I tried 3 different DACs with widely varying results sonically; the COS DAC1+ Preamplifier, which is the most erudite, but soft on the top with the speakers. The EE Minimax Tube DAC Supreme was more bright, with some additional upper end sparkle, but lacked warmth in the vocals. The Exogal Comet DAC with the Plus Power Supply has hit the sweet spot with these speakers. Combined with class D amp under review, sporting 600wpc, this combo is the best. The speakers are showing their true colors, the openness, but with adequate (though not top end) cleanness. These speakers will never have the incisiveness of newer designs, but have the inimitable mushroom cloud sound stage of an omni. I would not appreciate a tube amp with these speakers, as there is enough indistinctness in the action of the driver that tubes would make them quite muddy sounding. It's tough enough to take the reduction in resolution associated with the full range driver firing into the cabinet stuffed with old foam, much less the bloat that would occur if tubes were used. 

I have the capacity to raise up the speakers higher on the stands, but have not done so. It's a matter of how much free time I have, and how curious I am about it. That would change the soundstage quite a bit, and would separate the woofers again, so it may be a waste of time. One never knows, however, until it is tried. For now, I consider the movement of the subs to in the middle of the speakers a success!  I'm really happy with it. 

This is a budget fixer upper. Should be fun when it's complete! I will be bypassing the fuse for superior quality. Hopefully before Christmas I will have them together and running. 

I think the Ohm speaker is a worthwhile sound to pursue, if people love the omni sound staging. In this instance, I am going budget route; I simply am not choosing to spend higher bucks to get these entirely rebuilt, as the cost of my "restoration" is approx. 1/25 of the latter. I believe I will get a reasonable degree of Ohm omni sound for the money. If I had no other reference speaker, I would probably pursue entire rebuild, as omni speakers are a compelling sound and a valid genre of speaker.  

Here is my summary:

I consider the service upgrade a success, as I was very pleasantly surprised by the improvement of the sound. Due to shortages of electrical home panels because the factories were closed, I went with the Eaton panel without the internal surge protector. The sub-panel for the music/HT room was eliminated, and this seems to have had no ill affect on the performance, perhaps the opposite. I can't say for sure, as the comparison is not apples to apples. Nevertheless, the overall change is quite positive. The electrician mounted the similar surge protector outside the panel. My fear that a surge protector might introduce some noise was unfounded. A new grounding rod was put outside. The system is quiet, and I detect no noise on the power line, which was a primary concern for a good upgrade. I assume the amps are particularly benefitted by the increased amperage (if I have said it correctly), and I consider the event to be a bonus for the audio hobby.

Doing some discrete opamp rolling this week with the Kinki Studio EX-M1+ Integrated Amp. Pairing it with a new DAC under review. Settled on a combo of the four Sparkos singles and one Burson V6 Vivid discrete opamps. Revisiting the opamps in the integrated amp is most beneficial when partnering it with a new component. 

For the first time I have found an amp that is perfect in terms of performance with every speaker I have tried. That has never happened before. When I say perfect, I mean there are no discernible weaknesses in performance. It's a stunning achievement to produce an amp that works equally well with all genres of speakers, considering how varied the cabinet/baffles, crossover components, internal wiring, driver types and quality, etc. 

I have also achieved the holy grail accomplishment of having an Accuton ceramic driver yield seductively smooth, warm sound - with the incredible precision. I have never heard any accuton driver in any system do that prior. As might be expected, I am most pleased with myself for obtaining that result! :)

This was a refreshing experience, so out of the ordinary, and a stunning combination of affordability and performance. The big, open baffle speakers bring their unique combination of attributes that compete head to head with other value oriented speakers such as Vandersteen and Magnepan. 

I'm very much enjoying the experience of immersing myself in OB and Horn designs! These are two worthwhile pursuits, and admirable technologies with a lot to offer in terms of a choice of speaker. The generous use of a "Gain" switch with multiple positions on the various Tri-Art gear adds to the flexibility of contouring the sound. Enjoy the read!  :) 

Methods to get the ultimate performance include purchase of the PLUS Power Supply for the Comet, and aftermarket umbilical for the same. You may wish to try Clarity Cable, WyWires and Marigo Lab. Aftermarket power cords are extremely important to tune each component(s) power supply. Finally, I use the Schroeder Method of Interconnect Placement from source to Comet. 

The Valor easily surpasses the previous flagship, the V Speaker System, using the same Wavelet component. However, the Valor is a light year leap ahead of V in that it incorporates new technology, the Stereo Unfold Technology, which allows, as I describe in the review, a variable center image and thus the sensation of selectable listening position relative to the performance. This is an exquisite feature and unique in high end speaker systems. 

I am quite pleased with how Schroeder Method is developing, and encourage interested parties to look into this "do at your own risk" method. To date there have been no instances of a negative outcome with gear. :)

I appreciate your zeal in pursuit of the Schroeder Method of Interconnect Placement. Most people are unwilling to push in order to achieve a vastly superior sound. It is rare for someone to work with many combinations of cables to dial in a rig precisely. 

