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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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]

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.

[@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

[@IamVintage72]

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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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?

[@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 😕

[@IamVintage72]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@jeffreythurston1822]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@ernstyawo]

Thank you. This was inspirational. After several year I sat down an listened to one CD on my HiFi equipment. No skipping, no phone just enjoying the sound. It sounded just great.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@tiggerblox9402]

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

[@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....

[@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!!

[@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.

[@Cocteau61]

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

[@jasonsmith9845]

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

[@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.

[@kcataroz]

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

[@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.

[@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. 🙂

[@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.

[@fabieneldridge3414]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@katinkaenglish6895]

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

[@bbb-ri4vs]

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

[@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.

[@curtisscott9251]

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

[@weeooh1]

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

[@MrSteelehead]

“Out in my backyard somewhere”. A 165 watt per 2channel SX55300. (A friend brought home from Germany for me when he got out of the army.) My “mechanic”, replaced some things in it, he said “it truly is 165 watts a side. An 800 watt stereo power amp is next in line, 12 channel mixer, and four JBL boxes, with crossovers & horns, assure that us, “and the neighbors”, are entertained. Old stuff, but it does work! (Remnants from 70’s rock & roll days.)

[@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.

[@NoClassic]

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

[@technoxtreme178]

This is why we all love NY. I wish I was there for that show.

[@papermate8773]

Thanks for covering this. I love how your channel is all inclusive.

[@bobsmoot8454]

It’s great that Devon is educating the next generation of music lovers and audiophiles to what can be achieved with some thoughtfulness to what came before. IMHO, it’s not the mantra of Harry Pearson that should be followed if you desire music bliss but people like Mr. Turnbull, who understand what we all really want is the sound that is rattling around inside each of our own heads.

[@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.

[@bytornsnowdog2112]

This guy is a gifted sound and structural engineer, genius. I am glad you posted this.

[@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.

[@edjackson4389]

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

[@koblongata]

Just listened to some high end system playing reel to reel at an high end show in Taipei last week, it was amazing, it's like as if the sound formed a picture in front of you, the integrity of the sound imagery was shocking, I believe it's not about frequency response, for that modern formats are far superior, but it's about immense amount of continuous information that are preserved with reel to reel that often gets destroyed by sampling and jitter

[@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 🌍

[@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

[@zerschbel3419]

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

[@dinosaursr]

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

[@alexmacdonald2644]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@pproton8947]

2x 15", an ALTEC 1505 or equivalent, a too big driver in the middle, there is nothing new below the sun. But it's still hard to beat.

[@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.

[@thebostonaudiophile]

This is great in so many ways!

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

There are very special people in this world. Steve, thanks for sharing this person with us. Love to hear his creation. Greg

[@johnburton6470]

Love those acoustic panels on the wall behind you. Been looking for something like those for months

[@davidsolomon5499]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@RUfromthe40s]

this channel is very good it gives real information i once started to built system with only very good componets but ended up selling all the components but kept an accuphase power amplifier and pre-amplifier that i have stored and by luck i had some huge tannoys that were really expensive in the 70´s but i kept them and in use with a high-end pioneer system my father ofered me because some monthes after he spend a litle fortune in a revox system that with the same design he bought already in the 80´s the B215 deck of cassettes and a cd player all looked from the same year but 4 to 6 years later, he had some also gigantic alted lasing speakers he used with the system he ofered me (spec-1 and 2, PL-560, ct-f1000, RT-707,sg-9500)also had some huge celestion ditton series from 1970 catalog, he also had a kenwood stereo receiver that was huge but with the same colours of pioneer and other brands with some real big kenwood speakers . Recentelly i downloaded the manual where it says it got 50 watts of output power , i conect them to a pioneer integrated amplifier a A-717 in 1988 and it said it had 100watts per channel or 90 watts i´m not sure now ) i had to put the volume really high ,at midle of the scale so the speakers started to sound loud, and they had been restored by a electronic engenier that worked in repairing and doing maintenace to the controls and all electronic functions of jet fighter planes in a nato airforce field near my town, he was also a hi-fi enthusiast and he bought integrated amplifiers but he opened them and worked for a entire week on the newest amplifier he bought and only then he started to use it , i kept a philips i bought from him a 79 F series and once one output burned and the guy who repaired hi-fi components he told mne he could fix it but when he opened it he said "what the hell is this!!!" i explained that one of the features was that this amplifier was supposed to use only 8ohms speakers but he changed it and was ready to 4ohm speakers one thing i noticed is that when one conected a 4ohm speaker to the B speakers wich was the one for 8ohms speakers it gave no sound and the same hapened in reverse with A speakers, i bought maybe 7 years after a amplifier from this series with two vu meters or power meters with needles and the sound quality was the same wich was incredible good but this one being a better reference from the same year and series . I saw some years ago a complete system from this F series but mini system and it only appeared twice till today and disapeared fast ,once i bought the amplifier and tuner but the deck it had been sold separatelly wich i had one at home for a week and it sounded incredible good and above several decks like pioneer , sanyo and akai, this medium quality reference in this series and also in the other brands i refer, and the philips either than look good was very good recording ,i have several cassettes recorded there,at the time i was using a lot maxell UR, UL, UD II, XLII and XLII-S and only a couple of MX , i don´t use metal tapes, but have several from the brands i used the most like TDK, BASF, SONY and MAXELL as i already refered . I have a BASF LH-EXTRA I but in white with a black lines and basf written on the part that was a darker shade of yellow before they become red or after they were all almost orange but only a darker shade of yellow ,this to say that i recorded there the piece of mind album in the mini philips deck and sound still perfect in the CT-959 that i´m using today the most ,from pioneer. Let me end here , regards

[@pierremartin9048]

Truly fantastic interview, well done!

