This is a system that brings plenty of detail, speed and energy without loosing any musicality and truth of timbre - I have tried SET, SS, Planars, Ribbons, sealed baffles, ported designs and - IMO this is pretty close to my ideal setup.
Hodelrevords - that is a custom description that Audiogon includes when selecting that particular speaker, I beleive it refers to the differences between the original Ascent and the Ascent II.
Hi Flg2001, please take a look in your systems information where it is written: "Avalon Acoustics Ascent MK II ($16500. Full range speaker, modified internally with additional bracing, cardas cabling, new caps."
This story about cables and caps triggered my curiosity since I know this is a hell of a job. I am glad your Avalons are doing fine as mine do.
Hodelrecords - I tried to locate the post you are referring to, since I have not modded my Avalons at all, and it might be something you read from other project I did with other component, sorry for the confusion it created.
Saying that, I have a friend here who wants me to upgrade the x-over some someday in the future, I aam currently restoring a Nagra T and an EMT 938 so my hands are full now :)
Hi Flg2001, I contacted Mr Pichette last year as I feared that one cross overs had failed (which wasn`t the case). Avalon assumes these cross-overs are built in such way that a repairis not neccessary. He told me also that nowadays little is known about what replacement parts etc has or can be used in case of damage. The decond hurdle is the opening of the cross over enclosure. Therefore I was surprised to read in your thread that you had changed caps and wires.Can you further explain this to me. I agree with you that these are wonderfull speakers that make very involving music. I recently had the opportunity to listen to $ 50k Magico`s: for 14% of this amount I had more fun at home.
Hodelrecords - After a close inspection to the x-over, I left the parts intact, I have not tweaked the speakers at all except from the finish (previous owner). I would suggest you to contact Mr. Lucien Pichette at Avalon Acoustics for any doubts regarding parts.
Hi Flg2001, as I also own a pair of Avalon Ascents MK II and knowing their age might one day cause some kind of faillure I woud like to know what caps and what wire you have used for the make over of these speakers. Has your upgrading been triggered by a failure or the desire for better sonics? Can you please tell more about the sonic benefits you have noticed? I few years ago I feared a break down but this proved to be a hick up in the speaker cable. My ascents are driven by a pair of 200 watt OTL's. The sound is amazing. Thanks.
So far the 300 Watts are working!, there are more solid images, more dynamics (but not necessarily more headroom), good definition at the extremes, and overall a more satisfying sound compared to the 120 Watt AB Symphonic Line Integrated (which is now serving as a pre/phono preamp).
Wow! Congrats!!!!!!!!! Please post when you are ready...looking forward to reading all about it and how it compares to other amps you've had!!!!! Enjoy!
System edited: ML333 added to the system, too early to post yet, so far Inhear more authority in the bass region, better resolution on top but any difference in terms of headroom compared to the SL which I am now using it as a preamp.
Yes, "almost"...there is no perfect, and i have often wondered what my speakers would sound like with SETs (like Lamm ML2.2)...of course on some music, i suspect it would be incomparably good. Question is what happens when i switch to deep, powerful electronic bass.
I'll stick with what i have...but would love to hear SETs properly set up in my system some day.
This is interesting, SET amps "trained" me to listen differently, now I must admit that some very good SS designs (Class A particularly as Lloyd mentions) have almost all that midrange magic and texture adding some other benefits to the equation like dynamics, bass tone and an holistic presentation.
Yes, totally agree too. This is very much about synergy. While i do not understand all the technical bits that help, i do know it when i hear it.
Also agree about giving speakers the right 'engine' to drive optimally.
One of the reasons i went with high powered Class A SS instead of the Lamm SETs (which are by all accounts a magical combination with my speakers)...was because: 1) i wanted endless reserves of power which my speakers will gladly use, 2) to give me flexibility in the event i found perhaps the only other speaker i would upgrade to...which would not work with an SET amp of 18 watts/channel (at all).
In this hobby, like Charles1dad says, it pays to try and match gear to other gear that is synergistic with said gear. If you try and put a low efficient speaker with a low powered amp like an SE you will most likely run into the problems similar to that you are describing. Conversely, if you run horns ( typically highly efficient speakers) with very high powered amps, you may or may not get good results either; the amps could be loafing, but the preamp may be way out of its "sweet zone" resulting in again, less than premium sound. IMHO, the room, the type of music you are looking to reproduce, the size of the room and many other variables should be considered before you waste large amounts of money on gear that cannot work well when it all comes together in: 'your system'. Just IMHO..
