SOB, I feel like a dumb fish that just can’t leave a bait covered hook alone.... (and without editorializing)
since about 1962....
do it yourself crystal radio set with earpiece
various clock radios
self contained portable cassette player/recorder
Parent’s Magnavox console hi-fi with TT
Sony bookshelf speakers
KLH 17 monitors
Infinity 1001 monitors
Speakerlab 2
Speakerlab 4
Speakerlab 30
ProAc Supertowers
Chapman T 7
Soliloquy 6.2
Soliloquy 5.3
Talon Audio Peregrine
Peregrine X
Talon Audio Khorus
Wharfedale monitors
Talon Audio Hawk
Talon Audio Raven X
Von Schweikert 2
ProAc 2.5
Jungson towers
Fritz Carbon
Talon Audio Khorus X mk ii
Aurum Cantus leisure 2se
Soliloquy 6.3
Sonus Faber Olympica 3
Maybe not such a long list after all given I’ve had the bug for about 55 years....
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Not as long a list as others but let’s see if I can remember them all:
12" Stevens Trusonics fullrange drivers
Fried Beta Signatures with M&K sub
The Fried Subwoofer
Vandersteen 1B
Martin Logan Aries
Alon 1 (2x)
Alon Lotus SE mkll
Cabasse Ferella 401
HSU Research HRSW12V
NHT 2.5i
NHT Super Zero
Nola Viper 1AX
REL Stadium lll (2x)
REL Strata lll
Vandersteen Quatro Wood
Genesis G500
REL G2
The Alon Lotus’, the Vandersteen Quatro Woods, the REL’s and the Genesis G500 speakers are all currently in use.
Sold or traded the Vandersteen 1B’s, one pair of Alon 1's, the M&K sub, the ML’s, one REL Stadium lll and the NHT Super Zeros. All others are in storage. |
BNS (1980-1991)
JBL (1998-)
MB Quad 1000 (1998-)
Haven' found a decent speaker under 2k that is better than the MB Quad, so although they are old, I'll keep them for now. |
In 1987 I bought a used pair of Spica TC-50s (with stands). Still have them. Last year I bought a one owner pair of Magnepan 1.5 QRs, and use them exclusively with the Spica's as a back up should anything arise. Also have owned Grado SR 125s for most of that period so the kids (now grown) and wife could sleep while I've played... |
OMG, some of you resemble junkies, always on the hunt for the next fix. *LOL* Changing drivers as often as you change your underwear....
I'm not even going to try to show my cards in this poker game. I'll just keep on trying to do the impossible with nothing. ;) |
There are folks who are into the gear. Some are into the music. Some are into both. A thread like this shows all of us and how we approach things. I'm into both. I audition the heck out of gear continuously. IF I find something that is a game changing upgrade, then I'll bite. I know folks who are into the gear and yes, they change constantly. No need to judge as we all need to satisfy our fix.
Since 95...:
Proac Supertowers heavily modified with internal MIT cabling and updated drivers from the newer Proac line. The crossovers were also upgraded with the highest end audio parts and also modified for the newer drivers (the old ones all rotted out as Proac speaker used to with the foam surrounds).
Paradigm Atoms I think they are in my bedroom for the TV. My daughter now has them.
Vandersteen Treo's for a year or so as I waited to save my money for my new Quatro's.
new Vandersteen Quatro's painted in Audi Havana Black (LOVE the color).
Oh, I also have a small Linn system in the bedroom now so Linn speakers, lol...not my cup of tea, but the price was right and it's easy to use and looks great, lol. |
David, it's our large walk-in closets! |
What I can't quite understand is how people have room to own several sets of speakers, even several systems. I suppose it is a consequence of your larger houses, storage spaces, than anyone has in the UK. Dynaudio Audience 50 Living Voice Auditorium Living Voice Avatar Acoustic Zen Adagio Daedalus Audio DA-Rma (2010--) |
Technics ( not sure of model) Japan made in big rectangular boxes, i got them in about 1996
Then i made my own using a crossover 3way from jaycar and peerless drivers, was a great speaker system, boxes were old Technics about 90c high (3foot).
