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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
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.
cenline
238 posts
 
Sirspeedy the Totem beaks are used on the top of the speaker and have nothing to do with the spikes of the speaker.How much do the Avalons weigh? The Sistrum 101 stands are one of the best values in audio and have a profound impact on all aspects of the sound.They are able to hold 350 pounds per stand,you can see both the beaks on top of the speakers and the stands underneath them if you view my virtual system.The Totem beaks help break up standing waves on top of the speaker caused by the tweeters high speed emissions.Both my friend and I have found that 3 beaks work the best on top of the speaker and also next to the tubes on the top of my amp.Hope this helps Dennis
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
Cenline,thanks for the info,but as described I don't think I can go for the beaks.I like the dispersion of my tweeters,and don't want to affect it.As to a stand,I don't like the idea of increasing the height of my 175 lb Ascents,and am on concret flooring.
cenline
238 posts
 
Sirspeedy, the beaks don't change the way the tweeter operates.The beaks eliminate the waves going across the top of the speaker and thus increase focus of the images.The Paragon speaker also is a heavy weight at a paltry 165lbs,I found that the extra height has no effect on the imaging of the speaker.My friend Dick found that the Eclispe actually improved in every aspect of the sound with the stands.Robert at Star sound will let you try the stands with a money back gurantee,also you could put the crossover on a sp004 stand which would help everything immensely.I am so sold with the stands that you don't know unless you try them (ditto with the totem beaks).These tweaks are not subtle in the final results and I hope you try them -Dennis
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
Dennis,I have tried different materials on top of my speakers,and have found the dispersion always sounded best with nothing on top.It's not the actual tweeter,itself,but the shape of the wavelaunch,due to the cabinet angles.I would love to try the beaks,but won't make a move until that happened.As to the stand,that's another story.I am on a concrete floor,but unless I had the stands for trial,I'd have to stay put.There is also the "pain in the tush" factor involved in moving such massive speakers.

Thanks for the wonderful feedback!
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