AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => Virtue Audio Owners => Topic started by: audiophil on 24 Apr 2010, 03:18 pm
-
All,
I've purchased a Virtue One.2 (with 80W PS) as my entry point into high end audio. Along with a Devilsound DAC, I'm working on achieving my first higher quality system. I'm currently using a pair of Cambridge Soundworks Model Six Bookshelf Speakers (90 db Sensitivity). While I'm getting excellent sound, I'm guessing I'm not doing the Virtue amp justice and wondering how much better things could sound...
Are there speakers out there that follow the Virtue philosophy of "bringing the sensory experience of the high-end audio to the masses"? Or do I need to spend thousands of dollars to keep my speakers from being the weakest link in the chain? Any recommendations on speakers that would get me in the "sweet spot" where beyond that I would get diminishing returns?
-
You dont need to spend thousands,but you do need to really look around and find what you can that offer extreme clarity,not as easy as it sounds.
-
I really like my Horn Shoppe Model 1 "The Horn" with the Virtue One.1 with 130w PS and Piano M1. The Virtue One plays even better through the Horns with the Truth buffered preamp, too. I also have a Nelson Pass First Watt F1 and the Virtue One gives it a run for the money when both are fed by the preamp. http://thehornshoppe.com/index.html (http://thehornshoppe.com/index.html)
I think the Horns are now $850 a pair shipped. They're a single driver Fostex 126E in a rear loaded horn cabinet. They sit about three feet tall and are designed for corners although they can be pulled out if you have a sub. The speakers have been well reviewed, but may be an acquired taste. The preamp is just out and hasn't been reviewed, other than forums. http://thehornshoppe.com/reviews.html
(http://thehornshoppe.com/reviews.html)
-
Try listening to the Gallo Stradas at $2000 pr. No crossovers or cabinets to distract from the clarity or imaging. If anyone here goes to the Lone Star Fest in Dallas next month, look me up. If everything goes well, I will have my system there.
-
GR Research Neo 2X.
-
What Don said, The Neo 2X. http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=148
If you like what you see but don't want to build it yourself there are several people over on the GR circle site who will do very professional builds for you (Ron comes to mind).
Or you could visit Ninja-san:
http://www.skiingninja.com/GR-N2X-Ready-to-Play-p/grn2xfull.htm
Regards
Dave
-
I had some 6" 2ways I designed and built to go with the One.2 but I'm out and don't see having the time to build more soon.
I've heard Allot of good things about the GR Research speakers.
another great small speaker (in my opinion) is the Usher 529 which can be had for pretty cheap
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1277315618&/Usher-S-520-Gloss-Black-Loudsp (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1277315618&/Usher-S-520-Gloss-Black-Loudsp)
there are a ton of speakers out there that your One.2 will make sing.
the nice part of buying used is that if you dont like them you wont loose %50 right off the bat.
-
I'm the one who bought Jason's speakers, so you can't have 'em :). They're gonna be replacing a pair of PSB B5's paired to my M901 w/JT Dynamic power supply. Good speakers, but like you I'm wondering what more I can get out of the amp. I'm sure any of the speakers mentioned would allow you to see more of the colour your One.2 has to offer. One of the great things about any of the Virtue amps is that they aren't fussy about speaker impedance, so you have a lot of choice. But on the other hand, they will highlight any weaknesses your speakers may have. Your budget, room setting and preference to speaker type (horns, etc.) will go a long way in deciding your choice.
-
I
there are a ton of speakers out there that your One.2 will make sing.
the nice part of buying used is that if you dont like them you wont loose %50 right off the bat.
The only problem on the Stradas, I doubt if you see a used pair for a very long time. That 6moons review was dead on when they said the Stradas sound like Electrostats.
-
Check out the Minuets from Silverline. They have had amazing reviews, are really tiny, and mate wonderfully with the Virtue amps. The mid-range is just beautiful and they actually make real bass from their tiny woofers.
-
I prefer the Preludes to the Minuets with our small amps (they were featured together in Positive Feedback). The others we exhibited with at RMAF are also highly recommended - Omega Super 6 Alnico, Usher (S-520, Tiny Dancer, Mini 1, Mini 2), Ascend Sierra, GR (as discussed)., GT (mentioned)... With the high-current supplies, the amps are more forgiving of super low-impedence loads.
According to some customers, speakers such as the Totem Arrow just don't work well with the amp. They apparently have some very interesting amplifiers requirements.
-
I really like my Horn Shoppe Model 1 "The Horn" with the Virtue One.1 with 130w PS and Piano M1. The Virtue One plays even better through the Horns with the Truth buffered preamp, too. I also have a Nelson Pass First Watt F1 and the Virtue One gives it a run for the money when both are fed by the preamp. http://thehornshoppe.com/index.html (http://thehornshoppe.com/index.html)
I think the Horns are now $850 a pair shipped. They're a single driver Fostex 126E in a rear loaded horn cabinet. They sit about three feet tall and are designed for corners although they can be pulled out if you have a sub. The speakers have been well reviewed, but may be an acquired taste. The preamp is just out and hasn't been reviewed, other than forums. http://thehornshoppe.com/reviews.html
(http://thehornshoppe.com/reviews.html)
I'll second that!
-
There are some AV123s on AG right now.
I am talking about the Anthony Gallo Stadas.
-
GR Research Neo 2X.
The predecessor of this speaker is what I run my TWO with, and the combo works nicely. The speakers are the weakest (and cheapest not coincidentally) link in the system but I still enjoy it a lot.
