After 40 years of upgrading speakers in my sound system http://arcamadeus.simplesite.com/305336804
I think that my new System-Audio Mantra 50's are going to remain in my system for LIFE! |
Wow, just heard the Vandy 7's at Audio Connection in Verona, NJ and was blown away. They would be my choice if I was playing in that range. They were with AR Ref preamp and the Ayre mono blocks. WHAT a set up. Not sure what TT they were using, but I didn't even hear a pop or click. If I could do vinyl like that at my house with my Rotel-855 and VanDenHull cart, I think I'd keep the TT. I still may. Vandy 7's were just natural and did everything right. |
Snell B Model. I have had a pair since they first came out in the early 90's and they are still outstanding compared to almost any speakers I have heard for under $7500/pr since. I recently needed to replace a blown woofer and had the mids reglued, and installed Cardas Patented Binding Posts and now they are better than ever. |
That I've had since 90's. Super towers, studio 100 and studio 1 mk2 in order to get new Vandy Treo's. Have to go SS from tubes so I thought I'd just make the move. Thought I'd keep the Supertowers for life and still may if I don't get enough for all of these lol. |
I also have a pr with prima Luna prologue two integrated and Cecil 51xr it sounds wonderful just needs a little more bass |
I have my SPICA ANGELUS since 1991, the sound stage is great, with a JANIS sub and a Krell KST 100 driving them, they sound like the first week I had bought them |
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Since the Mid 80's I've had the maggie ID's RTR esr 15 electrostatics and a janis W2 sub. I recently had to re-voice coil the ID's and I line sourced the rtr's so I tweek my stuff but see no need to upgrade since I believe the sound I have now is the BEST music sound "to me". If you find better/more accurate etc. speakers "to you" consider them only if you really think they are better and not just different sounding, there is a real distinction there. |
I bought a pair of Apogee Stages on January 4, 1991 for $2000.
Since then I've owned a pair of Dynaudio Contours and a pair of B&Ws 805 w/ a Supercube. The Dynos and B&Ws are gone now - but the Apogee Stages remain and still deliver a thrill every time I sit down and listen. |
Like most of you I have had several speaker changes over the years. The first decent pair of speakers I bought were Technic SB-7000's They were big squaty cabinets and I had them for about 10yrs. I replaced them about 12yrs ago with my Dunlavy SC-II's and have enjoyed them every time they are used. The only reason that I would replace these is if I had an opportunity to pick up a pair of SC-IV at a good price. |
I discovered Chartwell LS3/5A 15 ohm speakers from Steve and Ray of Pro Musica in Urbana Il. along with the phono unit tube preamp and tube power amp the system remained the same until I purchased a pair of Spendor SP-1s last year. Adds a new phrase to my listening. willmagic606 |
Ronniec15, I too had a pair and really think they were great, but, of course, Appogee moved on. I sold mine to a guy in Houston and lost contact with him. They were among my many different speakers as I switched between horns, ribbons, dynamic drivers, etc.
My last several speakers have been dynamic drivers with special tweeters. I suspect that with my BMC Arcadia speakers, I will stick with them for a long time. |
I am the original owner a pair of very early appogee full range speakers.their dimensions are 801/2"x35"x4"
serial no. is 1115 purchased new in 1985. I replaced the factory x-overs with a levinson Lnc-2 with the correct modules and slope.I run the bass panels direct ( bypass the impedance matching transformers )but I use the normal inputs for the mids and high ribbons.. I use a pair of 1985 levinson ML-3's ( one ML-3 for each side).I find that these speakers are really difficult to space properly but when they lock in the sound and image are easy to live with. They have gone back to have the ribbons replaced and the internal wire was also upgraded after hurricane Andrew did some damage to the ribbons.I built custom wood cases to transport the speakers. they each weigh 300 lbs.with the interface box.
The ML-3's are placed directly behind each speaker using cables that are less that a foot long.
I have used this arrangement for 38 years and I have had no issued with the speakers or the electronics. I will keep this set up as long as it continues to serve me so well.
I have moved to a different home 3 times during that period
and each time I took apart the speakers and packaged them up in the wooden crates. I was very careful and had no problems with each move.Each speaker still looks like new! |
I'm with Simao, above. I don't know that my Reference 3A De Capo i/A's (which I recently upgraded with the new, Beryllium tweeter) are my forever speakers but they're awfully good and I'm happier with them than with any of the many other speakers I've owned. A classic design, and with good reason! |
PIONEER/TAD S3-EX AND MARTIN LOGANS |
There are a bunch of vintage bicycle fans who call themselves the Retro Grouches of North America. I side with Stereophile contributor Art Dudley, whom I will cautiously label a kindred soul in the world of stereo fans.
He maintains there are many aspects of performance reproduction that you may prioritize according to your own tastes, and that very different approaches and results can be equally valid, and satisfying in different ways, with different recordings, genres, rooms.
