Speaker Shootout

[audiodon]

For CARY SETs, look on ebay for Inspire by Dennis Had. I have been told that they tend to go up on Thursdays. No affiliation.
I've got a Sweet 807 and it's a fine piece of SET gear.
Not warranteed or factory serviced, but the price for new reflects that. Plus he hand builds them.

His store is radioman731.

 

[Kt77]

Well said Oscar, we share the same basic feelings on that Croft, a wonderful piece indeed!
Tim

Thanks for the kind word Tim,

As a matter of fact, I've found quite a few of us whom are more kindred spirits then not - so merely like to guess or even worse buy blind and find themselves buying over and over and over again - while I'd much prefer to set my budget on any given component at $5.000 - that's doesn't mean I wouldn't be looking for it used ( slightly ) at half that.

As I'd prefer to but once and select right as opposed to buy 2 - 3 times, and could/should have invested more in what I wanted to begin with - let's give a prime example - as you know I crave a pair of Devore Fidelity Gibbon 3XLs - but by hearing them driven with Naim Separates earlier on, I didn't think that the extra $1.700 was worth it compared to the cheaper stablemate the Gibbon 3s which I purchased along with a slightly used pair of ProAc Response One SCs two months later - so after doing the math both of these came to $3.700 exactly the same price as said Gibbon 3XLs - but in hindsight had I heard them with a tube amp as they were meant to be heard from the start - I'd have been game over and no desire to look elsewhere.

Long story short - yeah right, but what you want once and not settle because the reality of it is - where's any of this stuff going where one has to have it overnight - save, save, save and buy once instead.

Being the Sci-Fi buff that I'm am - I love using a term that Mr. Spock is known to say - based upon the word " Logic ", because in the end our purchases should be logical ones as opposed to just because this is all I'd afford at the time - ride it and your options out and stop settling.

I shall stop here, less I write a book on the subject - but the truth lies therein as always - at least my truth that is.

Regards,
h ( Oh ).

 

[Kt77]

For CARY SETs, look on ebay for Inspire by Dennis Had. I have been told that they tend to go up on Thursdays. No affiliation.
I've got a Sweet 807 and it's a fine piece of SET gear.
Not warranteed or factory serviced, but the price for new reflects that. Plus he hand builds them.

His store is radioman731.

Hi Don,

I've just looked over the Inspire by Dennis Had line of components - great call.

:thmbsp:_oh

 

[newworld]

Already shot him an email. Still waiting, but I will probably need more power than what he is currently offering.

 

[newworld]

So...

I think I need to slow down a bit. Before I knew it, this thread turned into a 'what tube amp' thread, and lost my way. I set a different standard for the amplifier from when I auditioned speakers. A lower standard that is...

I was calling some dealers to find tube amps. Like I said, my local dealers only carry the unreachable high-end tube brands. I was trying to do something I swear never to do and have succeeded in avoiding. That is to buy something without hearing. It's not gonna happen.

Tomorrow I hit the stores, again. This time, it is to listen to amplifiers. Same stores, different objectives. Familiar speakers. It won't be as extensive as my speaker search, but it will be fun.

By the way, kudos to my local dealers for being who they are. When I called around the country to find some tube amps, it became clear that there is just so much BS out there.

Please continue to discuss speakers here. Amp thread coming up...

 

[audiodon]

Maybe you can visit other AK'ers local to you and audition some tubeage that way.

 

[Kt77]

Newworld,

I'll make this my last comment on amps, as it seems that we've gotten away from the matter of your speakers - but in said case it's merely a matter of excepting the fact that ProAcs and tube gear is a given. There have been several times where I was forced to buy tube amps blind ( unheard ) but had to rely on a few guys on various forums to whom I trusted in their opinions more then others as I saw they had knowledge of certain designs/brands more in tune then others as well as my interest at heart.

