Thanks Jwaugh. You have valuable experience for me. Avalon Diamonds are the other speakers I am considering as I certainly expect they will work well with the Spectral/MIT I use. Could you comment on the differences you notice between the Diamonds & the Temptations? Can you also address power requirements? I like classical music at levels that allow me to hear subtle details without straining but that don't overpower the room on crescendos. Before going to the Spectral/MIT system I now use I found myself having to adjust the volume on some pieces to either pick up details or tone down climaxes. In fact the clarity and lack of grain in my combo allows me to appreciate many more recordings than I could with inferior gear. I think my ears are more sensitive to distortion than most. ATB. |
Thanks again Ttowntony. It's good to hear the Temptations are easy to drive and even better to hear the Evo W7 amps are adaquate as the Spectral DMA 180 has quite a bit more power(current). Speaking of power requirements, I once had an electrician monitor the current draw on my dedicated 8 gauge line to the Equitech 2Q balanced transformer that feeds my Spectral system. Playing louder than I would ever want to listen in my room the current draw never exceeded 5 amps. |
Ttowntony, Re you're comments on amplification. I use a Spectral DMA 180 (400W@4ohm and 60 amp peak current)and want my next speakers to be "well" or easily powered by it. To put it another way, my next speakers must be a complement and significant improvement to my existing set up. I won't be upgrading any part of my Spectral/MIT reference system(except possibly to V1.1 or.2 speaker cables) as it pleases me being very musical,transparent and dynamic. The Temptations appear to be an easy effort for the 180s. Am I missing anything. Also,looking at the lateral response curves in the Stereophile reviews it seem the Master is a smoother sounding speaker and even easier to drive, is that your experience? I don't think I should need/use great amounts of power as 80% of my listening is classical, much of that solo or chamber music, most of the balance is jazz, and I just don't listen at extreme volumes. My room is only 27x15.7x8.8 avg ht. I guess the highest current draw may be some drum whacks on Reference Recordings. |
Owl,
Thanks for your comments. Resolving and transparent are qualities I seek as I spend most time listening to Classical music and particularly appreciate the string, flute and woodwind sections added detail, nuance and smoothness as resolving improves. I have experience with Krell and think you're right about the influence on your sound. I think low level distortion can 'seem' to add to the soundstage. My ref MIT cables have dramatically enhanced the warmth/fullness and real spaciousness of my system. ATB. |
Ttowntony, thanks for your continued contribution. I understand your comments on the bass to indicate the Temptations bass is accurate, not excessive or lumpy. As a classical and jazz fan this is exactly what I seek as I find clarity in the lower range adds much depth & detail all around and clean bass provides much better timbre for the drum section as well as cello and bass viol. A much more intimate sound. Again, please comment on the adaquacy of the DMA 180 current. |
Thanks Nrostov, You sound happy with yours, that's great. Amplifier power has come up, would you mind advising how much power you use to drive them? Could you describe the benefits of the Dali Megalines over the Temptations and put into perspective how much benefit there is.Much appreciated. |
Thanks Deshapiro. You mention 'they love powerful SS amps". What would you consider a minimum acceptable power from your experience-keeping in mind a modest 28x15.8x8.8 room and modest classical listening levels of Reference Recordings-which I mention as I find them probably the most demanding due to their exceptional dynamic range & dynamic impact? Could you describe and quantify the improvements you experience with the MBLs? Any downsides? Looking back, are there any improvements to the balance of your set up that you feel would have allowed the Temptations to achieve more, closer to the MBLs? I'm considering the Avalon Diamonds as well as the Dynaudios, any comments? |
Thanks Drubin. My experience makes me feel it is the instantaneous unforced natural dynamic swing of live music that primarily sets it apart from the reproduced/recorded. Distortion being the other culprit. |
Tower_tsin Thank you. How did they 'show their age'? What electonics did you use with the Temptations? Now that you're settled in with the WP 8s do you find them better and if so how? Thanks for you're suggestions on the other speakers but there is no chance I'll get to hear them and I really wish to stay with large? mainstream manufacturers-Dynaudio,Avalon,Revel,B&W,Kharma,JM Lab, maybe Wilson-probably not, maybe Rockport. Who else is there? |
Thanks Nostrov. I simply want to upgrade to a relatively top line speaker that will work with my current Spectral/MIT system which uses a single 200 watt amp. I couldn't afford to duplicate what's needed for the Megalines-and prefer the simplicity of the basic single amp 2 channel set up I have. I can always upgrade my MIT to the MA over time and I already feel the limiting factor in my present set up is really the basic redbook CD play. I'm seriously 'considering' an upgrade to perhaps the Esoteric X-01 'instead' of a speaker upgrade. Can't afford to do both at this time. I do appreciate your comments on the Megalines. |
Thanks Tomer. May I ask the approximate size of your room? Why did you choose the Temptation over the Eidolons? (I think your Krell may be a big factor in your sound. My experience was that using an MIT Z Stabilizer ll and a Magnum AC 2 power cord made a very nice improvement to Krell and showed detail and musicality in the Krell that was previously hidden. Much better bottom end as well). Now to the seeming crux of the matter, your wife's preferences.
Did she help choose the Temptations? At bthe time did she prefer their sound over others? Also, do you toe in the speakers? Many thanks. |
Thanks Tomer, you make the Temptations sound very good. |
Thanks Tomer, Do you know why they were removed from Stereophile and TAS special list? Maybe just they had not been listened to for some time? I can't imagine anyone buying that the Sophia is a comparable speaker; nor for that matter the WP8. You mention tall soundstage; did it seem unnatural? Did the 2 upper bass drivers stand out? Thanks. I think the German Stereo magazine is 'in love' with Wilson-can't imagine why. Maybe they just like American made? |
Vsfang, could you compare the sound of the C1 to the WP7 and explain why it appeals to you? |
How are they standing up to newer top end speakers like Focal, Salon, Kharma? |
