Long overdue:

Not only does, Fred, Fcrowder, have a "World-Class" system as it is plain and simple to see from his component line-up on his system page, but he's also an audiophile who's pursuit of audio nirvana also parallel's and approaches my own. And although we are now both embarked down two radically different paths, our goals and objectives are the same.

Furthermore, thanks to a visit to Fred's, I was actually able to give plasma, ionic, tweeters a new and different audition than what I had had in Shanghai, China. This was definitely a different take, one in which the Acapella Ionic/plasma tweeters were able to show and bear their "true" magic. It was a real ear opener in a sense of the word.

Why the contrast you may ask? Well I think that the plasma tweeter’s level in Shanghai were set to allow “good” integration, but it failed as they did not sound efficient/loud enough to integrate well with the rest of the drivers; Whereas at Fred’s house the levels were set to allow the ionic tweeters to shine “on their own” and that is exactly what I heard. I know that Fred and others have communicated and believe that the plasma tweeters integrate with the rest of the drivers on the Triolons to produce a coherent presentation, I must respectfully disagree. And while much of the criticism from others has been the integration of the tweeters, which you can clearly see is challenging if not impossible, to my ears the biggest offenders where/are the big midrange horn.

Now let’s put this all in perspective, this is just nitpicking on a very good sounding system. In general I had a very pleasant impression of Fred’s system.

carlos269 July 15, 2009 13:35

Rhyno, no hard-feelings likewise on my part. My current reference system is very different than the one you heard three or four years ago; yes some of the components are the same but the key players have been changed with very good results.

I do agree with you strongly on one of your points, your ability to write. Your reviews are well written and enjoyable. Keep up the good work.

As I said on my last post please feel free to drop by as I believe it will be beneficial for your reviewing duties to listen to what is possible in the art and science of sound/musical reproduction at home. I look forward to your visit at some point in the future, when you find the time.

carlos269 August 03, 2007 14:13

Rhyno, Time to pay me another visit so that I can show you, and you can hear where I'm coming from. It's time for you to re-evaluate your references.

I have been at this for 21 years and have an indepth undertsanding not only of the technology involved BUT of the fundamental laws of physics, acoustics, psychoacoustics and electrical engineering involve in the art of sound/musical reproduction. I do not rush to judgement, as I have not judged Fred's system, as I have not heard it; ALL I have done is stated a few facts.

Ryan, keep in mind who you're talking to before you challenge my "opinion". I have been at this considerably longer than you have and have a range of gear that you have not ever even heard of. As far as my musical selection stated here, I was only offering the other side of the coin as I do also listen and own the typical audiophile fare.

Well listen, you live too closed-by that we do not need to discuss all this here publicly. Just come by for a visit and an audition and you'll agree.

By the way, while in Shanghai, I also heard an ALL top of the line Burmester reference system and left that audition unimpressed as well. Don't take it personally, it's hard to impress me after living with my reference system over the last year. And once you have listen to it you'll agree.

If you ever make it to Shanghai, China, you will throughly enjoy it as the highend stores/shops there give you access to listen to the best high-end systems one right after the other.

So swing by for a listen one of these days, as a reviewer you really do need to know just how good the art of sound reproduction can be in the home enviroment. I still got your number so don't wait for me to call you, this is an invitation that I think that you can use for your audio equipment/system reviewing endevours.

carlos269 August 03, 2007 02:13

Albert, I have met Fred as well. He came to my house with Jim Meine about seven years ago and he never bothered to return the invitation.

While in Shanghai, China for business last year I was able to listen to not only the Acapella Triolon's but the Acapella Excalibur's and Sparon's driven by Audionet Amp II's, FM Acoustics and Halcro monoblock amplifiers. I left the auditions unimpressed. The ion tweeter sounded inefficient and had a hard time integrating with the collage of other drivers.

I have also met Ryan, the author of article. He went from a frugal, "I tweak everything I ever get" guy who wrote reviews on Audioreview and audio Asylum in which everything that he had just bought or listen to was the greatest ever: You remember how he felt about his Joule Electra preamp (read the audioreview review) and Wavac amplifier (talked about by him endlessly here on audiogon) (those were supposed to be torn from his cold dead fingers). Now all of the sudden Rhyno is not Mr. Frugal but one who believes that the more expensive, the better it sounds (at least that's what he said in an exchange here in our local audiophile Yahoo group).

Like I said, The system looks Great on paper and in the pictures but based on what I heard from the Acapella's in Shanghai, China, I reserve judgement.

Even in Germany, where I conduct a great deal of business, Stereo Testmagazin Der High Fidelity Februar 1994 issue Pg. 124, they gave the A capella Campanile a luke-warm three stars.

I was surprised to see that Rhyno has become a "reviewer" and the system that he has put together for himself; as I remember him as an excitable young guy who used to brag about using his soldering iron and brains over his wallet. On my, how things have change.

Albert, why don't you come down and have a listen over at Fred's and then stop by my house for a listen so that you can compare and contrast the difference between a wallet approach and what a brain, knowledge of physics/acoustics/psychoacoustics & electrical-engineering and exprience, can put together.

I extend you another warm invitation.

carlos269 August 02, 2007 23:08

"A couple thoughts":
Fred all that money invested in your system and Rhyno says that it's only good for orchestral music or live recordings of any kind?

Shouldn't a "World Class" system be able to excel at the art of reproducing any type of music?

Is your system up to the task of reproducing the:

Cubanate - "Cyberia"
Slayer - "Reign In Blood"
Napalm Death -"Scum"
Afro-Cuban Allstars - "A Todo Cuba Le Gusta"

Recordings or is the system only dedicated to the reproduction of simple and un-amplified arrangements?

On paper and in the pictures your system looks GREAT! But the bigger question is, does it deliver the goods?

Congratulation Fred on your achievement: assembling one of the worlds most expensive systems; Lets hope that its performance, caliber and degree of realism and enjoyment can match that level as well.

carlos269 August 02, 2007 18:00