These photographs tell the story of what turned out to be an excellent day out with some top sights and sounds. The best EggFest yet This was a superb day of both excellent sound from all the systems and a tremendous sense of fun, participation, camaraderie and enjoyment emanating from everyone present. Thanks to Steve Shiels for once again organising the event. Thanks again must go to Steve, Paul, James D, NealG, NickG and the two Andrews for their support plus Simon Chambers for first introducing me to the delights of the Loftin-White amp and the sound of Fostex full range drivers, without these people’s encouragement I would not have been standing there in the final picture with that tube award or enjoying the best sound I have ever had in 30 years of hi-fi Here’s to the next EggFest. May the glow live on forever. The Shadow.
Photos From EggFest 3
The fast becoming traditional pre EggFest night before with the two Andrews, Nick, Neal et al
Bizzie’s massively plinthed Goldring GL99 Idler drive turntable with SME 3009S2 and Rega RB250 with 78 cartridge
Neal Gibbons’ Goldring GL99 with Hadcock arm and Ortofon Kontra sounded excellent through James’ dipoles
The irrepressible Paul Barker’s Garrard 301 with Mayware Formula IV unipivot arm and Denon DL103 Cartridge
Colin Topps’ Nottingham Analogue SpaceDeck Turntable made superb sounds with his electrostatics.
Richard’s “25 Quid Goldring GL75 with apple wood unipivot tonearm and Denon DL103 cartridge.
My own JVC QL-Y3F direct drive turntable with its own arm and Ortofon Rondo Blue cartridge
Paul B Steve S and Greg listen to Bach via Greg’s 300B pp amp & KLS3s. A commanding performance ensued!
Andrew Ivimey sets up his GM70 tractor amp experiment whilst Richard fettles his turntable. James’ Quasars in front.
James Nick and Neal discuss tactics before trying the GM70 rig.
Nick Gorham’s GM70 test bed powered by his 45 driver module and Phono stage play through James Quasars
Bizzie’s system made authentic sounds with his collection of 50s R&B 78s
One of Bizzie’s handsome looking Beam Echo push pull EL34 Monoblocks
Hagerman variable equalizer and WAD PreII with phono stage ensured the 78s sounded correct.
A Jimmy Witherspoon 78 on the Mercury label. Just one of Bizzie’s prized 78s
Al Newall’s T amp was in complete contrast to the single ended mayhem. Sounded great too!
Al’s home constructed bass reflex speakers with Audio Nirvana full-range driver up top
My “Metronome” Fostex powered TQWT speakers looked tiny in that cavernous main room but acquitted themselves well
James D receives an award for services to the BB. Well deserved too. I couldn’t have sorted my preamp without his help.
Steve Shiels’ Lowthers were much more at home in the small room and really came into their own in there.
Steve’s exquisitely finished DHT 25 amplifier was a winner in both the looks and the sound department
Steve Shiels with an evil glint in his eyes is about to unleash The Prodigy through his Lowthers. Run for cover!
A favourite was this Tim de Paravicini designed 4W single ended 6sh7 brought in by Neal Gibbons
Will Cowen’s British Battery amp set-up was to prove it’s worth later in the GM70 experiment!
Will’s high quality Fostex bass reflex bookshelves sounded very nice indeed.
Will’s modified Rotel CD player.
Colin Topps’ stacked electrostatic speakers performed superbly in the smaller room. Much to Colin’s relief.
With the flash photography you can see the internal construction details of Colin’s electrostatic panels
Ed Swift’s EL34 single ended amplifier based on my own amp of the same type
Ed’s superbly finished Ariels are used in his recording studio for monitoring work.
Ed demonstrating his system with the aid of an MP3 player playing uncompressed WAV files.
The builders are in. Nick and Paul start the GM70 experiment. Giant heavy duty power supply sits on a sack barrow.
Up come the GM70s driven by Nick’s 45 driver module.
GM70s are by now sweating under a 1.6KV HT supply!
Paul cranks up the Variac whilst Nick monitors the amp’s vital signs. Tony B watches from a safe distance
Colin (standing) worries about the welfare of his speakers. The GM70s are driving them beautifully now though.
The guys are enthralled by the superb sounds coming from the ELS’s. Paul and Ed (centre talk about Ariels.
Yours truly is gobsmacked to receive the tube award. I did not know what to say. Thanks guys