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.

< Previous Post | Blog Home | 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 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 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 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 Tue Dec 2, 2008, 9:18 PM — By Jordan Shoes

Jordan Shoes Adidas Shoes probeware

Posted Fri Apr17, 2009, 5:08 AM — By Goldsales4u

[url=http://www.goldsales4u.com]Goldsales4u[/url] is a professional and reliable website that specializes in selling game virtual currency like [url=http://www.goldsales4u.com]WOW Gold[/url] ,[url=http://www.goldsales4u.com]FFXI Gil[/url] and [url=http://www.goldsales4u.com]Lotro Gold[/url]. In meeting the demand of game players to [url=http://www.goldsales4u.com]buy wow gold[/url] and [url=http://www.goldsales4u.com]buy lotro gold[/url] ,[url=http://www.goldsales4u.com]FFXI gil[/url] gil and [url=http://www.goldsales4u.com]buy cheap wow gold[/url] ,we are committed to offer you the best price ,fast transaction,24x7 customer service and transaction security guaranteed.

Posted Sun Apr19, 2009, 8:20 AM — By ugg boots

These earrings are truly well crafted, whimsical and perfect for the friend I bought them for.They are really cute and so well made. They are light weight and comfortable. I really love them.Just got my Handbags! They are absolutely beautiful, and the quality is just amazing. Luxury & fashion & cheap bags.Just got my ugg boots! They are absolutely beautiful, and the quality is just amazing. No wearing them in, no blisters just absolutely snug strait out of the box.I have had these ear buds for a couple of days now, about 10 hours listening so far. Have to say they are comfortable in the ear, while just sitting or working out, along with excellent sound. My ipod, palm lifedrive and desktop stereo powers these just fine.I am pleased with the perfect fit of the timberland boots I ordered. I live in Colorado and seem like my feet always cold anyway but the timberland boots keeps them plenty warm.I like the watches very much,for both the free shipping and the quality,I will be back in future.Hope the website can

Posted Thu Apr23, 2009, 1:47 AM — By cheap nike shoes

i like your things, you are good

Posted Thu Apr23, 2009, 11:39 PM — By 出会い系

家出少女が集まる<リンク:http://super-beautiful.com/>出会い系<リンク:http://sugukaritai.com/>出会い系「Spice of Life」<リンク:http://de-a-i-kei.net/>出会い系【B＆G】<リンク:http://meet-the-meet.com/>出会い系【M】<リンク:http://deaeruyo.info/>出会い系でセフレを作る。<リンク:http://deai-world.com/>出会い系掲示板－出会い系＠－人妻と出会える<リンク:http://deai-universe.com/>出会い系をご紹介。優良<リンク:http://deai-honesty.com/>出会い系「出会い-Plus」無料で楽しめる<リンク:http://meet-k.net/>出会い系紹介優良<リンク:http://deai-x.com/>出会い系案内所安心･優良の<リンク:http://deainara.com/>出会い系案内<リンク:http://deai-happy.net/>出会い系2009<リンク:http://deai-fantastic.com/>出会い系「乱れる森の熟女」<リンク:http://lovely-deai.net/>出会い系【BEST】<

Posted Mon May 4, 2009, 3:44 AM — By niuren

We all like [url=http://www.airnk.com/]Jordan Shoes[/url] and [url=http://www.airnk.com/]Nike Shoes[/url], just a good choice.

Posted Wed May13, 2009, 4:31 AM — By jewelry,jewelry wholesale

jewelry

Posted Sat Jun 6, 2009, 11:01 AM — By gucci handbags

I like Gucci handbags,replica cheap,bags handbags,wholesale coach bag,I found something I need from this link http://www.western-brand.com its really a good dealing,they accept paypal payment,drop shipping.and the quanlity is really nice.i like to deal with it.you can have a look at it if you would found somethings nice and to save your money.

