San Jose CA - GTG - 7/14/07

[Ron Temple]

JUST TO BE CLEAR - DATE HAS CHANGED TO SAT. 7/14/07



Ok guys...let's get this planned. I'm up to host, provide some refreshment, share what I've got and hopefully have a great time.

Whose in? I have some flexibility on dates, but a couple of you prefer the 30th...let me know if it's a deal killer and we'll talk.

As mentioned...have a pool/patio area with power, but no rig out there.

Suggestions on food (I'm for BBQ) and drink(s) are welcome. Bring gear or tunes...we need to decide on setup though (depends on where the HT at that moment).
I'll have a Luxman amp and pre (I think), but will need source, ICs and speakers (though the Steve's CRS+ will be here).

Post suggestions or comments here...Justin, can you make this a sticky for awhile?

Looking forward to it...

Ron

[fredv]

I have no plan in sight for 30th, so it will work for me.
For food and refreshment, please let me know what is need, beer, solda, juices, chips, or cash :-)
Regarding to the rig outdoor, we might just need quantity not quality ......
I will bring a pair of Monitor 5, RS int amp, a couple DAC, and a DVD player entertainment. BTW, what Lux amp do you have, I have a C-05 and a C-5000A preamp. Both can be a date of your Lux amp??

[Ron Temple]

The amp is an M117...my contractor doing my bathrooms has been promising to bring it over w/ either a Lexicon or Lux pre to try...unfortunately, he's almost done and hasn't shown with the goodies...he actually wants to have me help sell them, so it should be no problem getting them here.

Money is always welcome...:D I think we'll do a list of commited stuff from everyone...not a requirement, just if you feel like it.

[fredv]

I had a M117 before. Great amp, it is on par of the Adcom GFA-555. I sold it after I acquired my 2nd GFA-555. I like the idea of creating a to-do/to-bring list so that we can maximize the diversity of the resources. I will let this run for another couple weeks, then I will gather the info to create a list for tracking purpose.

[trubluluc]

As said before....I'm in.
I will contribute to the food/beverage kitty, or down with a bring your own situation as well.
I can bring a Toshiba SD-9200 for sourcing dvd's (non HD) or Cd's. It's a nice, neutral piece. Also could bring a pair of SDA II to listen to.

-Luc

[trubluluc]

Anybody heard from Beardog on this?
I would think Robert would be all over this.

-Luc

[Ron Temple]

Robert said he's in schedule permitting, but hasn't confirmed. At this point it's...

Steve (Polk 65)
Danny Tse
Fred (fredv)
Luc (trubluluc)

hopefully
Robert (Beardog03)
doggie750 (sorry don't know your name)
Ivan (ivansfo)
others??? come on guys chime in.

John Garcia from AH and HTF will bring some GR Research speakers over as well...maybe some Ascend 340SEs from another local too.

[Skynut]

Polk65 pm'd me about this and I wish I could go.
I will not be around on the 30th.

I really would like to participate sometime but this time will not work for me.

I hope all that make it have a good time.

[Skynut]

Any updates?

[Ron Temple]

Sky...

I've sent PMs out to the variuos members with no responses other than Fred who has no problem with the date changes...

For those who haven't looked...

Skynut can't make it on the 30th, so offline I asked everyone if we could move the date to the 14th of July...

Please respond...:p

[Skynut]

Sweet, I will keep checking.

[Ron Temple]

trubluluc, fredv, skynut and Polk65 are in...come on Danny, Beardog, Ivan, doggie...anyone else?

Let's commit and get this planned guys...:confused:

[trubluluc]

July 14th....is the day???

-Luc

[Ron Temple]

Date: 7/14/07

Place:
San Jose

Start time: TBA

BBQ - Have a Weber - depending on how many attend, I might need another, so let me know if anyone can bring

Pool is ready...hopefully, the weather is...for those who want to swim.

Gear:
Not sure if I'll have the Carver back so I can remove the Audiosource integrated from the system for an amp. If the Carver is back, we will need a pre and a source and any ICs/cables that you guys want to try.

Speakers: (here)
SDA/CRS+
Mordaunt-Short 902s
GR Research AV-2s
SDA 1Cs

Hopefully some of you guys can add a piece here or there.

