2. speakers
  3. 1170781046

Eggleston Andra 2 owners


I have read old threads about the Andra 2's refering to upgrading from the original Andra's but now are a few years old.

I am looking to hear from owners of Andra 2's and their associated gear set-ups. I replaced my Wilson WP 7's recently with these.

This is a second set-up for me and in a large area but must be "wife friendly"

I have other gear that I did hook up (McIntosh 501's and Arc Ref 3 pre and really liked the sound) but this set-up was not "wife friendly."

Right now I have hooked up Bel Canto Ref1000 mono blocks and Dac3, I just ordered the Pre3 because the Dac3 just isn't doing it for me acting as the pre. I want to see if there are any improvements to the point that I keep it.

I only have two sources, one cd player for serious listening and also a McIntosh 300 music server, both are hooked up via using digital connection (using Stealth Sextet cable AES cd player and RCA for 300 Music Server.)

I am also ordering a Bent Audio Tap Line Stage pre-amp. A friend who uses the Placette pre recommended it, suppose to be really good. The Moscode 401HR was also recommended to try, I have read some very interesting reviews. What is very interesting is that the 401HR being favoured over the Dodd 120's and also Bat SE 600 power amps. Both off these amps are highly respected, I have not heard either in my system. I want to listen to the Pre3 and Bent Tap set up for a while and then I'll get a Moscode to see what difference is, should be very interesting.


I really enjoy the Eggleston's and my goal is to mate them up with the proper gear to get the best out of them.
dev

Showing 5 responses by dev

dev OP
832 posts
 
French fries, I also have Transparent Ref MM speaker cables, no interconnects. I am also using Virtual Dynamic Revelation Sig. have you ever tried their product? even more expensive than Transparent

How do have you speakers hooked-up? Are the cables you have bi-wired, (two separate runs, most don't do this because of the cost but it is the best way) or a jumpers?
dev OP
832 posts
 

Cytocycle: I actually had the 501 Jeff Rowland's also along with the Bel Canto product. There was so much hype gong on about "D" amps including glowing reviews especially regarding the Bel Canto 1000's that I had to get some to try for my self. I always had the Mac's along with other gear such as Audio Research Ref 300's, VTL 7.5 pre, Avalon Diamond speakers but in second system. I was trying to really simplify the Eggleston set-up and appearance wise the "D" amps were a great fit.

Regarding the Bel Canto and my current set-up of Audio Research Ref 3 and Mac 501's you just can't compare. I started going into detail but deleted it, the "D" gear is not for me or I would have kept everything. Even during the process of actually selling the product potential buyers were asking my thoughts and what I was replacing them with and I told them how I felt. They were better than a Krell 300i integrated amp that I had but that was about it.

I am very happy with my current set-up but I do want to try some other amps down the road, Dodd (New one's), Lamm, Cat, new Moscode amps coming out are on my list. I sold my ARC Ref 2 MK2 pre and I have to say I preferred the midrange over my current ARC Ref 3. I have a Supratek pre. that I am wanting to compare against the Ref 3 but had some problems from the get go and awaiting for a new replacement.
dev OP
832 posts
 

Cytocycle, have you ever tried the Bel Canto Ref1000 mono blocks?

I have to agree with what you say "I've found most of the Ice or Class D amps to be light in the bass" but this isn't the issue with the Ref1000's which I have to say really shocked me.

I actually tried Jeff Rowland 501's in which I was very disapointed, gorgeous looks but did not perform well on the Egglestons, NuForse SE 9's were alright but I prefered the Ref1000's.
I'm not yet sold on them but just trying them but so far working out well.

500w in 8ohms and 1000w in 4ohms, if you have Egglestons you should try them you will be amazed.

The Theta is something that I could also try, thanks.

When you referred to speaker cable hook-up and said "Otherwise just try connecting your speaker cables to other set of binding posts to see if you notice a difference." did you mean instead of the two bottom binding post connect to the top ones? if so I have tried this.

I had the Transparent cables prior to buying the Eggleston's and have not used them because of the by wire connection of the Egglestons. I am running two separate runs of speaker cables.

I have to ask, I bought my Andra's new and when I received them there were no speaker binding post jumpers included. When I inquired about this I was told they don't send any because people use their own, is this true?

Also I have to say that they need to improve showing the "+" and "-" on the speaker post. All they have to do is have a red ring one of the actual binding post connections, black on black very annoying.
dev OP
832 posts
 

To answer the question about WP7's, they are excellent speakers.
In French_fries thread it is actually summed up when he said

"the andra's are more musically convincing overall, but the wilsons are razor-sharp when it comes to resolution of fine details, and they image amazingly well."

I don't know French_fries but this is actually how I felt about the WP7's and Andra 2's.

Cytocyle the Ref1000 are really good amps, you can't compare to the smaller ones. Rowland heard no thanks, love the looks.

I just orderd to day a Bent Tap Linestage Pre in which I want to try in this system, a friend highly recommended it. He uses a Placette Active.

I was referred to try a Moscode 401HR, suppose to be amazing. Compared it up against Dodd 120 and Bat SE600, check out the reviews, very interesting,
dev OP
832 posts
 

711smilin, the Dodd 120's are on my list to listen to with my Andra's.

Did you read the post referring to the Moscode 401HR bettering the Dodd 120's.

Has anyone heard this Moscode or is it just all talk, I say this because the review refers to not just bettering the Dodd but also the very well respected Bat SE 600.
More to discover