Early Stages of Planning
 

I'm looking to build out another system; I am strongly considering the Plinius SB103 Amp, maybe even a pair of them.

http://www.audiodestination.co.uk/im...SB-301-3-L.jpg

I also have my eye on Rockport's Avior:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HKGWFUNab...600/avior3.jpg

The rest of the gear is still up for grabs.

yes that 103 in a clean class A amp and bridges to I think around 400 watts.

It runs AB too and has auto switching. Some stuff I read said the bass is near the tightest and fastest attack you will find.

A pair would make a nice base, so what pre-amp Ivan?

I'm not certain, but I want to mix it up and do things a bit different. We'll see what direction the wind blows. ;)

After the shiny silver Burmester...

You underestimate the power of the Dark Side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny...

http://www.ibeta.eu/blog/wp-content/...der-design.jpg

Psst, BAT REX! :banana:

Go with something out of the norm. Pass amps! ARC preamp. Dart gear or "Dan's amps". Instead of Rockports, what about Magico Q5's? Speaker of the year. Go with a "system of the year" - Magico Q5's, ARC amp and preamp!

It is on my radar for a pre-amp...

http://www.balanced.com/products/lin...duleIsoCut.jpg

Mike... Have you heard Rockport Speakers?

I have the one box version, the VK-52SE. The Rex is a two box version with the power supply isolated in the second box. Mine is very musical - organic, involving, effortless. It has inky black silences that allow subtle detail to be clearly heard without unnatural emphasis. It has a huge sound stage. It is warm without sacrificing detail, fast without sounding fatiguing, and above all natural sounding. Definitely worthy of consideration. :)

Yup, like I said; it may just show up here one day. :whistle:

No...I sure want to....but I thought the Magico Q5's would be another option. They've certainly received high praise and there is a AA member who loves them. I do know an AA member with the Rockports (the fellow I bought my Classe amp from) and he's had a heck of a time finding an amp to pair them with. Ironically, he sold his B&W's and Classe amp and bought the Rockports and an MC452 and he's not keen on the combo. He's now trying ARC, Pass, etc. and even mentioned to me that he now wonders how the Classe and Rockports would sound together. You heard them at RMAF and loved them I presume?

Ivan - what amps were used when you heard the Rockports? Maybe the Plinius would be a winning combo....

If this is another reference system, what about the magicio Q7. $160k is insane but the reviews say its worth it.

Although the Rockport Altair's are my personal favourite.

Ivan....It's time to climb the summit & think Swedish - Swiss cheese. Here we go as a foundation to work with:

FM Acoustics FM-1811 amplifier(s)
FM Acoustics FM-268 Linestage
FM Acoustics FM-223 Phono Linearizer

Marten Coltrane Supreme Loudspeakers

http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...ne-supreme.jpg

http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...ing-1811-1.jpg
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...nning-268g.jpg


http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...ning-223-1.jpg

I found great synergy with tube preamps and the Plinius SA-Reference. I am currently using my Ayon CD-5S as a tube preamp for them.

If the speakers you are considering aren't very sensitive, the ARC Reference should work too (I found that the combo of gain on the Plinius + my 90dB speakers too high to work well with the ARC but may consider using an inline attenuator that I was reading about).

Attenuators

Rothwell In-Line Attenuators by George Pappas

Yes, Plinius.

How about a couple of these beauties to start with...:scratch2:

Accuphase A-200

http://www.accuphase.com/model/photo/a-200.jpg

Steve... I really have no desire to build another Reference System. IMO I have already achieved that with my Aida's & Burmester.

The new system's goal is to build an outstanding rig and keep it under $100k

My experience has proven this to be a popular price point.

Those A-200's are supposed to be sweet amps. :drool:

It's funny, I'm drawn to gold/champagne colored gear. I wonder what that means :dunno:

My mother said never call a girl that, it begins with an s & has a t at the end Joe :D:thumbsup:

:redface:

:hug::icon_beer::beerchug::thumbsup::thumbsup:

As I live in Göteborg Sweden, there Marten has got their HQ and showroom, I have been listening to Coltrane Supreme Loudspeakers some times. It´s an extreme loudspeaker and I can assure you it's good. As Martens speaker always sounds like it's very open, detailed with great dynamics.

I love this idea. I think a lot of people wind up spending 75 - 100k while spending a lot of time and $ with wrong turns.

Ivan - how big is the room where the new system is going? Do you have a particular sound you're going for (Warm? Detailed? Neutral?). Do you have any existing gear you're planning on using? Is there anything you definitely don't want gear wise? Is there anything you really really want (and can build around)?

Exactly :yes:

Mike... I'm thinking about putting this system in Florida, I have two rooms available both large. Warm & detailed, no existing gear; as usual the gear needs to be visually appealing to me.

In my travels, I've been quite impressed with many of the Blumenhofer line of speakers. They are impeccably made: Products of Blumenhofer Acoustics

Personally I couldn't even fathom spending $100K on a 2-channel rig or even a HT set up for that matter. Then I start thinking that in some parts of the country that buys you a pretty nice home. I'm not knocking it, just trying to wrap my head around it.

I spent two days listening to the Avior, among other speakers, and it is a very good speaker, particularly at that price point. It held its own against the Magico Q3, Q1 and S5 with Simaudio gear.

I think Plinius would be a good match also.

Time to call Andy...

http://www.aerialacoustics.com/image...r2_gallery.jpg

Also on my radar is Aerial's 20T V2's in Rosewood.

It's a nice speaker, but the Avior is better. Estelon is better still, if you want to go more exotic. And neutral.

I heard the previous model and really liked it. Boy, tough choices. Is Magico out? Focal? I've heard the new Wilson's with the new tweeter (Alexia model I believe) are quite good.

What about something in the DynAudio line?

The Salon 2's are excellent and worth considering.

Mike

Magico is out.

Subjective, no?

It's all subjective. If you're looking for something near SOTA neutrality, I think the Estelon XB gets a little closer than the Avior. And it has a very different appearance.

But given how much you like the Futura, I think you'd probably be happier with the Avior.

It's safe to say Estelon won't find it's way in to my home. :no:

http://www.hbaudioconsult.com/media/...lon_xb_web.png

They're a little better in person. And when they're black.

But my wife had the same reaction.

Not a clue on how they sound... but they do look good!