Devore Fidelity Silverback Reference.


I'm now in the final iteration for my system - and thank the pundits in this forum to help me out - i run a 30wpc Class A SS amp which doubles as a 140 Watt per channel class a/b amp - i found this amp after a long and tiring search going through the likes of Naim,Pass Labs,Ayre,Rogue Audio etc.

I am not in the vicinity to try out the devores, and it has to be pretty much a blind buy.

I am very worried, as online reviews can be very misleading - some say, these speakers are tremendously revealing (i listen to a lot of not so cleverly mastered music) plus a lot of modern stuff, and my source is almost always a Mac mini played through Antelope Zodiac DAC, with occasional vinyl here and there, other say that it's 'an open window' to music - since i have no way of going back? can you guys advice or share with me your opinion if you are a silverback owner? my amp has a single tube manifest with geranium and bipolar transistor (more of a solid state amp).

My Current speakers were a pair of Monitor Audio Platinum (which i got rid of last week) i found them bright, a bit unrefined and a bit musically showy, with a lot of listening fatigue, on of the worst speaker i have owned, i also owned Harbeth SLH5 (which was ok, but not great)

I loved my amp with Kharma DB9 (which it drove fantastically well) unfortunately i can't afford this or the DB7 though now i hear Magico's will be releasing their S3, which is more in by budget, but prefer to have the Silverbacks and pocket the extra cash.

The thing is i do not know what kind of technology devore employs, compared to more larger, technologically superior manufacturers, though
the design might stand the test of time, i do not want the trouble of reselling the devotes, and going through the hassle of buying something else.

Please Help! I play everything form Dizzy Gillespie to Michael Jackson to Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
thegoodarcher

Showing 9 responses by charles1dad

I believe the Silver back speakers will enhance your system and serve you
well. Just curious, have you ever considered the Acoustic Zen Crescendo ?
It's another highly regarded speaker of similar size, price and load
efficiency of drive.
Charles,
Thegoodarcher,
I don't know what tube amplifiers you've been using but something's amiss if you had hissing, pops and clicks. I've used/ owned numerous tube amps and that was never an issue under any circumstances.
My current SET amp is one of the quietest amplifiers I've ever experienced, tube or transistor. Bst of luck with your amplifier search.
Charles,
Truemaineac,
Amplifier power ratings can be misleading. Oldgrey's 8 watt Shindo Cortese llikely has better transformers and stiffer power supply than the 15 watt Shindo Apetite and thus more grunt and drive for speaker loads.
For example my 8 watt SET out drives a 30 watt el34 push pull amp on the same speakers I own. The 8 watt SET is heavier with bigger transformers.
Charles,
I've heard/ read fine comments about both the Silverback and Orangutan models and a direct comparison would be much fun. Choice could be determined by the particular amplifier match.
Charles,
Thegoodarcher,
Hi, I have no interest or motivation in persuading you toward using a tube amplifier. You've decided that SS amplification works best for you and that's a major step to reaching your goal. My comment was only regarding your experience with undesirable noise in your tube amplifiers(hiss, pops and crackles). This is a problem I've never had with tube amplifiers, so we've had very different outcomes. Good luck with your speaker search.
Charles,
Chayro,
Thanks for your flattering comments and I always appreciate your insightful contributions on this site. I attempt to be helpful if I may possibly have something to offer someone else. Many on audiogon have been kind and helpful to me.
Charles,
Truemaineiac,
I bet your Devore -Shindo based system sounds marvelous and very involving( as well as quiet).
Charles,
Hi Jet,
Well the Silverbacks made a favorable impression on you, they must be quite special. Jules Coleman(former reviewer for 6 Moons) loved this speaker with his Shindo W.E. 300b SET a few years ago.
Charles,
Jet,
Are you considering these Devores for your system ? Have you also heard their Orangutan models as well?
Charles,