Hi all.
Everyday, I try to take a few minutes off and listen to my V1 and V2 with my Niteshade Audio 10wpc amplifier.
Here are some thoughts, opinions, reactions, comments, views and conclusions (But not finals) of my yesterday two hours of listening with some good CD recordings (Chesky, TelArc…) and some audiophile LPs.
(Rega Apollo CD player and Rega P3 w/Rega Exact MM cartridge).
Sorry if I repeat myself, but I think it’s not a good idea to compare side by side the V1 and the V2, because I am sure you will choose the V1 and if you don’t have to money to buy the V1 then you will have to settle for the V2 and… Well eventually you will be happy with the V2, because it’s good, but you will always think about the superb sound of the V1.
The more I listen to the V1, the more you like it and the more you don’t want the V2, well that’s what happening to me anyway. Please don’t think I don’t like the V2 or as I often say, don’t put words in my mouth that I did not say.
The V2 is very good for the price, but the V1 is simply better. How much better, that will depends on you and only you.
For me I find that the V1 as more natural bass, deep, but not exaggerated like the V2. The bass also has more details, especially in the higher frequencies.
The mids and highs give to the V1 a feeling of ambiance, more lively music. The harshness (Sorry, can’t find another word to describe this) of the 12’’ PAudio coaxial driver probably comes from the lack of acoustic treatment of my living room.
For now, I have to live with that, because we will put our house for sale next year and I don’t want to start making holes everywhere and also, the living room dimensions are huge.
I am sure that when I have my new listening room, the higher portion of the spectrum will be softer.
Now, what about the sound stage? I do have some musical instrument separation, but it could improve, I still have that feeling of music coming from the speakers.
Now the vocals, any vocals, not only Diane Krall, females as well as males have a presence that makes you think that there are singing in your own living room. Of course, for that, you need very good recording and I tell you, not all recording have been created equal. The other day, my sister in law asks me to play one of her CD of Tom Jones live. A concert lives outside. Could not hear it to the end and I like Tom Jones.
Later on, I will try to experiment with some different interconnects, speaker cables and do some tube rolling, but I think the changes or improvement won’t be significant or big.
I rarely use the word HUGE when I comes to improvement. The only HUGE improvement (I use that word with caution) I’ve heard, was switching from the V2 to the V1.
What is more important for me when listening to music?
Sound stage?
Presence?
Ambiance?
Deep bass with details?
Impact/dynamics?
Micro details?
For me it’s first the presence and ambiance, if it’s there, it’s like you are at a live concert or in the recording studio.
Deep bass with details, because I love bass, very deep bass.
Impact and dynamics give you more realistic music; it’s when the music is compressed that you don’t get involved because it’s lifeless, dull.
Details, yes, but not too much, except when it comes to listening string instruments and electronic music (Kitaro & Vangelis).
And last, for me sound stage, but maybe that’s because I never experienced real live stage music with good separation between all the instruments.
I will do more listening of both of my V1 and V2; however, I am not sure if I will post more comments. I might wait until next year when I will be in my new listening room.
As usual any comments are welcome, especially the ones that are in contradiction with my opinions.
Good listening.
Guy 13
