Tidal Speakers owners


Could you please write your impressions about the Tidal speakers you currently own ? I will probably buy the Tidal Piano Cera in the near future so I would appreciate your feedback...
geopolitis
My Tidal Piano Cera has now 200h, paired with an Audiopax Model5 SE pre and two Model 88 SE SET 30W. I am amazed by the sound quality and transparency. It is much more than I thought it would be like.
After 500h I will start listenning to different set of cables, including Argento Flow IC and Speaker.
As a former Piano Cera (and presently Piano Diacera) owner, there will be incremental improvements as you continue toward the 800 hour mark. An amazing product, well balanced with good to outstandig performance in all attributes IMO.
My tidal piano diacera has now 100 hours, I am using with with using audiopax maggiore (SET-100Watts class A1) / preamplifier audiopax model5 SE, recently bought a speaker cable scherzinger( l ittle known company located in Dortmund), I think I need not look further synergy, I'm listening to all my CDs again, this speaker has a huge balance, besides an impressive transparency.
I do not know if it is possible a better sound with more burnig in.
Jotave2010 and Georgemg, Impressive gear driving your respective Pianos. Looking forward to your future posts as your Pianos evolve. I believe we all would very much like to see photos of your rigs.

In my own case I now have well over 2000 hours (no longer keeping track) on my Piano Diaceras and I can unequivocally say that I love these speakers far more than when I first received them.
"10-13-12: Bostonbean
Jotave2010 and Georgemg, Impressive gear driving your respective Pianos. Looking forward to your future posts as your Pianos evolve. I believe we all would very much like to see photos of your rigs."

+1 and congrats!

Had mine (Contriva) close to two years now.. Still looking forward to each and every listening sessions.
Thank you all for welcoming us. George and I are very good friends and live nearby. My system is a kind of George's miniature. :-)
Been a while since I was last here. Finally got my act together. Have ordered a pair of Tidal Piano. Will be getting them in Dec. Hopefully before Xmas as I would be away. Look forward to exchanging tips with everyone soon.
I am now using a set of Argento Flow IC and speaker cables. Amazing the improvement. The Piano Cera is now showing it's potencial.
Hi Fellow Tidal Owners, I own Piano Ceras and am in the process of moving to a new house. I won't have a dedicated room anymore and need to keep the system as simple as possible. Analog is my only source. The room is big but WAF leaves me limited space for the system. I am considering a high-end integrated to keep it simple. Would welcome any thoughts or suggestions in this area. Thanks
I owned the big tidals for 6 months i thought were good but not special I agree with this guy.

Patrick from Washington, DC, USA at show CAF
On the Instrument 8PS

I am an Instrument 8 PS owner of about 6 months. These speakers are great. I know I'm not telling you something you don't already know -- they just are. I just left the Capital Audio Fest here in Maryland and listened to several systems and countless speakers and I can honestly say none of the speakers I heard sounded better than my 8PS speakers. I know I'm biased, but I usually leave shows like this wanting to burn (light a match to) my systems when I get home. Not this time. Your speakers are engaging, dynamic and something that I feel proud to own. I'm blown away at times by how good they sound. They look almost as good as they sound, and as you know they look great.

I just wanted you to know that you have a product that I am proud to own. Maybe you should consider showing them to more people like events such as CAF. I will gladly support you and the product in anyway you feel I `would be of the most good. I am a Network Engineer by trade, so I'm not a salesman. I heard a lot of speakers this weekend and mine really sounds better than what I heard. Tidal's 64k speakers and the Revel Studio2 were great, but the 8PS speakers are special.

I did not want to mention this because I know it sounds strange, but this is probably the only speaker that I have been able to feel. It seems there is texture or something tangible to the sounds produced by the speakers. I know it's called "The Instrument", but I wasn't expecting this. I referred to it as special in my previous email. The Revel or Tidal speakers did not have this.
Hi link,

this is an open discussion I like other here have owned many systems I owned the contriva which is basically a copy of Sonus Faber the sound was uninteresting and had poor efficient. They are pretty but the dc10 speaker is in another league not to mention it 95db spl
mountain-high.....we are all glad you like your' Instrument 8PS ' speaker. to each his/her own..
I don't believe that Sonus faber would think that the Contriva is a copy of their design. Which version of the Contriva did you own (the earlier ones did not use Accuton bass drivers)?.
From a respondent in one of Mountain High's thread "Berlin R to challenge Magico/Raidho?" >>>>>

11-07-12: Krell_man

Luvs2listen,

Actually, Mountain-High probably doesn't want to know anything. He's been touting dc10audio speakers since RMAF, plus, he's selling them.

Even dc10audio asked him to stop in another one of his threads. Obviously he's not even listening to the company.

There's nothing wrong with recommending a product that you like and use, but Mountain-High is to the point of hurting dc10audio's creditability because he's trying to push them down our throats. The fact that he's also selling the speakers is even worse.

