Need Suggestions


Since Axpona 2016, I have replaced / updated almost my entire system, except Speakers. In the last 3 to 4 weeks I have auditioned. Rockport Atria I, Focal Sopra 2 & 3s, Paradigm ( I forget which models ), Wison Sabrinas, Yvettes, and Sashas 2s.  All were good in one way or another. None totally blew me away. Not one made me want to give up my Avalon Opus speakers that are going to be 14 years old this Thanksgiving.

Speakers last a longtime and IMO are the hardest to replace. 

I have never been able to get on the panel bandwagon. Took 4 years to switch from Thiels to Avalons. Due to health issues, I don't know if I have even that much time left.

I am a Vinyl guy. 3000 + records, 83 CDs (4 are test or burn-in disks)

My Gear is:

Pass Lab XA160.8s and XP 20 pre, previously Spectral Owner for 20 years.
Phonostages, Manley Steelhead and Pass XOno
Turntables, Technics SL1200G w/ Triplanar arm, Lyra Kleos cartridge
                 , Kuzma Stabi w/ upgraded platter and outboard power supply, 12" VTA arm, Dynavector XX II mk2

I did listen to some fine CDPs, Streaming (I guess Dacs) The digital just made me happy that I never jumped on that train and continued with vinyl all these years.

Appreciate suggestions for speakers to search out. 20 to 25 K is my target range. I would stretch to 30K if they Really, REALLY, blew me away. I missed Axpona due to health and weather issues this year. You really can't audition speakers at the shows anyway. 

This will be my final system.

Thanks for suggestions and best to All on this journey.
nkonor

Showing 1 response by rauliruegas

Dear @nkonor : I love Avalon speakers and I don't recomend to change for a diferent speakers but to same Avalon kind of design like the Eidolon Dimond tht makes a better job and goes deeper in the bass range but I don't know which its price.

I think that before to think in a spekares change ( Avalon or not for Avalon. ) you can better quality performance with a better phono stage as is the XP25 instead of boths of what you own today.

The other area where you can improve the quality sound is to go for the Etna ( I own the Kleos and I really like it but the Etna is even better. ) and for the XV-1s or the vDh Colibri or My Sonic Labs:

I think that inside your budget you can get all those 3 items I mentioned, this is an example if you go second hand:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9dhe2-lyra-etna-cartridges

The 25 review:

http://www.tonepublications.com/analogaholic/pass-labs-xp-25/


Then after up-grade phono stage and cartridges then ( if I was you ) I think in the speakers, well that's me.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.