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Topic: Friday Night Happy Hour

Time: Fridays at 07:00 PM -8pm

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Marquee: So, in simple terms what is the Sonoma System?
Skinas: It’s a computer that sounds like an analog tape recorder. It uses a completely new one-bit sigma delta technology for recording music in a computer— different than PCM — that has the character of what analog tape sounds like. I’m convinced that digital music has distortions in the spatial time domain. This fixes that. It may not be something you can easily measure, but it’s something that the brain says, “This isn’t quite right.”

Marquee: You’re convinced, but the industry really isn’t yet, right?
Skinas: Yes. And that’s the big worry. That if I don’t pull this off, we’re going to go backwards, or go to the status quo and instead of quality getting better and better it’s going to get worse. The problem is that I don’t think that quality is an issue to record company management, except for the labels that make a living on it, like Telarc. The big labels make more money from ringtones and Guitar Hero than they do with pressed discs. This technology is a golden opportunity to actually make some money with something of better quality. It’s not a matter of business for me, it’s a matter of losing an opportunity to do it the right way and fix what we broke.

Topic: Gus Skinas - Recording & Mastering Engineer - Sonoma True DSD Systems
Time: Jun 24, 2020 07:00 PM Arizona

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkVgLmy-GhI

Pretty well done in terms of the room choices. 

Thanks to the guys who filmed it at Enjoy the Music.

Black Ice Audio is the new name for Jolida. With final assembly performed
in the US and critical parts like transformers sourced from Germany. Tube
manufacturer, Black Ice Audio, formerly Jolida, has garnered an enviable
reputation for high-performance products at real-world prices.
The new Black Ice products are designed by industry legend Jim Fosgate and
take the new lines performance to a new level. They can now play with the
big boys. These new products are not almost as good as products selling for
2-3 times their price.

JansZen Loudspeaker, Ltd. was founded in 2005 by David A. Janszen, Arthur's elder son. An electrostatic loudspeaker company with a Janszen doing the engineering is bound to advance the art, which we have done. JansZen has restored the family charter of making the best sound reproducers of our time, and David stakes his family name on that.Zoom info below:

Topic: David Janszen

Time: Jun 6, 2020 03:00 PM Arizona

In 1974, Paul met Dr. Floyd Toole, a world renowned psychoacoustician at the NRC, who conducted numerous studies to understand how sounds were interpreted by the human sense of hearing at both the psychological and physiological levels. To Paul, who had devoted much of his childhood to become an accomplished violinist, it was a “Eureka” moment. He had long puzzled over how to consistently reproduce on a set of speakers the unique timbres of different violins exactly as they would sound to him when he played them.

opic: Paul Barton (the P in PSB) Speakers, His Wife the S - Canadian Speaker Legend

PSB Zoom Interview Link:

https://youtu.be/JKsXt8NuA_Y

Time: May 27, 2020 07:00 PM Arizona

 “I now know that there are many paths to great enjoyment, but still the simplicity of a passive output filter to convert digital to analog was and is very appealing. I started out designing a DSD DAC and since I’m a software guy using an FPGA was a natural way to avoid repeated board turns.  After I had an FPGA on board I threw on PCM inputs almost as an afterthought and assumed I could then code the conversion of PCM to DSD.” Ted Smith

Recorded Interview:

Part One : 

https://youtu.be/jrk9gk3Ylsw

Part Two :

 https://youtu.be/6n8Vo8UlOFw

TAS - March 2020 - Sanders Magtech Editor's Choice Award

Roger Sanders built and patented  the original curved front electrostatic panel design  (1979) which are still in use by Martin Logan and others.

Roger Sanders eschewed this design in favor of his current flat panel presentation.

Listen to Roger explain why he designs as he does. As an electrical engineer he can and will

explain his positions.

http://sanderssoundsystems.com/technical-white-papers

Darren Myers is a Development Engineer at PS Audio. He started his career designing products for Bowers & Wilkins and Classé Audio. His favorite activities include listening to music, attending concerts, DIY audio, and hiking. He lives in the Boulder area with his wife Amanda and his dog Bode.

For those unaware of Darren's work, he has designed the following components:

-S300 Stereo Amplifier

-M700 Monoblocks

-M1200 Monoblocks

-Stellar Phono Preamp

Zoom Session Links:

 

Part 1

https://youtu.be/4RSIjDwzyKc
Part 2

https://youtu.be/MDlYWrYzAYU
Extra
https://youtu.be/G6Dk-LiXgZQ

Jason Stoddard; Co-founder of Schiit Audio (Thurs. 4/23 @ 7:00pm)

Schiit got started in 2010 when two audio industry veterans decided it was time to shake things up a bit. The two audiophiles are Jason Stoddard, formerly of Sumo, and Mike Moffat, formerly of Theta. Together, they have designed dozens of audio and A/V products, from the Andromeda III to the Cobalt 307 to the DS Pre and Angstrom 200.

