Hey @teajay
Thanks again to you as well, I really appreciated our conversation, it was very helpful in moving past some things that were blocking my decision. Your guidance and honesty was helpful. I agree about Mike, it's very obvious he wants a long-term relationship with this clients and does this by being honest and straight forward. He could have sold me far more expensive equipment (and I probably would have bought it and been just as happy). But he listened to what I was saying, what kind of music I listen to, asked about my comfort level budget-wise, and put me into a system I could afford and now love. Couldn't recommend him more.
@mofojo I honestly wasn't even considering the SE. I had just purchased the Accuphase E370 and Focal Kanta No.2 Speakers. I was in Chicago on business and was looking to buy a Lumin, since I only had an analogue front end. I found Mike Kay at Audio Archon and his listening room happened to be about 10 minutes from where my business meetings were later that day. I stopped by his place to check out the Lumin and he had them hooked up to a pair of Harbeth Hl5Plus'. However, sitting next to them were these huge tower speakers with 7 "tweeters". I initially didn't really even consider them (i hadn't heard of them until that day). Mike suggested I just take a listen to the DI SE, as it was a quick switch from the Harbeth (which also sound amazing by the way). I was floored by the sound of the SE's. He played a track and it was haunting how real the voices sounded. The soundstage was huge and the detail and coherence from this unusual looking array had me changing my whole plan, right there and then. They were hooked up to the Aric Audio Specials, which also sound amazing!
I went home and couldn't get the SE out of my mind. I took another trip to Chicago a few weeks later and spent the day at Mike's. He was cool enough to even let me order us lunch to be brought in and eat while listning. I wanted to see if what i remembered about the SE was accurate. It was. Amazing. I went back home and immediately sold almost all of my equipment. I kept the Lumin I bought from Mike and the analogue setup I already had. Everything else, speakers, electronics, cables, all sold. I honestly couldn't be happier. To answer your question @mofojo I dont know if the SE is worth double the price, because i haven't heard the DI's. What I can tell you is the $6500 SE blew my $10k Focal's out of the water. It's not even close for me. Bigger soundstage, deeper base, excellent coherence and startling clarity. And, they haven't even broken in yet.
