AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: charmerci on 25 Apr 2014, 03:51 pm
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Was Frank supposed to spill the beans before you? :scratch:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=125493.msg1323268#new
:thumb:
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need more information... must have... now!!! lol
can't wait to get the scoop on these.
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They are must be in 10k price range and very efficientcy.
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Was Frank supposed to spill the beans before you? :scratch:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=125493.msg1323268#new
:thumb:
There is already a web page for the 2 way version of this speaker that was demo'ed as a previous audio show:
http://www.salksound.com/exotica%20-%20home.htm (http://www.salksound.com/exotica%20-%20home.htm)
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need more information... must have... now!!! lol
can't wait to get the scoop on these.
Jim will have to give you the details. All I know is that the top half is basically the original Exotica with a passive Xover from mid to tweet. The bottom half is a new sub integrated into the cabinet, and it's actively driven. The sub provides the active low pass filter for the woofer. I don't remember whether the midrange (formally the woofer) goes full range on the bottom, or whether there's a high pass filter provided by the sub.
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Sound is sublime. Very smooth and detailed and the bass can shake the plaster lose
Smaller than an ss8. The 8 bass is tighter but not as room filling IMO.
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Wondering what is a component on the middle of the stand which has a external power supply on top? New AVA dac or new Salkstreamer?
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Wondering what is a component on the middle of the stand which has a external power supply on top? New AVA dac or new Salkstreamer?
In the close-up picture over at the AVA circle you can see the Salk name badge. Sure does look like a Salkstreamer with a built in CD drive, with an external PSU of some sort. Someone PLEASE spill the beans on this...
Cornelis
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I am also curious why you brought the domed version of the SongTowers. Did the RT version give too much competition to the Exotica? :scratch:
Bob
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With bass management and powered sub build-in the bass module so there is an option to run low powered tube amp on top section of the new Exotica 3, I think Salksound has created another winner.
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I am also curious why you brought the domed version of the SongTowers. Did the RT version give too much competition to the Exotica? :scratch:
Bob
People kept asking to hear the standard ST so that's what he brought.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=123432.msg1313126#msg1313126
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I'm probably wrong but the lower woofers look a lot like the 8 inch GR Research servos. I see them everyday in my listening room. :icon_lol:
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I'm probably wrong but the lower woofers look a lot like the 8 inch GR Research servos. I see them everyday in my listening room. :icon_lol:
The double 8"woofers are Rythmik eights driven by a Rythmik amp. I forgot to snap a pick of it.
Awesome sounding speakers IMHO.
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(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=98518)
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So Pete
Is this the new itch?
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(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=98539)
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(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=98570)
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So Pete
Is this the new itch?
This is a speaker I have hoped for that I can truly connect with. Some may not, but for me, and my wife, this is a speaker I really want.
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(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=98570)
Nice Hypex UcD based plate amp. :thumb:
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Looks great!
Are there passive radiators on the sides like the SS8?
I am wondering what they look like from a side view. It looks like a grill on the sides but hard to tell from the pictures.
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Looks great!
Are there passive radiators on the sides like the SS8?
I am wondering what they look like from a side view. It looks like a grill on the sides but hard to tell from the pictures.
It's a sealed design, so no passive radiators. The sides are just decorative.
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This is a speaker I have hoped for that I can truly connect with. Some may not, but for me, and my wife, this is a speaker I really want.
Sure Pete...I understand. It's a way for you to finally come to terms with subwoofers for music. This way you can say they're not "subwoofers" because they have a speaker built on top of them. :wink: :P
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This is a speaker I have hoped for that I can truly connect with. Some may not, but for me, and my wife, this is a speaker I really want.
"Salling the EXOTICA ship of dream" now..... :lol:
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Looks great!
Are there passive radiators on the sides like the SS8?
I am wondering what they look like from a side view. It looks like a grill on the sides but hard to tell from the pictures.
