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Upgrading Aerial Acoustics Model 7T

Hello,
I am thinking of upgrading my Aerial Acoustics Model 7T. Here the two speaker choices, not in any order, that I have so far
1. Rockport Atria-II
2. Magico S3 Mk II
My music room is relatively small (12' X 16' X 7'4") and it has acoustic treatments, primarily GIK Acoustics panels, on the walls/corners. My budget is 30K. I have listened to both Atria-II and Avior-II in a local dealer's hi-fi room and liked the Rockport house sound. I would have preferred the Avior-II if I had a little bigger room but for now I decided to shortlist Atria-II. I am going to listen to the Magico's shortly. I listen to all sorts of music but really love male/female vocals and Jazz. Currently I am using Parasound Pre and power amplifier to drive the Model 7Ts but I am planning to go pure Class A, balanced (both input and the circuit) instead of Class A/B design. Would love to hear your comments on my choice of speakers and any other brands that would suit my budget, room and listening preference.
Thanks.

indranilsen

Showing 11 responses by indranilsen

indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@Chilehed- Thanks for your reply. Aerial 7T indeed is a great speaker and I can easily live with that. The room is so important that sometimes these evaluation sessions at different rooms could be very misleading. I heard Atria II in a relatively bigger room, wonderfully treated, and with much more expensive electronics that I have. I thought Atria's presentation had more meat and the voice did sound relatively better than the Ariel 7Ts but again I have to listen them in my room before making a final decision. 
I took the liberty to view your room and the system. It is really wonderful. How do you like Pass Labs driving the 7Ts? Another question on the speaker placement. From the picture it seems that the Aerial 7Ts are relatively close to the wall behind them. Just curious, are you able to get full the depth with your current set up?
Thanks.

indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@Chilehed- Thanks for your detailed response. In fact I listened to Atria-II with DCS Rossini Rossini DAC driven by Gryphon integrated amplifier in Goodwins High End audio showroom in Waltham-MA. Yes I will audition Atria -II in my room before making the final decision. 
On the speaker positioning topic and by depth I mean, are you getting the image way back on the wall behind the speakers being completely detached from them. The only way I get that in my room is leaving around 5' distance measured from the front of the speakers. But you are close and it should be good.
indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@jwincville- I listened to the Rockport Atria-II speakers a few times in the last 2 weeks and I am still not very convinced that it is worth replacing the Aerial 7Ts. So I am not going for this upgrade immediately. If I change my mind I will definitely get in touch with you.
@soix- I love the sound-staging and the overall balance of Aerial 7Ts when it delivers music. I am looking for a better quality mid range reproduction (in addition to the balance, sound-staging) as part of the next speaker upgrade. Atria-II is better but I didn't feel the urge to move immediately and replace the Aerials. 
indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@steve59/@d2girls- Thanks for your suggestions. I have got zero experience with active speakers. I would try to audition them if they are available locally....
@luxmancl38-  I have recently spoken with Michael Kelly about his 20T replacement. It is still in the making and there is no date on the horizon. They would be likely priced at 40K which is beyond my current budget. But thanks for sharing this information.
indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@jwincville- There is a couple of Model 7Ts up for sale on the Audiogon site but the description says that they would be available only in late fall this year...Here is the link 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9ahib-aerial-acoustics-7t-speaker-customer-trade-in-full-range
The center channel 7CC is indeed very rare in the used market.
I would let you know if there is a change in my speaker upgrade plan.

indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@jwincville- That is really frustrating...
indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
It's really surprising that someone would go to that level to vent out frustration against Michael Kelly who is a perfect gentleman all the way at least in my opinion.
indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
It's really surprising that someone would go to that level to vent out frustration against Michael Kelly who is a perfect gentleman all the way at least in my opinion.
indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@luxmancl38- If that is the case then why wouldn't the Audiogon admin jump in and clean up those spurious ads? It is creating a very unhealthy environment and possibly hurting the image of this forum. 
indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@luxmancl38- If that is the case then why wouldn't the Audiogon admin jump in and clean up those spurious ads? It is creating a very unhealthy environment and possibly hurting the image of this forum. 
indranilsen OP
113 posts
 
@steve432234- I have deferred the Aerial 7T upgrade plan. Not completely satisfied with the performance of my shortlisted speakers....
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