Feedback on the current Reference 3a changes ?


To me (IMHO), the new (slate grey) finish on ALL of the current Ref. 3a speakers looks like the crust on the hooves of old knu's. I'm not sure if the texture is the same... I have only been involved with young ones. Couple the knu finish with the "baboon butt plug" sticking out of the woofer and the race will be on for them to suffer the same fate as their Rhino-coat(ed) brethren (with the ribbons in the middle). Show the wife a picture of the 7th Fleet moving into the living room and there will be no "grey area" as to her response. And of course, for additional torture, lets shove brrrr-illium tweeters in there just to keep up with the current status and bling. I'm sure that they work well for some, but I have always walked away from them (The BE. tweets) VERY happy to walk away from them.
It seems as though Ref 3a has snatched the grasshoppers from our hands and we (I) didn't want them to. They looked great the way they were, they sounded superb, and the price was fairly fair. Are the future owners doomed to the knu look of industrial austerity ? Are the current owners of the gorgeous "gloss red maple" forever to sleep with a smirk ? Should we care ? Please tell me while my grey pants are still dry.

Tubeears
tubeears
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.
Rebbi / Tubegroover

I am so anxious to get the new amp that I can hardly eat. I am beginning to believe that the DeCapos are the best speakers that I have ever had... big or small. As I crawl through the A'gon listings every day, looking at all the luscious offerings, I really don't see anything that I would rather have more. Of course, I would be stupid to turn down a trade for a pair of 100k monster speaks but in terms of reality... the DeCapos are in a little world of their own. After the Audio Analogue amp gets here ( about July 5th ) I will order the Beryllium tweets. It will be interesting to see the comparison between your fine tube amps and my incredible SS piece. Something tells me that this thread might not die so quickly. I would sure like to pull some other Philes into giving the Ref. 3a's a try.

Cheers,
Tony
Tony,

You should hear the Grand Veenas. You might not eat or sleep for a week afterwards.....;-}}

Shakey