Glenn's System... Need Advice!

[Apexorca]

One tip!
1- Nordost Cables in the higher range (at least Hemdall II) is i very good match with Futura. It really open up the speaker and makes the pace great.
Futuras midrange, vocies and so on is very good. So if you don't have that it's somthing else that is wrong, I think.
2- You need some Power to make Futuras sing as well as they could and the amp should not be at the dark side of the scale. Not the front end products either (sorce and pre-amp).
3- Futuras is quite capable in the bas region and if the room have problems handling that the outcome is a little like you describes it.

[audiohippo]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I personally feel you should identify the weak links with more scrutiny. Your speakers seem fine for now, why not borrow some different brands of amplifier and source gear? Why are you so invested in ayre if it's not giving the sound you want?

I bet if you try some other brands, you'll be shocked at how good the speakers can sound.

Also, speaker placement and room treatments may be necessary no matter how much you spend on gear. Try that, too.

Don't underestimate what cables can do, also.

I would try those things before giving up on your speakers.

+1

[audiohippo]

The Sonus Faber Amati Futura are an awesome speaker.

I would try a different pre/amp/dac.

Maybe try:

McIntosh C1100 with MC452 or MC601s plus DAC
Mcintosh C2500 with MC452 or MC601s
ARC Ref6 and Ref75 plus DAC
ARC Ref6 with GS150 plus DAC



[

[audiohippo]

Oh and this thread http://www.audioaficionado.org/sonus...bers-sing.html

[gaboudreaux]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I personally feel you should identify the weak links with more scrutiny. Your speakers seem fine for now, why not borrow some different brands of amplifier and source gear? Why are you so invested in ayre if it's not giving the sound you want?

I bet if you try some other brands, you'll be shocked at how good the speakers can sound.

Also, speaker placement and room treatments may be necessary no matter how much you spend on gear. Try that, too.

Don't underestimate what cables can do, also.

I would try those things before giving up on your speakers.

Marc, thank you very much for the advice. I've struggled with your question about why am I so invested in Ayre if it's not giving me the sound I want and I ask the same question about the Amati Futura. I debate on which is not giving me the sound I'm looking for or maybe it's just not the right combo for me. Albeit, it really does sound great; I just want more detail.

One question that a friend of mind kept asking is "what do I want to build my system around?" My Amati Futura's or my Ayre gear? Well, I went ahead and pulled the trigger on Ayre KX-R/MX-R Twenty and QX-5 Twenty, so it looks like I've made the decision to build around Ayre R Twenty series. I've lusted after the Ayre R Series for years and I just couldn't pass up this deal. I know I would regret not taking advantage of this deal while it was available.

There's so much great gear out there, and I think Ayre is one of those products with good customer service. I also like how compact it is. I'm not a big fan of big electronic pieces. For me, my preference is to incorporate high performing small gear in my media cabinet. I love D'Agastino too, but really expensive. I think Ayre R Twenty Series will compete with Dag and/or get me close at much less cost.

Once I get the R Series in, I will break it in and then start looking at room treatment and cable selection. I've been hesitant on room treatment because I've been contemplating moving, so don't want to waste money on room treatment if I end up moving.

Worst case scenario is Amati Futura not a perfect match for Ayre R Twenty series, but maybe it will be... we shall see. I'll see what improvement the R series bring and also look at cable selection and room treatment. If after this I still don't get the performance I'm looking for, I'll look at other speakers for a good match with this gear. Some speakers that come to mind and I need to start auditioning are Wilson Alexia, Vivid Giya 2, Sonus Faber Il Cremonese, and Vandersteen Model Seven Mk II.

Let the journey begin (or continue)!

[gaboudreaux]

Originally Posted by Apexorca

One tip!
1- Nordost Cables in the higher range (at least Hemdall II) is i very good match with Futura. It really open up the speaker and makes the pace great.
Futuras midrange, vocies and so on is very good. So if you don't have that it's somthing else that is wrong, I think.
2- You need some Power to make Futuras sing as well as they could and the amp should not be at the dark side of the scale. Not the front end products either (sorce and pre-amp).
3- Futuras is quite capable in the bas region and if the room have problems handling that the outcome is a little like you describes it.

Thanks Apexorca! As mentioned, I just ordered Ayre R Twenty Series, so I should have the power covered once installed.

