Magnaplaners , three panels not sure what model. They needed huge power.
I used them in a room that was long and as a room divider. People couldn't
believe they were speakers. This is what got me into high end audio
Joe |
Vandersteen 1,2,3 speakers and 2WQ sub....first exposure to high end when I was 14 or so.
B&W Silver Signature (with Krell front-end)...I was 16 or 17. The sound seduced me further into the hi-fi world.
Martin Logan Prodigy, with Musical Fidelity gear and a Pro-ject TT spinning the black stuff.
Krell LAT-2...marvelous little monitor
Wilson W/P 7....after helping set them up with the Wilson rep in our room, I was blown away.
Wilson MAXX 2 (Krell FPB700CX, VTL TL7.5, TriVista SACD player)....even better than the W/P 7...
Most recently, Zu Druid, and Ray Kimber's IsoMike demo system....W O W |
Agree with F1audio, I didnt really like how they look but boy are they a great value...and the 5A, WOW! |
Goldmund Studio turntable; still sensually rewarding. |
When i was a kid a friend's Dad had a Linn Sondek,Naim Amps with Large JBL's,he played Dark Side of the Moon up loud and i was hooked.More recently when i first heard Wilson Grand Slamm's with Tube Amps once again i was hooked!! |
Shindo Latour field coil speakers. As dynamic as the best horns and as smooht/integrated as the best single driver. As close to an out of body experience as I have had (while fully conscious). |
JM Reynaud Concorde Signature speakers, a feeling that is hard to describe. Unlike other statement speakers I auditioned(costing 3 to 15 times more...) that sound "right" and "perfect", this $10,000 speakers are as close to a musical event as it gets. I hope other people can comment on these and put it in better words than I can. |
Quad esl57's, Avantgarde Duos, and today i heard Monster horns (and i mean huge) with AER drivers driven by monster old tube set, Shindo pre and Linn deck with Koetsu cart. The first real ly jaw dropping bass i have ever heard - from a single 8" driver! It went way down seamlessly (now i really know what that means), with a power and delicate finness that i must replicate somehow in my 13'x13' lounge.... |
Since my post in '03 I have finally found speakers for my room which just exceed all of my expectations and I expect will end my quest, they so especially connect with my subjective expectations......Silverline Boleros, the speakers for audiophiles exhausted by the chase. :-) |
System 1. Revel Ultima speakers (not Ultima 2) fed by Mark Levinson CDP, pre and amps, in a stereo shop in Santa Barbara, CA. I have heard a lot of other great speakers (e.g. Wilsons, big Magnepans, Quads, etc.) fed by extremely expensive electronics, but for some reason, this system in that room got it right.
System 2. Rega P5 turntable feeding a Prima Luna integrated tube amp played through Dynaudio Audience 52 SE speakers in a showroom in Austin, Texas. Not at all a high end rig, but just really sounded together and got my toes tapping. Caused me to get my old turntable out and fire it up again at home.
System 3. Musical Fidelity A3.5 CDP and Intergrated combo using modest Audioquest interconnects and speaker cables feeding Totem Arro speakers in a showroom in Portland, OR (I guess I get around a bit). Again, not a fabulously expensive system, and not even close to "full range", but man did it ever swing and throw sound around the room.
I guess I expect to be knocked out by really high end systems and more often than not end up unsatisfied. I do get a big kick when I find a set up below $5K total cost that really sounds like music (like Systems 2 and 3 above). |
Most impressing was a comparison of two different rooms with the same equipment & speakers. One untreated and the other was carefully tuned with acoustic treatments and TacT room correction processor.
2. Value/performance speakers - Vandersteen Quatro and Opera-Consonance M-15 speakers (horns), expensive but worth a consideration - Wilson Audio Sophia Series 2.
