iEar hosted its annual Audio Show at the Willem II stadium in Tilburg. A copy of last year’s edition: high turnout, welcoming and many demos to listen to.
The advantage of the iEar show is its diversity, but on a human scale. You have time to visit all exhibitors. It is a fine set-up for those who want to orientate themselves or are looking for just that single attractive show deal.
The problem with audio shows, in general, is that the spaces, in this case of a football stadium, are not designed with audio playback in mind. Furthermore, there are constantly lots of people walking around and talking and it is therefore difficult to get a good impression. And yet there are always things that stand out. This year is not an exception.
Terrason hoisted in the ViVid Moya M1 speakers, each speaker weighing 349 kg, driven by two mono Halcro power amplifiers and a Grimm MU2 as a source. Even if you put this set on the centre spot of the Willem II Stadium, it still will sound good. Without a doubt the showpiece of the show.
At the other end of the spectrum, Servi-Q has the new Elac Debut 3.0 floorstanders playing, driven by an Advance Paris A12 amplifier. For € 800 a pair, they are serious, infectious-sounding speakers. For the price tag, you would think an Advance Paris A12 is unbalanced, but the Elac speakers perform without batting an eye. This is also why you visit an Audio Show: serious music enjoyment at an attainable price tag. Colleague Geoffrey tested the Debut 3.0 monitor speakers and the review is coming soon.
Yamaha demonstrates the NS-3000 speakers. These are precise-sounding speakers, with the familiar neutrality and naturalness that is Yamaha’s DNA. But even then, it is impressive to hear how much grip this system has on Janine Jansen’s violin. This is what a violin sounds like. Yes, it is an impressive battery of Yamaha amplifiers driving the speakers, but nothing exotic and within reach for the serious hi-fi enthusiast.
Joenit shows off the new Rega ND7 MM element on a Rega P6, using the phonostage in Rega’s Elicit amplifier. An open and fast-sounding moving magnet element, which is normally the territory of a moving coil.
Finally, a surprising setup from Latham: a Naim NSC-222 streamer feeding a Yamaha headphone amplifier, which colleague Yung has just reviewed, which drives a pair of Focal Utopia headphones. All plugs into a Chord PowerHAUS power block. How that sounds? Delicate, with musical feeling and refinement. But you’d better ignore the price tag. For this too, you head to iEar, to allow yourself to listen to such a combination.
