aka Chateau Lafite drinker contemplating Sutter Home?
Quad Listener Contemplating Horns
I have reemerged into this mad pursuit after a nine year hiatus, and just got my existing system back up and running (Crosby Quads, ARC SP-10, Classic 60, semi-tweaked Well-Tempered TT, Lyra Parnassus) after that many years (freshly gone over, retubed, TT readjusted, etc.)
The thing makes music, no doubt, but I'm still left with the complaint that I always had about this system, and earlier variants- the whole illusion seems to collapse on large scale pieces- not talking about volume here, but a combination of other things going on, including distortions that have to do with the overall spacing of the instruments- it is like the image is constricted even if the program content is not. (OK, enough of my psycho-babble).
Here's the question- I know that there is a long established school for horns, very low wattage tube amps. Need to know how liveable these systems are- not as a substitute, but in addition to, the more 'conventional' electrostatic system I'm running. I know I have some auditioning to do- I want to hear the Avantgarde speakers with the Lamms or Audio Notes, perhaps a Carey amp. I'll probably use the same front end, and at least for now, the SP-10 (which, by anybody's standards, may just be too noisy to tolerate over a system with a very low noise floor). I'm particularly interested in the insights from folks who use these types of systems as one among several-
The thing makes music, no doubt, but I'm still left with the complaint that I always had about this system, and earlier variants- the whole illusion seems to collapse on large scale pieces- not talking about volume here, but a combination of other things going on, including distortions that have to do with the overall spacing of the instruments- it is like the image is constricted even if the program content is not. (OK, enough of my psycho-babble).
Here's the question- I know that there is a long established school for horns, very low wattage tube amps. Need to know how liveable these systems are- not as a substitute, but in addition to, the more 'conventional' electrostatic system I'm running. I know I have some auditioning to do- I want to hear the Avantgarde speakers with the Lamms or Audio Notes, perhaps a Carey amp. I'll probably use the same front end, and at least for now, the SP-10 (which, by anybody's standards, may just be too noisy to tolerate over a system with a very low noise floor). I'm particularly interested in the insights from folks who use these types of systems as one among several-
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- 24 posts total
Whart You should talk with Fred Crowder, here is a link to his system here at Audiogon. He ran Crosby Quads for many years as his reference system and recently went horns (of a sort) with Acapella Campanile Highs ($78,000). Too rich for my budget but perhaps not for you? Crowder system Even if you don't go the same direction as Fred, you share common ground with the great Crosby Quad. |
Albert- I will reach out to Fred. Thanks for the tip. Your system doesn't look to shabby either. There is obviously a point of diminishing returns with all this stuff- I guess I lost interest 9 or so years ago, and that wasn't the first time I was 'out of it' for a while (and, having nothing to do with my drinking habits). I've been around this stuff long enough to know that there are few absolutes and that, despite the ideal of having a 'perfect' system that can do it all, that is an unlikely though admirable pursuit (isn't that what we say we are doing when we go through the tortures here- to make the system 'more better'?) The Crosbys are, to my ears, a compromise over the 57's I have sitting in the basement, at least in 'purist' terms- the mids in those are still more uncanny than the Crosby. But, the Crosby plays louder, deeper and is less beamy/headvisewise, so I run them, and not the 57's (which are in desperate need of a total rehab, anyway). So, the idea would be to set up another system, not to foresake the Chateau Lafite, but maybe to give me something else to guzzle when i'm in a less 'precious' mood. The Big Acapella is a little rich for my blood as well, so I was considering entry onto this path through the used equipment route- the Avantgarde Duo coupled with a small AudioNote (UK) or Lamm low powered tube amp would not be so outlandish at used prices for a 'second' system. Thank you both for your immediate responses. I'm just getting my bearings here, and it seems like the center of the universe for this strange passion of art and engineering. |
Whart, Fred is a friend of mine and a very bright guy. He absolutely loved his Crosby Quads but they drove him crazy with repairs. It's difficult to own Quads, Maggies or Sound-Labs and go to cones. Panel speakers definitely have some magic and Quad is one of the oldest in the book. Your welcome to contact me as well. Heck, your welcome to listen with me if you live near or traveling my way. You can click on the user name of any poster here at Audiogon and that will link to email. I have to admit I am not a fan of any Avantgarde products, personally I would prefer your quads, but then again that's why there are so many different speakers built and sold. |
- 24 posts total