Emerald Physics CS2's - What amps are you using?

doak · « **Reply #20 on:** 23 Jan 2008, 02:27 am »

Quote from: hjsouth on 23 Jan 2008, 02:04 am

I suspect I will be the lone true budget guy that posts an answer to your question, at least compared to the gang residing here on Audio Circle, but I couldn't resist putting in my 2 cents. I have a true CS2 budget system. I chose option one, utilizing four IRD MB100 mono blocks (which are still inexpensive), a Tube Audio Design TAD150 Signature preamp (tube hybrid), with my source component a modded JD100 CD player. The stock Beheringer is being used, at least until the dust settles with all the mods and options that will become available. Interconnects are all DH Labs BL1 which I sent back and had factory terminated XLR to RCA. Cables are four runs of BestDealCables.

I am quite happy with the results from the amps, which at least to me, are quiet, smooth, have enough headroom for anything I listen to and were pocketbook friendly. I have considered other amps but will likely wait until I am sold on the switching amps or ice based amps and can get them in a single box, four channel set to save on space. Won't bite on this though unless I can demo it first. Wish I had a dedicated room like most of you guys have, to move the speakers out about 5 feet into the room.

hjsouth

Hey There,
I've been the route with this audio stuff - Infinity IRS, Martin-Logan, Magnepan, etc, etc, etc.

What I have now is by far the least expensive set-up I've had in over 20 years ,,,, but I can easily and honestly say it is VERY musically rewarding.
I haven't posted a system yet here on A'Circle so here's what I'm listening to/through:
VPI Scout/Goldring 1042/EAR 834P - modified, Sonic Euphoria PLC, a crappy Sony DVD player (I'm 99% vinyl

), EVS 100M amps, Emerald Physics CS2, old M.A. Cotter interconnects, and as of today DIY WLM speaker cable. This entire system was acquired for about $6000 - less than I've often spent on speakers or even a turntable

. Yes that's still a lot of bucks to a lot of people, though when measured against the "typical" Stereophile

readers' systems it's chickenfeed. I love the "sport" in seeing what I can do for less $$. I truly believe it makes one think more and work harder. I've never heard a great system that was achieved simply by throwing money at it.

BTW:LOVED my Jolida JD100 - landed there after many DACs/tranports/digital cables. It's a great player. I'm looking to eventually integrate 3 digital sources, maybe with an upcoming DCX/DSP unit?

My $.02

Doak

Ric Schultz · « **Reply #21 on:** 23 Jan 2008, 08:13 am »

Cloudbaseraser.
You probably did a search and found my "old" website (hence the old phone # and email address). My webmaking software failed (and was no longer supported) so I had to start another. I need to wipe that old one out. If you go directly to www.tweakaudio.com you should find my new website. New email is [email protected] and the new phone # is 831-338-2896.

cloudbaseracer · « **Reply #22 on:** 23 Jan 2008, 02:59 pm »

Ric,

Yes, I did locate your old site via a name search online. Strange thing this internet in that both sites are listed as tweakaudio.com. Anyway, I now have your number and shall call you.

My main question for you if others may be interested would be the difference in your ICE amps and something like the Wyred 4 Sound multichannel amps? The neat thing about the Wyred 4 Sound would be the possibility to put up to 7 channels in the one chassis. I have not heard either the EVS or the W4S amps at this time. I know some strong Emerald Physics CS2 proponents really push the multi-channel aspect of the W4S. I am looking for the best sonic possibilities for the money. From the little I have read I believe I want to use ICE instead of others options. It seems like a 21st century solution??

Thanks for your time,

James

cloudbaseracer · « **Reply #23 on:** 28 Jan 2008, 10:29 pm »

So anyone have any other suggestions or comments on amps for the CS2? I am looking to go solid state and I think I would like some of the ICE power amps. Now that more people are running these speakers please tell me some optimal amping configurations???

???? Wyred 4 Sound, Rotel, Bryston, Bel Canto (not sure why but these do not interest me, really have no basis for this opinion), PS Audio, ?????

What about something like the Panasonic "all digital" XR-700? I have been told you can bypass all the D/A conversion and get good sound from something like this running straight digital the full path?

What about a multi-channel receiver? Is this a good option? Could something like a Rotel receiver be modified for reasonable money to give audiophile quality sound?

I would like to use a Squeezebox Duet and to avoid using a pre-amp if that is a configuration that can provide stellar sound?

I am looking for a "world beater" type system that is of great value...... You know, something commensurate with the "world beating" value of the CS2!

