What amplifiers work best with Rockports? What have you heard?

JackD201

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Apr 20, 2010
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Probably because they are distributed by the same company...

Yes they are and the distributor is lucky to have them both. I'm pretty sure they've sold a lot of tandems by now based on the synergy I witnessed.
 

pke10000

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Jan 22, 2018
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Rockport makes the speaker with Gryphon.
Absolare makes the amp with Rockport.

I'm using Absolare passion inti and Rockport Mira. Those are good.
 

Fred

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May 31, 2010
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At RMAF this past October in one of the larger 1st floor rooms, Rockport speakers where being driven by Constellation amps and pre. It was a very, very coherent system with an abundance of dynamic range. It was one of the better sounding rooms I thought.
 

Elliot G.

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Jul 22, 2010
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At the most recent shows they have been exhibiting and getting great press with CH Precision.
The room at Axpona was excellent.
 
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sbo6

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I've heard Arrakis with CH Precision monos and preamp and it is a very good combination. Very fast articulate with fantastic dynamics. however, it's quite different than a tube amp presentation so it depends what is to your liking.
 
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LL21

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I've heard Arrakis with CH Precision monos and preamp and it is a very good combination. Very fast articulate with fantastic dynamics. however, it's quite different than a tube amp presentation so it depends what is to your liking.
Great stuff! Would love to read more about your impressions of that system...was it Arnies? In any event would particularly appreciate any more color you can provide on the CH/Arrakis combination than what you felt was the 'tube amp presentation'. Thanks!
 

sbo6

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Certainly. And yes it was Arnie's (he's obviously the best source of info on the component changes).

Initially he had 2 pair of VTL Siegfried Series IIs amps and an Absolare preamp which sounded awesome. Specifically, very good PRAT, very good dynamics and quite effortless. There was some warmth but not at the sacrifice of clarity. Sound staging is enormous as you can imagine in a room as big and vast as his.

Then he replaced the Absolare preamp with the CH precision dual mono + external / optional? PSUs preamp. What immediately struck me (compared to the Absolare) was how lightning fast the CH preamp was. Also, as good as the Absolare was the CH was increasingly dynamic with added realism (vocal and instrument timber more realistic). There is a palpability to the sound that's about as close to a virgin studio take or live as I've ever heard in a 2 channel system.

Most recently he replaced the VTL amps with the CH precision monoblock amps. However, his speaker, subs and listening seat positioning have been significantly altered so please take the following compare with a grain or 3 of salt. I felt the CH preamp and amp combo had further improved dynamics and improved speed albeit not as big a leap as going from the earlier Absolare pre to the Ch pre swap. Also, the tone has changed and here's where personal preference comes much into play - It certainly was not remotely tubey, however it did have plenty of body. It also had further detail digging deeper into the minute particulars; as good as the Absolare and VTL amp setup was you could hear even further into the music. Whether you like that type sound or the more tube - type sound is a personal preference. Last major difference with all CH setup - The bass was noticeably more impactful, articulate and with less overhang (not that there was much before but the Ch amps grip the Arrakis with an iron fist).

Net is - The all tube amp preamp combo provides enough tube warmth to not cloud any detail but the SS CH combo omits the tube fancifulness in place of off the chart speed, dynamics, detail and phenomenally controlled bass. If I had to pick, it might be in the middle - the hybrid setup with the SS preamp and tube amps, kind of the best of both worlds. Again, personal preference.

I hope that helps.
 

LL21

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Great insights and feedback! Thanks!!!
 
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bonzo75

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I am also a fan of SS pre, tube power... Soulution pre is also excellent
 
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microstrip

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sbo6

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Yes. I believe the subs are crossed over ~25Hz and provide stage presence / ambiance more than anything as the Arrakis are essentially full range.
 

rgmd11

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Also, does anyone know what amplifiers Andy Payor uses during R&D? Thanks

I heard a pair of Lyra’s with Gryphon Mephisto‘s with an Accuphase as front end at my local dealers = Pure Bliss
 

astrotoy

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My local Rockport dealer has been using the Doshi amps to power the Lyras. Very fine sound.

Larry
 

LL21

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I heard a pair of Lyra’s with Gryphon Mephisto‘s with an Accuphase as front end at my local dealers = Pure Bliss

What did you think of the Lyra's? Any impressions?
 

LL21

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My local Rockport dealer has been using the Doshi amps to power the Lyras. Very fine sound.

Larry
What did you think of the Lyra's? Most interested to hear about these, since they have come many years AFTER the Arrakis.
 

astrotoy

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What did you think of the Lyra's? Most interested to hear about these, since they have come many years AFTER the Arrakis.

My dealer switched from being a Magico dealer to a Rockport dealer last year. So I heard the Magicos - usually the top of the line, and then the Rockport Lyra's. Not the previous one. However, the Rockports were a nice step up from the Magicos. The Magicos also needed a much more expensive electronics (the big Constellations) to get their best sound compared with the Lyras which did wonderfully with the Doshis. Both the top Magicos (Q7's IIRC), and Lyras are in the same price range.

Larry
 

adyc

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I spoke to Josh who is the owner of Rockport back in August when he was in HK Hi-Fi show. He also said CH is a great match with Rockport. I certainly agree with him. My Cygnus with M1.1 is brilliant.
 

LL21

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Lloyd you still have the X1 s?
Absolutely, I am extremely happy with them...and only a major, major change could entice me to switch. Why? Any suggestions? ;)
 

LL21

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My dealer switched from being a Magico dealer to a Rockport dealer last year. So I heard the Magicos - usually the top of the line, and then the Rockport Lyra's. Not the previous one. However, the Rockports were a nice step up from the Magicos. The Magicos also needed a much more expensive electronics (the big Constellations) to get their best sound compared with the Lyras which did wonderfully with the Doshis. Both the top Magicos (Q7's IIRC), and Lyras are in the same price range.

Larry
Thanks...good to know.
 

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