Thanks to all the organisers who did a great job in revitalising the Show.
Thanks to Peter Quortrup's organisation, Audionote for contributing and adding a little bit of gravitas to the occasion and to Supra Cables for having a stall. Darko, who knows jessica_k, whom I was helping and supporting in her debut show, spent some time in our room chatting to the two of us and displayed a tremendous grasp of his subject and was an excellent representative of AN (UK) (room 208).
I liked the venue and I felt like this would be our new home - it WAS like Scalford only better, especially the floors. The staff were lovely, weren't they?
I understand our scouts werent able to see all the rooms, hence there were one or two mismatches, such as the wondrous Klipsch Cornwalls in the staff broom cupboard! Ady, the exhibitor, was actually alongside me at dinner and expressed an iota of disbelief on opening his door for the first time, but, in the spirit of the Wam, got on with making the best of the lot that was given him - doing a good job in the process and entering the Wam Show 'Hall Of Fame' in the process.
Talking of another hall of famer, Rabski completely turned his system round from when I was present when initially setting up to produce one of the sounds of the Show. (But then then we both love a bottle, though in his case, that's now in the past tense.) It's a shame he couldnt stay for Sunday's curry night as I'm certain that he would have been accorded the credit he deserves for sticking with us and doing a great job when the speeches were being made. I'm sure Duvet and Paul appreciate what a stalwart he has been over the last couple of years, as do we all.
Worthy of a mention as a debutante was Richard (Lostwin) who went out of his way (from Eastbourne) to show his Snell A's. They put up an impressive display driven by a John Wood push pull and a phono stage and pre that put in an appearance at my bake off. His excellent system reminded one or two of us of Dom's efforts a few years ago with the same speakers, when he stole the show. Really well done there.
The social side of things was a joy - loads of people whom I knew from the past were there and it was great to see them. Andrew, Paul, of course (great job sir), Julian, Rick, Tony J, Keith (great effort, no, amazing effort), Steve 57, Taut and Jester, plus friends from the south coast inc. Lurch and Chrisph and Jules_s both of whom were on hand to help where needed (well done them!), Richard, Ian, Pete etc. etc..and also diceman (JP) and his friend Kevin who came as punters this time, but may bring a system next time - watch this space!
A dark horse was a guy called James from Norfolk - he was opposite me at dinner and mentioned he was a late entrant and not in the programme, but that he had brought a Be driven pair of horns. We raced up to his room to have a listen, clutching a pint Speedracer had bought me, eager to hear them (sorry Brook I should have been courteous enough to have sat with you then and supped it there), dragging a few inquisitive folk with us. I urged James to maintain contact after the show as I would love to hear his complete system, of which this was only a small part.
Spare a thought for Speedracer and Wizmax who spent most of both journeys struggling in limp home mode, but soldiered on regardless (medals in the post) and a mention for a certain Wammer who paid for all of our curries on Friday out of his own pocket. I wont name him but thankyou - great wamming there.
The Show did quirky too, eg., the shy man who had an active system that resembled the results of a 'Scrap Heap Challenge' with 4, no less, Naim tweeters at the top of his personal Christmas tree. Classic..
Other stuff went on and these are just a few snippets from my own Wam Diary.
I have to thank Jessica, my co exhibitor, and congratulate her on the performance of her own designs in the system and for her demeanor and patience throughout the 4 days.
Finally, a shout-out for Bazzer who manned the Charity Bring And Buy. (How does he stay so annoyingly slim?)
Jack NSM