New Dulcet Owner

CMM · « **on:** 7 Feb 2004, 04:54 pm »

I have been interested in Reference 3a speakers for some time and finally took the plunge. I purchased a pair of Dulcets a few days ago. So far I am very impressed and happy. I am using them with a Unico amp, Musical Fidelity A3 CDP, Rega P3 turntable, Nordost Solar Wind IC, and QED 4x4 speaker cable. I know they are not broken in yet, but I thought I might give my initial impressions. The Dulcets sound (out of the box) is very detailed and dynamic, I am already hearing new inner detail on familiar recordings. They have great bass for their size and soundstage is excellent. Sound coming from these little boxes is large and and can they can play loud. Coming from Spendor S3/5, which are great speakers in my opinion, the Dulcets sound is more forward and revealing, and go much louder and deep. The only initial concern is the forwardness and extra detail, which at times can sound a little edgy. Not a great concern because I have learned to wait and be patient with new speakers. Also my room is untreated and could be responsible for the slight brightness. The Spendors are more transparent and are excellent with vocals and acoustic music. The sound of the Spendors is always smooth and sweet and with the right music they are tough to beat. The Dulcets seem to be more suited for all types of music and are a lot of fun. I will post again after the speakers break in and I listen more. Look forward to being a part of this circle.
CMM

cyounkman · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Feb 2004, 05:54 am »

Quote from: CMM

I have been interested in Reference 3a speakers for some time and finally took the plunge. I purchased a pair of Dulcets a few days ago. So far I am very impressed and happy. I am using them with a Unico amp, Musical Fidelity A3 CDP, Rega P3 turntable, Nordost Solar Wind IC, and QED 4x4 speaker cable. I know they are not broken in yet, but I thought I might give my initial impressions. The Dulcets sound (out of the box) is very detailed and dynamic, I am already hearing new inner detail on familiar recordings. They have great bass for their size and soundstage is excellent. Sound coming from these little boxes is large and and can they can play loud.

CMM -
Thanks for the report! I think you're the first Dulcet owner to show up here. Maybe we can arrange some kind of prize?

I'm glad to hear that you're pleased with them. They've been a long time coming, so expectations are high... (mine are, anyway.) If they're anything like the DC's, the break-in may continue for a while, the drivers as well as the cap on the tweeter (?)...

Yours sounds like a pretty well-balanced system. I remember the A3... it might be the first cd player I really loved, although I never got around to buying one. Anyway, a very charismatic sound; brilliant and musical well beyond its price.

Quote from: CMM

...The Spendors are more transparent and are excellent with vocals and acoustic music...

Interesting. They are studio monitors, of course... Do you think it's the result of flatter frequency response? I've heard great things about Spendor, of course, but don't have much experience with them. Do you find them as dynamic as the Dulcets with your Unico?

CMM · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Feb 2004, 01:58 am »

Chris,

I like your idea of a prize! How about that GamuT CD Player of yours! I heard the Gamut player once and was very impressed and have at times looked for one on the used market. I have been happy with the MF A3, but like a lot of people in this hobby I am always looking for something a little better. Do you like the GamuT?

The Dulcets seem to be getting a little better each day. During a lot of my listening sessions the Dulcets are only 8" from back wall, which I know is not ideal. I do pull them out in the room for more for extended listening sessions. Does anyone have any experience with plugging the rear port with foam on DeCapo speakers? I had a pair of Epos speakers that came with foam plugs and benefited from this.

Thanks

cyounkman · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Feb 2004, 01:11 am »

The GamuT is grounded, so it can't really leave the house... And my wife is pretty attached to it... It's a great player; very dynamic and natural-sounding. I listened to a lot of other players first.

I have no idea about plugging the port: Give it a try and let us know! Theoretically, it will just attenuate the output of the speaker around the resonant frequency of the port, which I would guess is around 50 Hz.

Ranefjord · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 May 2004, 09:42 am »

Dulcet arriving next week for listening and perhaps purchase. I've never heard any R3a speakers before so I'm very exited.

Will try them with various amps and I hope the Audion silvernight mk2 @ 10W will suite them fine at moderate volymes.

