Great to see your system. I also have the Jazz Modules in a relatively small room (12x14) and they have worked out great. I have a set of Real Traps throughout the room and that really saves me -- otherwise I could not turn up the volume at all. I have the speakers set up in about a 7.5 ft equilateral triangle with the speakers crossed about 1.5 ft in front of me. That seems to give me more extended highs and more depth of soundfield. The speakers are very close to the side walls but doesn't seem to be an issue given the 90 degree radiation pattern of the waveguides and nearly 45 degree toe in. I had RealTrap minis on side walls for first order reflection, but moved them to the wall behind the speakers without deterioration in the sound. I see you have ceiling mounted traps. Do you find that they help? I have one on one side of my ceiling, but never got around to mounting the other (and ran out of traps as currently configured). I'd be interested in your opinion on that.

It is great to be able to tune the bass ports. I've tried the different resistors on the high end but preferred the original configuration.

hchilcoat February 12, 2009 11:38

Pierre - if you look at the pic showing the rear view of the speaker at the top you will see a resistor connected via binding posts. Changing the value of this resistor will tilt the top end. Duke supplies a few values of Mills resistors, but you could try other values and brands if you like. I've not made any adjustments on the top end.

The bass is adjusted by removing the rear port at the bottom and changing the length. Duke supplies collars that can be added or removed as required. This allows you some additional flexibility in placing the speaker. I've actually had these speakers against the back wall and the sound was great, although the sound stage a bit flat. IMO you have to bring the speakers out into the room to achieve adequate sound stage depth.

clio09 February 02, 2009 07:40

Tvad - I've never had the luxury of a large room so near field listening has been the rule. This set-up is a 5' equilateral triangle, although from the pics it seems a bit closer.

There is a definite you are there presence when listening. Front row presentation so to speak. Some slight imaging issues aside due to room layout, the sound is very good and Duke's speakers disappear nicely in the sound stage.

clio09 February 02, 2009 07:35

How do you just for the bass and tweeter on the Jazz module?

lapierre February 02, 2009 01:21

That's some serious nearfield listening!

Bet it sounds great. Total immersion.

tvad February 01, 2009 20:37

System edited: New room configuration with picture updates.

clio09 February 01, 2009 14:22

Two different kinds of what? Can you elaborate? From the pictures you can see how I have set up some room treatments.

If you are on a budget the Acoustimac products are very good and they can build them for you or sell you materials to DIY your own. The Real Traps are expensive in comparison. They do a better job of absorption, but I would not say they are worth twice the price.

I am not sure the Eighth Nerve products are available anymore. If they are I'd offer a buyer beware warning. My last transaction with them was not the most pleasant experience. They are very good products and work a bit differently than the first two, or other absorption products for that matter. The Triangles are meant to be placed in the upper room corners. The Rectangles are meant to be placed along the corner seams where the walls meet, or the seams where the wall meets the ceiling. Their goal is to let sound pass through, reflect in the corners or seams, and then attenuate the reflections as they come back through into the room.

The Furetech and Decware channel diffusers break up and spread out sound as opposed to absorbing it. The Decware are pretty affordable versus the Furetech and other diffusers if you buy the kit packages.

I use two Acoustimac absorption panels for the rear wall. I also use one Furetech diffuser sandwiched between two Real Trap Mini Traps on the front wall. Lastly, I use one Furetech and one set of Decware diffusers on the walls directly opposite the sides of my listening chair.

The photos show a good example of how I use the Eighth Nerve products. Hope this helps.

clio09 January 28, 2009 16:17

says you use two different kinds. can you explain? i'm in market for some room treatment.

davidhyman January 26, 2009 22:36

No problem, I'll even send you a diagram of my room. I sense I'm more space challenged than you are.

If you'd like to investigate a diagonal set-up further, check out the Decware site. Steve has some interesting observations on the topic and shows sample reflections in such a set up.

clio09 January 21, 2009 21:20

Send me email with new configuration before or when you post.

My listening room has similar configuration issues (short-wall setup.) I'm thinking about moving left speaker to opposite wall where it could be placed in the right corner. That configuration requires purchasing new and longer speaker cable but both speakers would have a corner.

My desk and asian designed credenza may have to trade places.

lapierre January 21, 2009 19:45

Yes, Chris sent me an email with the announcement. The only place I did not like the original Tel Wire cables was on my amps. I'm looking forward to trying the HC version on the VAC's.

BTW - I've since moved the set-up to the long wall and using a longer pair of ICs from preamp to amps was able to remove the rack from in between the speakers. Still playing around with speaker set-up to optimize sound, but I think I'll keep this configuration. Updated pictures are forthcoming.

clio09 January 21, 2009 18:52

Well done!!!!

Appreciate the design in the smaller rooms.

Have you read about the new HC Tele Wire PC for power amps? Thinking about Tele Wire for my tube amps.

lapierre January 21, 2009 17:53

Dave,

The platforms under the speakers are from Adona Corporation, not from Duke. They are the base shelving they use in their racks. The platform is a combination of granite that has MDF bonded to it. I place the granite side face down on the carpet and the speakers on top of the MDF side. When I used the Stormbringer's I placed them on Sound Anchor 3 post 14" stands and the stands were spiked into the MDF side of the platform. I've had the Adona platforms for quite sometime and while I would not recommend it for source components, it does work well under some heavier components.

clio09 November 14, 2008 08:43

Clio09,

Thanks for explaining your set up. It looks like you have some sort of base under your speakers? Is that something you added, or did you get Duke to build it in?

