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Tonian Labs TL-D1

Well, here is what I have to say about the Tonian Labs TL-D1 now that I've had them for a week and a half:
My goodness.
Oh my.
I'm done searching. Just as everyone has their own opinion but no one can have their own facts, every speaker can have its own sound but can it have its own truth? I believe these do. To call them 'speakers' would do them an injustice. They are more like finely crafted instruments that convey what the designer feels is a musical truth (in spades mind you). I refuse to be analytical about them as it would be silly to try such a thing. They simply compel one to listen and enjoy. I couldn't ask for more. And to think that they require about 100 hours to break in and I'm enchanted from the start.
To say that Tony Minasian is a genius would be an understatement. His speakers 'give' a little, just like a oud or cello would, which gives tone, body and a huge dose of reality that lets one suspend belief that what you are listening to is a recording.
I haven't had the pleasure (is it?) of owning lots of speakers but what I've had, and what I've heard at shows sound like speakers. They are not what I wanted. Again, these are like instruments that play their hearts out in front of you. After listening, you'd swear you are hearing the truth.
Thank you, Tony, for creating such an instrument.

I know this is somewhat short but more thorough, detailed reviews can be obtained by simply googling Tonian Labs TL-D1. I'd only repeat what has
already been said by better reviewers than I.
nonoise

Showing 2 responses by nonoise

nonoise's avatar
nonoise OP
11,088 posts
 
I'm using a Red Wine Audio 30.2 integrated. Its a wonderful match.
I got them from Tony Minasian through Acoustic Image in Studio City, Ca.
Elliot Midwood is the proprietor of the shop and both are the best to deal with. 818-762-1501 is the number for Acoustic Image, if you are interested.
When I first auditioned them, it was at Acoustic Image. When I came back to pick up a CD that I left there, the LA/OC audiohile society was present for a demo of both the TL-D1 and the TL-M1 and let me tell you, if I had $37K laying around, I would have bought them on the spot! As great as the TL-D1 is, the TL-M1 is of a much larger scale and you simply fall into them as you listen. They both have the same 'house' sound. That is not to imply that they are built within the same limitations as others normally do, but the approach and execution are the same. That is to say, they both have a most natural sound that begs you to just give up and listen. The M1 just has a larger scale to it. The TL-D1 is perfect for my humble abode.
And, no, this is not an add, just joyful effusing on my part.
By the way, when I first auditioned them, Tony was using an old Audiolab integrated that shouldn't have sounded as great as it did. But it did.
He believes that as long as the two transducers in the chain are done right (microphone and speaker), what goes between doesn't have to be so exotic.
I think he's onto something here.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise OP
11,088 posts
 
Tholt: I don't know if there is a demo policy but just call to see.
As for the words, they are quite delicious, indeed. I have them for breakfast every day and can't get enough. Just kidding. I know the process when the honeymoon is over (we've all been there) but I see myself being monogamous in this relationship.
I'd have to spend several times their cost to get anything better and it would be incremental, at best. It would take 15X their asking price (now, about $2500) before I'd blink and then it would be the Tonian TL-M1. But then I'd have to have a much larger space to play them in and that would involve giving up my humble cave of an apartment.
No way.
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