Sun, sea, hi-fi and rest ...

Idea for combined "tourist – protocol" visit to Cyprus was something about which I was start thinking almost one year ago. Protocol reasons don’t need to be explained in details. It was just a simple wish to meet with the one the most acclaimed world’s hi-fi reviewers and during informal meeting to discuss and exchange opinions about topics and themes which HiFi Café promotes and write about. If we are looking from the tourist perspective – situation was more than clear. As I never before visit Cyprus, this was a great opportunity to do it as “package tour”.

And month by month, period of year the most suitable for this trip approached. Which means a few weeks before official high season start-up, when daily highs are not over 30°C, when there is no big tourist hustle and when low season prices are still applicable (which was more or less true assumption :-). Somehow at the same time, team from Trafomatic Audio was in final preparation phase for shipment of their brand new top product - The Experience Reference 300B SET monoblocks to the same destination. Due to that reason, in the middle of May I’ve spoke with Sasa Cokic from Trafomatic Audio and “reminded” him on idea which I’ve already exposed to him a few months ago about travel to Cyprus. This time, I was more direct and proposed to him frame dates for traveling, having in mind my professional obligation and available vacation dates. By few exchanged emails and phone calls, we “fixed” term and list of passengers. The next action item was to check what is the situation on-site with our host on Cyprus.

Our host’s feedback and confirmation of dates arrived from Cyprus in less than 24h, after which we need to officially start with preparation for this trip. Logistics included gathering of information what is required for getting of Cypriot tourist visa, finding of hotel rooms near Coral Bay area (part of Paphos city) with reasonable prices  and finally purchase of flight tickets. Fortunately, the majority of these tasks I’ve did on-line, providing the fact how daily highs in Belgrade were these days (30°C and more, daily average).

Although Cyprus belongs to EU, my multi sengen visa wasn’t useful, so all of us (Sasa Cokic and Milorad Despotovic from Trafomatic and myself) needed to apply for tourist visa. Our host kindly sent us certified and stamped invitation letters, as well as help us with taxi which brought us from Larnaca airport to our hotel (some 140 km in one direction).

With all papers required for visa and providing the fact that one person can bring more applications for visa (if all persons are traveling on the same address), a few days later I’ve came to consulate. FYI, application procedure is very much straight forward and there is no need for any “exotic” documents which need to be conveyed with application form. And finally, instead of 5 working days officially required for obtaining a visa, our visas were done after 3 working days only. So, with hotel reservation confirmed, flight tickets and Cypriot visas, we were almost complete ready for “take-off”.

First contact with Cyprus happened one and half  hour after midnight due to fact that JAT Airways have had only late flight available for requested departure date. Not so representative time for the first contact, but although it was very late, there was no doubt that we changed environment, with that specific smell which unequivocally indicates that the sea is not so far from us.

To be very honest from the very beginning, I must confess that speaking about how our trip will look like – e.g. that it will be much, much more tourist  than business (protocol) oriented, we’ve made completely wrong esteem. And it proved already during first day of our stay. As additional fact it must be said that 48h before we arrived to Cyprus, Sasa Cokic received information that anode transformer is broken, so they need to run against the time and wind a new transformer before our departure. Fortunately, Trafomatic’s team succeeded  to finish their job and as extra luggage they’ve add a new transformer and set of necessary tools for its replacement.

Our host Srajan Ebaen, publisher and owner of 6moons.com web portlal, arrived by car in our hotel on the same day round 11 AM, while our small team evan after a good breakfast and double espressos was still dazed and semi-awaked after late night flight and 2 hours taxi drive. But, restless and curiosity undoubtedly dictate tempo of activities.

The key player and one of the most important reason for out trip, already mentioned The Experience Reference 300B monoblocks are waiting in our host’s working room to be listened. Admission to mentioned working room, which was seen so many times on pictures only over the Internet so many times before, was somehow very special experience. Although everything looked like very known and familiar to us, however a small dilemma if that place really exist were present. But after we’ve spent a few hours inside, impression that you’ve already been here many times before became very realistic.

Although I have in mind prepared some 30 “mandatory” questions for Srajan, from the very beginning it became more than obvious that monoblocks as well as physical presence of Trafomatic’s team, will be in primary focus of all activities and discussion during next few days. But to avoid situation to be “accused” that I didn’t managed to get answers on some questions as well as to hear something from available hi-fi equipment, here are the most interesting moments from our joint discussions which were open “for publicity”. 

According to Srajan, idea for 6moons simply appeared one morning during showering. If someone look at the list of previous jobs which is very variegated (construction, own window cleaning business, Pilates-based fitness trainer, outcall masseur in Beverly Hills and so on), it could be seen that some of these jobs was in its nature very far from his current job. More about his musical, professional and writers beginnings and experience (including engagement in EnjoyThe Music and SoundStage!) you can find on this link.  Finally, in June 2002. he launched 6moons.

Consistent to this it was very interesting to hear what is the current situation and in which directions we can expect that audio publishing (both in printed and electronic format) will proceed further. What are the persons and magazines/web portals (beside 6moons of course) to whom hi-fi and music enthusiasts can trust. On my question if he is subscribed to some of just a few hi-fi and hi-end magazines which got “green light from his side, answer was very short and clear: “No!”. Although he has TV in his home, it is not connected to cable and its primary purpose is for watching DVDs, together with his wife.

 

 

Obviously the primary channels for communication related to his primary business are through Internet an by phone. On my question how many reviews he’s running in parallel, he replied that it’s usually 3-4, which correspondents to usual number of reviews signed by his name and published on 6moons. Regarding some favorite periods during day (and week) when he’s listening music and handle “notes” about particular component which is subject of review, answer was more or less expected – “during all day”. Standard business hours don’t exist, he loves his job very much (writing of audio reviews, news and industry features section updates with fresh content, music reviews, etc.).

In general these are no any formal restrictions or rules which can be declared as mandatory, except to try to retain continuity to publish something new on site on daily basis. Job which brings money and fun (e.g. enjoying the music) represent one tight and compact entity.

 

Part 2 >>