AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Omega Speaker Systems => Topic started by: vinylhi on 24 Oct 2019, 04:30 am
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Aloha,
First post here. Lot's of great information in this forum and thanks to all who contribute.
I have one of these integrated SET amps on the way and was considering pairing it up with the Super 7 Mk 2 speakers. There's a chance I could pony up the difference and get the CAM's instead. Would love to hear from owners of any who may help me make my decision. Louis was quick to respond to my first questions recently and I really want to buy one of his speakers. I think his philosophy is exactly what I'm looking for!
Thanks,
Nick
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My own general view is that if you are going to run Omega speakers, and already have a tube amp, I would strongly suggest ponying up, and get the CAM Alnico. Tubes bring the life, and Alnico brings the colour.
Second argument; life is too short not to have tubes AND Alnico. The CAM's are stunningly musical speakers.
All of Louis' designs sound great, and are only magnified with tubes.
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I have it's bigger brother hooked up to some Omega SAMs. Put it this way. I play a lot less with my other equipment. Garry is a little bit hard to get ahold of, but his products are excellent. Far better than you would think. My only quibble is that his power estimate may be a little off, but that's by ear. I usually run tube or SS monos. Haven't felt the need to unplug his stuff since I got it. I also play with lower volume.
People have griped in the past about quality control. The MP501 I got was extremely well packed. As good as anything from other brands I've had in my house.
YMMV
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^ won't argue this but.... what is your musical preference? I've heard them all, minus the 8" driver, and they all sound great! specially with tubes!
like everything else there is tradeoff between the different drivers/speakers. in the end you can't lose with Louis (:
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Thank you for the replies! I listen to a bit of everything but for the really focused listening I really enjoy jazz (Bill Evans, Joe Pass, Ella, Sarah Vaughn...) and small scale classical (piano,string quartets..). I want to try to enjoy "music" more than "recordings" if that makes sense.
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The CAM is the ticket now Save your $$
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I have it's bigger brother hooked up to some Omega SAMs. Put it this way. I play a lot less with my other equipment. Garry is a little bit hard to get ahold of, but his products are excellent. Far better than you would think. My only quibble is that his power estimate may be a little off, but that's by ear. I usually run tube or SS monos. Haven't felt the need to unplug his stuff since I got it. I also play with lower volume.
People have griped in the past about quality control. The MP501 I got was extremely well packed. As good as anything from other brands I've had in my house.
YMMV
This will be my third piece of gear from Garry. It's amazing for the money and the one time I had an issue he resolved super quick. Consider me a fan of Musical Paradise!
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^ won't argue this but.... what is your musical preference? I've heard them all, minus the 8" driver, and they all sound great! specially with tubes!
like everything else there is tradeoff between the different drivers/speakers. in the end you can't lose with Louis (:
Musical preference is like time of day for me. It's always changing. The sound you get from the SAMS varies, and I've had great success with high powered monos. I do cheat and use Townshend Supertweeters. The effect is audiable. I've heard the smaller drivers in other people's setups. I love the 8 inch driver. It does 95% of the stuff I want correctly. I went and heard a local manufacturer's setp with a very reputable larger and $$$$$$ speaker. I left smiling. I finally realized I didn't need or really want anymore equipment. Well, sans a pair of Tannoy Ardens in a few years. If omega ever comes out with a larger driver...
