Sydney Audio Club Meeting - March 2022
'Home Grown' event and Reavon SACD Player introduction
March Meeting Report:
So...what's a Grover Notting ?
Grover Notting is the name of a series of speakers manufactured by Classic Audio Designs of Melbourne, Australia. The brand is aimed squarely at professional users, and consists of three product lines - the Cross Reference Series, the Universal Series, and the Mastering Series.
The Grover Notting approach to design is The Audio Information Band© "where most audio information and detail resides". (See - https://www.classicaudiodesigns.com.au/audio-information-band.php)
The Code 5 is the largest of the Universal Series, and is described as a "midfield" monitor with the optimum listening distance being 1.5 ~ 2 metres. The speakers are intended to be used with GN's Universal Series Power Plant and GN speaker cables.
The Drawmer DAC Pre was used between our Reavon universal player, and the GN USPP amplifier.
Initial setup involved left/right/phase/pink noise test signals and gave clearly defined results, particularly the in-phase/out-of-phase test - lesser speakers often give "sort of" results.
Next the "audio obstacle course".
First up the keyboard 'stall' in "Axel F" - subdued but audible, and better still distinct from the bass and bass drum, as opposed to the more common LF glutinous blob.
Next Kerrie Biddell's vocal materialised in front of Julian Lee's piano, against a vast spacious background.
The string quartet (unnamed) was sparkling crystal, this particular track can sound like 'fingernails on a blackboard' elsewhere.
Lastly, the Gashammer snare cut through the mix like gunshots, with Julian's bass like rolling thunderclaps underneath.
Members Music session - if "you can't handle the truth" these speakers are not for you. No false glossy sheen over the treble, no 'warm and fuzzy' bass. Some poor recording decisions were laid bare. (No names)
Favourite Tracks:
Ry Cooder - Nobody
Alexis Korner - 16 Tons
Booker T & The MGs - Soul Limbo
“The Great Gate of Kiev" from Pictures at an Exhibition (for Ukraine)
Much appreciation to Frank Hinton of Classic Audio Designs for making the speakers and amplifier available. A very enjoyable meeting.
----------------------------
Meeting Overview
Sunday 13th March was our first post COVID meeting at Dence Park in Epping for 2022.
Paul Bryant brought along his Grover Notting speakers and amplifier and we listened to the club’s brand new Reavon UBR-X200 UHD Universal Blu-Ray Player for the first time - purchased with the generous support of Len Wallis. This player has filled the niche that had previously been occupied by the Oppo players, and Len Wallis has been a stalwart and longstanding supporter of our club endeavours since our inception.
It was really great to re-connect with so many friends we had not seen in many months.
Reavon UBR-X200 UHD Universal Blu-Ray Player
https://reavon.com/bluray-player-ubr-x200/
Grover Notting USPP Universal Series Amplifier:
https://www.classicaudiodesigns.com.au/tech-principal-audio.php#universal-series
Grover Notting Code 5 speakers:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/40019774/grover-notting-code-5-brochure-att-audio-controls
Drawmer HQ - Precision Pre-Amp / DAC:
https://drawmer.com/products/archive/archive.php?sort=series&series=archive
Cables: Sony Pro AES cables and Canare balanced XLR.
The second half of the meeting was our popular BYO music session, where Members and guests are invited to offer music to share with us all.
The original March meeting invite and COVID restrictions are available here.
So...what's a Grover Notting ?
Grover Notting is the name of a series of speakers manufactured by Classic Audio Designs of Melbourne, Australia. The brand is aimed squarely at professional users, and consists of three product lines - the Cross Reference Series, the Universal Series, and the Mastering Series.
The Grover Notting approach to design is The Audio Information Band© "where most audio information and detail resides". (See - https://www.classicaudiodesigns.com.au/audio-information-band.php)
The Code 5 is the largest of the Universal Series, and is described as a "midfield" monitor with the optimum listening distance being 1.5 ~ 2 metres. The speakers are intended to be used with GN's Universal Series Power Plant and GN speaker cables.
The Drawmer DAC Pre was used between our Reavon universal player, and the GN USPP amplifier.
Initial setup involved left/right/phase/pink noise test signals and gave clearly defined results, particularly the in-phase/out-of-phase test - lesser speakers often give "sort of" results.
Next the "audio obstacle course".
First up the keyboard 'stall' in "Axel F" - subdued but audible, and better still distinct from the bass and bass drum, as opposed to the more common LF glutinous blob.
Next Kerrie Biddell's vocal materialised in front of Julian Lee's piano, against a vast spacious background.
The string quartet (unnamed) was sparkling crystal, this particular track can sound like 'fingernails on a blackboard' elsewhere.
Lastly, the Gashammer snare cut through the mix like gunshots, with Julian's bass like rolling thunderclaps underneath.
Members Music session - if "you can't handle the truth" these speakers are not for you. No false glossy sheen over the treble, no 'warm and fuzzy' bass. Some poor recording decisions were laid bare. (No names)
Favourite Tracks:
Ry Cooder - Nobody
Alexis Korner - 16 Tons
Booker T & The MGs - Soul Limbo
“The Great Gate of Kiev" from Pictures at an Exhibition (for Ukraine)
Much appreciation to Frank Hinton of Classic Audio Designs for making the speakers and amplifier available. A very enjoyable meeting.
----------------------------
Meeting Overview
Sunday 13th March was our first post COVID meeting at Dence Park in Epping for 2022.
Paul Bryant brought along his Grover Notting speakers and amplifier and we listened to the club’s brand new Reavon UBR-X200 UHD Universal Blu-Ray Player for the first time - purchased with the generous support of Len Wallis. This player has filled the niche that had previously been occupied by the Oppo players, and Len Wallis has been a stalwart and longstanding supporter of our club endeavours since our inception.
It was really great to re-connect with so many friends we had not seen in many months.
Reavon UBR-X200 UHD Universal Blu-Ray Player
https://reavon.com/bluray-player-ubr-x200/
Grover Notting USPP Universal Series Amplifier:
https://www.classicaudiodesigns.com.au/tech-principal-audio.php#universal-series
Grover Notting Code 5 speakers:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/40019774/grover-notting-code-5-brochure-att-audio-controls
Drawmer HQ - Precision Pre-Amp / DAC:
https://drawmer.com/products/archive/archive.php?sort=series&series=archive
Cables: Sony Pro AES cables and Canare balanced XLR.
The second half of the meeting was our popular BYO music session, where Members and guests are invited to offer music to share with us all.
The original March meeting invite and COVID restrictions are available here.