Very interesting thread.
Are there any modern designs that have this vintage “realistic” sound? More importantly, can mere mortals with a real world budget achieve such performance goals?
Seems like there is a pursuit of realism in the reproduction of sound in recent threads. I wouldn’t mind...
Wow.. what an awesome original post. Had to post a reply to this agreeing with almost all points.
Reminded me of our visit to Vienna, Austria. We attended a four seasons Vivaldi concert at the St. Stephan’s (sp?) cathedral in Central Vienna. We were seated in the first row just left of center...
I have used a Devialet D200 for a while now. The one word I would use to describe it in my system is Clarity. The noise floor is extremely low and music seems to emerge from a black background. Soundstage is wide and deep with appropriate layering. I am using a speaker with SAM profile which...
Please keep us posted on the issues with M33. I have ordered one and am getting worried with these reliability reports.
I agree with the remote comments. Absolutely useless except for turn on/off and volume up/down. I couldn’t firgure out how to switch sources in the short time I used it. Don’t...
I have a system built around a Devialet D200/Rega RP6/AudioPhysic Virgo 25 for the past 5 years. It’s turned out to be an enjoyable one. The Devialet has been reliable and readily configurable. Dead quiet backgrounds, excellent phonostage, and good sound all around. Maybe not the last word in...
Agree to some extent. IMO, you can have analytical speakers with all those characteristics.
It reminds me of the one audition I had of the Magico S3mk2 (?) while on a trip to LA. My first experience with Magico. We listened for about an hour and played our favorite music. It had transparency...
How do the newer active speakers with DSP built-in like kii3, Dutch and Dutch, Grimm etc fit into this discussion? If they can effectively use DSP to remove the room from the equation using things like cardioid dispersion, isn’t that a benefit for users who can’t do much to treat the listening...
Keith,
Any chance you are considering listening to the new Magico A5?
Agree with your assessment of the SF Il Cremonese. Our local dealer has one on his floor and I got to listen to it. I found it non fatiguing and more neutral compared to the older lush/thick SF sound. I found it to be a...
so true... customers who can afford the luxury element probably don’t care about resale value which makes the used market an “affordable” option for many including me.
I don’t think it’s whining. It’s just the reality on the ground.
”great sound can be had for less cost than ever before”
I can agree with this to some extent but its subjective as its different for everyone. A $5k component is affordable to some, chump change for others, and possibly a pipe...
IMO, affordability has an inverse relationship with the size of the customer base. I do not see how things can change for the better if the industry does not recognize that.
$5000/m cables, $125,000 speakers, $250,000 amplifiers... how many people can afford that? maybe The top 1% ? Out of that...
I have a related tangential question.
While I try to support local B&M stores paying retail for their support and home audition services, the product range available is pretty limited.
How does it work with online sales? Is the customer expected to pay full retail for a remote dealer to order...
This has always been a problematic issue. Most dealers do not encourage home auditions. I would personally like to do a home audition for NEW equipment before purchasing. It gives me an opportunity to listen to it in MY system with MY music in MY room. I think that increases the chances that I...
Appreciate the information in the reply.
How do the off-axis dispersion characteristics on the horizontal and vertical planes affect the sweet spot? My understanding is that even dispersion without peaks and dips on these 2 axis would result is a wide sweet spot. Is that correct?
I just read this whole thread. Incredible journey. I commend you for taking the time to listen to all these different speakers to achieve your stated goals. You also called everything like you heard it. It was refreshing.
This thread was also illuminating for me since I have some similar...