AudioAficionado.org - Dennis Had Inspire Amps

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- Inspire by Dennis Had (https://www.audioaficionado.org/forumdisplay.php?f=184)

- - Dennis Had Inspire Amps (https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=24170)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breakdown7 (Post 1065442)

Did any of you guys familiar with the new Inspire speakers ever get the specs on these? I'm curious of the impedance and efficiency. I have a pair of Dennis' speakers dating back to the 90's... Soliloquy 8.2's in rosewood finish. They are very rare with external crossover boxes and a transmission line design. I emailed Dennis asking about the specs of these, but to no avail. I bought them second hand and have always enjoyed them, but still unsure of the specs. I'd love to compare these to the new Inspire line of speakers.

If any of you guys who are in direct contact with Dennis would please ask him about the old Soliloquy 8.2 models, I'd love to know the specs. These are some very nice speakers, and it's a shame Dennis didn't make more of them before moving on.

I remember those speakers. Deja Vu audio used to cary those when they carried Carey amps (lol). Don't remember the model number I listened to but they were thin floor standing speakers. They had them hooked up to some crazy 572 SE amp made by that subsidiary of Carey, AES maybe? Probably still a Dennis design. Sounded quite good. I didn't realize that Soliloquy was actually sold by Dennis or Carey. I thought it was just repped by the same company.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breakdown7 (Post 1065442)

Actually, from what Dennis has told me, he started Soliloquy speakers (separate from Cary Audio I believe), then sold the company to an associate who then ran the company until it went out of business. I will see him Weds to move the 2nd set of Inspire speakers to the shop so they can be made ready for sale. He may or may not remember the specs on his old speakers, but I will ask him...

Another Soliloquy owner from the '90s. Used a pair of the 5.0i's (think I recall their number correctly) in maple with a McIntosh MA6100. I do recall that they were quite sensitive and were recommended for use with low power amps. Very pleasant.

Looking forward to more detailed info on the new speakers, especially the x-over used.

Thanks Analog Addict. I really appreciate you asking him about the specs on his old speakers. Dennis designed and issued two models before selling the company.... Soliloquy 5.2 and 8.2.

I originally bought the 5.2's and used them for a couple years before upgrading to the "top dog" 8.2 models in Rosewood finish. I still have the original boxes, but unfortunately no manual or specs. They are very nice speakers indeed. Transmission line designs are not very common it seems, and same goes for external crossover boxes. These speakers use both.

But anyway, thanks again to Analog Addict for being willing to ask Dennis about the specs. Maybe he will remember. However it was back in the late 90's. It's hard to believe that was around 25 years ago now... geez.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breakdown7 (Post 1065520)

All of Dennis’ Soliloquy designs used 3rd order crossovers. The 5.2 was approximately 89db/w/m and the 8.2 was 91 d /w/m. Frequency response was roughly 50 - 22KHz although the 8.2 might have gone to 45 Hz…

Quote:

Originally Posted by Analog Addict (Post 1065571)

Thanks SO MUCH for the info. It is greatly appreciated. Did Dennis happen to mention the impedance?

Just wanted to say that after 8 months of living with the Inspire 300b-V and the LP2030 driving my Cornwall IV I am still blissfully smiling during almost every listening session. It just keeps on giving. 6 wpc is absolutely enough to drive these speakers way louder than I'd ever care to listen to in my 14x18.5 room. Best amplification duo I ever had in my room. Could not be happier except maybe another input on the pre, but a switchbox solves that. In addition, I have been very impressed with Western Electric's customer service. One of the 2 tubes was nosier than I liked. I mailed it back to WE and within a week I had a brand new matched tube that was as quiet as the other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by C10 (Post 1065576)

Hello C10,

great combination with the Cornwall IV.

With the LP2030 and the 300b, in my case the DJH version, I can only recommend to you. I think these are milestones in audio history.
Have you ever thought about a 46 or 45/2a3 amplifier with the efficiency of your speakers?

last week I made the cross-comparison of LP 2030 and CJ5 P on the 300b and the SEP 88.

with LP 2030 and 300 B you hear reality, absolutely neutral.
CJ5 P and 300B was great, but I switched from 4x Fivre 6J5 to 2x Ultron 6C5 and 2x Fivre 6J5. otherwise it was slightly too warm for me and a little overemphasized in the upper bass range in the sound image.

I found the combination SEP 88 and CJ5 better than with the LP2030.
This was no longer neutral and reality, here I missed something. Hard to describe.

I experimented a bit with the tubes in the SEP.
My beloved KR KT88 were a bit too neutral in combination.
Fivre 6V6g with 5Y3 was better. RCA 6L6 with KR 274b were a very good combination.
The KT170 had a little more pressure in the upper bass range and many highs, but the slight nervousness remains. Especially with classical works, something bothered me.

I will stay at LP2030+300b DHJ and CJ5+SEP 88.
Now both systems sound the way I like them again.

I think these are the better combinations in my case. everything fits here.

All in all, a great activity for a weekend and many new insights into the changing effect of different tubes on my two speakers. Acapella Horn Speaker vs ETA Bass Reflex Speaker with Görlich Podszus drivers.

But I can only speak for myself here, with other speakers and other rooms you can certainly have other experiences.

LP 2030 and 300b, killer combination if you love the truth, very realistic and neutral.

CJ5 and SEP88, a very very good combination, just below, but with the great advantage that with clever tube rolling you can influence the sound on your system, your living room and your personal taste in such a way that you can achieve 95% of the big combination. And all this for a very fair price, this sounduality costs well and gladly 4 to 5 times at other companies.

I think we should all be grateful to Dennis for his great equipment and pricing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgn-dt-n (Post 1065651)

I have thought about 46 or 45/2a3 amplifiers and would be happy to try them, but right now I am super happy with how everything sounds and audio funds are invested into music instead. Still, there is a good chance I will try a 45 or 2a3 in the more distant future.

Meanwhile, back at the Toy Shop....