Zellaton and my ascent to Soulution

[Audioarts]

Lloyd, I believe you have Gryphon? Here’s a client install of mine with the latest Zellaton Emotion Evo’s and Gryphon.. These baby Zellaton’s are so musical with their 9” midbass and purist 2 way design. The Duelund crossover doesn’t hurt either I’ve been pairing these with very high quality integrated’s both tube and solid state for clients, and the results are amazing.

 

[LL21]

Lloyd, I believe you have Gryphon? Here’s a client install of mine with the latest Zellaton Emotion Evo’s and Gryphon.. These baby Zellaton’s are so musical with their 9” midbass and purist 2 way design. The Duelund crossover doesn’t hurt either I’ve been pairing these with very high quality integrated’s both tube and solid state for clients, and the results are amazing.

Actually I did own Gryphon for nearly 12 years culminating in the Mephisto.

However, today I am Robert Koda K15EX/K160 Monos (235 Watta Pure Class A into 4 ohms) and Zanden digital source with Waversa EXT Ref Plus.

 

[gleeds]

That's interesting. I felt the Boulder pre-amp was an amazing unit. If I still had it I would love to hear the Soulution 711+ with the Boulder 3010. I *think* the 3060 might just be a tick overcontrolling for my palette. I wince a bit as I type this because I do think the 3060 is quite awesome and I don't want to come off negative about it.

Patrick, I'm so glad you're enjoying your new system! I need to get by with Ron and experience it myself.

Last weekend, I listened to the mighty Apex monoblocks and Commander. While slightly dark overall, their power, control, and musicality were exceptional and preferable to the more direct, less tonally dense sound of the big Boulder electronics. Our host had deep experience with Boulder amplification and prefers the big Gryphon sound signature overall.

I'm more of a Porsche GT-3 guy than a Ferrari or McLaren guy. Everything at these elevated levels is impressive and a matter of taste, but their strengths and sonic signatures differ.

Zellatons are regularly in my top three in Munich—excellent speakers throughout the range.

 

[John T]

Patrick, I'm so glad you're enjoying your new system! I need to get by with Ron and experience it myself.

Last weekend, I listened to the mighty Apex monoblocks and Commander. While slightly dark overall, their power, control, and musicality were exceptional and preferable to the more direct, less tonally dense sound of the big Boulder electronics. Our host had deep experience with Boulder amplification and prefers the big Gryphon sound signature overall.

I'm more of a Porsche GT-3 guy than a Ferrari or McLaren guy. Everything at these elevated levels is impressive and a matter of taste, but their strengths and sonic signatures differ.

Zellatons are regularly in my top three in Munich—excellent speakers throughout the range.

Do you think the Gryphon Mono's might prevail somewhat less dark with a different preamp? I had the Pandora with the Gryphon Stereo Amp. I think I understand what you are referring to when you say slightly dark. When I switched to the Solution 727 some of that graininess (a lot) went away as if a veil was lifted. I'm interested as I have been thinking Apex Stereo or Mono. The Pandora/Mephisto has a definite signature, I suspect the Commander with the Apex Stereo or Mono's has a similar relationship...I take it no Boulder was used with the Gryphon Mono's? That would have been interesting...

 

[gleeds]

Do you think the Gryphon Mono's might prevail somewhat less dark with a different preamp? I had the Pandora with the Gryphon Stereo Amp. I think I understand what you are referring to when you say slightly dark. When I switched to the Solution 727 some of that graininess (a lot) went away as if a veil was lifted. I'm interested as I have been thinking Apex Stereo or Mono. The Pandora/Mephisto has a definite signature, I suspect the Commander with the Apex Stereo or Mono's has a similar relationship...I take it no Boulder was used with the Gryphon Mono's? That would have been interesting...

As a courtesy to Gideon and Zellaton, this convo may be better placed in a Super Amps thread. Feel free to PM me, but yes, a pre-amplifier at the front of the signal will affect the tonality. I heard no grain from the Gryphon gear whatsoever.

 

[LL21]

As a courtesy to Gideon and Zellaton, this convo may be better placed in a Super Amps thread. Feel free to PM me, but yes, a pre-amplifier at the front of the signal will affect the tonality. I heard no grain from the Gryphon gear whatsoever.

I think a Super Amps thread would a great idea!

 

[pk_LA]

Patrick, I'm so glad you're enjoying your new system! I need to get by with Ron and experience it myself.

Last weekend, I listened to the mighty Apex monoblocks and Commander. While slightly dark overall, their power, control, and musicality were exceptional and preferable to the more direct, less tonally dense sound of the big Boulder electronics. Our host had deep experience with Boulder amplification and prefers the big Gryphon sound signature overall.

I'm more of a Porsche GT-3 guy than a Ferrari or McLaren guy. Everything at these elevated levels is impressive and a matter of taste, but their strengths and sonic signatures differ.

Zellatons are regularly in my top three in Munich—excellent speakers throughout the range.

Very curious car correlations. Especially given that,
Porsche: Inherently deficient design particularly due to to rear engine that necessitates a very short wheelbase. This is why Porsche never does well at high speed tracks. It is also the reason that the recent GTLM class allowed Porsche to make a mid-engine 911 RSR. Put another way, a very lovable, high quality design that is also dynamically deficient. (caveat: the best braking GT car there is)

Ferrari: Best chassis available, period. Great drivetrain. Admittedly their hybrid tech in the street cars is problematic and highly non-linear. Braking nearly that of Porsche. Electronic differential in street cars means backbox, slightly unpredictable handling, though. Short version: Despite the bling, they really are great.

