i thought it might be interesting for members to hear about something fun whilst many of us are cooped up with Covid-19 controlling our lives. Last week i had the pleasure of taking ownership of a pair of Goebel Diviin Noblesse Speakers together with a Robert Koda K15Ex preamp and two pairs of monoblock tube amps, both on loan. One pair is the Engstrom Eric monoblocks and the other is a pair of Kondo Audio Note Kaguras.
I had previously listened to the Goebel Divin Majestic but not the Noblesse so this was a gamble of sorts. They replaced a pair of Stenheim Reference Ultimes which are incredible speakers as well and were driven by a Orpheus Reference preamp and Ultimate Reference Monoblocks from Switzerland. Whilst I found that combo very good, I was longing for a bit more tube magic as I always do when i switch to solid state amps. I had the Kaguras for a couple of days before the Goebels arrived and they made the Stenheims sing much better than the Orpheus gear.
For those of you who have not had the chance to see the Goebel Divin speakers in person, please try and see them and hear them. I'm not a fan of black speakers in general, but the depth and colour of the black of these speakers has to be seen to be believed. I was told there is some connection with the piano black lacquer applied to Steinway Grand Pianos. I can believe it. The paint is almost 3 dimensional and extremely alluring.
I'll post some photos but the system is basically as follows:
1. Analog: Acoustic Signature Ascona Mk 2 with SME 3012R-G with Ortofon SPU Century and Ikeda 407 12" tonearm with Ikeda 9Gss cartrige ; Clearaudio Master Innovation with Glanz MH-124S tonearm with Ortofon SPU Century and Thales Simplicity II tonearm with Ortofon Anna cartridge. Avid Acutus with SME V and Benz LP-S.
2. EMT Phono amp with Airtight SUT
3. Digital: Taiko Audio SGM Extreme + Goebel USB + Lampizator Pacific Dac with RK KR PX-25 tubes and KR 5U4g Rectifier / Psvane Acme 274b Rectifier
4. Robert Koda K15Ex preamp
5. Engstrom Eric tube monoblocks / Kondo Kagura tube monoblocks
6. Goebel Divin Noblesse Speakers 95db 580Lbs with Goebel Speaker Cables.
I had previously listened to the Goebel Divin Majestic but not the Noblesse so this was a gamble of sorts. They replaced a pair of Stenheim Reference Ultimes which are incredible speakers as well and were driven by a Orpheus Reference preamp and Ultimate Reference Monoblocks from Switzerland. Whilst I found that combo very good, I was longing for a bit more tube magic as I always do when i switch to solid state amps. I had the Kaguras for a couple of days before the Goebels arrived and they made the Stenheims sing much better than the Orpheus gear.
For those of you who have not had the chance to see the Goebel Divin speakers in person, please try and see them and hear them. I'm not a fan of black speakers in general, but the depth and colour of the black of these speakers has to be seen to be believed. I was told there is some connection with the piano black lacquer applied to Steinway Grand Pianos. I can believe it. The paint is almost 3 dimensional and extremely alluring.
I'll post some photos but the system is basically as follows:
1. Analog: Acoustic Signature Ascona Mk 2 with SME 3012R-G with Ortofon SPU Century and Ikeda 407 12" tonearm with Ikeda 9Gss cartrige ; Clearaudio Master Innovation with Glanz MH-124S tonearm with Ortofon SPU Century and Thales Simplicity II tonearm with Ortofon Anna cartridge. Avid Acutus with SME V and Benz LP-S.
2. EMT Phono amp with Airtight SUT
3. Digital: Taiko Audio SGM Extreme + Goebel USB + Lampizator Pacific Dac with RK KR PX-25 tubes and KR 5U4g Rectifier / Psvane Acme 274b Rectifier
4. Robert Koda K15Ex preamp
5. Engstrom Eric tube monoblocks / Kondo Kagura tube monoblocks
6. Goebel Divin Noblesse Speakers 95db 580Lbs with Goebel Speaker Cables.
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