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Vienna Acoustics vs Revel Studios?

Three years ago, I invested in a system that has given me many hours of listening pleasure. I have Vienna Acoustics Beethoven speakers, a SimAudio I-5 integrated, and an Ultech CD player. At that time, that was about as much as my budget would allow, and I have never regretted buying any part of this system. The only "problem" I am having is that the system lacks "rock out' power. It is perfect for moderate listening, but will occasionally clip or become slightly shrill or unfocused when "cranked."

So now, of course, I'm pondering all kinds of potential remedies. I could simply use the I-5 as a pre-amp and add something like a Bryston 7B ST for extra volume. I could sell the I-5 and go for separates, maybe even try out some tubes, such as the Sonic Frontiers Power 3 set-up (although I have heard that tubes are not necessarily a good match for the 'warm' Vienna speakers). Or I could sell the system and try out the Revel Studios (I think the Salons are probably too big for my living room) with some combination of the above to drive them.

I am not a true audiophile, in the sense that I know an awful lot about this stuff, but I do know that I enjoy good music played on a good system. I don't mind paying for top notch equipment, within reason, but I don't want to fork over 10-12K when a modest adjustment in my current set-up would be almost as good.

So, I appeal to all of you true audiphiles for advice. Please show me the way. Would the Revels be a big step up from the Viennas? Would separates be much better than adding an amp, while using the I-5 as a pre-amp? Any suggestions on possible matches?

I realize the answers are, to some degree, subjective. But I am interested in your feedback and experiences.

Many thanks.
chriscox9674
bishopwill
369 posts
 
Brother Dearing, with all respect if you have a 1700ft2 room and you're having problems with boominess, you either need to work on placement or you need some serious acoustic treatment. I've heard Mahlers perform magnificently in rooms as small as 18X20 and the bass was not overwhelming and certainly not boomy. I do agree that they require amplification that affords excellent damping.

If you want to email me, I can put you in touch with a guy with very fine ears who uses his Mahlers in the room I mentioned above. Possibly he could give you a hand with your bass problems. I assume you've already looked at source issues, cabling, and the like.
clueless
763 posts
 
Thank you all. As i'm in the market myself, I've enjoyed your insights on two highly thought of speakers. You folks are so civil.

Sncerely, I remain
dearing
48 posts
 
Dear Bishopwell:

"[R]rooms as small as 18X20" means 2,520 sq. ft., assuming a 7 ft. ceiling, and 2,880 sq. ft. assuming an 8 ft. ceiling.
bishopwill
369 posts
 
No....the formula you have provided is CUBIC feet. Square feet is the length of the room times its width and is a measure of the floor surface area. Length times width times height is cubic feet and is a measure of volume.
sc53
718 posts
 
Hello, chiming in again, I listened to the Mahlers extensively when deciding whether to purchase them or the Beethovens, and the Mahlers were placed on the long side of an average sized rectangle-shaped room, room no bigger than the average living room in a non-mansion. There was no bass bloat or boominess, just not as focused and detailed as I found the Beethovens' bass to be. The Mahlers were being driven by big Levinson monoblocks--333's? the newer ones, anyway. The Beethovens were being shown in a much larger room, probably twice as big, w/Ayre amplification. Ayre V-3, at 100 watts per channel. Again, no boominess or bloat.
I concluded that the Mahlers needed good, big power. And keep them away from the side walls.
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