I'm not, by nature, a jealous person, but one thing I AM quite envious of are people who live in Brooklyn! I was lucky enough to stay there, on Park Slope, no less, around ten years ago, and I found it the most gorgeous, laid-back and friendly part of New York with so much amazing stuff going on - nothing at all like where I'm currently living. I plan to return to NYC in 2022, and I can't wait to walk down those wonderful tree-lined streets again. Thank you, Steve, for bringing these snippets of Brooklyn life into MY life. I really appreciate them.
IMPORTANT NOTICE! Steve in this kind of videos it would be nice to show some more of the room, not just one angle, a steady video from start to finish Maybe just to see a bookshelf with records or the complete stereo setup in the room would be nice. Also you could introduce us the dogies :) i think many will agree!!
Love someone mentioning the importance of how audio gear looks. As a designer, aesthetic is important and is factored into what I like and want in my system.
Absolutely love the insight about how our appreciation of visual beauty doesn't change over time the way our impression of sound quality does. Never of thought of it that way, but so very true.
Ben’s a cool dude. I like the fact that he started with the speakers based on aesthetics as well as sound and then chose the rest of the system to match the speakers. He obviously researched and carefully considered the rest of the system judging by what he has purchased. Very nice system, loved his dogs.
@@keplermission4947 Hi Kapler, I liked the fact that Ben has taken product design/aesthetics as much into consideration as sound quality in his system. I don’t think for a second that Steve is the arbiter of the best systems out there - nor do I think he has or is the best interviewer either. I'm just happy that someone is getting content out there that I am interested in. I do admire however the fact that your reading body language and psychoanalysing the foreplay and integration between the interviewed and interviewer. I'm too simple to observe such interactions as they are occurring.
Geez . just chatting with an interesting guy about a shared hobby. Not much else to it. I was far from annoyed. Cameras make me nervous. Steve stayed and chatted with me for a good two hours after we shot this about architecture movies and theater design. Zero pretense.
Thanks! Like with everything you take the most prized piece and build to that. I didn’t have a cabinet for my guitars until I finally had a nice one to care for
@@benkrone1130 I like your style. You are correct in saying it takes time to acquire and collect our prized possessions and it is part of our life’s journey that we put on display to admire , celebrate, enjoy and mark the passing of time.
When you have a small budget, you have to spend a lot of money (for your budget) on getting a turntable setup that sounds as good as a cheap CD player/DAC. When you have a bigger budget, you have to spend a lot of money of getting your CD player/DAC to sound as good as an expensive turntable. :D
I'm not partial to the look of the speakers. No criticism. Most attractive speaker I've ever seen...Usher X-708 in dark, gloss wood on a pair of substantial matte black stands. Don't know why i remember that speaker so vividly, but they obviously made quite a statement. Great video...another joyful enthusiast.
They have a particular aesthetic for sure. My issue is the wood used in most speakers is garbage because solid wood moves. I appreciate that they figured out a way to use solid wood pieces in parts that can move without having an effect on the cabinet. Its way more work to do this but I think its important for something that costs so much. Beyond this its just a personal choice but my speakers that I have downstairs are a gigantic piece of black laminate and I hate looking at them.
@@benkrone1130 Erm, aren't most 'box' speakers made from a certain density of MDF for 'structural stability'? I heard many years ago of a Japanese speaker company that experimented with different kinds of solid wood for their speaker cabinets. They found that by using certain kinds (species) of wood, that the speakers could actually be tuned for certain kinds of sound, like a musical instrument. I wonder if they're still in business?
I think they are made from MDF because it’s stable (not strong) If you use ‘live’ wood the joints and connections have to be such that it allows for seasonal moment. I am not an expert on this but it’s the reason most millwork kitchens etc are made from engineered wood and I assume it’s even more critical in these applications
@@benkrone1130 I admire your knowledge base. Combining an architect's skill and artist's vision...how can you lose. I had a Peace Corp buddy who built his abode utilizing a tree trunk as the center post. Strong, beautiful and organic. Your speakers seem to be of the same pedigree. For what it is worth, I really love the look of my PSB T65s in "Cherry." Hopefully, my visual draw to any component won't blind me from recognizing bad sound. Have fun with your system.
The turntable is a Technics SL-1000 Mk2 system. The motor unit is the ubiquitous SP-10Mk2 with SH-10B3 obsidian plinth and EPA-100Mk2 tonearm. The whole system that consists of three components - motor unit, tonearm, plinth - and it's called SL-1000. His tonearm is an upgraded version, hence it is Mark 2.
Beautiful stands. I was looking for a design for speakers as well as other components in my system. Simple, elegant, scalable, affordable, this could very well be it.
Nice to meet Ben. Beautiful looking system. Would be nice to hear you both describe the sound. It is too bad there is no way to capture the magic of these systems in a video.
Nice system and a nice looking apartment. Glad you brought up the subject of tubes versus solid state. My bottom line having both Tubes and JFET equipment in my audio system is that tubes add the essence of live music that makes all the difference in my listening experience
@@keplermission4947 I've had a number of Australian ME (Modular Electronics) which are excellent solid state amps/ pre's which have the nuance of valves/ tubes.
I assume you're only giving your opinion of Australian amps, and have no experience there, just whatever biased information you have read. Duntech speakers, yeah? VAF speakers. Holton amps. I read a quote, "ME amps are not for everyone"". Maybe that's because there would not be enough to 'round. I like mine, regardless. ME amps are able to drive difficult loads due to the "big, ugly" toroidal transformers Should be paired with ME pre-amp too, due to their low output impedance and the amps low input impedance, fwiw.
