New reference 3a decapo i with Beryllium tweeter.

Bruce there is some info from other users concerning this. Look in the archives under Decapo, the threads are quite recent. The concensus seems to be that the BE tweeter is a big improvement. I couldn't tell you since I have the latest Decapo with the acoustic lens with BE tweeter and the Nextel finish and have never heard any of the prior models. The BE model is just superb. These are among the very best speakers I've heard regardless of price in communicating the musical message without ever bringing attention to anything they're doing. Very natural highs, choral music is an absolute joy on well recorded music. The closest thing I've heard to Quad ESLs in natural tonality and coherence from a dynamic speaker with the added benefit of excellent dynamic contrasts of the music. Great extension without any hint of brightness or edge.

Tubegroover,

I have a pair of the Capo i and i agree it is a great speaker. I am trying to find out if i should upgrade the tweeters or add the acoustic lens. Can't afford both.

i use them with a 4 wpc set amp, plenty loud and dynamic

Hi Grinnell

That IS amazing with a 4 watt amp. I am using a 70 watt Berning and everyone that has heard the set-up to a one has commented on the dynamics of the system. I've commented before on this but again, on really good recordings in my room the images can come alive in a way I've rarely experienced outside large systems, a major testament to the amplifier as well as the speakers. I am playing around with the omega micro/mapleshade cabling and power cords with excellent results. I am on a buying spree to see how far I can take this. The only thing really missing is the bottom octave. The mid/upper bass is just outstanding with this design, fast, articulate and resolving of ambient cues on the recording. I am fortunate in that I have no glaring room issues and no early reflection problems. Since I haven't heard any previous Decapo models I would strongly suggest you e-mail or call Tash. I have had several conversations and e-mails with him along my journey. He might give you better insight in what might be the best "bang for the buck" with your Decapos. My guess is that the beryllium tweeter upgrade would be it.

Grinnell, Tubegroover....

Nice to read your words on the DCaps. I have been off line for a while due to medical issues, so tonight I decided to read up on some of the old threads. I actually thought that this was one of them.
I changed out my old tweeters on my DCaps a couple of months ago. They are quite well broke in. You can count on a hefty month of steady listening to get these tweeters to perform to their fullest. Even now I'm hearing slight improvements almost day to day.
Mods are mods and then there are "the" mods. Back in the Middle Ages, when Dhalquists (did I get that right ?) walked the earth, all knowledgable, and pure Audiophiles would always look for the Yellow Sea of capacitors bedded down under the black mesh behind the drivers. Without that clear bag of CD caps installed ... you were lower than dirt itself, a no- body that knew nothing. Someone to be spit upon, publicly laughed at and always ignored in any audio circle. Some would rather paint them than face the agony. Grinnell, you may be facing that same scorn. I'm sure you have already faced that destiny, laying in bed, feeling the cold sweat turning your pillow into what feels like a wet sea otter.
Happier days and dry pillows are ahead for you. All that you have to do is change the tweeters and you will have the respect and admiration of all that live hear in the forbidden city of musical fools. Plus you will have the added pleasure of hearing what I consider, one of the best musical transducers on earth. We, the ones that have the mod, and are advancing our systems accordingly not only support the investment, but look at it as a no- option scenario. It takes what was already a world class performer ( read duh reviews) and places this wonderful speaker in the ranks along with the very best.... At any price. I will put the presentation of the DeCapo/be up against any speaker at any time... given that the room size is of correct dimensions. I agree with Tubegroover that the tweeter should come first. Even before break- in the soundstage will roll you over in your chair and the brushes hitting the cymbals will mesmerize you.
You have knowing, or unknowingly been going in a good direction for the DeCapo/be. With your fine triodes and silver connections, the spread and efficiency will not go unnoticed with the new tweets. You can tailor them in other ways as well.. With even completely different cable and amp combinations. They will be your personal camialions to color your sound, without loss of musical presentation.
I would do the tweeters while they still offer the change out program. Just my 2 cents"... But 2 cents well worth spending.

The tweets are the first upgrade you want to do. My De Capo's came with the acoustic lens so I can't compare them to speakers without the lens but the BE tweet is a major upgrade over the older silk dome model.
Also, I don't believe that you can do the acoustic lens as end user upgrade... I think the whole speaker has to be shipped back to the factory for that. Call Ref 3A and ask Tash or Diane.

Thanks to all.

You're welcome. And if you do go with the tweeter upgrade, message me and I'll give you a few installation tips that I learned the hard way. ;-)

Brucegel:

If you ask Rebbi really nice, perhaps he will loan you his Claw-hammer and Hacksaw ;-)

Tubeears:
Yikes!!
It’s not that hard to replace the tweets, but it does get a bit tricky in spots.
Here's what I learned the hard way, for the public record.
First, you need to get a good quality Phillips head screw driver that is an exact
match for the size of the head of those soft, brass screws. Especially if you try
to use a screwdriver that's a little too small, those screws are soft enough that
you really do run the risk of stripping out the screw head, at which
point,"you are screwed.";-)
Additionally, you need to take the speakers off the stands and lay them down
on a soft surface (like a pillow or cushion) terminal side facing down. At first I
tried to unscrew those tweeterss while still attached to the stands, but trying
to exert the proper amount of horizontal pressure was just too hard. You
really need to be able to bear straight down vertically, on the screw heads.
Once you have the screws out, there is another bit of a challenge. The high
frequency drivers are not glued into the cabinet, but there is a thin foam
gasket behind each one, which gets compressed when the drivers are screwed
into place. It has the effect of making the drivers stick to the cabinet a bit. So,
you need either a small screwdriver, or a pair of pliers, or a coat hanger or
paperclip bent into a small hook, to insert into one of the empty screw holes
in the faceplate of the tweeter so you can pry the driver up and away from the
cabinet. Not at all impossible, but a little tricky if you're not expecting it.
It is not hard to detach the drivers from the wires. You could simply clip the
wires, but I chose to use some desoldering braid to remove the solder and
keep the wires intact and at full length. Once you have the new drivers
soldered in, it's easy to put them back in the cabinet.
Hope this helps anybody who attempts this upgrade.
The new tweets require some break in time, but believe me, it's worth the
effort.