I wish I could answer each contributor to this thread, because many have provided many good comments
But first, let me clarify something. I claimed that the speakers don't sound good on certain CD's. However, I don't buy crap recordings, even if the music justifies them. Many of these so called remastered CD are more hype than improvement. I have found the "Salvo" remasters are very good. A few Japanese pressings provide improvement over the original, but generally they are not convincing. Occasionally, there are some surprises. The re-mastered version of Hall and Oats Silver album is a definite improvement over the LP. The Salvo redo of Procul Harum's "Salty Dog" is excellent, and highlights the collective genius of these musicians. The Japanese remastered Beatles "White Album" is a wash and not worth the extra yen; The "Yes" Band remasters are generally good for Japanaese pressings, but not consistent. I have a few Chesky CD's which are very good, and Tom Jung's Flim and the BB's which are first rate.
One point that was made is that the Adagios just may not be the most current or effective speaker technology. Of course, these type of statements are open to ridicule because the design and execution of that design of speaker accomplishes everything the designer(Richard Lee)intended and then some. Remember AZ was basically a cable company whose target market is not speakers.
.....BTW, sorry Audioconnection I have little to no interest in Vandersteen products. I had a pair of 1C about 10 years ago. Nice speaker, but disagreeable owner. In addition, the Vandy 2C's are too big and bulky, as are the Adagios. I often wonder if a smaller speaker. or monitor could possibly be at this point in my broken down condition be the better choice, and possibly almost provide performance similar to the Adagios.
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Shakey, Thank you for also pointing out to the phantom of Audio Conection out that Richard Vandersteen is not a pleasant or even nice person to deal with. For a minute, I thought Audio Connection was John D Rockefeller Sr. who routinely chastised his workers about inefficiency of operation and "redundancy" of questions.
A few years back, I recall a photo of Mr. Vandersteen assisting John Atkinson in the set-up of his latest mega-buck speaker. All smiles and good will; I doubt that even a hint of "questioning" redundancy on Atkinson's part, would have brought the session to Defcon 3.
As far as redundancy, the one page "blue" sheet of set-up instuctions provided with the Vandy 1C's was not sufficient in setting the so-called rake angle of the speaker. Yet, I was told (and bellowed at) that it took years of "hard work" to produce this masterpiece. It was almost laughable if not so insulting. Yes, I did react to Mr. V's splendid disposition by vowing to never buy his speakers again...... Let's move on, shall we!!!!
Mr. Shakey it seems to me that Audioconnection's rigorous defense of Vandy's work ethic and fortitude is evidence of a dealer shilling for his products. And as he noted to you about Vandy'd busy day by stating".... now Shaky put yourself in his position for a minute.....Curious George calls asking a question that is answered in the owners manual,and George gets told to read the manual KNOWING HE WAS WRONG AND CAN'T ADMIT"IT....( I GUESS I AM "CURIOUS GEORGE IN THIS TRUMPED UP SCENARIO)
Geez, I guess I interrupted King Vandy's afternoon nap. A respite while he feverishly worked on his next 2 page blue sheet of instructions. Well, AC if that is how you see the world of customer service in defense of that twerp, then you both can go fuck yourselves. Who the fuck do you think you are lecturing me, and even Mr. Shakey about "time spent or time wasted". I did not realize that the Audiogon membership produced a new Adam Smith educating us country bumpkins about the efficiency of work and the resulting "wealth of nations"
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To Mr Hasmarto, I don't recall e-mailing you about class D amps or any amp for that matter. Bel Canto and the new internet start up company, Red Dragon both use class D circuits to minimize the size of their amps, especially Red Dragon. I believe Nu-Force electronics used this technology also. As far as the compatibility of AZ's Adagios and class D amplification, Red Dragon uses the Adagios to demo their amps at the major shows. Lastly, either you misunderstood my statement,or can't read, but I was NOT impugning the reputation of designer AZ's Richard Lee,(A REAL GENTLEMAN) who created the brilliant design of the Adagios. I have gotten a lot of musical enjoyment from them over the last couple of years of ownership. Though, I always doubted the choice of the tweeter he employed in the design. that is, a Round Ribbon Kapton fabric membrane. I always thought he Spectron and Seas tweeters sounded the smoothest. Could be the Adagios's tweeter is more suited to tube amps, and not SS.
BTW, class D amps tend to be less expensive. However, if you want to lend me $65,000, Soulution Electronics is having a fire sale on last year's amps and pre-amps. |
Zd542; Sorry fellows, I occasionally lose my temper and don't like to use profanity on our blog. However, sometimes, it is necessary to drive a point home.