3. CDP - Rega Apollo, Consonance Droplet and Prima Luna 8.
4. Sonos wireless system for convenience and ease of use. |
just iscovered horns i listened to yeasterday were the $36,000 Carfrae Big Hornes. Stunning! |
Early 1990's....Sound by Singer in downtown NYC...... Wilson/Watt Puppy model 5's with CAT pre-amp and VAC monobloc amps...........Rebecca Pidgeon singing "Rose in Spanish Harlem"........I can still remember the hairs standing up on the back of my neck. |
Some components will knock you out on the first listen but that is not nearly as good as the component that keeps knocking you out time after time after time... |
In my case, my first inital listen to those "knock-me-out" components lasted most of the afternoon. I was so impressed that I came back many times to have more of those "knock-me-out listening sessions. Thank goodness that the dealer liked me or he probably would have asked me to leave sooner for being a tire-kicker. If I wasn't so broke at the time, I would have bought the entire system in a heart beat. I used to have wonderful dreams about those listening sessions for many years thereafter, and even today, 30 years later, I still have fond memories of those times on occasion. |
when first heard viva audio products I shocked with realism and I was in the same company with the musicians.
I have and had many big audio "high-end" machines but viva audio lifted my system to new ground for me. |
Few, but in order of appearance, not a system.
THIEL CS5's Circa 1989
Gryphon Callisto Integrated Amp
Sound Lab A1
Goldman CD player at the 1999 CES
Pipedreams 24's (set up correctly)
John Tucker's CD Player
Larry
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Soulution 700/720 preamp/power stage combo. Stunning. No words to describe. As simply as that. |
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1982 - the Bang & Olufsen Turntable demo by the audio store salesman. He banged the table, wiggled the tonearm and did other crazy things and the table never skipped.
1985 - first time I heard separates. 70 wpc B&K amp, Counterpoint preamp, Rauna Tyr speakers - A magical combo
1991 - Vandersteen 1B, Adcom 545, Pioneer PD65 at Sound by Singer - the 1B's sounded amazing
1993 - Fisher 500B receiver - WOW - one of the best things I've ever heard
1997 - Phila Triode Society show - first time I heard SET amps - incredible! |
I am owner of Sroll Lyric for last few month.I have heard Dartzeel integrated in hifi show in Prague this year and I was disappointed as well,sounded little to bright and mechanical,maybee the speakers Wilson Benesh Chimera were the reason,I don't know but for the same money you can get the best inetgrated in the world Sroll Lyric.Please,it is not an advertising from the company,I am just an admirer of this product and I am very sad that the wide public is not aware of this treasure in hifi world.
These words you can find on his website and let me tell you there are absolutely correct,never heard anything like this in one box nor in 2,3,4 or more boxes!!!
Music is like Poetry. It is very abstract and everybody can feel something quite else when hearing it. Emotions from Music express themselves in us like invisible poetic lines. By means of our amplifier you can fully devote yourself to music Poetry, experience non-specifiable feelings. This amplifier has such extraordinary abilities that it literally excels in this “poetical” performance. That´s why we called it “LYRIC”.
During years of successful experiments with new technologies concerning analog signal processing we discovered what topology and physical properties of circuits are important for clean, natural and true sound reproduction. The output is the SIL technology in which these pieces of knowledge touch the very end of physical borders of capabilities of today´s component parts and production technologies. The LYRIC is a unique product of the highest possible category not only from the point of view of utility and technical characteristics but also as to high reliability and durability.
This amplifier reproduces a really clean and natural sound, perfectly controlled with a real dynamics and an excellent resolution of even the finest details. Its distinct characteristics is the precise depth of focus of all the dynamic peaks which don´t mask even the most silent instruments in the background of the record.
The reproduction is always full of emotions and pleasure and it is not tiring even during a long-term listening. On the contrary, when choosing a suitable genre, it works positively on the listener´s psyche and so it supports maximally healing effects of music. Thanks to the SIL technology the sound is not changed at all and it keeps all the described characteristics for very low, middle and high loudness’s.
These characteristics wouldn´t be fully used with a standard quality signal source. That´s why the amplifier contains an equally perfect D/A convertor which corrects jitter signals on the top level and in that way it needs above all data read in an errorless manner, which is only done well by the newest CD transports.
The experience with such a high amp and D/A technology shows that it is possible to get really top performance even from CD format which is comparable with high resolution formats. Even output sound from digital radios surprises the listeners.
