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Volti Audio owners, is the fire still there?

Hello all,

Short version, reaching  out to the Volti Audio owners here.  Is the fire still there for your Volti speakers?  Do you still love them today as much as when they first hit the house?  I know Greg loves long wall speaker placement with relatively nearfield listening position.   Anyone doing more a short wall setup, especially with the speakers pulled into the room?  If the fire isn't  still there where did you move to and why?

I am Florida based an plan to visit Volti in February at the Florida Audio Expo but it is always hard to fully assess them fully it that type of an environment for a limited listening time.  

 

Long version, long time listener, first time caller.  I've done the searches and read the forum for as much detail about Volti owners experience.  I have that itch again to change speakers and  I am strongly considering scratching that itch with some Volti's.  I have only heard the  Vittoras greater than 10 years ago at RMAF, so prior to Rivals and certainly the Razz.  Since that time I have used 2 different  "high efficiency" speakers.  No need to name names (not looking to rehash previous discussions about brand X vs brand Y), but one was a rear horn loaded lowther based speaker and the other a traditionally designed 2 way.  They both sound great, with with certain types of music are truely magical however neither one seems to "rock out" or have that "fun" factor that Volti is known for (yes, I want it all).

 

Front end is based on a TW Acustic TT with 2 arms and multiple cartridges

Border Patrol DAC

Pass XP25 phono stage

Pass XP22 preamp

Don't have much interest in changing those.

Current amp is a Pass XA30.8 which would be subject to change if I pull the trigger on the Volti with obvious choices being something tube based (can't pull off any of the Border Patrol amps right now) or if SS moving to the Pass XA25 which reportedly plays nicely with the Volti.

Appreciate your thoughts and input.

loki_ut
kennyc
1,472 posts
 

I own the 100db Volti Rival for my foray into tube magic starting with a 300b amp. I also plan to try a 45 SET amp in which Greg says should work okay (speaker is efficient enough). I also run a second system with 89db speakers and SS electronics.

laynes
62 posts
 

100% yes to the fire still there. My Rivals bring me many, many SPH (smiles per hour), with a few LOL's thrown in there.

I'm running a PrimaLuna Evo 300i with KT-150s and a mix of RadioTechniques and Brimars up front. Phonostage is a Modwright 9.0x with Telefunken 6922's.

I like a big, realistic, "OMG this sounds amazing sound" and that is what my system gives me. 

I listen to about 40% rock, 40% hard rock, 10% electronic and the rest of mix of jazz, old school rap and misc.

I'll be at the Tampa show on that Saturday.

loki_ut OP
3 posts
 

Thank you both for the input.  Just what I am looking for, real world experience.  To both of you, how long have you had the Rivals?  Are they part of the audio journey or a final resting place (unless Greg phone and wants to give away a pair of Vittora).  
 

@kennyc 

i suspect the Rivals will love the 45 SET, with the right music.  I had a Dennis Had Inspire 45 SET previously with less sensitive speakers.  It was the most see though into the heart of the music amp I have ever experienced.  Small ensemble, singer/guitar, small group jazz, and interesting Lou Reed’s Walk On The Wild Life all excelled, just don’t expect it rock that 15” wooder.  
 

@laynes 

I’m all over the world musically, more jazz/small ensemble than previously but still love to rock out to Tool, grunge, Floyd, Zeppelin when the house is empty.  Also also I worked hard in my listening space this year to change it from solo audio cave to family friendly space where kids hop on the couch to listen.  That also means listening to some of their Pop music.  That’s part of the reason for more “Fun”.  I grew up in a house with Klipschhorns and miss that big sound.  

laynes
62 posts
 

I've had mine for almost exactly 1 year and they are my end game. PM me if you want to hear them when you are in town. There are a few of us going back to my place on Sat late afternoon after we are at the show. 

Mine sit on Townshend Podiums which made a big difference (doing the same that they do to most others - definition of instruments, sound stage and other good stuff I can't remember). I'm 99.99% vinyl btw. I own a cd player but haven't plugged it in, in a few months. Pics are in my profile although I've changed things up some from a year ago.

loki_ut OP
3 posts
 

@laynes 

Appreciate the offer and wish I could stay.  Busy weekend with kids though.  I’m heading over Friday after I drop the kids off to school.  Got a 3 hour drive from the other coast and will head back that night.  Hopefully I beat the crowds by going early Friday and can annoy Greg with crazy, non-audiophile music 🤪.  
 

I checked out the profile pic, nice to see them working well on short wall into the room.  
 

Did you have the Triode Wire cables after getting the Rivals?   I know they believe in their synergy but curious what difference you noticed adding the Triode cables?   I’m currently using Purist Audio Design and am opening to switching the loom to Triode.  Plan talking cables with Pete while in Tampa.  

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