Newsletter of the Chicago Audio Society April 2000

John, a new member and contributor to one of the online publications, will demonstrate the model SL3 speakers which use a ribbon driver and traditional moving coil woofer, which, if memory serves, sell for $2195 a pair. Come check them out! Information on the speakers can also be found online at their web site at www.soundlineaudio.com. We'll have literature on the speakers. Please bring music to play, and bring a friend.

Larry Hitch of Madisound brought three smaller two-way d'Appolito style (MTM) speakers (built from kits) to demonstrate: the SEAS Odin, the Dynaudio Gemini, and the Scanspeak Soloist. John Stone , North American operations rep from SEAS. The speakers sell in the range of just under $1000 to $1150 a pair. As one might expect, not everyone could agree on what they preferred. The SEAS and Dynaudio speakers were generally preferred by most. An in home trial using one's own equipment is probably in order to arrive at a more meaningful conclusion. Some thought the Scanspeak design sounded slightly boxy by comparison, which does not necessarily reflect the quality of drivers used. The SEAS seemed to exhibit more sparkle and dynamics to the sound, at least to this casual listener. Whether that would hold true in extended listening, or if in fact it may be slightly fatiguing, is uncertain. Nonetheless, we surely had a great time, for which we thank Larry and John. In fact, thanks to Larry having an amplifier to substitute for some problematic gear we had, everything went smoothly. You might even say without a hitch (sorry, couldn't resist). Thanks to others who brought equipment to use.

May 21st - Paul McGowan - PS Audio. A very well known figure in the high end audio industry for good reason, Paul will tell about his company's Power Plant products and so forth.

You probably think you've heard it all. Not till you've tried freezing your gear! Cryogenic treatment, using liquid nitrogen to slowly cool wires, CDs, and even entire assembled components including capacitors and tubes down to -320 degrees F, can reveal things you may not have imagined possible. We mean that in the musical, satisfying sense. Greater detail and focus, more air around instruments, smoother highs, and so on.

The topic has been discussed and tried for years, and in fact we've heard several high end audio manufacturers (especially of expensive cable) use this and other secrets to get the most out of their products.

Gregg Straley and Rich Sacks have had some items frozen, even one of Rich's moving coil phono cartridges. We're hearing that they're hearing a lot more music come through. There are some cautions, such as the liquid nitrogen must not be allowed to come in direct contact with the items being treated. We'll be writing more on the topic soon. Ask at this month's meeting for details.

President Vice President Treasurer Secretary

Brian Walsh Rich Sacks Dennis Anderson Bill Sweet

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