Happy camper indeed!My brother had a set of Tekton Enzos and he really liked them. With the Moabs being 98db the Blackhawk would be perfect. The speakers I was using when I first got the BH were 86dB and it had no problem with them at all. I have not heard the Reflection but given what I know about Raven Audio it must be great, but unless one really needs the power or just has extra $ to spend I believe it would be a much better investment to buy a Blackhawk and a pair of Corvus Reference Monitors with a view to adding the bass modules down the line. Honestly, I have forgotten to turn on the bass modules a couple of times and the monitors still sound fantastic, just without that subwoofer type of really low bass. Another option would be to put the Tektons on hold and try the CeLest’ Towers and see what you think. They have the same 45 day trial period as the Blackhawk. They also have a 1 yr upgrade policy. Also, I have found the owners of Raven Audio to be very reliable and straightforward about their products, and they are very accessible and easy to work with. One last thing, have you checked out their YouTube channel yet? If not, I believe you would find the following helpful re the Elite vs Avian amps: https://youtu.be/6vv_3TmfZrE
Raven Audio Corvus Tower System speakers - An owners perspective
I recently posted an extensive review of my new Raven Audio Corvus Tower System speakers. Following are some excerpts from that review for those who are unfamiliar with these wonderful speakers. You can find the full review on the Raven Community forum in the speaker section. Which you can find here: https://www.ravenaudio.com/community/speakers/corvus-tower-system-review/#post-494
“The Corvus, following in the footsteps of the Raven Audio amps, provide amazing detail. This detail is not as much a clinical accuracy as it is a clarity in the vocals and instruments. The Blackhawk provided more of this than the SS it replaced, and the CeLest’s took another step forward when they replaced my prior speakers, and now the Corvus have taken this to a whole new level, one I would never have thought possible. I experience this in multiple ways. The lyrics are clearer and therefore more understandable, not smeared as is the case with lesser amps and speakers.”
“... mid bass would be a good topic to discuss next because it is a frequency range where the Corvus are simply spectacular. For purposes of this discussion by mid bass I mean the frequencies where instruments like tom tom and floor tom drums, and the lower frequencies of guitars, reside. The drums in this range are powerful, real and full of depth. I could listen to them for hours because they convey deep and resonant tones that I never get tired of hearing. The beauty and impact of them just can’t be translated into words, they just have to be heard to be appreciated.”
“In my system the bass integrates perfectly with the upper frequencies, resulting in a seamless, balanced presentation. The bass is accurate, controlled and deep, both in frequency and in space. There is not even a hint of boom or toneless thud. The deep rumbles are there when called for, note slides are heard and you can follow the bassist as he or she moves up and down the scales. In a nutshell when you combine the bass and mid bass you have a lower end presentation that is alive, musical and dynamic.”
“I haven’t mentioned treble and midrange yet. Let me just say the vocals and instruments sound so real you would think you are in the room with the artists.”
“The Raven amps are known for their ability to present a three dimensional soundstage. I had experienced this to a certain degree before I acquired the Corvus. Whatever I did experience has been increased exponentially with the Corvus. The 3D I experience is both within the sound of certain instruments, especially drums, and in space around the voices and instruments.”
“I would like to encourage anyone who is the least bit interested in this level of speaker, or are just curious to find out for yourself what the hype is all about, to find a way to audition them. I am getting this amazing sound with a 4K, 20 Watt, tube integrated. And the nice thing is you can start with the monitors and add the bass modules later.”
I will conclude by saying the Corvus Towers are by far the best pieces of hi fi equipment I have ever owned and worth every penny I spent on them.
Greg Curtis
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A great video that everyone should see, even if not interested in Raven. Because really he is talking about the economics of small run high end audio production. This is something I looked into years ago doing due diligence research because I was thinking of getting into making turntables. So I learned a lot of what he is talking about. Not the specifics of using NASA level lasers, but the general idea of production methods having to make sense in terms of production numbers. When I called they told me Avian amps outsell Reflection 50 to 1. I can see why. This video makes clear the PC boards they use are as good as hand wiring. According to the website it appears the caps are the same in-house quality. That leaves tubes and transformers and power to make up the difference. Which they do indeed make a difference. The question being how much. willgolf has owned a Reflection, and seems to have heard some Avian amps. He's the only one I can think of might have some idea how much better the Elite amps are. Whatever, its clear you have one of the very best integrateds money can buy- and certainly a lot of value for the money. I want one! |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcd76DZmbdY Whoa! Now I REALLY want one! |
I have not been on audiogon for the last two weeks due to a major health issue which I have lost 90 percent of my vision. I can't read anymore and I am using voice activation. If there are mistakes please understand The Reflection MK2 is simply outstanding. Yes my Reflection was souped up with KT 150's and unique rectifier tubes but the sound was as good as I could possibly dreamed of. That said, I did not have a budget. Dave T talked at length to me how good his Avian series were. You made a great choice. Raven customer service is second to none. I personally hear the Corvus Towers and for the money a great buy. I recently purchased all of the Raven speaker cables and interconnects. I can't speak to their performance yet as I am building a new house. |
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