The main system will feature the mighty Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable, configured with a new-to-Upscale Audio SUPATRAC Blackbird tonearm, and a Hana Umami Red cartridge rather than the tonearm pictured.
The August 1 event will demonstrate many approaches to analog playback.
Come celebrate vinyl with us on August 1 at the next of our hugely popular in-store events. Revolution 909 (the number is our area code) will feature three listening rooms, visiting industry folk, and food and beverages.
Who Is the Event For?
The event is for everyone. Don't be put off by the analog specialization. If you like music, you'll like the event. But here's how to make the most of it.
Already have a turntable? Come hear how varied analog playback can be, whether it's because you've gone up in quality, or because you've switched from moving magnet to moving coil, or a solid-state phonostage to tube, or standard amplification to transimpedance. There is no definitive "analog sound."
Don't have a turntable and are curious? See vinyl playback in action and decide if it's for you. No question is too basic, whether you're asking about record brushes or the best beginner table. Look out for an upcoming content series where Jake Spencer, marketing specialist, takes home his first turntable and shares his experience of going analog.
Not interested in vinyl? Even without the turntables, the systems we've chosen are events in their own right. In Room 1, you'll hear a monster Italian hybrid amp driving giant electrostatic speakers with a six-pack of subwoofers. Room 2 lets you experience the magic chain of tube preamp, solid-state power amp, and detailed speakers with beryllium tweeters. Finally, Room 3 gives you that classic British PRaT (pitch, rhythm, and timing), a philosophy that focuses more on the speed and energy of music and less on creating a massive soundstage.
John Hunter of REL Acoustics grabs at the holographic imaging during our Sounds of Summer event in May.
Room 1: You Can Have Everything
Room 1 shows that you can have everything: speed, scale, detail, tonal weight, and a lightness of being. The turntable is a Clearaudio Innovation Wood, with the SUPATRAC Blackbird tonearm, a new arrival to the Upscale brand list. The Sideways Uni-Pivot Arm Torque-Reaction-Assisted Contact (that's SUPATRAC to you) gets a legendary cartridge, the Hana Umami Red. This magic combo plays through the no-holds-barred, fully mono Sutherland DOS LOCOS phonostage. How fully mono? You have to buy two of Ron Sutherland's transimpedance beauties to use with a stereo cartridge.
As mentioned, the rest of the system is an event by itself. A Pathos Kratos amplifier powers another Upscale newcomer, the Quad ESL 2912X, with bass support from a REL six-pack of S/550 subwoofers.
Room 2: American Muscle
If you like big-block turntables and the brute honesty of point-to-point wired tube gear, then Room 2 is your haven. A VPI Super Prime Scout 26 table is mated to a Manley Oasis phonostage for that big, rich tonality and massive soundstaging. A PrimaLuna EVO 400 preamp preserves the Manley's tube magic, and a Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2 power amp and Focal Sopra No.3 speakers take the gloves off for that final bout with the room.
Room 3: British Toe-Tapping
British hi-fi from a certain era was renowned for connecting the listener with the music's pulse, energy, and drive. Naim, Linn, Rega, and Spendor were the key players in this school of thought, and this is why Rega turntables are unmatched. At the event, we will feature the Planar 6 RS Edition with the Nd9 cartridge and Neo Mk 2 PSU.
We've mentioned before that Rega's electronics are the best-kept open secret in audio, and once you hear the Elicit integrated amp with phonostage, you're sure to agree. British speaker brand Spendor ensures none of that toe-tapping energy is lost in transduction.
We will have visiting experts from Musical Surroundings, MoFi Electronics, and The Sound Org, representing many of the great analog brands we sell. As always, attendee numbers are limited so that everyone gets a chance at the sweet spot, and all questions can be heard. RSVP today!