Tannoy or Volti

So I listened to the “Volti” khorn today. Gentleman was kind enough to let me listen in his home. Is a vintage speaker with all the hardware replaced by Volti gear. I believe that’s how Greg started getting into the business(please don’t quote me). Was an interesting comparison because they are very different from the Audio Notes I have. Their sound was big, engaging and oh my live music. Live recording sounds like you are in the 1st row. Wide soundstage and really perfect tone of voices and instruments. Very impressed with Greg’s work. 
Now if I could take 20% of the Audio Notes and put it in the Volti then I might have the perfect speaker for me! I finally understand why some audiophiles keep multiple amps and speakers. If you want something great at x then it can’t always be great at y. 
Was a good day and I might be visiting the bank very very soon. Lol

Alright! I did a hard look at Devores as well. I was attracted to the bigger sound after having had that mellow Audio Notes sound for the past 2 years, which will be missed in some regards. Let me know if you’re interested in AN! Lol

Well keep us posted on what you audition and give us a small review of each please. Curious what your impressions will be. 

What I learned today Charles, if you play jazz and easier stuff like Sade, Audio Notes are wonderful. There’s a reason they have a big following. Their mid range is  really something special. 

With a high end with zero edge. I listen for hours at a time. 

I know that is one of its strengths. I just don’t listen to certain music anymore due to its sound. I still need my classic rock or heavy metal going sometimes. Trade offs I suppose. 

Well if you find that speaker that is just between AN and Volti let everyone know! Many are looking for just that combination of mellow when it needs to be and lively. 

I think my retirement amp when I’m fed up with tubes will be the xa25. 

So you are using solid state for both amp and pre with the Lucera? Do you find its gentle enough on the ears? I wonder if I want to run the Sit-4 or 5 with a tube pre. I also considered picking up a used xp-22 to use. Of course that’s after speaker and amp sale so I have time. 

@charles007100 Thanks for the input. Good to know for sure. I’m away this weekend so next week I’ll pursue it a bit more. Thought I had the speakers sold and the gentleman backed out. So, now I will probably wait until I sell the other speakers before I buy the amp. Hopefully Vu will help sell them for me. I’m going to call him on Monday. 

Well my next amp will be solid state for sure. Was going to keep the tube pre for awhile. I have been reading up on the Xperia-12 and xp22. They appear very impressive. The xp-22 would have to be used but there is one for sale a couple towns away. Can’t wait to sell a couple of things so I can order the amp!

Hey Charles. I wanted to let you know that I am the recipient of those used Lucera’s. Currently using the Aric Audio 300b pset with it. The Lucera’s certainly filled the void that I had with the Audio Note’s. As with all things though, each has its strengths and weaknesses. 
I feel the Volti is a much more balanced speaker, low-mid-treble wise. Each sound in proper proportion to my ears. The dynamics are wonderful. I was a bit nervous coming from the AN’s that it might be overwhelming. I listened 6 hours yesterday with zero fatigue. Really is a nice speaker from initial listening perspective. Now, I would like to try a low power, class a, solid state amp that would push and control the bass a bit more than the 300b’s. 

Well I hope you sort it all out. I’m truly sorry to hear about the tinnitus. I have a mild case so I was concerned about horn “blare”. Not an issue at all. Funny you should mention the Sit-4. I think I’m picking up the xa-25 used in a day or 2. I will add it to the Aric 300b pset and compare. I need to simplify anyway. But, on WhatsTheBest forum, a member bought Volti’s and added the sit-4 and said it’s the best combo he’s had in 40 years of listening. I want a little more power to push the 15 inch woofers. 

Well I’m not sure where you are located Charles, but you are always welcome to listen to them. The Aric Linestage, xa-25 and Lucera’s will give you a good idea of what you’d be getting into. 

Misread. Seems like you’ve heard them already. My bad

Audio Note’s also get ripped apart. I’ve decided I trust my ears. Perhaps I have an inability to notice such things or other factors conceal the limitations. The first review also mentioned that the toe in mitigates much of the issue. Spoke to Greg regarding the measurements, which he is obviously aware of. He explained it quite well to me. If you read all the reviews, almost everyone loves how they sound. Most of us can’t hear measurements. 