Thanks,

James

SolidSqual · « **Reply #24 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 05:42 pm »

Hey Guys,

I'm new to the forum and just bought a pair of CS2s. I own two Odyssey SE Extreme Monos and am looking to find a second amp to complete the biamping necessary to run these things. The guy at underwood hifi who sold me the emerald physics speakers also said I should use a Bel Canto S300 for the HF and my SE Extremes for the LF. Is the Bel Canto in anywhere the same league as the SE Extrmes or is just guy trying to sell me? I thought it was a general rule that keeping the topography of your amps identical is the way to go.

I live real close to Klaus at Odyssey audio, so I talk to him all the time. he recommended that I use my SEs for the HF and buy a pair of Khartago Monoblocks w/ Stratos mod for the LF.

Your thoughts?

doak · « **Reply #25 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 05:56 pm »

Quote from: SolidSqual on 31 Jan 2008, 05:42 pm

Hey Guys,

I'm new to the forum and just bought a pair of CS2s. I own two Odyssey SE Extreme Monos and am looking to find a second amp to complete the biamping necessary to run these things. The guy at underwood hifi who sold me the emerald physics speakers also said I should use a Bel Canto S300 for the HF and my SE Extremes for the LF. Is the Bel Canto in anywhere the same league as the SE Extrmes or is just guy trying to sell me? I thought it was a general rule that keeping the topography of your amps identical is the way to go.

I live real close to Klaus at Odyssey audio, so I talk to him all the time. he recommended that I use my SEs for the HF and buy a pair of Khartago Monoblocks w/ Stratos mod for the LF.

Your thoughts?

I personnally think that using amps from the same "family" will make for more integrated sound.
However - a pair of Odyssey SE Extreme Monos on the CS2 compression driver does seem a bit "extreme."

Doak

SolidSqual · « **Reply #26 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 05:56 pm »

Yeah but the S300 puts out 150 watts in 8 ohms itself. How is that not a lot?

doak · « **Reply #27 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 05:59 pm »

Quote from: SolidSqual on 31 Jan 2008, 05:56 pm

Yeah but the S300 puts out 150 watts in 8 ohms itself. How is that not a lot?

Agreed.

Does Klaus make a lower powered / high quality speaker that may suffice?

SolidSqual · « **Reply #28 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 06:04 pm »

Klaus makes lesser powered amps, but the stratos extremes fully modded are the best sounding. Which is why he wants me to put them in the HF. He says the modded Khartagos would be fine for the low end.

doak · « **Reply #29 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 06:06 pm »

Quote from: SolidSqual on 31 Jan 2008, 06:04 pm

Klaus makes lesser powered amps, but the stratos extremes fully modded are the best sounding. Which is why he wants me to put them in the HF. He says the modded Khartagos would be fine for the low end.

That makes sense to me.

TomS · « **Reply #30 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 06:51 pm »

One option might be an SE (not Extreme) version in a Khartago case for the HF. Saves a lot of money and has the same character of the Mono SE without quite the gusto and fancy case. I'd love to have one of those myself. I'm going to try my Extreme SE's on the HF just for fun, but I hate wasting all that fortitude on the compression driver HF.

Tom

SolidSqual · « **Reply #31 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 07:32 pm »

I feel the same way, but then aren't you also wasting the great HF capabilities on the LF?

TomS · « **Reply #32 on:** 31 Jan 2008, 08:43 pm »

Quote from: SolidSqual on 31 Jan 2008, 07:32 pm

I feel the same way, but then aren't you also wasting the great HF capabilities on the LF?

Well, the Extreme version (extra transformers, caps, etc.) is really nice to provide current for that 4 ohm load double bass driver setup (or for that matter, arc welding if you need it)

kehut · « **Reply #33 on:** 1 Feb 2008, 12:15 am »

Hi Folks,

Im awaiting the delivery of my CS-2's. My plan at the moment is to use my Nuforce Ref 9.02SE's on the top and my Threshold S/200 for the LF. I will try it the other way around too, but my thinking is that the NF amps are much quieter and sound great as is with a huge soundstage..The S/200 while very musical and almost laid back on top, would likely sound good, but may be too noisy and may be better suited to bass duties.

In the end, I think I may go all Nuforce or try Ric EVS M-100 monos with the Ref 9's.My DCX will be stock also for the time being, but have spoken to Ric about his mods..so we'll see. I plan to keep my CJ PV-5 as its quiet and has tube warmth in spades while is nicely resolving too. Man, I love my Quads, but, it will be nice to ditch the sub and have that seamless sound the Quads do so well..all in the CS-2!!

Any suggestions?

