North West Audio Show - Cranage Hall, Cheshire 21/22 June 2025

[record_spot]

Richer Sounds and the new Onkyo pre/power amp combo.

 

[record_spot]

ATC's room and their active SCM 20 ASLs doing their thing. The Waters Lockdown album sounded fantastic with this rig.

 

[record_spot]

The CAD room, some very nice looking and sounding gear in here. Also, not cheap...!

 

[record_spot]

Acoustic Energy's AE1 40th Anniversary speakers, their Exposure series amps and Michell Gyro SE deck.

And that's it, done, dusted!

 

[record_spot]

Beautiful write up. Did they have hardware on offer and what sort of discounts did they have? Thanks.

Some did, the usual 10-15% discounts for some. Have to admit I wasn't really seeking those out but there were a few to be had.

(Didn't see much in the way of "50% discount - special show offer!!" knocking around though...!)

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Brilliant @record_spot

 

[record_spot]

Beautiful,write ups @record_spot

I’m really keen to hear more about AlChris and where Alan’s speaker punched compared to NEAT Elite Classics or Mystiques or similar from Spendor.
My TX9s are absolutely sublime and I really must be happy !

Neat, as far as I'm aware, stuck to the Iota IIs for the most part, but I think the fact you've landed a pair of really good speakers from a brand I was unaware of and that perform so well, for really good money, is a huge bonus.

I don't recall seeing many, if any, Spendors kicking around come to think of it.

 

[Jasonovich]

God knows the last time I've been to HiFi show but it's really great to see the participation of brands I've not heard of, great also, the industry is still doing alright, despite the downturn of our economy.

 

[jjbomber]

God knows the last time I've been to HiFi show but it's really great to see the participation of brands I've not heard of, great also, the industry is still doing alright, despite the downturn of our economy.

I've never been to one. I just imagine a hotel full of boring old men.

 

[record_spot]

God knows the last time I've been to HiFi show but it's really great to see the participation of brands I've not heard of, great also, the industry is still doing alright, despite the downturn of our economy.

Yep, I think most people seem to enjoy it, much as I alluded to earlier. People chat but you can do as much or as little of that as you like. And it's really good to see the gear that's out there today.

I hadn't been to a hifi show in decades till the Cranage show last year. I'll be heading back next year again. The drive can be a slog if the road is full of roadworks (or idiots) but otherwise, it's a great weekend.

 

[matthewpianist]

Thank RS, it's been good to read your impressions of the show. I always enjoy Audio Note kit at shows, and it's good to hear Audio Counsel is doing well. It doesn't sound like there was much Rega about?

I've never been to Cranage, but I used to go to the old North West Audio Show when it was hosted by Audio T at one of the hotels in Manchester. That was much more mainstream in a mini-Bristol way, and it was actually a Marantz 6003 combo with Mordaunt-Short Aviano 2s that left the biggest impression on me at the last one.

Otherwise, I went to the Wam show at Whittlebury Hall once, and enjoyed the slightly more idiosyncratic approach. I've become a regular at Bristol over the past few years, but I think I'm likely to take a year off next year. I may be tempted to visit Cranage, but I am leaning towards leaving it until the year after. The system in my signature sounds incredibly good, and it would take a big spend to make worthwhile improvements - money that I don't have, considering we're hoping to buy a house and escape the rental trap in the next 12 months. I have other equipment about, including a Arcam Radia A5 in my hi-fi cabinet, unplugged and on the bottom shelf, and as pleasant as it is (and certainly more so than the SA10), I find the A400 to be much more enjoyable.

 

[Jasonovich]

I've never been to one. I just imagine a hotel full of boring old men.

My thoughts exactly....... 🤣

 

[nopiano]

Abbey Road Studio 2 speakers, with Altec Lansing 15" drivers. Sounded good too!

I was awestruck just looking at these, and the wonderful accompanying pictures!

 

[nopiano]

More Doug Brady...and oh Rega, you shouldn't have...!

🤣😂

I loved the juxtaposition of the old 33/303 with the new. What a display they had!

I briefly heard the latest Quad ESLs in lieu of the Super Lintons, but couldn’t really form an opinion.

 

[nopiano]

Acoustic Energy's AE1 40th Anniversary speakers, their Exposure series amps and Michell Gyro SE deck.

And that's it, done, dusted!

Great pics, thank you!

In case it’s not obvious to everyone, the AE kit was all ‘period appropriate’, namely 1980s, hence the Farlowe era Exposure amps and the very first GyroDec, serial number 0001, still in great nick!

 

[nopiano]

I've never been to one. I just imagine a hotel full of boring old men.

Hey, I resemble that remark! Actually, most folk are quite happy to have a natter away from the rooms, and I met several people from other forums, or have met over the years from the trade or dealerships.

 

[Jasonovich]

Hey, I resemble that remark! Actually, most folk are quite happy to have a natter away from the rooms, and I met several people from other forums, or have met over the years from the trade or dealerships.

So do I 🙂 but I don't know why I thought, a of bunch of old men in one room and synchronised farting!
Oh that Bakewell tart really plays on your stomach.

 

[record_spot]

Thank RS, it's been good to read your impressions of the show. I always enjoy Audio Note kit at shows, and it's good to hear Audio Counsel is doing well. It doesn't sound like there was much Rega about?

I've never been to Cranage, but I used to go to the old North West Audio Show when it was hosted by Audio T at one of the hotels in Manchester. That was much more mainstream in a mini-Bristol way, and it was actually a Marantz 6003 combo with Mordaunt-Short Aviano 2s that left the biggest impression on me at the last one.

Otherwise, I went to the Wam show at Whittlebury Hall once, and enjoyed the slightly more idiosyncratic approach. I've become a regular at Bristol over the past few years, but I think I'm likely to take a year off next year. I may be tempted to visit Cranage, but I am leaning towards leaving it until the year after. The system in my signature sounds incredibly good, and it would take a big spend to make worthwhile improvements - money that I don't have, considering we're hoping to buy a house and escape the rental trap in the next 12 months. I have other equipment about, including a Arcam Radia A5 in my hi-fi cabinet, unplugged and on the bottom shelf, and as pleasant as it is (and certainly more so than the SA10), I find the A400 to be much more enjoyable.

I didn't see too much in the way of Rega to be honest Matthew - there were a few items in the Doug Brady room, I had to check the exhibitors list and Rega are mentioned as being in the Grove room at Cranage, but that was really Chord Electronics room, so I guess they had a couple of Rega bits and pieces in there. Didn't really spend any time in that one - not much of a fan of their stuff and it was pretty busy with folk who were!

I think on the back of the show, I'll look at a phono stage upgrade - I liked what I saw in the Talk Electronics (Edwards Audio) room too so might work out what the options are. I'd had a listen to the Roger Waters Lockdown Sessions album when I got back home and while I wasn't expecting exactly what I heard coming out the ATC actives I heard, I think the sound could be opened up a tad more than the current setup allows.