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Seeking $15,000.00 speaker to replace Quad 988's

My system consists of Thor Audio TPA 150 el-34 tubed monoblocks, a Thor TA-2000 premamp with phono(tubed),
Cary 306/200 which I use as a transport and Thor Audio DC-1000 tubed Dac, VPI scoutmaster turntable with a clearudio discovery cartridge, Richrad Gray power conditioner, an Audio Physics
Minos Subwoofer and a pair or Quad 988's.
Quad positives:Great for piano, voice and small groups such
as chamber music. With a voice or piano you swear the piano or voice was in your room.
Quad negatives:Bass does not extend low enough.
No illusion of an entire orchestra on stage. The Quads shrink the musical presentation. Lacking in dynamic contrasts. They also soften many instruments. For instance the tambourines in Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien instead of sounding sharp like in a dynamic speaker, they sound
rounded out and softened.
My issue: I am told that only an electrostatic can deliver the clarity that a Quad can deliver. I have looked into the Sound Labs but even with their new impedance modification I do not think my amps can drive them.
Will a speaker like a Vandersteen 5A, Kharma 3.2 give me the clarity of the Quads with the dynamic contrasts, and
the illusion of 90-100 people on a stage and not 10. I know I'm asking for a lot but I don't want to replace the Quads and take a few steps backwards in doing this. The Quads have lived with me for over 1 and 1/2 and they do some amazing things, but is there more for the approximate price guideline I have suggested.? I guess as a music lover and audiophile you are always searching for that additional something. Has anybody out there found someting that might work with my sysytem that gives me that
something more?
kjl
larryi
3,969 posts
 
I heard a $20,000 pair of InnerSound electrostatic/dynamic hybrids that would do the trick. Incredible dynamics, detailed, and able to play really loud. It is also relatively compact in size (at least compared to SoundLabs). As someone noted above, it does not have wide dispersion so the ideal listening space is only one person wide.

Another great choice is the SoundLAb electrostatics, but they too might be a bit out of the $15,000 range.

A dynamic speaker I heard at a show that impressed me was the Gershman GAP828. It is reasonably lively and musical and throws a quite large stage.

I like my speaker system (S.A.P. J2001-twin), which is a very efficient (99db/w) dynamic system with a horn midrange. But, it is extremely hard to find, and again, a bit outside of your stated range ($22,000). But, on the plus side, just about anything will drive this speaker.
bkeane
13 posts
 
I had a similar situation when I owned Magnepan 3.6R's, the mids and highs were great but bass was lacking, even after adding a sub, and the room needed to have them sound great was a problem.
I have since got a dedicated room for audio however the speaker that I have gone to with absoulutely no regrets is the B&W Nautilus 800. They are 16k new, close to your budget. Clarity, presentation, soundstage is all fantastic. I feel these speakers are every bit as detailed as the Magnepan's were with killer bass extension. Stereophile reviewed the signiture models, exactly the same except for a $4000 additional finish. You can find the review on their website in the archives.
telescope_trade
555 posts
 
I second the Hyperion HPS 938's. I have owned lots & lots of speakers that are 2-7 times the amount of
the 938's ($4k retail) and some not half as good. (IMO)
They are fantastic from top to bottom, and good looks to
boot. The best I have owned & heard thus far, and
"I think" :o) the end of the road as far as speakers go
for me.
clivet
38 posts
 
I have worked for one of the best audio dealerships in NEW YORK and I had the chance to listen to speakers up to $120,000.the pair.I feel that the Quads do lots of things better.WITH proper set up and good tube electronics they will get you closer to the real thing than SPEAKERS IN A BOX.(Will never work)I listen to mostly jazz and I listen to lots of live music.USE YOUR EARS.
clivet
38 posts
 
Your choice of electronics could be improved.To be fair the only conventional speakers I would recomend would be the Ashendo from Germany and some of the Harbeths and Rodgers from the Uk.You could even double stack or tripple stack Quad esl 57's(check out Quadsunlimited)
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