Time for a change??

Hi PB,

Great to see you out of hibernation mate!!!

Not wishing to mess with any bears....I can't recommend and concur with DB that the DR upgrade. It really is night and day and would be interesting if you were to have it done whether the "itch" to upgrade the speakers still existed. After the DR upgrade has run in it really adds so much to the system "it'll blow ya paws off" didn't Michael Caine say that in the Italian Job!!!

Then if an itch still was there I would dem an S1 for quite a while.  Speakers can provide much more with each upgrade it's actually quite surprising was they are capable of.

Great journey, PB I look forward to following it mate.

TOBYJUG posted:

Would give me and anyone else nightmares

Mrs Ball says "No", they are not coming into our house, they look like they are laughing sinisterly at you   

Alba1320 posted:

Have you tried Shahinian?

Yes when I went on my original search, very different but not for me.

Jonn posted:

Just get a pair of s/h DBLs and use the money you save on DRing the 552/500. Job done.

Not a bad shout but Mr Swain and myself decided DBL's wouldn't work where I want the speakers to go.

Dustysox posted:

Hi PB,

Great to see you out of hibernation mate!!!

Not wishing to mess with any bears....I can't recommend and concur with DB that the DR upgrade. It really is night and day and would be interesting if you were to have it done whether the "itch" to upgrade the speakers still existed. After the DR upgrade has run in it really adds so much to the system "it'll blow ya paws off" didn't Michael Caine say that in the Italian Job!!!

Then if an itch still was there I would dem an S1 for quite a while.  Speakers can provide much more with each upgrade it's actually quite surprising was they are capable of.

Great journey, PB I look forward to following it mate.

Hello Dusty,

yes its going to be the start of another journey. I can see a few changes coming. DR'ing will happen at some point and maybe a few upgrades on the trusty TMS. I know there are a few goodies available from Vertere.

However I do believe I have taken the ART's as far as I want to and thats where I am going to start the next adventure 

Kind regards

PB

I am keeping eyes and ears open for new speakers just in case anything happens to my NBLs, which I like very much. Two speakers I've heard and enjoyed (and have made it onto my reserve list) are the Kudos 707 and the PMC Fact 12, although I also have a nagging thought that my next speaker purchase ought to be for something smaller, possibly stand mounted. I hope I'm not forced to confront this challenge anytime soon.

The same thought is at the back of any NBL owner’s mind.

Hi PB, I'm with the others re. getting the DR upgrades, and in the order suggested by DB. However, I respect and understand your desire to change speakers. Obvious candidates are the Kudos 808s, but although I've yet to hear a pair myself I'd be considering Magicos.

I’ve heard trully amazing speakers at last year’s Audio show in Warsaw. Austrian made Trenner & Friedl. 
Should be a nice upgrade from your ARTs.

All the best,

Adam

Clive B posted:

I am keeping eyes and ears open for new speakers just in case anything happens to my NBLs, which I like very much. Two speakers I've heard and enjoyed (and have made it onto my reserve list) are the Kudos 707 and the PMC Fact 12, although I also have a nagging thought that my next speaker purchase ought to be for something smaller, possibly stand mounted. I hope I'm not forced to confront this challenge anytime soon.

Relatively speaking at least, the Fact 12s are smaller, and do allow some tailoring of response, so I think may be more able to use in a smaller room, if that was what you meant.

PB, I have a 555/552/500 system all DR with the full SL loom. I recently added the new Spendor Classic 200. Very happy with my system so recommend you give the Spendors a listen.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Clive B posted:

I am keeping eyes and ears open for new speakers just in case anything happens to my NBLs, which I like very much. Two speakers I've heard and enjoyed (and have made it onto my reserve list) are the Kudos 707 and the PMC Fact 12, although I also have a nagging thought that my next speaker purchase ought to be for something smaller, possibly stand mounted. I hope I'm not forced to confront this challenge anytime soon.

Relatively speaking at least, the Fact 12s are smaller, and do allow some tailoring of response, so I think may be more able to use in a smaller room, if that was what you meant.

I've just measured my NBLs and compared them with the specs for the Fact 12 and you are indeed right, but apart from the width, the difference is not that great. I don't wish to tempt fate, but I would like to hear a pair at home (purely for research purposes, you understand).

Oohh PB,

So many upgrades to offer and most of them expensive!????

A lovely, shiny, Perspex turntable, cables made of lovingly stroked unobtainium, an air bed suspension table for sensitive components, DR amplifier upgrades (if not Statement pre-amp), the list goes on.

