Destination Audio Vista Loudspeaker

[Zeotrope]

Here’s the link to the thread:

Building a world-class Horn system for Small Rooms

After nearly 7 years, I think it's time to create a thread for my journey, in the hopes that it may inspire or help others with their own audiophile ambitions. My hypothesis was that world-class reproduction could be achieved in a small (~11'5" x 12'8" x 7'8) room. I think I have achieved it. I...

www.whatsbestforum.com

(Not sure why I cannot upload even a 900KB image anymore…)

I’m a “nobody”; what qualifies me to think this is a great design (tweeter in the center, time and phase alignment), field coil midrange and bass units…
Is from a decade of research, starting with the Oswald’s Mill Audio “Tastings”, where Weiss would invite DIY audio hobbyists to share their components and designs. While I don’t care much for Weiss, gathering the leading experts in audio by wining and dining them and encouraging them to share ideas resulted in some exceptional knowledge sharing. You can read more about this and see photos by using the Wayback Machine. Not surprisingly, when he started OMA, he deleted these postings, as most of the community ideas made it into OMA’s products.

 

[LL21]

Here’s the link to the thread:

Building a world-class Horn system for Small Rooms

After nearly 7 years, I think it's time to create a thread for my journey, in the hopes that it may inspire or help others with their own audiophile ambitions. My hypothesis was that world-class reproduction could be achieved in a small (~11'5" x 12'8" x 7'8) room. I think I have achieved it. I...

www.whatsbestforum.com

(Not sure why I cannot upload even a 900KB image anymore…)

I’m a nobody. What qualifies me to think this is a great design (tweeter in the center, time and phase alignment), field coil midrange and bass units…
Is from a decade of research, starting with the Oswald’s Mill Audio “Tastings”, where Weiss would invite DIY audio hobbyists to share their components and designs.

Thank you! Interesting reading. I also note you were considering the XVX at one point. As an owner of the XLF who has heard the XVX with my electronics (though not in our room) curious what you think of the XVX vs your own direction of all-out-assault horns?

 

[Zeotrope]

Thank you! Interesting reading. I also note you were considering the XVX at one point. As an owner of the XLF who has heard the XVX with my electronics (though not in our room) curious what you think of the XVX vs your own direction of all-out-assault horns?

Thanks. I only briefly heard the XVX at a dealer in DC. The streamer and DAC weren’t the best and the room could have been quieter. But, they were very impressive. I would say the midrange from my RCA1443 in conical horns is better than the XVX’s midrange: tonality, texture, dynamics, and overall sounded more “real”. Otherwise, the XVX were better in every other way.
If I build a second room one day, the XVX would be on my short-list, as would these Vistas.

 

[LL21]

Thanks. I only briefly heard the XVX at a dealer in DC. The streamer and DAC weren’t the best and the room could have been quieter. But, they were very impressive. I would say the midrange from my RCA1443 in conical horns is better than the XVX’s midrange: tonality, texture, dynamics, and overall sounded more “real”. Otherwise, the XVX were better in every other way.
If I build a second room one day, the XVX would be on my short-list, as would these Vistas.

Thanks...helpful to know.

 

[gleeds]

Interesting...would like the hear the Vistas. Having heard the AG Trios recently, they are the first horns that impressed me enough to keep them in mind. Have enjoyed reading about the Vistas here and on Dagogo.

Not sure if you are in Europe or the US? There are currently two pairs of Vista's with DA amplification in the US, one in the Carolina's and the other in Texas. I also believe Lukas Fikus of Lampizator has a pair in his home in Poland. If you make the effort to hear them, given your experience with the Trio's I can assure you will not be disappointed. To my ear they do things when powered by Sam's 45 tube amplifiers that no other speakers can. Good luck and do keep us posted.

 

[gleeds]

Not sure if you are in Europe or the US? There are currently two pairs of Vista's with DA amplification in the US, one in the Carolina's and the other in Texas. I also believe Lukas Fikus of Lampizator has a pair in his home in Poland. If you make the effort to hear them, given your experience with the Trio's I can assure you will not be disappointed. To my ear they do things when powered by Sam's 45 tube amplifiers that no other speakers can. Good luck and do keep us posted.

PS. Should you wish to arrange a listen Sam's email is destinationaudio@gmail.com

 

[LL21]

Not sure if you are in Europe or the US? There are currently two pairs of Vista's with DA amplification in the US, one in the Carolina's and the other in Texas. I also believe Lukas Fikus of Lampizator has a pair in his home in Poland. If you make the effort to hear them, given your experience with the Trio's I can assure you will not be disappointed. To my ear they do things when powered by Sam's 45 tube amplifiers that no other speakers can. Good luck and do keep us posted.

Thank you! Quite a flying distance in any direction. I have emailed Sam.

 

[gleeds]

Thank you! Quite a flying distance in any direction. I have emailed Sam.

Wonderful. I have listened to the Vista's extensively and spoken to Sam for hours about their design. You will enjoy speaking to him!

 

[Argonaut]

Rene, the head of Nagra’s sales and marketing and Fabio (Alma) both said it’s the first horn they have ever heard without any colouration.

Might these Nagra horn afficionadi provide a few examples of these “coloured” horns of which they speak ?
Have any other forum members heard your own horns that we might hear an independent summery of their own considerations of your DIY horns ?

 

[LL21]

Wonderful. I have listened to the Vista's extensively and spoken to Sam for hours about their design. You will enjoy speaking to him!

Great!

 

[Geardaddy]

PS. Should you wish to arrange a listen Sam's email is destinationaudio@gmail.com

My pair is for sale for non-audio reasons. DM me if interested.

 

[Geardaddy]

I heard the Vista'a recently at Prana Distributions showroom in Gloucester, Mass. Sam Wisnewski, the Founder and Chief Engineer of Destination was visiting from Poland and took me deep into the lengths he goes to create his version of reality. I will leave telling more of that story to Fred Crane, the US Importer. .

For the listening sessions spread out over two days we used Destination's GM-70 integrated amplifier and tube DAC and the sound was astonishing! Dynamics, bass impact, midrange to die for, wall-to-wall soundstage, etc, etc,.

In 40 years of being immersed in high-end audio this was my first exposure to a truly full-range horn. All I can say is I am smitten by the experience and truly appreciate the WBF members who are devotees of "natural sound".

I encourage anyone who wants a sensational audio experience to make the pilgrimage to Fred's to hear the Destination loudspeakers and electronics. Add to that, Fred has quite the selection of spirits on hand that he loves to share My sense is Fred knows as much about single malt scotch and other libations as he does horns and SE amplification!

PS I learned Destination now offers their speakers in two versions, standard and field coil. The ones I heard were the standard versions, so I look forward to returning to hear the 117db FC version with the low watt 45/50 amplifiers.

That has been my high end system until recently. I leaving the high end of the hobby for non-audio reasons. I have the Vistas, 45s monos, 76 pre and a GM70 integrated for sell. DM me with questions.