Ken

tricka · « **Reply #34 on:** 3 Feb 2008, 12:29 am »

G'day everyone
I am awaiting delivery of my CS2's from the US.
Now matching amp's....I was hoping for some advice re current vs watts for the LF.
First off I should say I have a 5 watt SEP that I am absolutely wedded to and will use for the HF.
My question is whether something like a pair of Winsome Mouse T Amps (35 watts each) would have enough current to drive the woofers. I'm toying with Bel Canto as well.
I owned some Hawthorne 15 inch SI's and found the 15 inch woofer needed some hp to control them.
may I also ask has the dust setlled re the XO mods?
Cheers

Tricka

zybar · « **Reply #35 on:** 3 Feb 2008, 12:50 am »

Quote from: tricka on 3 Feb 2008, 12:29 am

G'day everyone
I am awaiting delivery of my CS2's from the US.
Now matching amp's....I was hoping for some advice re current vs watts for the LF.
First off I should say I have a 5 watt SEP that I am absolutely wedded to and will use for the HF.
My question is whether something like a pair of Winsome Mouse T Amps (35 watts each) would have enough current to drive the woofers. I'm toying with Bel Canto as well.
I owned some Hawthorne 15 inch SI's and found the 15 inch woofer needed some hp to control them.
may I also ask has the dust setlled re the XO mods?
Cheers
Tricka

Tricka,

The 15" woofers really do like more power and current than what I believe the T amps can deliver. I tried my Bella Extreme 100's in triode mode (60 watts) on the woofers and while they played at high SPL's, they just didn't sound that great (the bass lost a lot of its speed and detail). yet, when I play the Extreme 100's in pentode mode (100 watts), they sound wonderful!!

As for mods, I don't think the dust has settled per se...My "guess" is that there will numerous offering from various entities, with each vendor taking a different approach (from both a cost and technical perspective). My personal unit is in the process of being further modified and will hopefully be back in my possession shortly. The latest round of mods will be replacing the power supply and DAC chip, while adding in new SRC/Clock boards.

George

playntheblues · « **Reply #36 on:** 3 Feb 2008, 03:12 am »

Just a brief note here as I am fighting the flu bug that's sweeping Texas. I have had my Emerald Physic speakers for about two weeks now. I am running them with a Moscode 300 on the bottom and Dodd 120's on the top. My DCX unit is stock and should have a fully modded DCX by the end of next week.

I have ordered a Spectron Musician III SE to run the low Freq. and will see how it sounds with the Dodd 120's on the high freq. I would also love to try a good 300b on the top and may in fact run two Musician III SE's depending on there sound when fully broken in. More to come as equipment gets here and I get to feeling better.

I purchased my Emerald Physics from George and he has been a great help if you haven't ordered a pair yet and you have plans to, you might want to give George a call. "Shameless plug for George"

SolidSqual · « **Reply #37 on:** 27 Feb 2008, 02:30 am »

Anyone know how to balance the gain on the amplifiers for the LF and HF?

kehut · « **Reply #38 on:** 4 Mar 2008, 02:52 am »

Have the CS-2's now for about 2 weeks in house. They are indeed simply amazing speakers. I am using Nuforce Ref 9.02 monoblocks for the woofers and a Bel Canto S-300 stereo amp for the Compression drivers. Wonderful sound. Both amps have just about the exact same gain (26 and 27 db) and power numbers. The Nuforce amps push 160W (8ohm) and 300W cont. RMS into the 4 ohm CS-2 woofers, while the Bel Canto runs 150W into the 8 ohm CD.

With only about 30 hours on them now...they are still changing and getting better. The bass is really starting to tighten up and they seem to be a bit more open now....Still adjusting the position of the speakers toe and my listening seat..but they are not very fussy as they seem to sound good in just about any position I try..yet, small changes in toe, and width apart,are noticeable in the sound-stage and bass. Speaking of bass!!! Unreal here! Whats just as astonishing to me is how smooth and refined the upper mids and highs are in this speaker. I still cant believe Im listening to a horn! Detailed, transparent and smooth. Excellent depth, width and height.... and a full open window into the recording with live dynamic swings that just make you shake your head in amazment!

Yeah...I like them!

wikin · « **Reply #39 on:** 4 Mar 2008, 05:47 am »

Hello all CS2 owners,
Sorry if I haven't searched hard enough, I'm curious to know how the compression driver is employed in the cross over. Is the parametric eq set to off and x-over point at about 1Khz with some form of degital delay dialled in to compensate for its physically more rear than the 15" woofer? What about the woofer's parametric eq? I would think (speculate) that given the fact the DCX2496 does not like it's eq to be set to positive gain, so I would assume the eq is set at perhaps 6dB per octave slopping down starting like 100hz to the x-over point of the tweeter. Am I right?
On a side note perhaps an improvement that can be made to the CS2 is to make it 2.5 ways (i.e. using 6 channel amp), so essentially the lowest woofer is cut off at about 100hz, the middle woofer is cut off at 1khz and the tweeter takes over. With this type of setup I would think the mid range will be less bloated and it'll achieve a better tighter more realistic vocal mouth size.

Cheers.