[AverageNiceGuy]

Hello all,
(Update 4/30/30, Carnegie CST-1's have been ordered)
(Update 5/7/20: CST-1's arrived. They sound wonderful. I haven't opened their guts yet as I am still waiting on No-Rez and ~Sonic-Caps to be delivered. I am already impressed with them, I will be further impressed if the No-Rez and Cap-upgrade makes a big difference)
I was doubting that the CST's could keep up with the SVS Ultra Bookshelves, as I was very happy with the SVS's.... after listening to the CST's.... I'm thinking the CST's might smack the SVS's into storage...
Round two might be the SVS's coming back for a second fight after GR-Research upgrade.
Pay-per-view tickets? 

Original post 4/29/20:
I'm considering sending SVS-Ultra Bookshelves to GR-Research for upgrade.
I've been looking for speakers to use in their place while the SVS's are out of the house, to then use the new speakers to replace Pioneer SP-FS52's that I'm not happy with.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2S4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am looking at purchasing the CST-1's that Danny with GR-Research posted a YouTube video about 4/28/20.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EneeArMHC5E
http://gr-research.com/cst-1.aspx

I would like to see information about what the sound is like of the CST-1's or M-130's that the CST-1 is based on.
I'm also curious about advice from those that have heard SVS-Ultra Bookshelves, and whether I should consider purchase of something other than the CST-1's?
I'm doing a bit of research in order to avoid "buyers regret", as my eventual goal is to replace the Pioneer SP-FS52's that are giving me listening fatigue, especially as compared to the sweet sounding SVS-Ultra Bookshelves that are in another room.
I am driving both the Pioneer SP-FS52's and the SVS-Ultra Bookshelves with Marantz Receivers ~100 watts / ch (2-channel with single subs)
I cannot do speakers that are especially large.
Advice?

[corndog71]

What really sets the CST-1's apart is the planar magnetic tweeter.  You won't get any fatigue issues with these.  They are detailed and yet super smooth.  As Danny said in the video, the woofers are well made.  These will be a revelation compared to the Pioneer speakers.  Add some better amplification and maybe a servo sub kit and you will have a system you can live with for a long time.

[Wind Chaser]

There’s a lot more to the superiority of the CST-1 than the tweeter. Those woofers are very special too as is the crossover and the quality of the components in the crossover too. Those speakers can easily compete with anything at 4K. They are that good. I should have kept them and called it a day.

As with any decent speaker, how they are positioned in the room and what electronics are feeding them will make all the difference in terms of how good they will sound. If you go for the CST-1 you’ll want to think about upgrading your Marantz receiver. It doesn’t have to be very expensive, it just has to sound really good. This is doable for a lot less than some might think. Consider this...

https://allo.com/sparky/volt-plus-d-amp.html

It’s not especially attractive to the eyes, but it is extraordinary I terms of sound quality, truly an unexpected delight to the ears, and it has enough power to make the CST-1 come alive. I think this amp with the CST-1 will be more than adequate in the bass department without a sub assuming they are properly setup in an adequate room. The midrange and high frequencies from this combination would be just stellar. For the money, you ain’t gonna find anything half as good. The value proposition of the CST-1 and the allo Volt is extremely high.

[AverageNiceGuy]

What really sets the CST-1's apart is the planar magnetic tweeter.  You won't get any fatigue issues with these.  They detailed and yet super smooth.  As Danny said in the video, the woofers are well made.  These will be a revelation compared to the Pioneer speakers.  Add some better amplification and maybe a servo sub kit and you will have system you can live with for a long time.

Thanks for the response and advice corndog71,
I'm encouraged to hear that this is a smooth sounding tweeter.
Thank you

[AverageNiceGuy]

There’s a lot more to the superiority of the CST-1 than the tweeter. Those woofers are very special too as is the crossover and the quality of the components in the crossover too. Those speakers can easily compete with anything at 4K. They are that good. I should have kept them and called it a day.
...
https://allo.com/sparky/volt-plus-d-amp.html
It’s not especially attractive to the eyes, but it is extraordinary I terms of sound quality, ...

Thank you for the response and advice Wind Chaser,
I'll certainly keep that amp in mind. It's surprisingly inexpensive.
Old, used Marantz receivers were my recent "step up" in quality.
It will be fun to install the CST-1's, and then see the upgrade to a better amp.
I'm hoping to soon get a response from GR (Danny) as I have sent an email for an order package of the CST's, upgraded caps / resistors, and needed insulation.
And, best of all, my wife approves! (Divorces are more expensive than most sound systems)

[AverageNiceGuy]

Done,
I just ordered the CST-1's, plus No-Rez, plus upgraded capacitors...
Now for the wait   

[Wind Chaser]

Congratulations. 

