TP 3.0's What am I getting myself into?

Goosepond · « **on:** 23 May 2009, 06:28 pm »

OK, I'll admit to drinking the Bob Smith Koolade. aa

I've enjoyed the Mini's for about a year now. While admittedly not an audiophile, I've certainly spent money like one. Those little guys should have been all I needed and recently I started listening to some Dance/Electronica music. Now I'm an old retired fart who was reared on 50's and 60's RocknRoll. But I like music of all kinds and the only requirement is it sound good.

So while surfing the CableTV Music Channels, I stopped on the above choice and couldn't help but notice that big heavy base beat that all of the selections have. The Mini's just came to life the more I turned up the volume.

So now that I'm getting all the good sounds I could ever expect of my system, the TP 3.0's are supposed to show up Tuesday. I'm really excited thinking about what's in store for me.

But I ask all those experienced in listening to both the Mini's and their bigger brothers or even just the 3.0's, am I in for a bigger, badder, lower Mini?

Can't wait.

Gene

ted_b · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 May 2009, 07:04 pm »

Yes!

The nice thing about Bob's designs is that as you move up the product line the SP Tech sound (dynamic, transparent to a fault, great soundstage and microdynamics) doesn't change. You're just getting more SPL's, better bottom end and more dynamics. Of course, as the cabinet grows in size the imaging decreases ever so slightly; it's physics. But hell, even my huge Revelations image like nothing I've ever owned. i give a lot of credit to the waveguides.

Enjoy

bbchem · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 May 2009, 08:27 pm »

Dear Goosepond, I am also luckyto have the opportunity to own both the Minis and now the TP3's
Lets say you love a particular hamburger, you go to the store and buy a pound of meat and then you decide to cut it nto an 8 ounce piece and two 4 ounces, you cook the 4 ounce one day and eat it, and then the next day you eat the 8 ounces, same great taste just gives your taste buds a bigger and longer great experience. When I first got the TP3s after the Minis, I immediately put up a defensive shield after loving the minis for some time, it took me several listening to let my brain finally tell me that these are even bigger and bolder in sound with the same sonc signature. Its like minis on steroids!!

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 May 2009, 03:22 am »

Should be a fun listen Gene...yes, everything will be bigger ....and better......

I'll watch for your comments....enjoy !!!

satfrat · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 May 2009, 03:51 am »

Wrong thread, my bad.

ted_b · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 May 2009, 03:55 am »

Robin,
Wrong thread.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 May 2009, 04:05 am »

Quote from: ted_b on 24 May 2009, 03:55 am

Robin,
Wrong thread.

Maybe Robin has a ....secret...

satfrat · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 May 2009, 04:06 am »

Wrong thread,,, my bad.

Goosepond · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 May 2009, 03:37 am »

I'm trying to think of something intelligent to say here. But all that comes to mind now is Wow!

The 3.0's finally showed up today. Actually I had to go out and get them. They were coming on an 18-wheeler and I live on a narrow dead-end gravel road. No truck that size would make it. So I arranged to meet the driver on the side of the hi-way near here and my neighbor provided his pickup and we were in business.

I knew these were bigger than the Mini's. I had gone over the dimensions and done the math. But until you try to pull them out of the box, their size and weight just don't comprehend. Not for me anyway.

And I thought the Mini's had good bass. Well I am getting an education in real bass. Man is this going to be fun.

And the Walnut finish is absolutely stunning. I smile just looking at them.

Another quality product produced by Mr. Smith under trying conditions.

Thanks,

Gene

satfrat · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 May 2009, 03:45 am »

Quote from: Goosepond on 28 May 2009, 03:37 am

I'm trying to think of something intelligent to say here. But all that comes to mind now is Wow!

Hey Gene, your post has mine beat. WOW is cool.

Enjoy the show Gene.

Cheers,
Robin

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 May 2009, 03:53 am »

Glad to read the TP's have arrived Gene.....

"I knew these were bigger than the Mini's. I had gone over the dimensions and done the math. But until you try to pull them out of the box, their size and weight just don't comprehend. Not for me anyway."

Close to 70 pounds....and solid.

"And I thought the Mini's had good bass. Well I am getting an education in real bass."

A big difference...and for the better. The Minis are fun...the TP's take it up a few notches....

Have fun Gene....

JerryM · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 May 2009, 04:55 am »

Man, I'd love to see the walnut finish... Where's the pictures?

Congrats & enjoy,
Jerry

Goosepond · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 May 2009, 12:35 pm »

Quote from: JerryM on 28 May 2009, 04:55 am

Man, I'd love to see the walnut finish... Where's the pictures?

Congrats & enjoy,
Jerry

Hi Jerry,

I took some pics. If you look right here on my hard drive you'll see them.

