Avantgarde..... Still a contender???


I am thinking seriously about a drastic change in my system.... I am becoming very intrigued with the idea of high efficiency horn speakers and low-powered tube amps. If you look at "My system" you can see that this is a big change from my current set-up. The trouble is I haven't heard many horn designs (but so far really like what I have heard) and wonder if the Avantgardes are still thought of to be state of the art. Can I do better (for less money)? Any input from you SET guy's is very much appreciated. There just aren't very many (any) dealers doing horns in my area so I need some help on this one.

Other issues are:
1. Is my room large enough (21x15x11)?
2. What would be a good amp to start with (without
breaking the bank)?
3. Is there a good low-powered amp that is balanced? Or,
is single ended REALLY the way to go? (the rest of my system is balanced, and I'd love to keep it this way)

OK enough for now.

Thanks

Chris
cmo
Johnk, per your comments about the old 2.2 version of the Duos. I never heard that older model, but what you mentioned seems right on. A large portion of the difference between the 3.2 Duos & that old model addressed the very issues you mentioned. The crossover changed, there were subwoofer changes, and the cables and power cords changed. Currently, a new version of the Duos is available which no doubt provides further improvements.

For those who knock the speaker, I respect your opinions. No audio product fits everyone’s priorities and goals. I do maintain that the objections people made are mostly if not entirely due to artifacts of setup and system matching issues. As with any high performance product, imperfect results readily occur if one but has few listening auditions & if respectful attention is not given to the setup and matching of components. And sometimes it takes living with a product a period of time in order to get the entire system in sync. Just one case in point. If I based my opinion on Quads from but hearing them at shows or at Quad retailers, I’d critique them to no end. Yet, when properly set up and matched with synergistic components, we are talking about a legend.

The Avantgardes have the potential to perform in ways that other speakers cannot. Although this performance is not for everyone, it has brought significant pleasures to many users. For many of us, the AGs provide the sonic performance that ends our quest for the last speakers we’ll ever purchase.

Chris, there is something about Avantgardes that caught your attention, and thus it seems worthwhile to audition them. Although you will have to travel a ways to listen to them, they or any other speaker in their class represents a considerable investment. Maybe making said trip a practical thing to do prior to spending the $$$.
Thanks for all of the input on my question (s). I do, in fact, have an audition set for this comming week with a set of Duo's. The dealer is one who I have great confidence in setting these speakers up "right"......... I'll report back. My idea of finding an effecient speaker relates more to my amplifier than to my current speakers. I love the ML Prodigy's and, like the Duo's, think that once they are set-up properly and mated to the right electronics are world class. Right now I live in Texas where it gets extreemly hot for about 9 months out of the year. I will not consider solid state amplification, and a tube amp with enough power to drive the Logans equates to a small rotisserie grill. The dealer I'm auditioning the Duo's at is also offering a good deal on a pair of demos (which is the only way I'm even considering them).

Some of the other speakers people have mentioned look very interesting, especially the Zu's. OTOH, I really don't care for most of the box speakers I have heard. I guess that's why I have Logans along with a pair of Maggies in my second system.

Keep the ideas coming please! BTW, are there any horn users out there who live around Austin, TX that would let me check their system out.......... I'll bring the drinks.

Chris
I went from a Martin logan Prodigy to the Duo 2.2 and the duo was much better.FYI.My buds a ML dealer
I agree with Tubes108. I own a pair of Duos in the UK (the version before the brand new omega drivers) and had them set up in my home by the UK distributor, Graham Tricker from GT Audio, as part of the after sales service. I run mine with Quad IIs, a Tron Meteor tube preamp (you gotta listen to the new model the Syren) and a Platine Verdier/Schroeder Model 2/Allaerts MC1B. My room is larger than yours, and the Duos sound stunning. They disappear and the soundstaging is believable (ie relatively broad images like the real thing, not hi-fi pinpoint images) and the dynamics are fantastic. Listening to some LPs eg the Speakers Corner Ella Fitzgerald Songbook reissues, you really feel as if you're there in the room - wonderful.
If you buy them, you could do no worse than run them off an old pair of Quad IIs - they're cheap and importantly QUIET enough. Sure if you have enough money an excellent 300B SET or PX25 would be great, but you can start really cheaply.
Charlie
PS I know it's normally hot in TX, but I was in San Antonio ten days ago -whoa 28F without the wind chill!!