Awesome video. To see nice and varied equipment is always great. Hearing his journey is a welcome potion of the video. Can’t wait to see how he progresses in this space.
Thank you! Yes varied gear. Building a stereo is like building anything else. You take the flavors of what you like and see what happens when you put them together.
Great video Steve. I am so happy to see things returning to normal again where it allows you to do these interviews. Tubes and horns are some of my favorites.
Thank you! The NY Times did a piece on our house after my wife and I saved it from post hurricane sandy wreckage. www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2014/10/09/greathomesanddestinations/renovating-a-home-in-a-flood-zone-without-drowning-in-debt.amp.html Also some newer images here www.gradientarch.com along with some of the other houses I have done
I bet that sounds wonderful! Just saw a video that let me hear how awesome DeVille speakers can sound. And I did not even have to use a Bluetooth speaker, listening to it on my phone I could hear how exceptional it must be live. I wish more audio samples were available a cartridges, turntables, speakers and such. You can definitely hear a sound difference if it is significant enough to matter. A video of a vinyl album being played with a nice cartridge is what started me down the turntable/vinyl rabbit hole. Soon as the album started playing I could hear in extreme difference in the sound quality of the vinyl being played versus all the other videos I had been listening. Wish I could afford a a set of deville speakers and a delivery system like this one!
yea I am pushing my luck with the equipment. When I can move onto a bigger place ill get a dedicated space for this. As long as I am sharing with my family I have to make due without treatment. I do have homosote in in the walls but the surface behind Steve is an open stair case with exposed masonry.
Nice to see at least a passing floating mention of Bill Thalmann. Great guy. Was integral to bringing Conrad-Johnson to its so-well-regarded status. I've had him do all the update/upgrade/repair work to my C-J gear. Top-notch character, top-notch talent.
Interesting group of equipment, which Ben totally enjoys and is proud of....Out of my price range for sure, but it is so interesting to see the choices he is making...Other than the turntable, all the components are out of my sphere of awareness...so it's fun to learn. I can certainly identify with splurging on one particular upgrade and then having to raise the bar in other areas to "be worthy" of the new item. 😎 ....Oh...the rabbit holes!!! 🕳🐇 Thanks for the glimpse, Steve! You guys LOVE your horns!! (WOW! Some of the comments below are"bizarre"! Get a grip people.)
Its always a problem. For 10 years I had the most bare bones system with maybe one nice piece of equipment. I mostly buy my stuff used that retains its value and can be turned around for close to what I paid for it. Its a good point though. I feel very lucky to be in a position with some income to be able to put towards my hobbies. It was not this way up until a year or two ago.
Perhaps my aesthetic tastes haven't refined enough yet,... just sayin'. That said, I dig the technical approach of waveguided high sensitivity design. Enjoyable interview. This style in someone's room is great.
Great video Steve. Beautiful system put together with intelligence and a good eye. Of course aesthetics play a part. If somebody doesn’t have a dedicated listening room, or a big dedicated closet for their gear I think it’s important to consider the lifestyle elements and yet never compromise on sound quality. And that can be a challenge. This is a very nice rig but I’m a little biased, I also have LTA, Technics, and Horns in my systems.
thanks! That jazzmaster was a basement find via a friend nearly untouched. The tonearm was a product of an error I made when I got the TT the tonearm it had on it was very low compliance and did not support the MM cart. Panicked and got that tonearm from japan but Im glad I did.
Fancy system! This is the second NY audiophiles system you've featured with these OMA Fleetwood speakers. We didn't see where the other speaker is positioned, but the toe in looks pretty extreme perhaps suggesting they may be very widely spaced.
Noticed that too ... oftentimes waveguided controlled directivity are well suited with huge toe in ... ie.; time/intensity tradeoff ... offering widest sweetspot possible.
As an industrial designer I really can identify with Ben, if you are to spend a lot of money on audio equipment or whatever, it's not only about the sound and performance but also about the aesthetics. The Deville are really beautiful speakers. On the other side I can say that even though I know WIlson Audio speakers are excellent I wouldn't spend a dime on them, they are so ugly I wouldn't put them in my home even if someone gave them to me as a gift.
Nice organically put together system, but man the wiring behind the cabinetry, (5:15) the hairs on the back of my neck stood. Remember people the crap in the back makes a huge sonic difference, neat, tidy, best practice wiring rules, it doesn't cost extra... unlike other things in the hobby it's completely FREE!
yea its on the agenda. Much of this are pandemic upgrades and I have not had time to go through the wiring. Its a little out of sight but I did sigh when I saw Steve's close up photo and realized what a mess it is back there.
Wiring does make a difference, and it's because of the interaction of the electromagnetic fields that the wires emit while current is going through them. The old term for this is 'crosstalk'. You will experience better clarity if you make sure the wires are not next to each other for more than a couple inches. Ideally, they should be kept at least six inches apart. Preferably, twelve inches. Having them cross each other at various angles has no harmful effect. It's when they remain close to each other for more than a few inches that the fields will react to each other. By the way, that also applies to the positive and negative conductors in standard power cords. Bundling them together to make them "look neat" is the worst thing you can do, sonically.
Thanks. My father used to talk about cross talk a lot . I’d love to use some sort of fasteners to isolate everything. I usually start this process with the best intentions and then I get overwhelmed when I realize that there are too many wires. What I try to do is to keep the super low power signals stuff between the TT and the phono pre isolated and that keeps things pretty quiet but I agree it needs work.
