Taiko Audio Systems Gallery

[ctydwn]

Nice to see system update pics. Added a second HRS rack in anticipation of the Olympus and I/O (!)…

 

[LL21]

I like your choice of speakers.

It was only a year ago that I posted my picture of my system. How time flies -- it is overdue that I post an update:

View attachment 141226

A lot more room on the rack for Olympus without the dCS and D'Agostino stuff getting in the way. . .

Steve Z

Nice! Are these the AG Mezzo? They replaced your Alex’s. How do they compare? And presumably you wanted to keep the sub stacks…how well do they keep up with the beautiful new horns?

 

[oldmustang]

Nice! Are these the AG Mezzo? They replaced your Alex’s. How do they compare? And presumably you wanted to keep the sub stacks…how well do they keep up with the beautiful new horns?

Thanks very much for your interest.

These are AG Duo SD G3, full iTron amplification. I've been using a Sunvalley SV-S1645D amplifier (45 or 46 output tube) for mid and HF horns, but I've got the option of going full on-board amplification if I choose. The bass drivers of course with AGs come standard with their own 500 watt amplifiers.

I like the Duos better than the Alexx both for sound quality as well as for some practical concerns. The Duos are very transparent, very dynamic, image extremely well, and play with saturated tone and weight even at very low volume levels, something the Alexx didn't do. Though not a priority for me, they will play very loudly without a lot of power being required. That opens up a lot of possibilities for tube power amps without having to go to heroic expense or running high power tubes like 211s or 845s or multiple pairs of KTs in push-pull.

I wasn't a big AG fan, particularly their first generation and to an extent, their second generation models. I always heard them in demos as being wonderful with perfect material, but without a lot of careful selection of partnering electronics and cabling, they could be bright. The G3 are really a big step forward in taming this tendency, in my opinion.

The practical matters are that the Duos don't require massive amplification (the Sunvalley amp is 1.5 wpc) and should I desire to eliminate the separate amp completely, I have full on-board amplification with AG's "current drive" amplifiers.

The subs integrate really well. I actually had to turn down the sub stacks' level 1-2dB lower than what I had them set at for the Alexx. It's hard to believe, but the AG's single 12" drivers per side sound more articulate and go lower than the Alexx' pair of 12" and 15" drivers per side.

A key indicator for me how well subs and main speakers integrate is how Leonard Cohen's voice sounds from his early and middle-period albums. No hint of overly chesty or plummy sound at all with the SVS SB16 Ultras. They are very clean and articulate.

Somehow SVS has the rep with 2-channel audiophiles of being "home theatre" subwoofers. However I think if someone is considering REL or JL Audio or other "music" subs for more $$$ they really should take up SVS on their 30 day money back trial and hear them for themselves.

Nice thing too, the AGs are about half the price of the Alexx. More money for music!

Best regards,

Steve Z

 

[audio42]

Hello Steve,

You've made me reconsider SVS. A few times I have seen a few sales on SVS but always dismissed them as for HT use or at least not in the same realm as REL etc. May give them another look.

Thank you,
Arun

 

[simorag]

Here is my living / listening room. Some compromises had to be made but I am pretty satisfied about how it turned out ... and I am still happily married

 

[LL21]

Beautiful! Room is stunning particularly the lighting. Also really like the Lampizator and the Riviera,

Do you have 2 subs or 1? What is your crossover point?

 

[simorag]

Beautiful! Room is stunning particularly the lighting. Also really like the Lampizator and the Riviera,

Do you have 2 subs or 1? What is your crossover point?

Thanks! I have one sub for now, planning to go 2x in the future.

With the Aura, the sub is gently kicking in at about 60Hz, a sweet-spot I selected also helping myself with a series of measurements with the help of REW.

 

[LL21]

Thanks! I have one sub for now, planning to go 2x in the future.

With the Aura, the sub is gently kicking in at about 60Hz, a sweet-spot I selected also helping myself with a series of measurements with the help of REW.

Thanks! Same on 1 for now and really looking to go dual in future. Front runners are either Todd’s PureLows or the Funk 18.2s.

 

[2ndLiner]

Here is my living / listening room. Some compromises had to be made but I am pretty satisfied about how it turned out ... and I am still happily married

View attachment 141999

Mozzafiato, Simone!

 

[oldmustang]

Here is my living / listening room. Some compromises had to be made but I am pretty satisfied about how it turned out ... and I am still happily married

Moglie felice vita felice!

Buon Natale a tutti!

Steve Z

 

[Dimfer]

Here is my humble system

 

[2ndLiner]

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Here is my humble system

Regarding your use of the word, "humble," in relation to your system, methinks you need a new dictionary Lovely setup!