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

@dweller  , I haven't. It did help when I turned the power up but thought to myself why do that when the power is cut in half for Triode and then I just turn it up? I'm sure I'm missing something. I'm only about 19 mos into this journey (recently anyway). That said, I like Ultralinear so much anyway I haven't really tried Triode that much.

@brighamdoc , it sounds like you are going through something similar I had with the M3s and my search led me to Volti and I couldn't be happier. I had considered Cornwall IVs but never heard them or the other speakers you listed. The X4s may do the trick also but most, including me, find you need a well treated room with them - just fyi. Also the break-in isn't complete until around 400 hours - but sound better at 100 and again around 200-ish. I'm glad I went used w/ my Rivals as they are broken in already. I hope a used set comes up for sale for you.

@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. 

Last question to OP: Do you use OCC wire (speaker and IC)?

I won't use anything but...

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