@@benkrone1130 Cross-talk in wires won't affect sound quality to a large extent unless you have a very revealing system. Even then, I don't think it's a 'night and day' issue. However, here's the thing: There are about a thousand little things like that which you can do to your system, if you know about them. Taken individually, they don't make a big difference. It's when you add them all up that you get the big payoff. The best analogy I've heard is that every part of your system that affects sound quality is like a glass window pane between you and the music. Each of those panes of glass has some amount of dust, dirt, or stain on it. Some, much more than others. When you listen to your system, what you hear is like what you would see when looking through a thousand dirty panes of glass. Each time you do something to improve sound quality is like cleaning one of those panes. A different approach to this is radical minimalism. The minimalist actually removes panes of glass by removing unwanted things in the signal path. The idea being that having the shortest, clearist, most direct signal path results in the least number of panes to be cleaned. Edit: Now, you may read this and say "Not so! I hear no grunge or dirt when I listen to music! My system sounds pretty damned awesome to me!" If that is the case, you may be quite happy leaving well enough alone. After all, being satisfied with your system is the ultimate goal and really what matters most. However, if what you've always seen from the very beginning was only seen through those panes, then the only way to know any difference is by either cleaning some and looking again, or by looking through a different window with cleaner glass. : )
@@benkrone1130 Hey, it's free, but then there are guys like me that can take it too far with their ocd. LOL Like I said, nice system. I always love things that are organically put together, synergy in the hobby is everything!
People buy vintage gear because it looks so good. Aesthetics super matter. I'd only buy a TT with proper wood, same with speakers. Frankly I love the wood look, tubes look excellent as well and draw you in. It all adds to the experience.
I would be interested to learn what turntable Ben was using previously - it was “fiddley?” was it a unipivot arm? I don’t see how a belt drive is an issue of “fiddley” as compared to direct drive… just curious
It was a VPI scout. For sure the uni pivot arm but the belt stretch and squeal over time was also an annoyance as was start up. These Technics TT start up and stop very fast and have powerful motors.
Well done Steve... Digital is super convenient... Vinyl sounds better but a bit of a PITA... Like how he uses DIGITAL music to figure out what vinyl to get.. Makes sense !
Actually it doesn’t. Digital files and vinyl are not mastered the same. Listening to one format will not be a indication of sound quality from a different format. For example, vinyl needs dynamic compression and bass reduction among other differences.
@@junkmail7263 I am an audiophile but I buy music for the music first. Its always a bonus to get something I love that sounds great too but I mostly use digital to hear things I am not aware of. Id say more then half of what I love is of really poor recording quality but I might want not want to own in across multiple formats.
@@benkrone1130 Can't agree with you more.. Key is the original recording and the mastering. The actual medium (vinyl vs CD vs streaming from a service) does not guarantee great sound.
Technics SP10 TT used a LOT of these in radio stations-mainly production studios with SME arms.They would have Shure,Stanton or Audio Technica cartridges.Set up MANY of these and the arms,cartridges.And of course the obsidian TT base.KT150 tubes-too bad AM transmitters no longer use tubes-tubes such as EL34,KT 88,6550 were used as modulator driver tubes in 5 and 10Kw am transmitters the mod driver tubes drove transmitting tubes in the modulator-often the same as the transmitters RF final tubes.Interesting system the man has.I can no longer afford modern tube electronics and tubes-Can the manufacturers go back to kits to help folks on pre retirement budgets?Have built MANY kits-could do them in my sleep almost.A favorite transmitter plant job .For tubes-guitarists and other muscians,and of course HI-FI.
Thanks Ben for letting us into your house. Congratulations on your audio system. A good friend once asked me: Do you know what the difference is between an adult and a child? The price of their toys. Cheers!
Nice interview, but would've been nice to see a view of the entire system, not just one side. And since the room is part of the system, a pan around the room as well.
It must be a dilemma to be an architect and an audiophile. I would expect a Bang and Olufsen from an architect/designer. Amazing system especially the Technics.
No dilemma. There are many ways to address the aesthetics concern while achieving sonic qualities. It is all prioritising and finding a balance. It is part of the fun journey.
Because you can't hear a close approximation of what it actually sounds like. I have never heard a sound demo on TH-cam or anywhere else that sounds right.
Gorgeous system. A couple of nits. The LTA (and prob the Herron) needs to breath. I have the same preamp - it needs at least 3 inches of space above, and best to be open on all sides. Also the room sounds so lively the slap echo must be off the charts. Otherwise love it: :)
thanks yea the front bar on the cabinet sits lower then the ceiling within. There is more space inside then it looks and its open in the back. > 3" head clearance.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Amen... Vinyl is just so fussy... I'm patiently learning... I still remember my childhood days in the 60's/ early 70's where Dad has a Garrard and a Lenco Turntable both driven into Fisher tube amps (no clue what phono pre-amp he had)..... and we could not touch it. Glory days....
@@arthurott4561 I guess you can add soundstage, depth and warmth to that list that you don’t get with digital...each has a specific sound signature due to the specific mediums . Analog is still the standard that all others are compared to.
Digital sounds like analog (as a reference) ... héhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhé .... ohohohohohohohohohohohohohoho ... welcome to audiophile stucked into 70's
Great vid I know what I likes and I don’t like those tubes. NO disrespect just that look of those particular shaped tubes fills me with rage. Not all tubes you understand just those they are too radical like Bose 900 speakers. Can’t explain it but that’s just me and those speakers are a real talking point. I have 3 little King Charles cavalier spaniels and they unfortunately aren’t kept away from my hifi dust dander hair. I don’t want that near the record player/s and general rack. But it’s life. Still I love them we found a happy balance. Of course as Victor Meldrew said your only ever rearranging the dust lol.
