Obelisks... help!
Posted by: jayd on 17 February 2003
I just purchased a pair of Shahinian Obelisks for $150.00 US:
my obelisks
So, ok, they need repair:
Still, even if repairs are several hundred dollars, I think I got a deal.
Now, the dilemma... I'm sure my Nait 3 won't drive them well. I wasn't even looking for speakers; I need to upgrade my source. But they were such a deal I couldn't pass. Crud. Now it looks like I'm going to have to shop for serious pre/power just to use them.
Any advice concerning Obelisks and power recommendations would be welcome.
Eh, I suppose I could always have them repaired and re-sell them, but I'm afraid I'm going to like them. A lot.
jay
my obelisks
So, ok, they need repair:
quote:
One woofer is blown/does not work
Still, even if repairs are several hundred dollars, I think I got a deal.
Now, the dilemma... I'm sure my Nait 3 won't drive them well. I wasn't even looking for speakers; I need to upgrade my source. But they were such a deal I couldn't pass. Crud. Now it looks like I'm going to have to shop for serious pre/power just to use them.
Any advice concerning Obelisks and power recommendations would be welcome.
Eh, I suppose I could always have them repaired and re-sell them, but I'm afraid I'm going to like them. A lot.
jay
Posted on: 17 February 2003 by Steve Hall
I'd just sell the feet to medical science and you'll more than cover the cost of the woofer.
Posted on: 17 February 2003 by count.d
Jayd,
Now that you've got them, why don't you take your time and get them repaired by an authorised Shahinian distributor. There's no rush. You got them so cheap, you're not going to lose on them.
I think the minimum to drive then from Naim is really 72/250/Hicap.
Regarding advice on these speakers, what do you want to know?
Now that you've got them, why don't you take your time and get them repaired by an authorised Shahinian distributor. There's no rush. You got them so cheap, you're not going to lose on them.
I think the minimum to drive then from Naim is really 72/250/Hicap.
Regarding advice on these speakers, what do you want to know?
Posted on: 17 February 2003 by jayd
Basically I was looking for pre/power recommendations. The 72/140 combo is the one I've been considering to replace the Nait, but that was with my current Rega Elas... sounds like the 140 may not have enough grunt for the Obelisks(?)
Posted on: 17 February 2003 by Keith Mattox
I practically live down the street from this guy. If I would have seen this ad in time.....
Cheers
Keith.
Cheers
Keith.
Posted on: 17 February 2003 by Alex S.
Dynavector amplifiers were specifically designed to drive Shahinian speakers. This they do with real purpose and aplomb. It is difficult to do justice to Obelisks without them.
Personally, I don't think 135s do the job very well but, judging from Dev's reports of added power and drive, a new 250 or 300 would probably do the job well. Preamp choice is less critical. I've heard Obs sound great with a 32.5, yet greater again with a DV pre.
Alex
PS Sorry about my silly joke the other day.
Personally, I don't think 135s do the job very well but, judging from Dev's reports of added power and drive, a new 250 or 300 would probably do the job well. Preamp choice is less critical. I've heard Obs sound great with a 32.5, yet greater again with a DV pre.
Alex
PS Sorry about my silly joke the other day.
Posted on: 18 February 2003 by ebirah
A friend is using a new pair with 72/hi/250 and they sound absolutely stunning with no discernable power-amp strain at all. I deally, I wouldn't drop below a 250 however. I think the 180 may be a little harsh but have no experience of the 'new' Naim kit and Shahinians.
PS I'm very very jealous. I'm absolutely sure Shahinian will repair them at very reasonable cost. I'd go direct to them in NY if I were you. I've found them very helpful indeed.
Steve
PS I'm very very jealous. I'm absolutely sure Shahinian will repair them at very reasonable cost. I'd go direct to them in NY if I were you. I've found them very helpful indeed.
Steve
Posted on: 18 February 2003 by jayd
Just checked out the Shahinian website. Looks like they offer a woofer upgrade for $350 per pair, plus shipping, which replaces the old American drivers with new Norwegian ones(?). There's also a recommended crossover upgrade for $200-$300, which uses better caps and stuff, and meshes the mid/high units better with the new woofer.
