Down side of speaker swop from AZ to Tonian Labs ?

I, too, have not heard Acoustic Zen, but the biggest mistake I ever made was to sell my Tonian Labs TL-D1 speakers. Yes, Tony is genius and if cello, violins, and acoustic guitars float your boat, then having the Tonian Labs as your vessel would be a wise choice. 

The tone they are capable of are nothing short of breath taking and when properly partnered with the right gear, they can at times be transcendent. 

Please excuse my gushing, for I do miss those speakers.

All the best,
Nonoise

I have heard both speakers and talked with both designers. You are ready for a change Wig which I think you will enjoy!
I am looking forward to hearing the Audiokinesis room at Rocky Mountain Audiofest , Denver Colorado this Friday. Duke's Room is on the Third floor and his products do sound good.

David Pritchard

Guys,

Thanks for your advice and suggestions, much appreciated!

@ steakster

I have had VAC, Vitus, LM and Herron M1 Mono Amp and all were fantastic but Don Sach’s KT88 Amp is even more refined and sounds very lively and like actual instruments and produces bass much better than the 400+ Watts Vitus I had, which I could not believe...

Wig

I agree with Duke and nonoise, Tonian Labs speakers are very special. Each time I would listen to them the sound would amaze me, especially since Tony never used big name gear in his rooms at the audio shows.

Now I had the TL-D1s at the same time I owned Duke's Jazz Modules. I sold the TL-D1s and have not regretted that decision, because Duke is also right up there with the best speaker designers. Had I not had Duke's speakers I could have lived happily with the TL-D1s, or most likely upgraded to another Tonian Labs model.

Did you guys hear the model with the 12" or 9" drivers? Could possibly save money going with the 9" but curious on the frequency response between the two and a 9" version on this site recently closed with a buyer.

Thanks,
Wig

The TL-D1 comes with (if I remember correctly) an 8" driver and the super tweeter. The one with the 12" driver is something to behold.

All the best,
Nonoise

Ah, my friend, you have an itch to scratch! That's a pretty radical adjustment if you follow through with it. When you want a change, you don't mess around. Fundamentally different experience between those two speakers, and imo not an absolute upgrade/positive move in all parameters. 

I am listening now to a speaker that is closer to the Tonian line and there are wonderful aspects to it, but also aspects that are forfeited in comparison to a speaker like the AZ. 

My recommendation? Own both!  :) 

Yes the 12" driver model I heard (12S?) was incredible. The source was an Acurus CD player and the amp was a non-descript integrated, and demoed in a hotel room with little in the way of room treatments. Tony played some drum tracks which certainly left me with the impression the musicians were in the room (my Jazz Modules did the same, and my ESLs I use now are a small step above). Vocals were also very realistic. Unfortunately I did not hear them on more complex tracks.

Tony used to demo the Tonians with an Audiolab 8000 and he still swears by them. Only one output device per channel made for great speed.

All the best,
Nonoise

That was the amp I heard the speakers with. Thanks for jarring my memory.

Wig,
How much you want to spend? I think Horning Aristoteles would be excellent for what you listen to.

I have the Horning Eufrodite Ellipse which are the next speaker up and love them. They ended my speaker search after over 40 years of being in this hobby.

When I had AZ Crescendos, I preferred McIntosh MC601 SS monos over McIntosh MC275 tube monos but it was close. I loved the Crescendos but I did get the fever to switch things around. I have never heard the Tonian Lab speakers so I can't compare.

Wig,
As I’ve mentioned to you in past correspondence at one time I was very interested in the Tonian Lab Classic 12.1 model. It used the legendary wide band 12 inch paper Phy-HP driver developed by the late Bernard Salabert. It was considered to be a superbly natural sounding driver by all accounts. It was a 2 way speaker with a ribbon tweeter, 97 db and 16 ohm impedance load.. After Salabert’s death I believe that Tonian Lab went with a different brand of driver. I’m certain whatever driver they decide to use they’ll still sound excellent given the designer’s talent.
Charles

Wig,
By the way I also had much interest in the Horning speakers. Very different design from the Tonian Lab but are quite highly regarded. 97 db sensitivity and flat 4 ohm load.3 way with multiple isobaric woofers.
Charles

@ charlesdad

Those Horning looks awesome with very good specs and praise, definitely on my shortlist... Now the tough part in selling large speakers in the upcoming months possibly.

My upgrade bug may end after receiving my new reference DAC, CD Transport and a loom of Verastarr Statement and Illusion SC, IC and PC. 

These AZ Crescendo's are truly magicians and quite happy with their performance but we shall see :)

Wig

@nonoise 

I think I may be the guy you sold your TLD-1s to.  They were actually a modification of the TLD-1s (MkIII SE) special edition.  I bought them unheard in a storage lot.  I still have them.  I'm driving them with a Woo Audio SET.  With the right music (string instruments, drums) they are magical.  With some music they can get a little "shouty" (some vocals and some recordings).  I think the thinner maples sides help them to resonate like a guitar.  Not selling them back!!

Richard

@rvnye,

If you bought them from a storage lot, then they weren't mine but everything you say about them is true. I still miss mine.

All the best,
Nonoise