Stereophile: Ray Kimber For King of the Universe!

I always enjoy Ray Kimber's IsoMike demos more than almost any other HE Show demo. It's not the room full of pedigreed high-end gear, although he always has that. This time he demoed with four B&W 800d loudspeakers, two pairs of Pass Labs X350.5 power amplifiers, Genex Audio GX9000/DSD-BNC interface, and four channels of EMM Labs DAC8 MkIV DSD feeding EMM Labs Switchman (four channels worth, natch), not to mention a whole bunch of Kimber KableD-60, Kimber Select KS-3038, and Word Clock D-60 cables. Nor is it the meticulously recorded music that Ray has captured with his IsoMike process.

Well, actually, it is, but it's not just the music.

Kimber's room literally transported me into the hall at Weber State University in a way that no other multichannel presentation has ever done. The music existed in the hall and I was in the hall, but it was a very subtle effect. Except that when the tenor sax and drums backing up Joe McQueen hit certain resonances, the whole hall energized—not the hall I was in, here in LA, but the one Ray recorded it in in Ogden, UT. It was U-R-There audio at its finest.

Yes, Ray demonstrates that surround can be done right and I wish that not only could every audiophile hear Kimber's four-channel demoes, but that every record executive could hear them and finally get what surround truly could be, rather than the gimmicky crap they so frequently try to foist on us.

Jon Iverson and I am convinced that Ray Kimber could change the hi-fi world, if we could only get the studios and labels to hear what he's done in a college in the Utah mountains.

And that's why I nominate Kimber for King of the Universe: If Ray were king, the universe would work right and recorded music would come from where it's supposed to—in front of you, but enveloping you at the same time.

In the meantime, check out IsoMike's webpage.

Permalink :: Blog Home

< Previous Post | Next Post >

Reader Comments

Posted Mon Jun 5, 2006, 4:39 PM — By Jon Iverson

I should add that what is remarkable about Ray's demo and recordings is the microphone technique he has developed. Or I should say the lack of technique. Recording in a large venue always requires the engineer to sort through the trade-offs to find the mic arrangement that works best. To my ears, Ray's IsoMike system is the first that doesn't sound like a trade-off or technique, it just sounds like the performers in the room. I can't emphasize enough how hard that is to achieve for a recording engineer. And Ray told Wes and I that he purposely unveiled his technology and approach to the world in a way that allows it to remain in the public domain from now on. Free to all those who wish to use or develop it further. I love this man.

Posted Tue Jun 6, 2006, 6:10 PM — By Wes Phillips

Yes, Jon is right. Ray intentionally published his IsoMike specs so that neither he nor anyone else could make it exclusive. That's how cool ray is, he didn't make a mistake when he out his idea into the public domain, he did it so everyone could benefit. He'd make a benevolent king—and the biggest clue that he's worthy is that he doesn't even want the job!

Posted Thu Jun 8, 2006, 6:43 PM — By Norman Liu

King of the Universe, indeed! A couple of years back I acquired Ray Kimber's two CD-R demo set that was mentioned by Wes in Stereophile as being available for a check "in any amount" made out to Weber State University. While I was blown away, and I listened several times through, it really amounted to one of those oddities that only us true believers will ever put in the CD tray. However, I was drawn repeatedly to the tracks cryptically named "string quartet". I had never been so swept into the art of music making since sitting in a quartet myself. Well, now that quartet has a name, and it is the Fry Street Quartet. Of course, I bought all the IsoMike SACDs on exiting the demo and Sunday night I played the FSQ's "Hayden" disc (2 channel SACD layer, on the McCormack UDP-1)and after being nailed to the listening chair for the duration, spontaneously murmered "Bravo!" when it ended. I have never played the like on my system previously. Everyone reading this should get it and its companion (2)discs-NOW. Norman

Posted Sat Jun10, 2006, 12:21 AM — By Beto

Absolutely agreed Wes. Ray Kimber's definitely on to something with his Isomike experiments. All other rooms'sound just paled in terms of comparison when dealing with absolute, uncompromised realism and sense of scale devoid of everything that gives "digital" a bad name among many audiophiles. Just because you can play it loud does not mean it scales accurately or can sound real enough, seems to be the lesson that Mr. Kimber was giving us all here. I'm a diehard analog nut, but after attending Ray's demonstration, if I ever hear a digital source that brings me the closest to that kind of experience, that will definitely be money well spent. Best sound of the show, hands down.