Terry · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 May 2004, 03:24 pm »

Just a suggestion for you. I have the DeCappo-is and I listened to the Ducets at the Montreal show. Both these speakers sound their best when listened to in the near field. Specifically, sit at the apex of the equilateral triangle formed by the line between the two woofers and your listening chair equidistant to each woofer. This is the way Divergent had the Dulcets set up at the show and, by all accounts, it was one of the best sounds at the show. And don't be afraid to have the speakers farther apart that you might think they should be. Enjoy!

Ranefjord · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 May 2004, 03:38 pm »

Thanx for the advice. I will put up some pics for you later. I have some other 'candy' in my room too. Anyone heard of SAP? Well, i have their Quartette at home right now, and they really sounds like nothing else i've heard. Wonderful!

Using audion premier mk2 pre (one of the few there are) and a 12W Audion sterling amp

Terry · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 May 2004, 08:35 pm »

Quote from: Ranefjord

Well, i have their Quartette at home right now, and they really sounds like nothing else i've heard. Wonderful! Using audion premier mk2 pre (one of the few there are) and a 12W Audion sterling amp

No, I have not heard of SAP; however, I have most certainly heard of Audion. I love the Audion equipment. A friend is also using the Audion pre and he has just order an Audio PX25 power amp, complete with silver transformers. I can't wait to hear them.

Ranefjord · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 May 2004, 09:19 pm »

Terry:

Oh! That sound interesting! Audion - R3a will perhaps be the next 'classic' combo?

I really really like Audion. The main engineer lives in Sweden, Erik Andersson. I've talked to him a couple of times. He doesnt like solid state, I've understood! Thats pretty obvious though.

If you can, please take a couple of pictures. I promise you the same.

take care

/Jens 'lill-hövdingen' ^ 'lill-Ken Kessler' Ranefjord

lill = JR (junior)
hövdingen = chief

witchdoctor · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 May 2004, 06:27 pm »

I heard the Dulcet's at the Home Theter Show in NYC. They were the best passive bookshelf speaker I ever heard.

Ranefjord · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Jun 2004, 06:29 pm »

Ok, been a r3a owner for 3 days now. Dulcet! I like them. They are playing music in a very emotional way! Thats important for me. Didnt take long time to set up. I sit pretty close to them, about 1,5m, and a little less then than inbetween them. *small room* 10W seems to work at lower/moderate levels, but I will try to find an affordable 20-40W amp. Valves of course!

Oh, I like them so much! And they are cute too! ;P

CMM · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Jun 2004, 07:36 pm »

Ranefjord,

Glad you like your new Dulcets. They are cute little speakers, but they certainly do not sound small or cute do they. To me the sound is big, bold, and detailed. I am also a Dulcet owner. I am currently am using a Unison Research Unico, a hybrid amp. I recently purchased Skylan 28" stands for the Dulcets, a very nice stand for the speakers. Proper set up for me took a little more time with the Dulcets, but I have finally figured it out after quite a bit of trial and error. Let us know what amp you decide to use.

Enjoy your new speakers!

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Jun 2004, 06:02 am »

Quote from: Ranefjord

Ok, been a r3a owner for 3 days now. Dulcet! I like them. They are playing music in a very emotional way! Thats important for me. Didnt take long time to set up. I sit pretty close to them, about 1,5m, and a little less then than inbetween them. *small room* 10W seems to work at lower/moderate levels, but I will try to find an affordable 20-40W amp. Valves of course!

Oh, I like them so much! And they are cute too! ;P

I think the von gaylord audio 'starlet' integrated would be nice.

