Thanks everyone for some really incredible input. I’ve reached out to Aric, and also made an enquiry to the single authorised dealer for Leben here in Australia – should have mentioned I was in OZ perhaps, but shipping isn’t the bid deal it might once have been and shouldn’t stand in the way for the most part.
It’s pretty clear that I could be happy with any of the choices that appear on this list. If by some miracle I could have them all in my room and methodically sort through them listening to random pairs to find a ‘winner’, I’d arrive at something that was subjectively (to my ears) perfect.
But the reality is once I make a decision I’ll most likely never compare it with anything else, and so will be happy with my choice. I do a lot of photography and in the early days kicked around a few different manufacturers and formats before settling on Leica. I have absolutely no temptation or inclination to change from that, such is my pleasure in using the gear and getting the results I was looking for. I suspect the same would be the case for any of the items listed here.
This feels a little like looking for a new car in some ways. Many expensive cars have similar specifications (0-60, milage, etc), yet each is distinctively its own experience. If you’re trading up from a Corolla owning a BMW is deeply satisfying, so long as you never sit in a Mercedes! (I guess!!) So maybe, given the stellar list above, what I should also be taking into account is the visual appearance, the way it sits in the rack, the way it complements the other gear, the ownership experience rather than just the listening experience.
Interesting! (Maybe I do need to get a puppy…)
Also, gotta say that I’m a little surprised by the lack of McIntosh love here. The gear seems to turn up in a lot of Hi-Fi show rooms (supporting very expensive of gear like speakers, streamers, etc). It’s not all that common in Australia but does enjoy strong resale value. I do get the feeling the brand is more like a car optimised for comfort (softer suspension, smoother drive train) rather than the driving experience (sharp steering, peakier engine). Sorry for the analogies but it helps me make sense!
A note re the Michi S5 – while I wait for the Cornwalls to turn up I’m using Heresys. Another high-sensitivity speaker (although not as sensitive as the CWs). At moderate listening levels the needles on the output level display on the S5 are moving almost halfway across the range. So it’s doing some work, and the authority and control with which it renders bass is pretty amazing. To my ears it sounds neutral (having put a few preamps through it) and it’s nice to know that if I ever stray into electrostatic speaker territory I’ll have reserves of power to drive them. So it’s a bit of a non-negotiable.
Anyway, I’m leaning towards Leben at the moment, helped by the long wait involved with the Aric. Hmmmm. The sound I’m looking for is defined, open, airy, with fast attack (acoustic strings, percussion) realistic fluid bass and beautiful rendition of the human voice. I’ve heard Acoustic Research tends to be clinical rather than overtly musical – and McIntosh maybe the other way. Has a tube Mac ever been called clinical? Anyway, just random thoughts!
Thanks to all who have contributed. Enjoy the music.
