Hello, new to this forum and would like some advice from all of you knowledgeable stereophiles, especially those that have run vintage EV stuff. I have had the same audio system since college (35 years) and have wanted to upgrade my system for a while and finally gotten around to it this summer. I replaced Carver M-500t amp & NAD Pre-Amp with a McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amp. I've tried probably about 10 sets of speakers on this amp and in my listening room, not been super happy with any of them, until I tried a EV Aristocrat Speaker with 16 ohm SP12 driver. Actually picked up a pair of EV speakers (One Aristocrat and a matching EV speaker (not sure of enclosure model but it is the same size and finish as the Aristocrat but not a corner speaker design, matching SP12 driver). The low end if just what I was looking for in these. Of course with the coaxial speakers, the upper end is not up to par, but I love the enclosure and that deep base, so I am looking to build my speakers with the Aristocrat enclosure. For the time being, I stacked a Klipsch KG2 on top and it together it sounds amazing. Just picked up a 2nd matching pair of Aristocrats with 16 ohm 12TRXB drivers for which I will use the cabinets. Locally, there is also a pair of newer vintage commercial EV speakers from a recording studio for sale at a reasonable price that contain 8 ohm EV SP12C drivers, EV 1823 mid range with 8" horns, and EV T-35 tweeters with crossovers and pots, all look to be in excellent condition.
So looking for some advice on what components I should use. The SP12 has a much heavier magnet that the 12TRXB or the SP12C and when sold, SP12 and 12TRXB sold for about the same price. The Aristocrat manual suggests pairing the SP12 with a T-35 tweeter rather than a tri-axial if budget allowed. They also offered a T-25a midrange horn option for the SP12.
The other complicating factor is that the McIntosh amp does not have 16 ohm outputs, only 8, 4 and 2, but not sure if that really has much effect as they really sound great as is.
So I am looking at three options:
1. Use the 16 ohm SP12 drivers, pair with some used 16 ohm T-35 tweeters (T-350s are out of my budget) and crossovers. Maybe add the T-25a and crossover when I find them reasonably priced.
2. Use the 12TRXBs.
3. Buy the 8 ohm commercial set and install in the Aristocrat enclosures.
Welcoming advise on how I should proceed. Leaning toward either Options 1 or 3.
Thank you.
So looking for some advice on what components I should use. The SP12 has a much heavier magnet that the 12TRXB or the SP12C and when sold, SP12 and 12TRXB sold for about the same price. The Aristocrat manual suggests pairing the SP12 with a T-35 tweeter rather than a tri-axial if budget allowed. They also offered a T-25a midrange horn option for the SP12.
The other complicating factor is that the McIntosh amp does not have 16 ohm outputs, only 8, 4 and 2, but not sure if that really has much effect as they really sound great as is.
So I am looking at three options:
1. Use the 16 ohm SP12 drivers, pair with some used 16 ohm T-35 tweeters (T-350s are out of my budget) and crossovers. Maybe add the T-25a and crossover when I find them reasonably priced.
2. Use the 12TRXBs.
3. Buy the 8 ohm commercial set and install in the Aristocrat enclosures.
Welcoming advise on how I should proceed. Leaning toward either Options 1 or 3.
Thank you.