Interesting that you considered a RWA Sig 30.2. I've got the previous version, the Sig 30, but while the 30.2 is supposed to be noticeably better than the 30, the Sig 30 is nice enough. Of course, that won't stop me from thinking about something better in the future, right?

Take care.

Dave

goober November 14, 2008 06:45

Dave,

One of the components I thought of using with Duke's speakers was the RWA 30.1 amp. My friend has one and really enjoys it. The VAC Auricle MB70 amps made themselves available (after I already had purchased the Avatar SE integrated which also worked nicely with the Stormbringer's) so I decided to pursue that direction. I think in the end I couldn't lose with either choice.

When I had the Stormbringer's my original set-up was pretty standard. Speakers were about 6' apart tweeter to tweeter and 6' tweeter to ear. Toe-in was 45 degrees as Duke suggested and the crosspoint was about 1.5' in front of me.

In my smallish non-symmetrical room the sound was a bit diffuse in the center imaging. In addition I had other imaging issues due to the room which included a left image that was not nearly as wide as the right image and a bit congested. To fix this I had to move the speakers in to about 5' apart and sit about 4' away. I then toed the speakers out so they are about 20 degrees.

After RMAF I decided to try a diagonal set-up that was based on what I saw in some of the rooms, with some very fine equipment I might add (Roger Sanders for one). I kept the same distances, just moved everything to a diagonal. The Stormbringer's worked fine in this set-up. Imaging is much improved and the clarity and detail were also improved and not subtle by any means. It was quite noticeable. I think the major factor in this was the addition of some room diffusers and the removal of some bass boom I was experiencing in the other set-up.

Since the Storbringer's worked fine in this set-up I decided to use it for the Jazz Modules. Duke was a bit surprised to see my new set-up as he had the opportunity to see it in original form when he delivered the Stormbringer's. When he listened he was further surprised at how good the sound was at such near filed distances with his speakers.

Goes to show a little tinkering could be a worthwhile investment in your sound.

clio09 November 13, 2008 08:45

Clio09,

Nice system! I also own the Jazz Modules (took delivery in late August) and it's nice to see such a well thought out system built around them. The rest of my system is much more modest than yours (modded Squeezebox > Mapletree Audio line stage > Red Wine Audio Signature 30 with generic cabling), so you've give me lots to think about. I've of course been thinking about an Atmasphere OTL amp, but you, Luxaeterna and others confirm that other good tube amps can also do the job.

FWIW, I have a little more room to work with and have my speakers set up about 9 feet apart and toed in 45 degrees as Duke recommends. I sit so that the speakers cross about 2 feet in front of my head. I find this gives me a nice combination of tonal balance, soundstage, and immediacy. Could you tell us a bit more about how yours are set up? Is it like you had the system set up with the Stormbringers?

Thanks.

Dave

goober November 12, 2008 06:44

I see you're using the Magnan ICs. Nice cables and I had the top line version in here for audition of late that Duke let me try. However, those were RCA and I now use balanced. Hoping to find some used balanced ones here on Audiogon.

clio09 November 11, 2008 07:00

I own the Jazz Modules and man.. the best speakers i have owned at any price. my avalon indras and bw 802s are gone.. as well as my von schweikert vr4srs.

these speakers are the alpha and omega for me..

(modified oppo or rega sutherland phono stage/>>>magnan ics>>>mytek dac>>>mastersound due venti integrated(20 wpc)>>>Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cables>>>audio kinesis jazz modules>>richard grey RGPC 400 power conditioners>>>GIK acoustics room treatment..

luxaeterna November 10, 2008 22:33

Yes, I would definitely prefer the 3 series of the M-60s so I can take advantage of Ralph's passive volume control upgrade.

clio09 November 02, 2008 10:27

If you can swing the 3 series Atmas, do so. I was quite impressed when I heard a friends' improvement after upgrading his 2.ii to 3. This applies where you go for S30 or M60s.

sbank November 02, 2008 08:22

I was looking at the M-60s as well to power my Sason's
This pairing is very good I was hoping at this year's RMAF that Ridge Street went with Atmasphere amps to power the new Sason's Si for those that never heard this combination it's stunning !!!

musicfile November 01, 2008 14:04

Tvad, the S-30 is definitely on the radar, but I might get the M-60s instead. Ralph and Duke have both told me I could remove output tubes to bring down the power rating on the M-60s. The flexibility is interesting.

Duke was pretty impressed with the VAC/Jazz Modules combination. Before deciding on Atma-sphere he considered selling the VAC line.

clio09 October 31, 2008 18:11

Might be fun to keep an eye out for a used Atma-Sphere S-30 so you could hear them with the amp that used to voice the Jazz Modules.

tvad October 31, 2008 17:26

The Jazz Modules are still breaking in but they are more detailed (slightly), refined (most noticeable improvement), and accurate (slightly) than the Stormbringers. These are not phase coherent speakers with the trade off being a design that provides excellent tonal accuracy and balance. The bass port is currently tuned to go down to 24hz, although my room prevents me from getting all of that. I may tilt the tweeter up a bit but I'll wait about 50 hours or so before doing that.

If you can ever get a chance to listen to Duke's speakers please do so.

clio09 October 31, 2008 16:30

Congrats on the upgrade to the Jazz Module speakers - serious stuff! More detail and dynamics? What about the bass - is it even more refined/accurate? Your thoughts please - you have had them a while now...

shadorne October 31, 2008 16:04