However, speakers are your priority for understandable reasons. Two 10 inch bass drivers per speaker takes a bit of controlling. ART do a nice speaker with an Alnico tweeter and 8 inch bass driver that would be easier to control but you’ve heard that one recently.

Kudos Titan 808 are already on your audition list. Magico S5 deserve to be on your list too. I still like the ART Alnico 12 but our room is a bit small for them. It’s a surprisingly short list.

Then do DR the NAP500. It’s a good thing!

Enjoy the journey and take your time, It’s a fun ride so long as you don’t rush it.

Best regards, FT

PB 

Just over a year ago I audition four speakers ( Wilson Sabrina.Vivid Giya 4, B&W 800 D3,Kudos 808 ).Sabrina didn’t make it to the home audition but could live happily with any of the other three. So a few more to add to your shortlist and hope you find the right speakers.

Clive B posted:

I am keeping eyes and ears open for new speakers just in case anything happens to my NBLs, which I like very much. Two speakers I've heard and enjoyed (and have made it onto my reserve list) are the Kudos 707 and the PMC Fact 12, although I also have a nagging thought that my next speaker purchase ought to be for something smaller, possibly stand mounted. I hope I'm not forced to confront this challenge anytime soon.

NBL's were beautiful speakers Clive, I had the pleasure of a demonstration many years ago when I had the CDS3, 252 and 300 and probably needed a better system for them, its a shame there is nothing like them now as I would be very tempted for another listen.

tonym posted:

Hi PB, I'm with the others re. getting the DR upgrades, and in the order suggested by DB. However, I respect and understand your desire to change speakers. Obvious candidates are the Kudos 808s, but although I've yet to hear a pair myself I'd be considering Magicos.

I have had a brief look at Magico's but not sure where to hear them, the only reservation is the price of the ones I would be interested in 

Adam Zielinski posted:

I’ve heard trully amazing speakers at last year’s Audio show in Warsaw. Austrian made Trenner & Friedl. 
Should be a nice upgrade from your ARTs.

All the best,

Adam

Not a brand I have any knowledge about Adam, I will have a look on the internet. The problems going to be, where am I going to audition a pair.

JMB posted:

PB, I have a 555/552/500 system all DR with the full SL loom. I recently added the new Spendor Classic 200. Very happy with my system so recommend you give the Spendors a listen.

An interesting recommendation, its been a while since I last heard a pair of Spendors, not sure I have ever liked their presentation though.

Foot tapper posted:

Oohh PB,

So many upgrades to offer and most of them expensive!????

A lovely, shiny, Perspex turntable, cables made of lovingly stroked unobtainium, an air bed suspension table for sensitive components, DR amplifier upgrades (if not Statement pre-amp), the list goes on.

However, speakers are your priority for understandable reasons. Two 10 inch bass drivers per speaker takes a bit of controlling. ART do a nice speaker with an Alnico tweeter and 8 inch bass driver that would be easier to control but you’ve heard that one recently.

Kudos Titan 808 are already on your audition list. Magico S5 deserve to be on your list too. I still like the ART Alnico 12 but our room is a bit small for them. It’s a surprisingly short list.

Then do DR the NAP500. It’s a good thing!

Enjoy the journey and take your time, It’s a fun ride so long as you don’t rush it.

Best regards, FT

As lovely as the Alnico's are Ian, they are not for me, I have had the pleasure of the big Alnico references at home and they are not a speaker I can live with long term. 

Its going to be a journey of a few steps, firstly the speakers, then the amps and then the Perspex shiny turntable may be on the shopping list. The list could go on for a very long time 

Kind regards

PB

ayap1 posted:

PB 

Just over a year ago I audition four speakers ( Wilson Sabrina.Vivid Giya 4, B&W 800 D3,Kudos 808 ).Sabrina didn’t make it to the home audition but could live happily with any of the other three. So a few more to add to your shortlist and hope you find the right speakers.

I have never heard a pair of Wilsons I would like to take home for an audition, likewise with the B&W's.  I am certainly prepared to have a look at the Vivids 

Just curious PB, have you heard Dynaudio Evidence series ?

Nigel

B+W may not be for you, but I'd still recommend (if you haven't already done so) having a listen to the new D3 versions whose sound presentation has moved on quite a bit from the D2's.  The similarity in appearance may be a bigger obstacle for some...

Peter

PS I wonder how far this thread has potential to run.....!!

Sorry, just posted something in wrong thread - moved now

I would look at something completely different. You should check out some JBL 4367 Studio Monitors. You can’t beat JBL compression drivers.

Monster posted:

You can’t beat JBL compression drivers.

Rather a sweeping statement...