Choosing between Cornwall IV, Trio15 or X4 Ultra


I'm currently listening to Schiit Frey+ - PrimaLuna Evo300 poweramp - Sonus Faber Sonetto III each with a REL T7i. Sources are Ultrarendu - Schiit Gungnir and SOTA Comet III - Pro-Ject Tube Box. 

The room is 28'X33' with ceilings that start at one side wall 15' and slant up to 26'.  The room is divided in half by a 4' wooden cabinet that splits the room in half like a mini wall.  It's split level by 18".  So my "actual" listening area is 16'X28' but open to the entire room.  Speakers are on the 16' wall.

I'm looking for a sound with more body and visceral impact.  My current setup has impressive soundstage, detail, and imaging, very holographic.  With jazz/instrumental it really shines.  If I had to keep it as is I would be happy.  I listen primarily at night with low volumes.  At low volumes, the soundstage of course collapses and does not bring me joy.  Even during loud listening, it is lacking a je ne sais quoi.  

So I am thinking of changing out the speakers with Klipsch Cornwall IV, Pure Audio Project Trio15, or Spatial Audio Lab X4 Ultra.  I've heard the Cornwalls and was impressed.  I don't think going to "demo" the other speakers would really give me a realistic idea of what they would sound like in my home so I think I'll just order and ship them back if hate them.  

Thoughts?  My budget is $5K - 10K.  

 

 

 

brighamdoc

Showing 5 responses by brighamdoc

Thanks for the input

My usual listening preference is ultra linear in the day and triode at night. 

I was hoping but not set on eliminating the subs.
The space where I’m putting the speakers will have them 2-3 feet away from the front wall but with my center console the Cornwalls would pretty much fill the width of the room. 
im not in a hurry so I’ll look into the Voltis 

I’m so grateful for all of your input. It’s nice to get somebody else’s perspective on some thing that I’ve been contemplating for so long.

 

@dweller yes I did a fair amount of tube rolling.  Mostly with the Freya+. I’ve tried a number of combinations and pretty much stuck with RCA NOS 5692s for the voltage gain tubes and GE NOS 6SN7s for the cathode followers.   I did get some Gold Lion new KT88s for the PL that changed the sound - not impressed.  I have some NOS Mullard 12AU7s on the way. All of my tube rolling  experience has been a change in presentation of the sound but not "body" of the sound. 

I’m using some custom made bi-wire speaker cables made from Mogami W3104.  Interconnected with audioquest cinnamons.