I am thinking of buying the Avalon Osiris.

George,I'm really happily surprised as to your pleasant response to me.I've kind of felt that you were a very knowledgeable,but somewhat edgy(in a good way)audio buff.I do agree with much of your overall feelings pertaining to things audio,but not having your language command,have gotten myself into a bit of trouble.I have seen your component selections,and have mentioned it to a good amount of my little group.Your overall set-up has gone over very well with almost everyone.BTW-I'm NOT stroking you.You clearly know what you're doing.Believe me,when I state that I have been through a ton of stuff,and am really satisfied,beyond belief,with my current stuff.I simply have a specific sound that I aspire to.This has been really hard for me to achieve,and I'm not going to move on,in lieu of some new review/marketing pitch.Though alot of my set-up is really quite new,when you factor in the numerous updates/rebuilds,I've made.I simply feel that if there is a way to update a really good existing product,that has proven it's worth,that's the way to go.I used to replace stuff regularly,and was never happy,when actually listening to my music collection.I've simply taken a different approach,for me only.Some still love the latest buzz product.No laws broken there.Without rationalization,my group would be on me in a second,if there were any glaring problems in my set-up.BTW--I have a pal who has just upgraded from the 3.6 to the 20.1.Unfortunately he is having more than a few problems with his new Huricanes(not the weather).Thought you might be interested.

Best regards!!

Hugo7: Buy them! I have the Radians with an all Spectral setup. Avalon speakers are holographic, imaging is superb and the soundstage just wraps around the room. With the Spectral, it gives the best presentation of the cello I have heard to date. The Spectral gives it an edgy sound sometimes, but when I listen to Schnikke I would not have it any other way. I get goose bumps listening to the string quartets of Beethoven and Schubert. Just unbelieveable
stuff!

Sirspeedy, echoing Gmorris's post, I think your attitude and experience mirror that of many in the club, including myself. And I like to program music meetings as well as equipment, yours would be a system for listening to music.

I still have vivid memories in the past from listening to Mike Hobson's Ascents powered by Rowland electronics in his NYC store--the best soundstaging I'd ever heard from a box speaker at the time, and an overwhelming musical experience. If the Ascents had a few more hertz extension in the bass (I do listen to a lot of organ) and could easily have been lugged out further into my living room and back before and after serious listening sessions, I might have chosen them over my Duntech Princesses (another classic design, IMO).

Rcprince,I'm not a society/club kind of guy,but thanks for the kind comments.

Funny that you mention Hobson,and his old loft.That is where I first heard my Ascents,and it is Hobson who sold them to me.Along with the Rowlands.Truthfully,I thought the sound he got,the night I auditioned them SUCKED.I never would have bought them,at the time(had Infinity Betas,then)except I knew Michael Gindi,who had them,and basically "swore in blood" that I'd be thrilled,in my own home.I,also knew in advance(from some friends/reviewers,who couldn't keep a secret)that the Ascents were getting very favorable responses from the folks at TAS,and there was going to be a large price increase in two weeks.So I made the move.As a funny aside,the night we went to Hobson's Manhattan loft,as we came down from his apt. we were greeted with Richard Gere,having a rather loud fight with his girl friend,in front of Hobson's house.There was a little restaurant in the front of the bldg.,where I guess they were having a "not so great dinner".My silly friend wanted to say something to him,and I stated that if he did open his mouth,he'd be taking the train home to Brooklyn!

In actuality,with the current crop of equipment I have driving my speakers,they probably go down to 30 or 35 hz,CLEAN,and with staggering dynamics,and detail retrieval.Particularly in the lowere registers,where many(not all,but most)ported designs are designed to favorably enhance the signal.This is not accuracy,but alot of folks like it.

Fortunately,as I live in the Metro area,I can hear ALL the latest stuff,as a means of comparison.I really DO like alot of it,and don't feel that the newer stuff is not also great,yet much of the hot to trot buzz products are,to me,here today and gone tomorrow flavor of the month stuff.After all I've owned and heard, if something stands out,consistently over the course of time,and is built to an heirloom standard,my best interests are served in keeping it updated,and maintaining it,to a high standard.Hey,that's just me!

Wish I lived in NYC...