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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 24, 2015 17:01:38 GMT -5
I love tube sound. It may not be as accurate as solid-state, but it brings other things to the table. I prefer the reliability and low heat generation of tube preamplifiers. But no tube preamp that I know of offers bass management. I prefer the reliability and low heat generation of solid-state power amplifiers. But no SS amp sounds like a tube amp. So until someone makes a tube preamp with bass management, I'll keep my fully-solid-state system. If I had high-efficiency speakers, I'd use a Qinpu A-6000 (tube preamp + 16.5 watt SS output modules) and never look back. And for my own listening, I could probably get by with the Qinpu. But when garbulky and novisnick come over... Maybe I should just build a tube preamp with bass management. Anyone else want to buy one? |
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Post by yves on Nov 24, 2015 18:29:47 GMT -5
I love tube sound. It may not be as accurate as solid-state, but it brings other things to the table. I prefer the reliability and low heat generation of tube preamplifiers. But no tube preamp that I know of offers bass management. I prefer the reliability and low heat generation of solid-state power amplifiers. But no SS amp sounds like a tube amp. So until someone makes a tube preamp with bass management, I'll keep my fully-solid-state system. If I had high-efficiency speakers, I'd use a Qinpu A-6000 (tube preamp + 16.5 watt SS output modules) and never look back. And for my own listening, I could probably get by with the Qinpu. But when garbulky and novisnick come over... Maybe I should just build a tube preamp with bass management. Anyone else want to buy one? I already own a superb DAC that allows me to switch between SS and Tube output at the flick of a button on its front panel, and the Tube output is not a Tube buffer that just makes things sound 'tubey', but a *real* Tube based gain stage in fact. Agreed that no SS amp sounds like a tube amp, but, then again... when Kal Rubinson reviewed the XPA-5 for Stereophile, didn't he write that it has an *almost* tube-like sound character, and, wasn't the consensus here on the Lounge that all Emotiva XPA series amps actually share the same sound character?  |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 24, 2015 18:46:53 GMT -5
Of course there are, I quit looking.  Actually when I first considered them (2006?) they were $12K a pair new , so this would be about 30% off, if as he says, he bought them at $15K then OK, about 45% off. I would still call that fairly high for a model 2 generations old (though he does say he just lowered the price). Still a contender, though my plans have changed. |
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Post by yves on Nov 24, 2015 19:25:32 GMT -5
Of course there are, I quit looking. Actually when I first considered them (2006?) they were $12K a pair new , so this would be about 30% off, if as he says, he bought them at $15K then OK, about 45% off. I would still call that fairly high for a model 2 generations old (though he does say he just lowered the price). Still a contender, though my plans have changed. According to the Stereophile review they were $12K a pair new, in 2005. www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/1205bwThat said, the Canton Reference 3.2 DC was $16K a pair new, in 2010, and BTW there has been released a successor to it recently this year as well. |
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Post by vneal on Nov 24, 2015 19:34:45 GMT -5
The model for sale was the latest version prior to Oct 2015
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Post by novisnick on Nov 24, 2015 19:38:54 GMT -5
Coming to a website near you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,soon,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,er or later!!     |
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Post by jackpine on Nov 24, 2015 20:23:26 GMT -5
Shipping would be quite high, they're located in Germany. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 24, 2015 20:26:10 GMT -5
The model for sale was the latest version prior to Oct 2015 Ok, I missed that they were 802 Diamonds (aka 802D2), this is a fair price for the 2nd generation - also a great speaker. Like I said, hard to find the original 802D at a fair price. |
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Post by bluemeanies on Nov 25, 2015 7:49:23 GMT -5
B&W are one of the few speakers out there that have a good resale value.
As far as a FAIR price...that is relative...if you are serious about taking ownership and the speakers are in good to excellent condition and the price is in line with Audio Blue book which is found on Audiogon then the price is fair.
If you are serious about the 802D's a good idea would be to go to any B&M stores within a 25-50 mile radius and inquire if they have any demo's or trades. Let them know you are seriously interested. They can do the work for you.
