Amps for Avalon Radian HCs

Can't comment on the amps (I'm a tube guy who never really warmed to Spectral), but I think the Eidolons are a SIGNIFICANT improvement over the Radians and worth considering as an option (hey, if you can afford Jadis JA800s, you can get new electronics AND speakers!). Also, if you're looking to go tubes, you should check with MIT regarding how those speaker cables will interact with a tube amp. If I recall correctly, the system you have now was marketed as a package because it worked synergistically; change a variable, even for the better, and you may have to change other parts of the system. Ah, the true sport of the high end.....

Forget the Radian HCs, I recently upgraded from Ascents to Eidolons and found them 100 times better and much easier to drive than my Ascents. I also have a VT200 and I find the same grittiness compared with my CL150s with Infinicap mods. I haven't tried to replace the 0.33uF caps with Infinicap SETI but I don't think it's gonna make that much of a difference. I also have a CA50 which I bought "just for the heck of it" to play with and was amazed to see it drive the Eidolons very well with no difficulty other than playing the most complicated stuff like Beethoven Symphony Nr 9 or Firebird. The CA50 (YES! The integrated amp from Audio Rsch!) in its stock and beat-up state I got it in sounded pretty horrible until I replaced the coupling caps with infinicaps and retubed the thing. As far as smoothness and spaciousness goes the CA50 is the best. I know this post might get me flamed on this thread, but I am not bullshitting here. I just want to make the point that the Eidolon is 10x easier to drive than older avalons...all it needs is an amp that sounds detailed and smooth without the rough edges. My advice, sell the Radians and upgrade to better speakers first, or else you'd be wasting time searching for "monster current amps that sound liquid and smooth... an oxymoron."

Thanks so much for your input. I'll look forward to hearing from more of you. Anybody know a place or person who'd like to sell some Eidolon's at a great discount? I love the curly maple and the light colored burl(forgot the wood type). Anybody have any experience with the new Jadis amps?

There's a pair on the last issue of stereophile. I have a pair of curly maple eidolons and it took 2 1/2 months for them to make it.

Hello Doug, I'm glad you decided to buy a pair of Eidolons, they are a significant improvement over the HC Radian in every aspect. I bought mine this past June and also went for the curly maple which is just beautiful, believe me you won't be sorry. In the right room with the right equipment behind them they really are the most musically engaging speakers I've heard. When and if you decide to go with tube equipment please try to audition the new Bat amps ( VK150se mono amps and the VK50se pre-amp) with different cable then the MIT unless you try the cables they have specifically meant for tube equipment. All the best. Tom Colato