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It is strange that they would spend the money to attend the show and then not dem the equipment. It is even stranger that they did not recognize you.
AT the other end of the large room were the smaller Vapor Nimbus speakers ($8695/pair), driven by Arte Forma tube amplification from Taiwan with a front end featuring the excellent Empirical Audio digital components, including the Overdrive SE DAC ($5999) and the Off-Ramp 5 HDMI USB converter (from $12999 depending on options). But this system was quiet.
We at Stereophile do not customarily blare trumpets, flash our name cards, or otherwise make a big deal of our presence. I wasn't there, but it's quite possible that the folks in the room had no idea that John had entered. Nor was John about to remind them that they're to put on a show. [See http://www.stereophile.com/content/theres-no-business-without-show-business]. Frankly, in the fiasco I described here - http://www.stereophile.com/content/vandersteen-x-2 - I doubt the man in charge had any idea that I was blogging for Stereophile. At show's end, I encountered several exhibitors who stated no one had visited their rooms, because Stephen's entries are so unobtrusive.
Having said that, it's true that lots of people recognize us and single us out by name when we enter. Most embarrassing is when they shoo attendees out of the sweet spot so we can sit there, and then lock the door behind us to prevent anyone else from entering.
Whether or not I am recognized or identified, I do sometimes ask if the door can be closed so that I don't have to struggle to hear musical nuances over the insistent beat and blare from the room across the hall, but I never want to keep people out. Similarly, when I take photos, I do my best to stand on the side so that no one else's listening is disrupted. Can I tell you how many times I've been setting up for a photo when some blogger or reporter for another publication strides in with a camera whose lens length is reminiscent of an elephant in heat, walks right in front of me, and snaps away directly in front of a loudspeaker while I and everyone else in the room waits in frustrated silence for his departure?
Wow, big missed opportunity.
They should have used proven American made electronics for their demo and an analog source for folks like MF.
Poor planning and management.
Unaware? You did give them Best of Show at Newport Beach didn't you John?
I was really hoping to hear you comments on their new Nimbus White.
John A: sorry to hear Vapor was unable to "play [you] music". They are, of course, at the show to be heard, and missed an opportunity for that. I'm not clear on whether there was music playing at all or if there was specific music you wanted to hear? Did you at least ask someone who appeared to be in charge for information or to "play music"?
My experience at shows is that some vendors may not be the best show marketers but have equipment worth some patience to hear. If I really want to know or hear something from a vendor I ask. Now if there was no one to ask or even "in charge", that is not a good sign.
Jason S:I'm not sure what your point is. You say you and John are "unobtrusive". Do you not expect to be treated differently if you are, perhaps, "recognized"? Most show vendors are there to help sell their product. If the vendor believes you can help to do that (or buy something yourself) it in their interest to treat you differently. Vendors have only so much time and energy and have to concentrate on what will advance their objectives. If you are "recognized" as someone who might advance their objectives, why be "embarrassed"? Just ask to be treated like the lesser mortals.
It is odd... since... many other reviewers at the show... found the Nimbus... to have the best sound of the show, shared with 3 or 4 other set ups, which also go unmentioned by Stereophile.
[flame deleted by John Atkinson]
Hi
Will there be any future reviews based on these two different speakers? Has anyone heard them against more expensive speakers, such as Magico, Yg, Wilson Watt Sasha or other brands? If anyone has, pls share some info/impressions