Flg2001, That makes plenty of sense, you have to give a given speaker the power it requires to play "all" music well. The Viva would be wonderful with a higher efficiency speaker with an easy load impedance. Happy Listening,
Hi Charles - I found some relevant differences between the Viva and the SL that made me decide for the later - I had the opportunity to listen both of them with no rush at my room to arrive to the following conclusions:
i) The Viva managed to handle the Avatar speakers very good at reasonable levels with non-complicated material (Jazz Trios, vocals, ensembles, early and baroque music) but NOT on higher volume levels with more complicated material (Classical, Alternative, Rock. etc..) where bass control, dynamics and definition suffered a bit.
ii) Due to the current/power requirements with the Viva/Avalon combination, some sources were more affected than others, vinyl for example - where I had to turn the volume knob way up to arrive to decent levels due to the very low output of my cartridge.
iii) I had a buyer at hand who was willing to close a fast transaction for my Viva amp, I was really not planning to make a move this fast, but I realized that such an idiosyncratic amp like the Viva will not have a bunch of potential buyers out there, at least not here in Mexico.
Again, I am not saying that the Viva is a bad amp, for the contrary - with the right speakers few options touch it, but my change to Avalon re-defined my requirements.
A wise move?, understandable? ... I don´t know, all I can say is that I am really enjoying what I have now and listening to far more options in terms of music genres.
Wow! Congrats! I have heard great things about ACcuphase. Do let us know what differences you hear in the new system! Enjoy the music...while we enjoy reading about your system!
You once not long ago described the Viva-Avalon combo as'fanstastic'. is The Symphonic Line-Avalon now fantastic + or just a different flavor? What are the trade offs? I owned a Symphonic Line amp for about 2 years before I changed to tubes. Best Regards,
System edited: +++ several changes 1) Sold the Viva Solista for a Symphonic Line RG14SE, great match for the Avalons. 2) Sold the GamuT CDP for an Accuphase DP80/DC81 DAC and an Havanna DAC for a change, great combination. 3) Trying a second RtR deck - the mighty Nagra T.
Regarding -compulsive-: how can I say, it's something that has the power to force you in changing continuosly...maybe also against your own will! You know, this hobby has an hidden side: you are listening to a particular system and deep inside you feel or imagine how that sound would result, changing this or that...and then you do that! E. G.: my changes are often compulsive!!!!
I will say, i think the new SF Amati under the new ownership, is excellent. I respected both earlier AMatis, but preferred Guarneris and Strads (both Guarneris) to the Amatis. This 3rd iteration however is, imho, better than both earlier versions. More linear, much, much tigher bass...and yet they managed to keep the special SF voice that is smooth, rich and musical that means the speaker remains a Sonus Faber. I think it is partly from speaker build (including the new base?) as well as slightly different cones...not sure.
Would be interesting to hear if the new Guarneri travels the same path!
@Charles - I am also surprised of the gain this amp throws, it drives the Avalons to quite high listening levels (although I usually listen to moderate levels at all times) - I accept the fact of loosing some tad of ultimate dynamics, but overall it sounds fantastic! Thanks!
@Maybay - I heard the OTL route somewhere else, and actually a friend just got a Trascendent amp we should try some day shirtly, thanks for the heads-up. Oohh one other thing: describe "compulsive" :)
@Smaj - never heard of that model from Serblim, will find out! Thanks as well!
@Daveyf - Guarneri Evolutions ???? Where??? When??? How come???... Compulsive??? What is that?? :)
Congrats on your change. Looks great . Havent heard that model but have heard and liked the Avalon Indra. ps :Check out the new 2way speaker called Accordo from Franco Serblin
Fernando, I see that you have you have changed speakers again...:0)
Avalons are very nice indeed, I used to own a pair of Hales that were similar in their presentation to Avalon's. With Avalon's, once they are dialed in, and assuming your room is large enough, they can throw a very large soundstage.
I was wandering how long you would keep the WLM's? The only time I heard them, they did nothing for me....the Avalon's OTOH are a different deal IMO.
BTW, I am hearing some very good things about the new SF Guarneri Evolutions....oops, shouldn't have said that....;0)
