TAD CR-1's with moderate to higher powered tube amps like REF 250's ? ...

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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I am wondering if anyone has any experience with TADs and fairly high powered tube amps like an ARC REF 150 or ARC REF 250's or even CJ ART amps. I am thinking of dedicating my CR-1's to an all vinyl, all tube setup and ARC is high on my list as well as a Manley Steelhead as the possible only preamp, eventually leading to a REF 10 + REF 250 combo. Any thoughts? Thanks!
 

Elberoth

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Dec 15, 2012
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Joe,

I think you need a new pair of speakers. A friend of mine just tested the CR-1s in his setup, and concluded that they are just too hot on top.
 

AudioExplorations

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Interesting, I find them to be slightly darker up top than I would like. Removing my 18NS preamp (going direct) and switching from Siltech to Nordost brought me closer but still not as sparkly and airy as a Raidho ribbon. What electronics did your friend use? Possibly a very bright room also?
 

Elberoth

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911 bridgesd to mono + 077 with an external PSU.

In his setup Dynaudio Temptation and Focal Grande Utopia BE (which he has in another room) sound more natural / less forced on top.
 

AudioExplorations

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I was going to ask if he used Burmester in my last message but ended up leaving it out :p.

TAD + Burmester is a no-no, I ran this combo myself for over 6 months and so I can understand the comment perfectly. Joe also had 911 monos on the TAD's and sold them. Way too edgy, too much of a ballsy and nervous presentation.
 

joeinid

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Yup. I didn't like Burmester on my TADs.


The hotness is definitely source dependant for me. On poorly recorded music and cds, it can be tough to take sometimes. When the source is great, OMG! It's amazing.
 

joeinid

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Hi Joost

To me, the amp doesn't matter although the Dartzeel is the best of the bunch. I tend to be more sensitive to high frequency and too much can be uncomfortable for me. I have some cds and sacds that sound stunningly great. But we all have those crappy cds that are just a little difficult to listen to, especially on the TADs. Don't get me wrong, my TADs sound amazing and for 95+% of what I listen to are unbeatable. I guess at this level I'm just getting a little picky. For the volume and times I listen, really I'm loving what I hear, but like all of us in this hobby, I'll never just have one system.

Joe- are you getting this also on the 108B?
 
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joeinid

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Gotcha. I wonder if this 5% will sound good on any system though... (that isn't some massively colored syrupy mess :p).

Exactly. I think in the long run, I am doing great. No system plays everything well. Can I get better? Don't think so. Different? Yes.
 

asiufy

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Joe,

I don't see you playing around much with source components. I also had that issue with bad recordings, when I used dCS. Brilliant players, but they just wouldn't play certain CDs well, or at least not in an enjoyable way. Fixed that with the MSB. Overall a better presentation for my liking, and it's configurable, so on those bad recordings, I can make them tolerable :D


alexandre
 

joeinid

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Mar 14, 2011
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Joe,

I don't see you playing around much with source components. I also had that issue with bad recordings, when I used dCS. Brilliant players, but they just wouldn't play certain CDs well, or at least not in an enjoyable way. Fixed that with the MSB. Overall a better presentation for my liking, and it's configurable, so on those bad recordings, I can make them tolerable :D


alexandre

You are right. I have a few ideas. I am getting a TT setup very soon so that should be very interesting.
 

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