As TJHUB mentioned, there are no passive radiators. I didn't ask Jim specifically, but I my take is they are extra 3/4" contoured slabs of MDF to better control resonance.
Of course, we could ask Jim....
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I know the answer. Pay up. :x
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I know the answer. Pay up. :x
When does your new pair arrive?
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How good are the Exotica Threes? I ordered a pair.
Frank Van Alstine
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Exotica III look great! I wish to see these puppies at the upcoming CAF.
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They look great, Jim. Congrats to you and your team on another winner!
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need more information... must have... now!!! lol
can't wait to get the scoop on these.
I'll start a new thread on this one since there may be quite a few comments. Stay tuned.
- Jim
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In the close-up picture over at the AVA circle you can see the Salk name badge. Sure does look like a Salkstreamer with a built in CD drive, with an external PSU of some sort. Someone PLEASE spill the beans on this...
Cornelis
I have been working on a new StreamPlayer design and just used this case to hold things for the show. We expect to have a new design up and running in about 2 months or so. The actual case will be smaller and will not have a built-in drive (no need for it). I'll post more info on it when the time comes.
- Jim
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I am also curious why you brought the domed version of the SongTowers. Did the RT version give too much competition to the Exotica? :scratch:
Bob
Bob -
I decided to bring a stock pair of SongTowers (with an upgraded automotive finish) with the standard OW2 tweeter. We have introduced so many ribbon-based models that I think people forget how great the standard SongTowers perform. So I thought it would be good to highlight our base SongTower as a reminder of how good these speakers really are.
On a number of occasions, people came into the room and figured we were playing our new Exotica 3's. They were very surprised to learn they were listening to the SongTowers!
- Jim
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I'd also like to take just a moment to thank everyone who stopped by at AXPONA. We had a great time and received extremely positive feedback on the new EXOTICA 3's. Frank had all updated AVA gear (thanks for the new gear Frank) and the combination was exquisite to say the least.
It was standing room only for most of the week-end. We met up with a lot of old friends and and made quite a few new ones. My personal observation was that this was probably our most successful show ever. So thanks to everyone for making it such a great event for us. Much appreciated.
- Jim
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Jim,
Congrats on the success of the show ... for both you and Frank. Questions: are you planning on coming back out to the Coast for the Cal Audio Show again? And will you be bringing basically the same set-up that you had at AXPONA? If so, I'll be looking forward to it.
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Sure Pete...I understand. It's a way for you to finally come to terms with subwoofers for music. This way you can say they're not "subwoofers" because they have a speaker built on top of them. :wink: :P
Yes, because I cannot be a blasphemer. :lol:
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My personal observation was that this was probably our most successful show ever. So thanks to everyone for making it such a great event for us. Much appreciated.
- Jim
More successful than our Oregon show?! :bomb: Hahaaa...J/K, Jim. Congrats on the show and the apparently great Exotica unveiling. I wish I could have been there. :thumb:
RJ
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Jim,
Congrats on the success of the show ... for both you and Frank. Questions: are you planning on coming back out to the Coast for the Cal Audio Show again? And will you be bringing basically the same set-up that you had at AXPONA? If so, I'll be looking forward to it.
We usually do the CA Audio Show every other year. We did it last year and will not be attending this year. As for next year, we may do Newport instead. No decisions have been made at this point.
- Jim
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Yes, because I cannot be a blasphemer. :lol:
If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, it's a duck!
Pete, I never thought I would see you fall in love with speakers mated with powered subwoofers, but that day has come. The horror...
Those Exoticas must be pretty impressive for you to turn to the "dark side". :lol:
-Greg
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We need a show in NYC that you will come to. I really would love to hear the Exoticas. I can dream....
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How good are the Exotica Threes? I ordered a pair.
Frank Van Alstine
Frank,
I'm sure they are fantastic speakers and you will surely enjoy them. Will you be using them to evaluate your electronics and to help design better components? If yes won't the active woofers mean that you will not be getting the whole picture of what your amps are doing?
