Speakers The single most critical component


I know we've been over this Q hundreds of X's over the past 20 years here on audion, You can find dozen of topics dealing with this Q <which is the ,,,,most important component...>>
well time for yet 1 more topic dealing with this,, perhaps unanswered, un-resolved issue.
I'm bringing up the old hachet due to my recent experience acutally hearinga FR in my system. 
Let me tell you, there is not even 1 traditional/conventioanl/xover design <The Boxed Type>> in the world that could convince me  , there is something that will beat out FR (caveat, FR requires  some sort of high sens =sensitivity, tweeter)  in  the Boxy world of speakers.
That is to say, FR + Compression Horn is the future of 21st Century high fidelity. 
One lab has already brought us these ~~~SHF~~~ aka SuperHighFidelity  single drivers. 
The code word here is ~~SHF~~~ which can not never be employed when describing xover/trad/conventioanl style  aka The Box designs. db level under 91 are _<<IN-EFFICIENT>> , = dysfunctional, out dated, old school , = Dinasaurs. 
For amps, I only consider tube amps (PP and SET) as ~~SHF~~~ I can not include ss amps in this topic. 
IMHO all well made tube amps sound very close,
 a  kt88 in brand X will sound  close to brand Y. 
So amplification takes a  distant 2nd place in critical component.  No need to break the bank buying amp A vs  a  lower priced kt88 amp B
CD players, nearly all  tube DAC's , tube cdp-ers sound  close. No need to braek the bank over X vs Y.
My Jadis DAC is  only miniscule gain over the Shanling,
 the Shanling
only a  miniscule gain over the Cayin CD17. 
Now as for  best source  , phonograph is the ideal playback medium vs cds. 
I have some LP's now , but my main collection are classical cds, most not on LP version. Cables , I did note some gains employing silver/copper wiring throughout my entire system including inside the Defy.
Tweak worthy.
New Mundorf caps in all componets, tweak worthy. 
Yet the main central component remaisn the speakers.
Here is where  the entire audio resolution either rises to Nirvana or falls to <<distortion/muddy waters,/pollution/anti-fidelity  voicing  issues.
Your system's fidelity is ultimately dependent on what speaker  you have chosen to employ.
Forget all you've learned over the years, 
The new mantra is <,The speaker is key component>
All else is just extra tweaks/nuances. 
To sum up, a  ~~SHF~~ driver will match even the top of line Wilson weighing in at hundreds of lbs priced $$$$$$$ overa single FR driver. 
FR beats out any/all xover box design speakers. Mostly due to that key specification ~~db level~~~ which is everything in speaker design and thus in resolution/fidelity. 

mozartfan
I was seriously thinking about adding this BIFrost Seas kit as a  alternative to the Thor, 
Just now i cked the db sens
Are you ready
~~~~~~84db sens~~~~~~
Seas is going in reverse. 
They are wayyy behind the new technology.
They need to invent kits which are at the very least 92db, if not 93db sens at the very lowest range.
THis is the Flagship Cresendo tweeter. 
http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=386:bifros-seas-diy-kits&...


Just got in a  DavidLouis HK Vifa Neodynium  clone tweeter, 
Much superior highs vs the Millenium, The issues with the Millenium and I'm guessing the newest flagship The Cresendo is theyy try become a  mid range anda  tweeter all in 1.
Neither of which come through with success, due to the extemely  low sens, 87 db. 
Its  <,wet blanket>> tweeter.
The $50 /pair Vifa clone works just fine, vs Seas $700 pair flagship ~~bombs~~

Richard mentioned for a really good SET, amp should weigh over 100 lbs.
Richard is a BS artist. Elegance in design always beats brute force. Please read my posts.
That comes out to 132lbs sir, @ $249/lb, that will be $32,868 + tax.


~~~~~~~
huh?

@ who?
Not sure, is this a  jest,  concerning the idea << a  heavy SET isa good SET>>>
Joke like ~~ Prime Rib Eye by the pound~~~ amplifier x the lb~~~

Elegance in design always beats brute force


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Well  yeah, i can agree. I'm sure Richard  would not disagree.
Even he is aware his ~~The Baby Gray~~~ Dynaco ST70 EL34  mod is wayyy less than 1/2 the weight of the Defy yet performs quite close in sonics. 

Not sure what the  LoftiWhite gonna cost me and need  the weight. I am old now, can't lift more than say 50-60 lbs, make that 50/lower.
can you provide a  link for purchasing the LoftiWhite.
The guts look  stunning.