Hi Bojack,
Yes, I will agree.... I am a bit on the "bonkers" side. But not near as bad as the folks at Ref.3a that made the decision to turn the (once good looking) speaker line into the color of old battleships. They are good, if not great, speakers, but some people still prefer the to look at good cabinet work. What if Spendor and Harbeth were to suddenly decide to change their cabinet work to "only" slate grey ? I will be the first to agree that the Nextel finish is arguably superior (with regards to defraction)... but at least give the consumer the option. The thrust of my ranting, bad spelling (and perhaps a bit of Russian folklore) is that if Ref. 3a doesn't address it's cosmetics, they may find themselves in the soup line along with the likes of Apogee.
Cheers!
Tubeears |
Jafant,
I am a big fan of Focal. I just got rid of a pair of 706v (al/mag tweeter) and hated to see them go. Downright excellent pacing and very musical. Very, very important to me is that they played well at low volumes. I am in hopes that the DeCapos can do as well in that area.
Cheers,
Tony |
Rebbi,
You have a very nice set up. Since I am seriously considering a pair of DeCapo's, I am very curious as to your findings on the new tweeter. My experience with BE tweets have not been good, but I am open to change. I am (once again) going back to tubes. I am a big fan of the EL34 and the DeCapos should work very well with them. I would also like to try one of the DecWare amps as well. I feel that a good SET amp is probably the way to go with the DeCapos and shove tubes in at every possible point in the front end. I lost contact with reality a while back and went totally to Solid State. Do to medical problems I was forced to sell all but my cabling and a few other things. I'm back on step now but have to be a bit cautious with over spending. I was real interested in the Focal 1007s (with the al/mag tweets) from Music Direct, but I have always liked the DeCapos.. especially in the gloss finish. I have a shot at a pair and I think that it is a done deal. I am using a Jolida 202 (EL34 based) amp in the interim until I decide on the DecWare amp. Front end is also Jolida ... A 100a CD player and also their new tube dac. I've got them all stuffed with Gold Lions and new Mullards so it all sounds.... Well.. "Tube like". My speakers now are some relics that I hung onto after the sale of all of my other stuff. They are Cary SP3's. Designed by Peter Norbeck (of PBN Montana) they are identical to PBN's first speaker .. the SP. They sound ok, but look like crap.
Again, I am interested to know more about the BE tweets.
Cheers,
Tubeears |
OK, that's it. I just pulled the trigger on gorgeous pair of Ref. 3a DeCapo,s in Gloss Red Maple. They are the "I" version built in 2010 and they even have the super nice Skylan (4 post) stands cut especially for the DeCapo's. I guess that I want to see if I will have hatred running through my veins as quickly as Roxy54 did. I will pick them up (they are even within driving distance) this coming Friday or Saturday. There is still time to put out an "Equiptment Wanted" ad for a pair of Panasonic Thrusters in case the hatred overcomes me.
I hope they work out.
Cheers!
Tubeears |
Rebbi:
Do I drive the "blue tacks" in from the side edges of the speakers or take the woofers out and hammer them though the bottoms into the top of the stands ? This stuff is soooo confusing !
Cheers... !
Tubeears |
If it works that well, I think that I will try coupling my butt to the recliner with the stuff......
On a more serious side..... I have now a cute little Jolita 202 all decked out with the new Genelex Gold Lion kt77's (outputs) and the new Mullard 12ax7's with Gold Lion 12at7's.
I am thinking seriously of pursuing new DecWare (integrated) with about 6 watts or so of power. Has anyone heard the DeCapo-I with a low power SET amp ? The Jolida sounds VERY good with the upgraded tube compliment and I'm sure the 40 watts will be just fine with the DeCapos. However, I would like to get the best out these speakers.... Any ideas ?
Cheers !
