Quad 989 vs. SoundLab Millennium 2


I live in a rural area and cannot compare these at dealers. But I know enough from using ESL 63s for a few years and having heard A1 and A3s that either the 989 or M2 will be my next speaker. Anyone heard either or have comments on sonic comparisons? Thanks, Jeffrey email or 805 434 9220 California
jeffreyfranz

Showing 4 responses by ivanj

I too have questions about these speakers. I am trying to decide to keep my Q63/sub combo or go to the 989s or Soundlabs. Any info would be appreciated.
I recently listened to SL M-1s at Audiokinesis. I feel that these are the most re-creative speakers I have heard. They are more transparent than any other electrostatic I know of. Wolcotts amps were used to good effect, I played the first disk in the Solti Die Walkure reissue. I tell you it was exactly as the stage direction/orchestral layout is depicted in the liner notes. The tonality of the horns and then double basses when Hunding enters, etc., was almost visual in its naturalness. (I did not like the S/S monblocks - warners or something - they sounded like a bad phonostage.) I just ordered a pair....of M1s - amps later if the Pass can't cut it and if the exchequer recovers...Oh yes Duke is a class act....
since then I have gone to an all Pass preamp/phono amp system with Sound Labs u-1 PXs. I use SACD, DVDA, Hires computer feeds, a Don Scott modified Accuphase T100 and a Linn with an Ikeda cartridge and an old linear Yamaha with an Ortofon MC.

The Wolcotts have died and I cannot find any relief at their website. It was glorious while it lasted.

Now I have a Levinson 432 with updated biasing.

What can I do to improve a very very good amplifier that takes balanced inputs.

I'm back!
Atmasphere-

A belated thanks for the comment. If I had known your adroitness and willingness I would have sent the amps to you!

I sold the Wolcotts and the Levinson. The Levinson kept crapping out due to thermal shutoff. I had a old carver amp as a backup 200WPC? that worked better than it did. The 432 was the nadir of the Levinson line as I found out later. What a dog.

Now using a Sandersound Magtech amp and I couldn't be happier. I would love to get your amps but you folks are beyond my pay grade, more's the pity.

I now have an Oppo BD-105 handling digital audio. Wonderful, flexible product. I've only used the Ikeda (the real kind with the Decca design) about 50 hours since it was retipped/updated by the late man himself so I am going to sell it and put the Ortofon on the Linn. It's been awhile since I've been on Agon and it is good to be back.