Audio — 28 May 2011
By Paul McGowan
After I posted the April 2011 PS Audio Newsletter, I got a note from one of our readers, Robert Guerin. Seems Robert saw the picture of Walt Disney cutting a ribbon I used in the article and realized he was in the picture! In fact, take a look at this picture and note the bespeckled young man just behind Walt Disney; that’s Robert. Of course I just had to ask him what he was into now and upon finding out he’s an Audiophile, I asked him to put together a description of his system and a photo for all to share. While Robert doesn’t currently own any PS equipment, it’s on his short list (or so he says 
) Here’s Robert’s report:
Currently still tuning the system via power cords & interconnect trials with a variety of Nordost & Shunyata cables. The Focal Utopia Mezzo speakers are very dynamic & have a taught full sounding bass, although they will not go as low as some speakers. The picture also shows several items that are NOT used to influence the sound: An oscilliscope to view wave patterns/distortion/separation & a graphic equalizer to note compressed recordings so I don’t start assuming my system has a problem. Both devices are passive in the system.
The open reel is a custom J-Corder/Technics 1506 built unit that has colors/panels to match the Focals (side panels & reels). A favorite Nakamichi 700ZXL sits on the floor in front of the Pass 350 amp. A Marantz 11SI SACD/CD player is topped by the Usher preamp that also features a separate power supply. A Wadia base feeds IPOD Wave Files into a Music Hall DAC. A VPI classic for vinyl. Ortofon bronze cartridge.
An Olive 4 media server controlled by an IPAD is my entry into computer/hard drive based music. It is great WHEN IT WORKS!.
Seems difficult to keep reliable connections as my living room is a “dead area” for wifi (we recommend Robert keeps up with Aaaron Gutin’s series on home networking). Overall the system is very dynamic & highly resolving. I continue to make tweaks and am always surprised at the differences minor changes (i.e. isolation devices, cables, power supplies etc) can make to the overall sound.
As a retiree I now have plenty of time to devote to this hobby, although like many others I wish there were still brick & mortar stores to hear equipment in our area (please see Ken Kessler’s article on the state of audio retailing). With the exception of the Rocky Mountain show there is almost no way to hear and evaluate most of the new audiophile products on the market.”
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