1. How did you come to be attracted to the audio world?

Mother enjoyed music. Experimented in his youth by building his own diy gear. 

1st pair of speakers were of cardboard enclosures.

 At UC Davis, had a circle of friends with higher quality equipment than his. This got the ball rolling. Roomed with 3 other guys and they were able to combine all four sets to play as one. 

2. What do you see as Audio's biggest achievement in the past 40 years?

Overall he felt it had to be the introduction of the CD. 

3. Where do you believe the biggest need exists for improvement in the HiFi world?i.e. Recommend a goal that would most please you.

Not able to answer. He did state that he is pleased with the trend by speaker manufacturers toward building more efficient speakers. 

4. How would you describe why listening to music is important in your life?
    Not asked

5. Tell us about the "Best System you ever heard"?

     Has heard several"Great Systems" but not side by side.

6. When you had built a new product to be included in your company's line,did you make all the voicing decisions or was it done more by committee?

   He gives lots of weight to other listener's opinions.Former partner now deceased, Joe Sammut had a great ear

and taught listening skills to other employees. They employ about 3 matched speakers in different locations so comparisons on any new products

are accurate. 

6. A. Can you recall the funniest incident situation you have been a part of in this business? 

   Not asked although he did relate other funny tidbits

7. Who in this industry do you most admire, living or not?

   Not inclined to answer this one as well. Practical fellow he is.

8. What accomplishment are you most proud of in the audio industry?

  Matching components to their best use.

9. What do you think is this industry's biggest "Dirty Little Secret"?i.e. What bothers you about the practice , direction or ? of the industry? 

   Not asked

10. What do you perceive as the greatest challenge facing the audio world today?
He did discuss the trend toward higher efficiency in speakers which, in turn, makes building better amps easier (lower power easier than higher power). Along with that, he talked about lower power amps requiring less/fewer feedback loops, which reinforces his tendency toward simplicity in design.

11. Have you spent any time studying the human ear and its functionality in order to assist   you in your audio work?

  Yes he has. Read Dr. Diana Deutch - primarily known for the illusions of music and speech that  she discovered.  Knows Dr. Steven Dear. Studied relationship between hearing and perception.

12. Talk about the passion you must have to be successful in your field?

  Not asked but touched on in other responses

13. How did your past life experiences prepare you for your current endeavors?

  Not asked

14. What will be the next product you plan to release?

  Asked. Response was a smiling nod toward the opposite end of his desk where a pile of gear lie.    Not sharing at this time. He did explain that some recent successes from First Watt are being incorporated into the Pass line. 

15. Have you ever pursued inquiries with the defense department to see what new technologies they may have developed which bear on the Audio world?

  Not asked

Members:

From Keith McDonald 

1. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the McIntosh “autofomer”? (This circuit supposedly maintains uniform power output into different loads, rather than changing with the load.) Do Pass designs incorporate such a feature, and why or why not?

A challenge to recall with any precision but I recall Nelson saying that when McIntosh changed from tubes to transistors the autoformers were required to make transistor sound more acceptable. They are a circuit that provides consistent power into 4-, 8- and 16 ohm loads, 

but it had its own sonic signature.

 From Peter Eichen  
1. How has your philosophy changed over the years with respect to power amp design/circuit design/parts section?  

Early on they placed a lot of effort on circuit topologies to make improvements and used parts based on reliability,cost and availability. These days there is more emphasis on thecharacteristics of the parts themselves. Now more of the design choices are based on the parts themselves.

We also asked about the XA25 and the INT25 successes and why he felt it was so. He said simplified topography was part of it. I was surprised to learn that these are not his largest 

selling items. That honor goes the First Watt SIT3. Soon to be out of production as Nelson's unobtainiam supply of special parts is about used up for this product. Also one of his parts suppliers had the nerve to close its doors. So the SIT3 may be one to add to your collection 

if you are so inclined.

Mr. Pass shared a funny joke too. I was too busy reading ahead to recall it though. 

A drunk lost his keys...

RJ-The joke was also an anecdote. It goes something like this... “a cop found a drunk stumbling under around under a streetlight and looking at the ground. The cop asked the drunk what he was doing. “Looking for my keys” the drunk replied. “Where do you think they are?” the cop asked. “Oh, they’re up the street, but the light is better here”. The analogy for Nelson is the streetlight is our know tests and measurements and the keys are the reasons we hear what we do. At least, that’s how I interpreted it.

Nelson Pass was very kind and generous to share his evening with us. 

Thank you so much on behalf of the Arizona Audio/Video Club. 

Stay well. 

You are a National Treasure!

