Geronimo, thanks, that's an interesting suggestion. I had always assumed that a product like that would be much more costly. My H/K CD changer does have a coax digital out, so adding an outboard DAC is a possibility. I'm kinda tempted, though, by a Rega Planet 2000, as it's only about $100 more than the CAL Alpha, it seems to have a much nicer transport and all-around build quality than my H/K, and the price is only going to get lower now that Rega's new Apollo is replacing it. Still, a tube DAC is an interesting proposition. Thanks for the heads-up.
As for the Aeriuses, now that I've had 'em for a few days, my feeling about them hasn't changed since my last post - they're great, even with my modest electronics. They still don't give me goosebumps on intimate vocals the way the TC-60s do, but they bring much bigger more open imaging to atmospheric material. Little Feat's "Waiting for Columbus" is absolutely thrilling - the sound from the audience is huge and very, very detailed. I feel like I'm standing on stage with the band. On Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue", the horns and drum kit are equally good on both speakers, but the piano is more life-size on the Aeriuses.
In almost every respect, the Aeriuses are exactly what I wanted. The tonal balance is nearly perfect, needing just a tiny tad more brightness on voices. Bass is very satisfying, if not quite as tight and tuneful as on my friend's Brentworth IIIs. I suspect this would be better in a bigger room with more distance to the front and side walls, and in any case, bass is what I care least about. Detail is right up there with my Stax Lambda Pros - I've never heard better from any speaker. Treble is the way I like it - balanced and open, but not exaggerated. I've heard more extended treble, particularly from the Gallo Reference 3, but I found it not bright but just a bit overwhelming. The only improvement I'd care about would be making the image more solid. If I hadn't had the TC-60s but had gone instead directly from my Mission 772s to the Aeriuses, I'd be in audio heaven right now. The TC-60s, though, showed me what a truly solid, reach-out-and-stick-a-fork-in-it image is. With the Aeriuses, the image is equally well-defined and dimensional, maybe more so, but somewhat insubstantial. I feel like I can see the musicians and instruments, but that if I reached out to touch them, my hand would pass through. I think this is just a product of the dipolar design. The late arrival of the reflected soundwave creates a feeling of space and depth, but also gives the image that ethereal quality.
The Aeriuses are easier to enjoy, though. The TC-60s demand that I really concentrate to appreciate them. The Aeriuses don't care whether I'm paying attention or not. They're just happy to put on a show. And, what a show it is.
As for the Aeriuses, now that I've had 'em for a few days, my feeling about them hasn't changed since my last post - they're great, even with my modest electronics. They still don't give me goosebumps on intimate vocals the way the TC-60s do, but they bring much bigger more open imaging to atmospheric material. Little Feat's "Waiting for Columbus" is absolutely thrilling - the sound from the audience is huge and very, very detailed. I feel like I'm standing on stage with the band. On Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue", the horns and drum kit are equally good on both speakers, but the piano is more life-size on the Aeriuses.
In almost every respect, the Aeriuses are exactly what I wanted. The tonal balance is nearly perfect, needing just a tiny tad more brightness on voices. Bass is very satisfying, if not quite as tight and tuneful as on my friend's Brentworth IIIs. I suspect this would be better in a bigger room with more distance to the front and side walls, and in any case, bass is what I care least about. Detail is right up there with my Stax Lambda Pros - I've never heard better from any speaker. Treble is the way I like it - balanced and open, but not exaggerated. I've heard more extended treble, particularly from the Gallo Reference 3, but I found it not bright but just a bit overwhelming. The only improvement I'd care about would be making the image more solid. If I hadn't had the TC-60s but had gone instead directly from my Mission 772s to the Aeriuses, I'd be in audio heaven right now. The TC-60s, though, showed me what a truly solid, reach-out-and-stick-a-fork-in-it image is. With the Aeriuses, the image is equally well-defined and dimensional, maybe more so, but somewhat insubstantial. I feel like I can see the musicians and instruments, but that if I reached out to touch them, my hand would pass through. I think this is just a product of the dipolar design. The late arrival of the reflected soundwave creates a feeling of space and depth, but also gives the image that ethereal quality.
The Aeriuses are easier to enjoy, though. The TC-60s demand that I really concentrate to appreciate them. The Aeriuses don't care whether I'm paying attention or not. They're just happy to put on a show. And, what a show it is.