I am thinking of buying the Avalon Osiris.

Hugos,the high ceiling is a big benefit.When I bought my Avalon Ascent MK-2's I had a dedicated room built,literally to match the speaker energy projection.Only 8 ft ceiling,though.Due to construction costs.I had been advised by Avalon,on the dimensions,so it worked out great.It took me a couple of years to get it right.I have a large collection of original label Decca,Emi,Mercury,and Rca lp's.Along wiyh many other labels.I designed the room to allow for built in record shelves along the sides.This gave me good diffraction properties.I,then experimented(it helps that I have some very experienced audio friends)with various accoustical treatments.Remember,before the Osiris,the Ascent was Avalon's premier design,and are really an incredible speaker,but not designed for too large a room.I knew this and have been very careful with ancillaries(Rowland/Audio Research,all highly modified,btw),as well as careful room treatment.

You will have to be EVEN MORE conscious of your room's characteristics,as you will be generating much more energy,than me.I see no reason for it to be anything less than superb in low frequency energy,contrary to what was previously stated,with alot of care.This IS important,and cannot be overemphasized!!I'll try to be specific,since you have asked for the advice,but don't take my word as final.You must experiment,and research what is involved in proper room acoustics.You do not have to hire an outside service,for this,as careful personal comparisons are really all you need.As long as you aren't impatient.

Also--DO NOT treat the ceilings with any damping material.I have tried this,a few times.Once at the recommendation of a well known audio reviewer,who I knew,and it closed down the sound.DO treat the side wall area,depending on room width,with either something like energy absorption,or diffraction.Trial and error will come into play,but you WILL be rewarded.

Hugos,I have my equipment(as stated Rowland 8t,two chasis model,with second chasis upgraded from bettery to switch mode power supply,Audio Research Pre/phono,Levinson CD,SOTA table with Graham arm/Transfiguration,and good cabling)situated behind my equipment,like you do.This gives some degree of diffraction,and I have a narrow thin rug type awning above the equipment,in area behind speakers.I,also have corner tube traps,behind speakers,in corners.NOT TOO wide tube traps,as I had to experiment here.I have some 1/2 round, 5 foot tube traps mounted on wall to the side of the speakers,actually just behind where cabinet ends.Behind my listening area is a bay window,treated with a long absorptive(not alot)shade.To the side of my ear area is some flat Tube trap panels.I have small corner tunes,in area behind,and above speakers,along with a couple of flat absorptive panels.All carefully experimented with.

Oh yeah,I have carpeting in the room,and have mentioned that I use a REL Stentor sub bass system(behind right speaker)that is crossed over at 24 hz,and is set with VERY low gain,so as not to impede the Avalons' soundstage.

That should give you an idea of what I have done,which is NOT your room,obviously,yet maybe you can get something out of it.Obviously I'm supremely happy,but I've spent years modifying almost every piece of equipment,as well as the room.

The other things to cover,again,is bring the Osiris WAY out into room,if you want to hear them really breathe.They are almost like an omni directional speaker,they are so open,when set up right.Little adjustments can be BIG!!!

Also,please don't get mad---but, the what looks like a beautiful marble,on wall,behind system will most likely HAVE to be treated,if you want to hear what your current stuff can really do.Particularly with the Osiris in system.I hope you have an understanding wife,here!That's one reason I built a room.

Well that's about it,for now.I really wish you the best of luck!Keep us posted!!

I suggest that you consider the current Avalon top-of-the-line, the Sentinel. If Neil Patel decided to replace the Osiris with the Sentinel it's all for good reasons. I trust his ears and believe in the forward progression in technology that creates better components. I would also suggest that you work closely with a dealer who knows the product and will be there to support you regarding placement, component matching, etc.

Good listening!
Newton

SirSpeedy,

I have read your comprehensive comments over and over again, and I realize that I have been too lazy with room tunings and treatments. And that the process will take years to come, I am just recently tuning the system through various cables. I almost there.

I have tried various combinations, first and foremost speaker cables. Tried Kimber Select 1130s, Audioquest Silver cables SKY, Siltech G3s, Wireworld GE V , Transparent Ref, XLO Limited, and etc. I have come to a conclusion with either SKY or XLOs. I think the AQs provide so much more sizzle and excitements, XLO provide the most balance and detail, wish I had some sort of the combinations of the two. The cables running between my source was not as effective as the cables between Pre Amp and Power Amps. Which really means that the PreAmp does make its interpretations instead of being completely colorless.

