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!
Hello 2100. I have used various lower power tube amps with teh Adagio speakers and like ant similar combination, start to see some compression if trying to push too hard.
The Adagio's are a very good load for tube amps and this is why many people are finding lower power units are working so well for them.
Most of my listening with these speakers right now is with 60 watt P-P 6C33 amps. There are 4 amplifiers used most to audition these speakers for customers, all four are tube. Power ratings are 17 watts EL84, 60 watt KT88, 60 watt 6C33 and 100 watt KT88. All provide a unique presentation but all are also very enjoyable.
Got my modified Almarro 318Bn. Burning both units in now ( The amp and the Adagio.)
Im particularly taken back by the bass this combination provides. It goes fantastically low but is at the same time taut. The ribbon tweeters are something else as well, detailed and airy.
But what really impresses me the most is the ability for the Almarro and Adagio to tackle almost all types of music. I've tried chamber music to large scale orchestra ( Mahler anyone ? ), Hiphop to Electronica ( Think cut chemist / Public enemy / Fourtet ), and some indie and death metal ( Belle & Sebastian, Weezer and some Converge ). Jazz is to DIE for imo. I spinned some Coltrane and Hartman just yesterday ( vinyl! )and Hartman's voice was palpable and so lush. Coltrane's sax just made me want to melt, that rich baritone and tonality of it all...man.
However, i do find that the music DOES compress alittle during very loud or intricate passages ( depends on the volume tho. ), but not in an entirely noticable way. I think it clips rather gracefully.
Ultimately, im very very statisfied with the pairing and i couldnt ask for more. S.E.T midrange and intimacy coupled with deep, ballsy S.S type bass and the ability to play almost all types of music..( well unless 16hz organ tones are your kinda thing...) Im a happy camper!
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. :)
Last I looked, both Upscale and Katli had the Adagios for audition. If you decide that you're gonna schlep an hour east of LA to listen at Upscale, you might as well hit Katli on the way back (or vice versa) as these dealers are almost due north/south of each other and make for a more efficient auditioning trip. The 2 visits will allow compaison to different competition. If you do Upscale on the return, you'll also pass Brooks Berdan in Monrovia on the way home (he's due west of Upscale). He has Wilson which may allow you to get a fresh feel for the Sophias vs your Adagio auditioning.
I live near Acoustic Zen and I was recently at their office where Robert played the Adagios through a Tri 50w tube amp, Hologram speaker cables, Silver Reference ICs, Gargantua power cable. This setup had amazingly clean extension and power (especially considering the amp used). They were playing out back in a very large space, and when we were in the front office rooms with the door open the bottom end sounded absolutely live and clean, about 20 feet away. My brother was initially fooled and thought a live instrument was playing when the system started and he was in front still (he knew that Robert is a musician). The high end was pristine with no hint of glare or harshness from the silver cables. The dynamics are awesome.
I have been puzzled that my kids, 18 & 21 would sit in front of their computers and listen to i-tunes through cheap computer speakers. Although I've had pricier speakers, when the Adagios went in, the kids and wife all mentioned, I have never heard it sound so great. Now they come in on their own and listen to music. It helps that I hooked up an apple airport to my dac so they can run their songs off their hard drives. The Adagios are the first time this has happened. Very involving musical experience.
Just wondering why there are always so many Adagios for sale here if theyre as good as so many say they are. Not knocking them, no axe to grind, just wonder why so many get rid of them as they are fairly new speakers.
Mrmitch, sometimes a brand new product receives way too much attention. Then suffers from over-exposure. I think this may be the case with the Adagios.
They have received a lot of press and were mentioned on every audio forum on the internet.
Besides, AZ delaying the website update, I think that may have been a tactical move. The less information is available on a given product, the more curious people get. No pictures, only very few dealers where you could audition. You know, the more misterious you make it, the better. If you say 2+2=5 enough times, someone will start believing it.
It seems odd how mixed the response is. Most people say they love them, and if they characterise them say that they are slightly on the warm side of neutral, but there are a suspicious number of people who find them to be the exact opposite, and find the ribbon tweeter a bit peaky and hard in places.
Room setup is important to a point, but I haven't come across a speaker that seems to split people in this matter between sharp and soft/smooth. Usually it's 'neutral to me, bright to some people'. I don't really know what to make of the discrepancy...
I think the discepency is peoples listening preferences.i have had my adagios for about 3 weeks now(or more)and they are on the warmer side of neutral to my ears.I listen to well recorded ecm jazz..I have many more cds than i listen to.I usually go to a 3to 5 disks to really enjoy the adagios.I have to say that they are a very relaxed natural sounding speaker to my ears and dont find the teeters to be at all peaky and hard.Are they perfect speakers?they are the best i have had in my livingroom so far.
I normally do not recommend a product to anyone but I have to say this is an experience at the price point. I think the fact that my wife wants a second pair for the living room speaks for itself. On a side note they do come into their own in person - the pictures out there do not give credence to their looks - if the red fits your life-style they are as beautiful as they are sweet sounding.
I wish my wife wanted another pair!i got the red and the matching figured maple is beautifull.Matched split sides,matched fronts.My old man loved them..color and all,couldnt tear him away.He usually discourages me from purchasing gear,everything is over priced to him...go figure.They do come into there own after some burnin(200 + hours).Very content with them.I have been playing music proffesionally for a 35+ years,they just sound natural as can be with jazz.I think robert lee is a genius.
