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Time to move UP, speaker-wise...

My vandersteen 2ci’s dropped dead after a couple decades of sweet service. Over the past year, I’ve had mixed success with a pair of reference premier Klipsch speakers, but now I’m wanting something a far more subtle, perhaps a touch more sweet, and definitely able to reveal more sound-field information. Perhaps I’m being redundant... I’ve been intrigued by the open baffle concept and I’ve read some reviews on Spatial Audio products as well as Tekton’s open baffle offering. There are fans of the spatial, and then I discovered there are people that are blown away by the Tekton open baffle design. Tekton is also running a special on the Electron SE @$3000, which I feel inclined to try... Another area of interest is the Ohm speaker lineup... can any of you speak to them, and particularly how they compare to Klipsch Heritage speakers, or open baffle designs, or Tekton's...?

I have to say, I’m die-hard for the musical information, for the layers of musical fabric. Wolf_garcia claims the heresy III is the best $1500 he ever spent, in a discussion addressing open-baffle designs, among others, and so I’m wondering where to put my bills... What should I check out? It’s time to move up. I’m thinking $3300 is about my limit... I’m running 80 watts per channel from the nuforce sta200, a schitt saga pre, Cambridge transport.
listening99
joshelston
53 posts
 
+1 for listening with your own ears.  
For your researching consider ATC.  I have the SCM 11 v2 from Music Direct.  I think I paid around $2000 or so.  The SCM 19 are higher up the chain.  Used they should be your price range.  
Two comments made in your orig post that drove me to this recommendation- your nuforce digital amp and sound field detail.  On the first point, I have a Wyred 4 Sound digital power driving my ATCs and have really enjoyed the combo.  Second, ATCs are known for the characteristics you’re describing.  Reading reviews, you’ll notice those words you used in your post used in the reviews.  
Happy hunting!
gadios
94 posts
 
joshelston is quite right about ATC. Only problem is you may
lose 1/2 your media due to inadequate recording quality
making them unlistenable.

Nobody mentioned Sonus Faber's Venere line. Last month I listened
to a pair of used standmounts by SF vs the G.E.One? SF was better
but $1,700 vs $900 if memory serves.

These costs are well under your $3k budget. The sound is far more musical than the other brands you have been reading about.

The British have it way over the US in terms of great sound.

Woolsonaudio.com 
mrdecibel
3,063 posts
 
I need to make a correction from above. The Nuforce STA 200 is not a digital amp. It is an AB amp, producing 80wpc, into an 8 ohm load. It uses the same circuit as the JOB, developed by, created by, and licensed by, Goldmund. Lots of available reading material available on the net, which, is mostly positive. Enjoy ! MrD.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
the Nuforce and more expensive Job amp are great, we have a Job in the studio and the mobile recording rack, neutral and good.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
yes, the latest Model 2 signature from Vandersteen will  throw a wide and deep soundstage, imaging is ALL about low diffraction, time and phase. Richard continues to invest in the model 2 and it still makes best value lists for a true audiophile speaker. A relatively easy load, you can drive them with a good quality amp. I have heard them vs the new Forte with a Rogue magnum integrated, The Forte are the better 2 D rockers and the Vandersteen are more 3D musical to my ear and taste, but yes...taste does matter and vary, which may explain the dealer waffle...Remember, I am not just a Vandy fanboy, I own 8 pairs of speakers, alas none of them are Tekton...

enjoy your search and the music. best to you

Jim 
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