But before i make any more suggestions, what is your estimated budget

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Jun 2004, 04:57 pm »

Considering you sit in the nearfield with your Dulcets and you want an "affordable" integrated amp, I have a few more ideas:

1) Von Gaylord Audio Starlet integrated
2) Any integrated amp from http://www.divertech.com/antiquesl.html#INTEGRATED">Antique Sound Labs.
3) Manley Stingray integrated
4) Rogue Tempest integrated w/ remote
5) Any integrated amp from http://operaudio.com/Html/Opera-Products-TUBEAMP.htm">Opera Audio.
6) Art Audio Carrissa ...almost forgot this beauty

If you were to consider anything outside of the wonderful realm of valves here are a few integrated suggestions:
1) Plinius 8200
2) Sim Audio Moon I-3
3) Unison Research UNICO
4) Panasonic SA-XR45 with BolderCableCo. Mods

***NOTE***I think you will find many of these integrated amps I mentioned are being sold at reasonable second hand prices on Audiogon.com

Ranefjord · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Dec 2004, 12:34 pm »

What it looks like, right now:

What it sounds like, right now:

uncontop · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Dec 2004, 03:29 am »

I would also suggest:
YBA Integre DT
They are special driving my deCapo-i. I am also considering buying the PrimaLuna Prologue One as a second amplifer, to add a little "warm glow" to my listening experience.

panderso · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Jan 2005, 07:53 pm »

I've had my new Dulcets for just over two months now. I'm delighted with the clear, direct way the music comes through them. I'm listening near field, about 7 feet away, in a room about 11' x 16', with an 8 foot ceiling. Driving with the Naim Nait 5i and the Naim CD5x.

I've had quite a few speakers through that little room before deciding that nothing else pleased me as much. In fact, I unloaded high value 3 ways, costing 3 x as much, in favor of the Dulcets. Nothing else opened up as fully at lower volume levels and up close.

To talk about their fine resolution of detail, the realism and steadiness of their imaging, the natural richness of the mid-range, and the surprising authority of the bass still doesn't quite do justice to the special quality of the sound. What is that? How many ways can you say direct, clear, limpid, uncluttered, unfiltered, unadorned, unadulterated...

As to ideal amps, I'm sure many would serve, and noted the suggestions above. I very much liked the Antique Sound Labs 1001 Integrated with the Dulcets, but it threw too much heat into my small room. I'm sure the Dulcets partner well with a variety of nice tube amps, but I'd be interested in impressions of those who have had a good listen with something cool-running. What amps have you enjoyed with these speakers and why?

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Jan 2005, 09:07 pm »

I'm surprised by your results, but happy for you, especially considering that you can use the INCREDIBLE Nait 5i (actually, I've only heard the Nait 5/FC2). Best integrated under 5K for straight up music making that I've heard- an absolute classic IMO. The new Naim has a more organic quality to the sound, but it never sounded "tubey" to me, so I figured it wouldn't work in theory. Good for you!

Michael

panderso · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Jan 2005, 09:41 pm »

Thanks Michael. Much as I love the Naim Nait 5i, and agree that it is a marvelous value, I'm not sure that I personally would have described it as 'tubey'. I think I did read at least one reviewer that put it that way. I like your word 'organic' - that kind of captures the clean natural sound of the Nait - and why I like it with the Dulcets.

That said, there was more of that feel of lively air space around the sounds, generally ascribed to good tube amps, with the Antique Sound Labs Integrated. I'd love to have it as an alternate. Or, learn about nice tubes, or tubey solid states that don't turn a small room into a sauna. The good people at Divergent Technologies, besides their own Antique S.L. line, mentioned the Audio Zone SS as a happy partner for the Dulcet. I'd love to hear from anyone who has heard them together.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Jan 2005, 09:59 pm »

One thing I can say after directly comparing my MMDCI w/a Plinius 8200 II and Cairn integrated to my normal CJ/VTL combination, is that you sacrifice some air, space, texture in the sound to get what is nominally better performance at the extremes and a more lively presentation with SS on the De capo's. I've heard the Dulcet and MMDCI with the ASL SET and it was a magical combination, though if pushed too hard, the Dulcet did get hard sounding. I've also heard the MMDCI's at a friends who haas a 2A3 based 2 watt SET amp and as far as texture and fully formed, organic images in the nearfield, it was among the best I've heard. Plus, the MMDCI's just rocked off of those 2 watts!

If your Naim is working with the Dulcet, I say don't fix what isn't broken. That stuff is absolutely stellar and I'd take it over my own gear if I could get away with it in my room.

Best,
Michael