Recommend some speakers?

tc,

Given what you say you are after it might be worth keeping an eye out for a second hand pair of Yamaha NS1000Ms. I owned a pair for many years and bitterly regret selling them. A bit bass light, very room tolerant, incredibly detailed and neutral.

Nic P

Thanks!

I just chose the Top Cat 'handle' as it's the same one I have on the Mana forum, where I've been posting for a few months now. I've been lurking here since July, though, but because I don't own any Naim kit I thought I'd keep quiet.

However, I respect Naim kit, and I love music and hifi, so figured why not pop in and say hi (if that's cool with the Naim guys)...

I'm in the market for an Aro anyhow, and my CD player needs replacing (transport noise, not affecting the sound, but audible and therefore a nuisance),,...

There... my cards are on the table...

TC '..'

As you're in Edinburgh, pop over to Audio Salon for a dem of some really round earth stuff. I understand that he's a very nice chap as well. He does all kinds of tube and transistor high end. In terms of speakers, he'll have Audio Note and Zingali at least. The Audio Note E's are efficient speakers (94db/w/m), so they can be driven by 8watt amps, quite clean, great imaging, fair old depth and height (if not the highest), great drama, good pace, good clarity. I find them very involving, having owned my silver-wired pair for 5 years now.

Regards,
Frank.

another slightly unusual suggestion - I had (still have actually though they're up for sale) a pair of Neat Petites. They work really well with Naim stuff but have a different presentation to the traditional Linn and SBL sound. I think it's the ribbon tweeter that gives them a very 'fine' treble. The only downsides I had were that they need a fab pair of stands (I ended up with slate ones at £450 a pair!) and being a smallish box they didn't have mega-deep bass - but you've got a sub anyway.

Just a thought.

Speak of the devil...

Jonathan Ribee said:

quote:

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Talking of Mike - be prepared to get a lot of abuse for having a silly name on this forum...

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[B]"Top Cat" said:[B]

quote:

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I just chose the Top Cat 'handle' as it's the same one I have on the Mana forum

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It's silly on the Mana forum too. Don't be a child; please use your real name. Catch you later!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Smilies do not a forum make.

OK, folks, it's decision time for me.

I have first refusal on the (borrowed) Audio Physic Virgos, but before I part with 1200 notes, I thought I'd ask again to see if there is anything around at that price which can
touch these speakers for their versatility and musicality.

My biggest quibble with the speakers is their rather unusual requirements on placement - i.e. they like to be as far away from any wall as possible, spaced wide-apart, with the listener
sitting against the back wall. Odd. It does, however, work very well. Still, in a small room, I'd like to ask once more if there is a speaker out there which can provide me with a similar (or better) sound in a smaller package or with a much
more room-friendly position requirement, and at around the same price or less.

I know that I'm not likely to find a better speaker for detail and imaging and other round-earth qualities at this price, and it has the speed, resolution and timing to carry off the PRaT thing with ease also. However, I'm willing to have a 'last-gasp' look around and see if there are any 'easier-to-live-with' options. After all, my room is too small to have muckle great speakers planted in the middle of it...

Any last minute advice, or should I just go for it?

To date, these are the best speakers I've ever heard (including ATC50s, Living Voice, Naim SBL, Kans, my old Castles, etc.), but I'm everso cautious when it comes to the final push, as I don't intend ever upgrading again (famous last words )

Cheers,

John

Hi folks.

I'm intrigued to hear both of the recommended speakers. Richard, you say you are familiar with the Virgos - how do they compare against the Sonus Fabers and the PMC?

I had a quick surf to the SF website - not a lot of detail, but I really liked the look of the SF Homage (I think it was called). Any good?

Also, what kind of prices are we talking here? And do you know of any dealers north of the border? What about JM Labs speakers - I've heard good things about them (even if I think they look a bit odd; never heard them, though).

Cheers, guys,

John

John

The SF Guarneri Homage is round about £6k new, and the Amati Homage is well over £10k. Both lovely speakers...sound great and look divine, but don't think they fit in with your budget?

Matt

Music Mill certainly used to do SF.

Cheers,

Calum

>> What about JM Labs speakers - I've heard good things about them <<

People who like what they do frequently describe JM Labs as an excellent combination of flat and round earth speakers. i.e. big expansive soundstage, very detailed, good tonality + good PRaT and musicality. Obviously people who don't liek them describe them as lacking the attirbutes of both flat and round earth speakers.

AFAICT they like a bit of space but don't have to be right out in the room like your current speakers.

Not sure about your price range given that the Virgos you are looking at are s/h but the better JMs are very pricey. You really want one of the Utopia models - there is a standmount Utopia for about 4k GBP or the very highly rated Mezzo Utopia for about 7.5k (a big floorstander with the air moving ability to compete with NBLs and ATCs). There is a cheaper range -- the Electras -- which may be worth checking out but are not as generally well received as the Utopias. Electras come is all sorts of prices and in standmount and floorstnding flavours.

I wouldn't give much for your chances of finding any s/h as they are relatively rare in the UK. If you want to know more or hear a pair you might want to contact Audio Counsel in Manchester who sell them. I'm not aware of any other dealers who sell them.

>> even if I think they look a bit odd <<

They are horrible aren't they. French speakers are as dodgy as thier beef

Matthew

Have you considered Rouark speakers. I have the Solstice Speakers and Im very happy with them. They have very good detail and good bass and seem to show up the timing very well.

Since you have RELs already you may want to consider the smaller ones, which have fantastic timbre.

Good Luck and Enjoy

Ken