[Gopher]

Dynamics picked up with the Fosetti sig, so it was probably a power thing, but the Zus are significantly more dynamic.  I didn't get much time to listen (sick kid) last night, but in the 20 minutes or so I had I was impressed by the instrument separation and and the staging, though its a bit off putting as the stage isn't that much bigger then the Zus, but imaging with the Zus was significantly sharper.

I do think I need to spend time getting used to them.  There is enough potential to continue exploring.

[es347]

I was impressed by the instrument separation and and the staging (OF THE VR33s, CORRECT?), though its a bit off putting as the stage isn't that much bigger then the Zus, but imaging with the Zus was significantly sharper.

You lost me there Gopher.  You say that you are impressed with the instrument separation of the 33s but that the imaging with the Zus is significantly sharper?  Seems contradictory 

[JackD201]

Must be because of the Zu's sensitivity and quickness Gavin. It's the same with speakers like Living Voice which to me share some sonic traits with Zus. These would have been contenders except for the fact that they like a lot of space around them which is opposite of Fred's requirements. It's just as Fred has described in his earlier posts. Razor sharp imaging like Nikon Prime lenses. VSAs I find more like Leica glass where transitions from foreground to background are more gradated. The tradeoff for the Zu's jump is the 33's fullness and weight. Personally, I like both perspectives.  He's coming from a system he really, really liked and made a change for reasons not audio related. For Fred I can totally understand that there's a lot to get used to. The transition would be much easier if he felt there was something wrong or amiss with his original system, which wasn't the case.

Hope your child is feeling better Fred.

[Gopher]

Thanks, the little guy has been a hot mess the last few days, but we're going to try sending him back to day care tomorrow.  He's been a real trooper with all his prescriptions, nebulizer and eye drops.  Really hate seeing him that way.

As it pertains to instrument separation vs. imaging, perhaps I'm using separation incorrectly, but by this I'm referring to the quality of being able to clearly follow and delineate an instrument or vocal durring a complex work.  Its not so much coherence or transparency, but a different quality--may even be what some call a discontinuity, but thats what it is to me.  Easily disceting the parts, maybe distractingly so as I'm less emotionally involved.

Imaging is, precisely that.  The ability to close my eyes and tell where something is in a sound field.  Its sharper on t he Zus, but it was not a design goal of the VR33s so in that light it can't be faulted. 

Jack understands exactly where I'm coming from with my feelings--I was darn happy in the first place and switching to something great but different throws things.  Nothing wrong with it, just a different perspective than I've grown used to and I'm trying to give myself time to adapt.

That said I suspect a major variable is that the Torii (I used for the Zus) is a better amp then the Alchemist Forsetti Sig I'm borrowing for the VR-33s or alternatively shares a better synergy.  That and I'm not much of an SS guy (though my Zu's SANG with Redgum)...