give it a go. Thanks, Steve!

[@Reyfox1]

When I would play my music system with material the people were familiar with, they did enjoy the sound a lot. But not enough to spend the type of money to get it. Even a "budge" system has been always more than they were willing to spend.

[@Fatdogrecords]

I would love to hear that system, the thing that struck me when’s first saw it. Was the fact the turntable is central to the speaker path. I actually thought that would create all kinds of distortion. It’s such a user friendly set up.

[@tomsherwood4650]

I would think that amazing system would probably not do much to convert the general public into audiophiles. First, yes, they would be blown away by the sound. However that system looks terribly large and intimidating to the uninitiated. Then I am sure they ask the prices. Then they will have the impression that they need to win the lotto to get great sound. Rich people's toys, and looks like rocket science. That was not how I got started in it. I went to audio stores that had some great sounding gear and most of it was just beyond my means but I got started piecemeal with gear from those stores and it did not seem like unacheiveable pie in the sky dreams.

[@Mikexception]

In my opinion that is main fault in thinking when someone experience great live sounds, and being not much experienced is greatfull for it exclusive to presented gear . We need sound made in any way - it is the only value for me.. Such exhibition gallery is presenting sound , the gear is supposed to be like engine under car hood. I can garantee 99,9% that by purchasing identical gear and setting up in own place customer will have not exact . So better forget about prices and rooms and concentrate on aligning Realy miniature in compare to shown here system can do the same except - ....visual impression

[@musiclassica]

Thanks, Steve and Devon. It's proven once again that no matter how good a bookshelf speaker can sound, nothing beats a big boy. 🙂

[@chrispicquet733]

I have been into high end for 35 years. I love what you did! I am .I have been upgrading and building speakers since the 90's.Tubes and Early Horn speakers is where Audio Began.i am building big Horn speakers now! Turning them into Great Sounding Works of Art! It's Awesome!

[@jeffreythurston1822]

What an amazing experience for Devon. I really wish I could have seen and heard that installation. Great interview Steve.

[@jimmyb1378]

I looked with interest at his speaker cables. They look like quality copper core (12gau?), not some 2-inch wide, $300 per foot monsters

[@TheMirolab]

Firehose cables not needed for such low current & low wattage.

[@weizenobstmusli8232]

This is so cool. And in a sense all art is about. Blow peoples minds 😄

[@alexmacdonald2644]

Stunning content. Reviews of ‘stuff’ is commonplace, this is not.

[@rctony710]

I wonder if it's flat sounding. I believe a lot of theaters have those horns

[@MarkasTZM]

I brougnt my Cornwalls with me to a 9' x 12' dorm room in 1982. I love your work.

[@mrpositronia]

I wonder if Devon gets on with Cornwalls?

[@TheMirolab]

@@mrpositronia it's a nice little bookshelf.

[@chrispicquet733]

I'm using 1950's drivers;, Electrovoice SP 15's w/ the Chrome Baskets, Big Maroon Alnico Magnets,Atlas PD60 compression drivers,with resonating chambers mounted on University/ Altec conical horns made for outdoor stadiums with T 35 EV Alnico tweeters.designed in a very similar array as yours! They sound incredible!

[@braedench]

With my system at home I get a lot of interest from my friends. But the total money spent isn't too high for mine so they don't act like I'm crazy

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

That’s good! But in my life I’ve noticed people spend insane amounts of money on really stupid things like cigarettes, tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime, same for gambling, losing thousands and thousands of dollars over a lifetime, etc. people spend money on what they like, doesn’t have to make sense.

[@braedench]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I use pretty much the same point when explaining my hobby to them. If you put it in the same category as enjoying high end cars or owning a nice boat people seem to better understand. On an related note are you still taking submissions for Audiophiliac viewer systems, and if so where would i send the photos? Now that my first real system is up and running I'd love to hear your thoughts on it

[@curtisscott9251]

The "Back to the Future" prop dept wants their speaker back...

[@bobb.9917]

I watched this again…I was hoping that Steve would give us a report "overview" of the show and how it was received in the art world. I live in NJ. and wanted to see/hear it, but I called the gallery and they were not open on weekends, which stopped me from going. I LOVED Devon's total honesty and socially analytical report of attendees. This was FANTASTIC and oh so interesting!!

