Acoustic Zen Crescendo speaker crossover capacitors ... who makes them?

Hi Bill,

It was great that Robert Lee replied to your emails. What insight did he give for upgrading the crossover?

Can you give an executive summary of the sonic differences between: Harbeth 40.1, stock AZ Cresendo and the modified AZ Crescendo?

Bill,
Congratulations on your sucessful Cresendo modification project. I know that you have much experience doing numerous upgrade modifications over the years but I can tell you are especially pleased with this particular one.

There are certain speaker brands that offer upgraded/superior parts as a package. Daedalus and Kaiser (Kawero model) are 2 that come to mind, certainly there are others.

There’s no question that better quality parts can and do improve sound quality, I don’t know why some people are so resistant to this fact. My background isn’t as extensive and hands on as yours. In my experience capacitors, resistors, wire,fuses, etc. They all make a difference and I’ve heard it as plain as day.

Bill, you’ve taken a very fine speaker and have improved it to your satisfaction.
Charles

Thanks Charles!

Jebe1

Robert answered one question I had as an inductor and resistor were on the board and not soldered in the circuit. I wanted to confirm he meant to leave them out of the circuit. He did make a change and decided the speaker sounded better without these parts in play. He also offered to help to should I have any other questions. That is the extent of what he helped me with.

The 40.1 speakers are amazing and every bit as good as the Crescendo speaker. I sold them for aesthetic reasons in our new home and shared living/listening space. I would say the Crescendos go deeper and more powerful in the bass while the 40.1s seem to play all types of music and poor recordings well. They are so smooth and easy to like while the AZ speakers are more dynamic and resolving.

The upgraded AZ speakers just widen the gap in improved resolution, dynamics, and refinement.

@grannyring 
Congrats on your upgrade... its really satisfying to make these changes and really hear the results of your effort...
I've built many a speakers, so just a couple of comments from the thread...
The parts quality does matter incredibly much so, I don't want to take away from that,  but when it comes to really improving soundstage and placement.... hand matching quality parts in the crossover to 1% or less makes more difference than the Ultra Uber expensive parts.
Linkwitz Riley 3rd order:  Joe D'Appolito is the innovator of the MTM design, he originally used and still always suggest a 3rd order butterworth for MTM.... I have used Linkwitz Riley Alignment with great success in MTM also, but LR does not offer a 3rd order alignment.
You have modded with what are most likely the best sounding parts available... Enjoy my Audiophile brother,  Nicely done.
Tim