Posted Thu Jul24, 2008, 8:21 AM — By wslaat

عقارات السعودية عقارات شقق ومحلات واراضي ومكاتب بيع وشراء وايجار في بلد السعودية بجميع المدن بها عقار نت عقارات الأمارات عقارات شقق ومحلات واراضي ومكا

Posted Sun Aug17, 2008, 10:18 PM — By hjqha

[URL=http://www.hohotrade.com]wholesale[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com]china wholesale[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com]discount[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/mp3-players-accessories-wholesale-13_98.html]MP3 player[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/mp4-players-accessories-wholesale-13_105.html]MP4 player[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/mp4-players-accessories-wholesale-13_105.html]mp4 watches[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/psp-wholesale-24_116.html]psp accessories[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/wedding-apparel-wholesale-11_77.html]wedding dresses[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/wedding-apparel-wholesale-11_77.html]wedding dress[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/digital-cameras-wholesale-8_44.html]wholesale digital cameras[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/clothing-apparel-wholesale-11.html]wholesale clothing[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/furniture-wholesale-17_179.html]wholesale furniture[/URL] [URL=http://www.hohotrade.com/memory-card-card-r

Posted Fri Aug29, 2008, 4:15 PM — By Marina

Really good place if you want to buy something from china

China Wholesale Electronics

Posted Thu Sep18, 2008, 2:09 AM — By fashion jewelry

AYpearl specialize in wholesale jewelry

Posted Thu Sep25, 2008, 11:49 PM — By jewelry store

Tangjewelry professionally engaged in fashion jewelry crystal jewelry

Posted Fri Sep26, 2008, 9:28 PM — By handmade jewelry

a good website. bjbead is specialize in handmade jewelry

Posted Fri Sep26, 2008, 9:30 PM — By jewelry wholesale

jewelry wholesale

Posted Fri Sep26, 2008, 9:32 PM — By pearl jewelry

pearl jewelry handcrafted jewelry

Posted Fri Sep26, 2008, 9:33 PM — By jewelry store

jewelry store wholesale pearl

Posted Fri Sep26, 2008, 9:35 PM — By costume jewelry

costume jewelry handcrafted jewelry

Posted Sat Sep27, 2008, 5:54 AM — By Alice

wholesale jewelry, costume jewelry

Posted Sat Oct11, 2008, 10:40 PM — By pearl earrings

http://topearl.com pearl earrings Our online wholesale store has our own jewelry designers, we're continuing to design new jewelry styles - Crystal & pearl jewelry...Custom jewelry designs are welcome

Posted Mon Oct13, 2008, 10:16 PM — By Esshop Online Store

Esshop Online Store�C The Chinese Earphone ,Headsets and Headphone Wholesaler You've Searched For. We are: Profitable: Lowest prices, no contracts or minimum order restriction Reliable: In-house Quality Control and 12 month guarantee; all products inspected before shipping Convenient: Fast direct or drop shipping globally by international courier, pay by credit cards; all orders insured and trackable online Professional: Helpful customer services and pre-sales product advice Contact us today for details. http://www.esshop.cn

Posted Sat Oct18, 2008, 1:59 PM — By stephen

[URL=http://www.chinawholesaling.com/productlist.asp?classstr=201-526----3]wholesale true religion jeans[/URL]

Posted Mon Oct20, 2008, 6:17 AM — By AYpearl

gemstone jewelry discount jewelry

Posted Tue Oct21, 2008, 11:40 AM — By desinger jewelry

www.makerjewelry.com wholesale costume fashion jewelry from china,wholesale desinger jewelry,costume fashion jewelry,pearl jewelry,handmade jewelry,crystal jewelry,trendy jewelry,personalized jewelry,jewelry stores,discount jewelry ,online Cheapest all the world with highest quality,good services,best sincere partisan!!!

Posted Tue Oct21, 2008, 11:47 AM — By designer jewelry

Wholesale costume fashion jewelry online with the cheapest price though the world

Posted Tue Oct21, 2008, 12:30 PM — By jewelry

[URL=http://www.makerjewelry.com]wholesale costume fashion jewelry online[/URL]