But in those rare moments when I'm able to travel say to places like Chicago or New York to hear any components of interest?, I listen very very very careful and weigh through the BS - I'm all to aware that we all hear differently and want different sonics from our perspective systems - where I might strive for a sense of transparency and neutrality on the slightly richer side of the audio spectrum - some might desire a more modern sound which become less and less romantic compared to say the sound of tube amp made before the mid 90s, while began to use this or that capacitor to add what was meant as better extension on the very top and bottom end as a means of adding greater detail - but at what expense - the midrange?.

Some might see/hear it differently then I?, and that's fine - but in my 34 years in audio with 28 of them using tube gear back and fourth and during my travels to friends/associates homes and dealers - I've come away knowing that of the tube designs I've heard - that had I had unlimited funds that Shindo Labs would be in my home no questions asked - nor regret, as you've mentioned - it's more important to get out and hear/listen to said components in real time, as reviews can only give us an ideal behind the truth of the matter, and even then some of them aren't as honest as we the buying public should allow ourselves to follow on their every word - some cats/guys love seeing others follow in their constant mistakes and the endless search for perfection in audio gear, yet they're a few of us whom have openinly admitted to making countless mistakes in selecting a well throughout or balanced system gained after years and years of re-learning one important task - and that's of Synergy and trusting in ones own emotional involvement in how we each react while listening to our systems!, I for one don't feel the need to move laterally in so-called upgrades/movements from one component to another as I once so often did - for me it merely a matter of investing the funds where the make the most important different in any given system and that's at its beginnings - the Source, followed by the systems heart if you will in selecting an Integrated ( in my case ) that is capable of offering a flavor/drive that functions collectively with my choice of speakers that are capable of bringing about a sense of pride/whole ness to the point where I don't question why I hear/feel and know that for me - it sounds right.

And getting it " Right " is a beautiful state of mind to be in, as it allows us to return to where the importances/focus of this shared hobby should've always been - in ones Music Collection - not equipment/component/boxes collection.

Nuff Said,
h ( Oh, there goes another mistake ).( But why do we continue making them? ).

 

[hjames]

I picked up a Jolida 502BRC a few years ago via Bartertown from JJohnson.

Mine does not have the XLR connectors or the preamp/bypass switch mentioned in another post,
but it does have remote power and mute/volume functions, which is nice.
Always nice that its known enough so if I HAD to sell it, its not hard to resell.

I'm in the midst of a recap on the KEF 104.5 system I got recently, and the old JBLs 3-ways I cobbled together are efficient and can play quite loud with those tubes.


Oh - thanks for the thread - its been VERY informational and interesting ...

No music again

Today I sent off my amplifier of three years for a very good price. I just jumped on an offer that I didn't think was possible for such a no-name amplifier. And my only source started acting up. When things happen, all happens at the same time.

I'm still debating between computer/dac and nas/streamer. There are just too many variables in audio these days. Technology changes too fast. It makes me want to start collecting LP's now.

Coming back to the amplifier, Rogue Cronus could be the best option for my money. Cayin costs the same as Rogue. Jolida could be a real sleeper at half the price. The new Croft hybrids look great, but they could be another flavor of the month. Another route I could take is...just chill with a solid state like Musical Fidelity or Arcam which should match well with Proac's.

For crying out loud, I have a pair of beautiful speakers not playing anything right now!

 

[newworld]

I picked up a Jolida 502BRC a few years ago via Bartertown from JJohnson.

Mine does not have the XLR connectors or the preamp/bypass switch mentioned in another post,
but it does have remote power and mute/volume functions, which is nice.
Always nice that its known enough so if I HAD to sell it, its not hard to resell.

I'm in the midst of a recap on the KEF 104.5 system I got recently, and the old JBLs 3-ways I cobbled together are efficient and can play quite loud with those tubes.


Oh - thanks for the thread - its been VERY informational and interesting ...

I'm glad.

 

[mustvid]

Yeah, it's just that after $600+dac+software, I'm not sure if it will even sound good. Convenient? Absolutely. Up to the level of my new speaker-to-be? I don't know...

I'm using a Mac mini, with a toslink cable to a rega dac into a Brio (r) with LS50s and itunes library with Audirvana + as the player and I think it sounds outstanding. I have all my lossles files on an external harddrive (OYEN) via firewire. Audirvana bypasses the Mac core audio. Essentially the music files go from harddrive straight to the DAC.

