I will try to locate the CAR speakers. How might they compare to Tannoy Churchills, TAD TSM-300, Pioneer 2251, and Tannoy Exclusive (??..can't remember exact name, they were 2 huge corner speakers with massive woofers).
In a system with expensive Cello preamp/amp and Burmester 001 CD, I found the Churchlls to have sweetest and detailed voice reproduction, but extremely lacking in detail below lower midrange. The other Tannoy had great bass, but lacked treble detail, using I believe Chord amplification and Esoteric CD. The TAD and Pioneer units sounded OK, but didn't have the class of sound I wanted, in terms of transparency, harmonic texture, openness/airiness. They were both much lower budget speakers, however.
I heard a vintage Wharfedale speakers with Mcintosh pre/pro (240), and it sounded phenomenal, musically completely spot-on and involving. They were asking US$1000 for the speaker and over US$8000 for the pre/pro set. There was no model number on the speakers, and I had no idea if they were a good buy or not...I saw with regret today that they were sold. Was the secret in the amps or speakers? Why couldn't that sound come out of the Tannoys or Pioneers? I didn't do extended or critical listening of the Wharfedales, I assume they wouldn't hold a candle to the others along most audiophile measurements.
If I can't locate more speakers in Hong Kong, I may consider purchasing unheard, online. I worry now from experiences like these, however, that I am a very subjective listener, and even a highly recommended speaker of the right type (i.e. musically revealing, transparent, high sensitivity, possibly horns or Lowther single or multidriver box) wouldn't quite get it right for me. I hope I'm not that subjective in a picky way, just have rigorous criteria.
I came across a product called "zero" in a agon forum, which seems to make it possible to use low sensitivity speakers such as the Eggleston Works Savoy with low or medium power tube amps. Would this be a possible solution to expanding my options? Would I get full performance from such speakers, compared to SS? Are there any compromises, other than lower maximum SPL?
