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Considering purchasing different speakers

Hi all and thank you ahead of time for any constructive input. I am trying to get some input regarding the sound of Joseph Audio Profile speakers vs Vienna Acoustics Mozarts. I currently own the Mozarts which I enjoy but am considering buying a pair of Profile as a possible upgrade. My amp is a VTA SP-120 and preamplifier is an SP-14. Identical to Don Sachs line stage. I am a tech for Roy Mottram and Bob Latino at Tubes4hifi and Don shared his "recipe" with me for my build. I believe he was using the Joseph Audio rm25xl which he spoke very highly of before having a set of custom The Audio Nirvana ’Classic 15 ALNICO’ single driver speakers built for himself. I use an old Music Hall 25.3 DAC which I modded heavily. Think Underwood HiFi complete aftermarket upgrade. Partsconnexion provided schematics for the unit and I basically upgraded everything that would improve the unit and this has been my DAC for about 5 years. I use JRiver on my custom built HTPC. I listen to all types of music. Classical, jazz, rock, reggae, blues, indie, etc.
I, like most enjoy a wide, deep soundstage with pinpont placement of all instruments and musicians and air between. Holographic is a word I hear used that I feel is relatively accurate in describing this. I want to enjoy listening without fatigue. Just close my eyes and feel like the performance is in the room with me. I also like the music to be very detailed, accurate and layered.
So now that I have tried to explain what I have, what I like, and what I listen to I will get to my questions and hopefully get some help. Has anyone heard both of these speakers? Do you feel the Joseph Audio Profiles would be an upgrade or improvement over the Vienna Acoustic Mozarts or are they similar with each having some strengths over the other in various areas?  I will not have the opportunity to trial the speakers in my listening area with my equipment prior to purchase and have never heard Joseph Audio so I am going into this ear blind. Thanks!
bennihaha812
frozentundra
207 posts
 
Benni;
I’ve found the most sounstaging is due to the “ most refined” combo & synergy

Speakers/amp combo is the largest part
But, the low level signal clarity coming to the speaker can make a HUGE difference , especially, soundstaging/ holographic’s.
AND , room interaction with speakers/amp can mess it all up.

To get the sounstaging , everything must be right

I recently updated DAC’s, Chord , & they are noted for soundstaging, & they do make a large difference( very surprising to me)

Also, My two buddies that have turntables , I’ve found the the LP medium has the best sounstaging vs digital.Ive read that before, LP is noted for inherent soundstaging.

Good luck on your adventure

I would try a few DACs at home first to get a feel for soundstaging ( easy to try & return way bang for buck)

ps: I listened to a NAGRA recorder playing the master tape to Vienna Acoustic Speakers with swivel head

(best soundstageing I’ve ever heard)

good luck

jeff


ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Jeff's right for the most part. Depending on your price range, some of the top DAC's rival the best vinyl IRT sound staging.  My new Laufer Technique DAC ( www.thememoryplayer.net ) is still in prototype but so far it crushes the DCS Scarletti with external clock and other under 35k DAC's that I have pretty extensive listening with in many systems in the same rooms.  It's a 10k DAC that can be upgraded and customized.  The Aesthetic Romulous DAC is one of the most underrated DAC's in the world.  Jim White is a shear genius.  

The whole system as a whole is what will or won't get you what you want.  Not all top products will mix with other top products.  Digital is the most temperamental.  


westbam73
9 posts
 
Buying more/different flashy gear, speakers, new this, new that, will get you from one frying pan into another frying pan. It won’t solve the outline issue. The issue is; flies never stay on an audiophile! Audiophiles seem to be THE most discontented people!

The other issue is even more simple; how is it I can do with a a few hundred pounds (or equivalent currency of choice) what other people can’t do with tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds?

For me, it sounds like your problem would be solved with simple and little-to-no-cost adjustment of your room acoustics, and then sit back and enjoy rather than stressing about imaginary things you haven’t got!

The grass is always greener
Looking at someone else’s plate
Out of the frying pan ..

... just wish some audiophiles would
Sit back and smell the roses





sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
OP, the IMHE, the main differences in the Yggy and Gumby are that the Yggy is a tad better at extracting the last details from complex recordings. That makes it seem a bit more analytical. The Gumby is a bit more organic sounding, a bit warmer, but still able to untangle complex recordings to a great degree. I own a Gumby and would suggest the Yggy as a step up only to those with SOTA very neutral systems. For most, the Gumby will make you very happy and be a little more synergistic if any of your other components have any edge or brightness.

IMHO, the speakers will make the bigger more obvious difference in any system. Optimizing room setup and speakers(properly driven) that suit your preferences are requirements before over-investing in anything else. Cheers,
Spencer
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
To me the VA Baby Grands have a certain magic that the Concert Grands don't have.  Unfortunately, the Concerts have more bass extension that the Baby's don't.  So what to do?  Save up for a pair of used Liszt's, which are superlative.
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