I am thinking of buying the Avalon Osiris.

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...

sirspeedy,

Did you modified your avalon ascent's ?

Sirspeedy ,

Where in NJ do you live ? I used to live in Piscataway and Deamrest for over 8 years...If I get the Osiris I am trading my Bisops. Natural path I think !!

Hugos,I'm happy for you.Don't get on the non stop buying and selling syndrome.You can never get great sound until you buy good stuff,and live with it awhile.As time goes on,you will find correct cable matching,etc!Best wishes.

Robetje--I have the two additional mods offered by Avalon,at the time.These were--updated, modified by Avalon tweeters.Much better than the stock.Incredible detail,and extension.Also--there was a woofer mod,which was a reinforcment,from behind the driver,of the driver "basket".This added more impact,but did not allow the system to go below about 40hz.The frequency limitation of these speakers (which really is NO big deal,as the midbass blows away any ported design,I've heard,in actual realism,as opposed to Hi Fi effect)is easily corrected with a really good sub,like one of the better REL's.Once this is implemented,you get a HUGE soundstage,but it took me a really long time to properly voice the sub,since the Ascents are so fast,and articulate,in the bottom octave.In a good sized room,the sub really deepens the bottom,but it must be used with discretion(not turned up alot,and very low crossover point).The combination is directly competitive with some of the Kharma/sub preferences,which are popular,but the Kharmas,though well regarded for soundstage,cannot approach the staging of the Ascent/REL Stentor combo,and really cannot match,IMO,the timbral accuracy,here.Not close,actually,AND obviously this set-up is NOT the latest product,from the latest line-up,but who cares!!Great performance is great performance.I doubt that STRAD owners,or Vintage Martin guitar owners are running out to get the latest replacement instruments.Not that new stuff is not great,but why dump something that performs to such an incredibly high standard.When I get a good answer to that one,I'll consider it!

Best to all.