Did anyone go to the show at Whittlebury Park? I’d be interested to know what you thought. I think this is it’s fourth year but it seems to me to be shaping up to be one of the better shows in the UK. I understand that shows are not ideal for accurately judging the quality of equipment but I value the opportunity to see and hear the equipment that is around. Imho for this purpose the Whittlebury show (along with the Bristol Show) is now the best we have. Certainly better than the Ascot Show. And Vienna is a long way away! What do you guys think?
The only show I attend these days is the North West Audio Show, partly because it’s fairly local, partly because I’ve found it to be friendly and interesting and partly because it’s free! Well, I say free, but attending it has eventually resulted in big raids on the piggy bank.
I do tend to be selective in which rooms I spend time in, so half a day is enough for me and I’d never buy a major item purely on hearing it at a show. But for helping to make a shortlist for further audition it can be useful. I also like to keep up with developments in brands I’m interested in. Last year, for example, gave me an opportunity to hear the then new stand-mount versions of ATC’s active SCM 20s and chat with ATC’s Ben Lilly about them.
So a pleasant way of spending time but not an essential part of hifi addiction.
Roger
I went on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Far more relaxed than Bristol or Ascot, nice venue, and I thought the majority of rooms were well set up. Pretty much everything out of my price range, although enough Ferraris and Porsches parked outside to suggest the exhibitors had a decent target audience in attendance. I just appreciated the chance to wander around and have a listen to some high end kit…although that was a bonus really, as my main reason for going was Reema’s live acoustic sets in the Symmetry room. She’s a phenomenal, mesmerising performer (IMHO) and, as at Ascot last year, it was a privilege to be there for it. Her new live album from Abbey Road due out in June on Low Swing Recordings, for anyone familiar with her work.