So, $150 purchase + $350 woofer + $300 crossover + $150 shipping = virtually new Obelisks for less than $1k. I'm a happy guy. (They will also re-cover all the grills for $100, if needed.)
The Dynavector amps look interesting, but I can honestly say I've never seen one for sale. Then again, I haven't ever looked for them.
Shahinian also recommends Plinius and Bedini amps... not sure about the Bedini, but what I've heard from Plinius recently (8100 integrated) didn't wow me. A 250 still sounds like an attractive option - expensive, but no more so (I'm guessing) than a similar Dynavector amp, and much easier to find.
By the way - why are these speakers so hard to drive? Shahinian states they are a 6 ohm load, and they are 89 db efficient (same as my Rega Elas). I don't doubt that they are power hungry; just wonder what's going on that the specifications don't tell.
Thanks for all the info.
Jay
So, $150 purchase + $350 woofer + $300 crossover + $150 shipping = virtually new Obelisks for less than $1k. I'm a happy guy. (They will also re-cover all the grills for $100, if needed.)
The Dynavector amps look interesting, but I can honestly say I've never seen one for sale. Then again, I haven't ever looked for them.
Shahinian also recommends Plinius and Bedini amps... not sure about the Bedini, but what I've heard from Plinius recently (8100 integrated) didn't wow me. A 250 still sounds like an attractive option - expensive, but no more so (I'm guessing) than a similar Dynavector amp, and much easier to find.
By the way - why are these speakers so hard to drive? Shahinian states they are a 6 ohm load, and they are 89 db efficient (same as my Rega Elas). I don't doubt that they are power hungry; just wonder what's going on that the specifications don't tell.
Thanks for all the info.
Jay
Posted on: 22 February 2003 by jes0369
Hi,
Looks like you got a bargain there!
I currently use a NAP180 to drive mine, and they sound wonderful with no harshness or strain.
Obelisks don't seem to need power as much as current delivery and sound quality, which is of course where all Naim amps excel.
Hope this helps,
James
Looks like you got a bargain there!
I currently use a NAP180 to drive mine, and they sound wonderful with no harshness or strain.
Obelisks don't seem to need power as much as current delivery and sound quality, which is of course where all Naim amps excel.
Hope this helps,
James
Posted on: 08 March 2003 by u5227470736789524
Hey jayd
Any updates on the Obeliskian journey ?
Jeff A
Any updates on the Obeliskian journey ?
Jeff A
Posted on: 08 March 2003 by jayd
Updates... none of note yet, except to say that I'm impressed with and grateful for the assistance I have received from Shahinian Acoustics, Vasken Shahinian in particular. I sent them an email explaining my situation, and asking for a suggested course of action. Vasken replied that, short of my sending the Obs to them for a full update, he would be willing to sell me a replacement pair of bass drivers, as soon as he finds a suitable pair (apparently, replacement drivers of my vintage are not stocked, so he's looking for a demo/test pair that would be a good match).
Cosmetically, the speakers are in fab shape. Of course I plugged them in even though one isn't fully working. I was surprised to learn how much of the midrange is handled by the 8" driver in this design - a good deal of the vocal, piano, etc. was absent from the broken speaker. I didn't listen long as I wasn't sure how my Nait would feel about the mismatched load I was presenting them with.
I hope to have them singing soon, at which point I'll give a full update. I do fully intend to send them back to Shahinian for updated bass drivers and crossovers, as soon as funds permit.
jay
Cosmetically, the speakers are in fab shape. Of course I plugged them in even though one isn't fully working. I was surprised to learn how much of the midrange is handled by the 8" driver in this design - a good deal of the vocal, piano, etc. was absent from the broken speaker. I didn't listen long as I wasn't sure how my Nait would feel about the mismatched load I was presenting them with.
I hope to have them singing soon, at which point I'll give a full update. I do fully intend to send them back to Shahinian for updated bass drivers and crossovers, as soon as funds permit.
jay