[Mister Pig]

I remember my college days(early 90's) and how I loved the sound of all those panel speakers that the good audio shops carried. Of course I couldnt afford them, or the electronics needed to drive them. So I settled for a pair of Spica TC 50 driven by a Dynaco Stereo 70, and later added the Servo Sub.

Well, these days I do have a room big enough for panels. Awhile back I did have an all Acoustat system with 1+1 w medallion x-formers, Tnt 200 amp, and TNP pre-amp. Wasnt really to my liking, so back to full range drivers and SET amps I went.

Decided to find a new home for my Electra-Prints, and acquired locally a Jeff Rowland Model 5. Beautiful amp that shares more sonic characteristics with a SET amp than you might imagine. Now, I have just agreed to the purchase of a Jeff Rowland Consummate pre-amp, but it will take a couple of weeks to get payment and shiping finalized. Basically I have gone vintage audio, although I suspect these pieces would hold their own against most new offerings.

So now I have a whole new world of speakers opened up to me. In one way I wouldnt mind acquiring a pair of Martin Logan CLS. Although finding a good pair is getting difficult these days, and the pricing seems to be escalating. Vintage electrostats and palnars would most likely need a significant amount of servicing that is difficult to do in Eastern Washington. But still, a pair of Apogee Duettas would be tempting. I remember other speakers from the "day" such as the original ProAC Tablettes. Very beguiling. Also loved the Celestion SL600's. Of course a modern speaker is not out of the question, and I do have a pair of Eminent Technology LFT8B heading this way in a few weeks. Wouldnt mind hearing a pair of AAD speakers either. Actually I wonder about metal cabinet speakers these days. I hear wonderful things are happening with aluminum aircraft grade cabinets. Wonder if there are any affordably priced speakers using this configuration.

Just looking to banter about possible speaker solutions. From what I hear the amplification is going to stay around for the long term. Its quite good. Now I just need to find an interesting speaker to run with this beastie. Coming from the world of low powered tubes, all the speaker choices feels like being in a candy shop these days.

Regards
Mister Pig

[BrassEar]

Love the CLSs but they are a bitch to get right and ruthlessly revealing.  What about some Maggies?

[Mister Pig]

Love the CLSs but they are a bitch to get right and ruthlessly revealing.  What about some Maggies?

Some Maggies might be interesting. I have considered finding a good pair of IIIs's, or a slightly newer version. There are several DIY upgrades that involve installing better parts in the x-over. Others have spoken glowingly of rebuilding the frames with stiffer materials. It might be an educational project.

Regards
Mister Pig

[JP78]

my first love affair with 'stats started with the cls iiz.  from there it went to the cls1 (apparently better quality sound but a much harder load to drive), though the differences between the cls1 and clsiiz were almost negligent in my experience.  finally i had found the scintilla (1ohm), and there i stayed for sometime until i had to move into a manhattan apartment.

if you can find em, i'd say scintilla.  i don't know the roland 5 well at all, but if it does 0.5 ohms ok then go for the earlier cls and save your money.  maggies always sound great, but in my opinion the lower models without true ribbon elements don't sparkle until you start spending a lot more.

i'd also want to throw vmps out there.  the 626r ribbon bookshelf speakers offer al lot of the benefits of vmps (and 'stats) without the fuss and tuning of the larger models.  exceptionally clear sound starting at about 1,000usd (either used or on promotion).

happy hunting!

[Mister Pig]

i'd also want to throw vmps out there.  the 626r ribbon bookshelf speakers offer al lot of the benefits of vmps (and 'stats) without the fuss and tuning of the larger models.  exceptionally clear sound starting at about 1,000usd (either used or on promotion).

happy hunting!




Got a pair of 626JR with the mega woofer option. Nice speaker. Can see the benefits of the waveguide in most systems. Doesnt quite have the spaciousness of a traditional planar, but they do have a unique set of strengths. Will eventually get a review put together for Affordable Audio on them.

Regards
Mister Pig

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[Imperial]

Jeff Rowland 5's like Spendors I'm told.
Something like the SP1/2R or the Spendor SP100R maybe..

Imperial

[Housteau]

Got a pair of 626JR with the mega woofer option. Nice speaker. Can see the benefits of the waveguide in most systems. Doesn't quite have the spaciousness of a traditional planar, but they do have a unique set of strengths. Will eventually get a review put together for Affordable Audio on them.

Those other traditional planar strengths do come with the larger VMPS models, as does the benfit of the waveguide.  The RM-30 I understand to be quite something, although I have never heard it.  Personally, I own their new top dog, the RM-V60 / VLA reference package.  It is a large system that truly speaks with a single voice, and a planar voice at that.

I also used to own the Acoustat 1+1s as you did.  Then moved to the Infinity RS1bs and Martin Logan CLS 1s.  I consider the VMPS as one of the same family, sort of the best of both worlds speaker system.

One thing to consider as well, all of my older systems were very hard to drive.  Most of the VMPS line is very efficient.  Mine is high up in the 90s.  What a joy that has been for my older VTLs.