Posted Tue Oct21, 2008, 12:32 PM — By kdkf

http://www.makerjewelry.com/

Posted Tue Oct21, 2008, 12:33 PM — By crsl

wholesale costume fashion jewelry online

Posted Wed Oct22, 2008, 9:30 PM — By costume jewelry

handmade jewelry, pearl jewelry

Posted Wed Oct22, 2008, 9:31 PM — By Handmade jewelry

jewelry wholesale, crystal jewelry,

Posted Fri Oct24, 2008, 1:48 AM — By gemstone beads

Gemstone beads

Posted Fri Oct24, 2008, 12:38 PM — By www.boots8.com

football jerseys

Posted Sat Oct25, 2008, 11:28 PM — By DDFSAFD

china wholesale
wholesale

Posted Mon Oct27, 2008, 5:25 PM — By Wall art for less

buy oil painting reproduction wall art buy oil painting reproduction wall art

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:49 PM — By ninja

ﾒﾙ友出会い

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:51 PM — By ninja

出会い出会い系

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:51 PM — By ninja

出会い系ｻｲﾄ出会い系サイト

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:51 PM — By ninja

出会い系サイト人妻

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:52 PM — By ninja

人妻人妻

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:53 PM — By ninja

人妻メル友

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:54 PM — By ninja

メル友メル友

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:53 PM — By ninja

メル友メル友

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:54 PM — By ninja

メル友メル友

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:56 PM — By ninja

メル友メル友

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:57 PM — By ninja

メル友

Posted Sat Nov 1, 2008, 4:57 AM — By IT Training Source

lv outlet

Posted Mon Nov 3, 2008, 6:43 AM — By watches

replica watches

Posted Mon Nov 3, 2008, 11:17 AM — By gucci

gucci handbag

Posted Tue Nov 4, 2008, 10:26 PM — By sdfsdfffsdfs

a href="http://www.cnwfyy.com">液压机械化工设备

Posted Wed Nov 5, 2008, 4:35 PM — By Sabrina

generic viagra

Posted Thu Nov 6, 2008, 12:21 AM — By whole sale jewelry

wholesale jewellry handmade jewellry

Posted Fri Nov14, 2008, 12:28 AM — By 213123

luis vuitton [url=http://www.gifico.com]luis vuitton[/url]

Posted Sun Nov16, 2008, 10:38 AM — By oil painting

[URL=http://www.oilpaintingscn.com]oil painting[/URL], [URL=http://www.oilpaintingscn.com]oil paintings[/URL], [URL=http://www.oilpaintingscn.com]china oil painting[/URL], [URL=http://www.oilpaintingscn.com]handmade oil paintings[/URL], [URL=http://www.oilpaintingscn.com]oil painting reproduction[/URL], [URL=http://www.oilpaintingscn.com/page.html?id=18]Painting From Photo [/URL], [URL=http://www.oilpaintingscn.com]oil paintings wholesales[/URL],

Posted Wed Nov19, 2008, 6:36 AM — By dsre

MCSE ccna

Posted Wed Nov19, 2008, 6:42 AM — By dsre

flexible coupling coupling

Posted Wed Nov19, 2008, 6:46 AM — By dsre

Hypnotherapy Aberdeen Hypnosis Aberdeen

Posted Wed Nov19, 2008, 6:50 AM — By dsre

Designer rugs Counselling Aberdeen

Posted Wed Nov19, 2008, 6:51 AM — By dsre

rug rugs

Posted Thu Nov20, 2008, 3:18 AM — By wholesale jewelry

Supply wholesale jewelry and handmade jewelry at wholesale prices. Fashion jewelry wholesaler from:wholesale jewelry

Posted Thu Nov20, 2008, 3:26 AM — By laptop battery

buy replacement laptop battery

Posted Wed Nov26, 2008, 12:39 AM — By luois vuitton city bags

[url=http://www.gifico.com/categories/Monogram-Canvas-City-Bags-304-1.html ] Louis Vuitton Bags[/url]outlet france and buy [url=http://www.gifico.com/categories/Monogram-Canvas-City-Bags-304-1.html ] Louis Vuitton City Bags [/url] outlet california and sell [url=http://www.gifico.com/categories/Monogram-Canvas-City-Bags-304-1.html ]c Louis Vuitton City Bags [/url] outlet mall and buy [url=http://www.gifico.com/categories/Monogram-Canvas-City-Bags-304-1.html ]Louis [/url] [url=http://www.gifico.com/categories/Monogram-Canvas-City-Bags-304-1.html]city bags[/url] outlet las vegas and sell You are welcome to visit our website www.gifico.com,and go to www.fvorluxury.com and visit www.gifico.com;

Posted Wed Nov26, 2008, 12:40 AM — By luois vuitton city bags

www.gifico.com Louis Vuitton Bags outlet and offer www.gifico.com Vuitton City Bags and sell and buy www.gifico.com Louicity bags louisvuitton outlet.Pls visit the website www.gifico.com city ba You are welcome to visit our website www.gifico.com,and go to www.fvorluxury.com and visit www.gifico.com;

