Ribbons caught my att.- should I buy or build?


Amazing how this hobby can present us with millions or billions of options.
Recently I get wind of infinity's cult following, I suspect the ribbons have something to do with it. Dali is making some awesome speakers using ribbons as well.
I remember a friend telling me that the infinity's rs-1b as good as they may be are a bit dated and driver replacement is necessary if one wants sota. I figured why buy an old pair infinity if the drivers will be replaced anyway. Would it make sense to just start from scratch, and where would I start looking for ribbon drivers?
Or would it be more cost effective to go with dali's or piegas or vmps or what other designs are out there?
I would like to have the best sound possible, my other option is mbl 116's. Nothing else ever sounded like the mbl's. Obvious I have a price ceiling, would like to keep it under $10k.
pedrillo
Dcstep,
I would not design it myself, I would turn to meniscus for the design and advice needed.
My initial response to friend's suggestions that I can build a better speaker than those built by high end companies was "no way". But if I turn to someone with experience like meniscus than there is a chance.
At one point, with a budget similar to yours, I was planning to build a set of speakers based on Boehlender Graebner "ribbons", similar to Genesis and Wisdom designs. More like the Genesis with an array of ribbon tweeters since the Wisdom ribbon, which handles high frequencies better than the BG and earlier Carvers, is proprietary. However, a pair of Genesis 350's popped up for less than it would cost to build and probably far better than any feeble attempt of my own. If you weren't aware, Genesis is the company Arnie Nudell formed after selling Infinity but relatively few people have ever heard the bigger ones outside of CES and other shows.

The BG ribbons are available from Parts Express and the new DAB-1 active xover from Wisdom handles the necessary notch for resonance to extend them down past 100 Hz. From that point, an active sub or something more DIY would take over.
Ngjockey,
I kinda had the same thinking.
How can I match or supercede high-end companies that have all this talent and measuring instruments that I don't.
What brands of yesteryear speakers should I consider that use ribbons?
Maggies tend to offer great value throughout the line.

The higher end Maggies have always used ribbons, haven't they?
Yes, larger Maggies work best in larger rooms like most speakers with large sound radiating areas, which would include the big Infinitys as well, and also require careful placement for best results.

I think I read somewhere recently though that Magneplanar delivers smaller models, like MMGs, with ribbons as well these days and these might work better in a smaller room. This might be a very cost effective way to test the waters.
"How can I match or supercede high-end companies that have all this talent and measuring instruments that I don't."

That's the thing about the DCAB-1 (sorry, spelled it wrong before), it has real time analysis. Wouldn't tackle a job like this without RTA. I still flirt with the idea of using dual BG ribbons in series, partly to raise the impedance, but I'll probably never do it. I'm happy.
Another company that uses ribbon tweeters a lot is Selah Audio. Rick sells prebuilt speakers (& subs), and kits. Will also work with you for a custom build.
Selah and GR Research are two good places to look for direction on a DIY project. I own the GR Research Custom Arrays. Call and talk to Danny at GR and Rick at Selah.
I am not sure I would start DIY with a Ribbon. They are typically more challenging than conventional drivers. I'd start a DIY project with paper or poly cones first.