2. amps-preamps
  3. 1259360666

Concert Fidelity audition program

I recently auditioned a Concert Fidelity CF-080 linestage as part of an in home audition program from their website. The linestage was mated to an Essence Electro Acoustics Emerald 1B amp and this match proved to be revelatory in improving my musical enjoyment. The CF-080 linestage is of minimalist design and really lets the music through with incredible transparency, lightening fast transients, and the most complete finishing of notes with tonal purity and accuracy I've ever heard.(The CF-080 replaced an $18K tube linestage in my system).I urge you to visit their website and take part in this audition program. If you are a user of Concert Fidelity/Silicon Arts Design products I would be interested in your tube choices with the linestage and your speaker choices when using the amps?
powder
jwm
918 posts
 
Have you compared the Concert Fidelity to Audio Research REF 5 or the best VAC preamps.
powder OP
47 posts
 
jwm. I auditioned the CF-080 for 2 reasons. 1-I read Dick Olshers rave review and that really quirked my interest. 2-Concert Fidelity has a (free-no strings attached) in home audition program. (what could be better!). I have not compared the CF-080 to the latest audio Reaseach or VAC linestages.
jwm
918 posts
 
I can't use it because it is not balanced. Dick Olsher is great one of the best still writing. I saw him in person at last years CES with his wife of course and her cd.
powder OP
47 posts
 
Yes, he is one of the few reviewers that I follow and put some stock in. I have been in this hobby almost 40 years so I tend to stick with the old guard.
malawar
7 posts
 
Hi Powder:

I currenlty own the Concert Fidelity CF-80 preamp, the Silicon Arts ZL-120 Monoblocks, as well as their Phonostage SPA-4B. I agree with you, these electronics are incredible. To answer your questions, I am using a "Matched Set" of Mullard Tubes (Which is what Olsher found to be the best match with the CF-80 Preamp).

In terms of speakers, I am using the "Venture Excellence Speakers". I have owned a number of speakers, and the speed, resolution, and realism that Venture Speakers offer nothing in my experience matches. They are an excellent match with Concert Fidelity/Silicon Arts Electronics (These are the speakers typically featured with their electronics at shows, and it is the system that Dick Olsher picked as best of show at CES twice in a row).

Hope this was helpfull
More to discover