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Auditioning Elipsa SE tomorrow, getting my ducks in a row, am I missing anything

Gonna head out before the chickens wake and drive 350 miles to hear a pair of Elipsa SE in the morning. Will have to get it right as a second listen is gonna be tough

I've sent pictures and descriptions of the listening area and speaker placement. He's gonna try to duplicate that setup before I arrive. Speakers 11 feet apart, listening position about 12' feet from the wall and speakers set a foot or 2 off the wall. 

I don't do vinyl anymore so will be streaming and CD only. I don't have any hi res media but plan to take female vocal (Ricky Lee), male vocal ( Leonard Cohen), an instrumental, and Rodrigo y Gabriela for full, fast and hard. Will hopefully listen to some high res of whatever he has on hand when I get there.

I'm looking for a wide and amazing soundstage.  I'll figure out amps, etc that work with whatever speaker I end up with.He's gonna setup the demo with ARC VSi-75 and Lumin A1. I've heard the integrated with a pair of Trio Ct's and it was nice but didn't take my breath away. Not sure if the ARC will show them best or if I could expect more out of the Elipsa with something else.

Moving forward sources will mostly be streamed though a PS-Audio Direct Stream so have lots of hopes for improvements.

While I'm in the city going to swing through some dealers and listen to Focal, Wilson, other Sonus Faber, and whatever else I can get my ears on.  

Any advice on what I've missed or should consider when looking at the Elipsa SE?

Thanks in advance

Keith



doitwithlife
doitwithlife's avatar
doitwithlife OP
98 posts
 
Very helpful feedback!

I currently have a Arcam A32, which will find a different home. Can't imagine that would marry well with these. There will be a new amp in my future, just wanted to get the speakers 1st then find an amp that works with the speakers. 

Good to know about the loss of bass paired with the  VSI .I can discount a bit of bass loss during the audition if I can recover it with a better amp.

If I end up with the Elipsa I'll sure consider the Ref 110.  Was thinking about the Ps-audio BHK 250 as an option. Heard great things about the BHK pre-amp as well. Have thought about just a really nice amp like the Ref or BHK and using the Directsteam for volume control which would allow going without a pre-amp.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,876 posts
 
doitwithlife

you are on the right track w/ ARC gear and SF speakers. lostbears offers very good advice. Take your time, have a safe trip and enjoy the Audio journey. Which city will you visit?

Happy Listening!
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

 Did you see the Tone Audio review of the Elipsa SE? These are superb speakers and truly gorgeous in the violin red. Underpowered they wont sound quite as dynamic and as I mentioned, the bass won't be as crisp. They really need 100 wpc or more to sound their best.

The speakers are a great place to start. Then you can make a plan and upgrade your electronics as you go. At this level a truly great preamp is as or more important than the amp. In my system I hear more of an impact when changing preamps then amps. But a synergy with both is important. I have my Ref 110 paired with a Ref 5se and Ref Phono 2se.

 I have not heard the current PS Audio stuff. If I did not have ARC gear, I would probably have Pass. The problem is the preamp. The Ref 5se is a truly great preamp. I have not heard any thing near the price, especially used that sounds as good. 

 Curious you mention Leonard Cohen. I just picked up the 45 rpm box set of Famous Blue Raincoat. Jennifer Warnes sings Leonard Cohen.

nightfall
257 posts
 
Elipsa SE's are wonderful speakers, especially in the famous violin red color that SF is known for, as was mentioned before. My only concern would be your room, if it truly limits them to 2 feet from the wall. Elipsa's are difficult to place well, and I don't think 2 feet off the wall will begin to allow them to perform optimally. More like 5-6 feet in  most of the better systems I've heard.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
6,009 posts
 
I would recommend a 12” sub with Elipsa SE, like a REL or JL Audio. I have heard the Elipsa’s and they are amazing speakers with wonderful mid’s and high’s but not so much the low end. 

@lostbears,

Have you tried a sub with SE’s? 





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