Looking for my Final Pair!!


Been through the high end maelstrom for over 30 years and although I have enjoyed the ride, I desperately want to find speakers that exude dynamics, tone and presence.  I want to be transported to the Village Vanguard where The John Coltrane Quartet are performing any night I desire.  I want to feel the timbre of his sax 🎷. When I close my eyes I want to be enveloped by the atmosphere of the space and awash with the impact and emotion being expressed by the musicians.  I don’t want to hear what the engineers hear after they mix a recording...I want to be in the studio when the tracks are being laid down!  So far, Tannoy Heritage Arden have come to my attention, Klipsch Cornwall IV’s, JBL S4700’s or perhaps Spatial Audio X3’s?  Help
128x128dave_b
@dsper 

I've run my CW IV with a Naim Uniti Nova, which is a really nice match for the CW IV. SS & Tubes each have their own unique strengths, which is better would be a matter of personal taste.

For me, bass performance was better with the Naim but not by enough of a margin to keep me away from tubes. My preferred amp with the CW IVs is an Audio Note Cobra. It's a Class A PP EL34 design that puts out 28 watts, mid-range is fantastic (superior to the Naim) and it's dead quiet--even at idle. 

jarossi13,

I probably need to go listen to the Cornwall IV's again but with tubes. The first time I heard them it was with McIntosh solid state and was not impressed.

I am coming from Thiel CS5i's, which have a certain solidness to the sound that the Cornwalls did not. On the other hand, the Corwalls had a kind of energy that would make them great when you want to rock.

Dsper
The Naim was the only SS amp that I used with the CW IV and it was a very nice match. While I personally preferred tubes, most people could enjoy the Naim and call it a day.

In addition to sounding good, the Naim was also super convenient. It's an integrated amp with built-in DAC and streaming capabilities. 


Phew what a read.  My lord does this Raul guy even listen to music?Maybe while he types these novels.  LOL what a waste of time.  I have been on a journey with many amps and the Forte III over the last year and I think you are in for a real treat with the Decware amp you ordered.  Of the many amps I've used, First Watt J2 and F6, Pass 30.8, Theta Prometheus, Naim Atom and Nova the little Zen triode is my fav by far.  To the point I don't think I could have a speaker that an amp like this can't drive.  I've ordered the Cornwall IV myself and hoping they give me that little bit more bass and slam the Forte III lack in my large room. BTW I dumped my Kef Blades after hearing the Forte IIIs for some time in my main system compared to the Blades.