[@jasonsmith9845]

I hope Devon brings his exhibit to Houston, but I would drive to Austin or Dallas for it.

[@RUfromthe40s]

i remenber in the 70´s mostly german guys built their own speakers(the bricolage era in the 70´s) in wood and ordered from the best brands woofer medium and tweeters, one i know has all frequencies in two almost 2 meters cube he uses a dbx equalizer and shows how 32 frequencies are separated in it´s CUbes and a lot of work in wood inside it´s the more demanding work building the cabinets and only later ordered the woofers or diferent type of speakers horn tweeters menbrane ones etc.

[@dilbyjones]

With emphasis, I hope you find a place for this. Because this IS essentially what most people are looking for even if they don't know it or are convinced otherwise.

[@isaacestep3321]

It would be so fun to go to a gallery event like this in Chicago. My wife and I are picking up a pair of horns soon after trying out klipsch and some altecs at a local shop. Would really like to be able to listen to music on horns like this outside of a sales environment, get comfortable and linger.

[@bb_lz9790]

A shop in the City or somewhere in the suburbs? I stepped into Rosine (sp?) Audio in Skokie 30 years ago and haven't been anywhere since.

[@dogbiterabies2547]

Stereo review had the best audiophile jokes ever 🤣

[@MrGary061258]

Great video, it struck me whilst listening that a possible reason that this is largely a male domain is that although I believe that men and women like music equally, the other thing men like is to tinker and in the audio world this can reach obsessional levels and thus satisfying men on two levels. Gary

[@heinzr9734]

Thank you both for the good interview and of course Devon for realizing his concept. A very thoughtful concept indeed. A gallery as an island of time, an authentic lifelike and body scaled music system, an intended music program (in my view very important in contrast to random sprinkling). A gallery becomes a chapel, a music system becomes a sculpture, the visitors become discoverers of their sense of hearing and the music gets another dimension of experience. So it is Art because it is change. Edit: What comes to mind, it is a meeting place where impressions can be shared or where everyone may remain intensely for himself. This is the contrast to these high-end shows where often a hi-fi system is staged like a church organ or like an altar to make a quick "big impression". The following is not deadly serious meant but I was really startled at first by the "sound" at minute 10:57....

[@Manu-Official]

From personal experience, I've had this one friend coming up with her own CDs to play on my system and she's friends with that band. She said ''when I close my eyes, it's as if my friends are right in front of me.'' - when you get several comments of eyes closed it feels real, then you know you've fooled the human mind in a truthful way.

[@sheepbaba]

I'd love to hear this. Looking at it covers some of the ground I'm used to. Hifi background then studio and pro audio. All the silly arguments on both sides. I try to take the side of my ears though that can be biased with a logical story of intrigue. Also, fell in love with valves (tooooobes). Is that an SL1200 mk1 in that plywood? I think it sounds better than mk2 😊

[@SubTroppo]

When is he 'going on the road'? I can't wait to hear him at GOMA in Brisbane Australia. Call it the "Lisson Grove Experience'. Another vernue: perhaps MOMA in Hobart, Tasmania.

[@dm1787]

How can we get him to do his show in some SF gallery? Yesterday I had the opportunity to listen to Burwell & Sons speakers here. My first experience with horn loaded units. It was quite an experience. Would love Devon to bring his art here. He should take it on a tour before he sells it off to somebody or some gallery.

[@devonojas]

Lobby your local art institution (Moma SF ;))

[@dm1787]

@@devonojas what is a good way to get in touch with you on the behalf of SF Audiophile Foundation?

[@hamidrezahabibi8111]

I wish I could be there and visit this gallery as long as it lasted. Devon Turnbull is up 🆙 to something everlasting for the audiophiles around the world 🌎. This event must travel around the world 🌍

[@GAUDIOPHILE]

When I have non audiophiles over most of them honestly don’t know how to listen to audio reproduced at this level. While music maybe important to their lives the way it’s delivered to them is less important. It’s often a discussion point to understand the investment and the complex nature of the system when for them a Bose radio or an iPhone with Bluetooth ear buds is more than good enough.