Jamo Magic8
JBL TLX8
JBL TLX14
i now have 4 speakers
Technics SB-6
ESM Engery (kenwood trio woofer/ seas tweeter) bookshelf
Coral CX-5
Celestion SL-6 (copper dome tweeter(
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wait a minute. After having Magnepan ribbons, Klipschorns, B&W 801s. Revels, you got.....
white van speakers?!?
Gotta be a story to that. |
Dating myself here goes anyway.
AR 3a
AR 9
Thiel 3.5
Thiel 3.6
FJ Dude (German) |
Right. Many audiophiles are musicians not to have happened.
If I were a guitar player I would need one acoustic, one electro-acoustic and one electric guitar. I would have no problem of choosing. Custom Conde Hermanos would do for acoustic - incredible instrument, I heard it live. |
Interesting thread with all manner of fascinating responses: 1980 Acoustat Monitor 4 1985 Apogee Full Range with AR D-250 Mk II amps - Saved on heating bill 1991 Goldmund Dialogues with Janis woofers - these actually are marvelous with SETs. 2001 Acoustat Monitor 4 to present updated some years ago by Joe Curcio. The amps actually are sneaky wonderful being OTLs and driving the panels full range. With all tube circuits, bass is excellent with completely flat frequency response. There is still only one sweet spot for imaging and depth. Office system since the 90's Quad 57's updated by QS&D with amplification by vintage LA Audio SETs running 2 300's per side.
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Short list over a long period of time.
1969 - Zenith Stereo System
1977 - Dahlquist DQ10
1998 - Merlin VSM
2008 - Zu Definition Mk II
2012 - Zu Definition Mk IV
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JBL L-100's college days
Tannoy D-700 moving on up after graduation
Wilson Audio Maxx 2' s used ...but next level
Currently, and lastly...
Wilson Audio Maxx 3's. Awesome.
But, you don't care. |
I just thought I'd raise another analogy:
Guitars.
Notice that quite a number of guitarists (when they have the means) like to collect different guitars. Why would they do that? After all, if they were only "into the music" then guitar music could be played on any single guitar.
Except, guitars sound different.
And guitarists enjoy those sonic differences, so they collect different guitars that produce different sounds.
Same for audio gear.
One could say "but the objective of hi end audio is different: the objective is to NOT sound different, but to get out of the way sonically so you hear the precise choices the artist made. Two different objectives."
Except there does not seem to be a perfect audio system of this sort. (At least yet). And so we are left with audio systems that seem to reproduce different aspects of sound with different sets of strengths. Given this variety, sampling different systems with different sonic attributes is enjoyable, just like collecting guitars that will sound different when playing the same song.
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I have a lot of speakers on my list that were never in my main system. I've always had a few extra little systems that I kept around for fun and comparison. I tend to buy stuff when it's deeply discounted so the list price of what I've bought is frequently a multiple of what I actually spent. I bought the VA speakers when BB dropped them 5 years ago or so and paid <25% of retail. Almost everything I have was bought used or on sale. I had the B&W N802s in my main system for 6 years and then traded them in for 2,000 less than I paid for them. Not a lot of money at all when you look at it that way. They were replaced by the Thiels which I paid $3,500 for on top of the $3,500 trade credit. I don't think they've depreciated all that much since I bought them five years ago. I doubt they've lost more than 2k in value.
I went through a period where I bought the behringer measurement mic and real-time analyzer, made lots of bass traps and got everything equalized really flat. It was an interesting experience and I'm glad I did it. It gave me a good sense of proportion about how much difference the room makes compared to other things. I do like tinkering with stereo stuff and I have no problem admitting it. It's just a hobby.
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I'd rather have one near perfect system than thirteen but that's me. Ideally, I think I would have two or maybe three very different systems.
When you buy used or even new unheard you might have to try many different speakers until you find the right ones. Still, changing speakers every year would be too much work for me, you also often have to change electronics and cables when you change speakers or at least make upgrades. So no, not every year, but every five years - yeah, why not? Especially if each time you actually move forward not sideways. |
I enjoy the music and the hobby of trying different speaker and electronic presentations like prof. describes. He says it better than I can. I love different presentations and that is by different speakers. I have 13 pairs in different rooms and set ups. When I listen to vocal , acoustic music, chamber classical and smaller ensemble- The Quads , Spendors and Harbeths are the best for ME. Others have other preferences. I am lucky I have many rooms all set up to give me what I believe the specific speaker or speakers will present the music I want to hear. I have different electronics- tubes VTL and Jadis and Conrad Johnson and Vac amps and preamps in different combination of all tubes or tube and ss combination or all solid state combination.
