Feedback on the current Reference 3a changes ?

One of the funnier posts I've read recently. Thanks for voicing honestly, Tubeears!

I discovered this thread looking for other impressions of the Reference 3a products, particularly the DeCapo's as I have been looking for a reasonably priced stand mounted monitor. Heard a pair of Episodes a while back for a brief listen and was quite impressed especially the upper frequency extension and air.

This past Saturday I finally had a chance to audition the DeCapos after reading so many glowing comments over the years. I brought my tube amp for the audition to at least get an idea of what I might expect. This is the BE model with the battleship grey Nextel finish which isn't going to win over the heart of my significant other, THAT I know for sure. Well I must say this speaker really caught my attention in a way that I didn't quite expect and is rare for me. While I like many speakers overall upon initial listening, very, very few have that WOW factor or can engage me for extended periods. Price generally has little to do with this impression. These speakers most likely won't appeal to those that prefers the typical British monitor type sound. My initial impression is that they are quite special in what I value and I plan an extended audition when I get back from vacation. I didn't hear anything I didn't like other than a bit of brightness that I attributed to a break in issue as they were pretty much out of the box, not too many hours on them according to the dealer. They really convey the emotion of the performance than projecting a characteristic sound other than that liveliness and immediacy that I cherish and that disappearing act, excellent tonality and separation of instruments in space that gives a greater illusion of real. I really look forward to hearing them in my room, they look promising.

I called up the manufacturer and spoke with Tash Goka. I expressed my concern over the finish and my wife and if there were other options. It seems that there were two issues concerning going with the Nextel finish, sonics in absorbing both light and and sound which allows greater transparency. The other issue is inventory management of the different veener and automotive finishes previously offered. So it appears for now at least that the Nextel is here to stay like it or not. Tash was a breath of fresh air in patiently answering my questions and concerns, the brightness that I heard during audition that seemed like a break in issue but concern that it might not be. He assured me that the new tweeter is most definitely an improvement and that the super tweeter used on the Episode and Grand Veena were discontinued by their Japanese supplier so this came into play in development of the BE tweeter. I haven't heard many if any comments regarding brightness attributed to the Reference 3a line. Has anyone noted this with the beryllium tweeter in this line? I too would be interested.

I have now owned the DeCapo-i's for about a month. Every day that goes by, I am more amazed by just how good that they really are. Even with my little Jolida 202, they are simply stunning. I have talked a few times with the people at Ref. 3a about the speaker. I have decided to go ahead and purchase the Berylium tweeter and see just how good a difference they make. It is an easy task to replace them and the cost is not too great. They have a "trade in" policy, but for the money it would be wise to just hang on to the old ones. Ref. 3a is a good company to do business with and they truly love their products. They are willing to help with any questions, advice or problems. I have owned so many speakers that I quite simply can't remember them all.. not even close, but the DeCapo is a solid "keeper".

I decided to go another route and use an SS amp (integrated) with them. I pulled the trigger on a Audio Analogue Maestro Settanta Rev.2 . I almost loose my false teeth every time I say it. It is supposed to be a H--L of an integrated amp. I hope that it is just the ticket for the DeCapo's. We will see about that, I guess. A little late now, but does anyone know much about the AA Maestro amps ?
I still need to try the Blue Tac. I would also like to try the Atacama Gel Pads that Agisthos recommended, but where can you buy them in the US ?

Time to melt back into the recliner and listen to the DeCapos. No BS... These things REALLY ARE that good !

Cheers,
Tony

Thanks for the heads up Tony. Keep us posted on your impressions of the new tweeter, inquiring ears wanta know. I can't wait to get these babies into the room for a serious listen.

Tubeears,

I've been enjoying my upgraded BE tweeters in my De Capo's for a couple of months and I can tell you that they are anything but bright sounding. More transparent with better ambient space retrieval, but not bright.