[@alskooper3319]

Most people use music as a distraction from whatever they are doing. Music is background noise, playing in stores, restaurants, etc. Whereas, for me, music is the event that I want to hear and concentrate on. Very rarely do I ever turn on the radio in my vehicles or have background music playing in the house. Non audiophiles hearing one of my systems will usually comment on the clarity but that’s about it. I did have one astute individual that said it sounded like there was a third phantom speaker between the two visible speakers.

[@englishsteve1465]

@@alskooper3319 I had to laugh at your comment. Imagine someone being surprised by hearing a centre image in a stereo mix. smh

[@outbackwack368]

Very cool to see people following their dreams and making it work. It's the subwoofer from Back to the Future 🙂

[@flyingmattyboy]

Definate theme. The Tweeters were from the back end/rear of the last Deloreon too.

[@bkatbamna]

Who cares if more men showed up. Do the people who set up a display of Chanel handbags whine and moan about how few men show up?

[@kcataroz]

He should take this across the country, I’d love to experience something like this!

[@carlosw1687]

Interesting. I would have liked a video about those people reactions. Not just telling me how they reacted but perhaps a hidden camera capturing the reaction of those people. Thanks anyway.

[@bbb-ri4vs]

Great interview, great subject...Devon is such a fascinating character! Thank you Steve

[@PrinceWesterburg]

They are neither - Many of these people have never heard real instuments and only heard TV speakers, soundbars, phones and laptops. This is completely alien to them.

[@jeffkalina7727]

Would be very fun if he could record some music while he is still at the show!

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Horns really are the Best sounding to me . It’s tuning your room and stereo system, then it’s magic !

[@amosperrine1909]

Back in the day I used to A-B vinyl with CDs for friends, audiophiles and civilians alike. Without fail they all thought the LP was the CD. Why? Because it sounded better, more depth, less constrained, less compressed.

[@polylight]

I used to do the same...the most common reaction was almost a sense of anger about it.

[@h.k.203]

I did this too, but to be honest at this point i had a nice Acoustic Solid Turntable and a shity CD Player. Now that i also have a nice CD Transport and DAC there are differences but both sound nice. DACs have improved a lot.

[@tiggerblox9402]

Two great things together. Music and Art. Love it.

[@anachronismic]

Have yet to get through the video but just wanted to say Devon's setup in the gallery was very nice. I was definitely very appreciative of getting the chance to listen to a system like that, as someone who's less intense about this kind of stuff but still into critically listening and slowly building up a system.

[@anachronismic]

follow up to 11:40 ish, from my perspective there was an overall air of reverence to be had in the space, especially having not listened to a system like that before. It also made me want to experience a more like, jazz kissa kind of moment as well.

[@anachronismic]

The communal nature of it was pretty cool too.

[@NoClassic]

This reminds me a bit of Tom Sachs boombox and audio work but with more care taken in the actual sound quality.

[@raykuiper4979]

Well,Steve, what your guest in your show saId: this is only possible in a few places on this planet. Zürich where I live is one of them

[@brtnyc8860]

Damn I missed this event!,😔

[@katinkaenglish6895]

No preconceptions and always keep an open mind. If it sounds right to you than it's right.

[@weeooh1]

Love this guy. Intelligently expressed views, a pleasure to listen to.

[@tomsherwood4650]

But I am totally willing to listen for free, if there is no salesman sizing me up and wanting to shuffle me out to make room for millionaires that he is seeking.

[@zerschbel3419]

this is what happens when you build a stereo system from the remains of the death star! awesome

[@sbrazenor2]