Would LOVE to hear the new Dannie Richie designed Focus line source series from AV123 with Virtue gear, but they are all too rich for my blood.
-
I'd forgotten about this thread.
I'm just really enjoying these Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE's. Modest priced, $348. Finish is underwhelmng but clean. Price is awesome and straight out of the box, soooo sweet. Very satisfying bass, terrific imaging. Room filling. Just a delight. And it's plenty loud at 1/2 volume with my ONE.2/130w.
It's no wonder Ascend was able to build a company and loyal fan base around this speaker.
Seth
-
I really like my Horn Shoppe Model 1 "The Horn" with the Virtue One.1 with 130w PS and Piano M1. The Virtue One plays even better through the Horns with the Truth buffered preamp, too. I also have a Nelson Pass First Watt F1 and the Virtue One gives it a run for the money when both are fed by the preamp. http://thehornshoppe.com/index.html (http://thehornshoppe.com/index.html)
I think the Horns are now $850 a pair shipped. They're a single driver Fostex 126E in a rear loaded horn cabinet. They sit about three feet tall and are designed for corners although they can be pulled out if you have a sub. The speakers have been well reviewed, but may be an acquired taste. The preamp is just out and hasn't been reviewed, other than forums. http://thehornshoppe.com/reviews.html
(http://thehornshoppe.com/reviews.html)
+1 for The Horn
I had Ed ship them damn speakers around half the planet and I am glad I did. I am very confident that its the last speaker I bought in this life (yes, they sound THAT good).
One thing that speaks highly of the Horns is the fact that there are a whole lot of folks using them that could afford speakers 2 to 10 times more expensive.
PRO (subjective):
- sound and soundstage
- 95+ db sensitivity (everything over 3wpc can drive those to insane levels)
- sound and soundstage
- Ed in loudspeakerlandia is what Seth is in amplandia (heck how often have you got an international long distance call just to ask if everything is ok with a product sold???)
CON (subjective):
- build quality is advanced DIY level (this is a very well known fact) - dont expect to receive sonus faber cabinet Qual.
- not the easiest speaker to place (thats a given if you take into consideration that the speaker uses the room as "cabinet extension". You prob. spend a couple of weeks moving them around inch x inch to get them right.
- they need really long to break in (1 month gets you about 80% there, 3 months 90%)
so if the 850 bucks shipped are within your league give Ed a holler and tell him that you would take him up on the 30 days in-home test thingy ... and if you find better ones - he will not hassle you if you send it back.
cheers
al
-
Seth,
Are you running the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE's with our without a sub-woofer? If without, are you getting enough on the low end? How big is your room?
They appear to be great speakers at a great price, and I am interested in them for my dining room, but I do not want to use a sub with them.
Thanks,
Robb
-
No sub at all. They're about 20" off the ground and I'm around 10 feet from them now. Expansive, full and wonderful. Pat Methany is plucking away right in front of me and the stand-up bass is right there next to him. Just gorgeous.
-
Pat Metheny sounds excellent on JBL's...LOL!!! :thumb:
-
You crack me up, Ed. We need more people like you in the universe.
-
Alright, there are just too many good options!
While I know that what someone likes in speakers is always subjective, I am trying to pick some new bookshelf speakers without the luxury of listening to them. Here are my requirements:
- To be paired (eventually) with a Virtue One.2 with a Squeezebox Duet Receiver as the source
- To be used in 10 x 12 foot dining room, which opens to a 10 x 12 foot living room; I am not expecting to fill the living room with sound
- Will not be used for critical listening, but still want good sound
- No plans (or room) to add a sub-woofer
- Must come in black to match dining room cabinets
- Quality of finish is not that important as the speakers will not be in a position where they can be closely inspected
- Do not want to exceed the price range of the options below
Here is the list I am considering:
- Ascend CBM-170 SE - $368 delivered
- Usher S-520 - $400 delivered
- Axiom M3 v2 - $330 delivered
- Monitor Audio RX1 - approximately $540 delivered
In my main listening area, I run SB Duet Receiver > Beresford DAC w/Opamp upgrade > Virtue Sensation M901 > Monitor Audio RS6
My local Monitor Audio dealer has recommended the RX1, which is why it is on the list despite being a little higher in price. (I do enjoy the floor-standing RS6's immensely, especially since changing to the Sensation M901 from a Cambridge Audio 740A.)
Anyway, based on online reviews, they all seem like good options. Does anyone think I should definitely avoid any of these?
Based on Seth's recommendation, I am somewhat leaning toward the Ascend CBM-170 SE. Is there any convincing reason not to go this route given my other options?
-
just to make your life even harder ...
if you dont do any critical listening, why not settle with something like Paradigm MiniMonitors ...
I had those (v2.0 iirc) and they were very inexpensive yet they had better sound than you`ll prob. need
-
AudioEngine A5 might be worth lookiing at as well.
-
Legacy
-
Energy-CB-20
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/cb-20-overview/
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=31407)
I will own these one day!!! I have CC-5 center..love it...FWIW another item to confuse ya!! :thumb:
-
Based on Seth's recommendation, I am somewhat leaning toward the Ascend CBM-170 SE. Is there any convincing reason not to go this route given my other options?
I don't think you can go wrong with any of those, and the price is right on all of them. I won't bother recommending any other speakers since you have a list already, but you might want to reconsider a subwoofer, if you can swing it. The speakers I'm using (PSB Image B5) are very similar in both price and specs to all those speakers on your list, and the small sub I'm using (Elemental Designs A3S-250) is only 14 inches square and really fleshes out the bottom end that my M901 produces. My office/music room is only about 10'x10'x8'.