State-of-the-Art Digital

[Jack Pot]

This thread proves a point: there are thousands of ways to get to Rome.
However, I adhere to the "live-listening" school. From buskers playing without amplifiers to Wigmore Hall to Covent Garden. I am always struck by how mellow live instruments sound, by their clarity and how effortlessly they reach the highest notes, without a hint of grain (in the hands of great artists!). Classical voices in many venues have a hint of "minerality". Also, bass is often diffuse but powerful etc... These are therefore the characteristics that I seek in my home setup: voices, strings, piano, woodwinds. Can my setup recreate the magical conversation of chamber music? Can it capture the "rumbling bass" of large orchestras? Can it properly scale? Will it draw me into the music as so often happens during "live-listening?
I finally settled on horn speakers with cone bass. In my experience, these are the closest to "life-listening". I fully admit that "box" speakers are better at other types of music. But for me, there is no way back from the "horn experience". No matter the objections of loudspeaker designers.

 

[LL21]

This thread proves a point: there are thousands of ways to get to Rome.
However, I adhere to the "live-listening" school. From buskers playing without amplifiers to Wigmore Hall to Covent Garden. I am always struck by how mellow live instruments sound, by their clarity and how effortlessly they reach the highest notes, without a hint of grain (in the hands of great artists!). Classical voices in many venues have a hint of "minerality". Also, bass is often diffuse but powerful etc... These are therefore the characteristics that I seek in my home setup: voices, strings, piano, woodwinds. Can my setup recreate the magical conversation of chamber music? Can it capture the "rumbling bass" of large orchestras? Can it properly scale? Will it draw me into the music as so often happens during "live-listening?
I finally settled on horn speakers with cone bass. In my experience, these are the closest to "life-listening". I fully admit that "box" speakers are better at other types of music. But for me, there is no way back from the "horn experience". No matter the objections of loudspeaker designers.

I like what you've said here. I largely agree...whether its the blat of a horn, the soaring crescendo of a violin...when they go all-out, the sound is powerful but it does not 'distort' the way speakers do. And even when live instruments really get loud...they seem to carry much much further and fill space much more than speakers. I think about a player on a street whom you can still hear blocks away...and yet standing in front of the artist, you are not crouching in pain like you would be with a stereo blasting trying to play so you can hear 6 blocks away.

I also note that your 'About' section shows Audio Exclusiv 6.1 full electrostatic speakers...have you now moved to horns? Which ones? And what is your cone bass? I have seen several panel owners move across to horns over time.

For me, my favorite cone speaker is the Rockport Arrakis, on panels I have not heard any of the latest generation...and on horns, of which I have heard only a few, the AG Trio G3 is exceptionally impressive and something I really really liked when I heard it. Enormous footprint unfortunately, but impressive in any event. The Arrakis footprint by contrast is 2' x 3', only a few inches larger than the Wilson XLF.

If you can share what you're using I would genuinely interested in learning more.

 

[Jack Pot]

I like what you've said here. I largely agree...whether its the blat of a horn, the soaring crescendo of a violin...when they go all-out, the sound is powerful but it does not 'distort' the way speakers do. And even when live instruments really get loud...they seem to carry much much further and fill space much more than speakers. I think about a player on a street whom you can still hear blocks away...and yet standing in front of the artist, you are not crouching in pain like you would be with a stereo blasting trying to play so you can hear 6 blocks away.

I also note that your 'About' section shows Audio Exclusiv 6.1 full electrostatic speakers...have you now moved to horns? Which ones? And what is your cone bass? I have seen several panel owners move across to horns over time.

For me, my favorite cone speaker is the Rockport Arrakis, on panels I have not heard any of the latest generation...and on horns, of which I have heard only a few, the AG Trio G3 is exceptionally impressive and something I really really liked when I heard it. Enormous footprint unfortunately, but impressive in any event. The Arrakis footprint by contrast is 2' x 3', only a few inches larger than the Wilson XLF.

If you can share what you're using I would genuinely interested in learning more.

Thanks! I updated... Yes, I moved on from my beloved Audio Exclusiv 6.1. full electrostatic speakers. IMHO, unbeatable for the price (based on my criteria). In fact, I listened to electrostatics all my life (Martin Logans for 30 years, Audio Exclusiv for 10 years). "Good" horns, however, are in another category. I always knew, didn't have the cash. I finally took the plunge and now live with Acapella High Cecilias (with space constraints and esthetics playing a role). I found "my" niche.

I like what you've said here. I largely agree...whether its the blat of a horn, the soaring crescendo of a violin...when they go all-out, the sound is powerful but it does not 'distort' the way speakers do. And even when live instruments really get loud...they seem to carry much much further and fill space much more than speakers. I think about a player on a street whom you can still hear blocks away...and yet standing in front of the artist, you are not crouching in pain like you would be with a stereo blasting trying to play so you can hear 6 blocks away.

