Saison Sunday - Dallas HiFi Audio Meetup & Beer Release

A solemn moment of appreciation you are invited to be intentional while sipping. Our professional tasting group is open to all each session involves a finely crafted beverage and curated music listening. Posted below are prior selections by finding this page you can also cue a playlist and select a beverage for sipping.

Host Brewery:

Oak Cliff Brewing

Tyler Station
Address: 1300 S Polk St #222
Dallas, TX 75224
https://oakcliffbrewing.com

Cellar Aged Series — Salted Barrel Blend - OCB#2 – Beer Release

Artisan ales finished with BLKMAN starter cultures. Bottle conditioned for long-term keeping available for purchase exclusively at the brewery. Stay tuned for scheduled events, listening sessions, and style talks curated by BlackMan Brewing.

Dallas HiFi Audio Meetup

Bring Your Own Device — Listening Session

July 5th, 2026

Attendees are encouraged to bring equipment to share with others. The main system will be vinyl focused but digital ready via USB and streaming for playlists. Disc jockeys (DJs) and curators are welcome to join us. We are audiophiles with delicate gear and sensitive ears meaning the system is curated for acoustic room presence at moderate volume. Prepare for critical listening. We are gathering to socialize, share new music, and enjoy analog vintage sound.

Note: The setlist will vary by each curator. For example, we use our Jazz Kissa styled setlist format at listening bars & cafes. The music lead is slow with high-energy tunes tapered consistently in flow. When hosting private tastings select Saison Sunday cellar aged series are pulled for beverage musings.

July 5th, 2026

System Details

Technics SL-1200MK2 / modified with two tonearms
Turntable: Record Player

• Sorane TA-1L / Tonearm (a) / SL-1200 additional mounted Panzerholz Tonearm Armboard
• Denon DL103 / Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
• Phono Cartridge & Step Up Transformer: myEMIA.com / the103sut
• RIAA Phono Corrector: Sonographe SC1 / (Phono)
• Technics SL-1200 / Tonearm (b)
• Ortofon Concorde MKII Club / DJ Phono Cartridge with Music Red series replacement styli.
• RIAA Phono Corrector: Schitt Mani 2 / (Phono)
• Preamplifier: Phonostage
• Conrad Johnson Sonographe SC1 / Moving Magnet Loading
• Schitt Mani 2 / Moving Magnet Loading / (SC1 / CD Input)
• Power Amplifier: Main System **

Quad 303 ** / ~ 1974 Production Original

The first solid state amplifier designed by the brand to be incredibly stable when driving difficult impedance loads. The output circuit is completely symmetrical, providing a max of 45 watts per channel. The Quad 303 is preferred for its harmonic signature paired with Quad ESL-57 speakers the sound is definitively vintage warm vocals with a lush extension.

Quad 405 / Power Amplifier

Delivers a three-dimensional midrange with high-quality innovative current dumping typology designed to minimize crossover distortion. A great vintage amp with 100 watts of power originally designed to drive the Quad ESL-63 electrostatic speakers.

• Loudspeakers:

Quad ESL-57 ** / ~ 1976 Production Original

Introduced in 1957 as the world's first full-range electrostatic speaker The Quad ESL-57 earned praise for its unparalleled midrange and transparent sound. Suitable for highly accurate low distortion genres like classical and acoustic music but not for an audience needing deep bass. The electrostatic speaker is highly directional requiring careful placement to achieve the optimal listening experience. It also presents a challenging load to amplifiers due to its fluctuating impedance and capacitive nature, pairing best with vintage Quad amplifiers or specific tube amplifiers.

June 21st, 2026

Curated Playlist:

Dallas HiFi Audio Meetup

Bring Your Own Device — Listening Session

March 1st, 2026

System Details

March 1st, 2026

• Turntable: Record Player
• Technics SL-1200MK2
• Denon DL103 / Phono Cartridge
• Phono Cartridge & Step Up Transformer: myEMIA.com / the103sut
• Phono Corrector: RIAA Preamp

PilotRadio.com / RIAA Preamp
The new HiFi preamplifier re-launched in 2025 features unobscured signal path and vintage component sourcing and honoring over one hundred years of audio history.

• Power Amplifier:

Dynaco Mark III
Vintage tube monoblock amplifier first released in 1957 is known for its high output and warm harmonic profile. The push-pull tube design is renowned for being highly modifiable.

• Loudspeakers: Main System **

Klipsch Cornwall II ** restored vintage
First released in 1959 featuring a floor standing loudspeaker known for its neutral lively sound. The three-way design is highly efficient making room filling sound that is easy to drive this set has few upgrades.

Athena 4 Tower Speakers by Steven Solazzo's of Stereo Clarity
First on the scene in 2019 these towers include a powered subwoofer and horn loaded tweeter. The design is fun, punchy, and refined across the frequency response range.

Klipsch KG4
First released in 1985 featuring a rear mounted passive radiator design coupled with a horn tweeter. The floor standing speakers have a punchy full sound for two-channel audio.

• Multi-Channel: Headphones

FusionWave silent disco events
Bringing a different vibe participants can dance to music played through wireless headphones instead of the main loudspeakers. Select between three different channels for a unique experience.

Frequently asked questions:

What is a Jazz Kissa?

A venue to provide an immersive listening experience, originating in Japan, is known as a listening bar or hi-fi bar. While music is the main attraction, the Jazz Kissa typically offers a selection of drinks, and quiet conversation among patrons is generally permitted.

What is a listening session?

A dedicated space where the appreciation of high-quality audio takes center stage, creating a cozy and immersive experience.

Are drinks included?

Prepaid tasting tickets are redeemable for (1) select beverage, beer, coffee, drink at the cafe bar.

Curated Playlist:

Shared Origin — a robust selection speaking to maintaining a core rather than declining.

Saison Sundays are filled with conversation, music, and friends. I am a brewer working with yeast and wild fermentation. Join the group to access to upcoming beer releases featuring rustic ales I've created or collected. Our brewery hosted collaboration events happen when beers are released.

The concept of gathering for critical music listening has evolved from Hi-Fi audio meetings. Our group of audiophile enthusiasts meet monthly to share new music, enjoy analog sound, and chat about all things vintage. Private gatherings are hosted by request.

Send a message to visit or request to join. - Barrett Tillman