Annika, first, congratulations on your forthcoming retirement!
Re Daedalus, be aware if you already aren't that they offer 30 day return privileges, less two-way shipping and a $200 restocking fee.
Also, the various Daedalus models generally have a similar "house sound," as well as benign impedance characteristics and exceptional versatility with respect to amplifier selection. The bigger and more expensive models of course tend to have somewhat greater deep bass extension and a bit more sensitivity, and some models are designed to have wider sweet spots than others. I would expect that if you call Lou Hinkley at Daedalus he will provide you with valuable and honest guidance as to which model(s) would best suit your room, budget, and preferences.
I have owned a pair of Ulysses for nearly ten years now, and I continue to be delighted with them. My room is 22 x 13 x 8, somewhat smaller than yours, but I would expect that model to do fine in your room as well.
In the past year or so I have been using a Pass XA25 to drive the Ulysses, and for about seven years prior to that a 300B tube-based VAC Renaissance 70/70 MkIII. Both have provided great results.
I also own a Herron phono stage (the VTPH-2 in my case), and I can vouch for Miller's comments about it. And both Herron and Daedalus are among the very best manufacturers in terms of customer service and support, and are a pleasure to deal with.
I suspect that the lower gain version of the Herron (which is what most people buy) would be suitable for your 0.28 mv cartridge, but a call to Keith Herron would be advisable to confirm that. I'm using an Audio Technica AT-ART9, rated at 0.5 mv.
Eventually you will probably want to upgrade your line stage and amplifier. But of course you can do that in stages whenever funds permit, depending in part on the cost of whichever speaker model you decide on.
Best of luck as you proceed. Regards,
-- Al
Re Daedalus, be aware if you already aren't that they offer 30 day return privileges, less two-way shipping and a $200 restocking fee.
Also, the various Daedalus models generally have a similar "house sound," as well as benign impedance characteristics and exceptional versatility with respect to amplifier selection. The bigger and more expensive models of course tend to have somewhat greater deep bass extension and a bit more sensitivity, and some models are designed to have wider sweet spots than others. I would expect that if you call Lou Hinkley at Daedalus he will provide you with valuable and honest guidance as to which model(s) would best suit your room, budget, and preferences.
I have owned a pair of Ulysses for nearly ten years now, and I continue to be delighted with them. My room is 22 x 13 x 8, somewhat smaller than yours, but I would expect that model to do fine in your room as well.
In the past year or so I have been using a Pass XA25 to drive the Ulysses, and for about seven years prior to that a 300B tube-based VAC Renaissance 70/70 MkIII. Both have provided great results.
I also own a Herron phono stage (the VTPH-2 in my case), and I can vouch for Miller's comments about it. And both Herron and Daedalus are among the very best manufacturers in terms of customer service and support, and are a pleasure to deal with.
I suspect that the lower gain version of the Herron (which is what most people buy) would be suitable for your 0.28 mv cartridge, but a call to Keith Herron would be advisable to confirm that. I'm using an Audio Technica AT-ART9, rated at 0.5 mv.
Eventually you will probably want to upgrade your line stage and amplifier. But of course you can do that in stages whenever funds permit, depending in part on the cost of whichever speaker model you decide on.
Best of luck as you proceed. Regards,
-- Al