Amplifiers for Talon Hawk monitors

Many thanks Rives. I'll give it a go with the Musicblocs as soon I can arrange to audition a set. Concerning the super tweeters, I also sympathise/suffer with the effects of age but still suspect you'd hear the difference in a number of areas but am certain that female vocals and general imaging will be the most notable. If you have a chance, give them a bash - and thanks again.

Thanks to all respondents, however I have now sorted my apparent problems in driving the Talons and they are singing like the proverbial lark. I managed this with a different system change that has meant that the Levinson/Hawk combination seems to have been made in heaven. I've actually posted a review of how this all came about at http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rprea&1187459855&openusid&zzDgob&4&5. Thanks, again though for all of your kind assistance and suggestions.

Dear All,

A somewhat belated "thank you" for your informed suggestions and kind help. I've now auditioned fairly widely and will stick to the 23.5, until I find something that works better (for my hearing and expectations). Any additional suggestions will therefore still be appreciated.

Hi Rives/Chaz801,

I've had a few people now suggest the VAC amp and, indeed, Mark Farnsworth had originally told me that he favours valve amplification with the Hawks. However, I am more inclined to move for a ss amp: partly due to the fact that I have a front end (Townshend Supatweeters, Talon Hawk monitors with Velodyne DD12 subs - all in stereo) that is very sensitive to the frequency extremes and can bring out issues with tube amps.

In fact, I sold my earlier Audio Research VT200 MKII, Conrad Johnson Prem 8a and have rejected various other options that have spent some time in my set up. These include classics such as the Leak ST60, Leak 12.1, Atmasphere MA1, Plinius etc.

Given all this, could you suggest the strengths that I am likely to hear with the VAC in toe?

Many thanks for all of your very helpful contributions to date.

Hi All,

I just have to let you all know of a recent discovery that has me very excited. By happy coincidence, I recently had the opportunity to try the Talons on the Escalante Hoodooh stands. This transformed by Talons into a whole new beast: better dynamics, frequency range, detail and overall realism. I am not certain why this major transformation came about with my move from the former Partington Broadside stands but, filled with sand, the Hoodoohs should be consider a must hear when it comes to the Talons.

I now play the Talons with an external cross-over in my modified Levinson 23.5 amp and have everything below 70Hz managed by the integrated Velodyne DD12 subs - run in stereo. The sound is just real music and you actually see and hear the musicians in all their splendour in your listening area. The subs need to be isolated from the floor on which the rest of your equipment stands (I used Audio Technica pneumatic footers for this) and you will be amazed at what this combination does. For Hoodooh think Voodoo - just magic.

Give it a go if you can.

Chaz801,

Many thanks but I really think that the Talon/Hoodoh/Levinson/velodyne combination - as driven by my Essential 3160 line/phonostage - gives me live music/performances in my listening room. I cannot put into (a few) words what this all means but there are Audiogon threads about using Subs in stereo that give a pointer to what this all means but to hear it is to find an end point in my search: it is that good and realistic.

Maxwellsilverhammer,

thanks for your suggestion but I sold my Audio Research VT200 MKII for the Levinson 23.5. It is in another league for presenting a natural realism across the full acoustic range (I think there are various review threads online if your input "Levinson 23.5 reviews" on Google you should get an idea of the case as it sounds to me). I've since had it modified with Eichmann cablepod inputs, new higher grade bipolar resistors and a modified internal crossover point at 70Hz (the mentioned sub threads rehearse some of the advantages that this affords the monitors - my Talons in this case).

Rives,

I am not certain if the new stands might make the same difference as I have not had a chance to hear them. However, the details and realism from placing them on the Hoodoohs was simply frightening. I could shout the strengths of the Talons from the roof tops and believe me I have searched long and hard to bring live performances into my personal space. Although my Hawks are the old model, in my particular set up I do not believe they can be outperformed by other speakers REGARDLESS of price.

I still hope to continue this dialogue but hope others try experimenting with them and stands, integrated subs and amplifier should not be underestimated.

In joy and music

Hi All,

Just to say, on the sub/monitor issue, you might want to give a close read to the various positive cases presented at http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1117893153&read&keyw&zzintegrated+subs.

The Google search on the Levinson should afford you the perspectives of actual users and I find the consistency of opinion interesting.

Just in case

Rives,

I see your point but think that the 23.5 and old Ref 20 are not really the same beast. Have you seen the brief comparison at http://www.stereophile.com/solidpreamps/606/index9.html?

Chaz801

Thanks again. I am very happy with it but no doubt will continue to tinker as is our way. On the sub issue, if you check the Audiogon link cited about and look at the article by R. L. Hardesty cited by Rauliruegas on the second page of the thread you can see how the Hawks can supercede expectations.