I apologize if I’m coming off defensive. Not my intention. Just wanted to state that I was aware of the measurements prior to buying, listened to Greg’s speakers and didn’t care. 

Thanks Charles. I will certainly give him a call. Power and bass authority are my goals with this ss purchase. I’m assuming the xa-25 would be better. I should know better than to assume in audio. Certainly considering my Lucera purchase! lol

Glad you are enjoying the Lucera’s. I’m currently listening to Vetiver on mine. We went from Sit 4 to xa-25 to his favorite, Sit-5. He just had to throw that into the mix! 
lol

Hey Charles. John at Refined Audio has been great. Thank you for the recommendation. The trial period is such a bonus. What a relief if you decide you aren’t satisfied. He also gave me an offer I can’t refuse! Well I can and I’m sleeping on it. 

Charles. I’m going to order this week but just kind of sorting out my wants and what each brings. Since you’ve had low powered tube amps as well. How does the Sit-4 sound power wise and bass control wise. Is it an improvement over the low powered tube amps? I just don’t want to end up with what I have now with just a sound change. On the flip side, I don’t want too much power where I will only be listening from 4-12 out 47 on the dial. Not sure that’s good. Anyway, I don’t need you to make my decision,  just wondering if the Sit -4 sounds more powerful and has greater bass control at louder volumes. Thanks 

Thanks Charles. I was pretty firmly set on the xa-25 but the more I read and spoke to people, the more I realized I don’t want super neutral, reference amp like. I don’t want poor recordings to sound worse than they do already with my set amp, which apparently is pretty neutral itself. So, the sit-4 and the Coda s5.5 were also on my radar. I want a very quiet, low noise floor amp like I have now. Some say the Coda can be a little noisy. So speaking to John, he mentions the sit-5, which I wasn’t even aware of. Few reviews but it seems to really take what’s best from the 4 and the Pass lines. With the 15 inch woofer, I like the idea of the control it will have and has the lowest noise measurement of all the FW’s. I’m selling a few things off so we will see. Either way, it looks like a Sit is in the future plans. 

I’m going to give it a few days. I’m going away for a 3 day weekend next week so if I’m going to place an order, I’d wait til Thursday anyway. That way I will be home when it or they arrive. A little more homework. 
I’m going to call First Watt on Monday and see what they think would be the best coarse of action with my pre, dac and speakers. 

So, you are loving your new set up. What’s your favorite part so far?

Great to hear. Streamer upgrade will be next for sure. Will start thinking about that in the new year. Wonderful set up. Love hearing an audio veteran who loves a new set up. Congratulations. Enjoy the music!

Or hop on the motorcycle and make a trip of it! He has been very accommodating and helpful. It makes me want to go that direction potentially when you are dealing with someone like that. I got that same help from Aric. Made in the US, great customer service and genuinely nice people. 
My issue becomes, Louisiana is my last state to visit and it’s so close to Tennessee! How do I not extend the ride even more. Good problems to have. 

Hey Charles. I’ve started a thread as well and am interested in the Volti as well. I’m currently in the process of changing my system and I go from selling everything to just replacing some things. So I’m currently a mental case. Full disclosure! I don’t mean to hijack and will shut up if asked with no issues. I’m the owner of Audio Note e/lx and am debating the Volti horns. There is a lot to like about the AN’s, mainly realism and NO EAR Fatigue. This is my concern with horns. You seem to have experience with different speakers. Is there anything with the horns that you recently listened to that should I should be concerned about? Thanks for any advice

Thank you Charles. I’m thinking the same thing with Audio Note, all in with Soro amp and speaker upgrade. Just not sure I want to continue down that avenue and run into the same issue. Thank you for the Aric reassurance. It’s my first venture into this realm and I always second guess myself. I did notice that the Volti’s are 99db efficiency. That gives me even more room for greater volume and dynamics at lower volumes, hopefully! I need to listen to them for sure. Damn it’s a bit far but do not want to make a mistake. Thanks again and good luck in your search.