I love the Fleetwood Devilles but wasn't ready for the 30% jump in price after just a couple of years on the market. I still may try a pair but that really gave me pause.
The digital vs analog debate is interesting. I kind of wrote off analog years ago--too expensive and too much labor. Agree on tubes though, without tubes I don't really feel the music or feel excited to listen. Tubes can transform digital, IMO. I've not seen a great supporting argument for the work of analog in years, you're also limiting yourself to certain eras with analog. No doubt that the ceremony of analog is special, but I'd usually rather just sit and enjoy an entire record without getting up. Too expensive and hard to find good vinyls, the production of analog sound is too expensive. I can't think of any argument for analog unless you've got money to burn.
I would call the Fleetwood “Fake Horns”. These are traditional box speakers. And as good as the may sound, Weiss, the owner is such a nasty human that I would never want anything he makes in my system.
Perhaps I’m in the minority but those speakers could never be in my house no matter how good they sound. To my eye they look disproportional and those stands look too flimsy. Almost all of the OMA offerings are aesthetically unpleasant to my eye. On their website they use the words “visually striking” to describe their offerings but to me they are polarizing, ugly, and overpriced. I guess that explains why I design and build my own speakers; it’s the only way I’ll get what I want. I sincerely hope the people who own OMA/Fleetwoods find them pleasing to look at and thrilling to listen to and aren’t just buying them for any perceived cachet or status.
They have a particular look. I think they are a bit cartoonish but I really like how they contrast everything around them and demand your attention. I did not know who OMA was and I met Johnathan by accident. I for sure have not an ounce of care about cachet or status when it comes to audio gear. It has to sound great first (which it does) and then a close second they have to be beautiful (or small) if they cant disappear then I want them to make a statement.
@@benkrone1130 I’m glad you find them to your taste! I didn’t see or hear mention of a subwoofer. Any plans to incorporate one? Maybe you’re waiting until the room issues have been tamed or perhaps you don’t think one is needed? I was given a powered 12” M&K but passed it on after I realized my main speakers would hit 30 Hz and it wasn’t adding anything meaningful to the listening experience.
I have a Rel in the system that was a hold over from prior speakers. It likely does not need it but OMA stuff really shines in the mid range and if you want more bottom end you need to get it from outside.
I’m afraid I have to agree. If they sound good enough, I might tolerate their appearance, but they look awkward, hodgepodge and homemade to me. To each their own. I don’t doubt that many will love their look.
I'm not, by nature, a jealous person, but one thing I AM quite envious of are people who live in Brooklyn! I was lucky enough to stay there, on Park Slope, no less, around ten years ago, and I found it the most gorgeous, laid-back and friendly part of New York with so much amazing stuff going on - nothing at all like where I'm currently living. I plan to return to NYC in 2022, and I can't wait to walk down those wonderful tree-lined streets again. Thank you, Steve, for bringing these snippets of Brooklyn life into MY life. I really appreciate them.
Those Fleetwood Devilles are on my bucket list.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Steve in this kind of videos it would be nice to show some more of the room, not just one angle, a steady video from start to finish
Maybe just to see a bookshelf with records or the complete stereo setup in the room would be nice.
Also you could introduce us the dogies :)
i think many will agree!!
Agreed! 😁
100 percent agreed
Love someone mentioning the importance of how audio gear looks. As a designer, aesthetic is important and is factored into what I like and want in my system.
Absolutely love the insight about how our appreciation of visual beauty doesn't change over time the way our impression of sound quality does. Never of thought of it that way, but so very true.
I like this interview very much because it became a conversation. Both of you listened to each other.
I agree . Steve just wants to have a conversation. We spoke for hours and only recorded a little bit
great video a wonderful conversation between two people that love gear and music.
Love the power amp. I’ve never heard an Allnic piece that didn’t take my breath away.
Ben’s a cool dude. I like the fact that he started with the speakers based on aesthetics as well as sound and then chose the rest of the system to match the speakers. He obviously researched and carefully considered the rest of the system judging by what he has purchased. Very nice system, loved his dogs.
@@keplermission4947 Hi Kapler,
I liked the fact that Ben has taken product design/aesthetics as much into consideration as sound quality in his system. I don’t think for a second that Steve is the arbiter of the best systems out there - nor do I think he has or is the best interviewer either. I'm just happy that someone is getting content out there that I am interested in. I do admire however the fact that your reading body language and psychoanalysing the foreplay and integration between the interviewed and interviewer. I'm too simple to observe such interactions as they are occurring.
Geez . just chatting with an interesting guy about a shared hobby. Not much else to it. I was far from annoyed. Cameras make me nervous. Steve stayed and chatted with me for a good two hours after we shot this about architecture movies and theater design. Zero pretense.
Thanks! Like with everything you take the most prized piece and build to that. I didn’t have a cabinet for my guitars until I finally had a nice one to care for
@@benkrone1130 I like your style. You are correct in saying it takes time to acquire and collect our prized possessions and it is part of our life’s journey that we put on display to admire , celebrate, enjoy and mark the passing of time.
When you have a small budget, you have to spend a lot of money (for your budget) on getting a turntable setup that sounds as good as a cheap CD player/DAC. When you have a bigger budget, you have to spend a lot of money of getting your CD player/DAC to sound as good as an expensive turntable. :D
love the allnic amp. beautiful little monster.
I'm not partial to the look of the speakers. No criticism. Most attractive speaker I've ever seen...Usher X-708 in dark, gloss wood on a pair of substantial matte black stands. Don't know why i remember that speaker so vividly, but they obviously made quite a statement. Great video...another joyful enthusiast.