If you are going to attend or not...please post on this thread...Thanks.

Ron

[fredv]

I can bring the following:
Source: DPA DAC and eTech DAC and a Mits DVD player as transport.
Amp: How about a TAD-60 tube amp, it is common ground :-) and the RS toy.
Pre: Transcendent Sound Ground Grid.

[Ron Temple]

Fred, I don't know what most of that stuff does, but it sounds great...:)

I've got some decent basic stuff, but nothing refined or expensive...looking forward to it.

[fredv]

Hi Ron,
Nothing fancy here, a couple outboard DAC's (one decent and one bang for the bucks), a tube amp and a tube preamp if anyone wants to hear tubey SDA :-) , and lastly a modified Radio Shack integrated amp for fun (this is the same one that Steve has but the preamp section is replaced by a tube!!) If it is not the size, I will be more than happy to bring in the Carver AL-III ribbon speakers. If you need an amp to subsititute the Carver while it is being repaired, I have a couple Adcom GFA-555's not in action. Just let me know.

[Ron Temple]

Hmmm...Adcoms and ALIIIs...now that's tempting. Keep it available. I can help haul if you need a hand.

[Skynut]

I have an extra BBQ and a truck if need be.

I can bring a couple of speakers also if needed>

I also have a couple of power conditioners we can check out if people are interested.

As for anything else I need to see what will be easy enough to bring.

Oh and in case you haven't figured it out I am planning on being there.

[Ron Temple]

I have an extra BBQ and a truck if need be.

I can bring a couple of speakers also if needed>

I also have a couple of power conditioners we can check out if people are interested.

As for anything else I need to see what will be easy enough to bring.

Oh and in case you haven't figured it out I am planning on being there.Great Skynut...

Let's refine a list of what gear you all plan on bringing, so I can get an idea of where and how I can set this up.

Hey Steve, you inbox is full...clear out your PMs. The wife's meeting is cancelled tonight and we will be going out...anytime tomorrow or whenever if fine to call.

RT

[trubluluc]

Ron-

Looks like it's shaping up to be a cool event.
As stated, I can bring a totally decent, stereophile A rated dvd/cd player.
And could bring some speakers if we're in need.

-Luc

[Skynut]

I have a pair of RT55's, RT35I's, an Onkyo M-282 amp, an Outlaw ICBM and several different interconnects that are collecting dust right now.

I can bring these things and if I decide to take my system apart I could bring more.

[Ron Temple]

Shaping up...:)

I think we should make Luc drag his 1.2TLs over here...nah

I spoke with Rita @ CCR (actually called her at Sunfire). They are on hiatus...moving...so I won't have a the ballzy TFM 35 amp for the 2nd system...the Adcom, Onkyo or tube amps will be welcome.

Steve left me with one of his 5 RS amps to play with...

I don't want anyone getting a hernia lugging stuff and we want to have time to check everything out...

Speakers (on the table - add as needed)
RT55
RT35i
M-S 902s
SDA-CRS+
SDA 1Cs
GR Research AV-2
CA ALIIIs

Amps
Luxman M117 (HT rig)
Onkyo M-282
Adcom GFA555
RS Wonder Amp
Fred's tube amp& pre
Audiosource Amp/One (HT rig)
maybe another Luxman amp (don't know the model) 150wX2 will be brought over too

Assorted gear
Luc's DVD/CD
Fred's DACs
Skynut's Outlaw ICBM
Luxman pre

Cable/ICs
I have a couple pairs of Monster that I own and a pair that Steve brought
Steve's Mit/Term. 5 (pair)
Bring whatever...

If Beardog commits, he was talking about bringing some Cary gear.

I haven't done any CP GTGs before, but in the one's I have been involved with this would be a ton of gear to cover...anyone with ideas for a program that's got more experience please PM or call me with suggestions.

[trubluluc]

I'll do it.......if you buy them that is...lol. The second pair that is.

Shaping up...:)

I think we should make Luc drag his 1.2TLs over here...nah

[Ron Temple]

I'll do it.......if you buy them that is...lol. The second pair that is.That's a thought...do you think the wife would notice ? :p .

