The little green music making boxes are home

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

And here goes Alberto...and now I want a Cortese....Thanks !

Jerome, you already have too many toys .

I see you have a Manley that can run both in PP and SET, what does the Manley SET do for you? Do you prefer it to the PP?

Alberto

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Alberto

Jerome, you already have too many toys .

I see you have a Manley that can run both in PP and SET, what does the Manley SET do for you? Do you prefer it to the PP?

Alberto

Alberto,

My Snappers are from a previous gen that does not have this feature. Maybe upgradable I don't know.
Anyway Manley does not play in the same league than Shindo.
Thinking about a Cortese / Monbrison or Masseto as an upgrade to the Apetite in the living room with the Devore....

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Alberto,

My Snappers are from a previous gen that does not have this feature. Maybe upgradable I don't know.
Anyway Manley does not play in the same league than Shindo.
Thinking about a Cortese / Monbrison or Masseto as an upgrade to the Apetite in the living room with the Devore....

That would be an interesting upgrade. I suspect the difference will be similar to the difference I head between the Montille and the Cortese.

CRAZY ANALOGY COMING UP ... but it might help to describe the differences:

The Montille is ... sparkly, very exciting and dynamic, like a young bubbly actress or singer; its charm and power come from that youthful exuberance and a bit "in your face" attitude. As it's architecture suggests, it pushes and pulls you, toys with you and gives you occasional surprises. If it were a wine, it would be a wonderful Beaujolais Nouveau.

The Cortese is ... more delicious and refined, it's like seasoned and experienced actress or singer; one who does not need to do tricks or be "in your face" to grab you; its charm and power come from control, maturity and gravitas. It commands your attention because it commands the performance. If it were a wine, it would be a well aged Grand Cru.

I must say that I regret selling the Montille (it was for a good cause) but whereas I can, and do, listen to the Cortese for hours each day, the Montille was fun but became a bit fatiguing over longer listening sessions. I don't think this is a Montille/Cortese issue for me, but a more fundamental push-pull/SET issue. I much prefer the latter.

Alberto

[PHC1]

Jerome, I am not going to try to convince you on the Cortese, I am just going to say that I really enjoyed my time with that amp and it was an eye opener for sure after 25 years in the hobby.








YES, YOU NEED A CORTESE!

[PHC1]

Oh my sweet Cortese, how I miss you......

[Jerome W]

Stop guys : you got me.

I think that I found one.
Alberto : I think that my Apetite sound is very clise to the Montille you describe.
I love it a lot but I will surely prefer the Cortese.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Stop guys : you got me.

I think that I found one.
Alberto : I think that my Apetite sound is very clise to the Montille you describe.
I love it a lot but I will surely prefer the Cortese.

Typo : very close.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Stop guys : you got me.

I think that I found one.
Alberto : I think that my Apetite sound is very clise to the Montille you describe.
I love it a lot but I will surely prefer the Cortese.

In all seriousness, do audition the Cortese if you get a chance. If you have to buy sight unseen and unheard, don't worry, you will love it. I had no hesitation buying one from the other coast never having heard it.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by PHC1

In all seriousness, do audition the Cortese if you get a chance. If you have to buy sight unseen and unheard, don't worry, you will love it. I had no hesitation buying one from the other coast never having heard it.

No audition possible Serge. But I know Shindo a bit now and I know you and Alberto...

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

No audition possible Serge. But I know Shindo a bit now and I know you and Alberto...

We are lucky; audio triplets, not twins . That's a very nice thing to be.

Over the years, I've learned that Serge and I have, not identical tastes, but VERY similar understanding of sound. So when he describes something, I get it and trust it. That's why I bought his Tannoys Sandringhams --- one of the best audio decisions I've ever made. Similarly, when I describe what I am looking for, he understands what I mean.

In other words, we speak the same language and trust that we hear things very similarly.

With one of my audiophile neighbors I also have a system; what he likes I dislike and viceversa. He can't stand tubes, I can't stand transistors. He can't stand soft-dome tweeters, I can't stand hard-domes, etc. It's also very useful .

Alberto