A stereo as an art exhibit? 🤔 Seems a bit silly, if I'm honest. The following is a blunt, external opinion on the topics discussed. Many of you will think I'm an asshole for writing it, but that's fine. I am and asshole, and I'm unapologetically so. Some of the people that he mentioned going there seemed to be the kind of people that are looking for that 'new thing' to add to their elitist brag session, so they can seem esoterically cultured to impress their fake friends. People went to a small commercial unit in NY and listened to a stereo and it's supposed to be 'art'. I'm not saying the design aesthetic isn't interesting and I'm not saying that the sound wouldn't likely be pleasing. I'm just saying the premise is extremely douchey and the fact that the gallery has to also comment on the 'diversity' aspect shows the kind of people this is pointed towards. (Virtue signaling metropolitan Marxists.) Music is universal. Everyone likes it and has their preference and method of enjoyment. Yet, the kind of people that go to these kinds of events usually fit into a certain demographic crowd; I call them 'try hards'. They're trying to seem impressive to other people because they can "appreciate the finer things that those other people can't understand", and because they don't make anything themselves, this pads their self identity. You're unlikely going to have some broke, blue collar guy with basic taste that likes classic rock on a cheap radio white he's working going to this exhibit, so the he can seem all sophisticated and rub elbows with the bourgeoisie. Likewise, you're not going to get a bunch of young guys going to a sausage-fest like that on a weekend evening, when they might be able to go - to be frank, where the pussy is. (Let's face it... while we all love our stereos, sexy women aren't beating down our doors to screw our brains out to listen to music with us on a high-end system.) 🤣 So yeah; diversity is limited by the presentation, the location, and also the people themselves. We do the things we want to do, and not everyone or every group of people finds value in these pursuits.

[@jb-uw2vt]

Wow, yes, I can see people thinking it's all show and no go, ie the Sonos speaker and class D amp hidden and this is just built to look like a stereo.

[@fredcostas1945]

Can you post the jazz and classical records that were played. Thanks!

[@mattgiunt]

Im almost sure the answer would be no but here goes. Can you get super high end recording equipment and film this experience on a Blu ray disc so everyone will be able to experience this if they choose.Lets face it, all 218 thousand of Steves subscribers cant get to New York to experience this but im sure most of them want to.

[@TheMirolab]

If I sent you a picture of the juicy steak I'm about to eat, would you be able to taste it?? I don't think so.

[@rabarebra]

99% of your friends don't care about high-end audio.

[@ungarlinski7965]

This guy's projections say more about him than the people he's judging.

[@edjackson4389]

That looks like the same pioneer tweeters I'm using. I just wish I had the rest of this system

[@mikaelmllersnnichsen539]

Had I been (not to mention 'lived') in New York I'd have heard Devon's system at the Lisson Gallery for sure. Such a setup and what I presume it stands for sonically is right up my alley, as they say, as my private setup is both horn-loaded and very large as well (though fully actively driven sans passive XO's via DSP, solid state amps and a digital source). Hopefully Devon's horn-hybrid system here has been an inspiration to many, also hardcore audiophiles who'd normally never go anywhere near a horn, a mids/woofer at 15" or let alone a (sub-)woofer at +30"! I wonder if a wholly immersive and huge sound sometimes turns off audiophiles thinking it's an "inaccurate" presentation? I can't fathom why. Proper physics in sound reproduction is essential, and yet it's so rarely at play even in very expensive audiophile systems. Hats off to Devon for letting people feel the physics and emotion of music, or - so I certainly gather.

[@Kreln1221]

*If I had a Brazillian dollars to spend on a "high end audiophile" audio system, I wouldn't buy the weird boutique systems that you see in hifi magazines... I would simply get the type of reference monitors and poweramps that are used in the top end world class professional recording studios where the the best recordings are made.* *For example... If you want to listen to a classic album that was expertly mixed using a pair of JBL 4355s, would using a different pair of monitors give you a better and truer experience than using the same models that the album was originally mixed on?* 🤔

[@thebostonaudiophile]

This is great in so many ways!

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Looks like an Altec Rig in a typical Japanese Audiophile setup... it's nothing new, in fact it's old. Completely cool in every regard and great that Devon is introducing people to our hobby. I was not quite clear on if he sells speaker kits or he does not sell Audio gear. Clearly this exhibit will help him sell his speaker kits and kudos 👏 for that. Just had a local client/artist attend his exhibit and really enjoy it. 😉

[@jonathanlapointe6262]

Think about taking requests? Hearing something that you are familiar with your whole life. Know every nuance too, or at least think you do, until you hear it on really high end piece. I'm sure a lot of people would have no problem paying $10 per song to listen/ experience that.

[@dinosaursr]

Very cool. Clean aesthetics but functional. Interesting social science/audio demographics experiment too. Love the High Fidelity reference.