Including some decidedly old techniques and equipment, which in my opinion put the challenge to the assertion that there is one true sound, and that the best of the newer speakers will necessarily allow one to get closer to it.
I find Art's tastes to be eclectic, with many remarkably similar to my own. He just got some old Altec Valencias to contrast with his Quads, and maintains that each represent equally valid and effective, but vastly different, approaches to musical enjoyment.
Elders can be keepers. Hooray Art!
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The pair I wish I'd never sold was a pair I'd built myself. It was a Klipschorn-copy design. A co-worker in Seattle had built the woofer section from plans, pretty solidly. I U-Haul'ed them back to Tucson at the end of the summer of '77, and got Electro-Voice tweeters and mid-range drivers for the wide, fiberglass "squawkers" as Paul Klipsch would call them, made a crossover (6/12), winding the huge coils myself. After tripping the protection circuit on my friend's 60 watt Kenmore, the gal from downstairs came to check on us because "It sounded like the stove fell over!" I even got them to look presentable in a rustic way, with thick, bold-grained, dark-stained paneling, and white burlap grill clothes for the top and sides.
A couple years later my friend bought them from me, and got two GAS Grandson amps (80 watts @ 4 Ohms), and I made passive cross-overs for bi-amping them, retaining the speaker crossovers too. The windows at his house sort of served as audible VU meters, buzzing along with the VU meters on the amps! In the living room it was downright adrenaline producing, crazy, thumping, loudest-rock-concert-you'd-ever-been-to loud, maybe 120 dB? And crystal clear, too (well, aside from the windows... ;)
As I said, crazy, but also impossible to get with, say, Quads.
Now that I am settled down, I wish I still had them. My friend still has the amps, but lent the speakers to another for safekeeping, but lost track of him over time...
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I just had the fortune to purchase a 1975 bronze pair of totally original Quad ESLs, from the son of a man who had hung on to them for life. He was going through some lean times and hated to sell them. I paid what he asked, and told him "Hats off to your father."
They are not even dusty. The grills are perfect, and are beautiful, with fascinatingly varied colors and textures in different lighting.
They charge up astonishingly quickly. My '81 black pair takes days to have good treble, and will be overhauled. (Kinda like motorcycles - gotta have a spare for when one is in the shop ;)
His father's (brother?) had bought three pair new in England and given him one pair. He only played classical music, at moderate volume. After I got them home, I found them set for 240 volts, perhaps running all that time - 38 years - at half charge. Talk about babied !!
They will pass on to a new owner when I pass on myself, hopefully after many, many happy hours of listening...
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my B&W Matrix 803 s2 .... 16 years and counting.... |
Another vote for Von Schweikert VR5 HSE's (see 12/30/12 Lneilb). After almost a decade with these beauties, they have stood the test of time. Always supremely gratifying -- never annoying. Sometimes I look up and imply say: Wow! Thiose speakers are really good!
Neal |
I responded to the "Best ever heard" thread and this is in line with my new loudspeakers. I wanted to buy the "possibly" last loudspeakers that I would ever own. That meant that they had to be far better than my Def Tech BP2000 CRL3000 7.2 system. They had to be much better than Golden Ear, Martin Logan's and or the "Brick and Mortar" stores idea of high end. Made in China with a very high end brand name on it. Two weeks ago I received my Tekton Design's Pendragons. Hand Made in USA. Took 6-8 weeks to get. I am thrilled to the bone. They exceeded my expectations. I do not even have my new cables yet. They are just getting "broken in". Every day they open up a little more like a giant "sunflower". I am not talking about the sub woofers when I say that I not only hear a "live performance" I feel the performance.
The other best part is I could afford them. They do not cost more than what I just listed above. I am sure that I could not spend 4 to 5 times more than what I spent and get anything that sounds better. |
My Reference 3A de Capo i's. I have a feeling I'll hang on to them for quite some time. I only just got them a few weeks ago and already they seem comfortable and graceful as an old leather jacket. |
I will never part with my first generation Paradigm Studio Monitors in walnut. Purchased brand new in January'90, they still fascinate my guests with their commanding bass, and articulate mids. I'm saving for Signature S8s to enjoy a cabinet in each corner of my suite, joining them is my new VMPS Larger Sub in oak, for a full-frequency stereo rapture! |
Mjknight, 9 posts above, you have far better taste than most. |
Be happy with TALON KHORUS II New xover upgrade and tweeter from AUDAX...thèse speakers have nothing to do with what what you have heard or Reader's till now they just deaseper and leave place to Music...!!! |
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I have a pair of PSB Stratus Gold i. I'm searching for some Platinum T8's but it's looking grim. The Gold i's are sweet, really sweet. So if that's what I'm stuck with I'm doing pretty good! |
Since I have my original pair from 1980, still playing everyday...
My choice would be the "Pioneer HPM 100!" Taking on all genres at all volume levels. Just can't part with the heart!!
