Rockport Technology Atrias in the house - a new reality!

[Mikeylee]

I thought I had a nice stereo in the system noted below but with my trusty Sonus Faber Grand Piano Domus speakers. The SF were positioned where my wife allowed and functioned as stereo and television speakers. They sounded good but never like in the set-ups in audio stores. I figured high end audio dealers pumped a hallucinogenic gas into their stores to improve the sound and/or make the listener snake oil susceptible.

Then, I purchased a dealer demo pair of Atria speakers which were delivered and expertly set up in my living room listening area yesterday by Andrew of Esoteric Audio in Phoenix. Even as demo models, these speakers cost far more than I thought I would ever spend for an entire system. Prior to delivering the speakers, Andrew suggested we flip our living room and make about 1/3 of it completely unusable. After much "loving" conversation, my wife agreed to Andrew's insane layout, we moved the TV and watching furniture into the adjoining room, and a bevy of furniture, including three "listening" chairs was purchased.

Andrew brought in the speakers and they sounded beautiful!! Then, he spent a couple of hours dialing them in. Even my wife was slack jawed at the final sound. Bad recordings sounded wonderful and good recordings sounded unbelievable. Wispy voices, the breathe going over the reed of a sax, the pluck of a bass, a solid bottom end any beach bunny would be proud of, and the sound of the space in which the recordings were made was right there in my living room. Wait a sec! What is that I hear? A beautiful soundstage with pinpoint location of instrument, vocals and those crazy little studio sounds which disappear on lesser speakers. My system had gone from a stereo to a true audio system and no hallucinogenic gas was needed!

I have come to realize what all of you are talking about when describing your systems, and I thank you for that. This is a great forum. If I sound mushy, it is because, after loving audio for 40+ years, only being able to afford good equipment in the last 6 years, and thinking I would never get THAT sound in my house, I have found what I have been wanting.

Now, if only Andrew hadn't left the Simaudio 280D dac and bridge at the house for us to demo! It sure sounds a bazillion times better than the airport express I was using for streaming. Dang audio dealers!

[2fastdriving]

So... Are you buying them?

[Mikeylee]

Marc,
Thanks for pointing out my lack of clarity (I made my post clearer). We purchased them before they were delivered. Our dealer was able to let us hear them in a room somewhat similar to ours. We had heard all the three models of Rockport above ours because that is what our two favorite audio shops have playing in their sound rooms, and we loved the their consistent natural sound.

[2fastdriving]

Ah... Congratulations! Great speakers!

[joey_v]

Congrats! I owned the Aviors prior.

You heard the Altairs?

[jdandy]

Mickeylee.......Congratulations on your new Rockport speakers. Your happiness comes through in your post. It's a plus that your wife also finds the sound to be thrilling. That will help when it comes time to bring home those Simaudio pieces you mentioned.

Don't forget how much we like photos.

[JemHadar]

Congratulations and enjoy in good health.

[Antonmb]

Congratulations on acquiring a beautiful pair of speakers. Funny that "happy" keeps coming up, Alan Taffel said this in his review of these speakers:
"...these speakers emit a very distinct—and distinctive—persona. Specifically, the Atrias are happy. I know that sounds crazy, but the Atrias give off a strong vibe of simply loving to play music."

[bart]

Mickeylee, congrats!
And thank you for sharing your happiness.
It is infectious.

[richardallred]

Congrats. Audio is fun. But expensive. Enjoy