Judgement Day is coming!

Horsehead · « **on:** 10 Mar 2004, 06:56 pm »

Well, after several unexpected delays my pair of maple Continuums will be here on Friday. They were supposed to be here on Thursday, but UPS rescheduled the delivery date for Friday

I must admit Bob has been teriffic throughout the whole process. During the delays did Bob sit around and wait also?

Nope. He took the time to continually tweak and refine various parts of the Continuum design. He feels he has designed his best speaker ever- both in measured and sonic performance.

I can't wait until Friday! Pictures and comments to follow.

Continuums will be used in the following system:

Wadia 861 SE with Statement Mods from Great Northern Sound
Sony XA-9000ES SACD player
Aesthetix Calypso Tube Linestage
Jeff Rowland 201 monoblocks
Kimber Select 1130 XLR interconnects
Kimber Select 3035 speaker cables w/KS9038 jumpers
BPT 3.5 Signature line conditioner
Silent Source/Kimber Palladian power cords
Star Sound Micro-bearing and Audiopoints for Continuum stands.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Mar 2004, 08:56 pm »

Congrats! I know it's been a long time coming...hope the wait was worth it.

Looking forward to reading your impressions.

DU

ekovalsky · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Mar 2004, 09:57 pm »

Glad they're finally en route.

I'm suspect of any speaker that can be shipped via UPS

but can't wait to hear your impressions.

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Mar 2004, 10:43 pm »

So what time should I be over?

George

Tbadder1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Mar 2004, 07:01 pm »

I am positively drooling over the arrival of your Continuums. Horsehead, your whole system appears to be one to die for. I hope you'll provide a lengthy review including any comparisons. P.S. Have you heard the Aesthetix phono stage?

grogers717 · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Mar 2004, 08:50 pm »

Horsehead,

The Calypso is on my short list of possible system upgrades, but there isn't a lot of information on it yet. Would you care to make any comments on your experience with it? Is it stock or have done some tube rolling?

Thanks!

Horsehead · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 03:41 am »

Just a quick update- From the packing, to the build quality and finish, and finally to the sound quality, it is quite obvious Bob and his company made quite a special product here. They are certainly "larger" than they look from the website, and I can attest to their density every time I lift their close to 100 lb weight onto the stands. These are definitely not bookshelf speakers.

I'm not going to get into too many details just yet, but after adjusting their placement most of last night and a good part of the morning, they are sounding EXTREMELY good so far. One of the problems I was having with placement is the amount of bass and dynamics these speakers can produce. I know they are different designs, but I had to keep my 40s fairly close to the front wall to get decent bass from them, and if I went out any further than 34 inches, I really got no realistic bass impact.

I figured I would start with the Continuums in the 40s spot and work from there. The amount of bass they were putting out was overwhelming and boomy. I had to keep moving them out and now they are around 68 inches into the room and the bass is sounding really good. Mid bass dynamics and impact is much better than the 40s although a little slower.
Vocals, imaging, soundstage are all very good so far.

It took me quite a few hours to find a position and toe in angle I really liked, so now it is time to do some critical listening. They are not easy to move around because of their weight and the fact that they are on stands. Bob said he would not be offended if I sent them back because he wants to keep them for himself, but somehow I think he is going to have to build his own pair- I don't think my pair is going anywhere.

grogers717- In my opinion and in my system I am extremely pleased with the Calypso. I love everything about this product and the sound quality is outstanding. My dealer let me borrow the $14K Aesthetix Callisto Signature with dual power supplies while I was waiting for the Calypso to be built and I have to say the Calypso gives up very little in overall sound quality. When you compare features, ergonomics, and price- it is no contest the Calypso is the winner hands down. They also upgraded the volume control. It now has 88 steps versus the original 66 steps.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 03:56 am »

Thanks for the update, Horsehead.

If you're using the micro-bearing steel from Star Sound Technology, you should know that the sound will change over time as the filler settles and compacts. I had noticeable changes/improvements for a week or more, specifically a tightening of the bass, quicker transients and slight tonal changes for the better.

Robert told me more changes were in store when I called to tell him how pleased I was a couple of days after filling my stands. As I recall my response was a polite version of, "yeah, right"...but he was.

Happy listening!

DU

Horsehead · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 04:12 am »

Put up some pictures in the gallery. Actual speaker pictures will soon follow.

Horsehead · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 04:27 am »

FWIW- I had my cousin over today who is not an audiophile and pretty much is familiar with typical mass market stereo systems (he doesn't think they sound good, but has never pursued anything better). I glad he came over because he had no clue about my gear and therefore could not have any expectations based upon brand "x" or "y". He really could only comment on the sound.

He plays guitar and piano and he was "amazed" at how real a guitar sounded through the Continuums. He said he felt as if it was in the room and he said it got all the nuances of a actual guitar dead on. He had many other favorable comments as well. He also asked where my subs were.

infiniti driver · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 06:21 am »

Hi Horsehead!