Regards,
TV
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We need a show in NYC that you will come to. I really would love to hear the Exoticas. I can dream....
+1.
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Two observations regarding your comment that using an active driven woofer precludes bass performance evaluation of our electronics.
1. I have a set of Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Three speakers which have awesome bass performance from their big transmission line woofers. No problem with our electronics not having a great passive system to drive. Note that the Philharmonic threes don't really have a "big woofer". They actually are Revelator 8" drivers, one per channel. Its just with the carefully tuned large transmission line cabinet, they play like then have a big woofer, very well controlled, with tons of power and a VERY deep and clean deep bass reach.
2. In an active system in which the bass signal is taken off the speaker feed rather then directly at line level from the preamp, you actually are running two bass amplifiers in series. First the main system power amp, even though it is unloaded at low frequencies, and second the built in woofer plate amp. Obviously the quality of the main system amp will affect the final bass quality of the system as the signal to the bass amp in the woofer section is derived from the system amplifier. At Axpona, we did try the 35W/Ch Ultravalve driving the Exoticas but went with the Fet Valve 600R, even though overkill for power, for two reasons. First, the 600R is even a higher resolution and more transparent amplifier then the Ultravalve (and it is very hard to beat). Second, the low bass response of the 600R is superior as it is not limited by being transformer coupled. The Exoticas sounded lovely driven by the Ultravalve, they sounded exquisite driven by the 600R. Having a main power amp with superior bass performance still is important.
I have suggested to Jim that he provide a line level input for the plate amp but he is concerned this would open a can of worms in trying to get an appropriate seamless match from the top and powered sections of the speakers, and he certainly has that done perfectly as is.
Regards,
Frank Van Alstine
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Two observations regarding your comment that using an active driven woofer precludes bass performance evaluation of our electronics.
1. I have a set of Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Three speakers which have awesome bass performance from their big transmission line woofers. No problem with our electronics not having a great passive system to drive. Note that the Philharmonic threes don't really have a "big woofer". They actually are Revelator 8" drivers, one per channel. Its just with the carefully tuned large transmission line cabinet, they play like then have a big woofer, very well controlled, with tons of power and a VERY deep and clean deep bass reach.
2. In an active system in which the bass signal is taken off the speaker feed rather then directly at line level from the preamp, you actually are running two bass amplifiers in series. First the main system power amp, even though it is unloaded at low frequencies, and second the built in woofer plate amp. Obviously the quality of the main system amp will affect the final bass quality of the system as the signal to the bass amp in the woofer section is derived from the system amplifier. At Axpona, we did try the 35W/Ch Ultravalve driving the Exoticas but went with the Fet Valve 600R, even though overkill for power, for two reasons. First, the 600R is even a higher resolution and more transparent amplifier then the Ultravalve (and it is very hard to beat). Second, the low bass response of the 600R is superior as it is not limited by being transformer coupled. The Exoticas sounded lovely driven by the Ultravalve, they sounded exquisite driven by the 600R. Having a main power amp with superior bass performance still is important.
I have suggested to Jim that he provide a line level input for the plate amp but he is concerned this would open a can of worms in trying to get an appropriate seamless match from the top and powered sections of the speakers, and he certainly has that done perfectly as is.
Regards,
Frank Van Alstine
Frank,
My question stemmed from curiosity and I did not understand the factors at play until reading you post so thank you for taking the time to explain.
I am extremely satisfied with my 400R and other AVA components and have considered Jim's SS8 as a speaker upgrade even though I have not heard them. I have heard the HT3 with your dual differential system a few years back and liked what I heard so I expect even better from the SS8. Now with the Exotica in the mix the decision process is somewhat more complicated. I have learned to trust your ears based on my AVA upgrades over the years and your decision to purchase the Exotica says a lot.
Regards,
Ted