Dynaudio Audience 52SE vs. Contour S1.4

05-17-11: Dwette
Well, my S1.4s showed up this afternoon and I haven't stopped listening.

They are great speakers. I guess you got the matching stand2 or 4 as well which are also great if not the best.

Enjoy!

I ordered the Stand4 in black, but that color is backordered, so I have my dealers Stand2 on loan. The S1.4s are just sitting on top of them. I'll have to wait till my Stand4s come in to attach them more permanently.

Now I have to decide which phono preamp to keep: Moon 110LP vs Dynavector P-75 (Mk. I)

I recently bought a pair of Contour S1.4s and like them but I hope they still need breaking in. I hear some stridency in the higher frequencies at present but I've been told by a Dynaudio representative that this will disappear after 250 or so hours of break in...he recommended having the speakers out of phase, facing, at med vol to expedite the process. Any comments?

05-17-11: Dwette
Well, my S1.4s showed up this afternoon and I haven't stopped listening. They are ex-demos from Dynaudio US so they have been run in at least somewhat.

Initial impressions are that they are a different league entirely than my 52SEs. Bigger sound, more open and forward, much better detail & soundstage image. After an hour I put my 52SEs back downstairs in the HT system. Now I have to work on getting them burned in fully and acquiring that NAP200 to really deliver on their potential.

I have an Arcam Alpha 10P sitting around (until I get around to posting it for sale). I may try using that to see what kind of sound I get, although I'm afraid it will be a step down down from the Naim UnitiQute in SQ, even though it has a lot more power.

Congratulations on the S1.4s. I used to own the Arcam Alpha 10 integrated amp more than 10 years ago. I don't want to pass too many bad remarks on it since you will be putting it in the classifieds soon. All I can say is the Arcam will not match the sound quality of the Naim even though the 10P looks more powerful on paper. I believe the Uniti at 50W is even more powerful than the 10P which is 100W into 8 ohms. Of course you can bi-amp with the 10P but I suspect it will be a downgrade.

The S1.4s will benefit with more current. If you like the S1.4/Uniti combination, it might be worthwhile to consider a NAP200 or NAP250.2 and run biamp configuration.

I already have plans to get a NAP200. The Naim UnitiQute is 30 WPC (and 45 @ 4 Ohms), not 50 WPC. Since we are talking about 4 ohm speakers, the Alpha 10P is closer to 150 WPC @ 4ohm..

The Alpha 10P sounds surprisingly good, although not quite as good as NAIM (as I would expect).