Ben's System Will BLOW YOU AWAY!

[@bobb.9917]

I was able to get into the city and grab a listen at Devon's Listening Room on Greene Street in Soho. I dragged a buddy with me who is NOT an audiophile but is a music enthusiast. GREAT experience. Thanks so much Steve....My friend works in the city and was impressed with me...suburban boy bringing him to such a cool intimate place on his turf! 😁 He wants to go back!!!!!! ....so I think we will . Ben is very fortunate to be able to bring Devon's gear into his home. I am so happy for him and his level of enjoyment. GREAT STUFF!

[@chrisfrank9288]

Wonderful in-depth walkthrough. I’d love to see more of these.

[@512bb]

The TAD 703, the single most impressive tweeter I've ever heard so much so I bought a pair when I heard they were being discontinued evan though I had no use for them at the time. What superb. news that TAD has brought them back...truly something special.

[@aulait3362]

New ones are about 7k/pair and hard to tear much difference compared to the original IMO.

[@512bb]

I have no doubt you are correct, doubt they could have improved anything about it. Sadly the powers to be have devalued our currency to such a meaningless value that soon only the ultra elites will be able to buy any of this crap anyway...good luck comrades.@@aulait3362

[@PlaybackMansion]

not too shabby

[@imnowhacko]

Wow, that sounds so good. Especially the vocals, just like I'm in the room with a live performance.

[@peerloo6931]

that "The Closest Thing to Silence" record in the back is great! Also Artificial intelligence on warp, a classic! would love to hear these beauties on such a great system!

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

Beautiful system!

[@kloss213]

They knew back in the 1930s that a large low cut off multicellular horn and large bass horn or bin with dual 15 inch was the best way this design approach won the academy award for sound.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Right, but most humans and even most audiophiles want smaller not larger speakers.

[@Chris.from.1950]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac There’s a bell curve distribution for everything, isn’t! 😉

[@MrAlistar99]

Reggae my friends❤

[@kloss213]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac You said size maters in this video. Maybe what most humans want is wrong.

[@bigblueocean]

Don't forget the cost of speakers like this. They aren't exactly giving them away.

[@weeooh1]

with the speakers switched from horizontally to vertically, that tweeter with its wave guide will have an extremely narrow dispersion where the listener would have to be in a very precise position for it to sound at its best.

[@tombrennan6312]

Waveguide is the audiophile approved euphemism for horn.

[@byrong1561]

@@tombrennan6312Maybe, but the dude is spot on in identifying the vertical tweeter/horn orientation will lead to a restricted and compromised sweet spot.

[@garganega]

Certainly but the system is nearfield with modest, high quality power so the issue would be moot.

[@byrong1561]

@@garganega Yes, the problem would be more acute with a listening position further back, but its still going to compromise the system in some way. The tweeter orientation just looks like an ill conceived and questionable design decision imho.

[@ramar.berlin]

Happy to see, that Ben uses one of our record brushes! 😊

[@DANVIIL]

What is it?

[@jasonclark5290]

Love seeing that IARC album just chilling in the back at the 2 minute mark ❤️

[@bilguana11]

This is the sound reinforcement TAD not the audiophile TAD that makes coherent loudspeakers. Thanks SG for clarifying that.

[@lepatientzero9637]

how masochistic are we? watching a video about a thing we're dying to hear but will never be able to!

[@gtrguyinaz]

This set up, reminds me of my longtime friend, who also designed and developed state of the art speaker and interconnect cables. His name was David Magnan, MAGNAN and I still utilize all of his cables etc.. They are still sound the best to my ears this set up, reminds me of what his house looked like. He had 300 B type tube, power amps and a whole bunch of what I would describe is homegrown set up with modified electrostatic panels…

[@danrussell9357]

Thanks for the content. I like these videos more than gear reviews.

[@sixstringsdown1]

How can I be blown away with NO audio being played whatsoever?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

What it terrific fantasy! That you could hear that huge system do what it does over your system! What planet are you from?? How and how the hell would I capture that sound in recording?? What am I Bob Clearmountain??

[@sixstringsdown1]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac 😒😥

[@jacobgravers1042]

My wife would just love this.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I don't believe you but it is a funny line.

[@dirtharris]

My goodness...... any system which starts with an Air Tight Opus-1 cartridge ....will be stunning. One of the best starting points an analogue system could have (at 14,000 euros mind!) 🤩.

[@joshuaschneck]

Like the new theme song - less nuclear attack on the ears.

[@thomashowe5256]

Steve what about the other electronics?

