Hi Bombaywalla, Green Mountain speakers are built to rid the boxy sound of nearly all dynamic driver speakers.

Still, I am quite surprised you hear anything beyond root boxless resemblances between the Green Mountain and the Apogee Scintilla. Their driver systems are as different as they come.

muralman1 April 13, 2008 00:21

System edited: Just got hold of a used pair of Apogee Scintilla ribbon speakers in taupe(!) colour. These replace the Green Mountain C1.5i speakers I've had for nearly 5 years.

The switch from the C1.5i to the Scintilla has been quite smooth & far from dramatic - the sonics of the Scintilla are very close to the Green Mountain C1.5i. The Scintillas have a cut-from-the-same-cloth integrated sound (like the C1.5i), tight bass (like the C1.5i) & very smooth & real midrange especially on vocals (like the C1.5i). I've heard the Scintilla just 3 times now & I can say that the C1.5i hold their own against these ribbons quite well. Both the Scintilla & the C1.5i are seamless 1st-order x-over speakers & I like that! :-)

The idea for getting the Scintilla was greed - more transparency, more dynamics, more soundstage width & depth, more presence from the music.

Powered by the Symphonic Line Kraft 300 250W/ch (8Ohms) & 1000W/ch (1 Ohm) s.s. amp. The amp gets hot (heat sink temp ~50C after 90 minutes of play) but I think that it is able to drive the 1 Ohm load. Need to spend more time with the Scintilla & take in advice from other Scitilla owners.

For right now I'm holding onto my C1.5i - it's truly a fantastic speaker! I've loved listening to it for all the near 5 years I've owned it.

bombaywalla April 12, 2008 23:02

System edited: Traded the Symphonic Line RG4 Mk3 power amps for the latest version Symphonic Line Kraft 300 stereo amplifier. I was very sorry to see the RG 4 Mk3 amps leave my listening room.

The Kraft 300 is still breaking in & it has gotten better sounding steadily. The Kraft 300 exhibits similar traits that the RG4 Mk3 displayed but I feel that I'm getting more of all the attributes that I used to get with the RG4 Mk3. The Kraft 300 is definitely warmer sounding than the RG4 Mk3. Is this because of class-A bias?

I have the Kraft 300 on a home-made amp stand that is a sandwich of granite with hard maple on the top & bottom. Brass spikes on the bottom. It seems to be working out quite well.

Tight bass, life-like vocals & mid-range. The best way that I can think of describing this amp is that it does not call attention to itself & that the music just flows effortlessly. I see many hours of sonic pleasure.

bombaywalla March 23, 2008 23:34

System edited: Sorry, I made a mistake in my 1/13/08 update - the speaker cables are Nite 3.0 (& not Nite 2.0).

bombaywalla January 30, 2008 23:35

System edited: Forgot to mention that I had upgraded my speaker cables to Virtual Dynamics Nite 2.0 more than 6 months ago!! I definitely prefer the Nite 2.0 over the David 1.0 speaker cables - music sound-stage is pushed back to where I think that it should be w.r.t the speaker location. Worthy upgrade!

bombaywalla January 13, 2008 23:39

Hello Ras422,
Thanks for your kind words re. my system. :-)
yes, I am using the Symphonic Line amps. I really like the RG4 Mk3 mono amps. They are simply superb to listen to.
For speaker cables I use the V-D Nite 2. I used to have TARA Labs Master Gen II. I really liked the TARA Labs Master Gen II very much but the V-D Nite 2 is even better in terms of overall bass quantity & quality, high freq extension & midrange presence. The upgrade was well worth the effort & money. Just FYI, I bought a pre-owned pair.

bombaywalla December 14, 2007 09:28

Great system-are you using the symphonic line amps? I have a pair of rg4mk3's--they are conservatively rated at 150watts but are stable below 1 ohm--I have the rg3mk3 pre with the larger pwr supply -it mates incredibly well with the amps --I just stepped up to the Virt Dyn and added the master3.0 pwr cord to my esoteric cdp very nice improvement will buy more of their stuff just very expensive--nice to see you are enjoying your Virt d STUFF AS WELL --happy listening--rich--how are their speaker cable and what did you have before ??

ras422 December 13, 2007 01:03

Hey Ryder,

The V-D Master is a step-up from the V-D Nite interconnect in terms of resolution, speed, transparency, PRaT, high-freq extention & bass extention. The improvement is in the 20-30% range IMHO. However, the cost differential is more than that! Thus, IMHO, the V-D Nite 3.0 (their latest to the best of my knowledge) is the better value-for-money cable. I like its presentation - it represents the audio spectrum in a very balanced manner.
I have little experience with XLO as I own their cables from the VDO & Pro series. I really like them as well but these cables are in a budget bedroom system. This system is very different from my reference system so a 1-1 comparison is not correct.
No comments on the AZ Silver Ref II as I have no experience.
hope that this helps some.

bombaywalla December 01, 2007 15:31

Hi Bombaywalla,

May I know what is your impression on the VD Nite and Master interconnect cables? I'm trying to make up my mind between the VD and XLO Signature 2. I am currently on the look out for the latter for my pre to power(I already have a pair running from CD to pre) but nobody is selling them at the moment. They are really superb sounding cables. I am considering VD Nite and Acoustic Zen Silver Ref. II as alternatives.

