AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Daedalus Audio => Topic started by: Daedalus Audio on 21 Nov 2019, 07:07 pm
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Building a new set of APollo11 for a customer who has had a set of Ulysses for a long time! He wanted to see the process so here we go.
Here are some of the panels being glued up. Pretty nice wood I'd say :thumb:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=201220)
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stunning!
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The tiger striping on the sides will be amazing!!!!
Lou, your cabinets are air looms.
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Two months ago I was whale watching in the San Juan Islands and the next day meeting up with Lou.
It was wonderful to get together, share our strong passion for music and...
have Lou design the ideal speaker to grace my home.
I was very taken by the Apollo 11s when I heard them at Lou's shop
Owning the Ulysses V2 - I have always enjoyed their engaging sound.
I am so excited to hear how much further the Apollo 11s will take things in my system.
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This wood grain on these speakers is wonderful!
Thank you Lou!
It is such a tough decision regarding finishes and Lou walked me through a number of options.
The cabinetry I decided on is based a lot on his demo pair on the website.
Which I was able to see and hear - up close and personnel
The baked maple is a fabulous wood.
These are going to look spectacular.
Such an heirloom.
Stunning Lou
Thank you!
I promise to be very patient as the speakers come together.
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I wasn’t sure to start a new thread or continue on here
Lou has built me a pair of Baked Maple Apollo 11 speakers and the wood working he described far exceeded my very high expectations.
A true artisian
In sight and sound
Today was the unveiling
Only one problem - one of the speakers is still in a FEDEX area distribution center 25 miles away.
Oh well - monday it is.
I have been working at home since tuesday and now have a workstation offset to the left of my listening couch.
The speakers are stunning and sounded so engaging up in Ferndale at Daedalus ground zero.
A little history - I bought a pair of Ulysses from a member here on Audio Circle in 2015 - thanks Jason
And have been so impressed with them as have anyone who visits. Even though they were second hand Lou treated me as if I had bought a custom set of speakers from him.
Lou did the V2 updrade before I received them and I have been in heaven since.
I will be breaking in the Apollo 11s - spending some time with them and give you my thoughts.
Thank you Lou for unlocking that passion in music
TOm
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206168)
Thanks Lou
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206163)
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The stunning and refined inlay.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206167)
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206165)
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Congratulations , they are beautiful. Will be interested in your comments in general , as well as , any vs the Ulysses once the Apollos have broken in
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Even more defined “tiger striping” on the top
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206170)
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Congratulations , they are beautiful. Will be interested in your comments in general , as well as , any vs the Ulysses once the Apollos have broken in
Thanks Cheech
Lou really went all out.
I will be sharing my insights at length here and in audiogon
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Wow! Those are just beautiful speakers.
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They look really nice with the grills on too.
Well made and intricate fit
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206171)
Stay safe
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Somebody flip these pics please !!!
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They look stunning! Looking forward to your comparison to the Ulysses.
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Somebody flip these pics please !!!
They are shot and loaded vertical via iphone
Thanks for the gallery upload and rotate tips below
Now vertical
Fixed
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Hi, I rotated them, they will still be wrong in browser caches but will eventually sort out.
You can rotate images by going to your gallery, manage images, then rotate right (or left).
If you would care to help me fix it more permanently, please open a thread in Bug Reports with a link to your original out-of-camera images on Dropbox.
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Very sweet looking 11s! I envy you their finish.
My li'l brother Apollos are almost plain by comparison. They were all I could afford at the time, so I gratefully accepted them -- and I love how they sound! Once cross-State travel becomes easier again, I'm going to drive to Ferndale for an upgrade and to add inlays to the front panels.
Congratulations! :thumb:
Popcorn for looking forward to your impressions. :popcorn:
Michael
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Some folks have mentioned Apple devices have a rotation issue. Above my pay grade. I saved one of the pics and rotated as mentioned above. And yes I used the preview and spell check.
Alan
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206158)
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Audiotom,
Simply beautiful. Photos don’t capture the full effect either. Mine are walnut, and like you say, they exceeded my expectations all around.
It’s well-known that break-in takes awhile. 100 hrs. gets you to a workable point, 400 hrs. to complete. What electronics will you be running?
Greg
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Audiotom,
Simply beautiful. Photos don’t capture the full effect either. Mine are walnut, and like you say, they exceeded my expectations all around.
It’s well-known that break-in takes awhile. 100 hrs. gets you to a workable point, 400 hrs. to complete. What electronics will you be running?
Greg
THanks Greg
I have parallel systems - both tubes
Doshi
Uesugi (mid 1980s highlly sought after - overbuilt - excellent sounding)
I will be working from home and breaking them in at the same time
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My home office is around the corner from my listening room so I was able to do what you will be doing. There are definitely steps and phases, not continuous change. Generally it’s rough to start, then clarity comes in from the top then down.
Currently I’m trying to find the optimal amplifier. Everything seems to work well, but the challenge is finding one that incorporates the best of all options. So many amplifier options work with the Daedalus line and subtle changes are affecting decision making. For example, adding DiD’s resulted in me going back to the Daedalus speaker cables. Lower mid-range congestion was eliminated.
