Rilou,
One sounds like very clean "hifi" one sounds like music...If it's the latter your after go with the Tidal product and check out they're "SE" model!
Good luck,
Azjake |
My view is opposite to Azjake. As good as Tidal is, ceramic drivers in general do sound much leaner and drier which translates to more hi-fi sound. Tidal does a good job in integrating fine drives with good crossover, but you can't remove the driver sound completely. As for diamond tweeter, that's another can of worms. |
Agree entirely with Azjake, of all the speakers I've heard over the last few years, Tidals are perfect examples of a very rare breed that can let you forget you're listening to "gear" of whatever nature. Be it Contriva or any other model, the performance is pure and highly emotional, in one word: music.
Btw, my digital source is AMR CD77 also, it is an excellent match since that cdp "understands" music as well. |
Although I havent heard the Aerial the Tidal Contriva Diacera is out of this world and a class by itself. It sounds like nothing else you have experienced so far.
It will be my next purchase.
IMHO |
You don't even need the Diacera. Just the Tidal Contriva itself is miles ahead of the Aerial 20T (I have only listened to the previous version of Aerial) |
Mike, the Verity is absolutely world class. What does the Tidal have that the Verity does not? |
Linkster the Sarastro is an amazing speaker for all kinds of unamplfied music.
But I think Tidal sounds like nothing at all, more than any other speaker I have auditioned. It doesnt have preferences in music, and you can also upgrade it later to Diacera. I really think that you have to listen to a Tidal (not you, hehehe) to really understand what it is about! As a friend of mine is said it is like you are directly connected with the studio that the music was recorded. |
So it sounds as if you're inclined to go with the Contriva an opposed to the Contriva Diacera SE with upgrades considered at a later time? |
Hi Argyro. Regarding preference in music. I am not sure about up the Tidal line, but in the Piano series, at least according Jorn, the type of music does make a difference. What they told me is the Piano Cera is a better speaker overall than the Piano Classic, but for the type of music I listen to, rock/pop mainly, the Piano Classic would be a better fit. They explained the Cera is more revealing and will show a recording is really bad, and of course a lot of rock/pop recordings are, but the Piano Classic will still make music out of less than stellar recordings. |
Yes Linkster I will probably go for the normal contriva and later on i will upgrade when case I am "hit" from the known disease of upgraditis....LMAO
Kclone I understand that, thats normal, In case of Verity though the sound is just too soft and laid back for rock, metal, drums etc.
Can't wait to order them, I have a hard time sleeping at night when thinking of the Conriva's,,,I wonder what I am going to tell my girlfriend this time....LOL |
Mike, you may pleasantly surprised with the performance of the standard Contriva. I for one am blown away as to how extraordinary my Piano Ceras are and can't imagine that the Diacera upgrade (at almost twice the price) would offer a level of improvement commensurate with the additional expense. There is no SE option offered for the Piano Cera or Piano Diacera. |
I have heard the normal Contriva several times both in my country and at the Munich High end show last year and I AM blown away! :) |
Which Better the IC / SC / PC Cables for Tidal Contriva
Diacera SE? |
The best cables you can use with Tidal speakers are the Argento. The SE edition of the Tidal Contriva Diacera is using Argento cable internally from the speaker connectors to the crossover |
Rilou, based on a number of extensive hearing sessions, an ideal pairing can be achieved with Argento Flow cables (serious investment, sadly). In any case, of prime importance is not to use a cable that has a "damped" sonic footprint, also it is essential for the cable to be as "fast" as the speakers themselves!
With my own Contrivas (not Diacera), I use Virtual Dynamics Revelation as SC and as IC between Tidal Preos and Intra (VooDoo Vajra as PC to Preos and Intra). I still have a set of Purist Venustas SC and IC that I used before. As beautiful (what's in a name ...) as Venustas sounded, Revelation is, well, ... more revelatory without sounding cold, fragmented or harsh, which is the other extreme to avoid.
