I had the opportunity to listen to John's system. I was shocked by the superb sound that came from it! I don't know why it is so outstanding because his components are a fraction of the price of many others that I have heard. Was it his newly designed rack? Maybe the custom amp or one of his tweaks? I suppose that it's the synergistic combination of components, cables, and tweaks that he has assembled.
His system has a very quiet background and the music is true to life. The higher frequencies are detailed but not grating like fingernails on a chalkboard that I've heard from other much more expensive systems. The mids are accurate with instruments and voices sounding lifelike. The bass is particularly impressive. It is as tight as I've heard and it goes way down revealing all that was intended by those who provide music in this frequency range. I often pity the base guitar player who is not appreciated for the quality of his performance. Lastly, this system is dynamic, alive, and involving. I would encourage readers to pay him a visit whenever they pass through Salem.

girod August 05, 2005 13:47

Hi, Nrchy and thank you for the compliments.

I initially presented those prototypes to illustrate some new design concepts I call Post & Beam-styled racking systems that in my experience extract some of the greatest sonic performance gains I am aware of.

After THE Show I was off on other endeavors. But I'm now considering moving forward with these same designs and possibly a few new ones.

I'm still amazed at the kind of performance gains that can be extracted via proper vibration control. I've been using one of my prototypes that was initially funded by someone in the industry. I've been so pleased with its performance that I am very reluctant to give it up, but I'll have to ship it out in a few weeks.

A while back I sold my Defiance rack (it was displayed on a turntable at THE Show) to someone in Hong Kong and several days ago, I put my two What Rack? all-metal prototypes up for sale on Agon.

Rumor has it that you and I spoke at THE Show. Is that true?

Again, thanks for the compliments.

stehno July 16, 2005 21:05

Stehno when are we gonna see more of the stuff you had at CES? Is it avaiable anywhere, or just to those lucky ones who live near you?

That stuff needs to be seen and heard!

nrchy July 16, 2005 13:28

Thanks, Bon.

stehno March 24, 2005 07:33

John beautiful racks, I am amaze and happy for you.
Thanks.Bon

jayctoy March 23, 2005 15:15

Ray, the best way to find out more about the Anti-cables is to go to the Agon home page then do a search on 'Anti-cable'. This should point you in the right direction. I had only heard of them thru another member who referred me to my latest amp and my previous speaker cables.

Thanks, Onhwy61. I appreciate your comment. These racks were a few prototypes I displayed at the THE Show illustrating what can be done with my patent pending status Post & Beam styled designs. Since these are not for sale at this time, I'm sure nobody would think I'm shilling by pointing you to some pictures of those prototypes here on Agon.

http://live.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/ces.pl?dynamiccontrast&&ManuView&ST&st1&&&&&THE05

Thanks again for the compliment.

stehno March 23, 2005 15:09

Your rack is looking real good. Please provide more pictures with other possible configurations.

onhwy61 March 23, 2005 13:33

Stehno,does Paul have a web site? thanks

raytheprinter March 23, 2005 01:28

thanks Stehno,im slowly buying my only nephew a system and will need sp. cables ,think ill order a pair for him and try them in my system first!wow ,truly beautiful rack,so diff. from everything out there!!

raytheprinter March 23, 2005 01:05

Thanks for the compliment, Slipknot1. Raytheprinter, the Paul Spetzer (sp) Anti-cable speaker cables are quite extraordinary for the price. $60 for a 6ft run but I have a bi-wired config with 2 sets.

I've only had them for a week, but there is very little burn-in time (about 2 hours) and immediately they matched or exceeded my previous cable in every category except perhaps aesthetics. But the end result of the improvements have led to a substantially greater level of transparecy in addition to the other more minor improvements.

-IMO

stehno March 22, 2005 18:25

Your rack designs are out of this world! Beautiful. Congratulations.

slipknot1 March 22, 2005 15:16

Stehno,i just read in another thread that you replaced your expensive speaker cables with Anti Cables,,,,please tell us more!

raytheprinter March 22, 2005 03:22

Stehno, it is just something different in your design concept in having a cantilevered steel framework structure that is interesting. Since the steel frame is barely visible being wrapped in wood, it does helped in an aesthetic sense.

ryder January 25, 2005 03:08

Ryder, with you being a structural designer, I consider that high praise indeed. Thank you very much for your compliments.

I trust that you've seen the rack with no equipment on it, since when the rack is loaded (as above) there's not much to see? If you haven't, here's a few photos:

http://live.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/ces.pl?&ST_0002&RoomView&ST&st1&&&&&THE05

Repelick, I've never used this fireplace.

-IMO

stehno January 24, 2005 17:03

That is one hell of a rack. With such exquisite styling the Defiance rack is certainly one of its kind. Congratulations on your accomplishment as the designer.

ryder January 24, 2005 15:56

do you run your fire place? i have a simlar set up are you concerin with the heat. thanks pete @ [email protected]

[email protected] January 23, 2005 20:47