BTW, NO MORE MOVES EAST OR WEST, though I do miss Hawaii. I now live in Southern Cal where every one is just too laid back. I guess I may be asked by the governor to leave the state for failing the "good vibes" test
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To Almarg and Soix, you are probably right about changing up the two tubes in the output section of the Rogue hybrid. integrated. I almost bought the Rogue Cronos Magnum last year, but even on sale from a NY state dealer, it cost $900.00 more. and, though biasing was a snap, I did not want to get on the "tube rollers" merry-go-round I forgot who offered the advice about getting the Ayre CX-7e upgraded to the "mp" version. That will be put in motion soon. Thanks for the advice!!! |
To Johnny R,
Well if it makes you feel better that the famous one page "blue sheet" of instructions included in the IC speaker cartons was to build speaker stands....Fine...but, I did not find a owners manual you claim. But too often rabid devotion tends to exclude the facts of reality. , if you want to look like an ass to the membership that is your business. At least, we "officially" know you are Vandersteen dealer "tried and true"
Next time, I run into John Atkinson, I will mention that you qualified his so-called "brilliance" at my expense.
That is usually the knee-jerk reaction of a person who has gone from "admirer" to "worshipper" in the cause of product.
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To Shakeydeal....Good come to Ctsooner's comment about your unpleasant experience with RV, though I honestly believe that Ctsooner provides good points based on his experience in high-end audio, and not offering us another lecture. I am sorry you got dragged into this pissing contest by sharing your own thoughts on RV's personality. Nevertheless, there are plenty of members who have offered good advice, but I am beginning to feel this is becoming a game of one-upmanship.
Let me point out that it was Audioconnection's JohhnyR who got his back up when I claimed that the Vandersteen 1C was/is a nice speaker, but....etc.etc (Ironically, I recommended the model to a few friends after I had sold my pair) However, that being said, I will take the positive advice from those members who offered it, and try a few changes. But it is time,(at least for me) to close down this thread. |
To Mmeysarosh, Your comment exactly described what I am hearing and have heard over the last 4 years. It is not been painful, just overall disappointing.
At the same time, let me say. the Adagios provide a wonderful accuracy in the mid-range. However, the music DOES NOT sound either real, natural,or organic The few Chesky CD's, I own in many ways show what the speaker is capable. Dynamic range is off the scope. Nevertheless,I have ran out of solutions, and there are so many(if not too many) aspects that factor into good, convincing, hold the listener's attention...sound.
Interestingly,,another member shares the same opinion as Mmyersarosh, that any tweak will make only a marginal difference. Nevertheless, I will try Soix and Almarg advice of changing the output tubes of the Rogue Sphinx hybrid integrated amp. Rogue suggested the Mullards 12AUL which are available on Generalex Gold Lion site. According to the tech at Rogue, this should smooth out the top end with out rounding it off.
The recently acquired "used" Ayre CX-7E is a given in the system, and I was going to have it upgraded to the "mp" version which is the most current design. FOR THE RECORD, I was going to have this done to bring the player to peak performance, and not as a potential cure for the hard edgy sound when playing CD's. This was evident to vary degrees with my former Rega Apollo. Now, I may just hold off until I have these other issues resolved.
Nevertheless, thanks to all those who participated in this "beerhall" rumble. |
To ZD542, Don't laugh, and ruin the armistice we sort of have achieved. I used for 3 years the Audio Art SC-5 which after a long break-in sounded very good. Sam Tellig of Sterophile Mag often mentioned them in his speaker reviews.
However, I would not leave "it" alone and am currently using and breaking-in Grover Huffman cable. I cannot say yet if they sound much better than AA SC-5. There are many members who recommended them, and there are testimonials scattered across the audio blog.
The other option was Clear Day cables made by Paul Laudatti, a fine gentleman whose home base is Tucson. I once tried his basic cable as a loaner and I think it sounded a tad better (and also brighter) than the basic AA. The ticket in his line is the Double Silver Shotgun speaker cable which I never auditioned. I still could because I don't need a 12 ft pair anymore which is difficult to get as a loaner
However in the interim of trying to figure out the above problem as described in the tread, I considered Audience speaker cable, that is the new SE line. Even used it is a lot of money. I could be wrong ,but an eight ft pair of the SE model is about $1400. Accalades abound in the audio press for the speaker cable, but a system cable upgrade of the their SE model interconnect and PC, was reviewed last month in TAS.
Lastly,a long time member who has used every wire, possibly barbed and razor wire, was raving about the new Synergistic Research speaker cable ranked and titled Level 1 to 4. You need to visit their website, the design and technology is beyond me; however SR offers the basic Level I speaker cable for $895.00. The Cable Companny has loaners.and is also an official dealer |