To try and shed some light on peoples perceptions of these speakers...[a disclosure-I am a NY based AZ/Adagio dealer]. I have set up several of these, including the pair we had at the HE 07 show last week. The newer version, to my ears, is even better than the prior.. drivers better integrated. The speaker is sensitive to not only toe in, but how tilted back it is set up on the spikes. In other words, I suggest checking with a level, side to side and front to back leveling. I find a slight tilt back, [bubble touching the outer center level marks as opposed to inner center ones]works best, and certainly level side to side adjusting with the spikes height.. This slight uptilt/tilt back, in most applcations will balance the driver focus and get image height locked in. If you listen standing more than sitting, even more tilt back may be to your liking. Toe in will vary from room to room, but moderate toe often works best. If I can be of help, let me know... Most people find the Adagio to create an extremely pleasing musical event.
I live 20 minutes from the factory and after spending 3 months looking for speakers I read a review of the Zen Adagio and heard some very favorable comments from a dealer who was trying to sell me another brand. Did not know the company was local but after reading many favorable reviews I decided check them out. I had listened to Dali, B&W, Theil, Areial, Magnapan, Revel, and Avalon but all had some flaw be it base, stage, presentation, or value. The Acoustic Zen won on all those catagories as I could not find faault. I bought a pair and am listening to my music more than ever. Playing thru a Musical Fidelity KW250S which is awesome too. Have the JPS Kaptavator power cord and Crystal Cable for speaker cable. The set up is blowing my mind with these Adagio's.
By the way I decided to drive out and check out the shop and I will tell you it is real hands on build. No machines (other than testing equipment), no production lines. The owner Robert and his son Jimmy were really nice and spent some time explaining what makes their speakers so unique. I was very impressed with their knowledge and passion for doing it right. Highly recommend and challenge anyone to find a better value in high end speaker! Go demo and you will buy!!!
I bought a pair recently after listening to many different brands ranging from $3,500-$25,000 and everytime I play these now I am still just blown away at how clean, natural, quick, and detailed these are while projecting a broad deep stage. We toyed around with cables and speaker wire the other day and that does make a real difference. My set up now is really just about as good as you can get things I think. I'm running the Musical Fidelity KW250S integrated amp with a JPS Kaptavator power cord and crystal speaker cables. I would like to see how all Acoustic Zen power cord and cables sound withthis set up but things right now seem so good it is hard to tamper with. Highly recommend these speakers to anyone considering!!!
Got em recently and absolutely love them!!!! No flaws. Running with Musical Fidelity KW250S which is a great amp for these speakers. Had looked at many speakers and could not be happier with the Adagio's. Personally I felt they beat out: Dali M5, Vandersteen, B&W, Sonus Faber, Vienna Acoustic, Acoustic Physics, Revel, Magnapan, Theil, and Harbeth which I had considered before selecting the Acoustic Zens. Could not more pleased with performance of these in every aspect!!!
Best value on the diminishing return curve!!! In other words you can get about as good as it gets (maybe some are slightly better here or there) but paying more money seems a real waste in my opinion as these speakers do it all really really well. Very happy with the Adagio!!!
Your making robert very happy connor,i can appreciate your enthusiasom.I am also finding them a really great speaker.With the sim gear,its all pretty much there leaving little to want for.Are they for everybody?Im with you dude there great!very happy with them.
Let me tell you guys ,the Adagios sound equally well with Solid State ,My whole system is modified with Bybee purifiers to start things right ,The Adagios Love my Edge G-4amp ,along with the excellent Modwright preamp with the latest mods,and a super tricked out Consonance cdp and of course with Mr lees Hologram speaker cables , and Silver Reference interconnects,through a 609 Furetech line box and Zen Tsnami power cords ,this System floats through air it destroys any system I have ever heard at 2x it's reasonable price as many have been witness to, system Synergy is the answer!
I think Pjl2122 said it best. Synergy. I have run my Adagios (Golden Burl) with a Dared VP-845 (22wpc) and a Cayin TA-30 with a AES DJH preamp and they sing. Not just sing, but SING! It's hard to place my thumb on it. They are just balanced and integrate well with the system. I did notice they are sensitive to changes in the rest of the system. I actually like the fact that I can easily tell weather or not a tweak or tube change is working. The finish is outstanding. I thought I had as good as it gets with my Dali Helicon 400s. The Adagios are simply georgeous. Even my wife loves them. Even though I love my Dalis, I wound up moving the them to the pool room system. I did have a little trouble with 1 tweeter during breakin but one call to my local dealer had Robert and his son repeatedly contacting me until the issue was more than taken care of. The customer service level is outstanding!!!! I have owned Thiels and thought their service was outstanding. Robert is every bit their pier!
Unless you have a stormy relationship with your Adagios, the word you want is whether not weather.
Except for the fact that I agree with you on the Adagios, I would be tempted to suggest you are inconsistent in your views. You dismiss the possibility that the Teleportation tweak works but you tried the Adagios even though there is little reason, from your point-of-view that their's is not just a sales pitch to get you to buy them. That all speakers sound the same.
I am sorry that Buda lack the conceptual powers to understand what I said above and like many of my freshmen students has received a poor grounding in English.
How good are they, For 2 years I used Micro Utopia, about a month ago a I got Adagio JR. They have totally blown me away, the ribbon tweeter is AMAZING, They image better, have way more low level detail, throw out a much better 3-D soundstage. The Bass is tighter and cleaner, and sooo smooth , the music just flows. I cant say enough good about them. They are truly the best deal in high end audio. They retail for 1/2 of the Mirco Utopia BE and Kill them in every area possible. Robert Lee is a master when it comes to speaker design and I have a completely unlimited budget and I cant find anything I like better. They just do everything RIGHT. But a Pair now either the Jr's or the Full Size and you will never ever regret it. They are the most amazing speakers I've ever heard, and I've listened to almost everything out there.
I second your thoughts on AZ's customer service. I can't say enough good things about Robert and his son. They are top notch and really take care of their customers. It is very refreshing to see a company (regardless of the industry) looking to build relationships and not just looking for the quick sale. They bonus is they have great products.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
