Von Schweikert Ultra 9's in the House!!!

Took a nice drive to beautiful Las Vegas today and got to play with Holli82's system. Lots of fun20191113_095834.jpg
 
I thought I had good sound until today.....A few minor tweaks by Leif and another giant leap forward for my system. This is going to be a late night for me. Good thing my wife is out of town.

Big thanks Leif!!!:p
 
Enjoy Rodney. That's what it's all about
 
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I thought I had good sound until today.....A few minor tweaks by Leif and another giant leap forward for my system. This is going to be a late night for me. Good thing my wife is out of town.

Big thanks Leif!!!:p
Sorry it took so long for me to get back out. But we definitely have some good hours on everything now. It didn't take much to lock it in. How was late night listening session?
 
Rodney

I will be in Las Vegas tomorrow through Sunday. Coming in to see Fleetwood Mac for their Farewell Tour
 
Sorry it took so long for me to get back out. But we definitely have some good hours on everything now. It didn't take much to lock it in. How was late night listening session?

I decided to continue it this morning. I think I'.m not feeling too well today. I'm working on my own Dr.'s note to stay home;)
 
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Rodney

I will be in Las Vegas tomorrow through Sunday. Coming in to see Fleetwood Mac for their Farewell Tour

Bummer!!!!!. I leave for DC this afternoon and will be gone this weekend. Would love to have you over Steve. We gotta make it happen soon.
 
Rodney

I will be in Las Vegas tomorrow through Sunday. Coming in to see Fleetwood Mac for their Farewell Tour
Wow Steve
That is probably going to be an awesome show.
 
Rodney,

I have been a fan of Center Stage footers since I was part of their beta test. BUT their insertion into my new system all at one time, with all new equipment and cabling has been a roller coaster of a ride that has taken 3 1/2 weeks to become listenale. Curious if you had the same scenario.
 
Rodney,

I have been a fan of Center Stage footers since I was part of their beta test. BUT their insertion into my new system all at one time, with all new equipment and cabling has been a roller coaster of a ride that has taken 3 1/2 weeks to become listenale. Curious if you had the same scenario.

Russ

Like you, I took the plunge with all new equipment and speakers simultaneously. Along with that, I placed the Center Stage footers under all of my equipment except my TT. Your experience mirrors mine with changing sound. At 4 weeks the roller coaster was over and by 6 weeks the sound was awesome. They are keepers in my system. Hang in there my friend.
 
I am a believer in the footers because their benefits are much greater than their detriments, but boy this was one of the worst break-ins I have had and led to several days without any listening,
 
Holli82 truly amazing system. Just curious did you consider any other speakers before deciding on the ultra 9s?
 
Holli82 truly amazing system. Just curious did you consider any other speakers before deciding on the ultra 9s?

Not really. I was actually happy with my VR-9's until I heard the Ultra's. I just think the synergy between VAC, Masterbuilt and VSA is hard to beat.

To your point, I have always liked the sound of Evolution Acoustic MM3, NOLA Concert Grand Reference Gold 2 and Tannoy Westminster Royal.
 
Not really. I was actually happy with my VR-9's until I heard the Ultra's. I just think the synergy between VAC, Masterbuilt and VSA is hard to beat.

To your point, I have always liked the sound of Evolution Acoustic MM3, NOLA Concert Grand Reference Gold 2 and Tannoy Westminster Royal.
I notice that your listening room dimensions are similar to mine. I have a constrained layer damped 16" thick walls with built-in activated carbon bass filtering, 12" 3000 PSI steel reinforced floor and less damped ceiling with side walls and ceiling heavily acoustic foam damped. The reason I'm asking is that I have the VR9SE Mk2 2016 model. I have found that the speakers were too close to each other (5'6" interior sides) than suggested on line so I moved them 7'6" apart, closer to the side walls. Also suggested was to tow them in 6 to 8 degrees. It appears to create a much more coherent soundstage. Also, since my speakers are 2 to 3 feet from the front wall, that the phase adjustment should be set closer to 90 degrees or greater, not zero, that zero is reserved for very close to front wall placement. I found that I get fuller, deeper bass with more open sound at 90 degrees. What experience did you have with center fill, especially on 50's and 60's recordings which tend to be left/right recordings with center reserved for vocalist or soloist?
 
