It is now 2015 and I have finished my Lamm Signature Triad(ML3,LL1,LP1)It is without a doubt the finest I have seen or heard,I am done with electronics.I am still using the Avalon Isis,it just grows on you and never gets old.I am still up to date on my Walker MKV,I added the oiless and carefree compresser,what a dream.I added a second Troy signature for the ML3s and it works superb,I also am using 4 Thor SE grounding cables in the system and they are a tremendous achievement.I am using Dalby audio single and Duo isolation feet under all my components,they are a component unto themselves.And last but not least the latest and greatest Elrod Diamond cabling to tie it all together.I almost forgot the MD 809 Internet Tuner,a real work or art.
Absolutely amazing,have not heard a speaker in its class.After 2 years I just love everything about it.
Lamm ML3 Signature Amps
These are beyond anything I thought was possible in audio,I think my quest has ended.
Lamm LL1 Signature Line
Lamm's mate to the LP1 Signature Phono Stage,all that is left is the ML3s.These Signature Series are beyond awesome.
Lamm LP1 Signature Phono
Lamm's new 3 chassis phono stage that is better than anything I have ever had in my possession or ever heard at a show,totally incredible.
Elrod Diamond Series Interconnect
The new Diamond series is David Elrod's Mona Lisa.It is just a incedible experience.
Elrod Diamond Series Speaker Cables
Elrod's new top of the line,and sets a new standard for what is possible in Audio.Must be heard to be believed.!
Elrod Diamond Series Power Cord
If you thought the Gold Statement was amazing the Diamond will blow your mind.I still can't believe what I am hearing through this power cord.
Elrod Gold Statement Power Cords
These cords just blew me away,never heard anything like them.Hats off to Mr.David Elrod
Walker Audio Proscenium Black Diamond V
It is a real joy to listen to,pulls every nuance out of the groove and has tremendous transparency and detail but never gets fatiguing.A real work of art.And with the latest update to the air supply,it really puts the Walker over the Top of any table made.
Lee Dalby Lignum Vitae Vinyl Stabilizer
This thing crushed my beloved Shun Mook,it is made with brass,ebony bullets inside and Lignum wood.It is a work of art.
Walker Audio Reference Motor Drive
Does its job well,locks in the speed and keeps it there.
Koetsu CoralStone Platinum Diamond
Nothing I have heard compares to the coralstone,It is unique.Take anything about a Koetsu you have ever liked and turn it up a notch.
Magnum Dynalab MD-809 Internet Radio
Beat my Sequerra hands down and that is not easy.Best on the market.
Tripoint Orion Power Conditioner
Takes clean AC to a whole new level,and the results are stunning.
Tripoint Troy Signature
If you thought the Troy was something special wait till you hear the signature,pure magic.
Bybee Super Effect Speaker Filter
These are the only filters I will use in my system,all positive improvements and no negative,first time I can say that about a filter.Super stuff.
Harmonic Resolution M3 Isolation Base
Put 1 under my turntable,preamp and amps.These really work well and highly recommend them.
If you look at the link of the Taiwanese distributor on the avalon website they hook up the Isis with the new Hovland Stratos Mono's. Also they used these amps with eidolons at the German show and got an official remark as best sound of the show. According to some people who heard them it was so good and also never heard this quality before. Of course at this price level it should be very special.
Today Lucien sent me some photos of the Isis in different finishes. Absolutely gorgeous . So if it comes down to looks, aesthetics, the Isis will be my choice hands down. The other concern is that I believe in passive designs. Why spend upteen $$$ on electronics only not to hear them full range ? I realize that even Avalon makes a powered speaker but in my mind it's detracts from the purity of the input signal. Thus component matching becomes an issue at another level. How does the Isis image ? Are they dynamic(a accusation against Avalons) What dealer did you use ? I live in NW Ohio and no high level Avalon dealer within hundreds of miles. At this level of cost, they should be professionally set up. Continued great listening and I do value your input. Redell
Hi Redell,great 3 choices.All I can say is the Isis is the most tonally correct speaker I have ever heard,I have had them for about 8 months now and cannot find fault in them and I am very critical of speakers.They draw you into the music like no other speaker I have heard,the only thing is you need at least a 20 ft. room to let them do their thing.They throw a huge soungstage. Robert
Strappe211, Great comments to your Avalon Isis. I have been in contact with Lucien at Avalon and the Isis is currently in my top 3 choices to audition and purchase (Avalon Isis, Verity Lohengrin and the Von Scheweikert VR90
Hi Raul,I live in the New York area.You are right I went through a lot of combinations till I found the right synergy.I found out one thing,throwing all the high dollar products together does not guarentee great sound,you have to keep at it till you get the right combination.
