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Are Avalon Ascents the Classics they seem to be?

I have a mint pair of Avalon Ascent seriesII in a dedicated room of 22x13x8.They are driven by Rowland 8t With a second amp housing containing a new switch mode power supply done up by Rowland.The restof the system is also of high quality'such as Levinson390s and SOTA COSMOS w/Graham 2.2 and Transfiguration temper-V.An ultramodified (by Great Northern Sound) Audio Research SP-15 preamp rounds out the system.Cables are Cardas and Transparent Audio with quality but not insanely rediculous powercords into 3 dedicated lines.Also a REL stentor (in right corner of room)rounds out the set up coming in at 24hz (with corner loading you hear the presence of the sub,but gain is set low for a nice blend that works.I have made an attempt to hear a good deal of current speakers and haven't felt that there is much out there that warrants spending the kind of money to make such a change.I have to be blown away,and although I've heard the Kharma stuff as well as the Eidolons and veritys I still can"t get too exited.I really like the Nova utopias Be and think that the TAD-1 would be killer but I really don't think my room is big enough.It is a closed in space with no venting into other rooms.The Wilson stuff don"t(to me)have the true upper mid detail that I have come to love.I know that it may seem as though I'm answering my own question,however,I know that there are some of you out there that may have the experience and rationale to help me to be sure I'm not rationalizing or deluding myself.Thanks!I also can't help but feel that the sealed box design and easy load that Avalon once marketed as well as external crossovers and the significant mass of the speaker syst. has to be a significant contribution.
sirspeedy
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
I have decided to leave well enough alone(I've put the kabbash on the super tweeter subject)!Truthfully,and having heard a load of the newer(all fine,btw)stuff,I am still ecstatic about the performance of the Ascents.Though I did purchase a Rel Stentor sub some time ago.The sub DOES blend flawlessly,but took me "eons" to get correct.Very low crossover point,and very low gain setting.Also,in my dedicated room,I have found it performs best just behind,and a bit to the right of my right channel speaker.This places it three feet out,from back wall,and two feet from side wall.The room is a closed off affair.Measures 13x22.5x8.Speakers are actually about 8.5 feet from back wall,as measured from back of cabinets.SERIOUS SOUNSTAGE DEPTH,as well as ambience and great inner details.I guess I'm a happy camper!Thanks,so much for the well intentioned feedback!

Best!
cenline
238 posts
 
A good friend runs the old Eclipse with a really good tweak that improves both extension and imaging.He uses three Totem beaks on each speaker and loves the sound he is getting.I heard the new opus speaker from Avalon with Cat JL3 and a Wadia GNSC 861se,the woofer was down firing and proved to be problematic from the get go.I thought the old pair of Eclispe easily bettered the new opus in every parameter.I also use the beaks on my Paragon speakers and also on my tube amp next to signal and power tubes with spectacular results in sound.I also listened to the Ascents and thought they were sonic marvels in the imaging dept.,I can't help wondering if there are cabling issues. A super tweeter would only upset the tonal balance as well as the imaging and time alignment.The beaks are a cheap tweak and do wonders for old Hansen based designs,I strongly recommend them over a super tweeter any day! Take care Dennis
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
Cenline,as I have my Ascents on carpet,would the Beaks penetrate the fibres?I think it could pose a problem.Also,the German Cones coming with the original speakers are really quite good.

Best!
hodelrecords
13 posts
 
With my Radians I had good results with Harmonix tuning feet (the old #66). I have never used the Avalon spikes. The tuning feet proved to work excellent with my all wooden floor. Since the Ascent is a 4 chassis affair I haven`t tried these under my speakers. May be I should start with the cross overs. Has anybody experienced with tweaks like these?
edzard
14 posts
 
I use APEX from Grand Prix Audio for some time know instead of the origenal Avalon spikes beneath the Arcus.
They have given an real improvement, especially in the definition of the lower end.
They are also standing on an all wooden floor.
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