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Final Speaker Decision: TAD R1 vs SF Strad

Final decision coming up.... I have listened and auditioned and hemmed and hawed long enough.

Narrowed down from Wilsons Alexia/Sasha 2, Vandersteen 5A Carbon, Martin Logan Summit X, Magnepans, and BW 800 Diamond to these final two.

Both sound good to me, but I am unable to audition both back to back, nor in the same room.

Would like to get some opinions on the two from the group. I am looking for a speaker with longevity. Really hate to change up speakers prematurely from here.
joey_v
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
That's easy, TAD R1. I have TAD E1 and working on a RATIONAL reason upgrading to R1. LOL! I know R1 is final speaker for many. Andrew Jones is a character and GENIUS!!!
joey_v OP
644 posts
 
Yep, heard the Ref1 twice in very good conditions. I even had teh dealer move them to sort of mimic my room - moved to 8.5 feet tweeter/tweeter and 11 feet tweeter/ear. Sounded lovely and recreated stage well.

My only problem is that I had no goosebumps. But I could sense that it was a great speaker.
rcprince
3,059 posts
 
What amps did the dealer use with the TADs? I ask because I heard them with a solid state class D amp (admittedly an early one) and was impressed but not moved, but when the dealer put a tubed (I think; might hsve been a hybrid) amp on them they gave me the goosebumps you're looking for.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Joey_v, what electronics used in the demo? Does the Strad gives you goosebumps? You can't go wrong with either.

Recently I replaced a SS amp and dac with tubes so now running all tubes driving my E1 and it's a huge improvement. More musical, 3D, decay, and especially the timbre. After 2 months, I sold the SS amp. Was planning to use in summer but can't imagine rotating it back in the system again.
jtwrace's avatar
jtwrace
443 posts
 
TAD's without a doubt.
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