Just kidding. I thought I saw some posts around the forum somewhere that the gallery isn't available or something. Maybe this weekend. I really am overwhelmed by the look of these beauties. First class all the way.

Oh, and I might have forgotten to mention this, but the

BASS!!!

I am now beginning to understand all the crazies around here that spend obscene (to me) amounts of money for just one thing: the sound. It's all about the sound isn't it? Whatever it takes.

Hi-rez PC audio is my next venture but that will have to wait awhile.

Gene

rms · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 May 2009, 01:51 pm »

Hey Gene - glad you're enjoying the new speaks. And now you know a bit of what I have been experiencing with my Continuums. The big guys absolutely ROCK OUT! I haven't heard the TP 3.0's but I'm sure they are pretty close to the Continuums. And yeah, it's totally worth it. The sound is just so amazing and fun.

Also the PC thing is not that hard or expensive. You can search for some of my old posts to see my journey and I'll be glad to fill you in on everything I have learned along the way. And this is a great site for lot's of good info;

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/

And more specifically here;

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/Audiophile-Reference-Music-Server-For-A-Song

And of course the good folks here on the discless circle have a wealth of knowlege.

You can have truly reference quality from your computer without spending a fortune, but you need to know the in's and out's.

Enjoy!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 May 2009, 02:14 pm »

Gene....
What amp are you using with your TP's ? Thanks...

bbchem · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 May 2009, 02:55 pm »

I would like to point out what I did to get an amazing sounding Computer driven front end for my tp3s. Of course you can vary the price of the components>>

1. PURCHASE AN ACER 8.9 INCH MINI COMPUTER WITH HARDRIVE == APPROX $260
2. PURCHASE AN EXTERNAL HD AROUND 500MB -1TB FOR ABOUT === $100
3. PURCHASE AN TRENDNET USB DAC AND BUY AND EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY FOR IT== $115
4. I HAD AN OLDER AUDIO ALCHEMY DAC I PAID $100 FOR

YOU CAN JUST USE THE 160MB ACER AND SAVE ABOUT $100

TOTAL>> $575!

I USE WINAMP OR WIN MEDIA OR MEDIA MONKEY ALL FREE. I RIP TO WAV FILES

ted_b · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 May 2009, 03:08 pm »

I have 1TB of ripped FLAC and WAVpack that my SP Tech Revelations hear on a daily basis. Currently it's through a Modwright Transporter, and I've also in-home demo'd/eval'd the top DACs around. I've had the Berkeley Alpha DAC, the Weiss Minerva/DAC2, the Benchmark, etc (not heard the Bryston or the Ayre yet). To net it out: hirez, especially 24/176 and 24/192 is really really good.

I think I'll finally go and propose I start a hirez music forum here. It will be about all things hirez audio (pc music, multichannel music, Blu Ray music, how to rip DVD-Audio, DACs that handle 24/192, etc.)

Goosepond · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 May 2009, 03:54 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 28 May 2009, 02:14 pm

Gene....
What amp are you using with your TP's ? Thanks...

Hi Chris,

The only other nut I can remember that has both the Mini's and TP's in house at the same time. Although my Mini's are on the way out the door today.

As far as my amp, I've got the Spectron. I know I've never used but a small fraction of its capabilities but at the time, I didn't want any regrets. One day, I'll aim the TP's at the windows, put on my headphones for protection, crank it up and see if anything breaks.

Gene

rms · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 May 2009, 03:59 pm »

Ted - great idea about the HiRez forum - I second that move and will be glad to help if needed.

And (at the risk of hijacking this thread for a moment) What are your thoughts on the Berkely Alpha DAC? It's out of my budget at the moment but it's flexibility and quality look very appealing. And how about the other DAC's you have tried?

I will be moving to the Lynx AES16 card soon and probably an Aurora 8 to go with it for recording. I am currently using an MAudio 2626 that is working well for recording but can't compare to the AVA Insight+ for playback. If the Aurora is not equal or better than the AVA Insight then I may go to the Berkely Alpha for playback and mastering purposes.

Goosepond · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 May 2009, 04:03 pm »

I'm sorta like a sponge, or at least I try to be. I've assembled my present system pretty much by lurking around here for a while and gauging interest and pricing things.

I've been doing the same thing with the PC audio thingy. I'll admit I don't have all the pieces clear in my mind. I've got one PC and a DSL Internet connection. No network at all. Never had the need for one. But when I read about NAS storage and Modwright Transporters, I know a network is involved. One day I'll get it all straight and dive in. But I'm too old to be trying too many things and eventually ending up with the right stuff.

So maybe soon, someone will make a turnkey system that makes sense to me and will fit the bill.

Anyway, Ted, the Hi-Rez circle idea would definitely have my interest although all I would be able to contribute would be dumb questions.

Now, back to my Bass Boxes!

Gene