Even though that amp I mentioned is dirt cheap, you’ll be astonished at just how much better it is than the Marantz. If you don’t mind my asking, what is your room like and what your plan for positioning your new speakers in that room?

[RonP]

Done,
I just ordered the CST-1's, plus No-Rez, plus upgraded capacitors...
Now for the wait   

Keep us posted! we expect a full review 

[AverageNiceGuy]

Thanks again for your advice. CST-1's ordered! WooHoo! New Toys! 


Wind Chaser,
The planned rooms for use:
Room-1 Living Room, temporary home for CST-1's while SVS Ultra Bookshelves (probably) will go to GR-Research for upgrade.
YouTube video's of rooms below
The speakers are against the wall when wifey's home, and they come out to play when she's out 
I'm driving these currently with an old Marantz SR-7002 (original ~$1200, used less than ~$200) https://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/marantz-sr7002-hdmi
Room-1, YouTube video, current home of SVS Ultra Bookshelves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jITSdKHyqQ


Room-2 Basement Bedroom (mancave / wife clothing storage)
Eventual home for Carnegie CST-1's
The current Pioneer SP-FS52's were reported to be good "low-cost" speakers. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2S4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They are ok for TV / Movies, but the tweeters are a bit scratchy for music, especially at anything more than a very low volume. They get pretty nasty sounding at louder volumes.
Driving with old Marantz SR5003 (used ~$85) https://www.cnet.com/products/marantz-sr5003/
I used a cheap Insignia Receiver ($40 Amazon) at first, but that got old very fast... donated away to in-laws...
The sub in this room is a BIC America F12 12-Inch 475-Watt, it is a notable step-down from the SB-1000 that is in Room-1, musically, but it fit the budget at the time. It will probably be donated to in-laws eventually. It was supposed to be the "best cheap sub that is not total junk", but I'm having a hard time classing them much higher than the disappointing Pioneer SP-FS52's. Maybe they will survive use with the CST-1's at low set-volume, and very low crossover point https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015A8Y5M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I know that the new Carnegie CST-1's will need to be away from the wall.
I'm thinking standing them on pedestals that can be close to the wall when my beautiful Hungarian wife is home, but then "come out to play" when it's time for good listening.
Perhaps they are tall enough that they won't need pedestals?
Room-2, YouTube video: planned home for Carnegie CST-1's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbzujQbnDxc

This is what usually happens "When She's Away"
SVS Ultra Bookshelves... "come out to play"
When they are against the wall, as expected... resonance.
Away from wall, happy and breathing clarity and soundstage...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyUSB8M3oD4

[Wind Chaser]

Yeah, keeping them away from the walls is the right idea. I tried using 2” isolation platforms underneath them, but I preferred the sound without them. Experimentation is the key. You are on the right track. 

Oh, and keep your boxes. They are quite large but should you ever move they will come in handy.

[AverageNiceGuy]

Yeah, keeping them away from the walls is the right idea. I tried using 2” isolation platforms underneath them, but I preferred the sound without them. Experimentation is the key. You are on the right track. 
Oh, and keep your boxes. They are quite large but should you ever move they will come in handy.

Cool, thanks for the advice.
So you own the Carnegie CST-1's?

[Wind Chaser]

Not any more. Should have kept them though.

[AverageNiceGuy]

Not any more. Should have kept them though.

I like the sound of your loss? err... something like that?
I'm happy to hear you liked them.
Thanks for the help.

[Wind Chaser]

I can’t imagine anyone NOT liking them. 

[Tyson]

I can’t imagine anyone NOT liking them. 

As good as those speakers are (and they are incredible), the new NX-Studio Monitor by Danny is a BIG step up.  That new woofer with the copper phase plug is just astonishing.  It's the ONLY woofer I've ever heard that can fully keep up with that Neo3 tweeter fully.  Some real next-level stuff, there.

[Wind Chaser]

However some people are going have a couple of issues with the Studio Monitor.

First of all it is a kit and it doesn’t even come with everything you need to assemble it. Without a workshop equipped with all the required tools and the skill to build them, this is a no sale. Then there’s the matter of finishing them so they look half decent. Of course these things are not a problem for everyone, but for many they are.

Second they don’t go down very low. By the time you add a decent sub and proper stands, these are going to cost way more $$$$$$ than the CST-1. So for the money, the CST-1 is absolutely untouchable. 

