Reynaud Bliss Jubile vs Cantabile Jubile

@jackd

To give you an idea of my system. I have a Sugden FBA800 Pure Class A amplifier,  (neutral to warm, fast, and juicy sound), Audio Research LS28SE Preamp, Totaldac  Triunity DAC, and Innuos Pulsar Streamer. The system overall tends to lean a little warmer, the Audio Research does add a nice splash of transparency to the system overall though. If changes are made, I can most certainly hear it, even if small.

My fear would be am I going to add more transparency to the system, which may not be bad thing, but I'd have to experience it to know for sure, and of course that requires buying the speakers. JMR is not a speaker you can go and listen to since they're in such short supply here in the US.  

As far as room set up, yes I am locked into my seating poistion, but I can get the speakers 8 feet apart, thats about what I have my Cantabile at now. Off the back wall I can get about 20 inches or so, maybe a few more if needed but anymore than that I will be closing in on my seating area since I am only about 8-9 feet from the speakers themselves where I sit.

I've had Subs in the past, on the Bliss and also on a set of Wilson Tune Tots I had..I find them to be a pain in the arse to dial in but it's something I could do for infill if all else fails. 

Im exactly 10 feet from the listening position to the speaker baffle, took a measurement.

That seating distance should certainly work as it’s just a little under what using Jim Smith’s formula would get you and the 8’ will also be fine and depending on your room a little closer could turn out better or worse. The current equipment certainly sounds like a good mix for the Abscisse if you decide to give it a try. It is certainly going to seem more transparent right away especially if you can do the side by side comparison with the Cantabile’s before your friend takes them away. And like you said unfortunately dealers are limited as are supplies especially for the higher level models. I have a friend that waited almost four months for his pair of Voce Grandes so he had to suffer with the Abscisse’s while he waited. I had hoped that when Bob finally decided to give up the distributorship that it would have gone to someone more aggressive and promotional than a guy who has only dealt with TT’s and cartridges historically. Also doesn’t seem like JC really wants to make that big a push into the US now with the costs of shipping. Don’t think you can go wrong either way.  What part of the country are you in?

@jackd 

I am on the east coast NC….Did your friend notice any reduction in bass from the Absicce to the Voce? I was comparing these two models and thinking of going with the Voce.  I feel like I understand what that tweeter is doing now having listened to some really good videos of the Voce recently. Between that and your characterization of it here in this thread I am confident I would like it. I still like the idea of a floor stander and the specs have the Absicse going lower in the bass I believe on the JMR website. 

I completely agree on the distributor in the US, he’s having everything sent over via boat and generally he does nothing with the line. Doesn’t attend shows and only one of his dealers does attend, and it’s only one show within driving distance for him. The line is sadly not promoted here in the US and yes I think JC kind of turned his back on the market here…I found an alternate route though. 

jc51373

If I remember correctly what he told me when he made the direct comparison late last year, he felt the tweeter integration was superior to the Abscisse and the bass was slightly less but not dramatically so. Perfectly understandable with the smaller cabinet and less driver surface. He’s a member here so let me reach out to him and see if I can get him to respond to you directly. Also might see if you can get Bob to respond to a phone call or maybe the guys at Don Better Audio.