I have 3 great turntable setups and have both moving coli and moving magnet mono and stereo cartridges , have built in phono preamp or line stage hooked to tube EAR phone preamp and Cotter head amp. 5 different subs at different locations and used if needed. Have SACD audio aero prestige, AMR 77 CD , . I am lucky to be able to have all these and enjoy the different music I get from them.
I love slam bang rock and jazz and rap and electronic music and I use my Klipsch and Paradigm signature towers and double Magnepan 3 A and double JL 113 subs.
This weekend I am going to enjoy real music at Minnesota Sommerfest to see Andre Watts at Piano and with the Orchestra Friday and Saturday is Vienese waltzes and is chamber music afternoon. I have been going to Minnesota Orchestra subscription concerts with center seats at row 12 for 30 years. Have tickets for Coldplay at Target Center this Aug 11 and U2 this Septmeber at Excel in ST Paul. I love both classical, rock and Jazz and just saw Celtic Thunder at Rochester Civic Center 1 months ago. I love this hobby. I was in Axpona in Chicago this Spring and fell in love with Vivid Giya speakers run by Jadis electronics and vinyl front end You should go to the audio expos if you can. one is coming up in Denver and you can listen to all types of presentation like the " prof " described.
Am glad you are enjoying the speakers and system you have. That is what this is all about. Sorry everyone for my yapping. I will be quiet now but am looking forward to my concerts coming up. |
Agreed it takes time as you say. Just not years:) |
I am just Wondering how anyone has the time to enjoy the music, when one is changing the most important component of a Hi-Fi that often? In my experience, it take at least for me a long time to get to know my speakers, with the different styles of music I listen too, after years I still hear new things from my setup that makes me smile and enjoy the music. |
+1
I have put together various types of systems over the years to fully experience all they have to offer.
- high sensitivity speakers with flea watt tube smps
- low sensitivity speakers with monster SS amps
- ESL speakers with both SS and tube amps
These and other combinations. If the negative poster above would understand this, then I suppose he would have never posted his attack. I assume he did it out of ignorance, not meanness. |
prof, That was brilliantly stated! I want to print it and frame it for everyone who questions my audio purchases. Thank You! John |
gryphongryph,
"Sorry, not to judge,..."
...is almost always followed by judgement...and a lecture ;-)
We are audiophiles. The gear is part of the hobby. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be here (including you).
Men (it seems more than women) are often into "how things work," with a fascination for engineering, how things work, how to improve them etc.Guys fix cars, collect watches, and are in to the mechanics and theory in all manner of hobbies. Why would you think the technical aspect of sound reproduction wouldn’t be a source of fascination as well?
I’ve tried speakers representing many different engineering approaches to reproducing sound: planar, dynamic, time-coherent, non-time-coherent, narrow baffle, wide baffle, dead-braced cabinets, "live" cabinets, omni-directional, etc. (And I own many of those different designs right now). The engineering aspect is fascinating - that is after all why many speaker designers get into speaker design in the first place! (Or other aspects of audio engineering).
As it happens, I’m a music omnivore and want my music to be reproduced in the most compelling way I can find. But, the huge variety of approaches one can sample in reproduced sound is also fascinating in of itself. I have more than one speaker because my music sounds different through each of them and sometimes I feel like enjoying one type of presentation over another. If I didn't care about such differences, I'd just own a bose wave radio or whatever is convenient.
I don’t see any reason to begrudge someone who loves audio gear, and buys numerous different components, than I would begrudge a car, or watch lover who has the means to explore numerous options that may float their boat.
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Canton Ergo 91
JM Lab Mezzo Utopias.
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Sorry, not to judge, but guys that change speakers every year, I think should find an other hobby! Either your ears are shot, or you have more money than sense, or you are into gear more than music, which unfortunately is a thing I see more and more these days, please people, enjoy the music |
Dweller the subs create an enormous sound stage! I know I probably don't need them but I just had to try a pair after reading all the reviews for them in 2 channel systems! Plus I use my setup for movies as well! I can't help but grin ear to ear sometimes! Lol! Im running the Andras off a Krell S-550i! They are amazing speakers! 😃 |
@boisehomes I would think last thing the Andras need is bass reinforcement! Don't they each have TWO 12 inch woofers per speaker? What kind of amps are driving them?
