My wife & I are professional musicians/ professors. Our system in its present form is the result of 5 yrs. trial/error. It may not be the end-game yet, but it delivers a beautiful synthesis of clarity, transparency and warmth. As fellow enthusiasts, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.
Acastos - Yes, I did trade out the X-03se for the K-03, although took quite a long audition A/B of them before ultimately deciding. Both are incredibly resolving, dynamic, fast, and great at low-amplitude retrieval. In the end, found the X-03se to be just a touch strident in upper frequencies when compared to the K-03. The K-03 (IMHO) gave a slightly more analog presentation, as well as slightly truer source placement and wider soundstage. If you have SACD's, you'll really hear the difference in these - unbelievable clarity and depth! I also like the five filter settings, although don't really play around with them now that I've settled on a preferred sound. I know you can also use the K-03 as a linestage, but have ours run through the Simaudio Moon P-5 w/ no loss whatsoever.
System Update: Replaced the Ridge Street Alethias! pc's with all JPS Aluminata. Also auditioning a Velodyne DD10+ in place of the SPL1000, just to see. The Aluminata pc's are just about the single best upgrade I've ever made, aside from the Daedalus Athena.
System edited: Recently replaced the Herron VTPH-2 with the Zesto Andros. I had been A/B them for a few months now, both offering wonderful and similar traits to the presentation. Ultimately, I favor the load ease & flexibility of the Andros.
Absolutely - For a speaker that has pretty much flown under the radar, it seems to be attracting increasingly more attention, partic. in that Lou has expanded his design offerings recently with the Argos and Orpheus (in keeping with the Greek mythology theme). For my experience, I find the Athena to be the sweet spot in his work. Just a nice full size 3-way, where the mids sit right at ear level. As you've likely read many times on Lou's sound, these are about as organically authentic to the original source as one can imagine. Having had them now for over a year, I've tweaked with moving them in/out, toe, etc., and have found a spot where they literally disappear. I'm incredibly pleased with them, and they have my highest recommendation! Depending on room size and function, you may want to connect with Lou directly on his recommendations. Top-shelf guy!
System edited: Recently replaced the Blackbird cart with the Dyn XV-1s, as well as the Herron VTPH-2 in favor of my EAR 834P Deluxe. Really understand now the romance (for me, an old romance!) of a quality analog rig.
Rsimms - Indeed, Lou is a rare synthesis of professional musician, speaker designer, and woodwork craftsman, not to mention simply a delight to get to know. His Athena is beautiful to look at, but even more, offers an incredibly accurate presentation of the recorded music. Enjoying these immensely!
Thanks for your advice, Dwhitt. You're absolutely right - as many in prior posts had suggested the same with my former Ospreys. Unfortunately, w/o moving the system to an undedicated room and otherwise vulnerable, we are limited to the piano arrangement in this room. However, since the pics above, I have moved them out 3.5' from the back wall - now well in front of the piano. Still readjusting toe-in, but can already hear the depth/width of stage open up. Indeed dramatic.
Upgraded the cart to a Dynavector XV-1s. Wow. I understand from posts that upgrading the arm to a JMW 10.5 or better will really reveal what this cart can do, as well as a more sensitive phono pre. For now, I'm auditioning a Dynavector PHA 200 head amp with my current EAR. The improvement in clarity and definition is significant. Such a great head amp - unfortunate it is no longer in production ~
These also include All-Poly Crossovers (absolutely seamless frequency presentation w/ about a .5db gain in system sensitivity), as well as the Soundocity isolation outriggers.
System edited: Update: Traded out our long-standing Ospreys for the relatively new Daedalus Athena. I believe this was Lou's first set, and I am honored to have them in our system. Incredible true-to-source sound, and an ability to see into every detail of the performance with as natural a presentation as I've experienced with recorded music.
It is true, Glenfihi. I've always been guided, consciously or otherwise, by what I experience on the stage or evaluating live performance situations from the seats. I guess that's why its proven particularly difficult finding that next level 'up' with speakers. But, like live performance, much of it comes down to the hall, or in this case, the room/related equipment. I've had some fine speakers in for A/B with the Ospreys, many far more $, but so far have not heard the sound I'm after. Indeed, happy listening to you as well ~!
System edited: System Update 3.18.11: VPI Scoutmaster Signature has replaced my Pro-ject Xperience table (kept the Blackbird). Also added JPS SC3 i/c's for the VPI and EAR 834p. Love this table, and the JPS i/c's just took it over the top. Seems we're listening to LP's almost exclusively these days. Seriously researching upgrades to our Ospreys, and have short listed w/ Focus Audio (FS888 or FP80se), or Dynaudio Focus 360. Any thoughts on these or others within a 5k budget (used or new)?
System edited: System update 3/15: Traded out the Pro-ject Tube Box for an EAR 834p Deluxe. Also changed out i/cs from the EAR to Red Dawns. With the EAR, I'm enjoying 1st experiments w/ tub rolling - recently tried moving a Mullard CV4004 to the front. Really enjoying a whole new analog presentation now!
Bruce30: Many thanks for your suggestions and reference to G. Cardas' setup formula. Finally had some quality time w/ the system and applied George's equation to the room. With a 28 x 15 room, I wish we had the option to move the speakers to the short wall and away from the pno, but unfortunately do not. Was able to pull the listening spot 2' away from the back wall and bring the speakers out to about 3' w/o collapsing the listening triangle. This definitely added more depth to the soundstage by getting them out in front of the pno, and really tamed some of the mid-bloom we were getting from wall, etc. Also adjusted the toe-in accordingly, which kept instr. placement in check.
On an upgrade-itis note, starting to research on an alternative to our Meadowlark Ospreys (such is this hobby, I suppose). Recently had an opportunity to do some listening down in St. Louis of Dynaudio Focus 360s, and was duly impressed, partic. w/ the Esotar2 tweeters. Have had the Ospreys for six yrs and love 'em, as does my wife, but the synergy w/ the Simaudio pieces, which are my favorites of the system, has never quite been there. Being 3 hrs from civilization makes bringing audition pieces home difficult, but that's the only way. We'll see...