[@bblimediamostlyspeakers]

Cool! I should try my tape machine again. I might have to fix it though as well.

[@bryanherr1093]

Wow! What a system! Great job Ben

[@chelillingworth9466]

Sooo....how does it sound?

[@johto]

good 😄

[@Fluterra]

If you think this sounds great: The best midrange in the world was/is the RCA 1443/1428 from the 1930s. The RCA on a conical horn will blow you away.

[@stseely1]

Does anyone know what the cabinet is that everything is in?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The cabinet was Ben's design

[@michaelrogers8126]

I think this whole system is worth more then everything I own

[@loveDRAGONCON]

Amazing

[@Rowuk2024]

Reel to Reels sound so great because the gap on the tape head is a brickwall filter. HF garbage can not get through!

[@Gomez561]

A beautiful system and the space is very nice too. Is Ben an architect? His place was definitely designed by an architect 🤣

[@tony8354586]

Would have loved to hear them…..

[@as2onish]

2:58 I see the artificial intelligence compilation vinyl sitting beside the speakers so this guy is alright with me.

[@SlowpokeRodriguez80]

And I think underneath is a copy of Aphex Twin Ambient Works…

[@thomaskuhn6541]

Very cool. I'm surprised that speakers of that size work in what looks like a smaller space, especially with the brick wall. Has Ben done any room treatment?

[@bertoray5497]

Such a sweet system, and such a sweet dog.

[@josefbuckland]

Agreed and the splayed horns are as good then as they are now. Echoes Pink Floyd inspired me to go the WEM look

[@michaelcorlet2998]

Gd interview steve.😊

[@ThomasW.Insall]

He should have the set up with the voice coils of the woofers, midrange, and tweeter in the same vertical plain. as Altec recommended. But then as Don Davis said if you can't line the driver arrival times to be correct then its better to be far off like here.

[@anthonygreene834]

Wow!!! Very nice.😊

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bello/Magnifico.🧨🧨🧨🧨🧨🧨🌡️

[@LeonFleisherFan]

In reality, the availability of recordings is decisive in one's choice of source (digital vs. vinyl vs. tape). Unless one were lucky enough to have inherited a collection, of course…

[@skipfrog11]

Amazing setup! Any idea of what brand the media console is?

[@robertjermantowicz-uw3iw]

Isn't the TT a bit too close to the right bass cabinet?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

You know I thought the same thing! But the turntable base really does an amazing job in isolating the turntable.

[@craigaust3306]

Those speakers look…interesting. I hope they sound really, really good.

[@alexrosenblum1144]

Any idea what his audio cabinet is? I’ve been looking for something similar.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Ben designed the cabinet, and it was made by Fern & Roby

[@darrellross8609]

Dear Steve, I proudly own Sound Artist LS35A's. Yeah, they are made in China, but few speakers aren't sorry to say. Best, D. From Stl.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

China makes great speakers, but on my channel I review many speakers that are not made in China. Like the ones in this video! Made in Brooklyn

[@WardoUSA]

Then man is deep in the rabbit hole. Haha. Sweet system

[@Audiogeek-kf2ez]

This is absolutely beautiful, you can throw a small concert with this beautiful set up

[@michaelgarnett1372]

The blue sofa is pretty okay too

[@kentonkirkpatrick5225]

Nice gear! I'd like to know if you've tried recording the new 45 RPM vinyl to the R-2-R and how successful? Also, how many speeds on the Studer? Thanks

[@dwinograsky1]

Steve... How do people submit pictures for the "viewer system of the day"? Thanks

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

[e-mail]

[@vendelius]

Nice... thanks

[@theredboneking]

My Nurse wore scrubs like that.

[@alexismax666]

nice system ! can you describe the speakers componets ? are they all tad ?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Just the tweeter

[@benkrone2671]

Great planes horn and main drivers and TAD tweeter. Might try tad horn drivers but they don’t make 12’s for the mains

[@scruffy8861]

Is it a tad better?@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac

[@crombie92]

How much to build on like this? In 2024 dollars

[@erics.4113]

Just under a million in 2024 dollars

[@mikedenallo6997]

Is that the Celestion AXI-2050 on those multi-cells?

[@benkrone2671]

Right now it’s great planes altec remakes. Looking into TAD as possible down the road upgrade

[@paulomontero12]

It blows all right 😢

[@carljung9230]

Steve, how did that system sound?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Really powerful, I'll be talking about the sound of Ben's system in the next video.

[@terryhu57]

I feel poor when I see this. Poor but still happy.

[@dilbyjones]

His approach is really cost effective when u break it down so there’s that.

