phaelon

Responses from phaelon

Focal Diablo Utopia in HiFi+
The Ayra C1.0s were underpowered when I heard them, IMO. That said, the high quality of this speaker came through. Amazing bass and room-fill for its size. The treble coming from the ribbon tweeter was extended and sweet. 
Speaker for low volume listening with high WAF
Sorry, the minimum amp recommendation is 50 Watts. I listened to them with 85W and thought that was insufficient to take control of the extraordinary base level that these small speakers are capable of producing. 
Speaker for low volume listening with high WAF
I recently heard the Raidho Ayra C1.0 mini monitors. IMO, they fall into the "must audition class" if you have, space considerations, sufficient power and the budget. Ignore the 85W minimum recommendation for amps, they need power. 
Can good speakers take edge off digital?
Toufu, if you can increase your budget, a used Modwright Sony would be my recommendation. No digital edge and, provided that you shop smartly, you'll be able to resell it for little or no loss. 
How do you know when an older amp needs service?
Hello Stanwal (Spoken like "Hello Newman"),Just kidding. I know exactly where you're coming from. My house abounds with faux plants that are of such quality that most people have to touch them to find out that they're phony baloneys. Yet, sometime... 
tube amp, or SS,
I'm a tube guy who heard a Belles amp only once, but if I had to choose two words to describe the sound, they would be organic, liquid. 
Best high end monitors?
Atmasphere,Have you listened to the Ridge Street Sason's with your amps? Their published specs are almost identical to the speakers you like from High Emotion Audio. 
Who was your first
I too got turned on to jazz at a high end audio shop ("Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note"). But I really got HOOKED when I befriended another customer I met while in that same shop. He invited me over and introduced me to his extensive classic jazz c... 
Neil Diamond.........
I saw Mr. Diamond in Chicago in 1971, I think; it might have been 72'. It still serves as a measuring stick for every other concert I see.FYI, If you're in town, please don't miss "Jersey Boys". Great Fun! 
Should I get a new amp?
JM Lab speakers are particularly special when driven by tubes, IMO. It's too bad that they're not particularly tube friendly. I was driving the Mini Utopias with a 70W conrad johnson. Does it work? Yes. But I would like to encourage those who say ... 
IMPULSE Records catalog in SACD
Hi Audioholik, That is great news. Thanks for the heads-up. 
Is It Worth $28 Million?
Now there's a guy whose turntable endorsement would carry some weight. 
Anyone heard the new Focal Grande Utopia EM?
Congrats Paul! What kind of amplification are you using? Are tubes an option? 
Need to replace my Totem Acoustic Arros
"Must be efficient enough to be driven with 20-30+ watts (possibly tubes)"When you say "possibly tubes", does that mean that you haven't yet acquired the amp that you're intending to use with the new speakers? If that's the case, why lock yourself... 
Need help with a rack
Hi Timrhu, What a great idea. The rack looks great in your pictures and yet I can imagine that the photos don't begin to do real justice. Nicely done! And you say they sound good too?