High end speakers at low volume
After having got accustomed to my new Vitus RI-101 mk II, I came to the conclusion that I need to improve my system's performance at low volume to enjoy music more.
Current sources: LinnLP12, Holo Spring 3 KTE, Nucleus.
Speakers: Avalon Idea.
Shunyata Delta NR V2 and Hemingway Indigo PC, Tara Labs Forté, TQ 2 Black diamond IC.
I am looking at replacing the Avalon Idea with speakers that could improve the low volume listening experience. I listen to 60 / 70db, I can afford to go up to 85db for very short time (neighbours).
I am also considering to purchase a Loki Max which I understood being quite a neutral EQ unit.
I have selected a few speakers which should match my musical taste based on what I have read:
- YG Carmel 2
- Wilson Sabrina X
- Vandersteen treo ct
- TAD ME1
I don't have the chance to listen to them except the TAD ME1 which I have enjoyed very much but not in my apartment.
Budget max $15k new or used.
I am looking for speakers sounding musical, with wide soundstage, not cold, detailed yet not analytical.
I mostly listen to classic rock, blues and jazz.
The system sits at the end of the long wall in a living room measuring 33x13ft, listening position 8ft from the speakers.
Unfortunately I have to face a tough WAF putting several limits:
- speakers must have a clean design, not black, not too hifi looking... and not too big
- distance from the wall behind the speakers 25cm
I don't mind changing amplifier if it will be necessary to match the next speakers.
I haven't found a preamp that I could consider a good candidate except a very expensive CSport featuring a loudness button which works very well (tested at Ana Mighty Sound).
I would much appreciate some advice from who knows well the above speakers or who had similar needs.
@mijostyn @musicaddict im fine investing in qualitative eq. im not convinced by components which are also preamp as they will affect the sound. As preamp I had in mind Viva and CAT or VAC as power amp. And definitely I’d like to keep my dac separated. That’s why the only option I could think of was Schiit, at least at my knowledge. And I would like some high end EQ that won’t jeopardise the whole chain with noise or other unpleasant additions.
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@ricco275 , simplicity is always best. The Anthem can do way more then everything else together at far lower distortion levels. Once you are in numbers you can do almost anything you want without the added distortion analog adjustments always make. The added capacity of just the Anthem unit would bring your system to heights you can not imagine. @musicaddict Painfully correct. A system that sounds fine at low levels will shriek at you at high levels. With digital signal processing you can easily have it both ways. |
@mijostyn uhm… not sure about their performance as preamp which is the most important element in the chain. What’s wrong with the Loki Max? |
Some other ideas : Stenheim Alumine 2. I've heard the larger ones and they are great. Not sure what you or your wife thinks about the looks. In person their speakers look really well made. https://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-stenheim-alumine-2-speakers/ Oscar Parker Duo are great. I've heard them and they also looks fantastic. https://www.marten.se/products/parker/parker-duo/ Fyne has models that are easy to drive and should work well at lower volumes. |
@ricco275 The Loci Max is analog and will add distortion. The units I mention are full function digital processors. The DEQX and Trinnov are lightening fast with 64 bit floating point processors. As preamps they are invisible. They are going to sound like your sources. A turntable will still sound like a turntable but much better because of room correction and loudness correction. All your digital sources plug into SPDIF or AES inputs. All three units have 4 SOTA DAC channels, two for your main speakers and two for subwoofers should desire to add them. Subwoofer crossovers are included. It is important to note that unlike analog processors once you are in high speed digital you can do almost anything to the signal without adding any distortion. The signal is converted back to analog only at the very end of the signal path. All functions can be handled by remote. They will also serve as streamers. All you need is one of these processors (I am getting the DEQX) an amplifier, speakers and your sources. All three have USB Audio inputs in case you want to get into computer audio. I run a Mac Mini with a 6 TB hard drive. |
