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Difficult Choice

HI,
choosing a HI-FI from scrathc is a difficult exercise.
I'm asking for help.

I might get Lamm2.1 amps or Tenor 75i
i tried the hybrid amp from tenor and was very disappointed
I found it not as full and "real" than the 75i (kind of normal) but it was on the top "messy", lacking precision.
I was using a EMM Labs transport + Dac directly plugged in the amp + Kharma Grand Midi Ceramique
Very disappointing
I have to say that those EMM Labs did not impress me that much and I wonder if it is not better to use a preamp with them.

Kharma exquisite Midi seem to be a good choice even if it lacks some guts with the Tenor
A sub could be a solution but i did not try
I'm wondering if those VR9 Von S. are that much better than the Kharma
I'm interested to know as well what people think of
Sonus Faber Stradivari (do they work with SET)
Dynaudio Temptation (do they work with SET)
Pipedeams model 18
Audio Physics Caldera ?

More over, what preamp to use ?
There is a Audio Note on the offer but does it go well with
Lamm ?
What about the new ARC reference3 ?

Concerning the source, is the DCS suite that good ? I was not that impressed by the EMM Labs.

Thank you
dck

Showing 3 responses by gregm

gregm
3,395 posts
 
Similarly, & if you are still reading this thread:
*do check out Supravox (driver manufacturers) and arrange to listen to some of their speaker designs.
* Tidal (you mentioned above) are German and use hard ceramic drivers from Thiel & partner -- as do Martens, Avalon, Kharma, and a few others. They make good but very expensive and bulky speakers.
* electronics: don't forget YBA, a french manufacturer of outstanding amplification. BTW an YBA (called "passion") connected to the Stradivari (mentioned above) makes beautiful music.
* Jadis is also exquisite (and expensive).
* very many excellent hobbyists in France would surely give you ideas AND perhaps help you audition stuff before you buy...

Have fun!
gregm
3,395 posts
 
No doubt, the big Tannoys are exquisite; the Acapella not sensitive enough (the big ones are, but very expensive as mentioned). I too prefer Acapella to Avant garde (which are very good, in & of themselves. They're BIG, BTW).
Other than the brands mentioned, you might also consider the big Cabasse (not cheap, but good).

However, in all these cases you're looking at euro 15-20k+, easily.

Why NOT, if you live close or at Paris: look up hautparleursystemes.com and audition an open baffle design they have. It is (was) very good; you can upgrade the basic design to include a top-of-the-line ribbon tweet/supertweet and active bass.
This would mean biamping -- but the low frequency amp doesn't have to be another Lamm... by any stretch of the imagination.

The sound is (should be) invariably better than a full-range passive speaker.

Given the high level of your (excellent) system, purchasing a speaker to match seems to me financially crippling:)!

Oh yes, preamp. IF you can, forgo the pre for now. Use a transformer violume cotrol for now, and focus on speakers (IMO, etc).
gregm
3,395 posts
 
Acapella Campanile, no doubt.
However, I've heard that the ion tweet needs to be replaced every 10 yrs or so -- this could be just rumour. Also note that these are big speakers. OTOH, despite their unusual styling, they seemed quite acceptable to certain women in the room I was auditioning (one commented on the "art deco-ish" styling)!
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