[jjbraham]

Hi,

After having been in this hobby for a while and having tried and owned different systems with speakers like Dynaudio, Coincident, Brentworth, DIY speakers from Lynn Olson and Troels Gravesen and most recently Vapor Audio Cirrus (an excellent speaker but without the high efficiency I'd like), I had the oportunity to hear a good SET amp in my system and was blown away by the musicality of it, specially the fluidity, platicity, tunefulness of the music. As I'm mainly into opera and classical, this fluidity reminded me of what I love about going to the concert halls. Unluckily, this SET didn't have the power to reproduce big scale symphonic in my 87.5 dB efficient Cirrus.

I haven't been able to erase that experience from my mind, so now I'd like to make myself a system which puts the musical values first and not the usual audiophile values (tone, dynamics, timing and fluidity vs soundstage, extension, ultimate detail, etc.).

So, in the search for a really musical speaker, I've narrowed my search to two options: Ocellia (either the .21 or the .30 Signatures), or Tannoy (either Kensington, Yorkminster or Canterbury), which many people regard as superbly musical speakers.  Even of they're not the same technology (wide-bander vs Dual concentric), I think they share many of the same characteristics which I'm after: paper domes with Alnico magnets with point source emittance for vibrant, colorful and solid imaging, excellent micro and macro dynamics, a very fluid sound and good eficiency to be able to use low and mid power amps.

I know it'd be ideal to listen to both of them first, but that's not possible since I live in Mexico and neither of them has distributors here, nor do I know anyone who has either, so I'd appreciate the opinion of those of you who have heard them.

Also, my room is a bit small: 3.3 x 5 m (10' x 15'), so I don't think it could handle big speakers well.

Amplification would be a DHT SET or PP amp.

Hope you can help me
Regards,

[Douger]

Sorry to be this late but I just discovered your thread. I am not familiar with Ocellia speakers, but am very familiar with Tannoys. I would happily recommend them to you, and any of the three would be fine. If you anticipate moving to a larger listening space the Canterburys will load larger rooms
very well.. The Kensingtons would work very well in your present space.
As for amplification, I would suggest you read about Decware Torii amps, specifically the Zen Torii Mk III. It is not very expensive but after break in it gives
you the same clarity as SET though it is PP. I have this amp with Canterburys and it is very wonderful, with enough power to do justice to full symphonic and choral pieces. Good luck!

[SET Man]

Hey!

    First welcome to Audio Circle... just noticed your post also, hope you'll back to check it.

    And secondly, welcome the the world of SET power! There is something special about it right? The purity, the feel of completeness and etc.

    Anyway, as for the speaker. Of the two you mentioned I've only heard the Tannoy... the Trunberry at one of member here a few times. He had them pair with Canary tube amp I think about 40wpc. I do like them a lot I have to say.

   OK, so let's break down those two speakers you mentioned. The Tannoy use what they called "Dual Concentric" drivers. Basically a woofer with tweeter in it voice coil, with crossover for both woofer and tweeter... a 2-way speaker.

    From what I see the Ocellia speaker use French made PHY-HP full range driver. The .30 have piezo helper/super tweeter. But the woofer on both are run full range without any crossover.

    So, with that said they are two very different kind of speaker system. As for someone who have been using SET and Single driver speaker combo for the past 12 years. I am leaning toward to the full range system but since I've never heard the Ocellia so I can't say how they sound but if you do have a chance to listen to them I would say do so.

    I can say this... a good SET with a good sounding full range speaker without any crossover that is large enough to produce lower bass can sound magical.

Take care,
Buddy

[rockadanny]

Have you considered a higher power SET? My speakers have similar sensitivity (87db), and while sensitivity is not the only consideration for proper amp matching, something like what I have (and love) might also work for your current speakers. Audio Mirror 45 Watt SET monoblocks have excellent current delivery and might make you love your Cirrus even more. If you prefer to keep your current speakers and drive them with SETs. Just a thought.



http://www.audiomirror.com/amps.html

[Vapor Audio]

Have you considered a higher power SET? My speakers have similar sensitivity (87db), and while sensitivity is not the only consideration for proper amp matching, something like what I have (and love) might also work for your current speakers. Audio Mirror 45 Watt SET monoblocks have excellent current delivery and might make you love your Cirrus even more. If you prefer to keep your current speakers and drive them with SETs. Just a thought.



http://www.audiomirror.com/amps.html

That's a good idea Juan ... there are quite a few higher power SET tube amps available.  805 tubes can put out 40 watts, single tube.  We have one here from Arte Forma and it's a fantastic match with the Cirrus.  845's can do 20-25 watts per tube, about the same as a pair of 300B's single ended.  I haven't heard the 6C33C linked too in the audio mirror amp, but have read that they're a very nice sounding tube.  But any of those options will work quite nicely.  The bigger bottles like 300B, 805, 845, etc just seem to have a bit more oomph than the wattage rating would indicate.

Tannoy's and most single driver speakers are a pretty radical departure from the Cirrus.  If you enjoy the sound you have now, either of those options you listed are going to be much different. 

[vortrex]

I use 22w 845's with the Cirrus and my room is a little bigger than yours at roughly 19'x14'x9'.  I don't notice any lack of power.
 

[coverto]

Agreed - it would be much easier and less risky to just keep the Vapors for the time being and try amps with some of the bigger SET tubes - 845, 211, 300B, etc. The Line Magnetic 845 amps seem to be getting a lot of love. Have also heard good things about the Melody 211.