Can't get Acoustic Zen Adagios to sound smooth

Zd542 "I wouldn't assume that its the amp that's at fault. It could just as easily be something else".

Zd, you're free to assume whatever you want. Of course It could be anything, including the ghost in the closet.

Given his history - two different apartments in two different states with the same result, makes me think it's the amp...or... simply it's not his sound. Jim's current CDP is one of the smoothest around. Since he likes class D that much, it would be better for him to sell the Adagios.

Personally, I never had that problem, and I have tinnitus. As of today, my Adagios are in my bedroom, and an Audia Flight Three integrated is driving them. Sounds amazing.
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The biggest problem people make when recommending components is looking at the problem from a personal perspective. And its easy to do. I'm not faulting you for it. But people tend to recommend products and solutions that they like personally, assuming that it will be the correct choice for the OP. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.

"Jim's current CDP is one of the smoothest around."

I'm very familiar with the Ayre 7. I'm one of the people that encouraged him to get it as an upgrade over his Rega. It is smooth, but its also very detailed, so it wouldn't be out of the question that the problem lies with his CD's themselves. Also, I don't see what class D has to do with it. Not all class D amps sound the same. Like you, I can only guess, and my best guess tells me the problem may lie with either the CD's themselves, or the preamp section of his Rogue. (No need to remind me that it's tubed. I know.) I admit that I could be wrong on this, but without hearing the system, that's my best guess. The only thing I'll add is that even though I didn't see the speakers as the problem, I have a lot of faith in John, so I'll always consider any advice he gives.

Shakey, Thank you for also pointing out to the phantom of Audio Conection out that Richard Vandersteen is not a pleasant or even nice person to deal with. For a minute, I thought Audio Connection was John D Rockefeller Sr. who routinely chastised his workers about inefficiency of operation and "redundancy" of questions.

A few years back, I recall a photo of Mr. Vandersteen assisting John Atkinson in the set-up of his latest mega-buck speaker. All smiles and good will; I doubt that even a hint of "questioning" redundancy on Atkinson's part, would have brought the session to Defcon 3.

As far as redundancy, the one page "blue" sheet of set-up instuctions provided with the Vandy 1C's was not sufficient in setting the so-called rake angle of the speaker. Yet, I was told (and bellowed at) that it took years of "hard work" to produce this masterpiece. It was almost laughable if not so insulting. Yes, I did react to Mr. V's splendid disposition by vowing to never buy his speakers again...... Let's move on, shall we!!!!

Mr. Shakey it seems to me that Audioconnection's rigorous defense of Vandy's work ethic and fortitude is evidence of a dealer shilling for his products. And as he noted to you about Vandy'd busy day by stating".... now Shaky put yourself in his position for a minute.....Curious George calls asking a question that is answered in the owners manual,and George gets told to read the manual KNOWING HE WAS WRONG AND CAN'T ADMIT"IT....( I GUESS I AM "CURIOUS GEORGE IN THIS TRUMPED UP SCENARIO)

Geez, I guess I interrupted King Vandy's afternoon nap. A respite while he feverishly worked on his next 2 page blue sheet of instructions. Well, AC if that is how you see the world of customer service in defense of that twerp, then you both can go fuck yourselves. Who the fuck do you think you are lecturing me, and even Mr. Shakey about "time spent or time wasted". I did not realize that the Audiogon membership produced a new Adam Smith educating us country bumpkins about the efficiency of work and the resulting "wealth of nations"
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To Mr Hasmarto, I don't recall e-mailing you about class D amps or any amp for that matter. Bel Canto and the new internet start up company, Red Dragon both use class D circuits to minimize the size of their amps, especially Red Dragon. I believe Nu-Force electronics used this technology also. As far as the compatibility of AZ's Adagios and class D amplification, Red Dragon uses the Adagios to demo their amps at the major shows. Lastly, either you misunderstood my statement,or can't read, but I was NOT impugning the reputation of designer AZ's Richard Lee,(A REAL GENTLEMAN) who created the brilliant design of the Adagios. I have gotten a lot of musical enjoyment from them over the last couple of years of ownership. Though, I always doubted the choice of the tweeter he employed in the design. that is, a Round Ribbon Kapton fabric membrane. I always thought he Spectron and Seas tweeters sounded the smoothest. Could be the Adagios's tweeter is more suited to tube amps, and not SS.

BTW, class D amps tend to be less expensive. However, if you want to lend me $65,000, Soulution Electronics is having a fire sale on last year's amps and pre-amps.

"Well, AC if that is how you see the world of customer service in defense of that twerp, then you both can go fuck yourselves. Who the fuck do you think you are lecturing me, and even Mr. Shakey about "time spent or time wasted". I did not realize that the Audiogon membership produced a new Adam Smith educating us country bumpkins about the efficiency of work and the resulting "wealth of nations" "

I thought I was bad! You're way worse than me. Actually, you're way worse then me and MR. Shakey combined. If you ever move again, come on out to NYC. You'll fit right in here.

Changing speakers is a slippery slope, but you have hung in there for 4 years which is a credit to your tenacity and patience. I suggest to you that moving amps in and out of the home is a much simpler process than moving speakers in and out. Your speakers have a good and long reputation. If I were you, I would work at finding the proper amp for the speakers that will smooth them out. You could try asking Robert Lee of AZ and see what he suggests in the way of amplification. He is very cordial and accommodating in his communication. You may want to research online what AZ has used at the audio shows to power the Adagios too. My years of experience in changing out speakers taught me that I let some perfectly fine speakers go. And, the source (cd or cd player)makes all the difference in the enjoyment of the speakers. Don't blame the speakers.