[trubluluc]

Nah, just make sure there is a brand new little something jewelery like on her dresser and chocolatey on the kitchen table, and you're in.
One looks like the other
SDA speakers only come in one size as far as "most" women are concerned,
TOO BIG.


That's a thought...do you think the wife would notice ? :p .

[Ron Temple]

Nah, just make sure there is a brand new little something jewelery like on her dresser and chocolatey on the kitchen table, and you're in.
One looks like the other
SDA speakers only come in one size as far as "most" women are concerned,
TOO BIG.

Jewelry and chocolate won't work...the only thing that works is a fait accompli, when she goes to Colorado to visit her mom or is gone for a weekend...stuff changes :D. I'm running out of real estate...I've budgeted projects, the bathroom(s)...done...landscaping yards...starts in 2 weeks...re-wire and close off living room into the HT/Music room is next up...after that...course I'll have to re-furnish...man my aching wallet. Monster SDAs?...probably only if they are invisible.:D

[Ron Temple]

2 weeks away...

Potluck BBQ:
Whatever you want to bring, I'll cook or you can if you want.

Chicken and sausages on the house

Beverages: BYOB
Beer and soda will be on the house

Once again...let's finalize the list of attendees
trubluluc
Polk65
Skynut
fredv

are confirmed.

still waiting on...
Danny Tse
ivansfo
beardog03

come on there were some others interested...chime in so I can plan.

Pool will be open, but I have a landscaper(friend) who will be laying sod or pavers (replacing the lawn in back).

Time:
11:00AM - whenever (probably around 5 - 6:00PM...won't be kicking anyone out if you want to stay longer)

Once the list is finalized...I'll PM everyone with my address and contact info...directions if needed.

[fredv]

Woo hoo, it getting close. Some suggestion, once we have the final attendee list, we can coordinate the food and the beverage; otherwise, if we all bring beer and meat, we probably will need another weekend to finish them all :D

[McCelery]

Hi everyone,

I was selling some Monitor 4As to Polk65 (Steve) last night and he offered to bring these RT600is down from San Fran to the gathering if anyone was interested. We looked them over together and agreed that 8/10 was a fair rating, given a few nicks on the base and some superficial marks along the side of one front baffle. Everything about the drivers, driver baffle, and binding posts is perfectly mint. $150 selling price remains. (I know you've probably already seen the thread in FS, but I figured I'd take Steve up on his nice offer!):

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54576

After this, they're going back up on Craigslist :eek:

Thanks,
Andy

[Ron Temple]

Hey Andy,

Why don't you guys come down together?

[McCelery]

I'll be camping that weekend. I only have a few free times to get out of the city and I'm going to take full advantage of them! Thanks, though.

[fredv]

Bump to wake everyone up, it is this Saturday :-)

[Ron Temple]

I've sent PMs to Danny and Bear with no reply...if they chime in they are welcome, but as far as food and drinks go, Fred has the right idea.

It looks like there will be only 4 - 6 of us...a couple of non CPers are at least bringing some gear. So for an entre...chicken, sausage should be enough to feed us.

Could use some;

salad (green or potatoe)
munchies (veggies or chips and dip)
desert (cookies or brownies)

Drinks;
I'll have a 12 pack or beer and soda (ea) in coolers...you serious drinkers bring what you want.

I'll be sending out PMs with my contact information...today.

Ron

If you have something special you want to bring let me know

[fredv]

I will stop by Costco and pick up a couple bags of green's then. So, salad is mine.

[Skynut]

I want to bring Pie.
I am thinking about Apple and Lemon merangue, maybe ice cream for the apple.

I plan to bring a pair of RT55's, RT35I's, an Onkyo M-282 amp, an Outlaw ICBM, a Belkin PureAV PF-60 power conditioner as well as a PSAudio UPC-200 P/C and my Onkyo TXDS-787 processor.

I am looking foreward to meeting everyone who shows up and I hope to learn a thing or two while I am there.

[Ron Temple]

Here's a list of what Fred is bringing...

