2. speakers
  3. 124932-78094

Help! Best amp for Rockport Aviors?

I recently purchased a pair of Rockport Aviors to replace my Dynaudio C2s. My system comprises of a Berkeley Reference DAC, Spectral DMC-30SS preamp, and Spectral DMA-260 stereo amp. My intial impression was disappointing - "hot" treble and a lack of low end slam. I assumed that my amp didn't have enough current to drive the Aviors properly so I auditioned the Spectral DMA-400 RS monos with the Aviors and that combo still didn't resonate in the way I first heard the Aviors (kicking myself for not noting the system). My current theory is that the Spectral gear (as much as I love it) isn't a good match for the Rockports; therefore, I have a bit of a quandary - ditch my Spectral system or the Aviors.

I know that Andrew uses a Gryphon stack to voice his speakers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't kmow of a USA Gryphon dealer and wouldn't purchase a Gryphon component without hearing it in person first.

So cut to the chase: Avior owners out there - what do you drive them with that results in the "softer" treble and bass slam that I know these speakers are capable of. My current guess is to audition Pass Labs.
jason_john_howes
jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Thanks Al!

A bit more information for you - just had a dedicated 20 amp line installed for the system and have used the requisite Spectral/MIT interconnects/speaker cables since day one. Would you suggest an AC power conditioner (e.g. Shunyata, etc.)? Or am I misunderstanding your suggestion?
jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Al - I should also mention that this same "hot" and "lean" characteristic is also present in analog sources feed directly to my preamp.
jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
One other data point - putting my C2s back into the system results in the "shouty" characteristic of voices that I was trying to improve upon (which the Aviors do) but they are less fatiguing to listed to and they appear to have another octave down on the Aviors, which makes NO sense to me.
babybear's avatar
babybear
106 posts
 
Jason,
I have the heard the Aviors on multiple occasions with both tube & solid state electronics and I don't believe that the speakers when properly setup have a hot treble. I am guessing that you purchased these speakers used and have set them up yourself. If that is correct, and assuming  they are already broken in, then I think the first place to start is with speaker placement in your room. In my experience with my own Rockport speakers, with the beryllium tweeter in your speakers, I have found that speaker placement within your room is absolutely essential to avoid the sound that you are describing. If you purchased them new from a dealer, then I would definitely back in and work on that setup. 
jason_john_howes OP
16 posts
 
Thanks!!

Any general advice on placement? I currently have them place in a equalateral triangle (my listening position being one point of the triangle) with a bit of toe out to mitigate the "hot" tweater. Am I approaching this incorrectly?

Also, I forgot to mention.that I haven't installed the feet, as I was playing with placement. Do they make a difference in your experience?

J
More to discover