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Speaker Shootout

Kt77 said:
Hi newworld,

Don't feel bad about using an iPod/iStreamer as a source........., I've been using an iPad mini/iStreamer for over a year now, and being a vinyl diehard - I can say that I'm enjoying the sound none the least - I've seen many of my friends/associates going in the same direction, so you aren't alone.

And welcome to the world of ProAc, as I've owned over 4 different variants of their little Tablette model since 1986 ( minus the larger cabinet of the 2000 series, as I could all to easily heard the cabinet resonance points ) as well as the original Response One 'S' and ended with the Response One 'SC' model, I can say in all honesty that while each sounded extremely nice via Naim Gear ( Nait 2 or NAC-72/NAP-140 ) it once they're heard through tubes that one finally hears what they're truly capable of, something the better dealers out there would've mentioned to a customer before hand.

So, I'm still watching and awaiting that said first impression - but to appreciate them for what they are - not aren't?, at some point introduce them to tubes. All in all, I believe that you've made a great investment by using your ears/senses and find your sound/path as opposed to being sidetracked by what others would've you believe were ones only options - as if their choices were cased into stone and the only route worthy of pursuit.

Happy listening.

Peace,
:yes:_oh
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Thanks for the note.

Yeah, it's bit of a nuisance to get up to change music or loading up the iPod as it only holds 160gb, but the iStreamer is holding up pretty well. I really wanted to switch out my amplifier for tubes before this search started, but I was shocked to find it match the speakers really well with an amazingly open midrange. But it still is my dream to drive them with tubes. I will let my D2's break in, first, and see where it goes.

Proac Response 1sc is legendary. It's definitely something they couldn't replicate with the replacement. I think they started going in a different direction in terms of sound, after the 1sc. The current Tablette Anniversary was a huge disappointment to me. In fact, after auditioning so many speakers, I can kind of see the trend in sound among those speakers. I'm pretty certain that computer audio and home theater have something to do with that.

If you can keep following this thread and help me with what tubes and tube amps I should be looking at, that will be great. I'm sure that my tube search will not drag as long as my speaker search did. :D
 
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Congrats on the new speakers! Can't wait for the first impressions post...and some pics of those beauties of course :)
 
newworld said:
Thanks for the note.

Yeah, it's bit of a nuisance to get up to change music or loading up the iPod as it only holds 160gb, but the iStreamer is holding up pretty well. I really wanted to switch out my amplifier for tubes before this search started, but I was shocked to find it match the speakers really well with an amazingly open midrange. But it still is my dream to drive them with tubes. I will let my D2's break in, first, and see where it goes.

Proac Response 1sc is legendary. It's definitely something they couldn't replicate with the replacement. I think they started going in a different direction in terms of sound, after the 1sc. The current Tablette Anniversary was a huge disappointment to me. In fact, after auditioning so many speakers, I can kind of see the trend in sound among those speakers. I'm pretty certain that computer audio and home theater have something to do with that.

If you can keep following this thread and help me with what tubes and tube amps I should be looking at, that will be great. I'm sure that my tube search will not drag as long as my speaker search did. :D
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Newworld,

In the end is merely comes down to what ' clicks ' in regards to that synergy and emotional thing in my book, there aren't rights or wrongs - in so much as what holds ones attention - and from where I stand, you've chosen wisely.

I'm all with you on the various changes made after the Response One SCs as well as the older Tablette 50 Signatures and Reference 8 Sigs - yet some companies seem to have the desire to alter components that had initially gained them their following for the worst - look at the cult status for just about any version of the LS 3/5As, not much if anything totally has chanced since the 70's with the exception of a tad more resolution on top - sometimes change isn't as great as some would think.

But once you've decided to move onto the tube amp matter?, I'm all eyes and shall only attempt to speak on matters as I see/hear them first hand as opposed to shooting options your way, that I've only read about - to me there's nothing like making the time to venture outwards and listen for oneself in order to get a basic concept on reality as it stands - read between the lines......., to me hearing is believing - or not.

Continue on your quest knowing in the end, it's not about what some like/dislike?, it's bigger then that - as I've come to use the term " Mi-Fi " for years now, I see/hear things as I do from one perspective - it has to speak to both my mind/spirit in order to stand in our home........., otherwise it serves its purpose not.

Enjoy your session and listen with your heart - you'll know what sounds right.

Regards,
:tears:_ o scar
 
The tube amp quest will deserve another thread.
I'll provide some food for thought.
1. What form factor - tube integrated with remote?
2. Is vintage in or out of the question or somewhere in the middle
3. How forward do you like your music?
4. What's the efficiency of the speakers? (i.e. how much power is required)
5. Budget?
 
Just some shots taken this afternoon...

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First Impressions...

Or third, if you count the times I've heard them at the dealer including when I revisited as well.

Straight out of the box, I couldn't recognize the sound. Everything was...grey. Veiled, muffled, monotonous. This is not what I had heard at the dealer and made me plunk down a whole lot of cash. I didn't panic. If I heard it before, I will hear it again. That's what good dealers can do for you. They can show you what certain equipments are capable of. I kept feeding it music after music, and I could hear the sound change by the hour. I really mean, by the hour. At some point, it even sounded phasey. Treble kept wandering and bass was in and out of purgatory. I still didn't panic.

And then, I took the grilles off, just to make sure the tweeter was inside. Holy mother of religious summit! There it is! That's the sound I remember! To those who are interested in Proac speakers: Make sure the speakers are fully broken in. I'm not even 1/50 of a way there, but it's still quite a difference. Also, take those grilles off! I really wanted to keep them in place because I liked the way it looks with the new logo, but it's like a completely different speaker.

I dumped out the cat litter filled halfway up the speaker stands. Instead, I put in play sand all the way up to the top. Not sure that made much difference, but I just wanted to take the support part out of equation.

More to follow...
 
The two brand new Proac speakers I've owned have both taken the longest amount of time of any speaker to break in. Don't be afraid to punish them either, they seem to be very mechanically stiff fresh from the factory and the sound changes a lot.

I found with both the Tablettes and D1 that adding shot to the stands tightens up the bass response a lot, it may be worth waiting to see where they are at in a months time to see what you think needs tuning.
 
davidro said:
Am playing some S Richter live recording through my SL600 now.

What's your ProAc singing??
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Nice. My D2's are playing Heifetz's Sibelius Violin Concerto on RCA, hoping his tone will somehow influence the way the tweeter breaks in. Haha! By the way, this remaster is done by my friends.
 
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Perhaps it's important to note that I, as a musician, am more appreciative of the performance than the recording quality. If the speakers are able to put the performer physically in front me and get the recording medium out of the way, there's nothing more I can ask for.
 
Never listen to ProAc when they say that their grilles are made of "acoustically transparent crimplene". :no:
 
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