I agree. I recently chose the Ascent MkII being the sole big Avalon that works well with my Fourier Pantheres. The latter ones are OTLs (delivering some 200 watts) which require a load not below 4 Ohm. I happen to have a pair Pantheres that work without problems which seems to be a rarity. These OTL`s highlight the virtues of the Ascent: effortless and glorius music making. Together with the Cello Suite, a Platine Verdier/ Naim Aro/ Vh Hul Grasshopper IV, Cardas and JPS Superconductor II I finaly have come to the end of the road. You not always need to have the latest design to get good sound. Sirspeedy thank you for the valuable information.
Are Avalon Ascents the Classics they seem to be?
I have a mint pair of Avalon Ascent seriesII in a dedicated room of 22x13x8.They are driven by Rowland 8t With a second amp housing containing a new switch mode power supply done up by Rowland.The restof the system is also of high quality'such as Levinson390s and SOTA COSMOS w/Graham 2.2 and Transfiguration temper-V.An ultramodified (by Great Northern Sound) Audio Research SP-15 preamp rounds out the system.Cables are Cardas and Transparent Audio with quality but not insanely rediculous powercords into 3 dedicated lines.Also a REL stentor (in right corner of room)rounds out the set up coming in at 24hz (with corner loading you hear the presence of the sub,but gain is set low for a nice blend that works.I have made an attempt to hear a good deal of current speakers and haven't felt that there is much out there that warrants spending the kind of money to make such a change.I have to be blown away,and although I've heard the Kharma stuff as well as the Eidolons and veritys I still can"t get too exited.I really like the Nova utopias Be and think that the TAD-1 would be killer but I really don't think my room is big enough.It is a closed in space with no venting into other rooms.The Wilson stuff don"t(to me)have the true upper mid detail that I have come to love.I know that it may seem as though I'm answering my own question,however,I know that there are some of you out there that may have the experience and rationale to help me to be sure I'm not rationalizing or deluding myself.Thanks!I also can't help but feel that the sealed box design and easy load that Avalon once marketed as well as external crossovers and the significant mass of the speaker syst. has to be a significant contribution.