They have a particular aesthetic for sure. My issue is the wood used in most speakers is garbage because solid wood moves. I appreciate that they figured out a way to use solid wood pieces in parts that can move without having an effect on the cabinet. Its way more work to do this but I think its important for something that costs so much. Beyond this its just a personal choice but my speakers that I have downstairs are a gigantic piece of black laminate and I hate looking at them.
@@benkrone1130
Erm, aren't most 'box' speakers made from a certain density of MDF for 'structural stability'?
I heard many years ago of a Japanese speaker company that experimented with different kinds of solid wood for their speaker cabinets.
They found that by using certain kinds (species) of wood, that the speakers could actually be tuned for certain kinds of sound, like a musical instrument.
I wonder if they're still in business?
I think they are made from MDF because it’s stable (not strong) If you use ‘live’ wood the joints and connections have to be such that it allows for seasonal moment. I am not an expert on this but it’s the reason most millwork kitchens etc are made from engineered wood and I assume it’s even more critical in these applications
@@benkrone1130 I admire your knowledge base. Combining an architect's skill and artist's vision...how can you lose. I had a Peace Corp buddy who built his abode utilizing a tree trunk as the center post. Strong, beautiful and organic. Your speakers seem to be of the same pedigree. For what it is worth, I really love the look of my PSB T65s in "Cherry." Hopefully, my visual draw to any component won't blind me from recognizing bad sound. Have fun with your system.
The turntable is a Technics SL-1000 Mk2 system. The motor unit is the ubiquitous SP-10Mk2 with SH-10B3 obsidian plinth and EPA-100Mk2 tonearm. The whole system that consists of three components - motor unit, tonearm, plinth - and it's called SL-1000. His tonearm is an upgraded version, hence it is Mark 2.
I like these videos a lot, I like having a look in people's homes. Gorgeous pooches too.
Beautiful stands. I was looking for a design for speakers as well as other components in my system. Simple, elegant, scalable, affordable, this could very well be it.
Nice to meet Ben. Beautiful looking system. Would be nice to hear you both describe the sound. It is too bad there is no way to capture the magic of these systems in a video.
Cool dogs!!!👍and the speakers...
Nice system and a nice looking apartment. Glad you brought up the subject of tubes versus solid state. My bottom line having both Tubes and JFET equipment in my audio system is that tubes add the essence of live music that makes all the difference in my listening experience
That's it in a nutshell. Tubes do add the essence of live music. Well said.
Dave
@@gurdyman1 Thanks Dave.
@@keplermission4947 I've had a number of Australian ME (Modular Electronics) which are excellent solid state amps/ pre's which have the nuance of valves/ tubes.
I assume you're only giving your opinion of Australian amps, and have no experience there, just whatever biased information you have read.
Duntech speakers, yeah? VAF speakers. Holton amps.
I read a quote, "ME amps are not for everyone"". Maybe that's because there would not be enough to 'round. I like mine, regardless.
ME amps are able to drive difficult loads due to the "big, ugly" toroidal transformers
Should be paired with ME pre-amp too, due to their low output impedance and the amps low input impedance, fwiw.
Excellent interview Steve. Once again, thank you! Ben was a nice down-to-earth interviewee. Refreshing!
Awesome video. To see nice and varied equipment is always great. Hearing his journey is a welcome potion of the video. Can’t wait to see how he progresses in this space.
Thank you! Yes varied gear. Building a stereo is like building anything else. You take the flavors of what you like and see what happens when you put them together.
Beautiful system, Ben! Very well thought out. Thanks for the vid, Steve!
thank you!
@@benkrone1130 Thank you, Ben! Especially dig your analog set up with the Technics, Herron, and Soundsmith cart. ✌️🎶🌝🔊
Beautiful system. Love the dogs too. Thanks Steve.
Great video Steve. I am so happy to see things returning to normal again where it allows you to do these interviews. Tubes and horns are some of my favorites.
Yes! And the first he did was to visit Herb. So cute those two old friends getting togheter after quaretine to chat about their passion on music...
@@keplermission4947 You need to get outside more lol
Beautiful space and setup. Huge fan of the Jean Prouvé chairs too.
that setup is beautiful ! amazing gear in a beautiful space wish we have a full room tour !
Thank you! The NY Times did a piece on our house after my wife and I saved it from post hurricane sandy wreckage. www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2014/10/09/greathomesanddestinations/renovating-a-home-in-a-flood-zone-without-drowning-in-debt.amp.html
Also some newer images here www.gradientarch.com along with some of the other houses I have done
I bet that sounds wonderful! Just saw a video that let me hear how awesome DeVille speakers can sound. And I did not even have to use a Bluetooth speaker, listening to it on my phone I could hear how exceptional it must be live. I wish more audio samples were available a cartridges, turntables, speakers and such. You can definitely hear a sound difference if it is significant enough to matter. A video of a vinyl album being played with a nice cartridge is what started me down the turntable/vinyl rabbit hole. Soon as the album started playing I could hear in extreme difference in the sound quality of the vinyl being played versus all the other videos I had been listening. Wish I could afford a a set of deville speakers and a delivery system like this one!
Nice setup! Very cool to see a Soundsmith on there
Feeling like the Room could benefit from treatment the way I am hearing your voice
Also placement of the speakers as well as a decoupled support for the TT................
yea I am pushing my luck with the equipment. When I can move onto a bigger place ill get a dedicated space for this. As long as I am sharing with my family I have to make due without treatment. I do have homosote in in the walls but the surface behind Steve is an open stair case with exposed masonry.
