has anyone heard zingali overture 1's? de capo's?

To further quantify my comments, I have to say that after hearing the Zingali's on three separate occasions, it was at last the fourth listen that finally grabbed me. This time, in place of the CD player was a Nottingham Spacedeck TT. The sound eased from the speakers in a magical way, much more fluid and engaging than I had ever heard previously from (nearly) this same system. I did not get to hear more than two songs, and both were jazz, but at last I heard the Zingali's (the Overture 2, in fact) sound as described by some fans. The midrange was indeed silky. I can't say what they would do with all kinds of music, but what a pleasure to hear them sound so good in this instance, thanks to the vinyl seduction!

I've heard the Zingali 1, 2, and 4, and I just have not been able to get into this speaker line. And my preference is for horn speakers in general. They are absolutely gorgeous in appearance, but they sound thin and disparate to my ear. It's like the music is coming in parts, but not well blended as a whole. I too have heard them with the Audio Note 300B SET's, and I wish they did it for me, because looking at them all day would be a treat. I'm sorry, but I don't have experience with your other speaker considerations.

I have the Ref 3a MM De Capo's. I chose them over the Dulcets because a friend told me they where a quantuum leap over the dulcets. I have been quite pleased with them. The recommendation of good heavy stands is right on the money, I used Skylan's and until I loaded them with sand the bass was good but now it's wow! I have used then with Audio Note Conqueror 300 B, ASL 1010, 47 labs Shigaraki and now my home system is using Rogue 120 mono blocks in Triode. The speakers perform well with SST but IMO perform better with low watt tube amps.

I owned 57's for nearly 20 years. I've had several speakers since then and currently have the de Capos in my system. I'm quite pleased with them.

I agree down the line with Ecclectique. A good friend has the de Capo i, and is driving them with a modern 15 wpc 300B integrated. They sound fabulous, with great tonality, tons of ambience detail and lots of volume. As mentioned they need solid stands and reasonable spacing from the walls (2-3 feet). Adding a sub turns them into a speaker that does full justice to orchestral music, but they do very well without. If you're looking to approach the quality of 57's, they're a great choice.

If you can afford the difference buy the Zingali 2's. I have heard both the 1.s and 2's and it is not really that close. When I heard the 2's they were driven by an 8 watt high end audio note 300B amp. I know there is pair of both for sell right now.
(I have the Zingali 3S)
The midrange is fantastic, and for a horn speaker, not "colored" as one might expect. They are too polite to "rock" but will fit your need for classical and jazz well. Except for cannon blasts, You will not feel the need for a sub with the Zingali 2's

Sorry, I have not heard the de capos

E mail A'goner randyb, the old Zingali distributor, he has an honest opinion and carries other lines of efficient speakers as well. Might still have some zingali studio monitors for sell at a great price (o.s.s audio--check out the website) would love to hear his new audist line
Good Luck
Ron

Hi Jtn. How much space are you working with? Trying to replicate the magic of the quad 57 is a very tall order to be sure. Never heard the Zingali's however the decappo's mated to a good vintage tube amp can get you very close indeed. However,a very heavy stand is imperative to get the best from them and like the 57 they need a minimum of three ft from the rear wall to be tonally coherent.In my honest opinion... the midband of the 57 is still the reference that all others must be judged by regardless of cost. The decappos do require better amplification than the 57 but do love to be driven by tubes. I set up a friends pair in my rig and was shocked at how compent they really are. They do remind me very much of the 57 as they are posses that stat like speed and clarity at very low volume levels. I was so impressed with them I took them home and mated them with a vintage fisher 400 that I used to drive a pair of 57's many years ago. What is your idea of a vintage tube amp?