Mclaren: Odd. Ball. Open differential. The suspension and differential on the road cars not even remotely similar to racecar counterpart.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Very curious car correlations. Especially given that,
Porsche: Inherently deficient design particularly due to to rear engine that necessitates a very short wheelbase. This is why Porsche never does well at high speed tracks. It is also the reason that the recent GTLM class allowed Porsche to make a mid-engine 911 RSR. Put another way, a very lovable, high quality design that is also dynamically deficient. (caveat: the best braking GT car there is)

Ferrari: Best chassis available, period. Great drivetrain. Admittedly their hybrid tech in the street cars is problematic and highly non-linear. Braking nearly that of Porsche. Electronic differential in street cars means backbox, slightly unpredictable handling, though. Short version: Despite the bling, they really are great.

Mclaren: Odd. Ball. Open differential. The suspension and differential on the road cars not even remotely similar to racecar counterpart.

i suppose over most of our heads but thanks for dumbing it down so we can at least get a feel for it. the what if not the why.

 

[gleeds]

i suppose over most of our heads but thanks for dumbing it down so we can at least get a feel for it. the what if not the why.

Mike, Patrick is a race car driver (among other things) and is serious about the sport. As a former racer in SCCA myself, Patrick, no doubt Porsche with the engine hanging off the tail is a dated design, especially for the track. My point was that the top echelon amplifiers are all great and all different, so pick what you like and enjoy it

 

[Kingsrule]

Very curious car correlations. Especially given that,
Porsche: Inherently deficient design particularly due to to rear engine that necessitates a very short wheelbase. This is why Porsche never does well at high speed tracks. It is also the reason that the recent GTLM class allowed Porsche to make a mid-engine 911 RSR. Put another way, a very lovable, high quality design that is also dynamically deficient. (caveat: the best braking GT car there is)

Ferrari: Best chassis available, period. Great drivetrain. Admittedly their hybrid tech in the street cars is problematic and highly non-linear. Braking nearly that of Porsche. Electronic differential in street cars means backbox, slightly unpredictable handling, though. Short version: Despite the bling, they really are great.

Mclaren: Odd. Ball. Open differential. The suspension and differential on the road cars not even remotely similar to racecar counterpart.

LMAO....

 

[pk_LA]

Mike Patrick is a race car driver in his spare time and is serious about the sport. As a former racer in SCCA, Patrick, no doubt Porsche with the engine hanging off the tail is a dated design, especially for the track. My point was that the top echelon amplifiers are all great and all different, so pick what you like and enjoy it

I am tweaking you a little, Gary! I know you are a Porsche guy - I also love Porsches. But! I don't think the analog holds here. Well, maybe. But, if I were to place the Boulder it would be akin to American muscle. Whereas the Soulution is maybe

Mike, Patrick is a race car driver (among other things) and is serious about the sport. As a former racer in SCCA myself, Patrick, no doubt Porsche with the engine hanging off the tail is a dated design, especially for the track. My point was that the top echelon amplifiers are all great and all different, so pick what you like an

LMAO....

I am just excited that a topic arose where I am not the noob in the room!

 

[pk_LA]

I am tweaking you a little, Gary! I know you are a Porsche guy - I also love Porsches. But! I don't think the analog holds here. Well, maybe. But, if I were to place the Boulder it would be akin to American muscle. Whereas the Soulution is maybe



I am just excited that a topic arose where I am not the noob in the room!

Back to the topic at hand!

I am realizing more and more how critical the room is! Given a choice between a mediocre room (like I had in Santa Monica and even worse in Malibu) with great (cost-no-object) gear vs. a great room and mid-flight gear I'd take the room all day and not look back!

 

[Ron Resnick]

I'm not arguing or defending; I'm just reporting on a very thoughtful, sober, methodological-type friend.

 

[Kbh57]

I just got back to Kentucky from the Southwest Audiofest-great show by the way-and had to say a word about the Audioarts room, pairing Zellaton Plural Evos with 700 series Soulution gear-amazingly good sound. Not sure whether most of the credit goes to great speakers or world class amplification, but this room was a real standout. I kept looking for subs-no subs. I kept looking for room treatments-no room treatments. I think describing listening to music as an emotional experience is a bit overdone, but not in this case. It was moving. The system was equally adept at reproducing the most delicate music or big, bold slamming songs. A real highlight of the show. I'd never heard Zellatons-now I can't unhear them.

 

[Steve williams]

I just got back to Kentucky from the Southwest Audiofest-great show by the way-and had to say a word about the Audioarts room, pairing Zellaton Plural Evos with 700 series Soulution gear-amazingly good sound. Not sure whether most of the credit goes to great speakers or world class amplification, but this room was a real standout. I kept looking for subs-no subs. I kept looking for room treatments-no room treatments. I think describing listening to music as an emotional experience is a bit overdone, but not in this case. It was moving. The system was equally adept at reproducing the most delicate music or big, bold slamming songs. A real highlight of the show. I'd never heard Zellatons-now I can't unhear them.

Those speakers are now on their way to my house where they will be on loan until my Zellaton Reference Ultra will be making their way from Germany to put the icing on my audio journey. Gideon will be flying out to set up the PE and will return to set up my new Reference Ultra. I have no idea when that will happen as the order went in sometime in January. After 35 years of Wilson I am looking forward to the sun setting on my audiophile journey with the dawning of the Zellaton Reference Ultra

 

[pk_LA]

Those speakers are now on their way to my house where they will be on loan until my Zellaton Reference Ultra will be making their way from Germany to put the icing on my audio journey. Gideon will be flying out to set up the PE and will return to set up my new Reference Ultra. I have no idea when that will happen as the order went in sometime in January. After 35 years of Wilson I am looking forward to the sun setting on my audiophile journey with the dawning of the Zellaton Reference Ultra

I look forward to reading how they sound!

You and Gideon should come up to Malibu and visit!