Strads!

[daveneumann]

I am using Pass 260.8 monos with my Strads and like the combination. I previously used 250.8 stereo amp, and while it was very good, the 260.8's are better in just about every aspect. They go up to 34 wpc in class A which makes a difference in most of the kinds of music I listen to.

I've never heard the D'Agastino's in my system so I can't compare. But the Pass amps are completely satisfying and drive the speakers easily in my large listening room.

[Robc33]

Originally Posted by SergeiK

...Joining in with recently purchased 35th anniversary pair.

I see a lot of opinions and comments but like to follow the idea of "A lot of power + a lot of current make them sing"

Appreciate if anyone can specify highlighted wording in figures?

By the time being looking at Pass and McIntosh as like their way of delivery and as such considering:

i) Pass Labs 350.8
ii) Pass Labs 260.8
iii) McIntosh MC601
iii) McIntosh MC2301 (300W at 4 Ohm). Would it make it?
iv) McIntosh MC452.

Pre-amp will be the one to match power amp / mono(s).

Listening session is quite challenging to organize...

I drive mine with the MC2301s as well, and they have PLENTY of power.

[SergeiK]

Originally Posted by Robc33

I drive mine with the MC2301s as well, and they have PLENTY of power.

Anything missing in performance you might be willing improved or just totally satisfied with?

[ppsa]

Originally Posted by SergeiK

...Joining in with recently purchased 35th anniversary pair.

I see a lot of opinions and comments but like to follow the idea of "A lot of power + a lot of current make them sing"

Appreciate if anyone can specify highlighted wording in figures?

By the time being looking at Pass and McIntosh as like their way of delivery and as such considering:

i) Pass Labs 350.8
ii) Pass Labs 260.8
iii) McIntosh MC601
iii) McIntosh MC2301 (300W at 4 Ohm). Would it make it?
iv) McIntosh MC452.

Pre-amp will be the one to match power amp / mono(s).

Listening session is quite challenging to organize...

Got the same 35th in graphite and driving them with gryphon Mephisto stereo and CJ Gat pre. Apart from the excessive gain from both the pre&power amps otherwise they are matching very well. Well balanced with GREAT low end control. Have tried CAT JL2, CJ LP275M, Electrocompaniet 250, Vitus sm103 and nothing beats the gryphon in terms of low end control and sound stage stability. The CJ pre/power combo gives the best holographic, 3D and stage depth/layering. So my personal vote: CJ pre/power combo or the gryphon mephisto.

[crwilli]

I moved from an MC452 to MC2301s and now to Bricasti M28 monos. Each step has been forward both in terms of resolution and sound stage.

[daveneumann]

I thought my Strads were dialed in; it has been about a year since I went through the Sonus Faber setup process. But I never messed much with rake angle because I thought they already sounded very good with the front and back spikes screwed in all the way. Rake was something I had always planned to get to when I had the time and patience.

Earlier this week out of curiosity, I tried raising and lowering myself in my listening chair. It became clear that the speakers were firing too high. I ended up unscrewing the back spikes 5 full turns, which had the impact of tilting the speakers forward by 3/4".

The result was one of those "Oh Sh#t" moments! What I'm now hearing is more pinpoint imaging, greater treble presence and sparkle, greater detail overall, and everything seems just a little more focused and immersive. I don't want to exaggerate things, but the difference is almost on the order of an electronics change.

Yes I feel a bit stupid for not playing around with rake angle more during initial set up. But it just goes to show that its possible to get more out of our systems without changing out gear.

For those interested, the final measurements are 102" apart at tweeters, 127" from the top outside edge where the black and wood meet to my ears, 124 3/4" from the top inside edge where the black and wood meet to my ears. My ears are 40" from the floor.

What have others found by changing the tilt of your Strads?

[Masterlu]

Dave... nicely done!

[ppsa]

Originally Posted by daveneumann

I thought my Strads were dialed in; it has been about a year since I went through the Sonus Faber setup process. But I never messed much with rake angle because I thought they already sounded very good with the front and back spikes screwed in all the way. Rake was something I had always planned to get to when I had the time and patience.

Earlier this week out of curiosity, I tried raising and lowering myself in my listening chair. It became clear that the speakers were firing too high. I ended up unscrewing the back spikes 5 full turns, which had the impact of tilting the speakers forward by 3/4".

The result was one of those "Oh Sh#t" moments! What I'm now hearing is more pinpoint imaging, greater treble presence and sparkle, greater detail overall, and everything seems just a little more focused and immersive. I don't want to exaggerate things, but the difference is almost on the order of an electronics change.

Yes I feel a bit stupid for not playing around with rake angle more during initial set up. But it just goes to show that its possible to get more out of our systems without changing out gear.

For those interested, the final measurements are 102" apart at tweeters, 127" from the top outside edge where the black and wood meet to my ears, 124 3/4" from the top inside edge where the black and wood meet to my ears. My ears are 40" from the floor.

What have others found by changing the tilt of your Strads?

Thanks for sharing on this. I have also noticed the difference by rising the height on the rear spikes. Instead of tweaking the thread turns I have inserted a cheap isolation plate under the spikes(spike lands directly on top) and I have since gained improvement on the soundstage depth and focus but lost some width as a trade off.

[ppsa]

How can I attach photo?

[joel_hifi]

Originally Posted by daveneumann

I thought my Strads were dialed in; it has been about a year since I went through the Sonus Faber setup process. But I never messed much with rake angle because I thought they already sounded very good with the front and back spikes screwed in all the way. Rake was something I had always planned to get to when I had the time and patience.



Earlier this week out of curiosity, I tried raising and lowering myself in my listening chair. It became clear that the speakers were firing too high. I ended up unscrewing the back spikes 5 full turns, which had the impact of tilting the speakers forward by 3/4".



The result was one of those "Oh Sh#t" moments! What I'm now hearing is more pinpoint imaging, greater treble presence and sparkle, greater detail overall, and everything seems just a little more focused and immersive. I don't want to exaggerate things, but the difference is almost on the order of an electronics change.



Yes I feel a bit stupid for not playing around with rake angle more during initial set up. But it just goes to show that its possible to get more out of our systems without changing out gear.



For those interested, the final measurements are 102" apart at tweeters, 127" from the top outside edge where the black and wood meet to my ears, 124 3/4" from the top inside edge where the black and wood meet to my ears. My ears are 40" from the floor.



What have others found by changing the tilt of your Strads?

Dave, followed your lead and adjusted the rake angle on the Elipsas by raising the back spikes by 3 full turns, which also resulted in improved focus... thanks!