Not really. I was actually happy with my VR-9's until I heard the Ultra's. I just think the synergy between VAC, Masterbuilt and VSA is hard to beat.

To your point, I have always liked the sound of Evolution Acoustic MM3, NOLA Concert Grand Reference Gold 2 and Tannoy Westminster Royal.
Interesting choices...How do you find the VS sound compares with the EA, Nola and Tannoy?
 
I notice that your listening room dimensions are similar to mine. I have a constrained layer damped 16" thick walls with built-in activated carbon bass filtering, 12" 3000 PSI steel reinforced floor and less damped ceiling with side walls and ceiling heavily acoustic foam damped. The reason I'm asking is that I have the VR9SE Mk2 2016 model. I have found that the speakers were too close to each other (5'6" interior sides) than suggested on line so I moved them 7'6" apart, closer to the side walls. Also suggested was to tow them in 6 to 8 degrees. It appears to create a much more coherent soundstage. Also, since my speakers are 2 to 3 feet from the front wall, that the phase adjustment should be set closer to 90 degrees or greater, not zero, that zero is reserved for very close to front wall placement. I found that I get fuller, deeper bass with more open sound at 90 degrees. What experience did you have with center fill, especially on 50's and 60's recordings which tend to be left/right recordings with center reserved for vocalist or soloist?
Hi Leo,

I am fortunate to live within driving distance of VSA so Albert, Leif, and now Damon have always set up my speakers. My VR9SE mk2 were set up similar to yours and I was very satisfied with my soundstage and bass. With my Ultra 9's there is minimal toe-in now. I must point out that most of my music listening is from 70's to present so I am not sure that my experience will be of much help with earlier music.
 
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Interesting choices...How do you find the VS sound compares with the EA, Nola and Tannoy?
My VSA Ultra 9's and EA have similar sound to me; being very neutral but musical and non-fatiguing. The drivers in the Nola's were very similar to my VR-9SE and I could live with either. Tannoy (made in Scotland) always intrigued me but for the type of music I listen to (rock, soul, jazz) VSA was a much better fit.
 
My VSA Ultra 9's and EA have similar sound to me; being very neutral but musical and non-fatiguing. The drivers in the Nola's were very similar to my VR-9SE and I could live with either. Tannoy (made in Scotland) always intrigued me but for the type of music I listen to (rock, soul, jazz) VSA was a much better fit.
Thank you. Super helpful.
 
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Hi Leo,

I am fortunate to live within driving distance of VSA so Albert, Leif, and now Damon have always set up my speakers. My VR9SE mk2 were set up similar to yours and I was very satisfied with my soundstage and bass. With my Ultra 9's there is minimal toe-in now. I must point out that most of my music listening is from 70's to present so I am not sure that my experience will be of much help with earlier music.
That confirms what Chatgpt instructed me to do and it certainly improved the soundstage and dispersion. While A.I. could not describe the size, weight, bass driver placement, dimensions on the VR9 or a photo of the active Ultra 7 (there aren't any on line) stating there are no bass controls (I corrected material facts), it is phenomenal at acquiring information on sonics, acoustics and electrical interactions. Eventually, I hope to upgrade to the Ultra 7 or 9 but I'm very happy with the former SOTA speaker I purchased 2 years ago. Damon set up my speaker as well as I am also sort of proximately located but I had a defective DAC when set up so the speakers ended up too close together and aimed straight ahead.
My VSA Ultra 9's and EA have similar sound to me; being very neutral but musical and non-fatiguing. The drivers in the Nola's were very similar to my VR-9SE and I could live with either. Tannoy (made in Scotland) always intrigued me but for the type of music I listen to (rock, soul, jazz) VSA was a much better fit.
I chose VSA due to it's phenomenal dispersion which I heard EA cannot compete with, being more directional. Guests have stood, sat, laid down and hear the same sound with only a different perspective compared to other speakers I've heard. I listen mostly to classical vocal and instrumental and jazz with some added rock from the 50's to the 80's. Also, a significant amount of both acoustical and electrical pre-tape recordings. VSA speakers do it all even if the tonality and tone density could be better on other speakers or omni speakers which can lack in other ways, the VSA balance and attributes are the entire package for me.
 

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