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Dahlquist speakers and tubes

J

jmarley7

Active Member
I have a set of Dahlquist DQ-20's. I have had them for about a month now, and still working on placement. I have been running a McIntosh C26 pre and a MC2105 amp with them. At first I have to say I was just a little disappointed in them. Then I added a Subwoofer to the mix, running it out of the C26 center channel. Wow what a difference this has made in my appreciation of the DQ's. I am in love with them. The vocals are great, with nice solid mids and the highs are nice and crisp, and now the lower section is very nice.

I just purchased a Rogue Tube preamp. I had a little extra cash and have always wanted to try out some tube equipment, so I figured now is the time. It is the Preseus model that utilizes (4) 12ax7 tubes. It also can be used with MM or MC cartridges for phono.

I am curious as to any opinions on Dahlquist speakers and tubes, and maybe some things I should take notice of when I hook up the pre to my system. I have no qualms about the C26 performance, just interested in tubes.

PS: Mostly listen to mellower music. Not into pop, synth, heavy metal, etc.
 

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In my experience, Dahlquist DQ-20's excel on tubes. They absolutely sound fantastic on tubes.

I once worked at a CD/DVD replication CD pressing plant. I worked in the audio mastering suites. Originally, for whatever reason, the founding managers had purchased our monitors and amps from a local high end audiophile stereo store. We ended up with Dahlquist DQ-20's, driven with conrad johnson tubed gear, in a too tiny of a room for them. I know the preamp was a PV-5, and I think the amp was a MV-45. Great, great gear, a very synergistic combination. But, not what you'd want in a studio for monitoring. So, we sold that set-up and used the proceeds to by 2 pairs of Meyer Sound HD-1's. Much better for our needs. Though, I always missed the Dahlquist/cj combination. Warm and inviting, with great presence.

Also, I've heard the Dahlquist DQ-20's using Audio Research tubed equipment. This set up was at the same store where we had picked up the Dahlquist/cj system. This system sounded much better, as the room was much larger, and allowed the speakers room to breathe. During the demo, the sales rep played the "Antiphone Blues" CD. It's an audiophile recording of a saxophone/pipe organ duet. A beautiful if odd pairing. That Dahlquist DQ-20's & Audio Research system was wicked awesome. Some of the most realistically reproduced music that I've ever heard. The demo room completely disappeared, leaving just a huge soundscape of sound. Again, warm and present. Nothing to complain about.

http://www.amazon.com/Antiphone-Blues-Arne-Domnerus/dp/B0000YTQ24
 
Should sound great. Had DQ10s powered by stereo 70
Currently have Rogue Cronos mag makes some beautiful music
 
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