Posted Wed Nov26, 2008, 2:56 AM — By Jayne mansfield car crash

jayne mansfield car crash

Posted Fri Nov28, 2008, 12:14 AM — By yiwu

Buy China wholesale products at wholesale price

Posted Fri Nov28, 2008, 7:57 PM — By forex no

forex ilfiqs

Posted Sun Nov30, 2008, 11:02 PM — By rugs

ccna coupling

Posted Sun Nov30, 2008, 11:03 PM — By rugs

rugs

Posted Mon Dec 1, 2008, 5:09 AM — By 658pp

デスメタル

Posted Tue Dec 2, 2008, 9:18 PM — By Jordan Shoes

Jordan Shoes Adidas Shoes probeware

Posted Thu Dec11, 2008, 8:49 PM — By tibet tour

Want to go to tibet tour?

Posted Fri Dec12, 2008, 2:38 PM — By ktmj

This is a very exciting and interesting website. It has helped a lot in supplying me with very important and necessary information/ wdae ktmj

Posted Sun Dec14, 2008, 8:01 AM — By yiwu

Wholesale from Yiwu, good quality, best price on one stop China wholesale site: http://www.amandaiec.com

Posted Sun Dec14, 2008, 7:56 PM — By gemstone beads

pearl jewelry wholesale Gemstone beads wholesale

Posted Mon Dec15, 2008, 7:31 PM — By gemstoen beads

Coral Jewelry Turquoise Jewelry

Posted Tue Dec16, 2008, 2:58 AM — By Batteries

We all want to make our replacement battery last as long as possible, but no doubt every battery has a natural course of aging, so we list some good batery tips here to prolong this aging course. Carefully read notebook batteries the user manual of your PANASONIC for charging instructions. A new DMW-BM7 battery pack needs to be fully charged and fully discharged or "cycled" as much as five times to condition them into performing at full capacity. Store the digital camera battery in a cool and dry place (The suitable temperature is about 15°C) and store it at about 40% state-of-charge. The Rechargeable laptop batteries undergo self-discharging when left unused for a long time. So it is necessary to recharge the battery after a storage period.

Posted Thu Dec18, 2008, 3:38 AM — By Player101

Jouer au poker I agree

Posted Fri Dec19, 2008, 7:51 PM — By pearl jewelry

pearl jewelry wholesale Gemstone

Posted Tue Dec23, 2008, 8:33 PM — By pearl jewelry

akoya pearl,sea shell pearl,our company specialize in Chinese Turquoise beads and coral beads wholesale, Chinese turquoise wholesale, necklace wholesale,pendants wholesale, bracelets wholesale, freshwater pearl wholesale, We stock all these goods in quantities. With tons of gemstone beads, pearl beads, coral beads,turquoise beads,necklace, pendants and bracelets in stock, on the wholesale cheap price. Pandora Jewelry Freshwater Pearl Jewelry

Posted Wed Dec24, 2008, 2:56 AM — By wholesale jewelry

coral jewelry shell jewelry

Posted Wed Dec24, 2008, 2:58 AM — By shell jewelry

Semiprecious jewelry turquoise jewelry

Posted Wed Dec24, 2008, 2:59 AM — By turquoise jewelry

Joyería artesanal Joyas perla

Posted Wed Dec24, 2008, 3:02 AM — By Joyas perla

Mayorista joyas Joyas por mayor

Posted Wed Dec24, 2008, 4:11 AM — By Andfsa

wholesale come here .we are the best china wholesale

Posted Wed Dec24, 2008, 4:15 AM — By Andfsa

Best china wholesale service, quick china wholesale list

Posted Wed Dec24, 2008, 4:16 AM — By Andfsa

Tiffany Replica wholesale replica handbags

Posted Mon Dec29, 2008, 10:57 PM — By BOLL

commitment to product quality Study Guide of popular IT Certifications continues to differentiate us from other companies. Online Degree Simexam uses an experienced team of certified subject-matter experts, technical writers, and technical to create and edit the most in-depth and realistic exam questions, all our EducationQ&A are t If you prepare for the exams using our Simexam testing engine, we guarantee your success in the first attempt.

Posted Sun Jan 4, 2009, 6:37 AM — By Jason

Wholesale from china at wholesale price, China wholesale starts from Yiwu: http://www.jwebshop.com

Add Comment