Sunnyjim:
I purchased a pair of the new Super Eclipse direct from Israel (no local dealer). It was a fantastic purchase. I listened to speakers for a couple of years before purchasing (even at the Adelphi in Singapore). I was concerned that the high sensitivity and high impedance (wonderful for low wattage tube amps) might be impediments to high volume music (pop rock and full orchestra pieces - Mahler, Bruckner, etc). No worry. Those speakers could make you cry with soft stuff and SET amps, and make you stand up and salute during the Resurrection theme of Mahler's 2nd. The only other speaker that could do that was the Revel Ultima Studios (mind you, not the Ultima Salons), and those (1) required high current and high power, and (2) could not provide the intimate detail and silky smoothness that the Super Eclipse could provide. I give credit to the silk soft dome tweeter. And the bass is hard to believe.
I used solid state and a SET tube amp. Both had their advantages, and the speaker had a tremendous ability to distinguish characteristics between them (my wife liked the SET better, even though it cost only 1/5 the solid state). It convinced me that tubes were the way to go, but since I like to turn it up upon occasion, I would highly recommend a good OTL amp for the extra power. I had to sell my whole system, but if I were to do it again, I would certainly buy a good OTL amp, and never question that I had the best system possible without doubling the cost.
Israel makes a fantastic speaker, answers the phone personally, is a terrific guy, and will help you anytime.
Regarding cables, yes they are also important, but I did not experiment quite as much, so less able to give you an opinion. By the way, you would be surprised how many name reviewers use Coincident, and the Total Eclipse was awarded a Golden Ear for 2001 (the only piece chosen by the particular reviewer!).
Good luck, and let me know if you want to discuss.
Rush Selden
I purchased a pair of the new Super Eclipse direct from Israel (no local dealer). It was a fantastic purchase. I listened to speakers for a couple of years before purchasing (even at the Adelphi in Singapore). I was concerned that the high sensitivity and high impedance (wonderful for low wattage tube amps) might be impediments to high volume music (pop rock and full orchestra pieces - Mahler, Bruckner, etc). No worry. Those speakers could make you cry with soft stuff and SET amps, and make you stand up and salute during the Resurrection theme of Mahler's 2nd. The only other speaker that could do that was the Revel Ultima Studios (mind you, not the Ultima Salons), and those (1) required high current and high power, and (2) could not provide the intimate detail and silky smoothness that the Super Eclipse could provide. I give credit to the silk soft dome tweeter. And the bass is hard to believe.
I used solid state and a SET tube amp. Both had their advantages, and the speaker had a tremendous ability to distinguish characteristics between them (my wife liked the SET better, even though it cost only 1/5 the solid state). It convinced me that tubes were the way to go, but since I like to turn it up upon occasion, I would highly recommend a good OTL amp for the extra power. I had to sell my whole system, but if I were to do it again, I would certainly buy a good OTL amp, and never question that I had the best system possible without doubling the cost.
Israel makes a fantastic speaker, answers the phone personally, is a terrific guy, and will help you anytime.
Regarding cables, yes they are also important, but I did not experiment quite as much, so less able to give you an opinion. By the way, you would be surprised how many name reviewers use Coincident, and the Total Eclipse was awarded a Golden Ear for 2001 (the only piece chosen by the particular reviewer!).
Good luck, and let me know if you want to discuss.
Rush Selden