Audio Republic and Audiofreaks at the Northern Sound & Vision 2007 in Manchester
The 2007 Edition of the Northern Sound & Vision show took place in Manchester during the weekend of the 27th and 28th January within the Radisson SAS Hotel right next to the Manchester International Airport. Interestingly enough, this show was a 'first' both for our Leeds retail consultant Audio Republic and Audiofreaks, so we very much looked forward to the new experience.
Andrew Oliver (MD of Audio Republic Ltd) chose a wonderful room which was almost the same size as our regular suite on the 1st floor of the Renaissance Heathrow hotel in London (where we have been exhibiting since 1988 every September!). The system to be used was selected equally for performance and (relative) affordability:
- Roksan Xerxes turntable/Artemiz tonearm/Benz-Micro M2 phono cartridge
- McCormack UDP-1 CJ Edition Universal Digital Player
- Magnum Dynalab MD-90T analogue vacuum tube FM tuner
- Conrad-johnson PV15 vacuum tube remote line/phono preamplifier
- Karan Acoustics KA S 180 stereo power amplifier
- Avalon Acoustics Ascendant dynamic loudspeaker system
- Cardas Quadlink, Cross & Golden Cross interconnect, loudspeaker and power cables
- Finite elemente pagode Signature equipment supports
It was a great pleasure to assist Audio Republic in their first venture into audio exhibitions and what a debut it was! Judging by the number of visitors into the Suite 211 (no 211 tubes therein - absolutely pure coincidence!!) during both days of the show, products usually seen and heard at the London autumn shows were sorely missed in the northern part of the country. The reception of the audience was very enthusiastic and, we are already looking forward to the 2008 Manchester show and an even better presentation and overall performance. Our sincere gratitude goes to Andrew Oliver and Bill Smith of Audio Republic and hundreds of audiophiles and music lovers who were kind enough to enter into the room once or (as many have done) over and over again. Hope you enjoyed it at least as much as we did.