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Keep the Spica's. Can't sell em anyway |
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Tbg,
Referencing your 9/15/12 post, I was finally able to acquire a pair of Wright Sound WPA 3.5 SET monoblocks to pair with the Altec 846A Valencia's. I now see (hear) what all the fuss is about with zero feedback flea powered amps! I've been playing jazz and vocals and the bass produced by the Wright-Altec pairing is more than I had anticipated. A lot of "air" around instruments and lots of detail. The music is more palpable, textured and visceral.
A whole new world! I'm liking it! |
A vote for the ATC speakers. Many many years in the market have seen only slight changes in design philosophy. The famous custom build soft dome mid range still is among the best money can buy. |
Outstanding topic! Well, my first love was the Altec Lansing Voice of the Theater, which I could not afford but could definitely build. Over the years, I have also enjoyed LS35a's, Quads, B&w's, Lowthers, Klipsch's, Lamhorns, Braun's, KLH's,Verity, and so so many others. As a 50-something with both building and listening experience, I urge you to try out the extremes on this see-saw of speaker experience. In other words, try out the often strikingly expensive single speaker models like the Lam or AER or whatever...alternatively, the also crazily expensive multidriver models like the Verity Parifal. Or, if you are as lucky as I was, try out those speakers on the used market. I have both Klipschorns and Lamhorns, and have owned Parsifals for a number of years before selling them at no loss. I won't attempt to describe the nuances of each. But I will say that I still own both 1979 Klipschorns modified with drivers and crossovers, and also the early Lamhorns with violin varnish on Lowther speakers. I sold my Verity's, against all logic, but I like the sound of low power tubes the very best. |
B@W Matrix 800 give me the best sound. Funny looking but what a sound stage. it does everything right |
Makcer9,Maybe you should post this in the classified section.This is an ad,not a response to the post! |
Who left the door open?
Shakey |
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316-390-8682 THANE |
I purchased New, a pair of Dynaudio Contour 3.0's. These speakers kick ass! The beautiful natural cherry has darkened over the last 13 years. Never have I had any problem with them.They were handmade in Denmark,and I understand that Dynaudio keeps the original wood veneers on hand in case of a repair. Also,if I needed to replace a driver,they are the largest OEM supplier of drivers in the world. Kinda gives you a lot of peace of mind. Happy listening.
Matt M |
Sgtmajor,
Wrong thread. Dissmissed! |
I have apogee scintillas 1 ohm
Can I power them with Pass x 600 mono blocks
Thank you
cliff145@cox.net |
Well, it's going on 8 years since I bought a used pair of Dali Helicon 800s from this site, and they play everything I throw at them(from Adele to AC/DC and Metallica) so well, I won't even risk trying to better them. They were the buy of a lifetime for me. So as of now, they're with me till 'they' die or 'I' die. If they die first, I'll probably try to revive the old beauties, or hopefully find another pair. Even the cabinets are too beautiful to get rid of. They're going nowhere. I use my 2nd system to experiment with different speakers. :) |
My little Linn Kans are still with me after literally dozens of different stand mount speakers. They just work in a small room close to the wall like no other speaker I have tried costing ten times the price of the Kans. |
"The best possible speakers to hang onto life" I believe this falls on the conundrum side of catch 22 situations. However if I were to try and accomplish this..... I think I would start with a custom built setup designed from scratch. Making sure to use all weather build materials and all weather drivers. Today's market has a plethora of those all weather, super high end drivers to chose from. Hey for the right price I might even be interested in building a set for you, now that I see the challenge ahead, it looks kinda interesting. |
Its really hard to say.. There are many depending on price range. I would go with Wilson Watt/Puppies especially newer versions or Wilson Sasha. Such a wide stage and clean balanced sound in every aspect. Will easily smoke B&W's, focals or any other brands in probably 30K price range when matched with good pre amp and amp. |
Von Schweikert VR-5 HSE. The only VS speaker my wife could live with in our living room. It makes no compromises compared to others on the 10-20k price range that I can think of. |
For the time being, we're really enjoying the Harbeth C7-ES3's. For life is a ling time, though these C7's are truly remarkable! |
I'm absolutely thrilled with my Tyler Acoustics Taylo Reference speakers. I've owned a dozen pairs or more of high-end audiophile speakers, and none have pleased me like these have. I picked them up for $1600 used and couldn't be happier. |
A speaker to hang for life is kind of hard if you have the funds to purchase something else, or until you are tired of hearing variations on the same theme. I just purchased a pair of Zu Essence and I am finding them a pleasureable compromise, and that is a pretty good thing to find in a universe of compromises. Of course, this being a universe of compromises, I am also keeping my more traditional speaker, Vienna Acoustics Strauss, for an occasion swap in and out. I think having these two nice 'compromises' will help me let go of the obsession to find more audio stuff. Time will tell the truth about this though:) |
The Gallo 3.5 is a keeper. It's a champion. The 3.1 isn't far off. |
I just heard a new set of 2Cs yesterday (through a Bryston b135sst) and fell in love.
My next, and final, speaker for sure. |
