Speaker recommendations for JRDG Model 6 + BPS-6


As a new owner of a pair of Model 6's with BPS units, I'd like to know what are your thoughts on speaker recommendation.

I've already made some posts on another thread http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1203961789&openfrom&34&4#34

But I would like to have opinions, especially from current or previous owners of Jeff's Model 6 amps, on speaker recommendations that would enhance the synergies between the rest of my amplification gear and future electro-acoustic transducers!

Althought some of these are on completly difent price ranges, different on they're sonic signature, personality and character, till now I've considered the following:

Apogee Duetta Sig refurbed with gaz new ribbons
Maggie 3.7
WA Sasha
WA W/P 8
WA Sophia 3
Avalon Acoustics Indra
Shahinnian arc / obelisk

In the meanwhile I've already tried a pair of Amphion and sonus faber speakers but got a bit disappointed with the result. Both of them monitors.

Currently using Synergy IIi pre and SCD-1 as source (will probably invest in a PS PWD DAC or DCS DAC). Sooner or later I'm considering going analog... On vinyl, that is.

Any advice from experimented users of model 6 amplification / synergy IIi would be very welcomed.

My listening room is 8m x 5m.

What are your opinions?

Any other suggestions?

Thank you

By the way, it seems that the model 6 pairs well with the orginal saloons...

At least from what as been described by one of our fellow audiogoners!

I also have been considering the Saloons and cremona Sonus Faber... but with the saloons, beside the fact that they might be a bit big for my living room, I fear that the M6's don't have enough juice/damping factor to drive them.

"Congratulations on the Model 6's with batteries - they are superb amps. Jonathan Tinn, who is the U.S. distributor for darTZeel and a former Von Schweikert dealer, used to suggest Model 6's for Von Schweikerts if his customers couldn't afford darTZeel. The short answer is "any really good speaker" because the Model 6's are really good amps (like in "better sounding than most current production top-shelf solid-state amps").

As for general observations, I would have the batteries replaced in the BPS units so you don't have to worry about whether they are in good shape. I'll send you an e-mail with the battery information sent to me by Kelly Ballard of Rowland. Rowland buys them from Allied Electric in Ft. Worth and any decent tech can install them for you. The batteries are good for four to six years, depending upon usage. My experience with both Model 6's, which I owned for three years, and the Coherence II preamp, which I've owned for nine years, is that the Panasonic (Matsushita) batteries are the best quality. 

In really good systems, the advantage of the batteries is that, despite reducing wattage somewhat, they actually give greater headroom because the noise floor remains much lower. 

I strongly suggest that you leave the amp units powered up 24/7 instead of putting them into Standby. Standby cuts power to the output stage and exposes the output transistors to harmful thermal cycles. The amps also sound a lot better when left on 24/7.

Finally, my experience is that they sound really good when run without batteries, they are superb when run with batteries, and they sound best when run with batteries and fully differential balanced (you have a Synergy IIi, so balanced is possible for you). 

I ran my Model 6's with Revel Salons (original version) - my Salon dealer thought highly enough of the Model 6's that he suggested them for the Salons, even though he wasn't a Rowland dealer. They are superb amps, especially with the battery power supplies - congratulations again."
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr_memb.pl?0&1&memb&zzRaquel

My biggest quest is to find out the correct speakers for this magnificent set.
tiff_needle
I have a pair of these(no bps) and run them on usher rw 729's and soundlab m2's;the results are stellar and when on the soundlab's they sound very close to my audiovalve challanger 180 monoblocks.
I think there probally is not a speaker that they can not handle with proper timbre and authority when called for.
I would include Merlin on your list as well.
Rleff,

Thank you for your feedback. I'd already saw on another thread that you had that setup.

It's been years... and I mean years since I've last heard Soudlabs. They were great!

In the meantime I've been considering more options such as Avalon Opus Ceramic.

What are your opinions on the Opus Ceramic (I know it's an old model but...) and it's combination with the M6's?

Best,

Tiff
Tiff I am not familiar with those speakers;is auditioning a option for you or not?
Unfortunately auditioning the opus ceramic is not an option as they are in another country.

Well I could audition them but not with my gear...

Funny how the model 6 seamed to be a well reputated amplifier but nobody seams to have any suggestions...

It seams like threads with legacy amplifiers aren't catchy these days. :)

I've thought of going for the DIY path....

I've been told that ceramic drives driven by the model 6 are a good match, but Unfortunatly Comercial speakers that use these kind of drivers are really expensive.

I've been very curious about a DIY project using accuton drives...

But aesthetics (WAF) and market value is also a concern of mine...

In other words, I don't have a clue what to go for...

If only I could find a pair of marten Coltrane 2 at an affordable price for mere mortals like me! Blaaaa...

Anyway I'd like to thank you for your replies.

Cheers,