Amplifiers for Talon Hawk monitors

Dgob
Sorry for getting back to you so late. The Talon/VAC combo as Rives mentioned, the imagaging and depth are outstanding. The two were truely meant for each other. I remember visting over 35 rooms that day at ces, and the room that stood out most was this room. There were several silky sounding rooms at the show but I think what drew me into the music with this room even more so was the 3d imagaing. The air that floated around each instrument and placement of each entertainer on stage was chilling. Those VAC Amps are out of my league as for budget, but after talking to VAC CEO Kevin Hayes, he mentioned that i needed to hear the music blocs 160 too. He mentioned that they also do very special things in sound. All in all i don't think you can go wrong with this combination of equipment. Personally I could listen for hours and hours with all types of Jazz and classical.

Chaz801,

Many thanks but I really think that the Talon/Hoodoh/Levinson/velodyne combination - as driven by my Essential 3160 line/phonostage - gives me live music/performances in my listening room. I cannot put into (a few) words what this all means but there are Audiogon threads about using Subs in stereo that give a pointer to what this all means but to hear it is to find an end point in my search: it is that good and realistic.

Maxwellsilverhammer,

thanks for your suggestion but I sold my Audio Research VT200 MKII for the Levinson 23.5. It is in another league for presenting a natural realism across the full acoustic range (I think there are various review threads online if your input "Levinson 23.5 reviews" on Google you should get an idea of the case as it sounds to me). I've since had it modified with Eichmann cablepod inputs, new higher grade bipolar resistors and a modified internal crossover point at 70Hz (the mentioned sub threads rehearse some of the advantages that this affords the monitors - my Talons in this case).

Rives,

I am not certain if the new stands might make the same difference as I have not had a chance to hear them. However, the details and realism from placing them on the Hoodoohs was simply frightening. I could shout the strengths of the Talons from the roof tops and believe me I have searched long and hard to bring live performances into my personal space. Although my Hawks are the old model, in my particular set up I do not believe they can be outperformed by other speakers REGARDLESS of price.

I still hope to continue this dialogue but hope others try experimenting with them and stands, integrated subs and amplifier should not be underestimated.

In joy and music

Hi All,

Just to say, on the sub/monitor issue, you might want to give a close read to the various positive cases presented at http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1117893153&read&keyw&zzintegrated+subs.

The Google search on the Levinson should afford you the perspectives of actual users and I find the consistency of opinion interesting.

Just in case

Dgob
It sounds like a really good system you have honed together. If it sounds better than the VAC/Talon system i heard, I would love to hear it. I can attest to the levinson sound too although never heard the combination you are refering to. Levinson is the reason i started to follow and become an audiophile about 10 years ago. I was a home theater fanatic and still love a nice home theater but when i visited Audio FX in Sacramento way back when, I was floored by the sound coming from the Levinson/Dynaudio C-5. I think the cut was take me to the river cant remember the group. Right then i knew i had to have one of those!!
All in all, Im glad you have found something that gets you closer to the holy grail of sound. Happy Listening.

I have both Levinson Ref 20 and VAC 160 musicblocs. With the Hawks there is no comparison--the Musicbloc is awesome. I'm also using a Navison 572 monoblocks with an older pair of Hawks. These amps have little bass, which is fine with me and would be fine if you were using a sub (I'm not in this set up). The Navison's are considerably less expensive than the VAC amps. They are also less power--only 8 watts I believe, which in my application is more than enough. It's an office system and I don't play loudly there. The Navison has a wonderful open midrange. Probably not as low in distortion, but just very musical and enjoyable to listen to.

As to the stands--the older models do not have the threads for the stands, so I probably wouldn't really recommend the Wings stand for older Hawks. What you have is probably a great choice--sounds like it from your description.