Also keep on checking Audiogon and Audio Mart.
I personally would never buy speakers that had to be packaged and shipped from private owners regardless of whether they have ALL of the packaging and original boxes.
That is me being a bit paranoid about how heavy items are treated by both Fed ex and UPS.
A dealer will more than likely guarantee safe, insured delivery of their merchandise. It gives you some protection. From a private owner an insurance claim can be a long arduous process.
Good hunting
BTW B&W803diamonds are no slouch...and a little cheaper.
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Post by vneal on Nov 25, 2015 8:23:46 GMT -5
B&W are one of the few speakers out there that have a good resale value. As far as a FAIR price...that is relative...if you are serious about taking ownership and the speakers are in good to excellent condition and the price is in line with Audio Blue book which is found on Audiogon then the price is fair. If you are serious about the 802D's a good idea would be to go to any B&M stores within a 25-50 mile radius and inquire if they have any demo's or trades. Let them know you are seriously interested. They can do the work for you. Also keep on checking Audiogon and Audio Mart. I personally would never buy speakers that had to be packaged and shipped from private owners regardless of whether they have ALL of the packaging and original boxes. That is me being a bit paranoid about how heavy items are treated by both Fed ex and UPS. A dealer will more than likely guarantee safe, insured delivery of their merchandise. It gives you some protection. From a private owner an insurance claim can be a long arduous process. Good hunting BTW B&W803diamonds are no slouch...and a little cheaper. All good suggestions. Modia a audio chain out of Houston carries McIntosh, Classe, B&W and the usual Marantz ,Pioneer HT mid fi. Yearly they have sales clearing their showrooms where you can buy new or demo models for 40% off |
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Post by LuisV on Nov 26, 2015 12:49:56 GMT -5
I used to own a VTL ST-85 amp, Audible Illusions M3A pre-amp and an Anthem CD-1 CD changer with a tube output. From a sound quality perspective, and to my ears, the tubes had a very different presentation than solid state. I felt they had a wider sound stage with deeper bass. I was using the UMC-1 with emo amps to do the comparisons at the time. I no longer have the tube gear as I found myself listening less and less 2 channel wise than HT; therefore, since my focus shifted, I sold the tube gear.
I appreciate everyone's input thus far, so thanks! As I audition other speakers I'll update this thread for sure...
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Post by LuisV on Nov 26, 2015 13:36:15 GMT -5
Almost forgot... Before anyone gets their panties into a twist, I'm taking the plunge into DIY speakers to understand what the hype is all about. Folks rant and rave about DIY subwoofers, so I performed some research into DIY HT speakers. After a few weeks of reading and reaching out to various Lounge members as well as members from other forums, I picked up this center channel kit to get my feet wet and to see how it fairs against my beloved B&W center. If it's close, then I'll contemplate picking up 2 more for L&R speakers and will update this thread with my listening experience.  www.diysoundgroup.com/home-theater-speakers/the-893/893.htmlForgot to post this picture (crappy cellphone pic) when I was auditioning the Ascend towers with RAAL speakers. I really wanted to like those speakers, but something wasn't right so I returned them. After they were inspected by Ascend, it turns out that there was indeed an issue with the towers, so it wasn't our hearing. I decided against a second audition.  |
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Post by LuisV on Dec 5, 2015 9:24:08 GMT -5
The 893 center kit arrived and I started the build process: 2 - 8" Woofers 2 - 4" Midranges 1 - 8" SEOS Waveguide with Compression Driver www.diysoundgroup.com/home-theater-speakers/the-893/893.html Ordered a custom made crossover board... it should be here next week, but here's what it looks like all assembled. Going to use 14g wire to connect the board to the speakers:  Cabinet is all glued up and not sure if it's 100% necessary, but I'm in the process of sealing the joints... still have a couple to do, but ran out of caulk:  Dry fitting the drivers to see how everything fits... sucker is very heavy. Just realized that I took the picture in the wrong orientation as the waveguide will be on top. Going to sand the cabinet today and pick up some polyfill batting to line the cabinet walls. Almost ready to fire this bad boy up...  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2015 12:22:35 GMT -5
I would strongly recommend you look at Golden Ear...They are outstanding! I would only replace my current Def-Tech Speakers with Golden's (however I am not in the market) I had the opportunity to listen to these speakers (Triton One's which are very similar to Def-Tech's 7000SC) using upper mid level amps/sources and they are truly amazing...The soundstage and resolution are impeccable and you still get that Home Theater punch we all want! I do have to say I am a being a bit of a homer here because I am a Sandy Gross fan and he was founder of Def-Tech (before the Best-Buy Revolution) and now Golden Ear...One thing I can say is Sandy is not a businessmen but he is a GREAT producer of highly affordable top quality Speakers...his model is a lot like Emotiva's. You owe it to yourself to listen to these speakers...Just buy them while he is still at the company as I am sure he will leave Golden Ear too as soon as the suits and accountants tell him to start using cheaper components and "design down" so he can mass sell his speakers at Best Buy!
