WLM Diva Monitor -- Personal Experience?

You're actually right -- though it may be a fiasco to rent a car and drive there :)

Boisty -- I did get the Divas. On faith. Very expensive faith. I have been rather frustrated -- the break-in required on these speakers is no laughing matter. That requires some combination of time + volume. Given my Manhattan studio apartment, the volume piece isn't there. So, it is taking a LONG time. In the meantime, vocals (singer/songwriter stuff) is phenomenal. But bass lacks punch. Completely. And more complex music hasn't filled in yet -- sounds quite hollow. After a near panic attack, my seller assured me of the outrageous break-in required. I'm thinking of bringing them around the corner (to lyric hi-fi, which is not a WLM dealer) and asking if the store, for a fee, would keep my speakers for a week or two and let them play overnight at robust volumes to help speed the process.

I will keep you updated.

Thanks for the input, Karel. I see that you have a few systems :). This would be my only system. Think I'd find the monitors lacking, so that I would go for a floor standing pair?

Sounds lovely. I've pretty much set my mind to the Diva Monitors now. In Tineo :)

I see that you have the stand sold by WLM. Any thought as between the various options? They have 4, randing from ~$450 - ~$900 (give or take, depending on what the exchange rate currently is).

That's a minor detail, though. More on my mind is what amp. I'm thinking of the Luxman 550A-II. Part of me fancies a tube integrated, but the controls/optionality on the Luxman draw me in, particularly since I'll generally be listening at moderate volumes.

You did just that -- threw some confusion in there! The Luxman 550A-II (20 class A watts/channel) is the only SS amp that I'm considering. For tubes, I was actually thinking about a WLM product (the WLM Minuetta), or the Almarro A318B. Any other integrated (i.e., cheaper than separates) tube reccos?

Thanks much.

-Vin

Karel,

Unfortunately, the WLM dealer only sells the WLM Minueta. So a comparison really wouldn't be possible. This is really all going on faith. I like faith just fine, but it's not always ideal when it comes to music. As an fyi, I'm also considering the 'new' Shindo integrated (the "apetite"). So, the candidates are: Luxman 550 (ss), WLM minuetta, Shindo apetite, or Leben 330X.

Factors are: compliment to the WLMs, convenience (tone controls, remote), and looks (the visual aesthetic affects my listening aesthetic).

I'll let me know what I decide. For now, I may just hang on to my Cayin and defer the new integrated (as the WLMs aren't cheap, and I'm young).

-Vin

Fear not! I've been noticing improvement, which has my face smiling and my panties in a bunch.

Rockadanny -- I will pursue your suggestion. Thank you.

Vin