 

[Ledbetter]

To chime in, I have ls50, dynaudio emit 10, Monitor audio studio 2se (almost 20 yrs. now), and rega rs3. The kef ls50 is neither a budget speaker, or a super high end model. At its price it is a very good speaker, depending on how you feel about metal drivers (as is the MA 2se). I appreciate what metal drivers can do, but also aware of their shortcomings. They have great speed, clarity and detail in the mids and treble, they do have some brightness and a slight metallic sheen that some other materials don't, but it's not something I can't get by, given what they do well. If a listener doesn't like the sound of metal drivers, you might not like ls 50. If there is anything I least appreciate of them, it's not the mids and highs, but the bass, which is low and fulsome but less "tight" and differentiated, the emit 10 and rs3 have better bass. Overall I hear the ls50 as slightly warm and fulsome, but still retains clarity and detail. On the more subjective level of "does it move me", I can concur with some who feels it has plenty of impressive qualities but it is maybe tripped up by its techno design. Other speakers can get you more into your music, even ones that don't tick as many items on a reviewers list.
Quick comparo:
I think The emit 10 has better bass than ls 50, as low, slightly less weight but better defined, the ls 50 can be more plodding.
Detail is there but less obvious, smoother (fabric v. Metal?). Ls 50 images better. But The MA studio 2se proved to be the imaging champ, when moved out from wall, but bass is simply not there below. The ma comes out of its box amost completely, the kefs maybe 3 quarters of the way, and the emits half way. I find the emit 10s most involving with jazz, and unlike a poster Re the excite 14, I think the emit 10 does classical very well. While about same sensitivity emits and ma 2se are easier to drive than Kef, ease of drive was apparently not on the design brief for the Kef, which as mentioned here basically negates it's potential when matched with budget amps, and in all honesty shouldn't really be marketed as a budget speaker for the masses. Ls 50 and emit 10, They are both good speakers, and also high value. Both the emit 10 and ls50 sound fuller than rega rs3, even though regas a floorstander the regas don't carry as much tonal weight, but rega speakers do plenty of other stuff despite their slight lean tonality, things that might cause you to overlook that.

 

[lightcapture]

Ledbetter,
I'm digging up an older post here, but feel my contributions may be of some help.
I have the Dynaudio Emit 10 and they are a very good $800 speakers. They really seem to pick up the character of the amp, both SS and tube, more than other speakers I have. They have a smaller more focused soundstage and work better in a small room than a large, which they have a hard time filling w/ sound. I find I must be careful to have at least 14" from wall to not sound boomy. They can sound bright w/ the wrong cabling and find smoother cables balances the sound, but their high end energy makes for an airy open soundstage.

 

[cubiclecrush]

Ledbetter,
I have the Dynaudio Emit 10 and they are a very good $800 speakers. They really seem to pick up the character of the amp, both SS and tube, more than other speakers I have. They have a smaller more focused soundstage and work better in a small room than a large, which they have a hard time filling w/ sound. I find I must be careful to have at least 14" from wall to not sound boomy. They can sound bright w/ the wrong cabling and find smoother cables balances the sound, but their high end energy makes for an airy open soundstage.

I've been auditioning the Dynaudio Emit 30 floor standers. There is something special with the sound of these speakers. I'm a big fan of the Dynaudio sound. However, as recently as this week I've begun to be warmed over by the Focal 816, which is more aggressive than the Dyn's - certainly more prone to being bright, I think - however in a good "rock and roll" way.

I'm struggling trying to decide: the speaker I pick has to do "everything" well to some extent, but where do I want it to shine? Rock-n-Roll moments that might suit the Focal's, or long, "sweet", listening sessions with the Dynaudio's?

This speaker shootout stuff is hard!

SVS Prime Pinnacle's and Klipsch RW-8000F are also on the radar, but don't seem to have the clarity (resolution?) of the Dyn's and Focal's that I think will eventually win the day with me.

 

[johnda]

I have the KEF Q300’s. Love.them.