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Starting my Sophmore year of high school in 1990!
Technics 3 way tower (was in a rack system)
Bose 501
Altec Lansing 3 way towers
B&W CDM bookshelves
B&W CDM7NT
B&W 804 Matrix
B&W 803 Matrix last series
Aerial Acoustics 10T
B&W 802 Nautilus
Aerial Acoustics 5 (married and downsized)
Aerial Acoustics 10T (divorced and happy again)
Jl Audio F113 fathom - current
Jl audio F113 fathom - current
Egglstonworks Andra II - current
I still have my old B&W bookshelves in my garage system and my last pair of Aerial 10T's are at my Cabin still in use! My Aerial model 5's are boxed up in my storage room but I need to sale them soon along with a backup pair of 10T's! I've owned 3 Pairs of 10T's and currently have 2 pair as I was going to build a multichannel system and use them as front and rears but changed my mind on it! In my main system now I am running the Egglestonworks Andra II's with F113 fathom subs in stereo! I think I will keep the Eggs for a very long time as they are amazing! :)
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Magnepan 3.6
Tekton Pendragon |
FORGOT MY MARTIN LOGAN MONOLITH II, B & w 801 MK2,
SPICA TC 50 WITH JANIS POWERED SUBS, KEF 104, KEF 107,
DCM TIME WINDOWS JBL L 100, JBL JUBAL, QLN SIGNATURE AND SUB, VANDERSTEEN 1B, 2C, |
Interesting memory test here. . . .
Boston Acoustics HD5 (high school graduation gift in 1991, got me through college and beyond and frankly I've not enjoyed anything since then more, just differently, but maybe that's just nostalgia)
Krix bookshelves (forget model name, maybe Equinox)
Meadowark Kestrel Hotrod
Dynaco A25 (in a secondary system)
Meadowlark Shearwater
Adire HE10 (built from kit so I could mess with low power DHT amps)
Proac Response 1SC
GR Research bookshelves (amazing bargain, a friend has them now)
Meadowlark Kestrel 2
Spendor S5e
Spendor S6 (very briefly)
JM Reynaud Trente
Devore Gibbon 3
Focus Audio FS78SE
JM Reynuad Offrande Supreme V2 (midlife crisis purchase, was planning on them being my last speakers, but of course I'm an audiophile, so . . .)
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I missed a couple including some open baffle Hawthorne Audio, Infinity Intermezzo monitors and others I simply can’t remember right now. Goodness. The ones I miss the most are the Dali Grand and Silverline Bolero speakers.
Kef 105.2
Merlin VSM
Merlin TSM with REL Strata subs
Merlin TSM again
Silverline Sonata II
Usher CP 6381
Talon Khorus II
Silverline Sonata III or IV?
Cain & Cain IM Double Ben with matching Cain & Cain sub
Harbeth 40
Dali Grand
Dali 800
Dali Grand again......great speakers!
Silverline Bolero
Soundlab M1
Nola Viper Reference II
Coincident Total Victory II
Lahave Audio Kara
Harbeth 40.1
Acoustic Zen Crescendo
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jbcrespomn,
Great history you have with speakers, and a great current collection. I also once owned the Focus Audio FS 888 speakers. They didn't work for me, but they were the most beautiful speakers that I ever owned with the light colored burl veneer, perfectly matched on both speakers. Next in line for good looks (and better sound ) were the Spendor 9/1. |
Very interesting thread started here I thought I had the jones bad for speaker upgrades, but am a plebe compared to some of your fellows. List
of speakers from 1973 to 2017:
Rectilinear
III Highboys (outstanding speakers!)
AR
bookshelfs
JBL
L100
Electro-Voice
Sentry 100's
Spica
TC 40's and TC 50's
JSE
Infinite Slope 3's
Goetz
MS3 Towers (I had them for 20 years, made by a boutique designer)
KEF
LS50 (My least-liked speakers among the bunch)
Von
Schweikert V22
Usher
BE-718
Totem
Hawks
Black
Towers heard at CAS. SVS, I think
Klipsch
Cornwalls (modded to Cornscala's)
Tyler
Acoustic's Linbrooks
Dynaudio
A10, A 25, A35
KEF
Model 5, 6, 21 and 28?
