Goodbye Liuto

[bachrocks]

For my 200th post, I've chosen to honor my Liuto speakers; it's their last night with me. Tomorrow, they'll be replaced by Mementos.

I remember the first time I heard them. I was at Kssons in the Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok, our national Mac dealer. When paired as in my present system, replacing the Oppo with their MCD301, I was stunned at the holographic presentation and the sweet tone. In fact, after 10 minutes of listening to the four tracks of my test cd, I was speechless. Finally, I found the sound I was looking for. I had tears forming. I thanked the salesman, Mr. Somchai, and hurried out. I'm sure I could have just sat there in the store listening and crying at the incredible beauty of the sound--really, the first time in my life to hear such sounds--but the super-shy aspect of my character kicked in and I left.

Well, the rest is history, so to speak, and now I sit here at the pinnacle of my system. Having just added Transparent power conditioning, and a $4000 PC (on loan from Toga), my sound is moving, it's musical, and I definitely get emotionally involved, especially, since these last power upgrades from Toga. However, the "magic" of the more expensive siblings seems a bit lacking--and I also noticed this the first time I auditioned SF speakers (see 1st paragraph).

The Cremona Auditor M, for example, was just intoxicating in the way the opening minute or so of Al Stewart's "Year of the Car" began. In contrast, the Liuto seemed plebeian when played after such patrician Cremonas.

But I wanted to hear a full sounding piano and the Liutos beat the other bookshelf speakers hands down. I did not hear the Guarneri at that time as it was far out of my budget, but I did read the reviews, and I could extrapolate from the Liuto to the Auditor M to the fabled Guarneris.

That's however, a story for tomorrow. Tonight, the Liutos and I are partying to King Crimson and Niel Young. Won't you join me in saying goodbye to these friends? I'm listening to In the Court of the Crimson King and Decade.

The good news for the Liutos is that we'll give them to our sister--if she wants them. If not, they'll serve duty in another system.

Okay, I'm closing this post listening to "Layla" and getting very excited about tomorrow, when the Mementos arrive.

ron

[TOGA]

Ron,
What a great story. For me even today, as much happy with Magico Q7, but I never forgot how great Revel Salon2 and Wilson Sophia 3 were. They are in my memory till now. I am sure you will never forget Luito as well.
Toga

[jdandy]

Ron.......I will help you celebrate the leaving of the Liuto by showing you my old SF Guarneri Mementos when I had them in the studio. Congratulations once again on the arrival of your new babies.

[bachrocks]

Dan, that's just what I needed to see this morning as I begin the 2 hour wait for their arrival. Thanks.I just wish the rest of what you have in your beautiful system were being delivered.
ron

[jdandy]

Ron.......The photos tell the story of the different amplifiers I powered the Guarneri Memento's with beginning with a MC-275, two MC275's, MC352, MC452, and MC501's. You can also see the Bryston 10B Sub active crossover on top of the C1000T preamp. I used the 10B Sub active crossover with the GM's to send the frequencies below 60Hz to a pair of McIntosh XLS112 powered subwoofers that you can't see in the photos. I think you will eventually want to use a subwoofer to reinforce the lowest octave. The GM's are fabulous. Happy listening.

[jdandy]

Ron.......The Sonus faber Guarneri Memento's must have arrived by now. Can you get your smile under control long enough to let use know what you think?

[bachrocks]

Dan, you AA guys don't miss a trick, do you? Yes, Toga came early and after we set up, I had to look after the wife--show her a little care so she doesn't become jealous of the speakers. Everything is now set up, we had lunch, the maid arrived, and now we're relaxing.

Truly, I am in a state of shock to have these so suddenly in our home. I can't really listen in the way that I do in the evening after everyone (only the wife) has gone to bed.

My first thought was that the Liutos are pretty darn good. I mean, I could not notice a night and day difference between the Momentos and the Liuto except that the Liutos had better bass. And honestly, that is my predominant impression.

Now, I have two rocks sitting on my floor (the bases) and above them the black stringed columns supporting such beautiful woodwork of the speakers themselves.

I feel there is an intruder in my living room! I am not relaxed. So much has transpired in the last two hours. I need time to settle down and think/listen clearly.

Please, let me take a little time to feel comfortable with my new housemate and then I'll post some pics and impressions.

ron

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by bachrocks

Dan, you AA guys don't miss a trick, do you? Yes, Toga came early and after we set up, I had to look after the wife--show her a little care so she doesn't become jealous of the speakers. Everything is now set up, we had lunch, the maid arrived, and now we're relaxing.

Truly, I am in a state of shock to have these so suddenly in our home. I can't really listen in the way that I do in the evening after everyone (only the wife) has gone to bed.

My first thought was that the Liutos are pretty darn good. I mean, I could not notice a night and day difference between the Momentos and the Liuto except that the Liutos had better bass. And honestly, that is my predominant impression.

Now, I have two rocks sitting on my floor (the bases) and above them the black stringed columns supporting such beautiful woodwork of the speakers themselves.

I feel there is an intruder in my living room! I am not relaxed. So much has transpired in the last two hours. I need time to settle down and think/listen clearly.

Please, let me take a little time to feel comfortable with my new housemate and then I'll post some pics and impressions.

ron

Sure, we're a civil bunch; you've got till the morning.

[bachrocks]

Ivan, I'm gonna' work through the night for you guys.

Listening to Sade with the wife reading her ipad, during Smooth operator, her toes were tapping and she was hitting out the rhythm playfully on my hand. Now, Getz/Gilberto is playing. I am trying to make sense of what I hear. I am confused. of course, it is beautiful but I just can't "grab" the difference between Momento and Liuto just yet.

ron

[miner]

Being a current owner of Cremona Auditor Ms I too am lusting after the GMs. I am curious to hear your review of the GMs vs the Liutos.