Very interesting thread.
Are there any modern designs that have this vintage “realistic” sound? More importantly, can mere mortals with a real world budget achieve such performance goals?
Seems like there is a pursuit of realism in the reproduction of sound in recent threads. I wouldn’t mind...
Wow.. what an awesome original post. Had to post a reply to this agreeing with almost all points.
Reminded me of our visit to Vienna, Austria. We attended a four seasons Vivaldi concert at the St. Stephan’s (sp?) cathedral in Central Vienna. We were seated in the first row just left of center...
I have used a Devialet D200 for a while now. The one word I would use to describe it in my system is Clarity. The noise floor is extremely low and music seems to emerge from a black background. Soundstage is wide and deep with appropriate layering. I am using a speaker with SAM profile which...
Please keep us posted on the issues with M33. I have ordered one and am getting worried with these reliability reports.
I agree with the remote comments. Absolutely useless except for turn on/off and volume up/down. I couldn’t firgure out how to switch sources in the short time I used it. Don’t...
I have a system built around a Devialet D200/Rega RP6/AudioPhysic Virgo 25 for the past 5 years. It’s turned out to be an enjoyable one. The Devialet has been reliable and readily configurable. Dead quiet backgrounds, excellent phonostage, and good sound all around. Maybe not the last word in...
Agree to some extent. IMO, you can have analytical speakers with all those characteristics.
It reminds me of the one audition I had of the Magico S3mk2 (?) while on a trip to LA. My first experience with Magico. We listened for about an hour and played our favorite music. It had transparency...
How do the newer active speakers with DSP built-in like kii3, Dutch and Dutch, Grimm etc fit into this discussion? If they can effectively use DSP to remove the room from the equation using things like cardioid dispersion, isn’t that a benefit for users who can’t do much to treat the listening...
Keith,
Any chance you are considering listening to the new Magico A5?
Agree with your assessment of the SF Il Cremonese. Our local dealer has one on his floor and I got to listen to it. I found it non fatiguing and more neutral compared to the older lush/thick SF sound. I found it to be a...
so true... customers who can afford the luxury element probably don’t care about resale value which makes the used market an “affordable” option for many including me.
I don’t think it’s whining. It’s just the reality on the ground.
”great sound can be had for less cost than ever before”
I can agree with this to some extent but its subjective as its different for everyone. A $5k component is affordable to some, chump change for others, and possibly a pipe...
IMO, affordability has an inverse relationship with the size of the customer base. I do not see how things can change for the better if the industry does not recognize that.
$5000/m cables, $125,000 speakers, $250,000 amplifiers... how many people can afford that? maybe The top 1% ? Out of that...
I have a related tangential question.
While I try to support local B&M stores paying retail for their support and home audition services, the product range available is pretty limited.
How does it work with online sales? Is the customer expected to pay full retail for a remote dealer to order...
This has always been a problematic issue. Most dealers do not encourage home auditions. I would personally like to do a home audition for NEW equipment before purchasing. It gives me an opportunity to listen to it in MY system with MY music in MY room. I think that increases the chances that I...
Appreciate the information in the reply.
How do the off-axis dispersion characteristics on the horizontal and vertical planes affect the sweet spot? My understanding is that even dispersion without peaks and dips on these 2 axis would result is a wide sweet spot. Is that correct?
I just read this whole thread. Incredible journey. I commend you for taking the time to listen to all these different speakers to achieve your stated goals. You also called everything like you heard it. It was refreshing.
This thread was also illuminating for me since I have some similar...
Hi Sunny
Would you mind expanding a little bit on the comparisons with the other integrateds? In what ways do the other integrateds sound better? I am currently using a Devialet D200 and am wondering if I should try out other integrateds or just upgrade within the Devialet family to the D440...
I am currently using a Devialet D200/ Audio Physic Virgo 25/ Rega RP6 system in a larger room. If they are willing to buy used, it should be possible to assemble a similar system within that budget. However, auditioning components before buying might be an issue.
If they are in the PNW, they...
Brings back memories
In the early 90s, the Bose 901 was first purchase into “audiophiledom” when I was in graduate school. I used to power it with a Pioneer receiver. At that time, I thought it was best thing since sliced bread. My previous equipment listening to music was a cassette player and...
Agree... live in the eastside of Seattle. Awesome weather today. Took the kids skiing and snowboarding for the day. Looking forward to an evening with some tunes and scotch.
Enjoy while it lasts.
Hi,
I would like to get your thoughts on the comparison between the Absolare and the Devialet units. I am currently using a Devialet D200 in my system. I like the functionality of a single box solution and it sounds pretty good. It has a very low noise floor, excellent sound staging, very...
Thanks for the invite. I will definitely call and see if we could setup a mutual convenient time for me to visit. Much appreciate the invite.
I will also check out Stereo Exchange and Sound by Singer.
Hi,
We will be visiting New York City for a week right after Christmas. I would like to visit some stores to listen to music played through components that I cannot audition in the Pacific NorthWET. There are no local dealers for Absolare, Gryphon, Rockport, Magico, etc.. It would be great if I...
Sorry if this is a dumb question/comment. I just like listening to music on a good system and am not an experienced gear head.
How come nobody has mentioned fidelity to the live performance, the sound of instruments played live, the ambience of the performance venue, the “energy” of the music...
Thanks for all the suggestions. Will try to check at least a couple of them out.
Asiufy- San Diego is on my list as it’s been a while since I visited. Will definitely stop by if I come.
Awesome story. It was very generous of you two to dedicate such time and effort to Xander in his pursuits. It is invariably events like this that “create” new enthusiasts. I still remember my first exposure to good sound audio at a Bottlehead event about 20 years back. Ella sang “Bewitched...
Hi All,
I am in LA, CA this week until Friday. I might have some time to visit audio stores in the area. Do you have any recommendations for which ones to visit?
Thanks.
Jay
+1
Totally agree with you. Saw the movie last night. The storyline seems really void of any new ideas. I agree that They need a completely new direction if they are making any more sequels. Benicio was the best part and wasn’t featured for more than a few minutes as a 10sec codebreaker. Pretty sad.
Awesome. The Zenith or SE is one of the units I am considering as one of my requirements is Spotify with a ripper. There are very few servers that offer a ripper and Spotify support. Please do give Spotify a try and tell us how it sounds.
Much appreciated.
I went on a trip to London last week and picked up at QC30 (?) noise cancelling ear phones for the journey. The noise canceling feature was just awesome on the flights. It just removed about 99% of the aircraft drone. It turned out to be a pretty comfortable flight. It is amazing how much stress...