January 29th -Wednesday-7pm- Faith Lutheran Church- 801 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix

Produced By Paul Righello -DOOR PRIZE NEW SCHIIT MAGNI HEADPHONE AMP

 Andrew Jones of Elac Sound  Speaks. Andrew Jones has an impressive history in loudspeakers, having served as the chief speaker engineer at KEF, Infinity, Technical Audio Devices Laboratories (TAD), and Pioneer, where he established a reputation for designing budget speakers that sound shockingly good. 

Link to Andrew Jones January 2020 AZAVCLUB Presentation:

 ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYvQjsl_1vc&t=3s

YES

February 26th-Wednesday-5pm-9pm Woolson's Audio, 3202 S. 40th Street, Phoenix

Produced by Joe Goswami 

Vintage Gear- Woolson's Audio. This store is normally only open on Saturdays from 10am-4pm.  Your chance  to explore one of  Arizona Audio's best kept secrets. The store has been more of a private club than a typical retail experience. Larry Woolson and his son AJ present you an exhaustive, lifetime collection of vintage gear. Soon to be the only retailer to accept desirable consignment hifi gear locally. https://www.woolsonaudio.com/

  NOPE-Covid Cancellation Notice

The March Meeting will not be Held. Look for a reschedule notice when available

March 25th-Wednesday- 7pm Faith Lutheran Church- 801 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix

Produced By Bob Olivere

6:30-7:30 pm. Charles Kirmuss, inventor of the world's best vinyl record cleaning system will speak and demonstrate his new product. Tom Rothermel, lifelong Man of Vinyl, will  take the stage  at 7:30 to 8:30  to show how to optimize your  TT  operation & maintain it as it should be. https://www.kirmussaudio.com/

https://www.BIGEARSTEREO.com/

NOPE- Cancelled/Postponed

April 29th- Wednesday-7. Phoenix Burton Barr Main Library.1221 N. Central Ave, Phoenix 

Produced By Curt Dragonavich and Joe Goswami

Working demonstrations of assembled DIY products. Pass Labs Designed Class A kit, monoblock amps,  Class D amp designs @ 200 wpc , Speaker packages including SEAS products,

All those who are interested in owning HiFi for Low $ will  have an opportunity to see it all demystified. 

NOPE-Cancelled/Postponed

May 7th -Thursday 3PM-6PM- Acoustic Designs-16074 N. 78th St, Scottsdale

Produced By Paul Righello
Held at Don Loving's Acoustic Designs in Scottsdale. If you have not had the chance to walk through Don's store you are in for a treat. Esoteric, Sonus Faber, and more top level brands.

There will be several demos of subwoofers in different rooms featuring use for two channel systems and home theater along with single versus multiple subs. JL Audio engineers will give talks on everything subwoofer related. How to integrate them 

into a system, crossover points, etc. 

https://www.adgroupaz.com/products/

NOPE-Cancelled/Postponed

June  27th Saturday-11-3pm -8600 E. Anderson Dr, Scottsdale

Produced By Jeff Kalina along with the entire SC cast.

SPEAKERFEST  II JUNE 30TH SATURDAY 11AM TO 3PM.

Standmount  Speakers  with  Shock and Awe!!

We have set our sights high this year. An Amazing Eight  speakers  

that may completely change your mind about whether size matters!

!!!!! EVENTS  BACK ON !!!!

July 29th Wednesday-7pm

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 803 E. CAMELBACK RD

Member Music. Your chance to find some new music to enjoy courtesy

of other members. Everyone is encouraged to bring one or two selections

they love and want to share with everyone. Always a fun night!

August 26th, Wednesday- 7pm. Location TBD

Can you say headphones? All the latest brands along with the best equipment

to power them. Additionally we will demonstrate how hi-res sound is now as

portable as a device as small as a smart phone and very affordably.

September 30th-Wednesday- 7pm. 15507 N. Scottsdale Rd # 135, Scottsdale

Produced By Peter Eichen

LMC VISIT-Focal, Naim and LMC have teamed up to present all their best products

in a new store next door to LMC. Awesome setup -great job!

Hear the new Wilson Chronograph Speakers at $680k a pair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w5hx_2EndE/

***Cancelled- Look for this is 2021 if Virus conditions allow***

October 28th-Wednesday-7pm. Gilbert, AZ. Steve's Home

Hosted By Steve Bruzonsky

BRUZER CINEMA PRESENTS -A Night at Steve's Home Theatre.

Fellow member and Audio/Video afficiendo Steve Bruzonsky opens his dedicated, 

custom built, audiophile home theatre 18’W X 25’L X 12’H for club members only.  

Steve has just completed a total upgrade to his already fabulous system. SRO.

Details below.

November- Held December 5th-Saturday- 10am-2pm. Location TBD

Produced By Roy Cook

The Annual Swap Meet  and Media Sale  will once again be

held in November as the culmination of our 2020 Season.