Pondering a change after 30 odd years...


After 30 years I think it's time to move on. I have a set of Acoustat 1+1s that I've owned since new, paired with an RHLabs passive sub. It's been a great combination and still sounds pretty nice but it's all long in the tooth. Sooner or later a panel will quit then I'm dead in the water. I love the soundstage with it's "fullsized" presentation even if it's a PITA to get them dialed in just so. Maybe I'm just getting restless! I've heard many "box" speakers but damn no matter the price point it seems I can hear the "box". Granted I haven't listened to some of the big $$ stuff like Wilson but that's way outside my budget anyways. LOL! I'm wondering how some of the smaller "monitors" on stands sound? One thing I'm thinking I'd miss is the vertical part of my large soundstage. I've read about the Golden Ear line which get decent reviews. Or should I just stick with a panel of some sort, like Maggies? I've about 110 watts/side of tube power to work with. As for budget, I'm thinking somewhere in the $5-7.5K range. I'm listening to a lot of jazz these days with a dash of classical. But I'd hate to think my old rock vinyl wouldn't be welcome anymore. I know this is all pretty vague but hoping to get a nice discussion with things to think about versus "buy this" sorts of recommendations. AdThanksVance!
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Showing 1 response by midareff1

A long time ago in a far distant galaxy I replaced 4 Fisher XP7 speakers and a mid level Marantz integrated (PM500 I think, I was long ago) with a pair of Acoustat 1100's and a Sumo Andromeda 2 amp..  Our first job after room placement was to re-pack the woofer boxes to tighten up the base.  Then a bit of attention to room acoustics, cables and the like.  They were great and could play loud enough to make your rock and roll ears bleed.  Along the way I about 15 years ago I found another Sumo 2 digits away in serial number, built same day, same parts bins and now bi-amp, one amp a side, one channel to the woofer and the other to the panel.  MOSFET amps and Sumos have a synergistic love affair going on when cabled right.
I audition components from time to tie...  tube amps, different pre-amps, CD players, from my Audio Research LS 2B MKII (remote) and Sony XA 5400 ES, the pre is same time period of the same time period as the Acoustats, now undressed, the CD newer but still quite old in the digital world.  The problem is everything I listen to in a system under about $175K or more sounds like garbage.  You may be able to pry those Acoustats out of my hands but not while I'm still living.  As far as I know there is a guy in Fort Lauderdale who still repairs and does mods to them.  Mine are not going anywhere while still working.