[Tyson]

However some people are going have a couple of issues with the Studio Monitor.

First of all it is a kit and it doesn’t even come with everything you need to assemble it. Without a workshop equipped with all the required tools and the skill to build them, this is a no sale. Then there’s the matter of finishing them so they look half decent. Of course these things are not a problem for everyone, but for many they are.

Second they don’t go down very low. By the time you add a decent sub and proper stands, these are going to cost way more $$$$$$ than the CST-1. So for the money, the CST-1 is absolutely untouchable. 

Agreed, the Studio Monitor will be more money especially with dual OB subs under them.  But the performance?  Mind blowing.  The CST-1 is great, and for the price is unbeatable.  But if/when someone wants to scale Everest, the NX line of speakers is there.

[Jmitchell3]

Hello all,
(Original Post 4/29/30, Carnegie CST-1's have been ordered 4/30/20)

I'm considering sending SVS-Ultra Bookshelves to GR-Research for upgrade.
I've been looking for speakers to use in their place while the SVS's are out of the house, to then use the new speakers to replace Pioneer SP-FS52's that I'm not happy with.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2S4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does your marantz amp have preouts? If it’s only a two channel, probs no biggie. I’m running a marantz AVR with preouts and simply added dual hypex nc400 monoblocks to power my L/R mains. Worked like a charm and has nice abundance of clean power directly to the music speakers!
I am looking at purchasing the CST-1's that Danny with GR-Research posted a YouTube video about 4/28/20.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EneeArMHC5E
http://gr-research.com/cst-1.aspx

I would like to see information about what the sound is like of the CST-1's or M-130's that the CST-1 is based on.
I'm also curious about advice from those that have heard SVS-Ultra Bookshelves, and whether I should consider purchase of something other than the CST-1's?
I'm doing a bit of research in order to avoid "buyers regret", as my eventual goal is to replace the Pioneer SP-FS52's that are giving me listening fatigue, especially as compared to the sweet sounding SVS-Ultra Bookshelves that are in another room.
I am driving both the Pioneer SP-FS52's and the SVS-Ultra Bookshelves with Marantz Receivers ~100 watts / ch (2-channel with single subs)
I cannot do speakers that are especially large.
Advice?

Do your marantz have preouts? I’m running a marantz AVR but added two hypex nc400 monoblocks and that has my mains running with an abundance of clean power.

[AverageNiceGuy]

Do your marantz have preouts? I’m running a marantz AVR but added two hypex nc400 monoblocks and that has my mains running with an abundance of clean power.

Thanks all for your input and advice.

Jmitchell3,
Yes, I believe the Marantz receivers do have pre-outs so that I could install amps.
That may well be my next adventure.
I am familiar that separate amps are a big improvement in car audio, but I was unaware that my Marantz receivers were short on audio quality.

I will probably "settle in" with the use of the CST-1 speakers, and then "settle in" with the use of the GR-Research Upgraded SVS-Ultra Bookshelves, before pursuing separate amps.
I will start a separate thread to start my amplifier adventure.
I have already started some amp education, and plan to do much more before purchase.

I expect my plan will be this:
I understand the CST's will need upgrades done my me.
I talked with Danny (GR-Research) on the phone 4/30/20 to order the CST's and upgrade parts. I used a Credit Card, and it has not yet been charged as of 5/2/20. I hope all is good with the order placed, and I'm doing OK in the patience department. I am slightly alarmed that the CST's currently do not appear on Danny's website... but again... patience "Daniel-son".

Between the two rooms that I have sound systems.
I will probably play the CST's before the upgrades, and then after the upgrades. I expect that will be fun and interesting to hear.
I will probably alternate between the CST's and the SVS-Ultra bookshelves in both rooms before upgrades on either.
Then again after the CST-1 upgrade.
Then I will pursue sending the SVS ultras for upgrade.

And, most of all, I am looking forward to getting a break from the mild torture of having to listen to the disappointing Pioneer SP-FS52's. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2S4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The listening fatigue that I get from the Pioneers reminds me of the listening fatigue and frustration that I had from an old AKAI receiver similar to this one https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/akai/aa-a35.shtml

[AverageNiceGuy]

The 1st of the two Carnegie CST-1's arrived today 5/6/20.
My wife said she thinks she saw the other one of the two, and the upgrade kit, departing on the delivery truck 😢
Of course I had to connect the one!
Even though it still has the "chineseum" inside (bad insulation, and no upgrade) it sounds surprisingly sweet 😎