Green Mountain Audio - "Europa" Speakers

Chris_B · « **Reply #40 on:** 21 Jan 2004, 10:55 pm »

I just added decent stands to my Europas and it made a big difference. The bass became much better defined and that cleaned the total presentation up a great deal.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #41 on:** 22 Jan 2004, 02:58 am »

Chris_B, What stands are you using , because these speakers are heavy(43lbs.) ? How tall are they ? Thanks !

Chris_B · « **Reply #42 on:** 22 Jan 2004, 03:16 am »

They can be found on the Parts Express web site here http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=240-744&DID=7

with sand or lead shot fill, the stands will weigh 50+ lbs. I highly recommend them and they are a great value.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #43 on:** 22 Jan 2004, 03:20 am »

Thanks Chris !!

2turboz · « **Reply #44 on:** 23 Jan 2004, 11:25 pm »

Disclaimer: I'm new here, so please bear with me as I attempt to integrate.

This post caught my eye when Lonewolf mentioned his Europa s/n's, and they looked eerily familiar. When I checked mine, I realized I have the immediate pair before his: s/n 2341 & 2342. I spoke to Roy not too long ago, and he mentioned that mine were made around 5-6/02 and included the first cap upgrade (a Theta). Apparently, there was a second change later, when he switched to a Sonicap of a different value. The Theta versions are supposed to be more neutral, whereas the later Sonicaps are a touch sweeter.

As a side note, I use and enjoy Sound Organisation's Z570 stands that I purchased from AudioAdvisor. Hope this helps.

Kevin

Carlman · « **Reply #45 on:** 24 Jan 2004, 12:42 am »

I just wanted to say thanks to Lonewolf for suggesting I try these speakers. I received them today and I am REALLY enjoying them. They have a lot more natural timbre than the VR1's did and they don't try to do bass they can't do accurately. It's not the kind of speaker you'd like at first but the kind you'd like after about 30 minutes... it starts growing on you... and growing... and growing...

I'm going to have one helluva shootout comparing these to the Criterions.. which I know are awesome as well. I'll post more on that in Critic's Circle soon...

-Carl

Chris_B · « **Reply #46 on:** 24 Jan 2004, 12:54 am »

Congrats. Let us know how it goes.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #47 on:** 24 Jan 2004, 04:13 am »

Quote from: 2turboz

Disclaimer: I'm new here, so please bear with me as I attempt to integrate.

This post caught my eye when Lonewolf mentioned his Europa s/n's, and they looked eerily familiar. When I checked mine, I realized I have the immediate pair before his: s/n 2341 & 2342. I spoke to Roy not too long ago, and he mentioned that mine were made around 5-6/02 and included the first cap upgrade (a Theta). Apparently, there was a second change later, when he switched to a Sonicap of a different value. The Theta versions a ...

Welcome Kevin , Audio Circle's a nice place, take a look around, lots of helpful members here. And thanks for your information, it's very helpful ! I'm glad I posted up the serial numbers. Have you or will you be updating your Europa's ? And, what is in the rest of your system ? Those stands look very good, and strong.Thanks for a reply !

Eric · « **Reply #48 on:** 24 Jan 2004, 08:10 pm »

Where are you guys buying the Green Mountains from? I live in Northern Illinois. Would they work in a smaller room?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #49 on:** 25 Jan 2004, 07:16 am »

Eric , I bought mine used form a seller on AudioGon. And my room is 12'x12'x8'. Sounding good in this room.

Carlman · « **Reply #50 on:** 25 Jan 2004, 03:43 pm »

Same here... I bought on Agon, used. They have dealers selling new as well. Search on 'Green Mountain'... www.audiogon.com.

Chris_B · « **Reply #51 on:** 25 Jan 2004, 05:03 pm »

I called Roy at greenmountainaudio.com and asked him for a few dealers in my area. I ended up buying from Anthony at http://www.perrottaconsulting.com. Give Roy a call and find out if there is a dealer near you. If you are luck, you can get an audition first.

2turboz · « **Reply #52 on:** 25 Jan 2004, 09:11 pm »

Lonewolf wrote: "Have you or will you be updating your Europa's ? And, what is in the rest of your system ?"

Lonewolf, I am satisfied with the overall character of my Europas and see no reason to switch to a less neutral cap. As to my other components, let me preface my list by saying that I'm slowly converting our decidedly low-fi HT system to a questionably mid-fi 2 ch. system. I started with the Europas, and I'm substituting each next weakest link.