The advantage of the SIL revolutionary technology comes to light above all during long-time hearing, best on precise loudspeakers capable of high resolution. They are commented upon too large drawing of records disadvantages, though, but after some experience with our technology you find out that huge majority of those disadvantages surprisingly disappears in full. |
Addendum: Studer A820 RTR and Tape Project media.
Vbr,
Sam |
I was a teen when a friend invited me to work together for some school project when his father was listening to a pair of JBL L300, mac amps and a Nakamichi 1000 ltd, wooow!
My other notable system was a friends all- tandberg equipment with 4 jbl100 setup.
Still miss that feeling! |
years ago, klipschorns and Magnepan Tympanis. Hearing them the first time may have been the event that made me into an audio nut for life.
mbl 101s almost did it more recently except I am a bit more jaded these days and harder to knock out. |
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Altec 19's. At Purchase Radio in Buffalo NY. I'm not even sure if these speakers were considered high end or not, but I remember hearing Aja by Steely Dan, and getting hooked on good sound. |
iPod, ATC 100 speakers, Luxman 509 integrated amp, Benchmark DAC1, Leben 600 tube amp. |
I was at my friend Scotts house. He had MBL101's with all top Jadis gear. He had an air bearing turntable and arm with a moving coil cartridge(I wish I remembered the phono gear). All top end. I brought over Santana "Amigos" and listened to both sides. He let me crank it to a level that I liked(he was not as loud of a listener). I placed myself closer to the speakers than he so we can both have the sweet spot. Sometime during the track "Europa" I became emotional and started to cry. |
Oneobgyn's system(a few years ago); Magnepan speakers with the old Rega Planar 3; Vandersteen speakers with the original Oracle turntable; some old Infinity speakers with a tweeter that looks like the old Ohm Walsh(this one grew on me); Linn Linto with an all Linn front end; Linn Lingo I on Mapleshade's isolation with triplepoints; Oriek's modified Dynaco Stereo 70; Oritek's preamp/dac in comparison to other top-line preamps; Lessloss power cord; Oritek's X-2 interconnect; APL's designer(Alex) home system's high frequencies which was matched by the high frequencies of Nordost's Odin wires and power conditioner; APL's mk111(?) silver interconnect; Klipsch Heresy speakers; Valab's silver interconnect(for price); APL's modified Denon 3910(the first decent digital that I heard. I still use the transport with a Lessloss power cord.); Oritek's battery-powered(one version)pre/dac on cd-the best, by far, cd I've ever heard; NAD 3020 with DCM Time Windows. Given the current state of reproduced music, don't take my early experiences as a buying guide. |
Recently, when I switched back in the DNM Reson ICs in place of some others (MIT and Harmonic Tech), they surprisingly knocked me out with their tonal clarity and seeming coherence and have taken over my system since.
Massed strings on Magico mini's with good tube amplification almost floored me couple years back when I heard them.
Also recently, a pair of GOTO custom horns of some high end tube electronics and vinyl rig at Capital Audio Fest knocked out most everyone I encountered who heard them with various classical and jazz pieces played.
My current system setup overall mesmerizes me regularly, particularly with the OHMs, but it took a good bit of tweaking and refinement to get it there. If I allowed it to knock me out, I'd be dead and buried by now. |
Klipsch LaScalla
McIntosh C32
McIntosh 6200
Krell 300
Wilson Watt 2
Wilson WAMM
Thiel CS 3.5
Thiel CS 3.7
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JL F100
JL
F112
JL F213
JL F113
B & W 802D |
EgglestonWorks Fontaine speakers - my first, and still current, main speakers. I had auditioned several speakers for my first venture into high end audio. Up until then the speakers (all far cheaper, retail-wise) I heard were nice, and obviously better than my current low enders, but none knocked me out. When I auditioned the Fontaines they knocked me out cold. At that moment I knew I had to have them and begin a pursuit of high end sound.
My wife was pissed at me when I got home with them for blowing my budget, but after setting them up and selecting the "Miss Sarajevo" track on the Passengers CD, she was equally floored and thus quickly forgave me. These speakers really are special. |
The NAD 1020 is a pretty decent mid-fi component, yet a direct swap out with the ARC had me amazed at the depth of sound and clarity. This was especially noticeable with complex or classical music, where some of the 1020 rendered muddled, ambiguous content, while the ARC resolved so much better. |
Coincident Pure Referance Extremes doubled up
4 Pure Mini Monitors and 4 pure subs
All powered by an 8 watt set no less.
