AIX Records, Revel Speakers, Benchmark Audio 5.1 High Resolution Demo

AIX Records with Benchmark, Oppo Revel and JVC

Dr. Mark Waldrep of AIX records assembled this room with much care.  He wanted to show how good music can sound that was recorded in actual high resolution, not just digitized into a high resolution file.  To do that, he had to use equipment that was able to play back the recording with the same frequency response and dynamics as it was recorded.  To make matters more difficult, he wanted to play this back in surround sound as well as stereo.

Dr. Waldrep really likes the sound of the Benchmark DACs and their new AHB2 amplifier is said to have some of the best dynamic range and signal to noise ratio specs in the business.  He wanted a full-range speaker with the ability to resolve any passage in his recordings, so he used the Revel Salon 2 speakers. Dr. Waldrep decided on using a  Blu-ray player with normal remote control navigation, so he chose an Oppo BDP-103 as his source. He had to get some help from Oppo to modify it so that it would output digital (SPDIF) to feed the Benchmark DACs. His Blu-ray discs also contain HD Video of the recording sessions, so he had a JVC projector in his room as well.  If you are following closely, here is the audio chain:

Oppo player -> SPDIF -> 3 Benchmark DAC2 AGC DACs -> 5 Benchmark AHB2 Amps -> 5 Revel Salon 2 speakers

Oppo BDP-103 Blu-ray with Benchmark Audio DAC's 

This room was very large and had more seating than any other room at the show. He played back a variety of recordings in stereo as well as a 5 channel mix from the audience perspective and a 5-channel mix from the musician’s stage perspective.  Dr. Waldrep made a compelling case for both recording in real high resolution as well as supporting surround sound.

I did see quite a few people peek in the door and leave when they saw both a projector and more than 2 speakers in the room.  This is unfortunate as they missed a real treat.  There were many WOW moments during the presentations and the people who did enter were transfixed.

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