Please share some of your musical selections with us when you get a chance. I have an album coming out (I did the mastering on..reefus has one) that I am going to make available to SP loudspeaker customers as a comparison with other music you enjoy for musics sake and sound quality sake. Believe me, as a mastering engineer for over 20 years, what really intrests me so much is what selections one uses when listening to the speakers. I find the Diana Krall stuff overly sibilant and artifical compared to what I am used to actually...which is natural sound. How a product performs with another set of ears in another room on other music that I have not experienced, intrests me dearly. Thanks for any comments on your selections.

In the 70's and 80's..I did buy quite a lot of music. Mainly what I listen to these days is what I work with. I will admit, their are some fine works out there. One trip to CES..seems everyone on the plane was going to CES and I had many conversations over a smoke and drink (back then you know) on the plane and listed what everyone was listening to. I do find that we in audio have very simalar tastes. Reefus brought some music over that I can't get enough of. I would never had known if it were not for him! The Kraftwerk selections and some African music (reefus..what was the name of that cd again?) sounds fabulous and is very involving. I like some of the Bernie Krause, Andreas Vollenweider, Patrick O'Hearn, Dave Arkenstone, Bob James, most classical and symphonic selections (Telarc is sometimes overdone audiophile style..with out of balanced bottom at times) opera, jazz (Jazz at the pawnshop on vinyl is a reference) and of course, live captures of "anything" of quality nature. Anything with acoustic instruments is delightful as well as some of the 80's (before severe compression took over) mainstream pop.

A good list of your familar recordings would be fun for all!

Also...having fun yet? (They certainly can put a smile on your face eh?)

Double Ugly · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 06:28 pm »

Quote from: infiniti driver

I have an album coming out (I did the mastering on..reefus has one) that I am going to make available to SP loudspeaker customers as a comparison with other music you enjoy for musics sake and sound quality sake.

So when should I expect it?

DU

infiniti driver · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 09:07 pm »

Soon! I am going to reach out to Bob..I mentioned this to him once about the CD. I am finishing the copyright agreement now (this stuff is complex) so I can offer this for demonstration purposes.

Once everything is in place, I will get them shipped out to everyone that has them.

PS, this is something I am doing for the folks that purchased any SP product within a one year period of the review. Definitly look forward to it in about 4 to 5 weeks.

Remember, Copyright stuff is out of my hands..I may have to leave a few tracks off of it actually...but once clear, it is a go.

Horsehead · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Mar 2004, 09:45 pm »

Here's a quick shot of the maple Continuums. I have to try to take some better pictures- the black wall behind gives everything a dark overtone........not soundwise though!

zybar · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Mar 2004, 09:49 pm »

Very nice Frank.

I guess you haven't received the platforms yet from Timbernation...

What do you have the 201's on?

BTW, just received my Sonoran speaker cable, it will be interesting to see how it sounds vs the Pursang.

Enjoy the music.

George

Horsehead · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Mar 2004, 03:57 am »

Hey George- Stands from Chris are about another week away

The 201s are residing on a Sistrum platform which will be used on the maple stand.

http://www.audiopoints.com/SinglePlatforms.HTML

I should have the Sonoran interconnects next week to try out as well.

BTW- I am on the road to recovery- hang in there.

zybar · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Mar 2004, 04:05 am »

Glad to see you posting!

Which model platform is it?

I am using Stillpoints under my 201's at this point, with Mapleshade Ultimate Triplepoints under the Timbernation platforms.

George

ekovalsky · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Mar 2004, 04:37 am »

Very nice Frank!

Saw your Kimbers on Audiogon, looks like you couldn't go cold turkey

Horsehead · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Mar 2004, 04:53 am »

Part of the therapy! The less "stuff" around the better. BTW- you had me rolling on the floor with one of your posts earlier today- thank you!

Get this- I return the Callisto and AQ stuff and my "friend" gives me Nordost Valhalla to take home. Talk about being part of the problem!

I'll also add the dynamics and bass of the Continuums is absolutely scary. Deeeep, tight, and musical. Nice!

George- it's the SP-003. Robert said he has sold quite a few pairs to Rowland 201 owners. Fits very nice on it.

reefrus · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Mar 2004, 03:38 pm »

Hi All SP Followers,
Congrats Horsehead!
We're finally settling in Denver after 1500 miles of cross country moving. Sooooooo many boxes to unpack and to try to find a decent spot for my audio system.

I know how Horsehead feels about the performance on the Contiumms. When I first heard the TP2.0 at Infinity Driver's place, I was amazed by the effortless dynamic character of those speakers. It doesn't matter what amps we used, from 15w Sansui receiver to 150w SS, they sounded wonderful. Of course, the impact from a 15w receiver is limited yet is loud enough and musical enough to satisfy. But when you feed them a with a monster amp, then they can really knock you out of your seat! In fact,I liked them so much, I bought them from Infinity Driver and brought them here. All I can say is the bass from those 2 way speakers are simply too
good to be true and you have to hear to believe it. It is scary yet satisfying. According to Bob, the Contiumms are better in every way than the TP2.0, if you can only image that.

I'm still tweaking the new room, so it'll take a while for them to sound right. I'll keep it updated as time progresses!

BTW, if Infinity Driver produces a CD for any SP Tech's owner, then you, my music loving friends and audiophiles, are in for a really gooooood treat!