Topic: playback systems...

[Bri]

is the placement of the speaker real crucial, or is it finding the right amp?

Bri

[ben]

Ron-

are you happy with the logans?  there are no retailers around here whom sell them so i havent ever had a chance to preview them...

i have heard from others that the cone drivers have a difficult time keeping up with the electrostatic panels...and cause some timing issues bewteen soundsources.  Have you experienced this?

Bri-

placement varies with speaker selection.  Some speakers are more forgiving than others.  electrostatic panels are bi-directional and the space between the back of the speakers and the wall is extremely important.  This is why maggies take such alarge room to really open up...especially at lower SPL levels.   I have mine installed 3 feet from the back wall and 2.5 feet from the side walls...with about a 1 inch toe-in.  This works for me the best...but has taken countless hours of experimenting.

The amp makes a big difference too...but in a bit different way.  Its just like taping gear...in that every compoent adds its own flava:)

Ben

[Bri]

hahahahah, thanks ben, not really up on the electrostatics! How low  does the electrostatic element go? Great thread.

cheers
bri

[Rdalton88]

Wow - this has gotten to be a nice thread.
 
Yeah - placement is def. crucial.  I have been playing w/ them for a few months now, and making sure your rear wall is 2' away from the back of your speakers or you must dampen the wall (i.e. sound absorbtion).
I have yet to hear that the cone doesn't keep up with the panels.  How is that even possible if they are both driven together?
As for the amp that drives these, I orig. used my Nak RE-10 and wasn't too happy w/ the sound.  I upgraded to the NAD C370 (@200W) and am just now getting used to it.  If I had the extra cash, I'd prolly look for something in the tube range, like the McCormacks or Blue Circle to add warmth.
Seriously, it took me 3 years + Phish being off tour to afford these panels, and I plan on owning them for years to come.
For me, living in a townhome doesn't afford me the opportunity to play music loud (except during daylight hrs.), but the clarity is there even at lower levels.  Thats the sign of a good playback system.
Whew....
 
Thanks
Ron

[Bri]

thanks for rthe followup! +K

Bri

[scervin]

Right now I currently run Denon 2802>Diva 4.1's.  I've owned B&W's, Polk, and Klipsch and theses are by far the best bang for the buck speaker you could get.  I a/b them in the local hifi store against the CDM7nt and they were near identical.  The Diva's are slightly more laid back, but have so much air in them it is amazing.  They use silk dome tweets which contribute to this.  The dealer was actually very impressed and when I told him they wer $700 shipped he crapped as they look, feel, and sound like like $2300 speakers.  You can't get them from the US dealer any longer as B&W has a "trade dress" suit against them.  I was very nervous when making this purchase as it was generated by internet hype.  I'll say they do sound very, very good for the money and have high WAF
    Before x-mas the plan is to get a full set of the new Rocket line for HT (my wife said if I spend that kind of money on speakers she better be able to enjoy them also) with a Marantz SR8000 and am looking into a new DAC to run the DA-20 through.  The Rockets are a little more forward with better imaging and soundstage reproduction. These are more in the playing field of the B&W N804's (altough I've heard you can compare them to the N803's, which I'll do at the neighbors place). Hopefully soon after this I'll have a B&K 7250 or Sherbourne 1500A amp and Anthem AVM-20 Pre.  This will be the time wher I stop and enjoy the music (and explain to everyone what the heck all those components are in the rack!)  I'll then work on the basement and put a tube>electrostat 2-channel system down there.  We all have to set goals
SC

[RRobar]

I'll attest Scott's Diva 4.1's do sound very very nice. Maybe someday I'll be able to have such items . Don't get me me wrong my wife is wonderful and fully supports my taping and music obsessions. But there are limits. I have a feeling that Scott's fun will end once the word children come into play . But then again Scott is ALL Talk   Just kidding
Rob

[phriendlyguy]

kids definately lower the volume around the house for sure.  thank God for headphones.

[Tim]

This thread is great.... what are some good places to shop for amps online? I'm thinking of throwing down some money after the new years on some nice speakers. I don't want to go too cheap on the amp, I figure used is the way to go. Thanks a lot guys!

Tim

[twoodruff]

audiogon.com

[Craig T]

Sony R300 DAT (coax to DAC)
Sony CD player (optical spdif to DAC)
Pioneer dv333 DVD player (24/96 output via coax to DAC)
CAL Sigma II (with 24/96 upgrade) tube DAC
Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 ("signature" upgrade) hybrid/tube preamp
B&K ST140 monoblock amps (ss)
Sunfire True Sub Jr.'s (stereo pair, on 18" stands)
Maggie MMG speakers
homegrown audio interconnects
audioquest Crystal+ speaker cable
Fujitsu S6110 laptop for 24bit playback

[TALL]

Vandersteen 2CE Signatures
Rogue Audio 66 magnum Preamp(tube)
Rogue Audio M120 Monoblocks(tube)
Homebrew CD Player(mid 90s Phillips transport with tubed output stage)
XLO Signature 2 interconnects
Audioquest Caldera speaker cable(biwire)
Custom made Sound Anchors rack

[Tim]

^^^^ BUMP ^^^^

just curious what the newcomers are using or if any of the older crew has gotten anything new?

[twoodruff]

i am using a pv-12 pre amp now instead of the arcam

[Craig T]

out:
Magneplanar MMG's
Sunfire True Sub Jr.'s
Homegrown Audio interconnects
AudioQuest speaker cable
Chinese 12ax7 tube in the CAL dac
Svetlana 12at7 tube in the SFL1

in:
ACI Sapphire monitors & Force sub (www.audioc.com)
SignalCable Analog2 interconnects, Sub cables, and double-run speaker cables (www.signal-cable.com)
NOS Mullard 12ax7 in the CAL dac (Upscale Audio)
NOS Mullard 12at7 in the SFL1 (Upscale Audio)

Sony R300 DAT (coax to DAC)
Sony CD player (optical spdif to DAC)
Pioneer dv333 DVD player (24/96 output via coax to DAC)
CAL Sigma II (with 24/96 upgrade) tube DAC
Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 ("signature" upgrade) hybrid/tube preamp
B&K ST140 monoblock amps (ss)
Sunfire True Sub Jr.'s (stereo pair, on 18" stands)
Maggie MMG speakers
homegrown audio interconnects
audioquest Crystal+ speaker cable
Fujitsu S6110 laptop for 24bit playback