Looking for a great loudspeaker system

modular747 · « **Reply #380 on:** 3 Mar 2006, 11:08 pm »

Quote from: skrivis

What Mithat says on his web site sure makes it sound like the L/1 is history because of the unavailability of a crucial component. Frank said the same thing.

I think what Mithat was referring to is the general agreement to have AVA assemble and distribute the Biro line of speakers. The L/1 is history but he claims to have designed a doable replacement which supposedly is easier to manufacture than the L/1. Whatever - I would rather have Frank put his and AVA's energies into his electronic products than speaker building,,,

avahifi · « **Reply #381 on:** 4 Mar 2006, 02:33 pm »

I heard one of the Biro prototypes last summer and it was unfortunately not very good and I did not have much hope for future development along those lines.

We certainly could build a good small speaker if we wanted to, but a good big speaker is far beyond our resources. I am amazed at the efforts that Jim Salk has to put into his speakers to get them out the door.

We decided to concentrate on things we could actually do without making sawdust.

Frank Van Alstine

modular747 · « **Reply #382 on:** 4 Mar 2006, 02:38 pm »

Quote from: avahifi

We decided to concentrate on things we could actually do without making sawdust.

Frank Van Alstine

Good choice!

avahifi · « **Reply #383 on:** 7 Mar 2006, 03:12 pm »

Short progress report.

The Veracity HT-3s are in daily use here. I love them. Larry thinks that they need more break in time to resolve the lower midrange better. Larry says the Biro L/1s have the best midrange he has ever heard but do not have the top end of the HT-3s. The highly modified B&W 801s have more bass reach, a midrange nearly as nice as the Biros, but again don't have the top end transparency of the HT-3s. All are very very good loudspeakers.

Next I am waiting for the Timepieces to show up.

I am lucky to have several varieties of excellent speakers. We need that to make sure our electronics are not designed to just please on one brand of loudspeakers. So far this is proving true. Our electronics seems to work very well on whatever they is connected to. Dean has them running on Quad electrostatices with exellent results too.

Frank Van Alstine

avahifi · « **Reply #384 on:** 7 Mar 2006, 03:35 pm »

One further report, in a recent e-mail exchange with Mithat (who has been in Turkey for a couple of years now) he informs me that he has a newer Biro prototype that he feels clearly outperforms the Biro L/1s in every respect. I have not heard this prototype yet and hope to do so when he is here again this summer.

We do not have the capability to build it, but if it is worthly, we would certainly try and help Mithat find a way.

Frank Van Alstine

skrivis · « **Reply #385 on:** 7 Mar 2006, 04:00 pm »

Quote from: avahifi

One further report, in a recent e-mail exchange with Mithat (who has been in Turkey for a couple of years now) he informs me that he has a newer Biro prototype that he feels clearly outperforms the Biro L/1s in every respect. I have not heard this prototype yet and hope to do so when he is here again this summer.

We do not have the capability to build it, but if it is worthly, we would certainly try and help Mithat find a way.

Frank Van Alstine

I suggested that a cabinetmaker might be interested in producing them - perhaps Jim Salk? There are also other people building cabinets on a small scale that could be approached. Mithat should browse around for DIY speakers on the net and see if there are any recommendations for people building cabinets for them. Lee Taylor is very good, just as an example. http://www.taylorspeakers.com

Bill Baker · « **Reply #386 on:** 7 Mar 2006, 04:00 pm »

Quote

Next I am waiting for the Timepieces to show up.

I am lucky to have several varieties of excellent speakers. We need that to make sure our electronics are not designed to just please on one brand of loudspeakers.

Excellent thinking. I too have various products here that I do not represent. Some I cannot even mention at this time. They are here for the same purpose of making sure our own products are compatible with a variety of others.

Looking forward to hear your impressions of the SP Tech's.

avahifi · « **Reply #387 on:** 7 Mar 2006, 06:56 pm »

Did you all know there have been 33,147 views of this topic so far and 387 responses posted here about it so far?

Come on guys, I am sure there are more opinions and advise just waiting to be posted.

By the way, our crossover fix for the B&W 801 Series II speakers is available from me, schematic and all, free for the asking. It takes about $10 worth of easy to find parts and a little work. It turns these speakers from muddy dogs into something really hard to beat.

Frank Van Alstine

Bill Baker · « **Reply #388 on:** 7 Mar 2006, 07:01 pm »

Quote

I am sure there are more opinions and advise just waiting to be posted.

Hi Frank, everyone is going to have great opinions and options. There are almost 300 speaker manufacturers throughout the globe.

