Cortese or Masseto

[Toneone]

You have no choice but to do speakers before the amp, no need for a pole. With proper speakers, cables and a Shindo amp, you will first hear your Aurieges. Keep it simple.

Jonathan

[junker]

There are a lot of other fantastic options, but I was able to shorten down the list because I don't want mono amps since I have space limitations so that eliminated the Corton-Charlemagnes. And because I don't need much power I eliminated the Haut Brion. As much as I'd look up the single-ended line, it gets too expensive for me right now. The Cortese makes the most sense. And it sounded very nice when I listened to it up at Matt's place. I'm always watching how loud I play the 30w Pass to watch my hearing long-term. With the high impedance, efficient speakers I really, really, really don't need that much power. Mostly close listening at about 10 feet.

You guys are right and I need to start with speakers, and then an amp will give me a nicely integrated system. Hope to make some progress by summer and I'll keep ya'll posted.

Originally Posted by 4Musica

Junker - Just curious, what other Shindo amps did you hear besides the Cortese, or were you so smitten with the Cortese that you felt there was no point in hearing anything else? (I could understand the latter case; the Cortese is a great amp!)

[KenSea]

The Cortese is a wonderful amp! .......but needs the right speakers. I tried my best to make it work for me but in the end it wasnt to be. The Shindo amps are very good amps but do need to be mated with the right speakers.

[Alberto]

First, I would trust Matt's suggestions.

As far as I'm concerned. I've voted for the Cortese because -- to these ears -- it had a much more immediate and noticeable impact on the sound than going from Auriges to Monbrison.

There's something about a single-ended power amp that sounds very unique.

My speakers are only 90db efficient and sound great with it.

Either way, you can't really go wrong.

Alberto

[junker]

Hey Ken what speakers did you use and what was their efficiency and impedance like? How loud do you play your music and how far away do you sit?

Originally Posted by KenSea

I tried my best to make it work for me but in the end it wasnt to be. The Shindo amps are very good amps but do need to be mated with the right speakers.

Originally Posted by Alberto

First, I would trust Matt's suggestions.

As far as I'm concerned. I've voted for the Cortese because -- to these ears -- it had a much more immediate and noticeable impact on the sound than going from Auriges to Monbrison.

There's something about a single-ended power amp that sounds very unique.

My speakers are only 90db efficient and sound great with it.

BTW I took your suggestions to heart and purchased a pair of original Altec Flamencos with the blue-green drivers. The cabinets definitely need some TLC, but functionally they are in perfect condition. The grills, front speaker cloth, drivers, crossover, etc. are excellent. Started by using some Murphy's soap on them this morning to get rid of the old waxes and oils. Instead of playing at 24/64 with the Vandersteens I am now playing more about 16/64 and from the average listening levels they still have the occasional extra headroom to be more dynamic.

Now I'm on the path to adding a Cortese by about summer time.

[Rick U]

Junker have you spent some quality time listening to the new Altec's or are you cleaning them up first?

[MCenthusiast]

Originally Posted by junker

Hey Ken what speakers did you use and what was their efficiency and impedance like? How loud do you play your music and how far away do you sit?




BTW I took your suggestions to heart and purchased a pair of original Altec Flamencos with the blue-green drivers. The cabinets definitely need some TLC, but functionally they are in perfect condition. The grills, front speaker cloth, drivers, crossover, etc. are excellent. Started by using some Murphy's soap on them this morning to get rid of the old waxes and oils. Instead of playing at 24/64 with the Vandersteens I am now playing more about 16/64 and from the average listening levels they still have the occasional extra headroom to be more dynamic.

Now I'm on the path to adding a Cortese by about summer time.

Good choice, you'll enjoy the dynamics of the Altecs!

[junker]

They have been set-up and running for a day or two now. The cabinets just a have a few minor dings and scratches that are easy to fix or touch-up. I'll post the link for a pic on F.

Originally Posted by Rick U

Junker have you spent some quality time listening to the new Altec's or are you cleaning them up first?

[junker]

Rick,

With your big place you could easily run some nice Altec Voice of the Theater (VoTT) like these A7s. This guy always charges top dollar but he does a nice job on the products he puts up.

ATEC A7 Pair | eBay

[Rick U]

I just ordered new speakers. I wish I could convince my wife to see the beauty in those Altec's. I just showed her the picture and she said, "Oh God"