Ive just had the chance to read through the responses to my post, and at risk of sounding less than sincere by offering a large-scale thank you, I wanted to send some real appreciation to all who took the time to offer advice.
Ive chased down links for many of the sources you suggested, and at your prompting have thought a bit about the kinds of music I listen to, my ideal listening volume given the proximity of a decidedly non-audiophile neighbor, and the nature of my listening space. The result has been fun and educational: just what a neophyte might hope to learn from her first Audiogon thread. As our local parlance would have it: thanks for reals.
Because switching out my Paradigms has the potential to represent a pretty major purchase for me, and because my ears seem to be getting more and more choosy over time, Im fairly sure that Id like to listen before buying. Ive had very limited experience with horns, and hope to find some locally to take for a spin. In the meantime, Im leaning in two directions inasmuch as thats possible.
First: happily enough, theres a chance that my Friend with the Seductive System (FSS) and I will audition some close-to-local Coincidents with the Almarro this weekend. Doing so will let me hear the Total Eclipse flavor of efficiency with my amp for the first time, and I suspect that the experience will be enlightening.
Second: I have more than a passing interest in the Zu Druids. FSS reminded me that theyre crossoverless; that would be new territory for me, so the suggestion to try the 60 day in-home trial for the refurbished version seems especially right on (thanks, Gsm18439, and those who mentioned this by email). I heard these once and didnt fall for them -- but the setting was less than ideal, and I dont think they were playing to their strengths. Im more than happy to give them a real chance.
Can't wait to test these waters; if successful I may never leave the house again (heh). As for whether FSS will visit me more often, Mrjstark? Not sure; he just got a new CD player, has tubes en route, and even has some new power cords to try. I might be out of luck. :)
Thank you again to all for your suggestions and advice.
Betsy
Ive chased down links for many of the sources you suggested, and at your prompting have thought a bit about the kinds of music I listen to, my ideal listening volume given the proximity of a decidedly non-audiophile neighbor, and the nature of my listening space. The result has been fun and educational: just what a neophyte might hope to learn from her first Audiogon thread. As our local parlance would have it: thanks for reals.
Because switching out my Paradigms has the potential to represent a pretty major purchase for me, and because my ears seem to be getting more and more choosy over time, Im fairly sure that Id like to listen before buying. Ive had very limited experience with horns, and hope to find some locally to take for a spin. In the meantime, Im leaning in two directions inasmuch as thats possible.
First: happily enough, theres a chance that my Friend with the Seductive System (FSS) and I will audition some close-to-local Coincidents with the Almarro this weekend. Doing so will let me hear the Total Eclipse flavor of efficiency with my amp for the first time, and I suspect that the experience will be enlightening.
Second: I have more than a passing interest in the Zu Druids. FSS reminded me that theyre crossoverless; that would be new territory for me, so the suggestion to try the 60 day in-home trial for the refurbished version seems especially right on (thanks, Gsm18439, and those who mentioned this by email). I heard these once and didnt fall for them -- but the setting was less than ideal, and I dont think they were playing to their strengths. Im more than happy to give them a real chance.
Can't wait to test these waters; if successful I may never leave the house again (heh). As for whether FSS will visit me more often, Mrjstark? Not sure; he just got a new CD player, has tubes en route, and even has some new power cords to try. I might be out of luck. :)
Thank you again to all for your suggestions and advice.
Betsy