Now this process was certainly painful and fun. The room stuff I know is probably one of the most important factors. The dealers in Korea are not entirely professional and does not have the knowledge of installations according to manufacture’s specs. They are just good for lifting and moving.

The marbles in the back of the room was designed to have a PDP Screen without any concern to the music listening.
I agree I should treat them first, as I do I will post pictures. As for bringing the speakers outwards is almost impossible due to space. My room is about 7M by 5.5M. So I am only 4M from the speakers. I could move my system sideways but theat whole side is the window(glass) all over. I may just try that. My roof is 2.5M going slanted to about 4M. The window side is 2.5M and 4M toward the kitchen ...I need a new house!!!

Right now I am negotiating hard for the speakers, I will however exchange my Krells with another pair of PASS XA 200 and try bi-amping ...this is an expensive venture...

will keep you guys posted ...I thank you all of your help and advise your really professional, j

Just asking ? I have a pair of Avalon Opus do you think I should trade them in for Avalon Ascent MKII ?

Thanks,

Hugo

Hugos,thanks for the continued correspondence.You are clearly on your way to audio nirvana.If not already there.I'm really happy for you!!

The system and acoustical issues will ultimately work themselves out.So long as you do a little research into how to set up a room,for acoustical performance.You will find that,once the room acoustical issues are dealt with,the performance/voicing of some of your cable choices may change.This is due,to a great extent,to room/music interface,impacting how we perceive timbral information.It is a learning curve we all make.I'm still learning,all the time.

As to selling the Opus,to get the Ascent.I'd suggest you do not do so.The reason being--You have alot on your plate,already,in dealing with the possible addition(I'm assuming you're getting the Osiris)of a full range system like the Osiris.Put your attention into the MAIN set up,before dealing with secondary stuff.Plus,I don't want to come off as some do,in overhyping my own speakers(in this case the Ascent MK-2),although I have heard a TON of current systems,and there is no doubt,to me,that the Ascent is directly competitive with any newer designs,putting out the same basic energy.I love much of the new stuff,but,as an experienced hobbyist has proven to me(a dear friend,actually)in his own set-up(he is a former reviewer),using common sense,and having a good ear,will tell you if you really think a later design is actually superior to some older ones.Sometimes yes,and sometimes not really.Though if you do go for the Osiris,and set it up well,I can promise you that you won't be listening to the Bishops too much!

Anyway,I wish you the best!!

Regards,from New Jersey.

Sirspeedy,

You are right on the cable selections, so I going to keep most of them until the room is set. I think this journey will take quite sometime.

Regarding the Opus, I have just hooked them up to my Nagras, instead of Krells, and they are absolute knock out. I know I bought a pair of these for a reason.
Back in the poor collage days, I heard a pair of Radian and Mark Levinson gear at a dealer here and I was so amazed that I would want to own that sounded just like it.

Now after almost 12 some years, after buying and listening so much I had to try the Avalons. There are a lot of Ascent MKIIs, Radians, Radian HCs here. I almost bought a pair of Radian HCs but I waited to get the OPUS, I had to wait longer for the OPUS Ceramique, and I gave it almost no attention , instead I used it for AV with my Classe Amps. Today before making a huge decision I had to give my OPUS its best shot and also wanted to see what "Avalon" could offer, since all makers have a certain dolor of sound.
I never realized a small Nagra Amp with 50W pure A class could deliver so much for my OPUS. I am listening to them as I write this ...I love it ..I am now really confused..
I am definately selling my Guarneris!!! I think these Avalon can do all the detail, imaging and so much more. In terms of deatil it is quite shocking. Now, the Nagra and Avlon has the same front DCS end but cables and so are not even close to my main WB/PASS/ML system. So I need now to exlore the full potential of these OPUS. Some one tld me to trade them in for Wilson Audio Watt/puppy 5.1..but I am glad I kept these. I have used the WP 6 combination before
with my Krells but I didn't like them too much , too thin and sharp for me.

Now the violin sounds really sweet but just a little bit dull (Not bright), I need better cables....

Osiris, the dealer called me 3 times today..I am pushing back till I finish the exploration with my OPUS. How do I get a little more brightness in my highs...