Autumn Shows - 2010

UK National Audio Show, Whittlebury Hall, Sept 25th/26th Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, Denver Co, Oct 15th/16th/17th The Autumn/Fall show season is upon us, heralded by the well-established twin pillars of the UK show and RMAF. As usual, we will be attending both events, and as befits their enthusiast, two-channel nature we�ll be running active demonstrations aimed at helping you to get the best out of the system you already have. In addition we�ll be addressing the issue of integrating computer audio sources into your system without messing up the performance you�ve just worked so hard to get. Each new source brings its own set of issues when it comes to optimization; some of those issues are familiar, and some are not. But it�s no surprise to discover that the performance of hard-disc based systems is just as susceptible to careless (or careful) set-up as the rest of the reproduction chain. Knowledge Alliance Measurement Initiative Last year, the UK and RMAF shows saw the first public presentations of a new, measurement based approach to the performance of audio systems. A three-way, co-operative venture between defence contractor Acuity and audio companies Nordost and Vertex AQ, this initiative broke new ground, both in terms of its shared approach to the problem and also the results it generated. Applying sophisticated signal analysis algorithms in a conceptually simple sum and difference approach allowed us to show the impact of changes in the replay system on actual musical program material (as opposed to test tones). Perhaps most interesting of all, was the close correlation between changes in measured performance and the audible effects observed. Now, a year on, we have been able to both verify and refine the approach, while also extending the testing protocol to embrace a complete system (as opposed to CD players alone). Changes in the algorithms employed and a revised approach to error assessment have increased the accuracy and consistency of results, while adding extra elements to the system under test has further underlined the importance of the differences being revealed. But perhaps most interesting and exciting of all is the way in which this has revealed the likely future path for this research, its emergence as a product lodged well and truly in the public as opposed to the solely product development domain. We will be presenting these latest developments at special sessions in the Hockenheim room at Whittlebury Hall (5PM on Saturday the 25th and 10.30AM on Sunday the 26th) and the Humbolt Peak room at RMAF (9.30AM and 5.30PM, Saturday 16th and 9.30AM on Sunday the 17th). Seating will be limited so you are advised to get there early. Stop Press: New Dublin Show Announced Cloney Audio, long-time organizers of the justifiably legendary Dublin shows of yore have announced a new event to add to the calendar. Called Sound and Vision 2010 Home Entertainment Show, it will be held at Bewley�s Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 on Saturday and Sunday 13th and 14th November, 10am � 6pm. Admission is free and there�s ample parking available. So far, exhibitors include: Nordost, ClearAudio, Bowers and Wilkins, Elac, Sonus, Cyrus, Arcam, Primare, System Audio, Meridian and Panasonic. For further information, contact Cloney Audio (www.cloneyaudio.com).