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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
 
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
howardgabel's avatar
howardgabel
6 posts
 
Pradeep

I have decided to check into the Aviors as an alternative to Sashas. Can you give an update on your impressions after breaking please. Also, which amps did you end with?

Thanks. Howard
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956 OP
424 posts
 
Hi Howard
I think I have the break in nailed. Still fine tuning the speaker placement. Wonderfully transparent speaker with resolution and coherence that exceeds any ESL that I have heard. Not sure how it stacks up against the Sashas as my experience of WA is limited to the Max2 and the early Watt/Puppy5.
At this level would strongly recommend a audition.
As to amps am toying with the idea of 150 watt Japanese SET mono blocs. Only hassle is that a demo is not possible. The new pre/power amps will arrive end April
More info on the Aviors on my systems page. Do send me a PM if you need anymore details
Cheers
Pradeep
kwb
44 posts
 
Congrats on the Aviors! They are a wonderful speaker. We are a Rockport dealer here in Southern California. Regarding break in, they sound great from the start but improve with time. At about 200 hours they seemed to relax a bit and became even smoother. Bass response seems to extend deeper as well.

Experiment with placement, where they end up sounding best may be different than where you think they would be placed.

Happy listening.
Cake Audio
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956 OP
424 posts
 
Kwb
Many thanks. I guess I have yet to reach the 200 hr mark but yes the overall presentation is a tad smoother. Tremendous speaker. Never thought a box speaker could match, let alone surpass ,my beloved Quads.
Cheers
Pradeep
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