My Long List of Amplifiers and My Personal Review of Each!
I am responding to posts by faxer and whitecamaross on page 124. I recently took delivery of and have the initial setup of my GTA3r speaker system. Though I continue to fine tune the setup and room acoustics, the system is sounding really good and improving all the time as the drivers, subs, and new line stage log hours. I'm also dealing with room treatment tuning issues as I respond to the increased demands these full range speakers place on the listening space. I've added 4 more Apertures to the back wall and panels on the side walls but measuring tells me I need a little more absorption on the sides.
All that aside, I lived with original Acoustat X speakers with heavily modified servo amps(Dan Fanni) from 1979 to 2009. In 2009 I gave up on the amps due to continual high voltage failure issues. I changed to a 2-driver dynamic speaker system from LaHave(LH). I missed all the strengths of the panels but enjoyed the LH speakers for what they were. All the while I listened to all the usual suspect panel speakers on the market over the years in homes and at shows. As the Ops Mgr at Stillpoints for 5 years, I was exposed to a lot of speakers. I was always on the lookout for my next panel and first found GT Audio Works about 4 - 5 years ago. I followed Greg's updates and developments through the versions. As interest and dialog about the speaker system increased through the last few years I continued to listen to many panels and decided I needed to audition the current GT offering. Spending 2 consecutive days in NJ listening to the system in Oct 2018, I found what I have been looking for these last 9 years. I believe Greg's proprietary panel and cabinet construction result in a purity of sound I have not previously experienced. Coupled with the SI200 subwoofer system I now have a full range speaker that articulates and complements all the various genres of music I listen to regularly on CD and vinyl: small and large orchestral, jazz, rock, opera, solo instrument, choral. To address whitecamaross' show music concerns, I know Steve and Greg promote interested listeners at shows to bring their own music on which to audition their speaker system. I will be attending Axpona and will be bringing music to do just that. I look forward to meeting other interested music and audio enthusiasts to learn about their experiences and to share the experiences that led me to the GTA speakers. |
viber6 The panel of the Acoustat X is not a curved panel, but 3 of their original 3 or 5 wire flat panels in an angled configuration. This was done to deliver better lateral dispersion and widen the 'sweet spot'. The next couple of models, 3 and 4, had basically the same config only on a pedestal that elevated the panel to a more reasonable listening position height. Again, flat panels in a angled configuration. Then the 1+1 and 2+2, again with flat panels and stacked on top of each other and not angled laterally. It was somewhere in their production life that the Medallion transformer was introduced to allow users to use whatever amp they chose. I still believe one of the best systems I've ever heard was at Dan Fanni's house in NJ when he had his latest version of the servo amps driving a pair of 2+2s(no Medallions). Those amps with the full wave transformers we had custom built were, and still are, KILLER good! I lost interest in the next series and especially after Jim Strickland was out of the company. |
viber6, I have the version before the most recent planar driver update and newest style frame. I would agree with your assessment of the Symphony, solid state sweet. Built in late 2014. It's 200w/ch into 8 ohms so it puts about 400w/ch into my GTA at 4 ohms. I bi-wire to the speakers from the amp's 2 sets of outputs/ch using Analysis Plus Silver Apex. I usually listen at 85 - 95db depending on program material. The amp can drive the speakers to overload the room. The room cries uncle first as I have never had the system over 105db. It's just too loud even for me. Yes, when I auditioned them at Steve's he was using the 60w Pass. My room is essentially 18' x 36' x 7'2"(low ceiling unfortunately) and treated. My speakers also have the very first stainless steel stands drilled with 1/4-20 to accommodate the Stillpoints Ultra 5 w/ Ultra Base feet. The stands and feet provide a very worthwhile improvement. |
@speedbump6 I understand and appreciate your additional clarification. I can understand that others' impressions left them feeling the way they did. My comment about my experiences is intended to illustrate that I am able to read and move on if the observations are not providing useful info. Those other readers obviously feel compelled to voice a concern. Fine. Since I own the speakers and came away feeling that there was some momentum towards piling-on, I thought I would jump in and provide an alternative opinion as a few others have done, as well. |
I wanted to check in on this thread as it was one of the few to which I have contributed over the last couple of years. It is significant for me for several reasons. First because I was looking for and found amplifier discussion that was pertinent to my own search which eventually culminated in a Viola Symphony. With that in place my focus shifted to speakers. Coincidentally, this thread diverged occasionally into that discussion as well. Rather than re-enter details I already contributed, I refer readers to my previous posts in this thread, specifically the post from 3-28-19. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/my-long-list-of-amplifiers-and-my-personal-review-of-each/by_... Though it's taken me a few days to re-read the thread in entirety, I noticed a shift in tone towards the end on which I now comment. I feel thankful for contributions from those persons closest to products in which I may have interest. In many cases those contributors are dealers. Since I am now an enthusiastic owner of the GT Audio Works 3.1R + SI200 system I feel it's fair for me to comment on the 'shilling' issue. As you will learn from my earlier post from 3-28-19 I followed Greg's developments directly through Greg for several years. Once he engaged a dealer, he directed me to Steve and, respecting Greg's wishes, I engaged with Steve as well and focused my questions concerning purchase with Steve. Reading his dealer page and contributions in forums like Audiogon provided additional insights and led to my decision to make the effort to travel from MN to Long Island to audition the speakers. That 2-day audition led to purchase, a decision I am still emphatically happy I made. At any rate, using any source I can find to help guide informed decisions I never considered these contributions as 'shilling'. I look them as opportunities to learn. If the details are those which I already know, I move on to further research. My years of experience working in the industry have perhaps given me a thicker skin and ability to separate chaff from wheat. But, like all other audio and music enthusiasts, I am on a continual journey of learning and experience and welcome all opportunities to do so. As always... IMHO. |
Hi all - thought I would jump back in after catching up on the thread after several months of absence. I see there has been lively discussion that includes the GTA speakers. Anyone can search on my username and find my past contributions; I don't feel the need to repeat those. I will note that since my GTA purchase in 2019 the planar driver is updated and I plan to do that upgrade. Otherwise, my system is the same save for replacing the Coincident Statement MK II linestage with a Viola Crescendo. Better match for the Viola Symphony amplifier. And... just better all around... After having listened recently to the posted videos by WC, faxer, and others in other forums, I feel the GTAs are a good 'instrument' for judging electronics. As viber6 has hinted, some speakers may not be the best choice for ferreting out subtleties of amplifier/electronics' characteristics. I feel the GTA's abilities lend very well to that goal. I am still very happy with my GTA speakers and don't plan a change. I will, however, try to audition in my listening room different electronics as opportunities occur. Though the posted videos are good and can provide some level of guidance, I believe in-room listening is the ultimate arbiter for these subjective decisions. So I'd encourage those whom have not done so, to audition the GTA speakers at Steve's or any other owners' room. All are welcome here anytime. |