Chuck
Krell_man (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

<<<<< +1
Krell_man pretty much sums it up. Good luck and Goodbye now Mr.High!
The whole layout including the twin rear ports is very much like Sonus Faber I owned the early ones 2008.
I buy and sell lots of gear I have to or my wife will kill me I love hifi and I love to compare just like wine lover love to compare I am sorry if i don't think tidal speakers are very interesting but I don't and the sound is un interesting too at least Sonus make something worth to copy!
Dear Mountain High,

I really wish you would stop all the superlatives! As for Tidal they are a superlative that I very much respect!

What makes Hi-Fi fun is the ever changing options and the pursuit of ones favorite sounds.

Please don't open the copy or knock-off door; most especially when it comes to Italian manufacture. The Italians hold a second seat to the Chinese for copy infringements they even knock off their own clothing companies with Chinese manufacture!! Mountain High your beloved instrument 8 speakers have been knocked-off by a well known Italian loudspeaker maker right down to the gloss white cabinet I wonder if in part due to all your inane touting on public forums do you know which brand? I think you do.

We value your business but will ask that you not do any more PR work for us.
Regards,
D
Bostonbean,
Thanks, look forward to having them home.

Linkster,
How are your Piano D coming along?

Adstew,
Space a premium too here. My pair will be in living room. Hiding all electronics inside enclosed shelves for WAF (among other considerations). Limited to 40cm depth (plus 10cm for cabling). Width no problem. Height limited to 30cm. Tidal amps should be good (at least 2 boxes). Naim amps good too (4 boxes but each smaller than Tidal). Have not considered integrated. At this level I don't know if any conventional integrated would do justice. Would be interested if you find something compact.
The Piano Diacera is magical, an uncolored transparent window into the original recording venue. With familiar recordings, background details that I never heard previously are easily revealed. When it comes to Tidal speakers, it's really all about the subtlety and nuance inherent in the recording, and bringing these elements out but without losing any musicality.
Thanks Linkster that is great endorsement and reassurance. Unfortunately nothing I could share. Still awaiting for my PiaDia. Timeline has overshot earlier indications by some margin. Santa did not deliver this time. But trust not too long to go.
Kw13, the wait will be well worth it. You can thank me later!! BTW, check with Tidal concerning factory break-in. Mine arrived with around 250 hours on them.
Tbg, I don't believe Tidal has any US representation other than Doug White of The Voice That Is since the Aaudio distribution relationship ended. Tidal seems to be very busy with the European shows and Asian markets.
I see Duelund Cast in those crossovers, yikes!

Here's an awesome site I've been reading with nice photos.
Q - Is the tidal sunray or the tidal agoria (too early to comment as its still new i guess) more difficult to get extreme performance compared to the Tidal CDSE ? Which amps would you use for either ? Am planning a once in XX years upgrade to my system. Have some old mac gear MC2720 and C37 power and pre respectively, transport Wadia wt-2000, Wadia Digital 2000 DAC, B and W 804s (being the most recent addition 7-8 years ago !). Read about the Devialet D Premier and thought would do my wife a favor to reduce the amp clutter + more relevantly integrate my AV stuff using the devialet and stream music etc. 3 months later i realized my speakers are not good enough so did the rounds from Wilson to Verity. Verity Sarastro made me realize that i wanted to go back to analog amps though the Devialet (which i must now sell at 3 months of age :)) did everything i expected it to do at the time i bought it.
Am debating between tidal contriva diacera SEs (used) , agorias and the sunrays (used), sunrays Mk2 (to come soon) and wanted to assess if people believed/knew /experienced a Sunray's or an Agoria's performance in an open living room format versus that of a Contriva and more importantly if the sunrays would need much more expensive amps to get "value/extreme sound" from ?
Another question - anyone has any view on Lansche 7/8 versus Tidal ? I heard some good things about it but havent heard it yet..
Rohitmalh....

below is my experience....
1.Agoria and Sunray is far more better than CDSE
2.Agoria is more eazy to push than Sunray(4.5db Higher)
3.Used Sunray is far more chearper than Agoria
4.Sunray is picky for good amps!!
Thanks very much. Have you owned a Sunray and do you still own it ? Which amps have you tried with it ( and how many?) any suggestions on solid state and tube with Sunray where you have had v good experiences ? Thanks
Rohitmalh....

also
Agoria is picky for good amps too,
but it's more eazy to deal with than Sunray

if you using TIDAL amps(espeically Active)
no matter Sunray or Agoria it will be eazy and great....

if you are not using TIDAL amps, maybe Agoria will be more eazy.....
i agree with avantgarden post, if you choose sunray your power amp choice will be more limited than smaller models, but it is worth it.
hi Rohitmalh

I try it with FM1811+266 , sounds good, but not great enough
and then TIDAL presencio+ 2 impulse for active
then all is done:p

having Sunray without Tidal amps,
in the beggining you can having fun during the searching period for the amps, but it's a long term trip, and finally you will be tired

IMHO just try TIDAL amps or just give it up...
I own my Con Dias for about a year now. Drove them with Naim 300 series with great results.