Cool, here are what I will bring the following for sure:
1. Transcendent Sound Ground Grid tube preamp.
2. TAD-60 tube power amp.
3. Modified Radio Shack Accurian toy amp (this is for Steve to compare to the stock form).
4. Entech DAC.
5. DPA or Adcom DAC
6. One or 2 players to use as transport for the DAC's.
7. Cables to hook the above.

Possible others:
1. Adcom GFA-555 amp(s)
2. Carver AL-III+ speakers
3. Luxman C-05 pure class A pre
4. My home brew ugly duck tube pre
5. Active crossover for any biamp-able speakers such as the Carver.

So with Sky's stuff...we have quite a bit of gear to try.

Speakers are looking like this...
1Cs
CRS+
600i
55i
35i
Mordaunt-Short 902
GR Research AV-2
maybe the CAs...I might be able swing by on Friday to help you load them Fred.

Skynut...I'll be interested to get your impressions between your Ultra/2 vs the 2 Plus subs I'm running.

Looking forward to seeing everyone...

RT

[F1nut]

Did someone say, Pie? :D

I'm pretty sure Bear's computer is still out of action. He's remodeling his office.

[Skynut]

I will be glad to listen, maybe someone can show me how to set my sub up for my room, I have never calibrated my sub.

[Skynut]

I said pie. :D

[Ron Temple]

I will be glad to listen, maybe someone can show me how to set my sub up for my room, I have never calibrated my sub.It's no trick to do a rough cut calibration on a sub with an SPL meter. The tricky part comes with flattening out your FR due to room cancellation/placement issues. Those big suckers kind of limit you on placement options. I had mine pretty flat before I put the HK back in the system, but I can tell I need to work on it again...sounds great, but my ears tell me I'm hot, the meter says I'm not.

Anyway, I'll be glad to help sort it out.

[Skynut]

Sweet, I think it needs help.
Sounds real good but it could sound better, i think.

[fredv]

Let see whether my brother will be free to help me to load the Carver in the next couple evening. I will report later.

[Skynut]

I could possibly swing by and help if need be.

[fredv]

I could possibly swing by and help if need be.
Great, that will work, too. I will PM you my addy if I need help to load the Carver.

[Skynut]

Fine with me, I will be in my truck so I can haul it also if you want.

In fact we could probably ride together but I don't know how late I am staying.

How close to 680 are you?

Shoot me the addy so I can map quest it.

[fredv]

I am on the 880 side, so it will be a good 10-15 miles west of 680. My brother confirmed to me that he would come over on Friday night. So, the Carver will show.

[Skynut]

Sweet.

[Polk65]

McCelery's RT600i's (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54576) are in very good condition. If anyone is interested speak up before Friday night so I can pick them up.

I'll bring a soundcraftsmen pre, rotel amp, a funky DVD/CD, two pairs of 12' speaker cables, and 'interesting' speakers for the pool rig. Fred, kidnap your brother and bring the spare GFA-555's.

Eats: local hand made prosciutto tortellini, sourdough bread, salami, salmon and red wine. Skynut, bring your extra Weber and I'll pack a 20lb bag of lazzari mesquite.

Anyone 60 miles north or south need a ride?

[Skynut]

I can bring a webber, anything else?

edit for disclaimer: if I don't forget.

[Polk65]

Bring whatever you said on page 1 + some PIE. :)

[Skynut]

I'll be camping that weekend. I only have a few free times to get out of the city and I'm going to take full advantage of them! Thanks, though.


Where are you going camping?

[F1nut]

Yummmmmmy......PIE

[fredv]

Yummmmmmy......PIE
:confused: This is principal polky is more interested in the Pie than the Polk :rolleyes:

[F1nut]

You're damn right I'm interested in the pie. In fact, I'll be in your neighborhood soon, so who has the best pie?

[Ron Temple]

Steve,

If you have some Monitors laying around you're looking to sell bring them down. I'm not going to be able to live with the Mordaunts as surrounds anymore after using the CRS+s. I'm totally spoiled...

As far as the 600is...I have no space for more floorstanders...like to hear them though...just don't make a special trip unless someone can take them.

[Skynut]

You're damn right I'm interested in the pie. In fact, I'll be in your neighborhood at the end of the month, so who has the best pie?

