Line Arrays - Competitive with best dynanics, ESL?

Todd: Check out the Selah forum at audiocircle.com. Haven't heard any but read many super raves of Rick's speakers. I'm sure you can have a killer line array for under 15k. I've always wanted to hear some line arrays since they seem like a great idea but all I've read. It surprises me they're not more common. They are expensive and large though.

Albertporter - What dynamic speakers did you own? What compelled you to move to the Sound Labs? Can you compare/contrast the pros/cons of the Dalis relative to the Soundlabs?

Since the late 1960's when I was still in school, until now:

Bozak B-4000, Bozak Concert Grand, JBL S7R (vertical), ESS Trans Static, Crown ES 224, Snell type A, Dale Pitchers Essence reference 10, Vandersteen 2C, Vandersteen 4A, and ProAc Future Ones.

During the time I owned these, I auditioned almost every speaker made as I spent several years running three high end audio stores and then took a job as the factory representative for a group of audio manufacturers. I travelled a five state area calling on and setting up high end retail stores.

The lines I carried as factory representative were: Kirksaeter, JBL Commercial, Infinity Systems, Yamaha, Denon, Crown International, Ampex USA, ESS Systems and MB Electronics (Germany).

I listen frequently to speakers owned by friends and members of my audio group. Combined, they owned (and I've listened to at length): Magneplanar 3.6, Magneplanar 20, Vandersteen 2C, Vandersteen 5's, Kharma Exquisite 1De, Sound-Labs A1, Sound-Labs A3, JM Labs Mini Utopia, Wilson Watt Puppies, Wilson Grand Slams and Quad 989.

As for pros and cons of Dali Megaline versus Sound-Labs.

Sound-Labs is still the winner for ABSOLUTE perfection in phase accuracy, the ability to combine midrange, sweet treble and kick butt bass into one perfect, coherent package.

The Dali is more efficient, much greater dynamics and contrasts, larger soundstage with the ability to play complex classic passages with ZERO compression and without volume limit (should you choose loud :^).

I am still working on the coherency thing.

The new tube crossover resolved most of the issues I had and I suspect the next step will be exact matching of the four mono block amplifiers. Frankly I and members of my group are stunned at how good coherency is now and I'm running mixed design amps. VTL (6550 output tubes) from 1100 HZ down and Air-Tight ATM3 (EL34 output tubes) from 1100 HZ up.

Everyone knows how sensitive the human ear is at 1000HZ, and I'm accomplishing what I have with these two amps "shifting" duty right in the sweet spot.

More tests forthcoming as the crossover continues to break in. I hope to try four Air Tight ATM-3, four VTL 750's and possible four Atma-Sphere MA1's.

As for budget minded lovers of line source designs, the GR Research line by Danny Ritchie is a wonderful speaker. Danny is working on two new line source speakers and a well known cabinet maker is teaming up to deliver finished product. The two line sources will be available in two heights and corresponding quantities of newly designed BG ribbons and Peerless 6.5" woofers.

I would almost warn anyone to wait for these before buying. Estimated (high side) price is $4995.00.

Albertporter - I am familliar with GR Research, though not with any of Danny's line arrays. I bought a pair of Paradox 1s from him a while back. I don't have them any more, as I sold them to a friend when I moved to my Dynaudios. (I have plans to go visit them and see how they're doing at some point) But man... what an awesome pair of speakers for $500 dollars.

Albert - I take it you prefer your Dalis to the advanced Kharmas and Wilson Grans Slamms? The Wilson Maxx's I find quite amazing. I have heard the Exquisites, but I don't think the system was setup properly, my demo with them was less than stunning.

I love the Dali and the Kharma. Without a doubt the best two best sounding rigs of all my friends and contacts.

The guy that has the Kharma Exquisite owned the Dynaudio Evidence a couple of years ago and I could live with that speaker too. It was amazing when it was powered with Audio Research Ref 600 Mk. lll mono blocks. (Same speakers sounded horrible at the New York show last year.)

The Wilson are in a (literally) million dollar system and the worst sound for the money I have ever heard. Of course I don't like his source, choice of components, interconnect or speaker wire, or his set up, so no big surprise. It's not the Wilson fault but it certainly keeps me from having any interest in them.

Another friend in my group has Wilson Watt puppies and his creams the million dollar rig, so set up and associated gear is a big deal with the Wilsons.

The Kharma Exquisites are in a A+ room and the system is identical to mine. Walker TT, Koetsu, Aesthetix Io, Aesthetix Callisto (both Signature versions with dual power supplies) and all Purist Dominus.

When this system is right, I will enjoy it every bit as much as my own. I know what the Kharma Exquisite can do.

Truth is though, until (and unless) his system gets amazingly better I am happy right where I am. I currently prefer my Megalines and they are $68K less money. Good thing, because I cannot afford $110K speakers anyway.

As for GR Research, it's Danny' Ritchie's company:

http://www.gr-research.com/discontinued/alpha.htm

The link is to his archived images of the line source. He has none in stock and waiting for the new BG and Peerless drivers. Appearance will be similar with one model shorter and one the size and equal number of drivers as the Dali Megaline (but without electronic crossover). See link below for his other design, the Epiphany 20-21.

Audiogon show coverage, Epiphany here:

http://events.audiogon.com/i/dn2004/f/1098460988.jpg

Danny's speakers will be the one to beat for the dollar. They are dynamic, efficient and VERY cost effective. If they are priced anywhere near what Danny is projecting, his new line source will be less than half the cost of anything remotely close.

Good news for Audiophiles :^).