Yeah I thought the same thing. A lot of "echo" in the room.
Beautiful system though...
I love those speakers and stands!
Nice to see at least a passing floating mention of Bill Thalmann. Great guy. Was integral to bringing Conrad-Johnson to its so-well-regarded status. I've had him do all the update/upgrade/repair work to my C-J gear. Top-notch character, top-notch talent.
Bill is the best. Total rockstar and a pleasure to work with.
Love his dog
Great show! Great guest! So many ignore the design aspect! Love the perspective!
beautiful gear. great stories. thanks!
Interesting group of equipment, which Ben totally enjoys and is proud of....Out of my price range for sure, but it is so interesting to see the choices he is making...Other than the turntable, all the components are out of my sphere of awareness...so it's fun to learn. I can certainly identify with splurging on one particular upgrade and then having to raise the bar in other areas to "be worthy" of the new item. 😎 ....Oh...the rabbit holes!!! 🕳🐇
Thanks for the glimpse, Steve! You guys LOVE your horns!!
(WOW! Some of the comments below are"bizarre"! Get a grip people.)
Rabbit holes indeed.. Is $1K for a turntable good enough ? $2K ? $100K ? YIKES !
Its always a problem. For 10 years I had the most bare bones system with maybe one nice piece of equipment. I mostly buy my stuff used that retains its value and can be turned around for close to what I paid for it. Its a good point though. I feel very lucky to be in a position with some income to be able to put towards my hobbies. It was not this way up until a year or two ago.
I have the LTA pre as well. As Nancy said. Is that all that there is? Mine is going up for market ASAP. The rest of the gear. Spot on!
Ben.....W O W........very well done.
Great video! Always nice to meet a fellow architecture aficionado
Perhaps my aesthetic tastes haven't refined enough yet,... just sayin'.
That said, I dig the technical approach of waveguided high sensitivity design.
Enjoyable interview. This style in someone's room is great.
Great video Steve. Beautiful system put together with intelligence and a good eye. Of course aesthetics play a part. If somebody doesn’t have a dedicated listening room, or a big dedicated closet for their gear I think it’s important to consider the lifestyle elements and yet never compromise on sound quality. And that can be a challenge. This is a very nice rig but I’m a little biased, I also have LTA, Technics, and Horns in my systems.
Your interviews are great.....so interesting. Watching this makes me want to go buy a bunch of tube gear......oh no!
Great video would like to see more of his equipment. Looked like that In his basement were vintage AR 1 with Sunfire subs ? Which I have...
Very laid back dude.. Sweet JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) Technics tonearm for the SP10 MKII.. Love the Jazzmaster..
thanks! That jazzmaster was a basement find via a friend nearly untouched. The tonearm was a product of an error I made when I got the TT the tonearm it had on it was very low compliance and did not support the MM cart. Panicked and got that tonearm from japan but Im glad I did.
Great, thank you
Fancy system! This is the second NY audiophiles system you've featured with these OMA Fleetwood speakers. We didn't see where the other speaker is positioned, but the toe in looks pretty extreme perhaps suggesting they may be very widely spaced.
Yes, they were widely spaced.
Noticed that too ... oftentimes waveguided controlled directivity are well suited with huge toe in ... ie.; time/intensity tradeoff ... offering widest sweetspot possible.
Beautiful 👍
As an industrial designer I really can identify with Ben, if you are to spend a lot of money on audio equipment or whatever, it's not only about the sound and performance but also about the aesthetics. The Deville are really beautiful speakers. On the other side I can say that even though I know WIlson Audio speakers are excellent I wouldn't spend a dime on them, they are so ugly I wouldn't put them in my home even if someone gave them to me as a gift.
Understood
If anyone gifts you a pair of Wilsons ... let me know.
Nice organically put together system, but man the wiring behind the cabinetry, (5:15) the hairs on the back of my neck stood. Remember people the crap in the back makes a huge sonic difference, neat, tidy, best practice wiring rules, it doesn't cost extra... unlike other things in the hobby it's completely FREE!
yea its on the agenda. Much of this are pandemic upgrades and I have not had time to go through the wiring. Its a little out of sight but I did sigh when I saw Steve's close up photo and realized what a mess it is back there.
Wiring does make a difference, and it's because of the interaction of the electromagnetic fields that the wires emit while current is going through them. The old term for this is 'crosstalk'.
You will experience better clarity if you make sure the wires are not next to each other for more than a couple inches.
Ideally, they should be kept at least six inches apart. Preferably, twelve inches.
Having them cross each other at various angles has no harmful effect. It's when they remain close to each other for more than a few inches that the fields will react to each other.
By the way, that also applies to the positive and negative conductors in standard power cords.
Bundling them together to make them "look neat" is the worst thing you can do, sonically.
Thanks. My father used to talk about cross talk a lot . I’d love to use some sort of fasteners to isolate everything. I usually start this process with the best intentions and then I get overwhelmed when I realize that there are too many wires. What I try to do is to keep the super low power signals stuff between the TT and the phono pre isolated and that keeps things pretty quiet but I agree it needs work.
@@benkrone1130
Cross-talk in wires won't affect sound quality to a large extent unless you have a very revealing system. Even then, I don't think it's a 'night and day' issue.
However, here's the thing: There are about a thousand little things like that which you can do to your system, if you know about them.
Taken individually, they don't make a big difference. It's when you add them all up that you get the big payoff.
The best analogy I've heard is that every part of your system that affects sound quality is like a glass window pane between you and the music.
Each of those panes of glass has some amount of dust, dirt, or stain on it. Some, much more than others.