Nations or Marie Callendars

[fredv]

Fred, kidnap your brother and bring the spare GFA-555's.

I just pulled the pair out for action :-)

[Polk65]

F1 prefers to bypass the Polk and jump to the PIE. Ron, I have something up my sleeve and sorry to hear your Mordaunt's are coming up short.

[Ron Temple]

sorry to hear your Mordaunt's are coming up short. :D...you mean coming up -Short.

They are fine for a bedroom or office system and are better than what I had before...just don't have the dreamy midrange of a timbre matched MCH setup...quite a difference in presentation...you'll see.

[F1nut]

Nations or Marie Callendars

Thanks, I'll check'em out.

Too bad you guys aren't having this GTG a little later, I'd have liked to join in the fun.

[Skynut]

Give us the date and maybe we can have two?

[Ron Temple]

F1...dates please...love to meet up.

[fredv]

Ditto to the last 2 replies. I will treat you enough pie that you don't want to hear PIE for 3 months :-)

[Skynut]

Yes, if you are in my area I will try to get you some pie also.

I think we can make you sick of pie in Cali.

[F1nut]

The schedule is pretty tight during the day, but perhaps something one evening. I'm hanging with Beardog in San Jose and staying in Fremont. Somebody PM me a phone number.

Looking forward to some PIE :)

[fredv]

Will PM you my phone number.

[Skynut]

PM sent

[Ron Temple]

looking forward to meeting everyone...see you tomorrow.

[Skynut]

I am running late, probably see you around 12:30

[fredv]

Thank you for your hospitality, Ron.
You HT set up really rocks. My chest was pounded so badly that I may need to see a cardiologist!! Steve, Sky, it was a great pleasure to meet and chat with you 2 great guys. It was a really fun meeting. Not only that we spent time on music and movies, we also talked with our mouth full :D One more time, thank you for organizing the gathering. It was superb!!

[Lasareath]

We need Pictures!!!!

[Ron Temple]

I've got a few I'll post later...after I tried to take one of myself the camera froze...:eek: .

I had a great time...only 3 Polkies and a wannabe made it, since Luc had a family trajedy...hope everything works out..., but you've got to love the dedication of Fred, Sky and Steve...they loaded and I mean loaded up their vehicles with more stuff than we could cover. Fred played EE like a mad scientist. If you followed the list of stuff, here's what we had.

Sources:
DVD player
Denon player
Pioneer Laserdisk

Dacs:
3 of them...Entech and I can't recall the other 2

Pres: (all Fred's)
Adcom
A tube pre (can't recall the brand)
A Fred special tube pre

Amps:
Carver TFM35 (worked like a charm)
2 Adcom GFA555s (only used one)
Onkyo Mxxx
modded Fred special RS amp
very heavy and nice tube amp

Speakers:
RT35i
RT55i
CS400( I wanted to try this in my HT, just too big to mess with now on my rack...might fit, might not
GR Reseach AV-2
SDA-CRS+
RTA 8
CA AL-III
Sky's special Rock speakers

All run through 2 power conditioners. That was the listening room. In the HT room, it was my normal rig with the M-S902s in surround duty.

We had enough food for 12, so the 4 of us only ate half and took some home. Steve brought and cooked some excellent wild salmon on a plank, Fred brought about 10 bags of salad :D and Sky brought...ummm PIE (Bonnie's not happy about you leaving that cuz she'll now have to eat it). It would have been great to have a few more hungry Polkies over, but I think we all had a great time.

Due to all the gear, we didn't spend much time with any one combo, but due to Fred's and Sky's source contributions, the front end would make any speaker sound great, and frankly, until we got to the tube amp, it was tough to quantify the differences with each amp swapout, Carver to Adcom to Onkyo...then tube. The speakers all impressed me starting with the 35is. First time I've had a chance to listen to the older RT series...wow these guys really put out the bass for a midsized book...extremely clean and satisfying. Also, I was very impressed with the RTA8s...great with jazz and female vocals, well balanced, pinpoint imaging and deep though not especially wide soundstage. I understand why Cathy loves them. We put them up after the CRS+ and though they are different, it's a pick'em on which is superior. The CAs are amazing, especially on tubes. I'd like to have some more time with them...we were winding down.