Keep in mind you also killed this thread (in regard to further options) when you mention the search was over after receiving your Salks. I'm sure it will pick up again but maybe not to the intensity it was before.

Woodsea · « **Reply #389 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 12:36 am »

That last statement is so true. I now just browse in it every 4-5 days to see what the latest comments are.
Frank-
What speakers are on their way for your ears only? Just curious to read what you hear with the different makes and models.
Thanks

avahifi · « **Reply #390 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 03:23 pm »

Timepieces should be coming here pretty soon.

If you want details of what I am hearing, give me a call at 651-330-9871, its really hard to express myself via my keyboard properly in the time I have to give this site.

Frank

Dusty Chalk · « **Reply #391 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 10:59 pm »

I haven't seen the Reimer Tetons mentioned in this thread yet. They used to be the reference system of one of the magazines...Audio Critic, I think? UHF uses Reference 3A speakers as their reference, but I don't know about the bass response.

warnerwh · « **Reply #392 on:** 8 Mar 2006, 11:58 pm »

If I were Frank I'd still be happy to have people send me great speakers to listen to. Even though he's happy with the Salk's and is purchasing them doesn't mean he shouldn't listen to other speakers to find out if maybe he really needs two sets of speakers

If anybody wants to send me some speakers and it doesn't cost too much for shipping I'd be happy to listen to them. Then maybe I'd learn that I really need 5 sets of speakers in the house

zybar · « **Reply #393 on:** 9 Mar 2006, 01:30 am »

Quote from: Otis

I'm delighted Mr. Frank has found the sound he's been searchng for, but it is a bit of a disappointment that there will be only a small number of challengers.

I was especially hoping to hear reviews of the top speakers by manufacturers with differing construction philosophies.

Taking the Salks vs. VMPS for example....

The Salks presumably have a carefully made, detailed crossover, shiny drivers and conventional driver mounting. There might even be a 'BBC dip' in the response depending on the swi ...

There are already lots of posts on Salk vs. VMPS here on AudioCircle.

Just search and you will find.

I think you will also see that some of your presumptions might not be right.

George

john1970 · « **Reply #394 on:** 9 Mar 2006, 01:43 am »

I recently auditioned several speakers (Linn, Thiel, ML, Gallo, VMPS) at the end of the day I purchased a pair of VMPS RM40s. I thought that the VMPS speakers were an excellent value (with dealer discounts) based on the following:

1) the transparency and detail of the midrange / treble ribbons
2) depth of the bass
3) reasonable number of drivers per a channel; the RM40s employ 8 drivers (8 active/1 passive) per a channel. More drivers will equal less distortion at higher volumes!

Daemon · « **Reply #395 on:** 15 May 2006, 11:34 pm »

I read through this whole thread, in the hope that I'd come to the end and have a good idea of something to replace my very old ARs with, since I live 8 hours drive in any direction from the nearest Hi Fi store. Damned if Mr Van Alstine didn't settle on something that can't be had in Australia; Oh well.

Mr Van Alstine, did the Timepieces ever arrive? What was your opinion of them and how did they stack up against the Salks?

Not sure anybody in Aus sells those either, but the story isn't complete until you've given us the denouement.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #396 on:** 15 May 2006, 11:42 pm »

Quote

Not sure anybody in Aus sells those either, but the story isn't complete until you've given us the denouement.

Daemon, Take a look through the post over at the SP Technology forum. There is a pair of Timepeices headed to or already in Australia. Maybe even close enough for you to audition (yes, I know Australia is a BIG place).

Double Ugly · « **Reply #397 on:** 15 May 2006, 11:45 pm »

Quote from: Daemon

Mr Van Alstine, did the Timepieces ever arrive? What was your opinion of them and how did they stack up against the Salks?

Not sure anybody in Aus sells those either, but the story isn't complete until you've given us the denouement.

Where do you live?

bhobba lives in Brisbane, and has ordered a pair of SP Tech Timepiece 2.1s. Perhaps you two aren't too far apart.

Daemon · « **Reply #398 on:** 16 May 2006, 06:59 am »

I live 8 hours drive from Bris, but more than that, I'd preffer to buy something with warranty support in Aus. It's a royal PITA if your gear is so exotic (from a purely parochial perspective) that you're going to lose it for months if it needs service, parts or warranty.

Doesn't stop me being interested in the final comparison, just probably not going to help me choose what to buy.

avahifi · « **Reply #399 on:** 16 May 2006, 01:28 pm »

No, the Timepieces never did arrive, and my last PM to Bob reminding him that I am still very interested has gone unanswered. i suppose he is very busy filling orderrs for paying customers.

It could have been an interesting comparison.

Frank Van Alstine