When you listen to your system, what you hear is like what you would see when looking through a thousand dirty panes of glass.
Each time you do something to improve sound quality is like cleaning one of those panes.
A different approach to this is radical minimalism.
The minimalist actually removes panes of glass by removing unwanted things in the signal path. The idea being that having the shortest, clearist, most direct signal path results in the least number of panes to be cleaned.
Edit: Now, you may read this and say "Not so! I hear no grunge or dirt when I listen to music! My system sounds pretty damned awesome to me!"
If that is the case, you may be quite happy leaving well enough alone. After all, being satisfied with your system is the ultimate goal and really what matters most.
However, if what you've always seen from the very beginning was only seen through those panes, then the only way to know any difference is by either cleaning some and looking again, or by looking through a different window with cleaner glass. : )
@@benkrone1130 Hey, it's free, but then there are guys like me that can take it too far with their ocd. LOL Like I said, nice system. I always love things that are organically put together, synergy in the hobby is everything!
Nice turntable, looks like an EPA-250 arm. That's a very good one!
What is going on with some of these comments??? Well, you know what they say. It takes all kinds to make an Audiophiliac comment section.
Nice speakers Ben
People buy vintage gear because it looks so good. Aesthetics super matter. I'd only buy a TT with proper wood, same with speakers. Frankly I love the wood look, tubes look excellent as well and draw you in. It all adds to the experience.
Maybe this is the audiophile's version of watching a fireplace. Wood and the glow of tubes = soothing relaxation.
I’m here for the *HORNS*
Great video.
I love the doggo 😍
Oswald Mills Audio/Fleetwood Deville speakers have a great look! Are tubes the best match for these horn speakers? Nice interview!
Technics SP-10? I had the SP-10 mk2 with obsidian base and Fidelity Research FR64FX arm and Win Ruby mc cartridge. A precision tank.
Yes this is an MK2 as well.
Is a 2-way speaker with a horn tweeter really a 'horn' speaker? I dunno!
Wow Fleetwoods what did you think Steve and can you please review them all the best from oz, giddy Up
I would be interested to learn what turntable Ben was using previously - it was “fiddley?” was it a unipivot arm? I don’t see how a belt drive is an issue of “fiddley” as compared to direct drive… just curious
It was a VPI scout. For sure the uni pivot arm but the belt stretch and squeal over time was also an annoyance as was start up. These Technics TT start up and stop very fast and have powerful motors.
I always wanted to be an Architect. 😀
I always wanted to PRETEND to be an architect.
Or a Marine Biologist……. like George Costanza
@@The_Juan_Percent Funny stuff, the two of you. :)
@@Aswaguespack Funny stuff, the two of you. :)
Client 2: Do I take it that you are proposing to slaughter our tenants?
Mr. Wiggin: ...Does that not fit in with your plans?
Steve, what would an audiophile/record collector do with a free Friday in Manhattan and/or Brooklyn?
Well done Steve... Digital is super convenient... Vinyl sounds better but a bit of a PITA... Like how he uses DIGITAL music to figure out what vinyl to get.. Makes sense !
Actually it doesn’t. Digital files and vinyl are not mastered the same. Listening to one format will not be a indication of sound quality from a different format. For example, vinyl needs dynamic compression and bass reduction among other differences.
@@junkmail7263 I am an audiophile but I buy music for the music first. Its always a bonus to get something I love that sounds great too but I mostly use digital to hear things I am not aware of. Id say more then half of what I love is of really poor recording quality but I might want not want to own in across multiple formats.
@@benkrone1130 Can't agree with you more.. Key is the original recording and the mastering. The actual medium (vinyl vs CD vs streaming from a service) does not guarantee great sound.
Technics SP10 TT used a LOT of these in radio stations-mainly production studios with SME arms.They would have Shure,Stanton or Audio Technica cartridges.Set up MANY of these and the arms,cartridges.And of course the obsidian TT base.KT150 tubes-too bad AM transmitters no longer use tubes-tubes such as EL34,KT 88,6550 were used as modulator driver tubes in 5 and 10Kw am transmitters the mod driver tubes drove transmitting tubes in the modulator-often the same as the transmitters RF final tubes.Interesting system the man has.I can no longer afford modern tube electronics and tubes-Can the manufacturers go back to kits to help folks on pre retirement budgets?Have built MANY kits-could do them in my sleep almost.A favorite transmitter plant job .For tubes-guitarists and other muscians,and of course HI-FI.
I would betray everyone i know and love for those Fleetwood Deville speakers!!
I only had to betray one or two people :+)
@@benkrone1130 WORTH IT!!!
Thanks Ben for letting us into your house. Congratulations on your audio system. A good friend once asked me: Do you know what the difference is between an adult and a child? The price of their toys. Cheers!
Wow - nice system. The speakers are exquisite but how do they sound? Did you listen? Great video!
They sound as good as they look
always nice to hear someone else's journey. Great gear! (1st time being 1st comment. )
Thank you so much
Nice interview, but would've been nice to see a view of the entire system, not just one side. And since the room is part of the system, a pan around the room as well.
ATC Dave. You did the Elacs. So you cannot step away
Nice rig and beautiful dogs.
Where do we send pictures of our gear to you?
Audiophiliac@mail.com
It must be a dilemma to be an architect and an audiophile. I would expect a Bang and Olufsen from an architect/designer.
Amazing system especially the Technics.
No dilemma. There are many ways to address the aesthetics concern while achieving sonic qualities. It is all prioritising and finding a balance. It is part of the fun journey.
It would be nice to hear the system, straight up why didn't let us hear the system?
