Thank-you!
I was thinking of the Verity Audio Rienzi with the Luxman L-590Aii, which should be more than adequate to drive them.
I was also thinking of either a Luxman (D-06 or DU-08) or Esoteric X-05 CD player to complete the system.
Regards,
Mark |
Well, it certainly sounds like Luxman wins the day!
I have not bought anything yet, but I am considering the Verity Audio Rienzi driven by the Luxman L-590Aii, with either a Luxman (D-06 or DU-08) or Esoteric cdp.
I was looking at Simaudio to give me an all Canadian alternative, but this may not involve making the best choices...
Regards,
Mark |
Interesting- I didn't realize that Blue Circle was an Ontario based company.
In researching high quality audio, I keep discovering more high quality Canadian made products (Verity Audio, Totem, Gershman, Simaudio, Bryston, Classe, Oracle, Blue Circle etc).
Must be the long cold winters...
Regards,
Mark |
The components we have been discussing (Luxman 590Aii, Verity Audio Rienzi) are not ones that I can audition in my city.
Some days I think that I should just play it safe and buy stuff that I can see, touch, audition TOGETHER, and enjoy such as B&W 803d speakers driven by Bryston electronics (BP-26 and 4B or 14B SST2) with either a Bryston or Esoteric CD player.
Trying to put together a system on paper that is "better" means that I will hear it for the first time after I buy it and set it up in my listening room.
Is this a risk worth taking, and is it even an intelligent approach to spending a considerable sum of money?
Regards,
Mark |
You both make valid points, but B&W 803d with Bryston elctronics are also reputable and highly regarded options that I can actually audition.
Is it not better to deal with the devil you know? |
I listen to cds - mostly classical solo piano (Beethoven sonatas, Bach etc), chamber music, and small ensemble jazz (Oscar Peterson, Thelonius Monk, Coltrane, Evans etc).
In researching locally available equipment, I realized that perhaps I was not finding the best options for me, and this is why I have been pondering the Verity Rienzi with Luxman 590Aii combo (sight unseen) vs. the 803d/Bryston option which I have been able to audition.
I have heard the Verity Audio Finn with a 20 wpc Luxman pure class A 550A integrated amp, and I liked what I heard. If I bought Verity Audio speakers, I would go up higher on the food chain to the Rienzi (or possibly even the Leonore). The Rienzi probably needs more than 20 wpc, so the 30 wpc 590Aii would be a better match.
Given my musical tastes, I have a feeling that I would prefer the Verity/Luxman combo. I can afford to buy new (which I much prefer to buying used), but I would have to buy the system sight unseen, and I am wondering if this is not too big a risk given the expense?
Regards,
Mark |
My library is 14 x 20 feet (not counting 2 bay windows), with the stereo in front of the bay window at the end of the long axis. Ceiling is 8 feet.
Regards,
Mark |
Thank-you.
For the right speaker, the Luxman 590Aii, with 30 wpc of pure class A power, looks like a good option.
If I decide to buy Verity Audio speakers, which are not demanding, I will probably buy the Luxman 590Aii to drive them.
Regards,
Mark |
Thanks, that is where I heard the Finns with the Luxman 550Aii.
This audition got me thinking about the Rienzi with a 590Aii, which I cannot audition in Toronto, but should be a good match.
Regards,
Mark |
I have spoken to the local Verity Audio dealer and corresponded with Verity Audio, and they have assured me that the Finn, Rienzi, and Leonore would all be appropriate for my room size. The designer of the Rienzi has assured me that it is a good match for my size of listening room.
I can audition the Finn and Parsifal locally, but the Rienzi best fits my budget, and it should fit somewhere between these two speakers sonically.
Regards,
Mark |
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Thanks Jeff.
I have listened to a lot of systems in many audio dealers, and it has been an interesting and educational journey.
I have discovered several good brands that I had not previously heard (Verity Audio, Gershman, Simaudio, Pass, Luxman, Esoteric etc), and a few sacred cows have fallen by the wayside.
I have enjoyed listening to the B&W 803d and 802d, but I am not sure that they are right for me (even though I could easily live with them!). But I keep going back to hear them, as a reference point...
I have also enjoyed the Gershman Avant Garde, and look forward to hearing the Verity Audio Rienzi and Parsifal Ovation.
Regards,
Mark
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I auditioned the Verity Audio Parsifal Ovations yesterday driven by a pure class A Luxman integrated amp. OMG, this sounded magical!
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L-550Aii (20 wpc), though the 30 wpc L-590Aii would be a better choice.
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After auditioning the Verity Audio Parsifal Ovations, I was smitten. I bought them.
I drive them with a Luxman L-509u class A/B integrated amp and a Luxman D-06 cdp. I am very pleased with this combination, and am enjoying the music.
My only recent addition to the system was a pair of Beyerdynamic T1 headphones (marvelous). I use the headphone jack in the Luxman 509u integrated amp (which is more than decent). I don't feel the need to buy a separate headphone amp.
Thanks to you all for your contributions and advice. |
The Luxman 509u is possibly one of the best integrated amps on the planet, and the D-06 is a very fine CD player that mates well with it. Their build quality is as superb as their sound.
Well recorded regular Redbook CDs sound especially wonderful (I am rediscovering the glory of some gems from the early 90's). The D-06 sounds very natural, and it is much less clinical than say an Esoteric cdp. You will appreciate this attribute with longer listening sessions. Even though the more clinical player may sound better on an initial short audition, you may find this quality tiresome with longer listening.
The 509u together with the D-06 forms a very musical and neutral system, totally devoid of harshness. The 509u also has very good bass control, which should help improve the sound of the 803d by making the bass tighter and more controlled.
You are taking a big jump in quality, performance and musicality with the Luxman components - bravissimo!
Keep us posted regarding your new system. |
Congratulations! Let us know what you think of the D-06.
Though the 550AII is only 20wpc, and not quite enough for your speakers, I did hear this amp do a surprisingly good job driving the Verity Audio Parsifal Ovations.
You will however be amazed when you finally have the 509u in your system.
Happy listening! |