Tony |
I have now owned the DeCapo-i's for about a month. Every day that goes by, I am more amazed by just how good that they really are. Even with my little Jolida 202, they are simply stunning. I have talked a few times with the people at Ref. 3a about the speaker. I have decided to go ahead and purchase the Berylium tweeter and see just how good a difference they make. It is an easy task to replace them and the cost is not too great. They have a "trade in" policy, but for the money it would be wise to just hang on to the old ones. Ref. 3a is a good company to do business with and they truly love their products. They are willing to help with any questions, advice or problems. I have owned so many speakers that I quite simply can't remember them all.. not even close, but the DeCapo is a solid "keeper".
I decided to go another route and use an SS amp (integrated) with them. I pulled the trigger on a Audio Analogue Maestro Settanta Rev.2 . I almost loose my false teeth every time I say it. It is supposed to be a H--L of an integrated amp. I hope that it is just the ticket for the DeCapo's. We will see about that, I guess. A little late now, but does anyone know much about the AA Maestro amps ?
I still need to try the Blue Tac. I would also like to try the Atacama Gel Pads that Agisthos recommended, but where can you buy them in the US ?
Time to melt back into the recliner and listen to the DeCapos. No BS... These things REALLY ARE that good !
Cheers,
Tony |
Rebbi / Tubegroover
I am so anxious to get the new amp that I can hardly eat. I am beginning to believe that the DeCapos are the best speakers that I have ever had... big or small. As I crawl through the A'gon listings every day, looking at all the luscious offerings, I really don't see anything that I would rather have more. Of course, I would be stupid to turn down a trade for a pair of 100k monster speaks but in terms of reality... the DeCapos are in a little world of their own. After the Audio Analogue amp gets here ( about July 5th ) I will order the Beryllium tweets. It will be interesting to see the comparison between your fine tube amps and my incredible SS piece. Something tells me that this thread might not die so quickly. I would sure like to pull some other Philes into giving the Ref. 3a's a try.
Cheers,
Tony |
Shakey,
This is indeed a brutal hobby. Perhaps a bloodsport..... How I have lasted over 50 years of crawling around empty boxes and peanuts, I will never know. It seems as though there is always another speaker lurking in a back alley whispering my name, asking me to be it's friend and wanting to look at my wallet. So many times I have snuck into that back ally.. only to hear the sound of hissing snakes, bloated bass and low impedance. I stand here now (tattered and scared) with my new friends, the DeCapo's, wondering "what is next" ?
Got to run, I hear that K-Mart has a new monitor.
Tony
BTW: Your GV's look great ! Which alley did you stumble into ? ;-) |
Something told me that this was going to get a bit deep. It seem as though many manufactures have there own ways of communication. Not all are bad and some are respectively good. A few years ago, my old system was a pathetic attempt at forcing that communication into my listing area. It was all great gear with great reviews and looked to be synergistic. There is still a picture of it all under my list for "system"(Genesis APM's, Edge amps and some other trendy garb). Do you know those people that stand right up into your face to communicate with you (?)... Well... "That" is what my last system was like. I had to sell it all due to major medical problems for both my wife and I. We are better now and I am on the road to redoing the whole stereo. I too, am tired of the "flash in the pan" system. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to listen to different pieces of equipment, so it all depends on me using what is left of my rather small brain to come up with the communication that I should have had dozens of systems ago. Many years ago, I had a good marriage with a pair of Gale GS 401a's. They were power hungry, but as close to Quads as I have had in a dynamic system. The Apogees treated me well, but they need too much room. The same goes for about all planers. That's why .. this time, I decided on small monitors that hopefully were not a "one trick pony". I took a big chance and bought the DeCapos, mostly based on the judgment of what I have read here on A'gon and my own feelings about the design. I was lucky. It is indeed a pleasure to have a speaker to relax with and feel like each note is being carried to you by the musician. Yes, I feel that there is finally a communication between the performers and myself. Interestingly they also seem to be telling me that my little Jolida is a good amp, but just not quite enough. Hopefully the Audio Analogue amp will make the DeCapo's happy... And us too.
I'm hungry ... Bye
Tony |