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I haven't heard the Super 7 MK II's so can't comment on them but I can comment on the SAM's and the High Output SAM's. Both are exceptional with tubes, I was pushing SAM's with a Decware 2 watt SE84UFO2 amp and the combination was awesome. I have a fairly large listening area (22'X24') and was surprised at how that combination filled the space, I didn't want for higher dB levels but for a little more bass. I spoke to Louis and he suggested either pairing them with a couple Deep Hemp subwoofers or upgrade to the High Output SAM's. Having messed with trying to incorporate subs before and knowing the wife would ask "what are those and why do you need them?" I opted for the HO version and haven't looked back. I'm not sure what Louis' current policy is but he offered to take my SAM's back in a trade to offset the cost differential of buying the HO SAM's!!!! I now swap between the 2 watt Decware amp and a 10 watt LTA ZOTL10 in my system and they both work famously!!! Couldn't be happier. I'm lucky as I live in CT and was able to visit Louis at his shop on more than one occasion before I made my upgrade decision. If at all possible, make a visit, I am sure he would let you listen to whatever speakers he has on hand in his shop with your own amp. If not then trust whichever model you opt for will sound amazing with your Musical Paradise amp because they will. Long story short, LOL, I would kick in the extra $500 and get the CAM's. Also seek out some of Canada Rob's posts here, he can compare the 7's to the CAM's better than most.
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My final argument; three years ago I convinced an old friend to try the small floor standing 5" and it was a big success. And they sounded almost unbelievably good in this large-ish heavily furnished room. I brought over my beloved old Fisher X19 ELL80 integrated to let him behold the proceedings: transformative. Later on I started talking about Alnico, guitar speakers, Leslie speakers, and then mentioned at one point OMEGA Alnico speakers. He popped for the CAM's and my god does it sound good in there. Big sound. The only alternative with that level of sonic magic in my opinion is Altec, and that is cumbersome, old, and no guarantee of success at this point. There is nothing out there that has that yummy, warm, crisp, beauty.
The Fisher amp is now on permanent loan in an appropriate setting for it.
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Man, you guys are making me drool about alnico magnets. I really enjoy jazz guitar and can imagine how thats going to sound with the SET. This is literally the only new speaker I am considering. I love the value in used gear but I'm going to make an exception here.
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I haven't heard the Super 7 MK II's so can't comment on them but I can comment on the SAM's and the High Output SAM's. Both are exceptional with tubes, I was pushing SAM's with a Decware 2 watt SE84UFO2 amp and the combination was awesome. I have a fairly large listening area (22'X24') and was surprised at how that combination filled the space, I didn't want for higher dB levels but for a little more bass. I spoke to Louis and he suggested either pairing them with a couple Deep Hemp subwoofers or upgrade to the High Output SAM's. Having messed with trying to incorporate subs before and knowing the wife would ask "what are those and why do you need them?" I opted for the HO version and haven't looked back. I'm not sure what Louis' current policy is but he offered to take my SAM's back in a trade to offset the cost differential of buying the HO SAM's!!!! I now swap between the 2 watt Decware amp and a 10 watt LTA ZOTL10 in my system and they both work famously!!! Couldn't be happier. I'm lucky as I live in CT and was able to visit Louis at his shop on more than one occasion before I made my upgrade decision. If at all possible, make a visit, I am sure he would let you listen to whatever speakers he has on hand in his shop with your own amp. If not then trust whichever model you opt for will sound amazing with your Musical Paradise amp because they will. Long story short, LOL, I would kick in the extra $500 and get the CAM's. Also seek out some of Canada Rob's posts here, he can compare the 7's to the CAM's better than most.
Great stuff you have there! Being a former New Englander (RI) I would love to go see Louis but living in Hawaii now might make that a bit of an issue! Even his shipping quote was very reasonable as thats the toughest thing about being an audiophile out here, not that I'm looking for sympathy! Good to hear trhat your 2 watt amp works well in such a large room. I have a whopping 6wpc and a smaller space.
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CAMs. Get them. Don't look back. I have one of the first pair made and they're internally wired with ZenWave. The speakers are so good. I've used them with many Pass and First Watt amps, but also am a fairly recent owner of a Decware SE84UFO and the combination is as good as people have repeatedly stated.
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I own both the Super 7 MKII and the Compact CAM. They are both enjoyable and both different sounding. I have also owned the Super 3i previously.
