Got my hands on a pair of ADS L1590/2s...

[bhairavi]

My first ADS. Found a fresh ad on craigslist, jumped on it. Listed for 1000, I asked the seller if he'd take 800. He would. Little did I know what I was asking and what I'd be getting. Despite reading all the praises on here, still wasn't sure if these would be too bright for me. Recently bought and sold a pair of Wharfedale Lintons which were disappointingly forward. My wife and I liked my KLH 6s more.



Cleaned them out in the garage, brought em inside last night. My stepdad is visiting. We had listened to some Boston A200s and KLH 23s before hooking these up. We were, and still are, blown away. Just running a restored Sansui 4000, we couldn't believe the cleanness. The bass. The smoothness. No distortion. First we tried some Kyuss. Then OMC's How Bizarre. Then a wide variety of folk, acoustic, Indian classical. Some Wu Tang. Some postrock. Oh, the bass. Oh the clarity. No trouble delivering that cap-coupled Sansui umph, Loudness ON. Bass turned up even further. Tried maxxing the treble just for fun. So crisp. NO DISTORTION.

I went to bed giddy. I'm still giddy. I'm selling off the BA and 2/3 of my KLHs. I'm not a fan of floorstanders but now that I've heard them I don't care WHAT they look like. My wife joked they look like the black spirit in Spirited Away. The walnut veneer is gorgeous.



End game. I'm a convert.

 

[bhairavi]

PS we are already looking for more. How do M12s compare? I know they are more modest, and I'd need to check if the inductors were changed out, but I want to buy my parents a pair, and those are the only floorstanders currently listed.

 

[bhairavi]

Also there is a gentleman who I'm buying some Sansui amps from, I got a message from him right after I bought these speakers that the amps are back from the tech. Looking at getting a Sansui AU888, 999 and/or 717 to pair with these. The 888 is recapped, and the 717 also seems like a no-brainer. Wonder if it's worth it to also get the 999 and do all the mods for a little more power than the 888 and, I assume, more warmth than the 717.

 

[sancho22]

I am a big Ads fan
Had many models and liked them all
Most of all the 1530
The 1590 eludes me however - did not give up yet
The better components and higher quality recordings will continue to bring joy - if you could get to separates in the future the speakers will thank you
I am sure some 1590 owners will chime in soon

 

[bhairavi]

I am a big Ads fan
Had many models and liked them all
Most of all the 1530
The 1590 eludes me however - did not give up yet
The better components and higher quality recordings will continue to bring joy - if you could get to separates in the future the speakers will thank you
I am sure some 1590 owners will chime in soon

Thought about using the Sansui as preamps - there's a GFA 555 ii listed locally for 450 that's been sitting there for quite some time, might be able to negotiate it lower.

But I dunno, will have to hear the amps first. Not sure I have the level of discernment to warrant separates.

 

[GD70]

My first ADS. Found a fresh ad on craigslist, jumped on it. Listed for 1000, I asked the seller if he'd take 800. He would. Little did I know what I was asking and what I'd be getting. Despite reading all the praises on here, still wasn't sure if these would be too bright for me. Recently bought and sold a pair of Wharfedale Lintons which were disappointingly forward. My wife and I liked my KLH 6s more.

View attachment 3319183

Cleaned them out in the garage, brought em inside last night. My stepdad is visiting. We had listened to some Boston A200s and KLH 23s before hooking these up. We were, and still are, blown away. Just running a restored Sansui 4000, we couldn't believe the cleanness. The bass. The smoothness. No distortion. First we tried some Kyuss. Then OMC's How Bizarre. Then a wide variety of folk, acoustic, Indian classical. Some Wu Tang. Some postrock. Oh, the bass. Oh the clarity. No trouble delivering that cap-coupled Sansui umph, Loudness ON. Bass turned up even further. Tried maxxing the treble just for fun. So crisp. NO DISTORTION.

I went to bed giddy. I'm still giddy. I'm selling off the BA and 2/3 of my KLHs. I'm not a fan of floorstanders but now that I've heard them I don't care WHAT they look like. My wife joked they look like the black spirit in Spirited Away. The walnut veneer is gorgeous.

View attachment 3319198

End game. I'm a convert.

Get some big power behind them! You like em now, just wait!

 

[rickb119]

Congrats on getting an excellent pair of speakers!

If you like the Sansui 4000 sound (and I love my 5000a), I'd look at getting a mosfet amp. Mosfet's are known for their 'more tube like' sound. I actually prefer my B&K ex4420 (mosfet) to my Sansui AU-919 when driving my KEF 104/2's. The 919 does a great job driving a pair of ribbon tweeter bookshelf's that I have, but is a bit bright(?) with the KEF's.

 

[onwardjames]

Congrats on getting an excellent pair of speakers!

If you like the Sansui 4000 sound (and I love my 5000a), I'd look at getting a mosfet amp. Mosfet's are known for their 'more tube like' sound. I actually prefer my B&K ex4420 (mosfet) to my Sansui AU-919 when driving my KEF 104/2's. The 919 does a great job driving a pair of ribbon tweeter bookshelf's that I have, but is a bit bright(?) with the KEF's.