Thank You all for your kind comments,All the components from the cartridge to the speakers has been chosen for its synergy with the system.I have switched out many different products trying to find that synergy and this is the combo that seems to fit perfect.By the way the room is 15x25 and I use a relax the back recliner to listen in and have 2 other recliners flanking it,very comfortable.
I am really at a point now where I neither want to add or subtract anything from the system,it is that good.I am done listening to the components and am just enjoying the music,it took many years to get to this point.The Isis speakers are about broken with 500 hours on them and they are in a class by themselves.After listening to them with good equipment all dowm the line for a hour you just sit there with your jaw hanging thinking did these speakers make that sound,I kid you not.They are in a different universe than the Diamonds and most other speakers out there.
Hi Dgad,the system has a certain synergy now that I have been trying for years to get.I was wired with all vahalla and I got the opus speaker cables and it made a big difference all through the spectrum,then Brad at transparent convinced me to try the interconnects and sure enough it blew away the Vahalla.So now I am wired with opus from the turntable to the speakers,I think they really work well as a system.I am trying to get my friend to take some pictures of my system,hopefully soon.
Robert, Incredible system. if they are as you described then you are done for many years. Your entire system is to be commended. I always loved the Avalon house sound except for the restrained dynamics. With the new larger diamond tweeter & 7 inch midrange everything should play much louder with much less strain. I was easily able to hear the strain on the Eidolons & that put me off. If they were a little less expensive I would think of following your direction. Instead I am going w. the Maxx IIs shortly. I admire your direction in electronics as well. Everything is first rate. I am curious how you find the Transparent Interconnects. I am using the latest generation of speaker cable but have shied away from expensive interconnects these days instead running balanced home made cables (which honestly do the trick). The speaker cables were always night & day but the interconnects (I never listened to Opus, Only reference MM) the difference wasn't worth the money. I instead decided to wait & put the $ into the speakers. Do you find the Opus interconnect to tie your system together that much more?? Have you compared it to Nordost or others??
Also, I would love to see some photos if you get a chance to post them.
Hi Chris,I have never heard a acapella speaker,but I hear they are quite special.Thank you for your kind words about my system,I think I have finally reached nirvana as I am done listening to the equipment and am just enjoying the music.By the way the Isis do have a diamond tweeter and now that they are almost fully broken in they are abosultely awesome.I believe it is the last speaker I will by for a long,long,long time.
Hi Robert, you have an awesome system! I heard the older Avalon Osiris back in 1998. Are you familiar with Acapella loudspeakers? I've heard an Acapella Campanille once at a friend's home and it was very nice indeed. The sound is totally non fatiguing and they (the Campanilles) give you the impression of listening to live music. I myself own Dunlavy SC-V's. Although they are quite neutral with good low frequency definition, they don't sound as "live" as the Campanilles. PS: Why did Avalon choose the BE instead of the diamond tweeter?
Hi,the tweeter in the Diamond is .75 in,the tweeter in the Isis is 1.2 in..It has higher power handling and can go a bit lower in frequency.The list price on the Isis tweeters is 4300.00 apieace,The list price on the smaller Diamond tweeters is 2700.00 apieace.Hope this helps. Robert
Too bad my room is only 14x19 ... I might consider them in the future. I will have to speak to Lucien in a couple of months when he gets some feedback from Isis users - maybe someone will try squeezing them into smoller room like mine with good effect.
BTW - I didn't know that the midrange is differnt. The black color on diamond tweeter is optional at Accuton, now you can specify the color when you order them.
I agree the Eidolons are missing that slam that the Isis has.The drivers are all different in the Isis,the tweeter is a 2nd generation Black diamond,It is bigger and more efficent than the diamonds.The midrange is a 7in. ceramic driver compared to a 4 in. in the Diamond,and the woofers are 2 13in. drivers in each cabinet compared to 1 11in. driver for the Diamond.And all the drivers in the Isis use neodynium magnets,they are more powerful and faster than the ones in the Diamond.My room is 15x25,that is about as small a room as I would put the Isis.I believe 20x30 would be perfect.