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Post by LuisV on Dec 5, 2015 13:12:16 GMT -5
I auditioned the Golden Ears Triton 1 at a local dealer and preferred the sounds from the B&W 804 Diamonds... Same room, same electronics. I posted my thoughts a couple of pages back. They were great for sure, but I preferred the B&Ws. Thanks though...
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Post by LuisV on Dec 10, 2015 14:08:46 GMT -5
Picked up some egg crate foam as well as polyfil batting to line the inside of the 893 cabinet... not sure which one I'm going to use yet. Picked up the crossover board from an AVS forum member and sent him my crossover parts... he did an excellent job of putting it together for me. Best $25 that I've spent towards this kit, as it saved me a ton of time and headache to put together. Almost ready for a quick test....  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2015 15:56:48 GMT -5
C'mon man... I'm getting all antsy here..
Is it done yet?
How bout now?
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Post by LuisV on Dec 10, 2015 16:12:52 GMT -5
I know... tell me about it. Been busy with year end activities in the office.  I hope to get the center slapped together over the weekend so I can perform some preliminary testing. |
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Post by LuisV on Dec 29, 2015 14:54:49 GMT -5
I know, I know... Dragging my feet with the build, but I'm basically done now. Before I installed the front baffle, I glued 2 layers of 1/2" batting to the interior walls, and installed the XO. I then glued the baffle onto the cabinet and let it dry over night. The next morning I routed a 1/2 round over on all edges and then sanded the joints and cabinet. Since it was sealed at this point, I dropped in the drivers and gave a quick listen... initial tests are very positive. I can't believe how clear it sounded at both ends of the volume dial... no hint of strain at all. Seemed to have more mid-bass punch than my B&W center (granted two 8" drivers vs one 6") and the compression driver wasn't fatiguing at all. Seems to have a slight nasal tone to the mid-range, but I won't give my full opinion until the speaker is 100% complete; however, thus far... it sounds very good. After the quick listening session, I took the drivers out and gave it a quick coat of flat black primer, lightly sanded it and then applied 2 light coats of Duratex. In the picture below the second coat is still a little wet, but I plan to give it a few more coats today and then I'll let it dry over night. Tomorrow morning I'll solder the wires to the drivers, install the binding posts, wrap the speaker wires in poly batting, place some additional polyfill into the cabinet and then I'll screw the drivers to the baffle. So if all goes as planned, I should be done tomorrow afternoon... fingers crossed.   |
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Post by LuisV on Jan 1, 2016 14:11:16 GMT -5
Completed the speaker today. Just need to run Dirac, sit down and do some listening. Was a fun build and I learned a lot... Installed the binding posts:  Started to cleanup the wires and added additional poly behind the drivers:     All done... it's heavy for sure.  |
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I hope to get the center slapped together over the weekend so I can perform some preliminary testing. 
