Daedalus

TVAD,
Should be fine. As I said it all depends on the amp. The Pass Labs will drive these or any other speaker beautifully!
thanks,
Lou

Thanks for all the positive comments! There will be a review in Stereo Times in a couple of months on the DA-RMa.
In regards the offset tweeters, the Ulysses does NOT have offset tweeters, there are two but they both are flush with the baffle. On the DA-1.1& 2.1 the tweeters have an angle of about 10 degrees horizontal.

I have some notes on the site about the bottom half octave (below 28hz), and all my systems integrate very well with a sub because of the smooth roll-off in bass, though few people have found a sub necessary.

Anyhow I'm sure there will be more feedback on the DA-RMa as word gets out. I'm biased but I do think these are one of the best deals in audio.

Thanks much,
Lou

I haven't found the right magazine/reviewer yet for the DA-1.1. Any suggestions?

David,

My speakers work best with amps which can deliver good current, a 20 watt amp with high current will outperform a 200 watt amp with low current. My older designs such as the original DA-1 needed more current than the DA-1.1 and other present models. One of the many changes in 2007 was to reduce the system insertion loss, this improved the compatibility with amplifiers, sensitivity, extension and sonic openness. The DA-RMa is probably a better choice for low watt tube amps, though David Gill of ART AUDIO has a pair of Ulysses and loves them with all his amps.

Hope this helps

Thanks,
Lou

I'd say about 25-30amps but as always with specs it depends on the amp.

I'm in favor of people using subs with my speakers if they like, though I don't feel it's necessary. In the design of all my systems I decided to not make any compromises in order to achieve a flat response in the lowest half octave or so of music, feeling that a sub is better designed for that range if the room etc warrant it.
As it turns out the systems have a very gradual slope below the -3db point (many systems quickly die below that point). I find that this helps them to achieve a very natural bass on their own as well as integrate very well with a sub. For the large systems (DA-1.1 &Ulysses) I find 28-30hz works well and for the DA-2.1 & DA-RMa about 30-38hz. Of course run the speakers full range and add just a touch of the sub. Some of my customers use subs, some don't and some have sold their subs when getting my speakers as they felt they no longer needed them. Personal choice!
Another aspect is the mating of amplifier to the speaker. As some of you have noted with these speakers it is pretty evident what's going on with the other gear in the chain. I find that the extension and character of the bass can be markedly different with different power amplifiers. Possibly the best bass I've heard in an amplifier is the new Modwright, just changing to that amp is like adding a perfect sub-woofer!

hope this helps.
thanks,
Lou

I don't know of anyone who has much experience with all four models. I can try to succinctly and honestly comment on the differences and value of the different models if you'd like?
I know that people don't generally like to hear from the manufacturer unless requested, and I try to respect that.
thanks,
Lou

Nglazer,

Thanks for your comments and I hope if you come out to the RMAF you will find time to stop in and say hi.
I would like to clarify and correct a couple of errors in the BFS article that is being quoted. First the sensitivity is 97db not 93db as written, also his assumptions about the crossover points are considerably off.

As for the bass, it is not "missing" nor did Marty say that. (the Ulysses is -2db @ 28hz with a smooth slope below that.) I have always felt that the range from 20-30hz is best handled by a sub if one really wants a flat response in that range. This is simply my design approach and I do this because I do not want to compromise the musicality of the bass range of music (30hz -200hz). Again just my approach, not saying it's the only way...

Also as a few have already mentioned his 'cables' are not the best match for a neutral speaker. I have found with these speakers that cables make a HUGE difference in the aspects of phase, air, stage and detail. I have recently changed to Cardas posts because I found they improved all these areas, the point being that the posts are in a sense a continuation of the cables and if it didn't matter we could use cheap copper posts and get the same transparency, which is clearly not the case.

All that being said I think it is a good review and he appreciated the dynamic and musical capabilities of the speaker.

Thanks,
Lou

"07-07-09: Sparkomatic
Lou,

Per your 6/22/09 post, I would like to hear your comments regarding the "... differences and value of the different models ..."

I tried to post this before but it didn't go up?

All four models in the line use the same drivers and basic components, of course each systems crossover is unique to it but even those are all of a similar design. I'll try to describe the basic differences in each model.

The DA-1.1 and DA-2.1 have a very wide sweet spot so they are well suited for HT use, but they also image more than well enough to be good two channel speakers. The DA-1.1 has a slightly warmer sound (the emphasis is on 'slightly'), than the others due to the balance of two 8" handing off to one 5" mid. This sound is a little closer to the 'Harbeth" sound. I think the DA-2.1 is a great choice for a home with sub(s) that will be doing video as well as two-channel.

The DA-RMa has better imaging and depth of stage and possibly a slightly better resolution in the midrange than the DA-1.1 &2.1, but the sweet spot is similar in size to most high end audio speakers unlike the 1.1&2.1 which have an almost room size sweet spot. The Ulysses is a bigger overall sound than the DA-RMa with more bass extension as well as a deeper slightly more detailed image. It just takes everything to the limit as a flagship system should.

So to answer the value question is difficult as that is very subjective. In terms of budget and application, I have customers with any of these who consider their choice to be a 'value'.

I hope this helps

thanks,
Lou

Rrsclyde and others, Thanks much!! After seventeen years at this I'm still touched by the generous appreciation my customers have for what I do. It really is the people that make it worthwhile!
Thanks,
Lou