Description

The Condor Acoustic Design SC-3's have officially displaced the Renaissance 90's. The Condors are far less picky with amps, and they have a much more pleasant sound, without losing any definition, resolution, timbre or depth.

I finally found the Marantz Music Link equipment that I had been lusting after - SC-22 preamp and MA-24 class A monoblocks. The sound of this combination easily bests the sound of the Classe CA-2200 and Bel Canto DAC3 that I had been using previously.

System updated and upgraded with no regrets and with money in my pocket :-)
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Components Toggle details

    • Marantz SC-22
    Straight-line active preamp. Source selection with dual preouts, and nothing more.
    • Marantz MA-24
    30 watts/channel of Class A bliss.
    • Condor Acoustic Design SC-3
    This is an extremely rare pair of speakers that were made by a small company in Georgia that went out of business after a short time. When I pulled them apart to refinish and restore them I discovered why - they are exquisitely crafted and overbuilt.
    • Logitech Squeezebox 3
    Very nice sounding digital music piece.
    • NHT A1
    250 watt subwoofer amplifier. I have a pair of these driving my NHT W1 subwoofers.
    • NHT X1
    Subwoofer crossover.
    • N H T W1
    A pair of NHT W1 subwoofers, two A1 amplifiers and the X1 crossover, for a total of FOUR 12" drivers. Very nice.
    • Rotel RLC-1080
    Power conditioner and voltage regulator with battery backup.

Comments 9

Owner
System edited: I replaced the Infinity Renaissance 90's with my restored Condor Acoustic Design SC-3's, and the improvement is not subtle. The Focal cone midrange does a better job tonally than the Ren 90's, the 12" Audax woofer digs deeper and has better definition, and the Raven R1 ribbon tweeter belts out highs that I did not before think possible. The Classe CA-2200 has been replaced by the uber-rare Marantz MA-24 class A monoblocks, and the Bel Canto DAC3 has been replaced by the Marantz SC-22 preamp. Both of the Marantz pieces are from the highly regarded and ultra-rare Music Link series. Although the imaging is not quite as pinpoint now as it was with the Ren 90's, I do not feel as though I am missing out on anything. The tone and timbre are more realistic, without being overly bright. It is not often that spending less money offers an improvement, but in this case I believe I upgraded substantially for less money.

inspiribomb

Owner
System edited: New rack that doesn't dominate the stereo nook!

inspiribomb

.
Then Ren 90's are spectacular. I own a pair myself. Great job and congrats on your system.
.

mitch4t

Very nice and clean! I'm sure it sounds as sweet as it looks!

jimbojrjb

Owner
System edited: Updates: Speakers - Infinity Renaissance 90 was Infinity Modulus Amp - Class CA-2200 was Channel Islands Audio D-200's Added Rotel RLC-1080

inspiribomb

Owner
I have considered the Sunfire ribbon monitors, but haven't been able to find a local dealer. Its something I'll have to hear before buying, so I'll have to keep looking.

Still loving the sound. I recently received my Channel Islands amps back, with the XLR conversion. My entire system is now fully balanced, and it has made a very nice improvement. I don't require as much gain from the DAC to get the same output as before. Dead-silent background. I love it.

inspiribomb

As I said back at the house fellow AK'er...verry nice!

artk

"Eventually I would like to go with a higher-end ribbon monitor."

Have you considered the Sunfire CRM-2 ribbon monitors?
http://www.sunfire.com/CR.htm

They just received a glowing review by The Absolute Sound magazine.

bgstas

Nice system,it was very clever to place your rack in the window well.I got the same both Monsters you got in your set-up.My system is in our attic too,with cathedral ceilings and all that,it is challenging to find good spot to place the electronics,preserve the 8 feet between the speakers and two feet on sides and back and in the maintime maintain low WAF.My wife complains I took all the space with my toys.Truth is I collected a lot of equipment over the years.
Enjoy
George

yioryos

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