Pioneer DV-47AI
AudioMagic Sorcerer 4D RCA's
Preamp section of a Yamaha HT receiver
Aural Thrills Active silver RCA's
Aragon 2004 w/Cryotweak enhanced Asylum PC
Analysis Plus Oval 9
Europas
Cambridge 12" sub

I'm open to suggestion on the next component to replace, but I think it will be the source, pre-amp, or PC's next. Thanks for the welcome!

Kevin

hibuckhobby · « **Reply #53 on:** 25 Jan 2004, 10:22 pm »

You need a tube preamp to go along with that SS amp!

Seriously, you have a good amp and good speakers, I would look at the preamp next. Once you get in the "ballpark" in terms of what you are looking for, then it's time for the agony and ecstacy of fine tuning with cables and interconnects.
my 02
Bob

Carlman · « **Reply #54 on:** 25 Jan 2004, 10:46 pm »

Quote from: 2turboz

Lonewolf wrote: "Have you or will you be updating your Europa's ? And, what is in the rest of your system ?"

Lonewolf, I am satisfied with the overall character of my Europas and see no reason to switch to a less neutral cap. As to my other components, let me preface my list by saying that I'm slowly converting our decidedly low-fi HT system to a questionably mid-fi 2 ch. system. I started with the Europas, and I'm substituting each next weakest link.

Pioneer DV-47AI
AudioMagic Sorcerer 4D RCA's
Pre ...

You might want to start a new thread and ask the same question.

However... since you asked... I love the neutrality of the Europa's. If you like them, this is probably a sonic characteristic to keep consistent in the rest of your audio choices. I agree a preamp is the first place to start. You'll need to decide the features you want before you start eyeing them up, though. (phono section, remote, etc.)

If you're looking for simple, you may want to consider an Eastern Minimax. It's neutral but, can be made to change with different tubes... if you want a little more warmth or 'tubeyness'.

Dodd makes a good preamp and the prices range from 450 and up. The Purist is a solid state pre that is probably very good but, I haven't heard it yet. But, I will. Another one I haven't heard but, wanted to was Van Alstine's preamps. He has a forum here. Lots of features for the money with the T5 he sells.

I had an Audible Illusions 2-d that I thought sounded very good musically but, also provided a lot of noise that was unacceptable. I think mine was worse than the average, though. Before that I had a Melos 111 which provided a sort of mellowsound... not great. I had a Hegeman Hapi II solid state that could beat it in dynamics and upper end clarity.

There's Bent who makes passive pre's and then there's Decware... then there's a million others.. many of which are incredibly good. I've found the preamp comparison to be akin to DAC comparions... tedious and painful... plus, there's no giant relief like when you find the right speakers. It's like, oh, that sounds really good. Hmm. I guess that will do nicely then. Pay attention to impedance matching as well. I think that makes as much difference as the electronics sometimes.

Good luck,
Carl

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #55 on:** 26 Jan 2004, 02:02 pm »

Quote from: 2turboz

Lonewolf wrote: "Have you or will you be updating your Europa's ? And, what is in the rest of your system ?"

Lonewolf, I am satisfied with the overall character of my Europas and see no reason to switch to a less neutral cap. As to my other components, let me preface my list by saying that I'm slowly converting our decidedly low-fi HT system to a questionably mid-fi 2 ch. system. I started with the Europas, and I'm substituting each next weakest link.

Pioneer DV-47AI
AudioMagic Sorcerer 4D RCA's
Pre ...

Kevin, Thanks for your info. I find the Europa's to have a very neutral sound also. I like that ! Good equipement really shines through with these speakers. I notice this as I switch between amps (Krell , Scott Nixon) and preamps(ARC , EEC). As for what to update...?....audition as much equipement as you can, TAKE your time and buy the best you can afford. Lots of good manufacture's on this site...why not check their sites first. Good Luck !!

Pin · « **Reply #56 on:** 27 Jan 2004, 04:46 am »

Is the Europa ported to the front? Thanks.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #57 on:** 27 Jan 2004, 04:51 am »

Quote from: Pin

Is the Europa ported to the front? Thanks.

Yes.

Pin · « **Reply #58 on:** 27 Jan 2004, 05:19 am »

Thanks Lonewolf.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #59 on:** 27 Jan 2004, 05:35 am »

Pin, if you go to there website, you will see a picture of Europa's before speakers are installed in marble cabinet. See three holes, tweeter on top..woofer in middle..port on bottom. http://www.greenmountainaudio.com/ The first line of pictures ,.... on left, completed Europa....under that.....marble cabinet "in the raw form".