I know the above appears obvious and has been repeated ad infinitum in the context of other speakers. But the essential requirement with these speakers is one REALLY, REALLY wants them to sound as they were intended: not warmer, not colder, no added grain, no swallowing of detail or messing with the timing. You just want the music to "Flow" (... and so, I'm back where I started ;^)) |
I wouldn't go for anythilng less than argento "organic" series! |
George, am I correct in the assumption that the internal wire in the Contriva Diacera SE from the crossover to the drivers is the same on all versions of the Contriva (and the same as what is used in the Contriva and the Amea/Piano)? |
I think all the SE Versions are wired internally with Argento Flow! |
Mike, I think Geopolitis may be right on this one, although it does seem to make more sense to have all internal wiring the same. I know there is no SE option offered on the Piano (classic and Cera) and Amea. That being said, the Diacera versions (Amea/Piano) have crossovers optimized for the diamond tweeters and that could encompass a different type of internal wire. |
Linc,
I believe that the SE version of Contriva Diacera has the Argento Flow Maste Reference inside.... It is very expensive cable so that makes a significant difference in the price |
Anyone used diferente Interconnects and speakers cable.
for exemple: Elrod Statement Gold, Argento, and Stage 3
Concepts made in California. |
I am using the Stage 3 Magnus speaker cable and most likely will be ordering the same interconnects soon (with the Tidal Piano Cera). |
...the tidal speakers ..the whole line..is in a class by itself...having just heard the piano cera at the axpona show in jacksonville,fla ..thursday and friday...it was the best sounding speaker there...no doubt about it and by far..the most emotionally involving speaker i have ever heard...almost everyone who came into the room thought likewise..i have heard the aerial 20ts and there is no comparison..i will be buying a pair of the contriva diacera -se's later on this year.. |
Welcome to the inner circle Calloway! |
Calloway, now you know what I know! My brief time with the Piano Cera has been absolutely reveletory. As I write this I am out of town and I can hardly wait to get back! |
linkster....after hearing them at axpona i can fully understand what you mean...i currently am on the last 8 months of a porsche lease which i was going to purchase at the end....not now...i will be turning it back in and getting the contriva se or the diacera se...can't wait.. |
Calloway I would definetely do the same thing! lol |
Interconnects and Speakers cables: for Contriva Diacera SE.
GO for STAGE III Reference Gryphon IC and Reference Mantikor SC or
ARGENTO Flow Master Reference IC and SC. |
Rilou, I am unaware of the total cost of both alternatives. For the sake of argument, let's suppose they are equivalent.
If you are planning to go for a matching new set of IC and SC, then, my preference would go to Argento Flow. I repeat my previous statement: it is a combination "made in heaven"
To be sure, that is not a judgement on the intrinsic value of other products, but Tidal and Argento are completely symbiotic and therefore "a sure bet" that will probably not be topped. |
Seeing as how this thread has morphed into discussions about Tidal and matching equipment it may be of greater value to continue this on the dedicated Tidal thread. |
Open it Linkster, as the first owner of Piano Cera! :) |
Anywhere to hear the Tidal's in the NYC area? With all this hype I am anxious to give them a listen. |
linkster---
yet again, keep it here, away from any retired , fired and tired reviewers out there... :~) |
... not to mention "mired"..... |
I monitor this page also for useful information. I am sorry that I told the truth about your amps, but you are the "arrogant ,dismissive, and ultra skewed ""opinions", not I. But I think you should know that I know it was you who orchestrated all the attacks on me to manufacturers, importers, dealers, and SoundStage. As it turns out, however, your only success was one that I appreciate. As I said, I was always uncomfortable with the politics of review magazines. You proved my point.