Posted Thu Jun18, 2009, 3:15 AM — By ss

air jordan shoes cheap jordan shoes buy jordan shoes tiffany jewellry cheap tiffany jewellry buy tiffany jewellry

Posted Fri Jun19, 2009, 12:39 PM — By virmoney

http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-wow-gold.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-maplestory-mesos.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-wow-gold-us.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-everquest-2.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-ffxi-gil.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-eve-online.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-aoc-gold-eu.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-silkroad-online.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-lineage-2.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-lotro-gold-us.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-lotro-gold-eu.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-gaia-gold.html http://www.ogdeal.com/sell-perfect-world-gold.html

Posted Sat Jun20, 2009, 3:28 AM — By jian

dunk sb shoes

Posted Sat Jun20, 2009, 7:38 AM — By Sandy Peterson

Hello mate, I want to thank you for this nice blog. Would you mind telling me some secrets for a succesful blog ? Which could attract some visitors than it normally does. Please come visit my site Adoption Agencies Directory when you got time.

Posted Sun Jun21, 2009, 12:44 AM — By Arlington Business Directory

It is very interesting article and quite impressive and more informative and looking forward to read such article. Please visit my site Arlington Yellow Page Business Directory when you got time.

Posted Sun Jun21, 2009, 1:29 AM — By Tulsa Business Directory

i love the style, i have several similar one, i usually wear them to work or shopping. Please come visit my site Tulsa Yellow Page Business Directory when you got time.

Posted Mon Jun22, 2009, 4:58 AM — By cheap wow gold

One thing Blizzard likes to slip cheap wow gold in every few patches is a new world of warcraft gold UI function that buy wow gold "replaces" a popular add-on or set off addons. They've done it with Scrolling Combat Text, Threat Meters, and most recently, with Equipment Managers.The New Equipment Manager world of warcraft gold is nice, but it's cheap wow gold also pretty basic.You choose to save a set, choose a name world of warcraft gold and icon for the set, and there you go. You can drag the new icon onto your toolbar for quick changes, at least, but there's not much else. You can't synchronize it with buy wow gold a talent change.

Posted Tue Jun23, 2009, 6:47 AM — By anisacikal

hello, this is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting in your blog especially on how to determine the topic. keep up the good Sulumits Retsambew work.

Posted Mon Jul13, 2009, 1:14 AM — By McAllen Texas

I really liked your blog! Please come visit my site McAllen Texas Yellow Pages when you got time.

Posted Sat Jul25, 2009, 12:48 AM — By gynecology

What a facinating article. I’m looking for a marketing expert to help with a project, could you help? Please come visit my site obstetrician when you got time.

Posted Thu Aug27, 2009, 12:00 AM — By mary

i like too

Posted Tue Sep 1, 2009, 5:38 AM — By digital asset management

Couldn't be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing! Please come visit my site digital asset management software when you got time.

Posted Mon Sep14, 2009, 6:27 PM — By alessandro mol luce

RAY KIMBER is a God of the Gods

Posted Sun Oct18, 2009, 12:32 AM — By bigbigbags

welcome to www.bigbigbags.com more than 5,000 louis vuitton handbags and gucci handbags and balenciaga handbags and other brands handbag in www.bigbigbags.com

Posted Thu Oct29, 2009, 4:20 AM — By christian louboutin

http://www.christianlouboutinshoesshop.com Nobody can ignore the existence of Christian Louboutin shoes in the fashion world. The wellknown red outsole and high heel both shaped the distinctive features of Christian Louboutin. In Europe and America, a great number of stars chasing the fever of Christian Louboutin. When you see a red outsole you can definitely figure it out and say that is the Christian Louboutin shoes. Red outsole has become the logo since it appeared. However, you can never forget the beauty that the Christian Louboutin brings to you. You don’t even have to walk out of the indoor circumstance, and your slim,beautiful and grace leg could easily catch people’s eyes. Now you get this chance to be a part of them, you only have to chooes the one you like.

Posted Fri Nov 6, 2009, 4:22 AM — By Mail order Russian girls

I absolutely agree with you! When men desire to marry with someone online, they are commonly notably delighted. It is a bewitching routine to make the new review; users choose beautiful photos and introduce yourself as smart and attractive person. If you are searching for contact with russian brides, it's a good selection since you might get a true friend and the excellent soul mate. Today sexy Russian women for online dating are all the time donate anything and anybody should love it because it is perfect when couple become one - (In Love Again).

Cute Russian girls adore mature and faithful men. Loyalty is your greatest positive if you try to get the soul of Hot Russian lady. They admire liberty and trust, so you will not deem stress as we commonly recognize in a connection. You will discover how easy going Russian brides are since the primary dialogs and while following meetings. Russian bride dating agency compares with exciting unread book what you can understand all life.

Add Comment