Basically these speakers reveal everything you wanted to know about your amp’s sound. Maybe it just takes $$$$ to get an even match.
I’d be interested in your findings with your options. (currently I have VAC and a couple LTA amps).
Thanks.
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Congratulations!
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They are beautiful, makes me wish I had a big enough room to accommodate those. Exciting.
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I’ll see you on the Dark Side Of The
ROOM
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206270)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206268)
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206267)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=206272)
I will stop now
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Very nice congratulations
Asghar
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All I can say is Wow! You are going to have fun.
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Hello and thank you for these beautiful photos. They have a special attachment for me because I am waiting for my appolo 11 which are in the same wood. Lou finished their manufacture but we have to wait for the end of the Covid 19 pandemic to organize their long trip (I live in France).
I can't wait to read your first listening experiences.
Congratulations on this wonderful choice!
Take care of yourself.
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Congrats Tom! Those are absolutely beautiful. And you are welcome—was that really 2015 for our transaction and my switch to Argos? Wow, time flies. Lous speakers do so many things right. Truly are an amazing sound. I can only imagine what his newest models/changes are bringing to the table.
When Lou recently teamed up with VAC at the Florida audio show, with the VAC integrated that costs as much as a house —and truly must perform at that higher level— I was not surprised to hear reports that Lou’s creations responded in kind and sounded like never before. So much magic injected into these designs and seemingly no end to what level they can produce.
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Sebastien
Yes - Lou told me he was building your pair - You will be very excited to see these in the flesh and hear their magic. I was very moved when I listened at Lou’s shop in Ferndale - upstate Washington.
I read your thread that you had decided to go Daedalus on word of mouth
You are in for a treat
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You probably won’t understand
I haven’t actually PLAYED a note yet.
They are hooked up and ready
But I want it to be a special time
I am adjusting to working from home. Having to spend a good deal of time during the day prepping for the trivial in the zombie apocalypse :oops: so I am having to work some at night.
Hopefully spin some favorite vinyl tonight
Jason - yes I checked - October 2015
I really appreciated you reaching out to me
With the Ulysses / argos move - a perfect win win for both of us
The Ulysses changed the whole scope of my system - high efficiency and nuanced tubes
Music much more engaging and tonally true.
And thank you
LOU!
Words are not sufficient
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Thanks for the appreciation! These really are something to see in person :thumb: We got lucky,eh?
I'm looking forward to Tom's comments on the A/B with his Ulysses :popcorn:
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HI fellow Daedalites
I am not quite ready to do a full assessment yet because there seem to be a few distractions the last two weeks so I only have 50 hours on the Apollo 11s. It sounds like the high frequency is the only area that needs a little more break in time.
It’s been a very pleasant journey.
FIrst off - I have almost exclusively been using my cd player to break in the speakers to their full potential. The cd is much inferior to my analog rig. An Oppo BDP 105 which I have been meaning to update with a refined dac. CDs, SACDs, and DVD A sources.
Let’s just say that the cds have taken on a very nice realism and openess
Piano trios are stunning, acoustic artists, classical music is fully there.
Music with very dynamic high frequencies isn’t quite there but is getting more refined everyday.
(I break equipment in during normal duration listening sessions - not 24/7 )
My Ulysses really took my system to a new level.
My son, and I to a lesser extent play upright bass - so I am very familiar with the tonal qualities and low end response.
Living in New Orleans we bask in all the live music - symphony, jazz club, music hall, etc
One of the most important things for me is tonality and realism.
The Ulysses have always done this so convincingly.
Now on to the Apollo 11’s
The speakers are truly blossoming - incredible realism and seamless cohesiveness between the drivers.
The Ulysses disappeared nicely in the room but the Apollo is a whole new experience.
The best way I could put it is effortless. The low and mid range have this lilting body to them - unrestrained.
There is depth, warmth, and very captivating presence
St Vincent’s MassEducation - a stripped down vocal/piano reinvention of her brilliant Masseduction album.
Annie CLark brings in Thomas Bartlett on piano.
The songs are gorgeous, the piano has so much body, space and presence.
The sustained notes and and decay are so real.
Major detail like hearing Thomas creak a little on the bench were eye opening. Microdynamics were heighten in both Annie’s voice and the piano playing. I’ve heard these details before but never is such an overwhelming way. I was really taken by this.
My computer workstation is in the corner of my music room. Like the Part Time Audio reviewer who evaluated the Apollos - I would be working away and playing things In the backgrround - when I would turn my head and get engaged.
Steely Dan’s Countdown to Ecstasy - really jumped out and I took notice. I never recalled the music feeling that large and organize c from the cd.. A “you are there” experience.
I’ll comment further soon
Time to kick back and listen
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Good to hear from you Tom! I've been a bit concerned with how hard hit your area is. Stay healthy man. :thumb:
Yes those tweeters will make a big change in smoothness extension and MUCH lower distortion over the next few hundred hours. Yes I said hundred. sorry but most of the components in the system take 200-300 hours and the whole system takes 400-600 hours for complete break in. That being said at about 200 hours you are 90+% there. The only exception is the midrange driver which sometimes sounds a bit strident somewhere between 200-300 hours and then settles in to better than ever.