Blumenstein
Orca's
Green Mountain Audio Rio and Eos HX GR
Research LGK
ELAC
Debut B6
Dali
Zensor 1 and 3's (both outstanding monitors)
Linkwitz
Lxmini's
Spatial
Audio Hologram M4 Turbo S (By leaps and bounds, the finest speakers I have ever had in my system)
Revel M22 (For my bedroom system which are awesome monitors)
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HAVE BEEN IN HOBBY SINCE 1968 WHILE A STUDENT
1.) SANSUI 1000
2.)ALLIED RADIO SHACK 3 WAY
3.) ALTEC LANSING VALENCIA
4.) JBL S8R Olympus
5.) JBL Paragon
6.) Fulton J modular installed by BobFulton
7.) Acoustat 3 with RH labs
8.) Magnepan tymphany 1-D
8.) Magnepan 2,a,b,and c - III-3A , 3.6 R with Janis subs powered
9.) Spendors - in multiple rooms mostly vintage SA-2 and BC-1
9.) original Quad 63, then Quad 63- usa monitors with Entec tower subs 3 -7 in. woofers
10.) definitive audio 18 in sub, rh labs subs large ones, Janis subs,rel1,2,and now have 2 rel 3
and have 2 jl-113 subs also, annd sunfire 12 in powered sub
11.) Current speakers I have in different room and 2-3 in each room 2017 hardly played
Gershman Black Swan
Harbeth SLH-5 +
Quad 2905
Spendor BC-1
Spendor SA-1
Focus F-888
Cizek KA-1 with Koa wood
Kef 3.2 monitors
Spendor s 3/5
Quad 63 usa monitor 1 side sizzling need midrange panel
Magnepan III, Paradigm signature prestige tower and rear
Klisch KG 4-a 2 pairs for background parties and deck dancing
with definitive 18 in sub (pair) shaked the deck (wellbraced)
NOW NEEDING A HEARING AID WHICH I DON'T USE WATCH THE LOUDNESS
AM NOW 72 1 1/2 STILL ENJOYING THE HOBBY!!!
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Early 70’s Realistic (Radio Shack) bookshelf Speakers
Mid 70’s Bose 901
Late 70’s Celestion Ditton 66
Mid 80’s Acoustat X(the 3 panel model with direct drive tube amps)
Jim Rodgers JR 149 (ls35a variant)
MZ Mod 3
Magnepan MG 2B
Conrad Johnson Synthesis LM 20
ProAc Tablettes (Original)
Proac Studio 100 (Stand Mount)
Spendor 9.1 (beautiful in rosewood)
ProAc Response 2
Fried A-3 (office system)
Harbeth ES 7
ProAc Response 2.5
Some of these I owned at the same time and the Celestion Ditton 66 were sold to a relative then repurchased later.
Currently own
Proac Response D-40r
Celestion A-1 (office system)
Celestion Ditton 66 (cabin system)
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I’m almost afraid to write this list. Don’t remember exact years, but I started in the early 80’s. But here goes:
Vandersteen 1b
Vandersteen 2ce
Rega ELA transmission line speakers
Virgo 3
Revel F30
Harbeth 7es2
Sonus Faber Signum
Quad ESL 63
Magnepan 1.7
Sonus Faber Electa Amator II (loved these guys)
Harbeth m30.1 (new)
Today I have KEF Q100’s in my small AV system and the Harbeth 30.1’s in my main system Now if I start listing amps, preamps, DAC’s, power conditioners, stands, computers that feed into DAC’s, etc., etc.........not sure there are enough electrons to list.
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I need to go back further than 1995, because I still have/use speakers I bought before then.
Genesis Physics Model 7 - 1983 amazing for the price
Boston Acoustics T-830, B speakers in main system - 1993
Bose Acoustimass 5 II - my wife made me get tiny speakers. - 2009. ---- Gave them away - 2015
KEF C30 - inherited 2010
RCA outdoor speakers - 2005 still in use
PSB Imagine XB - 2015 (den)
Canton Ergo 1002DC - 2016 main system
Stax EAR SPEAKERS ;^) 1975, still in use
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As my list is so short, I will note that I owned Dahlquist DQ 10 and Magnepan Tympani (well) prior to 1995.
