I just realised that the tweeter is really good. I was able to listen to some tracks on a famous speaker (which I shall not name) having a Scanspeak Revelator D2904/990000 tweeter. The amp and source are much more expensive than my stuff, but the treble from the Adagio is just so much more realistic and natural with more inner detail, while the Revelator sounds more "hifi" and impressive on first listen. |
Hello David12.
You may wish to toe them in quite a bit, do feel free to experiment. This is because I find the ribbon tweeters quite "directional", so actually they do benefit from toeing in greatly. For me I toe them in so that the tweeters just cross slightly behind my head. Also because of the MTM arrangement, if you have enough space, do make sure you are at least 9 feet from the speakers so that the drivers can "integrate".
Maybe you need to space them slightly farther apart than 7 feet, if possible. |
Aggielaw,
While I have not heard the new version of the slanted baffle Adagio, I do know that for the original version you probably need at least a good 9 feet for the MTM driver config to integrate properly. Perhaps this slanted baffle helps a little in this area. |
I find the treble to be much on the smooth side on my system. In fact they sound significantly smoother than stuff like Spendor (already smooth) from what I hear in dealers showroom here. Could very well be the cheap samsung CDP (what to expect anyway). :) |
I just mated it yesterday with an Almarro 318B (18W SET), currently rolled with Sylvania VT-229/6SL7GT and Sylvania VT-231/6SNGT as input/driver, changed input bypass caps to Blackgate-N and coupling caps to 2x Mundorf Supreme and 2x Auricaps.
Will need a darn long time for the Blackgates to run in probably. But if you are talking about power, it is definitely enough for a small 12 x 15ft room. :) Unless if you listen to stuff like drums. Initial listening without running in is pretty positive. |
Response34, I am running the 6C33C too but in SET with my Almarro 318B (NFB) into the Adagios, the sound is really good, perhaps the sound is a bit on the warm side as the lower midrange is quite pronounced but nevertheless it is extremely musical sounding. (I'd believe the Adagio is a warm speaker)
What we have changed is the input bypass Nichicon Gold caps to BlackGate NX in parallel Super-E config (ie 2 stock caps into 4 BG-NX), Mundorf Supreme and Auricap for coupling.
I chose these as well as Sylvania VT-231 and Tungsol VT-229 because I wouldn't want want to pair the Adagios with a slow, warm, laidback sounding amp. The resulting music is really musical and not the Hifi-ish sound you get from many setups nowadays.
Those 60W of PP power must be great for ya. I think that 18W is still somewhat limiting on some programme, even in my smallish room of about 11x15 feet. I hope to be able to play with stuff like 805 or the GM70 someday, with more amps using these tubes.
PS. I heard really good things on your mods for the MIC tube amps, but I just can't bring myself to spend on the V-CAP teflons! And the Russian Teflons are too big to squeeze in. Sigh. |
Hi merelyok,
Yup you in SG too? I use the same handle/nick in the local forums (echoloft/Xtremeplace). : ) I guess you'll be getting the same stuff from the same dealer?
Cables....Nothing special, just van den hul CS-122 single run (well the Adagio can't be biwired, so i save here...ha!) and DHLabs Air Matrix w/Eichmann plugs, both silver coated Long Grain copper.
Do change the input bypass and coupling caps in the 318Bn,
you will find that the amp leaps into another league.
Whether or not is it just an improvement or difference depends on your tastes. The Adagio is not exactly very sensitive at 89dB/m/w so for tubes try to go for at least double digit wattage tube amps, esp if your music demands the headroom. The Almarro can be made to match the Adagio and your tastes sonically just by changing the caps, which won't cost much.
Let me know if you have any questions in echoloft, i have a thread on the 318B there. |
Merelyok, i am using Blackgate NX 4x 220uF in Super E paralleled config as input bypass caps. http://www.blackgate.jp/ebg6.htm
Coupling caps i am using 2x 0.22 and 2x 0.33 Mundorf Supremes. If you prefer a slightly warmer sound and not too particular about precise imaging, you may wish to try Auricaps. You can further fine tune the sound with the input 6SL7GT tube. Just remember that the Adagio is on the warm side, so if you are already using Auricaps, avoid stuff like the RCA 6SL7GT.
Response34 - I goggled and found your Bella Extreme 6C33C amp. I cannot wait to see if there are further developments in the SET scene and do 50-60W SET. SET just makes the Adagio sing with such beautiful emotions. :) |
Response34, i am using a caps modded Almarro 318B to drive the Adagios. :) No problem with the bass unless if it goes pretty loud then you'll hear soft clipping! |
Response34, i am using a caps modded Almarro 318B to drive the Adagios. :) No problem with the bass unless if it goes pretty loud then you'll hear soft clipping! |
Response34, i am using a caps modded Almarro 318B to drive the Adagios. :) No problem with the bass unless if it goes pretty loud then you'll hear soft clipping! |
Merelyok, yeah I know what you mean, geez we have the same combo.
You know what, if Robert could just spec up the cabinet of the Adagio ver.2 (2" MDF + extra bracing anyone?!), that would probably make it nearly perfect. Right now I still think the cabinet is not that DEAD. Ok, I admit I am a extremely anal in this aspect, I like to do kunckle tests and a solid cabinet means as if i am knocking on a cement pillar..heh heh. Actually a lot of more expensive speakers like Dynaudio Contour S5.4 cabinet is not that dead either. However, if Robert specs this up and still maintains the price, it will probably kill a whole lot more speakers. :) |
I just wrote about my impression on them, together with some high-res pictures, pls check it out at
http://www.echoloft.com/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi?board=tell&action=display&num=1159082755&start=0
Enjoy the music!
2100
Echoloft, Singapore |