You really have a nice systems.

May I ask where you live?

If it is possible, if would be nice to visit your Den and chat about audio.

Thomas

Cables become even more critical to outcomes, as the characteristics are intensified. Speaker character is honed, and different technology is appreciated more. 

Please consult my article on this; initial assessment is that it is NOT for all applications, including from preamp to amp. Also, if you have any druthers about it, discuss with your component manufacturers to see what their perspective is in regards to it. 

This is a "do at your own risk" proposition; I will not accept any responsibility for your creative system risks.  

My experience with the Schroeder Method has been stunning, and I am continuing to use this regularly, as it is quite simply superior to a single set of interconnects. So far I have only used RCA cables, but at some point I anticipate trials with XLR. 

I am open to contributions from learned individuals in the community such as EEs, designers, etc. I am NOT interested in the ridicule of mockers; such thoughts mean little to me and likely will receive no response.  

I should make clear that I have not worked with mixing sets of cables, and no one has recommended doing so. Some are asking about it, but I have not tried and have had a warning that it may cause instability to an amp. So, at this time I am not recommending it. 

There are some who read my articles who are going to try the Schroeder Method of interconnect placement, and I suspect that they will have very nice sonic improvements to report. It is a disarmingly simple method, but very powerful in its effect. It is one of the cheapest upgrades for the money I have discovered. It's a paltry sum to do considering the effect can be as profound as changing a component! 

You will most definitely want to work with the USB cable and the power cables. Dramatic, very easily heard, differences with both in performance. I never skimp on USB and power cables. 

The sound quality achievable by upgrades in servers is surprising, but consistent between three experiences. Just as I discovered with all other components, servers have a wide range of performance capabilities. Here, again, is a case where a two chassis solution (like a dedicated preamp and amp vs. integrated amp) has the potential to vastly outperform the other. 

This is now the third digital source I have worked with, the former two being the single chassis Salk StreamPlayer 3, and the Wolf Audio Red Wolf Music Server. A dedicated power supply built for maximum performance is the single most obvious benefit conferred upon a server/streamer. 

I am extremely happy with the sound of the following combination: 

SONORE Signature Rendu SE and Simple Green Computer sonicTransporter AP i7 4T; Clarity Cable Supernatural USB 1m; (Preamp/Mono Amps - under review); Eastern Electric Minimax Tube DAC Supreme - and this is critical - with aftermarket opamps inserted. Currently using Dual Sparkos and single NewClassD opamps. Clarity Cable Natural Speaker Cable (shotgun); PureAudioProject Trio15 Horn 1 Speakers (These are stunning performers regardless of price point); Silnote Audio Anniversary Speaker Cables also in use connected to Legacy Audio XTREME XD Subwoofers. 

I did not mention power cords; they are also under review. 

This is a highly recommendable system with an extreme amount of resolution and palpable energy, with impressive dynamics. The presentation is forward, with a sense of being close to front row at listening events, with all the intensity that comes with a close up experience. If someone is looking for a laid back, mellow sound, this is NOT the system for them. It is for someone who wants a vivid, powerful experience with a very high degree of "being there" sensation. 

The Border Patrol DAC SE is not in use; it was returned to the company following the review. Thus, I have not inserted any aftermarket fuses in this rig, but I am thinking about doing so, for I suspect it would elevate the performance even more. I should check out the DAC and see what fuse is used inside... 

I cannot emphasize enough what a boon it is to contouring sound to use aftermarket opamps in the DAC! Wow, this is a powerful contouring/shaping method. If you neglect aftermarket opamps in a DAC which allows rolling you are leaving a LOT of performance on the table. It's like having the option of adding turbo on a performance car's engine. 

One might think that after many years and dozens of different systems the speakers would have hit their maximum performance level. Not so; I have blown past many perceived performance ceilings with these speakers. 

It is perfectly legitimate to focus on one technology and keep working the rig to the hilt. But, there are many flavors of performance, and continuing to drive down the same road (speaker) with different vehicles (components) only gets one so far in terms of wide variety of experiences. 

It is becoming clear that even speaker manufacturers don't know the outside potential of their designs (That is NOT a disparaging comment about Bill Dudleston of Legacy; I'm tentatively concluding that ALL speaker manufacturers are limited in their experience regarding their own work, and that most never hear their designs at their best). They only work up the speakers with a set of components and cannot have a holistic understanding of the potential. Even dealers who make less systems don't know the outside parameters of performance. It's somewhat ignorant, then, to say one has maxed out the speaker's performance, because with consistency in system development a better sound WILL be forthcoming. 

I have since purchased Teo Audios Game Changer II interconnects and was literally shocked at how good they are ,.Im thoroughly enjoying my system more then I ever have and with this experience with the GCII I am purchasing Teos Kronon .