Since then, only:
Dunlavy SC-IV
Green Mountain Audio Europa
Green Mountain Audio Callisto
Harbeth M30
Harbeth p3esr |
its really interesting as I moved my speakers changed to fit the room I was in so they very from tinny to mid sized. I've never really had large full range speakers. Proac Table 50's the original ones Celestion SL-600 Proac Response 2.5's, Oh how I miss these, in the back of my mind anyway. Sonus Faber Conertino Domus Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home Audio Note An E Lexus Silver Wire upgrade. Living Voice Avatar 2, Current speaker
I tend to keep my speakers for a long time so not too many only really changed when I moved. the last 4 were in the last 7 year the earlier ones I had for many years I think I had the Proac 2.5's for like 8 years or so.
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I stay behind when counting the number of different brands/models, still people consider me a bit crazy I guess....
1977-1985 B&W DM6 (The kangaroo model)
1985-1989 Acoustat (the 3 panel model)
1990-1992 Moved from The Netherlands to Indonesia, no audio bought.
1993-1997 Apogee full range
1997-1999 Apogee Grand
1999-2006 Moved to a different place in Indonesia, had to store the complete system, the electricity available was not enough to feed the 4 Krell power amps involved to power up the Apogee Grands. (Apogee Grands stored for 7-8 years, what a shame indeed, sold them later to Europe after it became clear that extensive maintenance was required, one of the panels had been damaged during moving around)
2008-2017 Moved back to a bigger city, and started listening music again, returning to B&W, where it all started in 1977, this time using the 802D.
2017 - up : Gryphon Pendragons on order.
As somebody mentioned before, once you love panels, you will always have that urge to go back to panels.
All in all, only 5 different speakers over a time span of 40 years. Most likely the Pendragons will be the last speaker system I invest in, the circle is round.
Happy listening,
Han
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No Lansche, Classic Audio, big Kharma, big MBL, big bloody horns, Gryphon, Focal Grand Utopia, Venture etc. anyone?
Most true audiophiles are relatively poor, I know. |
For the past 20 years plus I've had only one speaker pair:
Dalquist DQ 20. I had it modified by Regnar so that there is much improved bass from the original. Been very happy with it.
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McIntosh ML 1-C
Dynaudio Contour 1.3 Mk II w/REL sub
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Hmmm. Mine seems pretty dull. I've had Aletc 873A Barcelona for the past thirty+ years.
Although for those with diverse selections I must add a comment made by a friend from long ago, a sportsman drag racer. I ask how much he had in his car (a 60's Chevy). He said $1500 but it took $4500 to figure out which $1500 he should have spent in the first place. |
Vandersteen 2C
Vandersteen 3
Vandersteen 3A added two Vandy 2wq subwoofers
Vandersteen 3A Signature
Vandersteen Treo CT
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ESS WITH heil air motion transformer
ALTEC Lansing model 19
Acoustat 11
Vandersteen 2ci
Vandersteen 1c
Vandersteen vcc-1
Vandersteen vsm-1
Vandersteen 2ce sig ii
Saving up for Focal Sopra 1 and 2 |
Linn Tukan Diapason Adamantes II NHT Super Zero Energy Reference 22 Realistic Minimus 7 B&W Nautilus 805 Energy Veritas V2.2 Focal Micro Utopia Be Snell Type E/III TAG McLaren Calliope (still have ’em) Totem Dreamcatcher Snell Type K (still have ’em) Yamaha NS-10M Linn Tukan (redux...still have ’em) And last but certainly not least: JM Reynaud Bliss Silver....breaking-in very nicely thankyouverymuch...
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ESL
KEF 101 clone
DCM Timeframes ( they were free )
Vandersteen 3a-Sig
Vandersteen 5a
Vandersteen 7 mk2
no itch to leave the fold
in my " vintage system"
Sonus Faber Concertino
Linn Sarah ( wow do they rock for a small box)
Apogee Stage up in the air on custom sound anchors
garage
ADS L730
Cornwalls circa 1974..... they are just loud ( sorry )
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