Because you can't hear a close approximation of what it actually sounds like. I have never heard a sound demo on TH-cam or anywhere else that sounds right.
Too bad the Herron phono stage didn't get some air time. Great tube pre that punches high on value.
I spoke about the Herron. Some may have been edited but I agree, it’s an amazing preamp and Keith is a great person to deal with as a proprietor
+1 re Herron Audio phono stage & Keith Herron. Amazing performance and value, he’s a wonderful dude to work with.
Gorgeous system. A couple of nits. The LTA (and prob the Herron) needs to breath. I have the same preamp - it needs at least 3 inches of space above, and best to be open on all sides. Also the room sounds so lively the slap echo must be off the charts. Otherwise love it: :)
Right, I stopped in to mention the obvious need for room treatment.
thanks yea the front bar on the cabinet sits lower then the ceiling within. There is more space inside then it looks and its open in the back. > 3" head clearance.
Would have been nice to hear the system. I have the same table and phono..I'm just saying 🤷
I buy stuff on CD if I just can't get it on vinyl.
The turntable is about the only thing I would ever purchase. I do not like the way the rest of it looks. With that said, to each his own.
That’s something to chew on ...
No one ever says’ man , that analog front end ( vinyl) sounds as good as digital 🤣
I’ve heard so many times, the best digital sounds like analog. But no one ever claims the best analog sounds like digital!
Idiots Among us
It's difficult to inject pops, clicks, wow, and flutter into a digital signal to make it sound analog.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Amen... Vinyl is just so fussy... I'm patiently learning... I still remember my childhood days in the 60's/ early 70's where Dad has a Garrard and a Lenco Turntable both driven into Fisher tube amps (no clue what phono pre-amp he had)..... and we could not touch it. Glory days....
@@arthurott4561 I guess you can add soundstage, depth and warmth to that list that you don’t get with digital...each has a specific sound signature due to the specific mediums .
Analog is still the standard that all others are compared to.
Digital sounds like analog (as a reference) ... héhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhéhé .... ohohohohohohohohohohohohohoho ... welcome to audiophile stucked into 70's
Great vid
I know what I likes and I don’t like those tubes. NO disrespect just that look of those particular shaped tubes fills me with rage. Not all tubes you understand just those they are too radical like Bose 900 speakers. Can’t explain it but that’s just me and those speakers are a real talking point.
I have 3 little King Charles cavalier spaniels and they unfortunately aren’t kept away from my hifi dust dander hair. I don’t want that near the record player/s and general rack. But it’s life. Still I love them we found a happy balance. Of course as Victor Meldrew said your only ever rearranging the dust lol.
Your HiFi has dust dander hair, not your dogs?
@@thomasmleahy6218 your right me and all those dead shedding skin cells iam the worst.
Room is echoing
A lot of hard surfaces... accentuated by Ben's voice being relatively distant from the mic.
It's a pity we didn't hear how it plays...
I love the Fleetwood Devilles but wasn't ready for the 30% jump in price after just a couple of years on the market. I still may try a pair but that really gave me pause.
Ya know Steve, for you being an audiophile it sure does not sound like you mic-ed your guest properly :D
The digital vs analog debate is interesting. I kind of wrote off analog years ago--too expensive and too much labor. Agree on tubes though, without tubes I don't really feel the music or feel excited to listen. Tubes can transform digital, IMO. I've not seen a great supporting argument for the work of analog in years, you're also limiting yourself to certain eras with analog.
No doubt that the ceremony of analog is special, but I'd usually rather just sit and enjoy an entire record without getting up. Too expensive and hard to find good vinyls, the production of analog sound is too expensive. I can't think of any argument for analog unless you've got money to burn.
I hate seeing high end gear as basically furniture against the wall. So underutilized.
:D
I would call the Fleetwood “Fake Horns”. These are traditional box speakers. And as good as the may sound, Weiss, the owner is such a nasty human that I would never want anything he makes in my system.
Perhaps I’m in the minority but those speakers could never be in my house no matter how good they sound. To my eye they look disproportional and those stands look too flimsy. Almost all of the OMA offerings are aesthetically unpleasant to my eye. On their website they use the words “visually striking” to describe their offerings but to me they are polarizing, ugly, and overpriced. I guess that explains why I design and build my own speakers; it’s the only way I’ll get what I want. I sincerely hope the people who own OMA/Fleetwoods find them pleasing to look at and thrilling to listen to and aren’t just buying them for any perceived cachet or status.
They have a particular look. I think they are a bit cartoonish but I really like how they contrast everything around them and demand your attention. I did not know who OMA was and I met Johnathan by accident. I for sure have not an ounce of care about cachet or status when it comes to audio gear. It has to sound great first (which it does) and then a close second they have to be beautiful (or small) if they cant disappear then I want them to make a statement.
@@benkrone1130 I’m glad you find them to your taste! I didn’t see or hear mention of a subwoofer. Any plans to incorporate one? Maybe you’re waiting until the room issues have been tamed or perhaps you don’t think one is needed? I was given a powered 12” M&K but passed it on after I realized my main speakers would hit 30 Hz and it wasn’t adding anything meaningful to the listening experience.
I have a Rel in the system that was a hold over from prior speakers. It likely does not need it but OMA stuff really shines in the mid range and if you want more bottom end you need to get it from outside.
I’m afraid I have to agree. If they sound good enough, I might tolerate their appearance, but they look awkward, hodgepodge and homemade to me. To each their own. I don’t doubt that many will love their look.
Fleetwood what huge ripoff. PROAC. WILSON . Avalon a huge bargain