Shahinian and other speak suggestions from SL2 for 500 system

"They produce stress free sound at high volume and sound magnificent." " 250 barely gets warm"

The 500 runs cooler with the Diapasons than it did with the SL2s.

Equally, they produce scale, soundstage and detail even at low volume. I continue to be extremely impressed by my Diapasons. When I have a second free I will write up a detailed review for the forum, not least of all to try and set to right some of the considerable misconceptions about Shahinian speakers.

As far as the price goes, they are all built to the same very high standard: the smaller models, designed to suit specific space constraints etc, are NOT built down to a price, and the top models do not have an expanded margin.

Hi

I have seen a pair of 2nd hand Hawks going and as I am looking to upgrade my speakers I was intrigued - do you think they would be suitable for my system - (WTL amadeus is my primary source with the 282, HC, 250DR)?

I know a demo is advisable but would it work in principle? I am not familiar with the speakers and what is required to drive them well.

Thanks

Sten

Indeed Michael, a Shahinian is available to suit all rooms.

Fantastic Gary!

gary yeowell posted:

Very nice. How do you find them Gary ?

I have a real soft spot for the way Shahinian play music James, i really enjoy their realistic room filling sound.

Thanks Gary - I really like the look of those. How do you find they compare to some of the other speakers you had through your doors recently ?

James

As good as anything i've had here James. Slightly less full sounding than the Arc, but in my room that is not such a bad thing, as i can now go as loud as i want and everything stays together.

Hi Gary,

Have the Shahinians replaced the Quads that you were enjoying so much?

Best regards, FT 

Yes FT, their size always imposed on the room. Can't knock them for their sound though.

Gary - which model are those? I think I heard some of them run by Audio Counsel at a Manchester airport Hifi show about 11-12 years ago - the nicest sound at the show.

Dave of Audio Counsel brought some Obelisks to my house a couple of years ago for a demo - I wasn't really wowed by the sound. Funny how Dave doesn't like SBLs but loves shahinian (and is no longer a naim dealer) but Peter (Cynbiosis) is the other way round - he really doesn't like Shahinian speakers 

Compass; I have them too

They are the Compass. I have previously owned Arc and Obelisk with varying levels of success. The Arc was better in my room than the Obelisk due i think to a couple of factors, one being rearward firing drivers which went straight back underneath the staircase, and the other being notoriously hard on amps. The Arc still presented a problem due to the rear passive radiator, albeit less of an issue, however when you turned them up, which they love to do, the energy in the room would again rebound under my staircase. With the Compass firing only upward and slightly forward, i have no such stored bass energy under the staircase, and even if i listen from behind they are clean as can be. Lastly the Compass have been sounding ridiculously good even with my standalone UQ2, before finally connecting the CDS3/SN2, which confirms the ease with which they can be driven.

Peter also loves Kudos, which i find very hard work. Personal taste and all, i do also own SL2 so there you go.

Alba, Arc's like to be at least a foot away and preferrably more. The Compass would need a fair knock to push them over. You can hit them pretty hard and they just wobble, so not a problem in most instances, however with young children running around i'm not so sure, but i don't have any.

Sten posted:

Hi

I have seen a pair of 2nd hand Hawks going and as I am looking to upgrade my speakers I was intrigued - do you think they would be suitable for my system - (WTL amadeus is my primary source with the 282, HC, 250DR)?

I know a demo is advisable but would it work in principle? I am not familiar with the speakers and what is required to drive them well.

Thanks

Sten

Well, that's what we're using in the shop. Admittedly, it's probably the minimum you can get away with in the Naim hierarchy, but it certainly didn't seem like the amp was being driven within an inch of its life. The Amadeus is a fine turntable. If you're using something like an XX2 and a decent phono stage then you should be in a good place. The minimum phono stage I would consider in that situation is the Dynavector P75 obviously. Of course, better phono stages are around, such as Naim's Superline (my preference in this sort of system) but the P75 gives a very good account of itself against anything below that, particularly if the cartridge is a Dynavector where there is strong synergy.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Thanks Frank!

I do indeed have the xx2 on the Amadeus. Currently I have the StageLine but am planning on upgrading that to the SuperLine along with another HC DR soon anyway.

I think I will see if the seller will allow a home demo. I have a slightly odd shaped room so I really need to hear them in situ. The room is big but my listening position, where I can be directly in front of the speakers forces me to sit about 3.5 meters away with a wall directly behind but a big area off past my right shoulder...

Thanks again

Sten

Do you know the age of the Hawks?

You will be relieved to hear I find my Diapasons pretty unfussy about positioning, with a range of positions in which they perform well, and a more restricted range in which they are absolutely stunning....

I have just contacted the seller asking just that - and for a home demo. Waiting for a response......

Glad about the positioning - I am sure I will be able to find a sweet spot for them assuming he agrees of course...

Here's the fun we were having the other day.

WT Versalex/XX2/P75/282/HCDR/NAP250DR
WT Versalex/XV-1t/Rega IOS Ref/Osiris

...into arguably-still-running-in Hawks.

Hawks have been around a long time. I believe they changed drivers some time ago, though not sure when. Still learning about this odd little brand.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Nice  .......... but now I want a Versalex. How is the LTD Tone arm? I just have the standard one on my mk1 Amadeus..

Regards

Sten

I have only played with the Versalex and Simplex. I think the arm on the Amadeus is somewhere in between? I find using the LTD to be perfectly easy once you get used to the whole principle of operation, which is bizarre to say the least. We are now running the Versalex with almost no damping, just a very tiny amount of silicon fluid in the bath. We used to run more damping but over the last few months we've grown to prefer the easier flow of the lighter damping. Well worth trying out.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Interesting. Might give it a try but how do you go about getting the silicon gel out once it's in?

Regards

Sten

Or do you just not immerse it so far into the gel? Mine sits about 1/4 into the gel.

In an Amadeus you just raise or lower the pot which holds the fluid. In doing so the ball sits in more or less fluid. I found that less fluid equalled a lighter, faster and more engaging presentation which was beter for me.