[@dogbiterabies2547]

Stereo review had the best audiophile jokes ever 🤣

[@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

[@bootsarmstrong8421]

I remember years ago I had friend over and I played "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton. I like to include signal processors in my system ( I know that is a sin to purist) which included a dbx 4bx expander. It was set moderately. My friend was having a fit at the loud, strong drum hits. I tried to explain to him that's how the song was recorded and he just couldn't accept it. So, yes, when someone unfamiliar with high end hears a revealing stereo system, they can't handle it.

[@hippydippy]

What a cool humble guy. I'd love to hear that system. It has to be quite the experience.

[@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.

[@neocollective5959]

Oh, man, I've been at that gallery with very wealthy art collectors that don't even have a sound system in their art-filled homes. I wish we were in NYC for that show !!

[@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

[@TheRealShedLife]

I was so happy to see this, and brought to us by our guy "The Gutt", who is sensitive and experienced enough to truly understand what is going on here. Here I am, in a museum (virtually) watching and listening to the artist, and I thank Mr. Guttenberg for bringing this to us, this juicy slice of art and audiophilia

[@ungarlinski7965]

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

[@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

[@IamVintage72]

I recently bought a pair of Focal chorus 807v for a great price .under 400. Their sound is so crisp and added Soundstage. I love their sound and they look cool. I wanted to add that airy treble sound to my system. I Run the Polk r 200s with the Focal chorus 807v as front presence channels and it sounds incredible. With two Paradigm Subs. I love the way the Focals opened up my Soundstage. This guys turntables are super clean looking!!

[@nc3419]

I have the 807Ws and nothing I've tried under 2K could replace them. For being relatively inexpensive, they do a great job with everything and sound best with Class AB, not as much with D. I have Triangle Zetas, were really inexpensive and give alot of what the Focals give just to a lessor degree. They beat alot of speakers up to a grand. Not in every category but the overall experience. The Zetas play well with everything, class AB, class D, etc. I don't want to keep throwing money at speakers and amps anymore, don't want behemoth sizes and weighted equipment, I've tried it enough times and I should be set. Perhaps in a different room, with really expensive amps, etc may bring on a more revelatory experience without losing in some other area, but at what cost in time and money? Enjoy the Focals.

[@IamVintage72]

@@nc3419 thanks !! I'm the same way. I have the Polk r 200s and love them but wanted that extra clarity the Focals give. There is really only one type of tweeter I want to add to my system and it's the horn tweeter that Triangle makes. I want to buy a pair of Triangle genese trio's. They look really nice. Man the 807s actually destroy the Polk in bass but they should

[@faludabutt8253]

Wait until you move up the chain of Focals.

[@IamVintage72]

@@faludabutt8253 omg I cant wait. They really do sound like a tower speaker compared to any bookshelf speakers I've heard before. They actually have Slam !!

[@GregQchi]

I've got a lot of love for Devon and what he does. Great interview, Steve.. thanks

[@jakealexander6046]

Please let us know when this will happen again :)

[@veniceog]

Devon has turned showing of your stereo into visual art. A phenomena. that is both surprising and extremely pleasant. I see a parallel where that primer gray speaker color of his, turns into his version of Klimt's Golden Phase.

[@NikolausSchmitt]

Devon tells us a story of passion and how it induces interest and cultural awareness about a different music perception. I very much like it and he reminds me of pivotal characters from William Gibsons BlueAnt novels but in real life. Well done to share this. Thanks Steve.

[@FrankDimino1]

I will retire to Thailand in November and open a small tea-coffee place (very cheap to open a business there) with a cool system and watch the expression of people as they hear the music waiting for their drink!

[@MrSteelehead]

It looks waterproof. Since we are all buying “little houses now”, we will have to keep this out on our little house decks. Company, can sleep in one of the bedrooms, inside the woofer cabinets.

[@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.

[@bongofury3176]

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

[@fredcostas1945]

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

[@justins.1283]

To me that is a dream system. I could build something like it if I can find the parts. Time to start aquiring parts.

[@dbmccoy12]

Wish you talked more about specific parameters of this sustem!!! Like efficiency, frequency response, cross over points, types of drivers etc, etc, etc.

[@DamnDealDone]

You are thinking of Pro Audio Experts, these are Audiophiles. It's like comparing Astronomy to Astrology.