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Ribbons caught my att.- should I buy or build?

Amazing how this hobby can present us with millions or billions of options.
Recently I get wind of infinity's cult following, I suspect the ribbons have something to do with it. Dali is making some awesome speakers using ribbons as well.
I remember a friend telling me that the infinity's rs-1b as good as they may be are a bit dated and driver replacement is necessary if one wants sota. I figured why buy an old pair infinity if the drivers will be replaced anyway. Would it make sense to just start from scratch, and where would I start looking for ribbon drivers?
Or would it be more cost effective to go with dali's or piegas or vmps or what other designs are out there?
I would like to have the best sound possible, my other option is mbl 116's. Nothing else ever sounded like the mbl's. Obvious I have a price ceiling, would like to keep it under $10k.
pedrillo
pedrillo OP
560 posts
 
Ngjockey,
I kinda had the same thinking.
How can I match or supercede high-end companies that have all this talent and measuring instruments that I don't.
What brands of yesteryear speakers should I consider that use ribbons?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
Maggies tend to offer great value throughout the line.

The higher end Maggies have always used ribbons, haven't they?
pedrillo OP
560 posts
 
Don't the maggies too need a big room?
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
"How can I match or supercede high-end companies that have all this talent and measuring instruments that I don't."

That's the thing about the DCAB-1 (sorry, spelled it wrong before), it has real time analysis. Wouldn't tackle a job like this without RTA. I still flirt with the idea of using dual BG ribbons in series, partly to raise the impedance, but I'll probably never do it. I'm happy.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
Yes, larger Maggies work best in larger rooms like most speakers with large sound radiating areas, which would include the big Infinitys as well, and also require careful placement for best results.

I think I read somewhere recently though that Magneplanar delivers smaller models, like MMGs, with ribbons as well these days and these might work better in a smaller room. This might be a very cost effective way to test the waters.
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