There was still gear I haven't mentioned that didn't get in. I apologize if anyone wanted to hear something, but we didn't get to it. That's Fred's fault ;) .

Pics to follow...

[Skynut]

I would like to thank Ron for being host, I had a fun time.
Fred and Steve it was nice to meet you both also.

It was fun to see and hear all the different speakers and gear.
I think the Carver Amazings may have ruined me, I think I may need to get a pair of those.

After I unloaded my truck I put my RT35i's to work in the garage with a Pioneer amp and they sound great. It's funny I didn't do that before.

The B.B.Q. was great, I loved the chicken and salmon, good salad too.

I had a good time and made it home before 11pm not bad.

Thanks everyone for the gear and food they brought.
It was a lot of fun to just hang out and switch up gear.

[Ron Temple]

Here are some really bad pics...forgive me guys...someone else should have taken pictures.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/RonTemple/Mordaunts012-1.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/RonTemple/Mordaunts013.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/RonTemple/Mordaunts014.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/RonTemple/Mordaunts016.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/RonTemple/Mordaunts017.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/RonTemple/Mordaunts018.jpg

Really awful pics...though Steve's wasn't too bad.

RT

[F1nut]

I know Steve, so who else is whom?

[fredv]

Me and Sky are in the same picture, I am on the right of the picture. The single frozen smile pic is Ron :-)

[Ron Temple]

I was going to say the blurry guys were S & F, the good looking guy was Steve and the wasted looking guy was a guest, but Fred ratted me out...A***ole...:p

[F1nut]

Cool, always nice to put a face to the name.

[RuSsMaN]

There's a motley crew if I ever saw one.

[Skynut]

This was so much fun.

I really think I am going to look for a good deal on Carver Amazings for my main system, they look as good as they sound.

I am glad I went, I learned a few things and got to hear real equipment in a real setting as opposed to in a store.

If any of you ever get a chance to do this you should go, it was just plain fun.

[Ron Temple]

Sky,

You should do an in depth review of the famous "Rock" speakers...

[Skynut]

They rock, what more could be said.

They were real impressive until we realized you still had the sub running. :D

They are basically rock shaped speakers for the yard, built out of some type of resin they are supposed to be weather resistant.
Built by KLH they sounded ok for yard speakers, I will be putting them by the pool once I figure out how they will be powered.
I think they were under $100.00 at Costco with around 100ft of speaker cable, probably around 16 guage.
They will blend in real nice with my landscaping someday.

[Polk65]

Thanks to all of you for making this a fun gathering. Fred & Sky, it was nice finally meeting you. Ron what can I say, you need a shave. The true star of this event was Bonnie for putting up with us and in the end she got some PIE! This was a great mixture of people and gear. The food was plentiful and I'm sorry for how the salmon turned out. 20-25 minutes is all it should have been on those planks but they got double that and came out with a smoked flavor. What else can you say about folks that will load up their cars with gear, speakers and a full size weber grill? :eek:

Memorable quote of the day "the landscaper can't hear the music, he asked to turn it up".

Most memorable quote of the day "I don't know about you guys but I'm sweating like a pig. I'm going for a swim".

[Fireman32]

Glad to see that it was a good time had by all. Makes me wish PF was here already.

[reeltrouble1]

The pics were a little better when I removed my glasses, my out of focus eyes with the out of focus pics are a match................

Cool Beans on the Gathering, getting to together makes this place the Polk Nation, now You'all come down Georgia,,,,,,ya hear.....

yee haw..........

RT1

[Ron Temple]

While I would have liked to have some more attendance...just the 4 or 5 of us really made it easier to get to know one another, bullshit and have some fun. I'm sure the other PFs and GTGs will be just as rewarding.

Things we've learned...

Sky's got big rocks...
Fred's afraid of his wife...
Steve needs a wife...
I need a shave...

:p

[fredv]

Next time when we meet, we will certainly review our digital cameras as well;)

[Ron Temple]

Next time when we meet, we will certainly review our digital cameras as well;)Ya think??? I could claim inherent gear flaws, but it's probably operator error.