Absolutely blew me away! |
For me, knockout power is correlated to the difference of actual performance over anticipated performance. The EMM Labs CDSA knocked me out. |
i got shocked by a tube amp once. It didn't really knock me out, but it did feel like a baseball bat hit me in the arm ! |
Went over to a colleague from work's house for dinner. Unknown to me he had an amazing system. He was kind enough to audition a few cd's after dinner and I was awestruck.
JM lab / Focal Grand Utopia Be speakers, no idea what the other components were. I'd never heard music like that before, it changed my life. |
Basis Audio Work of Art w/ Pass Components. |
Mrdecibel,
If only we had more Audiogon members, 'hell USA Citizens'! like you...
06-18-10: Mrdecibel wrote:
"I was at my friend Scotts house. He had MBL101's with all top Jadis gear. He had an air bearing turntable and arm with a moving coil cartridge(I wish I remembered the phono gear). All top end. I brought over Santana "Amigos" and listened to both sides. He let me crank it to a level that I liked(he was not as loud of a listener). I placed myself closer to the speakers than he so we can both have the sweet spot. Sometime during the track "Europa" I became emotional and started to cry."
Lordy, when I read this post, realizing how candid you were/are, I was really, really moved. Not many 'men' in our society will admit to tears.
Actually, I'm in the same camp when it comes to music.
Time for one of my famous "STORIES"
Years ago, when I owned a retail business, a man called to ask to audition the STAX headphones.
I was a dealer for them briefly...he was a business guy, who traveled (back when people had significant jobs in this country) and made an appointment.
I had everything 'set up' for him...using a Conrad Johnson preamp to feed the STAX, he brought his own material, LP's with him, mostly Classical.
He began listening--I was doing busy work and trying to not hover over him, but kept noticing his body movement, with the music, he'd blanche or stiffen occassionally, really a visceral experience.
Then, during one work that was particularly beautiful to him, he began to tear up--I tried not to intrude on his personal moment and space, and stayed across the store.
He, finally stood abruptly , and almost ran to the front door.
At that time, my store was in a 'walking mall', outdoors, with sitting/floral areas for smoking or relaxing.
I looked out, and there he was, face burried in his hands, weeping openly. It was all I could do to not run out and try to comfort him--torn between business and a simple moment of human compassion.
He came in (after smoking about three cigarettes) and pulled out his check book...he bought the STAX, the cj preamp, and other various things.
Then he did a curious thing...as if reading my mind, he looked me in the eye and said, "Thanks for understanding, Larry."
I'll never forget that day.
Mrdecible:
We certainly seem to appreciate and even possibly understand one another on this site--and of course I think, from my side to yours, for good reason.
Apparently, when I rail on about the MBL's I have AT LEAST one person who agrees with their capacity to excite and even overwhelm huh?
Thanks for your absolutely wonderful post. |
Infinity kappa 9s driven by nakamichi amps (or sumo) back in 91 at rogersound labs. man, that was incredible. |
Legacy Audio Focus 20/20's, Martin Logan Ascent i, Ayre Acoustics, |
After years of trying better and better S.S. equipment, I bought an Atma-sphere MP-1 and a pair of MA-1s. When I put the cartridge to the LP, it sounded as real as anything I'd ever hoped for. Currently I'm using Maggie 1.7s and a Quad sub woofer with which they mate very well. Recently, I changed the 6SN7s to Sophias and that took things to a new level. |
The current Naim CD5i cd player.
Happy Listening! |
Of all the different systems I've heard, the component that made the biggest impression on me was the original Croft Micro driving a refurbished (by me) Leak Stereo 20 blowing away a very expensive Naim NAC/NAP250 set up. |
Infinity's IRS driven by Phase Linear gear!!!
1979 in Germany. |
MAGICO Q3 whow the best!! |
Tandberg receiver TR2075. |
I would have to say, a revox tuner, the b160 , I have never heard any tuner sound so good, just incredible it just blows everything else away and this is a vintage tuner. Those revoxes sure do look and sound good. |