I also note that your 'About' section shows Audio Exclusiv 6.1 full electrostatic speakers...have you now moved to horns? Which ones? And what is your cone bass? I have seen several panel owners move across to horns over time.

For me, my favorite cone speaker is the Rockport Arrakis, on panels I have not heard any of the latest generation...and on horns, of which I have heard only a few, the AG Trio G3 is exceptionally impressive and something I really really liked when I heard it. Enormous footprint unfortunately, but impressive in any event. The Arrakis footprint by contrast is 2' x 3', only a few inches larger than the Wilson XLF.

If you can share what you're using I would genuinely interested in learning more.

 

[LL21]

Thank you and congrats. Good to know. A few people have suggested Acapella. I have read very very good things about their Hyperion which is a very compact footprint but also very tall at 2.5m (8 feet).

 

[Jack Pot]

I have not listened to Hyperion. It must sound amazing in a BIG room. Avantgarde, as you remarked, and Living Voice also make amazing horns. I lost track of Zingali which first introduced me to horns.

 

[mtemur]

For me, my favorite cone speaker is the Rockport Arrakis,

The Arrakis is a nice speaker—very calm and smooth. I’ve listened to it a couple of times in a fellow audiophile’s setup.

My choice for big, cost-no-object speakers would be the Kharma Veyron 1D or 2D. I’ve actually listened to the Veyron 2D a couple of times at the local distributor’s showroom and quite liked it.

 

[LL21]

The Arrakis is a nice speaker—very calm and smooth. I’ve listened to it a couple of times in a fellow audiophile’s setup.

My choice for big, cost-no-object speakers would be the Kharma Veyron 1D or 2D. I’ve actually listened to the Veyron 2D a couple of times at the local distributor’s showroom and quite liked it.

Good to know. Thank you! Have never had the opportunity to hear Kharmas. I have heard the Rockport Merak/Sheritan, Altair (a few times) and the Arrakis (just a fantastic experience). Though still very expensive 2nd hand, the Arrakis is [rarely] available 2nd hand which is my hunting ground and always has been with exceptions only where the price was not dissimilarly discounted/attractive for special reasons. I think Kharma Veyron 1D is 750K!

 

[mtemur]

I think Kharma Veyron 1D is 750K!

I think it’s even more expensive at around €800K with the new C drivers. Ridiculously expensive.

 

[LL21]

I think it’s even more expensive at around €800K with the new C drivers. Ridiculously expensive.

Wow...

 

[Lee]

One of the things that makes subjective statements like Caeser’s comment on Wilson sounding “hifi” is the variation of system sounds possible.

1. Has optimal setup been achieved in a decent quality room?
2. Is there quality associated gear, cables, and accessories like line conditioning and grounding?
3. What are Caeser’s sound preferences?

Wilsons long gone inverted dome Focal tweeters were a bit bright and that was a “hifi” sound to my ears. But the CST silk domes sound natural to my ears. I play my own live to two track recordings and they capture the live performance very well and natural.

 

[microstrip]

One of the things that makes subjective statements like Caeser’s comment on Wilson sounding “hifi” is the variation of system sounds possible.
(...)
3. What are Caeser’s sound preferences?
(...)

I would also ask "How are Caesar's sound preferences?"

I have found that some people are not open minded in preferences. They have a narrow perspective on what sound reproduction should be and consider themselves part of an elite that is THE reference of sound quality.

Having recently owned or owning ESL 63 , the XLF, the Aida's and the SoundLab A1Px's I know that when properly set up in an adequate system and room I appreciate the Quad electrostatic, the Wilson Audio, the Sonus Faber and the SoundLab sound. I listen to music with great pleasure with any of them and enjoy fine tuning a system for any of them. They sound very different, but each of them shows an interesting perspective of stereo sound reproduction.

BTW1 people should listen to a poorly set up SoundLab with an inadequate amplifier. They would never complain again that Wilson's are hard to set up ...

BTW2 when people are in the stereo industry or dealership surely the products they are involved in are the best - could we expect anything else?

 

[hopkins]

Here is state of the art digital (announcement came a day early):

Revolutionary new format puts an end to the analog vs. digital war

Taking the music world by storm, the HiFi Equipment Industry today announced the release of a revolutionary new musical format – the Analog-Digital Hybrid Disc (ADHD). Ten years in developmen…

londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Here is state of the art digital (announcement came a day early):

Revolutionary new format puts an end to the analog vs. digital war

Taking the music world by storm, the HiFi Equipment Industry today announced the release of a revolutionary new musical format – the Analog-Digital Hybrid Disc (ADHD). Ten years in developmen…

londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com

a few hours early for April Fools Day....even in Merry Ole England. but a serious effort none the less. someone went to a bit of trouble.

an unlikely source for any digital bombshell drop.......i get that part.