I think you should apologized for destroying the Tidal thread with your childish offense taken about my comment on your amps. All of my friends think I should never post anything on Audiogon because there are nuts like you who love battle. It must really bother you that I don't give a damn about your misguided opinions. |
oops, look who just got out of "shutter island"...
you tbg, wouldn't know a good amp from a bad one if it fell on you....
and you still think that my" attacks" on you are about my amps.. you ARE the audiofool.... you should take your "friends" advise(do you really have any?)and never post here or anywhere, as no one really gives 2 s***s about you or your bought and sold opinions...
you are a disgrace to this hobby! |
All I can say is that you are an ignorant and arrogant twit who expects his money to buy him respect. I am quite comfortable in my real reputation not the one you seek to create to sooth your hurt ego. I have never had a bought opinion but I suspect that you think everyone should bow to your misguided opinions because you are wealthy. Your money cannot buy reputation or support your inflated ego. |
"03-04-10:tbg
nobody will know what i'm talking about...." from the synergistic new tesla line thread...
you said it yourself...
funny, you are the one boasting around about the $2mill you have in the bank ... and yet you are despised by many and loathed by most...
all in all you are a loser! |
tbg--
one more thing to seal my responses to you--- for a washed- out academia-nut with a bruised and infintile ego,whose own faculty members couldn't stand, you have very little to show for ....but bitterness and misery. |
LOL, mister egotist. You know nothing about me, obviously. Create what gratifies you, I could care less. At least I contributed to society, unlike you.
I have better things to do than participate in your mindless and unfounded diatribe. Apparently the only good thing that you did in your life was to buy one of the best, if not the best, speakers. |
nor do i care to know anything further about you.... thus far ,you are less then impressive, to say the least...
let's recap --- you are, in my opinion a corrupt , unethical,washed out loser who thinks he is the audio -guru of yesteryear, who was digracefully fired from 2 well respected e-zines, manages to step on every toe out there with his maglomaniac and conceded behavior, full of misguided rage and envy .... and if you knew a 1/3rd of what i forgot ,maybe ,maybe, you'd know a little. |
Funny I think all of this applies to you. |
funny, indeed, and the joke is on you and you are the joker..... |
You really have nothing to say, do you? |
what else can be said about a despicable , lunatic,envious little loser like you?
for any further refernces, read what others say and think of you and your "opinions"... if any of us wanted your opinions ,we'd give them to you.... |
Who is us, you egomaniac? You and your sycophants? At any rate, goodbye to you; may you live long and prosper. |
you are so blind and oblivious to reality... for sure it's your arrogance and stupidity working hand in hand. one day clinical psychiatirsts will name a condition after you....
and btw, stormy- normy, the stories about you and your breakfast "courts" held at shows, in which you sit there and lecture are well known... and how you review every penny spent at dinners... a contorl freak and a cheap miser to boot. |
>>03-10-10: Tbg
Who is us, you egomaniac<<
Well, count me in.
You're an inexperienced, unethical, dishonest, classless, loudmouth who has a much higher opinion of himself than anybody reading or posting here.
Your forum history is testimony to this. It is full of hyperbole, wild claims, unsupportable positions, and untruths. Your firing by 2 e-zines in the past year is documentation of this.
I suggest every observer to a thorough reading of your posting history.
You can call names, use cute Star Trek isms, and employ other diversionary techniques but The Peter Principle is alive and well. In fact, you probably reached your level of incompetence years ago in academia.
You know the old saying,
"Those that can- DO
Those that can't- TEACH".
Congrats professor. |
Audiofeil makes a specialty of venturing into threads with charges of ethical violations and impropriety and always notes that he does not sell the products on the thread, but he has never liked any product that he doesn't sell. My friction with him started long ago concerning the H-Cat preamp. After emailing me to introduce him to Roger Paul, which I did, he failed to become a dealer. I never learned why not, but thereafter he was outraged with the claims made concerning the H-Cat and my defense of it merely based on how it sounded. Need I say anything more. He has nothing positive to offer. |
Can you stop acting like 5 year olds and respect the other members that want to continue the discussion? |