What he said.

MOSFET is the ****, for real. I allowed a "buddy" to talk me out of my Marantz PM84D literally hours after De-Oxit-ing all the switches, and smiling ear to ear at the clean sound hitting my ears.

I got a fair price, but man, that amp was amazing.

 

[bhairavi]

re:MOSFET - I dunno. That sounds like a whole nother rabbit hole. I'm looking forward to simplifying. But there are a few amps here and there... a Hafler 220, a couple 500s, a B&K 4420, and then stuff like this: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ele/d/san-jose-adcom-gfa-stereo-power/7787076584.html
or

Parasound Amplifier, Recently upgraded main filter Caps - electronics - by owner - sale - craigslist

Parasound Amplifier for sale is a POWERFUL Parasound HCA-1206 THX CERTIFIED 6 channel power amplifier. This amp puts out 135 Watts per Channel when run in 6 channel mode. Two pairs of channels can...

sfbay.craigslist.org

I guess it will depend on what the 888/717/999 sound like. And then the question would be whether the Sansui 'coloration' is more a result of the preamp (and therefore can be retained) vs the output side (which I would lose with a power amp)... I know for sure it's the output side on the cap-coupled units but will find out about the more modern ones.

By the way, please commiserate with me - I found a pair of L1290/2 that was on craigslist for all of 10 hours. It was listed for... $200. I emailed the seller but the next day ad was gone. Someone got VERY lucky, and it wasn't me.


Gonna ask the ADS-heads again: opinions on the M12?

 

[Chris __R]

Haven't heard the M12s, but now that you have entered the ADS world, there is no escape.
Welcome.

 

[a_retent]

My kid got a pair of 1590s, series 2 drivers in a series 1 cabinet, for $250.00 with original shipping containers, but plastic got stuck to the domes. Drivers fixed by Richard So and grill repair by Dad...me.
Point is the kid is using a pair of Bryston 4B-St's in bridged configuration controlled by an Audio Research LS3 pre-amp...oh yeah!

 

[a_retent]

For full disclosure, I currently own a completely refurbished pair of L400 bookshelfs and an in process pair of L690's recovered from dumpster demise. The L400s received veneer massage and urethane coating, crossover upgrade with Jantzen blue caps and gold 5 way binding posts with Monster XP internal cabling.
The 690's were a basket case, cabs reveneered, drivers serviced by Richard So, internal Monster XP cable with gold connectors soldered with Cardis silver solder. Grills were trashed so had to build new, xover updated with Jantzen blue caps and gold binding posts.
Do I like ADS... yup. Are they the end all, be all... nope. Are they good to listen to... yup.





Next project will be ADSvents, stay tuned.

 

[rickb119]

Gonna ask the ADS-heads again: opinions on the M12?

Here are a couple of past threads.

ADS M12 Speakers

Dear Friends, I am looking to buy a pair of ADS M 12 floor standing speakers. Please advise : 1. Are they worth it? 2. Sound Character : Bright or Natural? 3. Would they benefit from a crossover Recap? and what brand of Caps are best suited for this? 4. Would they be good enough for the main...

audiokarma.org

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ads-m12-worthwhile.92684/ (Soundmotor was the resident ADS expert, having worked for them for several years).

A/D/S line pecking order?

I have seen that the A/D/S line of speakers are well regarded here. I have the 570. Anyone care to rank the ADS speakers you have heard/owned? How would you characterize/describe them? What amps/receivers seem to be good mates to the ADS line?

audiokarma.org

 

[bhairavi]

Here are a couple of past threads.

ADS M12 Speakers

Dear Friends, I am looking to buy a pair of ADS M 12 floor standing speakers. Please advise : 1. Are they worth it? 2. Sound Character : Bright or Natural? 3. Would they benefit from a crossover Recap? and what brand of Caps are best suited for this? 4. Would they be good enough for the main...

audiokarma.org

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ads-m12-worthwhile.92684/ (Soundmotor was the resident ADS expert, having worked for them for several years).

A/D/S line pecking order?

I have seen that the A/D/S line of speakers are well regarded here. I have the 570. Anyone care to rank the ADS speakers you have heard/owned? How would you characterize/describe them? What amps/receivers seem to be good mates to the ADS line?

audiokarma.org

Yes I read those already. Just looking for 'fresher' opinions or experience, I guess. There's a pair available semi-locally. My stepdad really loved the L1590s, and I am trying to find him something similar if not in the same ballpark. Just wondering how the M12 would compare. Can't believe I missed $200 L1290s...

 

[rickb119]

Yes I read those already. Just looking for 'fresher' opinions or experience, I guess. There's a pair available semi-locally. My stepdad really loved the L1590s, and I am trying to find him something similar if not in the same ballpark. Just wondering how the M12 would compare. Can't believe I missed $200 L1290s...

The 'freshest' opinion/experience would be your own. Go listen to them.

