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Help! Best amp for Rockport Aviors?

I recently purchased a pair of Rockport Aviors to replace my Dynaudio C2s. My system comprises of a Berkeley Reference DAC, Spectral DMC-30SS preamp, and Spectral DMA-260 stereo amp. My intial impression was disappointing - "hot" treble and a lack of low end slam. I assumed that my amp didn't have enough current to drive the Aviors properly so I auditioned the Spectral DMA-400 RS monos with the Aviors and that combo still didn't resonate in the way I first heard the Aviors (kicking myself for not noting the system). My current theory is that the Spectral gear (as much as I love it) isn't a good match for the Rockports; therefore, I have a bit of a quandary - ditch my Spectral system or the Aviors.

I know that Andrew uses a Gryphon stack to voice his speakers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't kmow of a USA Gryphon dealer and wouldn't purchase a Gryphon component without hearing it in person first.

So cut to the chase: Avior owners out there - what do you drive them with that results in the "softer" treble and bass slam that I know these speakers are capable of. My current guess is to audition Pass Labs.
Ag insider logo xs@2xjason_john_howes

Showing 15 responses by jason_john_howes

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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Thanks Al!

A bit more information for you - just had a dedicated 20 amp line installed for the system and have used the requisite Spectral/MIT interconnects/speaker cables since day one. Would you suggest an AC power conditioner (e.g. Shunyata, etc.)? Or am I misunderstanding your suggestion?
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Al - I should also mention that this same "hot" and "lean" characteristic is also present in analog sources feed directly to my preamp.
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Thanks soix!

Your thinking aligns with my theory - I really appreciate your advice and I will reach out to Andy today.

Stay tuned.

J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Any advice why? I was thinking of the 350.8 and XA200.B. Have you heard them with the Rockports?
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
One other data point - putting my C2s back into the system results in the "shouty" characteristic of voices that I was trying to improve upon (which the Aviors do) but they are less fatiguing to listed to and they appear to have another octave down on the Aviors, which makes NO sense to me.
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Hi babybear,

Thanks for the advice. In your experience, what is the best placement for a ported speaker to get the good bass response? My C2s are also ported (but their port is a good foot higher than the Aviors) and I've never had a problem getting strong bass out of them. What am I doing wrong?

J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Sure thing! Sorry to be a nube, but what is the best way to post system photos on this forum?

Thanks all for the supportivs responses!

J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Thanks!!

Any general advice on placement? I currently have them place in a equalateral triangle (my listening position being one point of the triangle) with a bit of toe out to mitigate the "hot" tweater. Am I approaching this incorrectly?

Also, I forgot to mention.that I haven't installed the feet, as I was playing with placement. Do they make a difference in your experience?

J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
And yes, I purchased them used from an authorized dealer so I assume they've been broken in by now (and I have at least a 100 hours on them myself).

j
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Thanks for the detailed response cycles2!

My dealer is also an authorized Devialet dealer and I actually went through that same "simplification" exercise and ended up passing on the Devialets as my Spectral system sounded so much better with my C2s. Given your advice, I'm going to audition them again with the Aviors. What speaker cables do you use with your Altairs? I auditioned them with my Spectral/MIT cables and I want to eliminate them from the mix, as perhaps they don't work well with the Deviatets...

Thanks again!
J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Also, I forgot to mention that my listening room is 12' (wide) by 18' (deep).

Hope this helps Rockport owners out there. I'll report about my amp impression soon...

J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Hi paul79 and babybear,

Thanks for the suggestions to move the Aviors closer into the room - that made a HUGE difference on bass response! Now I'm getting more of the slam that these speakers are known for. No need to improve on that front! Also to several posters that suggested my toe out was unusual, I've toed them in and getting amazing imagining, but still feel the top end is "hot" especially with rock music. I'm going to continue to play with placement and later on today I'm going to audition the following amps back-to-back-to-back:

-Spectral DMA 400RS Monos
-Simaudio Moon Evolution
-Devialet (800s, hopefully)

Thanks for all your help guys! Each post has been so helpful!

J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Also holy **** these speakers have amazing bass response! I guess I was starving them of breathing room...

J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
By the way, the best placement I've found for the Aviors is:

- 12" from the back wall
- 8 feet between the speakers (measured from the inside of each enclosure ([]-----8 feet-----[] )
-17 degree angle in towards the listening position
- >= 10' listening position from the front of the speakers

Obviously, your room may disagree, but I hope this helps as a starting point from which you can experiment.

J
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jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Thanks for all the insight guys/gals,

After a lot of auditioning, I've settled on the Spectral 400 RS monos and I'm thrilled. The Aviors need a lot of power which the 400s deliver compared to the 260. Soundstage and mid bass are amazing with the Aviors.

As a side note, the new Nagra Classic Amps are amazing! It was a close toss up between the two and it was a razor thin decision. I love the Spectral "sound" but the Nagras have a more sexy sound in liue of the Spectral authority in mid-bass and treble.

J

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