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Tube pre/power combo for Rockport Aviors

I have a pair of Rockport Aviors on order that should arrive sometime in Jan. The Conrad Johnson CT 5 pre and CJ LP 70S power (70 wpc) that I have at present may not have enough juice to do justice to the Aviors. Given the limited availability of brands/dealers in my part of the world,I have shortlisted 3 pre/power combos :
1. Conrad Johnson GAT and ARTsa(140 wpc)
2.ARC 5SE and Ref 150 or Ref 250 monos
3. VTL 7.5 mk 3 pre and 450 MB series3
The Aviors will replace a pair of Quad 2905s that I have enjoyed for 6+ years. My musical tastes extend to the whole spectrum from large orchestral works, chamber music, rock, blues, Indian music but strictly no Rap or Country. The preferred source is vinyl.
Ideally I would love to stay with the CJ line as I like the sonics though I suspect this may not be possible.I am not looking for recommendations per se but to those Agoners who have experience of any of these brands either through ownership or extensive listening etc. I have been fortunate to be in contact with some knowledgeable Agoners .
Many thanks and festive cheer
Pradeep
128x128sunnyboy1956
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956 OP
424 posts
 
Reached home at 2am on Sat after a long flight from JFK. At noon the Rockport Aviors arrived in 2 huge cartons. Really impressive packing.I have less than 8 hours on the Rockport Aviors. Initially was a wee bit underwhelmed , if not disappointed. The treble had a metallic sheen, bass was a bit loose. Over the weekend, the Aviors seem to be settling. The treble is opening up, the the bass is much tighter. Am still experimenting with placement. Not too many options given the room configuration . My reference is a 6 year old pair of Quads 2905s coupled with a pair of REL G1 subs. The magic of ELS, a holographic midrange with a deep , musically coherent bottom end. The Aviors have a hard act to follow but I guess they will surpass the Quads. Early days yet.
John
Many thanks for nudging me towards the Aviors. A brief audition in Singapore at Passion Audio clinched it.
Happy days are here
Cheers
Pradeep
rhyno's avatar
rhyno
649 posts
 
when i bought a pair of merak / sheritan IIs, these used speakers took over a week to 'resettle' in.

they also love power. preferably class A.

and, they are wonderful. suspect the aviors will last you forever.
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956 OP
424 posts
 
Rhyno
Many thanks. I seem to be getting enough juice from my 70/80 wpc Conrad Johnson LP 70s with KT 120s. Not sure what a more powerful amp will achieve in my 23x14x 9 feet room. The system plays pretty loud as it is and the speakers are a long way from break in.
Will post more on my system page
Cheers
Pradeep
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
How are the new Aviors sounding? Very curious to get a report !
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956 OP
424 posts
 
Hi John
Thanks for asking.Still breaking in. Been home for two weeks but no much listening time. The initial harshness in the treble has mellowed. I have owned ESLs for 8 years with the ML Odyessy and then the Quads and never thought I would go back to a box speaker. The Aviors are almost ESL like in the overall coherence with much greater body. The bass is beginning to tighten. What's the breakin for a speaker with a beryllium tweeter ? I have about 30 hrs max but initial and evolving impressions indicate that this is a truly phenomenal speaker.
Chimes of Freedom- A Dylan compilation with various artistes has deep , guttural bass and almost shrill, ear piercing higher frequencies . It was almost unlistenable but is now sounding sublime on the Aviors.
It's early days yet with the Quads stacked next to the Aviors. Hopefully the Quads should leave for a new home this week providing the Aviors more breathing space.
In my 40 years in this hobby this is the best sound I have ever heard in a home environment .
Will post more on my systems page after further breakin.
Cheers
Pradeep
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