Celestion Ditton 66’s. ‘Upgrade’ to modern speakers consequences?

Sorry to ask but ate your Yamaha, especially the power amp up to the task?

I guess that your Dittons can handle an upgrade from better (sonically) amplification.

That is what i would do.

Keep and use your system as is! I am familiar with the components. It is a fine system. Good that you had the Yamaha gear serviced. They will be good for another twenty years or so! The Ditton 66's are still excellent speakers! 

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.

@jasonbourne52 thanks for the reassurance and, yes, I think these two Yamaha amps have excellent reputations and pedigree. Internals share some similarities with Accuphase, especially these early models, and the P2200 apparently still in service in many LA recording studios.

@petg60 nice, even flattered, to think that the Ditton 66’s are so special that the Yamaha amps are the weaker link in my system but would be interested to hear what their failings might be? My understanding is that the Dittons are very efficient and don’t need much power to sound loud. However, high current and high damping factor amplification allows the Dittons to perform to their fullest potential.

Would be good to know if there’s another level to be achieved by purchasing more contemporary speakers. Would it be a ‘higher’ level of audio quality, or just a ‘different’ audio signature?

If you like that British sound signature try to audition  some modern speakers along the same lines - Harbeth, Monitor, Tannoy. I actually have a pair of Ditton 100s in the guest room that I like very much.

I owned Ditton 66's in the late 70's  They are quite power hungry speakers and that is probably why it was recommended you upgrade the amp.  It does depend on the room size and how loud you like it.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The P2200 delivers in excess of 200W per channel.

@stereo5 what power level would you suggest I should be looking for?

@jtcf I’ve always liked Tannoys.. thanks.

@stereo5 here’s some specs.

Don’t know the Ditton 66s but I helped rewire some 44s.

They were quite different to most modern speakers.

How to describe?

They had a more looser, faster, energetic bass for a start.

The giant bass driver must have played its part.

The sound was engaging and propulsive, brimming with life.

Downsides?

They were definitely more coloured than speakers of today.

I can’t describe this colouration, but it was there, a slight tint across the board.

If you like this colouration, then I’m afraid you’d have to spend an awful lot of money to improve on that energy.

If you don’t, then almost anything of today will be more neutral, if not more dynamic, full of life, energy and zest.

A lot depends on what you mean by large high quality floorstanding speakers manufacturered in the last decade or so.

I can remember the Dittons sounding balanced, engaging and doing some things pretty well like bass, depth, with natural mids and highs. Excellent for atmosphere and slow music but less when things got too busy. If you like that presentation but your music preferences are varied check for modern speakers with more transparency and better separation.

I would look at upgrading your preamp to something like a Supratek.Your speakers and power amp are very good.A good modern tube preamp will really open the sound up and give a more 3D sound.That has been my experience with good vintage three ways like Gale 401s and Celestion Ditton 551s.

I have Ditton 66 speakers and they are a prime example of how a speaker, compared to changing technology, remains fndamental and does not change a lot over time.  Many have tried to replicate the Celestion Ditton 66 Studio Monitors, but they have a unique sound all their own.

I drive mine with a McIntosh C48 preamp and a McIntosh MC500 power amp (2 x 500 watts).  I didn't plan for this combo, it just fell into place and there is not one part of it I would change.

I had Celestion Ditton 15s before and prior to that, all PSB and Paradigm speakers.  I am a strong believer that the old gear, before it was made offshore like most speakers are today, sound better.  I would rather spend less money on something older and better sounding then pay the jacked up prices and buy something lesser at todays prices (produced offshore and assmbled locally).

Even better for you that you got them recapped.  I bought all new caps out of France and plan to tackle that myself some day.  Just as a matter of interest, I added an SVS SM-2000 Pro subwoofer to my system which compliments the Ditton 66 around 40 Hz

A pic of the crossover and inside of cabinet would be helpful here.  If they are updated properly and the drivers are in good condition, stay with them.  I have a set of modern "towers" from a well known company.  They retail for two thousand some a pair and are rated/reviewed as a great buy for the price.  And of course their description on the website describe them as using top notch quality parts.  Not so.  Piano gloss finish and all but once I looked inside I was very disappointed.

The electronics are basic, made overseas(not always a bad thing.)  Cost cutting by the speaker company for sure.  Only one small poly cap for the tweeter circuit and small steel core inductors.  Binding post is junk.  Not enough dampening of the cabinet.  The drivers seem OK though.

I revamped the crossovers with Clarity Caps and audio grade(?) electrolytic caps where needed.  The tweeter/mid circuit inductors are now good air core ribbon style.  Installed quality binding posts and added more internal dampening.

The result is worth the $$$ and time spent.  Now, they not only look real pretty😉 but sound much better(at least to me).  

You’ll need to spend in excess of $10K to equal the Ditton 66 in terms of full range power response. Focal Kanta 3 would be one to check out. Expect greater resolution and more articulate bass with lower coloration overall. If this is way out of the budget, sit tight and enjoy. Maybe try new speaker cables. 

Are they the Mk1 or the Mk2?

Thanks everyone for the contributions, very helpful and duly noted.

@twoleftears mine seem v similar to yours sans the wood renovation. Three loudspeakers and one passive radiator. With the MD (or is it the MF) 500 pressure horn midrange. (Which I think must be key to the 66’s distinctive sound..)

Are yours MKI or MK II?