Elac Adante AS 61 vs AF 61

We both agree and disagree with Contuzzi. 

Yes 20 watts is not optimal but it could sound glorious until the amp really clíps also providing the room size isnt big and the listener isnt a volume freak.

Played our Adantes on a 50watt Naim amp and it sounded fantastic. We also compared the $2500 Adantes vs a pair of $4000 Harbeths interesting compairison the Harbeths were more musical the Adantes were more exciting. 

The Adantes just scream for a warm liquid amp like the Mastersound.

The QUADS are amazing and are a more balanced design. The QUAD ribbon tweeter is exceptional. 

We routinely demo the QUAD Z1 monitors on the 12watt QUAD VA 1 tube amp dac and the sound is intoxicating.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Contuzzi,

Yea, will have to search for a higher efficiency speaker. Believe it or not, the MS sounds fantastic with my Def Tech St-L’s. May not even need another speaker.
they are 93 dB, and plenty of volume, so a speaker in that range should be fine.
The Quads are 90 dB, so may be borderline.

20watt tube integrated would be horrible with the Adante.

Audio Doctor NJ,

I am thinking about either the Adantes, and have been eyeballing the beautiful Quad Z 4’s for some time. So, IYO is the Quad a better overall speaker than the Elac? I know they are very different and it’s all subjective, but what is your general thoughts? 
I will be using either a MastersounD DueVenti tube Integrated (20 w/pc) or
PS Audio Stellar M700 monos & pre/DAC.

i have had my finger on the trigger (but Elacs not available yet) and would appreciate your thoughts on either? 

Actually Contuzzi, we haven't yet. Although our product selection is among the best in the NY City tristate area, we have not received a lot of calls on the Elacs, which is why we brought in the line in the first place.

Personally we feel the Adantes are very good if you like their strengths which is tightness in bass, dynamics and a big soundstage.

We have found the new Quad Z series to be so  far the best overall affordable reference line of loudspeakers we have yet encountered, the Quads use an extraordinary Ribbon tweeter, that is sweet yet with remarkable clarity a very intoxicating sound.

Thanks for clarifying our feeling.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Just like with the Uni-Fi line — you gain very little other than more bass and lower bass extension when going from the 3 way stand mount to the floor stander.  I wouldn’t bother.  

Have you actually sold any pairs of the Adantes?  I’d be surprised.  Hopefully you can answer honestly.