I've also heard good things about the Nordost Cables, so need to figure out how to give them a try. I really like how thin they are. I also want to try Transparent, Wire World and better AudioQuest cables. Right now I have AudioQuest Oak speaker cables and I believe AQ Earth Interconnects. Probably the weak point in my system right now.

[gaboudreaux]

Originally Posted by audiohippo

The Sonus Faber Amati Futura are an awesome speaker.

I would try a different pre/amp/dac.

Maybe try:

McIntosh C1100 with MC452 or MC601s plus DAC
Mcintosh C2500 with MC452 or MC601s
ARC Ref6 and Ref75 plus DAC
ARC Ref6 with GS150 plus DAC



[

Hi Audiohippo! I'm sure Amati's sound fantastic with Mac and ARC gear, but I don't have a lot of space to work with, so looking at high performance gear that is compact and can fit in my media cabinet. Also trying to stick with good SS gear that gets close to tubes for convenience. I think Ayre (and some others) fit this category. If I had a large room like you do and could tastefully arrange my gear, I would definitely consider it.

[ctsooner]

Wow, fun thread. I'm an Ayre guy too and have the QX-5 on order. As for what goes best with Ayre (as a full system rather than parts), I'd go listen to the Vandersteen 7 mk2's. They mate SOOOO well with the Ayre ref gear. I notice you have Wilson and some others on your list. Those are a totally different sound than Ayre. I decided two years ago to switch to Vandersteens as they were the only speaker in my range that gave me everything the Wilson and other did, but also were much more musical for me. I listen to them all day long and love the emotional bond I get. I wasn't getting that with Wilsons, SF or others in MY ROOM. My ears, my room.. I get all of that, but too many folks chase their tails because they don't do a full system that mates well. Even dealers tell me all the time that they have folks who buy the wrong products because others like the, or they got the best review etc... We've all been there and done that. I went and listened to most everything in my range and walked away with Vandy's even though that was one speaker that was on my no way, no how list. I'm very familiar with Richards new amp with the 7's, but I promise you that if you ran the Ayre set with them, you'd love them. They may not be your cup of tea of course and then you'd go elsewhere, but it's sure worth a shot to listen to them. Nordost is good with that set up, but the AQ cabling is what Richard used in his crossovers etc.... Transparent is also good with it. I'd do the cabling last and for power, I heard Garth Powell put the Niagara 7000 in the system with the 7's and Richards new amp and it was the best I've ever heard them. Let us know. Who's your dealer?

[SuperD]

Glenn,
Congrats on the KX-R & MX-R Twenty combo. I'm considering going this route also. I have heard the combo with my current speakers the Rockport Avior with jaw-dropping results. Lots of detail but not analytical. It really was effortless.

Dave

[ctsooner]

Guys, I was a 'tube' guy for years and years. Everything from Quicksilver to CJ to ARC to Jadis to Aesthetix. I still have my Rhea phono stage. I switched over to the Ayre AX-5/Twenty and am not looking back. There are some great amps out there, but you have to pay a lot more to get sound that is different than Ayre, but still nice. The thing about Ayre is that it's zero feedback in design and they build in so much great power filtering. It lowers the noise floor greatly and allows all the detail to shine. I believe it allows us to be emotionally drawn into the music. I say it's neither tube nor SS, just correct.

As for the Ayre meshing well with any Vandersteen, it's not even a question. My personal favorite amps that I've heard with Vandersteen Treo's up are the Ayre AX-5/Twenty on up in the line, Aesthetix Atlas mono blocks Eclipse and the ARC 175 on up Ref amps. All are zero feedback I believe. The BEST amp with Vandersteen's are Richards new amps. He really took his time and finally nailed the amps. These are nothing like his prototype ones that many heard in the beginning. He's a tube lover, but realized that the SS bass was what he wanted. It was built around the 7's and only has to worry about producing 100hz on up basically. So it is a powered speaker with the amps in a separate box, lol. The Ayre is awesome and is just a bit different sound. Some like the MXR better.

The real gem in their line is the KXR. Best preamp I've ever heard possibly. I also love some of the high end tube preamps and Tidal makes GREAT preamps also, but that Ayre is very very special. I too have heard the Ayre on the Avior's with nice results. What a great system you are putting together.