The Super 7 MKII play loud and clean and enjoyably so. You can juice these speakers and they do not break up. The use of the 7" driver makes a huge difference in terms of how much output you get from the speaker. This speaker sounds like a big speaker, especially when compared with the plethora of 5 1/4" bookshelf speakers out there, including the Super 3i. The Super 7 MKII certainly sounds bigger than the 6" driver used in the Compact CAM.
The Compact CAM's strength is nuance. I never paid as much attention to Elton John's singing technique until I listened to his 'Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra' album, especially the song 'The Greatest Discovery." It took me awhile to warm up to these speakers and notice the differences over the Super 7s. Break in was much longer than what I experienced with the Super 7s. The CAMs force me to stop and listen, as opposed to the Super 7s, where I could do and focus on other things and still listen. The Cams will draw you in and almost hypnotically so.
I doubt you can wrong with either.
I am using the CAMs currently with a Rega Brio, the new Technics 1210 GR turntable, and a UNICO CD player.
Rich
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=200059)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=200061)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=200062)
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"I really enjoy jazz guitar..."
...well, there you are. That, to me is the greatest argument yet! And, if you -know- jazz guitar, like, Gibson ES175, Fender Twin, Metheny, Ellis, Pass, Howe, Montgomery, noodlings, octaves, on hollow body Gibson ES jazz guitars with Alnico pickups being amplified by tubes, then you are in for a treat with this stuff. Hammond organ? Play Telegraph Road or Joey D. ...and I remember the look on my friend's face.
You, much like my friend, will never be able to go back. You will become a musical Dorothy, lost forever in a sonic Oz of chromatic splendour and dimension, with no wish nor any intention of ever returning to the music of ..Kansas. ... all this, in Hawaii?
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As tempted as I was by those Compact 8's in white/zebrawood (more efficiency and no wait!), I just ordered my CAM's in ebony. Louis has been so great to deal with and I really enjoy the personal aspect of companies like this. Now comes the hard part.......the wait! At least it gives me time to clean and organize more records! Thanks to all for the advice.
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We will be interested in your progress. Please share!
You have made an exceptional decision especially as you enjoy jazz guitar with Alnico pickups being played through tube amplifiers. .. wait til you hear what Hammond organ sounds like, or ALL those other instruments similarly amplified.
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Got a couple of recommendations for some good Hammond B3 jazz albums? I do have about 3 or 4 Jimmy Smith records.
I can't tell you how excited I am to get these speakers. I never buy new, so much value out there in used gear, but I so dig Louis' hands-on approach and the fact that a bunch of you guys reached out to offer you advice and opinions. I look forward to updates and reviews after what will seem like an interminable wait! Louis if you're reading this....stop and get back to the shop!!
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one of the best aspects of Omega speakers is that you get Louis in the deal. the entire thing becomes personalized process and you pick up a new friend in the transaction.
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Vinyl hi, I run my SAMs with a hybrid integrated, an 80 w/ch Unison with solid state amp and tube (2 - 12au7s) preamp. Incredible synergy between the Unison and SAMs. Frisell/Morgan (Small Town and Epistrohy) as well as Frisell’s ‘Music IS’ have been playing quite a lot the last 2 months, and his guitar sounds simply amazing through the SAMs. Can’t recommend the SAMs enough!!!
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=200792)
I also use SS during the summertime. I've had good experiences with SS, but I won't tell you who with, lol.
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I'm going to guess......Bel Canto?
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Aloha,
My CAM's in beautiful quartered ebony have finally arrived, after a few days of break-in, and some early auditioning I find myself asking "What have I done?" I've gone down the rabbit hole of many different types of conventional multi-driver speakers and solid-state amplification over the years chasing what I thought I wanted only to be completely upended by this simple unassuming paper cone with a whizzer in the middle and a 6-watt SET amp that's about $330! Are you kidding? Was it that easy?
I assumed I would be enjoying listening to "music" as opposed to "recordings" as I have in the past based on what I've read about Louis's designs. I couldn't have been more wrong. The disappearing act is remarkable and the coherency is so smooth from top to bottom. Even a family member commented on how much he could hear the space the recording was made in. My wife picked up on the different types of percussion on the DCC remaster of Hotel California, not to mention she loves the look of the CAM's too!
