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Lugnut needs your advice on small speakers

I'm building a system for a friend on a limited budget and hope to listen to Triangle Titus 202's and Omega Super 3's while in Portland, Oregon next week. If any of you know where I can give these a listen I'd be able to eliminate a lot of self induced stress from trying to do the best job possible.

It would be helpful to have your opinions about these speakers even if I don't get to listen to them. I'm guessing that the Triangle's would be a better match since most users of the Omega's drive them with SET amps. Has anyone heard these and what do you think is a better match with the rest of the system consisting of:

BIX turntable/RB 250/ZYX R100H Yatra MK II
Supratek Syrah
ASL Wave 20's
Spletz anti-cables

I'll be buying a VTA adjuster for the arm as well as a heavyweight counterweight and using Twl's hifi mod that he has so graciously shared with all of us.

Other speakers in the $600 range new or used would be considered as well but they do need to actually be available for purchase. Other speakers I've been looking for, even if a little more money, are the Merlin VSM's, Harbeth's, Revolver and Coincident. Obviously with these speakers I'll definitely need to buy used.

The system will be installed in a small, nearly square room. The room is being gutted and purpose remodeled for audio use so we should be able to make the most out of it. Even comments about building the room are welcome. Consultation with an acoustic designer is not budgeted.

My friend listens mainly to rock but loves the mixed bag of music I play for him at my house. He appreciates an excellent recording of a great performance of good music just like I do regardless of genre. I look for him to seek out all types of vinyl that meets this description based on my carbon based library.

Thanks in advance for you reasoned responses.

Pat
lugnut
jphii
485 posts
 
Hi Pat,

When I had a pair of Waves, they had no trouble driving mu Audio Note AZ3's, AR8a's, an old pair of Dynacos's, and even my Legacy Harmonies. They also worked really well with M&K's, but needed a sub to sound the best. As you may know I also had a Syrah, that saw use with the Waves and all of the above speakers. I can tell you from first hand experience that Audio Note speakers just loved that combo, more so than any of the others I tried, and I haven't heard of anyone else that has tried the Wave/Syrah combo in a vinyl based system. There was great synergy there.

You may want to try and find someplace to listen to the Audio Note bookshelf speakers. The lower models of Audio Note seem to be overlooked by the "cognoscenti". The AX Two for $600 new or the AZ One for $800 (both full retail) would put a spankin' on most of those you are looking at.

FWIW, YMMV, and all of that crap, but if you can find a pair to listen to you may be surprised!

Joe
bluebull
269 posts
 
Lugnut

Glad you included Speltz sp cables,but what about the new Speltz Anti-Connect ICs ???

Speakers:Stop wondering about the speakers,get your friend Merlins !TSM or VSM,I would recommend to push the budget a bit on this.

Chris
lugnut OP
1,190 posts
 
Thanks guys. Yeah, I'd already decided upon the new interconnects but I thought they were a secret for now. Anyway, I like the opinion expressed by Joe as he understands the synergy thing with the rest of the equipment. I've seen some TSM's for not too much moeny but not of late. I can wait a couple of weeks for something to show up too. Keep the advice comin' guys. Chris, do you think these amps are powerful enough for the Merlins?
elsneb
126 posts
 
The Green Mountain Audio Europa is an excellant speaker that is easy to drive with a simple crossover. They are on Audiogon from 575.00-650.00 range. Roy Johnson of GMA recently told me he has a dealer in Portland, OR. The new dealer list is not on their web site yet, but comtact GMA for the info. One Agon member I know just upgraded to the GMA Callisto's and may be selling his Europa's soon. These are amazing speakers.

http://www.greenmountainaudio.com/
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Hi, Patrick:

I've recently been auditioning smaller speakers with a good friend, and we've heard several that impressed me. And, if your friend is willing to buy used gear, then there are 6-8 very good choices that he should consider:
1. Totem Rainmakers ($900 MSRP)
2. B&W 602.5 S3 ($700 MSRP)
3. ProAc Tablette Reference 8 ($1200 MSRP)
4. Bohlender Graebner Radia Z ($800 MSRP) -- Taller than a small monitor, but performs like one.
5. Krix Equinox ($600 MSRP) -- I have ap pair of these in my "office" system, and like them very much. Infact, I think the entire Krix (Australian) line deserves more recognition than it gets.
6. Spendor S3/5 ($1100 MSRP)

And, last, a speaker which gets very little notice today, but which is one of the finest small monitors on the market (I owned a pair for 4 years and loved them):
7. the Sequerra Pyramid MET-7 ($850, direct sale from Sequerra Audio). If you can find a used pair, they'd be a fine buy. They are also quite efficient, rated at 91db sensitivity. For more info on these speakers, go to the following link:
http://www.sequerra.com/electronics/data/index.html

Best regards, Patrick. Hope this post finds you doing well.

Scott C-
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