 

[RVT1K]

My first ADS. Found a fresh ad on craigslist, jumped on it. Listed for 1000, I asked the seller if he'd take 800. He would. Little did I know what I was asking and what I'd be getting. Despite reading all the praises on here, still wasn't sure if these would be too bright for me. Recently bought and sold a pair of Wharfedale Lintons which were disappointingly forward. My wife and I liked my KLH 6s more.

View attachment 3319183

Cleaned them out in the garage, brought em inside last night. My stepdad is visiting. We had listened to some Boston A200s and KLH 23s before hooking these up. We were, and still are, blown away. Just running a restored Sansui 4000, we couldn't believe the cleanness. The bass. The smoothness. No distortion. First we tried some Kyuss. Then OMC's How Bizarre. Then a wide variety of folk, acoustic, Indian classical. Some Wu Tang. Some postrock. Oh, the bass. Oh the clarity. No trouble delivering that cap-coupled Sansui umph, Loudness ON. Bass turned up even further. Tried maxxing the treble just for fun. So crisp. NO DISTORTION.

I went to bed giddy. I'm still giddy. I'm selling off the BA and 2/3 of my KLHs. I'm not a fan of floorstanders but now that I've heard them I don't care WHAT they look like. My wife joked they look like the black spirit in Spirited Away. The walnut veneer is gorgeous.

View attachment 3319198

End game. I'm a convert.

Good for you, they look really nice.

And any reference to Spirited Away rocks!

 

[SteveWig]

Yes I read those already. Just looking for 'fresher' opinions or experience, I guess. There's a pair available semi-locally. My stepdad really loved the L1590s, and I am trying to find him something similar if not in the same ballpark. Just wondering how the M12 would compare. Can't believe I missed $200 L1290s...

I have both 1590/2’s and M12’s. Bought the M12’s new in 1988 and the 1590/2’s about 4 years ago. They are 2 different speakers but both are excellent at what they do but excel in different environments. The M12’s are very good in a smaller room with a sub. If you’re really head over heals in love with the 1590 you may want to track down a pair of 1290’s as they probably have a more similar sound. If you’re going to pursue the M12’s you need to go and evaluate before purchasing.
I had Richard redo the tweeters and mids on the M12’s but had him do everything on the 1590’s including the crossovers.
The 1590’s are phenomenal speakers. The M12’s are very good speakers. I’m driving the 1590’s with an Mc 7270 and it’s not too much, been keeping my eye out for another one to run each in mono. The 270 + watts drives the M12’s well but the 1590’s could use more amp.
Just my $.02 but in a larger room the M12’s won’t be as dramatic as the 1590’s. The synergy with your other components and the type of music you listen to also play a big role.

 

[SuperDaveOz]

Have had 1590/2 sets (2x) for about 10 years. Driven by Adcom 555s and preams as well from Adcom. Not overly bright, not overly boom.
Richard So is indeed the man, visited him 10 years ago, garage and all, love him, he's a great guy! Can't go wrong, he knows and owns the stuff,
and So forth If you get a chance to have 1590s in your life, at about 800-1500 refurbed highly recommended with appropriate gear driving them.
You will be simply blown away, they were in the mid to late 80s a studio high end reference speaker.

 

[bhairavi]

Man I'm just about done with my ride. Accumulated quite a few pairs of ADS and now I'm trying to rid of several. Ended up liking 1290s even more. Now I have an ADS for each of the three rooms - 1590s, 1290s, 810s.

 

[tdoggtester4]

PS we are already looking for more. How do M12s compare? I know they are more modest, and I'd need to check if the inductors were changed out, but I want to buy my parents a pair, and those are the only floorstanders currently listed.

I've owned a pair of m-12s and also l-1290s and l-1590,2s and l-10s All amazing speakers in there own way. A/D/S speakers are without about some of the finest foorstanding speakers out there. For under 3 grand .You need to know what kind of power to run them on though. I've found the 1590's are by far the best when it comes to doing everything good , there efficient and detailed even with low quality power but truely come to life when driven by a big quality amplifier . The m-12's are far more complicated as to finding the right kind of power to make them do what there capable of doing. There flat and dull in my opinion until you hook up some real power .I couldn't get them to impress me with an adcom 555 , 200watt amplifier which i think are way overrated in everydway shape or form there just unimpressive in my mind and I proved that when I hooked up my Vintage Sansui 9090 stereo reciever which is rated at 110watts per channel and then I was blown away by how detailed they where tight bass and sooth mids and highs .Yes the m- 12's are a Great sounding speaker ur only with the right power to where the 1590's work great with any power. I run a Sansui 551 stereo reciever which is rated at 16 watts per channel and I truely don't need or really want anymore power they just seem ro deliver what I want in sound .I do know that when the l1590-2s are hooked up to a large powered amplifier there mind blowing in a completely different way it's hard to explain you'd just have to listen for yourself .Anyhow I hope you find and enjoy whatever your searching for and please keep posting your thoughts and opinions for I Always like to hear them .Thanks DT