The combination of Alnico and jazz guitar is the real deal and was a big reason I chose them over the Super 7's and I'm so happy I did. The next thing to do is save up for a higher quality amp like a Decware. I've heard that synergy is amazing.
Of course, I have to mention how awesome Louis has been with this sale and I look forward to future purchases down the road! His shipping was very fair for Hawaii standards and I know he ate some of the costs associated with shipping out there.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=202494)
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Congrats, those speakers look great. I have a pair of CAM’s along with a pair of the Deephemp 8 subs on order and am very encouraged by your initial results. Please keep us informed of their progress.
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Glad to hear things are working out, early impressions good, and as usual, Louis the good guy is in the mix..
Wonderful sounding speakers. Music lovers only need apply. Enjoy, and apprise us of developments. After about 250 hours they really open up. You are likely only getting a suggestion of how open they really are!!
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Congratulations! I have had similar experience. Tried all sorts of multiway speakers from Paradigm Sig to Salk SS8 and solid state pres and amps of all kinds. The Omegas do it for me. I have SAM-HO's with elaborate Rythmic bass foundation. Omegas powered by Dennis Had hand built single ended 8watt pentode tube pre and amp. Auralic as source and DAC top it off. It's been about a year now and I haven't had any temptation to swap anything out. Listening is finally satisfying and without that little bit that always seemed to be off or missing. Can't say it was inexpensive though!
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tonight I was at the aforementioned friend's house visiting and listening.. we put on things we know will be highlighted by the speakers, material with favoured Gibson hollow body jazz guitars, Hammond organ etc. Of special note was the remastered Dire Straits 'Love Over Gold" and Telegraph Road. Listen to the first interlude where there is a break with just melodic, sustained guitar notes playing over piano and Hammond organ. This is already a legendary album for its production, alone. Remastered takes it alot further. Joey DeFrancesco Live of the 5 Spot, great album.
Just saying this kind of stuff just absolutely cooks, on these speakers. Louis, they are fabulous. He is using my on loan Fisher ELL80 integrated. Nice.
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Obviously I’m new here and don’t own Omegas......yet. That should change in a couple of weeks or so. Reading all of these posts has me more excited to have my Omega’s than ever. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and pictures. While I’m mostly excited about their sound the fact that they look great sure doesn’t hurt.
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^ they certainly look good and sound even better! Are you running them with the aric 300 monos? Be prepared to exercise some patience - for break in 😊
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Yes,I’ll be driving them with my Aric Audio 300B amps and I’ll certainly give them plenty of time to break in before evaluating them. Sounds like they need a good 100 hours to settle in and they keep on improving thereafter with them really opening up at about 250 hours? I’ll have the pair of deephemp 8’s to break in also. The wife will love all the bass heavy music I’ll be using to break them in!
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The Aric 300B looks stunning! Once mine have broken in I'll plunge into a higher-end amp, although for the money the Musical Paradise MP-301 is a bargain. Aric is out of my price league but there are intriguing options in the $1K to $1.5K range. Decware, Dennis Had's Inspire, Elekit and Audio Note Kit amps. It should be a fun search! Definitely loving jazz guitar and Hammond organ over the CAM's. I also see a sub in my future, small, sealed, something like the Deephemp 8 maybe!
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Well, here it is about a month into listening to my CAM's. They just get better and better. Upgraded my phono stage recently from a Lounge LCR to a Sutherland KC Vibe. The difference was not subtle at all. The CAM's really showcased the differences. The Lounge is a great piece for the money but the Sutherland's improved noise floor and instrument separation was instantly noticeable. I'm still so floored by the midrange coherency of these speakers. I haven't bothered with a subwoofer yet and my Musical Paradise MP-301 is about to undergo some mods. I'm really looking forward to experiencing the changes through the Omega's. Can't get enough Joe Pass through these!