Pyramid T-1 ribbon tweeters

[Proconsul]

I've got a shot at picking up a nice pair of Pyramid T-1 ribbon tweeters -- some say these were designed by Sequerra. The ones available to me have variable attentuation, and are 12 ohm impediance; seem to be designed as add-on tweeters to augment an existing pair of speakers.

I'm curious if anyone has ever used a pair (what did you think of them?), what they cost originally, and what they're worth now. Any info on how they are actually hooked up?

Thanks for your responses!

 

[GordonW]

IIRC, those should be Decca Kelly ribbons!

HIGHLY DESIRABLE if so. These were usually used in the 3-way system with the Met 7s and subwoofers... one seriously IMPRESSIVE system.

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[Skinley]

Here's some info on Decca ribbon tweeters, including tips on how to repair them.

www.soundfountain.com/amb/ribbon.html

And here's some info on the T-1 mk IV ribbon tweeter, priced at $4000 per pair in 1998!

http://sequerra.com/electronics/data/index.htm (click on 'products' first).

 

[GordonW]

There seems to be some differing opinions, on the original T-1 ribbons.

One source says that Sequerra was making them himself, in NYC... the other, that he was importing and modifying Decca ribbons.

Haven't seen a definitive source put this to rest anywhere...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[Skinley]

I just read this;

"The legendary designs of Decca, Sequerra and Jordanow are even today considered as the best tweeters available. All these designs have a small aluminium strip hanging in a strong magnetic field."

Which suggests they may be a seperate design. I read it here

 

[Proconsul]

Well, I've got them at home now, sitting on top of my Linn Keilidh speakers, all driven by a Sonic Frontiers tube amp. I've got the attenuators all the way down, to reduce output to match the Linns. Big addition to the sound -- much more open, hearing a lot more details. I've got to play with polarity to see which sounds better.

I remember reading reviews of the Tannoy supertweeters when they came out, in which the reviewers said they improved midrange and bass. While I can't say that I'm hearing more bass, what I do seem to be hearing is an increased sense of precision in the mids. It's as if the ability of the ribbons to get the leading edges out very quickly, even of only the upper frequencies, helps the ear better define the associated sound from the midrange. Rather like the ribbon is pulling the sound into greater focus.

I guess these are keepers.