Reference 3a MM De Capo's vs Totem Sttaf vs LSi9's


Hello, I currently have the following:

Museatex Bitstream DAC (Moray James Digital Interconnect)
Museatex CD-D (as transport)
SimAudio Moon i-5080 Intergrated (Harmonic Technology Prosilway interconnects)
Polk Audio LSi9 Monitor Speakers (Kimber 8TC cable)

I have one last wish before I seriously stop tweaking and spend my money on what I intially wanted, more music. My current setup is in a rather small room 12x15. I will more then likely moving this setup to a larger room 15x15 down the road. Although my LSi9 speakers are still glowing bargin, I want more of an upbeat sound within my mid band. I listen to alot of alt rock, classic rock, UK electronic...from Janes addiction, Nirvana to Bjork, Fatboyslim to The Band, The Led Zepplin...I want my next upgrade to COUNT.

I honestly am tired of always trying to listen for ways to improve...the way my music is reproduced. I consider this to be the final peice untill I can start all over in a few years...when upgrading to seperates or possibly a reference Intergrated...

Currently my LSi9's from Polk Audio are an entirely different animal then what is displayed at big box stores. They use a Vifa ring radiator tweeter and are detailed but ultra smooth. Nothing in its class, be it PSB Stratus Minis to Paradigm Studio 40's could touch it in this regard. I'm very happy with these speakers in that respect. What is lacking is the mid-band, and mid-bass regions. It really is quite hard to explain but perhaps this speaker is too nice, too polite. When the drums play on Nirvana tracks the kick drum doesn't sound the same as my much much cheaper old pair of PSB's did. The lower bass on the LSi's is much more detailed and sinks lower but something is lacking in the middle.

My two choices are the Sttaf and the Reference 3a MM De Capo's. I have no had a chance to hear either as of yet. I'm quite a bit aways from both dealers. But everything I have read has lead me to these two speakers. The 3a's seem to have that excitement I'm looking for and the Sttafs an excellent choice for my room considerations. I will more then likely buy either used. Can either of these speakers give me that excitement in the types of music I listen to while maintaining a musical and tamed higher frequency response. To my ears everything made by Paradigm, and B&W have a certain "Tizz" or sibliance on the high notes that I detest. I was wondering if anybody could give me thoughts or comments on the selections I have narrowed it down to.
lush
Get rid of those 8tc cables and upgrade. They are awesome for the price, but if you are going to upgrade to better gear, make sure the cables are at the level of the rest of your stuff.
Hi,

Having owned several Totems and the 3As, I personally would prefer the Ref. 3As to most any Totem, but I'm not sure they are a great speaker for the music you list. I found that they were best on classical/jazz/blues, less so on classic rock. However, I use a tube amp; I've heard the de Capos with an I-5 and was impressed, unlike most SS gear and the 3As. I believe the 3As are highly revealing and will emphasize any shortcomings in your system. Good luck,

TLH
Well, odd enough, I own the I-5080 and Sttaf combo right now, with an Arcam CD 23 front end. You are correct about the shortcomings of the PSB and Paradigm speakers. It seems you have a fetish for Canadian loudspeakers?

Keep in mind there is a significant price difference between the Totems and the De Capos (plus stands). For the price, I think the Sttafs are the way to go. They excell at the midrange and bass in your listening tastes. Nirvana, Brit pop/electronic, Bjork (great bass extension), and male vocal pieces (Jack Johnson, Lambchop). Hopefully you have a good subfloor. I always leave a door open in the room so I can let it rip.

The Moon amp only runs out of steam when playing classical recordings through the Sttafs (42+ attenuation), as both are rated at 80w/ch.You will blow out your ears before you clip the amp with rock/alt music.

When using the Sttafs, I noticed that Chem Brothers, New Order, Fat Slim all had crap recording values. The bass extension was noticably false, flabby and artificial. Bjork has nice warm happy bass, as do 3-4 piece jazz combos like The Bad Plus.

I have used several cable setups with this combo. Initially, totem sinew and Nordost blue Heaven wich was underwhelming. Then Cardas Neutral Reference (selling after Christmas Vacation, Hint, Hint) which brought about considerable synergy and bass extension. Then, most recently, Virtual Dynamics David cables. These are ridiculously good at revealing bass, ambience, symbals, and 3-D space.

The top end is what lacks in the Sttafs. However, this can be tamed by using spikes on a concrete or marble slab. As well as careful cable selection (not Nordost).

I was considering an Audition of the De Capos until I swapped cables. I am happy for now. If you don't want to upgrade speakers, and can afford De Capos, I would definitely audition them at a dealer first.

I'd cosider a cable or front end swap before swapping your amp. The I-5080 offers extremely good value. On that note, I have not heard your front end or cabling.
Krell-man I live in Southern Indiana and work in Louisville. Checked out your posts and you mentioned a "New store" in a post a few months back. What store carries the DeCapos and Musical Fidelity you mentioned?

Thanks MaxxC
Thanks guys. If I buy used I'll probably buy locally because I live in Canada.

Bshapperd, the frontend I am currently using was on par or given a slight edge in its favor against a SimAudio Moon Nova, provided the Moray James cable was used. I very much like the Prosilway cables, I prefer quiet cables. I personally don't like the characteristics of the Cardas cables, but honestly I've only heard the lower end Twinlinks.

After the speaker upgrade, the amp will very much be the weakest link, but again, I'm ok with this. I'd rather start buying more music. The speaker upgrade must keep me from not wanting to upgrade for another couple years.

I have heard the Ref3a's are alot more explosive and dynamic then the Totem's, I have heard the Mani II's and I dreaded them, but it was in a poor listening setup with brighter electronics. All of my upsteam sources are much warmer. I already have Sanus Ultimate Foundation stands and they will be more then capable of handling the MM DeCapo's. I'm thinking if I went with Totems I'd be better off with Hawks.