I'm really glad you like them and are hearing just what I hear. Your description "The best way I could put it is effortless. The low and mid range have this lilting body to them - unrestrained."
Is spot on, these 10" Apollo systems have a special quality, they don't just check the boxes, instead they relax and play into the music.
Please keep us posted and enjoy!
thanks,
Lou
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Lou
Thanks for your comments and covid concerns.
I live on the west side of New Orleans not at ground zero.
The weather is great here but I’ve been constraining myself to migratory bird watching in a nearby sanctuary and walks on the lake.
One of your happy Apollo 11 owners here compared notes with me and he was also of the opinion that the 400 hour mark was where the sound was pristine.
I am enjoying the process and hearing them blossom.
Pretty impressed with the way my cd player is sounding - much fuller - less digital.
I am saving the vinyl treat for the end.
THank you so much
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Thanks Tom!
Always good to hear the impressions of another Apollo 11 owner. You are really going to love them when you hit the 200 hour mark and flat out be floored around 400 hours. When you switch to vinyl I predict it will be jaw dropping. Before social distancing and stay at home kicked in, I was enjoying having friends over to listen to music with which they were very familiar and give me this look of astonishment as they tell me it sounds like the artist/band are in the room. I smile.
I agree with your comments on micro dynamics, detail and tonality. The Apollo 11s are the most tonally accurate speaker I have heard.
Keep enjoying and stay safe.
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I am at ~ 170 hours on my Apollo 11s
I have been very busy at work, enjoying those last cool days of New Orleans spring and with our office moving. I am finally getting a lot more time to enjoy them.
The sound is becoming more engaging everyday.
Lush presentation
There was one aspect I was concerned about as I am breaking these in.
I haven’t wanted to play my turntable yet - the treat at the end.
I was suspicious that the little bit of edge in the cymbals and not fully open midrange I was hearing was probably my cd player/source material and not the Apollo 11s in early break in. There was a lot of musical magic but I suspected the cd player might
Be The limiting factor. Everything else sound wise had blossomed into place.
The OPPO BD105 was predominantly a transport only in my system and I would play a few 24/192 hi rez player SACDS etc. I was amazed at just how much more musical the standard cdS sounded with the speakers breaking in. Things I really took notice of as I was breaking them in with the OPPO I hadn’t resolved with it in any tangible way before.
Curious about the source’s contribution I brought my Audio Research DAC 3 back into the equation - I had it at a friend’s and finally got it home and everything sonically just opened up. THe veil Was removed and the top end tamed.
The top end is super dynamic and not fatiguing at all.
Crashing cymbals - bring it!
I found a few earth shattering dynamic recordings Of mine - wow -
Fully engaging.Vocals were floating openly in an ambient space
THe upper mids completely bloomed bringing out more detail and this balanced out nicely with that effortless open mid/ low end And best attributes of the OPPO I have been enjoying all along.
THis is just with cds
Then I gave in and played two lp sides and I was really blown away.
I have owned my Ulysses V2 since fall 2015 and the Apollo 11 take it to a much deeper level of realism
I will do a tangible review once everything breaks in.
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I would be interested in a Ulysses V2 vs Apollo comparison. I also wonder how the Ulysses would compare with the new tweeters and mid range trim rings.
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I will be more than happy to share my experience when I get there a full break in on the Apollo / Ulysses
I was originally looking to do a major upgrade to my V2s
I would think that Lou and possibly someone who was lucky enough to be visiting to demo, might be the only ones who have heard the tripped out latest Ulysses and Apollo
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What is considered enough break in time? I’m hoping my Muse Studio speakers ship my way next week.
BTW, I’m here in Mobile. You are more than welcome to hear the Muse speakers with my DIY FirstWatt M2x amps after the break in finishes.
Current state of affairs, Zu Speakers, TimberNation wider stand on order.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=210702)
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Great picture behind the monitor. Enjoy your new speakers once they arrive! :D
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I feel as though this topic should be updated, since I went ahead and purchased Lou's demo pair of these same speakers, largely on audiotom's recommendation. Boy am I glad I did. As other Apollo 11 owners have commented here and other topic threads, these speakers are really a home run and competitive with other makers' models at much higher prices. For comparison with other Daedalus models I can only do so with my 2017 Ulysses v2, and much as I like them the Apollo's are at a noticeably higher level (Lou now has my Ulysses for an upgrade to whatever is the best he can do with them currently, so in a few months I can say more about that comparison). I already posted some of my initial impressions, and as these speakers were already broken in I don't know that the sound has changed much, but my appreciation of their strengths and capabilities has. They are on a concrete slab covered with oak hardwood flooring, on the new stainless steel spikes and DiD's, with my room and system as described in my profile. Tonal balance is so even and dynamics so impressive (on recordings that still have dynamics), even at higher volumes, that on good recordings I find myself tending to crank it up. Imaging on large scale works is appropriately large, but small with solo or duo artists, which tends to be a difficult accomplishment for most speaker systems, even expensive ones and especially full-range systems like the 11's.