Currently ordered new Prisma and Impulse LPX, to keep the option of going fully active with Agoria in the future.
I own my Con Dias for about a year now. Drove them with Naim 300 series with great results.

Currently ordered new Prisma and Impulse LPX, to keep the option of going fully active with Agoria in the future.
Thanks guys
Avantgarden - am wondering whether to use the LPX external crossover and tidal impacts versus impulse with the built in LPX crossovers ... Not so much any major cost thought process but was wondering long term if the classic LPx external crossover is a reference product and would be interesting if one added the rest of the T1 system (towers - ie subwoofers ). I get the feeling one can do more with an LPX external crossover but am not sure if the sound is definitely better .
Thoughts ?
Hi all Tidalists,

Very interesting posts.

May I ask whether anyone of you has experience with the Avalon Indra (which I know and like) and can comment on sonic differences between the Indra and the Tidal models Piano or Contriva?

I would very much appreciate your comments.
I owned the Eidolon Diamond and later went to the Piano Cera. The Tidal is way more transparent and musical. Bass definition might be a tad better on the Avalon but everything else is so much better on the Tidal it doesn't matter. I had heard that the Eidolon Diamond was a better speaker than the Indra.
Hi Linkster,

It´s remarkable that you as a previous owner of an Eidolon Diamond feel that even the Piano Cera (without diamond tweeter) is so much better. That´s indeed impressive.

Thank´s for your time!

Does any Tidal owner also personally know the sonics of the Avalon Indra which at least sounds different from the Eidolon as I was told (I only know the Indra)? Any comments?
Avalon and Tidal speakers I have heard were night and day different. Hard to compare really. Avalon sound was very unique. Tidal more "neutral" and uber-detailed, more like other similar designs, but very well done to the nth degree.
I bought my Eidolon Diamonds 11 years ago and I feel it is somewhat unfair to Avalon to compare that design to the Piano Cera/Diacera. That being said, I think the Piano Diacera has been around for maybe four years and Jorn really can't improve on this 2 1/2 way gem. I am thrilled to own it and it is indeed my last speaker purchase.
hi Linkster

I got my X-tender to team up with Piano Diacera last month
you can check the pictures here....
http://www.audionet.com.tw/a/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3367

it's really crazy to add a small bass tower that cut in the 30~40Hz to have the deepest and clean bass

this way let the piano diacera sounds like a big system!!
(of cousre it's great, because Piano Diacera is the core of Sunray & Agoria...and now add the mini bass tower ,so the performance is just amazing.....evan better than TIDAL Contriva Diacera)..
Hi Rohitmalh,

What is/was wrong with the Devialet D Premier you mentioned earlier? I do read a lot

about this device and many owners do lose their enthusiasm after a while. Can you

describe (in short) what went wrong (tone character emotion)?
Would be nice to know because I was thinking about the NAD M2 driving my Contriva’s,

connected to a mediaplayer......

Thanks
Robert
I think of the Piano Diaceras as mini Sunrays and with the X-Tenders as mini T-1's. If I were to get the X-Tenders, which I am not, I would prefer flat black portals versus the shiny stainless steel. I like the all black monolithic look.

"even better than the TIDAL Contriva Diacera"...I think that is up to the ears of the individual listener.
A highly musical Piano Diacera set-up, imo. Hope Georgemg don't mind us sharing it here.

Prove that it doesn't have to be Tidal everything to make it work.. Well perhaps if a dealer I'd too say otherwise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbRj_t-Juqo
about Piano Diacera + X-tender v.s Contriva Diacera
i think it's taste problem

Piano Diacera is 2 1/2 way, Contriva Diacera is 3 way
this make sound direction different.

without the X-tender..
Contriva Diacera sounds better than Piano Diacera...

but when Piano Diacera team up with X-tender..
the bass goes deeper than Contriva Diacera
and midrange is so wide...

personal i love it more than Contriva Diacera
Personally, I'd rather keep things nice and simple..

Want/need more bass, simply get bigger models up. When you hit ceiling with flagship pair, and found them insufficient still, I'd be looking at other viable options. Four tower solution just not for me.
catching up with this thread after a couple of months. Bought the Sunray T1 eventually and loved it. Thanks to Avantgarden for coming over and help me set the same up . I must say he has great listening ears and experience so if he offers a view, pl give it due consideration... have ordered tidal impulse x (with internal crossovers) and some other gear...
Maceear : nothing wrong with the devialet at all. For the amount you spend on it (peanuts when you consider what it comprises of) it is great. I bought the devialet before i decided to buy new speakers as it exposed the inadequacy of my speakers. Then i did a major search and listened to many many speakers and decided that i liked the sound of Tidal the most. With tidal T1-sunrays, i suspect that tidal amps work best so am currently using those on loan having ordered a new pair as mentioned earlier.
Hope this helps
Congratulations Rohitmalh, I would love to see pictures. Sounds like you have but together a beautiful system.
Rohitmalh: Thanks for your comment on the Class D amp.
And I wish you many many listening hours with the Tidals (like I do).