[@puciohenzap891]

@@dilbyjonesOh well, I mean TAD ET703's...other parts aren't that extreme except for the megabuck CH Precision stuff.

[@benkrone2671]

Most everything was obtained used certainly not cheap but built over time in most cost effective way possible

[@terryhu57]

I’m a disabled veteran and it’s beyond my means . I’m happy for you and my system is smaller but excellent.

[@juicebox853]

Basically, Altec Voice of the Theater. Who would have thought those would sound good.

[@Phloored]

Fun story. I picked up a old 15" coaxial altec mono cab with a 10 watt tube radio from a a basement sale for free. This was the biggest most velvet sound in the world! Thank God it has a l pad on the side too attenuate the treble. I was told it came out of a old theatre around the corner many years ago. That this was legendary. I gifted it to my nephew. It was actually too loud for my apartment at the time.

[@juicebox853]

@@Phloored The old Altec stuff with the Alnico magnets is perfect for tube power. The majority of my speakers are Altec or JBL, with some Klipsch, Elac, Philharmonics, etc. thrown in. These days it is hard to beat JBL for the money imo.

[@farleytaylor5493]

Dream system.

[@Gibsondude]

Whoa!

[@sudipdutt9699]

Good to see you in half sleeve Indian kurta.

[@xfloodcasual8124]

Fennesz fan there

[@realleescoggins]

This is great but you should do a follow-up and record the system playing tape and LP.

[@aitchr8770]

Devon Turnballs speakers are a revelation.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

At what point do we stop calling this "home" audio?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

June 12, 2024

[@jebrehbaker8613]

Dog is pretty amazing too

[@rvaillant]

Steve, have you considered having short audio clips of these products you review, etc. Yes, I know, it's not like the real thing, but if you use an iPhone 11, or newer, you can capture quite a lot. If Jay's Audiolab can provide clips of multi million dollar systems, so can you. If done well it will take channel to the next level. Thanks Here are a couple I made using an iPhone. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXnCq3Wme8utrtU kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHKalo1npauFiKM

[@Gullsz]

Wow Wee. Super Duper. Fandabbydozzy

[@mpp9964]

We’ve hit a new low for wife approval factor! 😂

[@tomgriffiths9410]

Obviously this is a great setup, but I also want to give him credit for the records he has on display … I see the Warp Artificial Intelligence compilation, My Bloody Valentine, Fennesz and Jeremiah Chiu. Bravo!

[@sonicmainliner]

My thoughts exactly, nice to see someone listening to something other diana krall and the beatles

[@benkrone2671]

Thanks! That Jeremiah Chiu was a new find for me but it pushes all the right buttons. Wish I could get my hands on copies if the tape he recorded this stuff on!

[@mediascapes2011]

I still have no clue how it sounds, other than seeing and hearing about gear. stunningly beautiful and equally empty.

[@JingoLoBa57]

CH Precision electronics

[@normloo1590]

Not an inexpensive system!

[@jonboy9912]

I pity the neighbours!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Right, and I pity the neighbors of people that use leaf blowers and lawnmowers.

[@puciohenzap891]

Probably measures bad but bet it sounds great on certain music.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Maybe, but then again would you rather have a system that measures perfectly and sounds awful on most recordings?

[@puciohenzap891]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliacAbsolutely not! 🙂Learned long ago not to trust measurements but own ears, in the end it's all about listener pleasure. The only thing I use measurements for like those on ASR to check wheter a device has a fundamental flaw like oscillations, unexpectedly high distortion and such.

[@jim97405]

KZbin TV is placing 30 second ads at the beginning. I won't wstch.

[@Realloulow]

😂

[@elonmuskrat2830]

Who is Ben and why should I care?

[@middleearthltd]

😂

[@Chris.from.1950]

You’re new here, aren’t you? 😂

[@AnalogueInTheUK]

Fair point.

[@bigblueocean]

Duh! Watch the video and find out. It's kind of the point.

[@jonathandavis9507]

An existential dilemma.

[@ernies8828]

Just get a CD transport and DAC or good CD player with preamp/DAC. And most just stream, so get a streamer/DAC. You don't need any of that other junk anymore, no offense. Moving on.

[@jasonwebb6484]

I don’t think in this fellow follows the ‘what most people do’ scenario. As long as he enjoys this stuff and you enjoy your digital source system - everybody is happy.

[@markcomisky7106]

Way too much

[@TarBabyJim]

Wow! Thats one awsome loòking system. Makes me wonder if building a system for $3000 is even possible? 🤔

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Of course you can make a great sounding system for $3000!