Thanks in advance.

ryder November 25, 2007 01:47

Hi Cmk,

Thanks for the kind words.

Indeed, the Green Mountain speakers are very natural sounding & IMO a real pleasure to listen to.

The Basis Vector 3 is really a superb arm. Describe the sound??? Hmmmm......this is a bit difficult to put into words.
If there is 2 words that I could use, I would use "dynamic" & "explosive" for this tonearm. Of course, in terms of music playback! ;-)
it is quick/fast. it has deep bass (my speakers can go down to 40Hz only so I'm missing the 1st octave), excellent hi freq extension, superb midrange, it's a great groove tracker. It does not have the midrange richness/lushness that I heard in the Schroeder Reference arms at RMAF. it's more neutral in the midrange. IMHO, materials used is the reason.
To my ears it just gets itself out of the way of the music. It has less colour than my previous OL Silver 250 Mk1 tonearm. The OL Silver 250 was no slouch itself but the Vector 3 betters it in every department.

bombaywalla November 15, 2007 22:31

Hey Bombaywalla
Nice system! I like the Green Mountain speakers, very natural sounding.

I've been intriged but the Basis arm. Can you describe the sound? Any inner groove distortion? Do you play with the VTA adjuster?

cmk October 27, 2007 11:39

Ozzy62,
agree the PS AUdio PS300 & 600 units can do very good things to the overall sound. A friend has the PS300 for his front-end components & it certainly made things sound a lot better!

bombaywalla October 26, 2007 02:38

System edited: Added better system pix

bombaywalla October 26, 2007 02:34

The deHavilland did indeed beat all comers. Can't say enough good things about this pre. The latest addition was a PS Audio P600, which was definitely the equal of any component upgrade I have ever done.

Oz

ozzy62 October 25, 2007 16:18

Hello Ozzy62,

thanks for your kind words.
You are welcome anytime to come over & listen. :-)

BTW, how is that deHavilland Ultraverve preamp? it seems that it must have been better than the Lamm LL2 & the tricked out ARC SP9 Mk2??

bombaywalla October 25, 2007 12:46

Sirspeedy,

thank you for your kind & generous words! :-)
Bombaywalla
=================

bombaywalla October 25, 2007 12:44

The system is looking very nice Bombaywalla!. I need to get back down there in the near future for a listen.

Oz

ozzy62 October 23, 2007 11:01

Bombaywalla,just wanted to let you know that you have put together a fascinating,and surely superb system.LOVE the look,and the speakers are something to behold.Congratulations!!

sirspeedy October 23, 2007 03:19

System edited: System Updated: Finally added AES/Cary Sixpac picture.

Added Basis Vector 3 tonearm in July 2007. Upgraded from an OL Silver 250 Mk1 tonearm. Well worth the upgrade price!

bombaywalla October 23, 2007 01:17

Hi Cenline!

thanks for the kind words.

I would love to move my speakers further out BUT on the side of the LEFT speaker (not shown in the system pix) there is a very short wall. I have pulled out the speakers as much as I could & yet provide the same wall-loading to BOTH speakers. If I pull the speakers out further, the left speaker will have no side wall & the right speaker will! :-(

Yes, my system does well with Jazz, Rock & Blues. It does OK with Classical - need a subwoofer to get the full impact the orchestra!

FYI: I met Roy at RMAF07. He was a real gentleman, as usual.

bombaywalla October 23, 2007 00:59

aywalla
I really like your system ! I love the GMa's speakers and thought that the placement could be improved slightly if they were moved. I have my GMA's 1/3 into the room and 18 inches from the sidewall.Also you might think of getting some Acoustic systems rooom resonators ( I have 5 and they make a huge difference to the sound). The ASR's act like a focusing lense and make walls disappear allowing amazing imaging. Your cabling is outstanding and I think your system would do very well with Jazz. Take care Dennis

cenline October 12, 2007 17:28

System edited: System Edited: Added a Virtual Dynamics Revelation 1.0 power cord for the CDP & a Nite 3 power cord for the tube preamp. Both are very worthy sonic upgrades.

bombaywalla March 02, 2007 21:34

Bobheinatz
Thanks very much! :-)
yes, I've put in a lot of "labour of love" into selection of the components & placement & isolation. It's has been a gradual process & done over the years. Learnt a lot from being here on Audiogon from the more experienced members (to whom I owe many thanks).
The work has paid off as the system sounds great most of the time.

bombaywalla January 23, 2007 22:47

Bombaywalla,

You have a great looking system. I can tell alot of work went into each piece. Your room also looks fantastic. I am sure you have had hours of great enjoyment. Well done.

bobheinatz January 21, 2007 17:09