Hi all,
It's been awhile since I last checked this board after writing my review of 938s last year. I'm perplexed by some of the recent negative posts, but I've seen this kind of reaction to other well reviewed products. I really have to agree with Newbee and others about component matching and room interaction. When properly set up, I like these speakers better than the planars, ribbons, and stats I had heard or owned in the past. Although I'm running them with tubes, I think most people will prefer a good SS amp with these speakers - you get more impact, cleaner highs, bass extension, etc.. The Hyperions SS electronics are very synergistic with these speakers, but no one ever talks about them. I guess no one wants to take a chance with unreviewed electronics. I'm thinking about trying out SS myself.
I don't think McIntosh tube amp is a good choice for the 938s based on my experience. I think Macs are too smooth and creamy for my taste. I've heard Macs mated to the other well reviewed Gallo Reference, and the combination sounded aweful to me. Sound was smooth alright but it was veiled and bloated. No one, as I recall, called the Gallos veiled and bloated, so it must have been a bad combination with the electronics and possibly the room.
For those of you who remember from my review, I received my speakers and found some minor cosmetic defects. Well, I just got email from Albert Wu who informed me that finally the new production run is here. I will be trading in my current speakers with my replacements this month. Thanks Albert.
Happy listening.
It's been awhile since I last checked this board after writing my review of 938s last year. I'm perplexed by some of the recent negative posts, but I've seen this kind of reaction to other well reviewed products. I really have to agree with Newbee and others about component matching and room interaction. When properly set up, I like these speakers better than the planars, ribbons, and stats I had heard or owned in the past. Although I'm running them with tubes, I think most people will prefer a good SS amp with these speakers - you get more impact, cleaner highs, bass extension, etc.. The Hyperions SS electronics are very synergistic with these speakers, but no one ever talks about them. I guess no one wants to take a chance with unreviewed electronics. I'm thinking about trying out SS myself.
I don't think McIntosh tube amp is a good choice for the 938s based on my experience. I think Macs are too smooth and creamy for my taste. I've heard Macs mated to the other well reviewed Gallo Reference, and the combination sounded aweful to me. Sound was smooth alright but it was veiled and bloated. No one, as I recall, called the Gallos veiled and bloated, so it must have been a bad combination with the electronics and possibly the room.
For those of you who remember from my review, I received my speakers and found some minor cosmetic defects. Well, I just got email from Albert Wu who informed me that finally the new production run is here. I will be trading in my current speakers with my replacements this month. Thanks Albert.
Happy listening.