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Need Suggestions

Since Axpona 2016, I have replaced / updated almost my entire system, except Speakers. In the last 3 to 4 weeks I have auditioned. Rockport Atria I, Focal Sopra 2 & 3s, Paradigm ( I forget which models ), Wison Sabrinas, Yvettes, and Sashas 2s.  All were good in one way or another. None totally blew me away. Not one made me want to give up my Avalon Opus speakers that are going to be 14 years old this Thanksgiving.

Speakers last a longtime and IMO are the hardest to replace. 

I have never been able to get on the panel bandwagon. Took 4 years to switch from Thiels to Avalons. Due to health issues, I don't know if I have even that much time left.

I am a Vinyl guy. 3000 + records, 83 CDs (4 are test or burn-in disks)

My Gear is:

Pass Lab XA160.8s and XP 20 pre, previously Spectral Owner for 20 years.
Phonostages, Manley Steelhead and Pass XOno
Turntables, Technics SL1200G w/ Triplanar arm, Lyra Kleos cartridge
                 , Kuzma Stabi w/ upgraded platter and outboard power supply, 12" VTA arm, Dynavector XX II mk2

I did listen to some fine CDPs, Streaming (I guess Dacs) The digital just made me happy that I never jumped on that train and continued with vinyl all these years.

Appreciate suggestions for speakers to search out. 20 to 25 K is my target range. I would stretch to 30K if they Really, REALLY, blew me away. I missed Axpona due to health and weather issues this year. You really can't audition speakers at the shows anyway. 

This will be my final system.

Thanks for suggestions and best to All on this journey.
nkonor

Showing 1 response by audiotroy

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,873 posts
 
Personally we wouldn't recommend this move. 

One of the best sounding speakers at Axpona is available at $36k which is the new Vimberg Tonda. The Tonda was extraordinary, in terms of both its musicality, and value for money. 

The build quality is off the charts, and the drivers are all the latest from Acuton and you can even get the speakers with a pure diamond tweeter which is a much newer and vastly superiror version to the one that Avalon was using years ago.

There is also a smaler version the Mimo for $29k.

Loudspeaker technlogy has advanced considerably. Used to sell Avalon's so know what you like the Vimbergs are very Avalon like with better fit and finish and for a very good price point for such a remarkable loudspeaker. 

The Vimberg were one of the best sounding speakers at Axpona and cost a fraction of the price of many of the crazy expensive speakers out there.

We are not a dealer but were so impressed we are trying to get the line.

So right now not easy to hear but the Canadian distributor Wynn Audio might be able to assist you with a demo. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
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