Been a music(hi-fi)lover since i was about 14.The westminster royal he, has been by far the most important addition to the system. After too many years of changing(upgrading?) equipment based on magazine reviews and keeping up with the latest, the Tannoys have given me a new perspective on what can be achieved in the listening room.
I am enjoying music so much again.
Having tried many pre and power amps over the last year this is what sounds best for me.
System edited: Added. Nagra VPA's. Supratek Cortese. Dynavector xv-1s. After listening to many components over the past year this combination works best for me. Although i will experiment with cables and NOS tubes in the future i consider my system to be complete. It's a great feeling, now it's back to enjoying music and adding to the lp and cd collection. Rob.
Albert, thank you for your kind words, i am still searching on the amp front, tried a few so far, and have a few to go,looking forward to having a pair of Nagra VPA's for trial next. Yes i agree, in the past i have found it easy to get carried away with the equipment and loose focus on the main reason most of us get into this hobby, for the MUSIC. Cheers Rob.
Thank's very much Ecclectique, I spoke with Mick(supratek) earlier this week, my Cortese is being built now, yipeee! It's been a long wait. Having listened to the Tannoy Kensington, and Yorkminster at my local dealer, it was after reading your excellent description of your speakers that partly motivated me to move up to the Westminster's. So thank's again. Rob.
What a beautiful system ! I love the look of those Tannoys.
Last year at the Denver AudioFest I heard the Tannoy but show conditions were limiting what could be done (hotel room).
I understand being at peace with your system and getting to the point where all you want to do is sit and enjoy it. When you've evolved to that point, you have "the ultimate system."
. Frank, . Sorry for the long delay in replying. I left for vacation just after your post and then we had Katrina to deal with. . I have not heard the CAT so I can't be of any help there. The Grange just does everything much better than the Cortese. Top to bottom it is better, more musical and emotive. . It does take putting in the best NOS 6922's, regulator and rectifier tubes to bring out its best. . The Grange is truly special. . Rgds, Larry .
Rwjp. Yeah maaaaan. Well done sir, and great to see another horny tannerd here. Don't change a thing until you get the cortese in there.... fasten your seat belt cause the dynamic range will blow you out of your seat. You may want to try bi-amping though, running the big Mac 602 on the bottom and the tubes on the top. Yes, they love most single ended triodes. Enjoy!!
CELLO: do you think the Grange is on paar with CAT SL-1 Ultimate or Nagra PL-P ? What is the major difference between Cortese and Grange (exchept of the price US $ 5.000,00 vs. 8.500,00).
. Frank, . I was extremely happy with the Cortese, but the Grange was just that much better. I think that the Grange is well worth the incremental cost. . Rgds, Larry .
CELLO - so you wern´t that happy with the Cortese´s performance ? I´m looking for a unit that combines the slam of the CAT SL-1 Ultimate, with the musical flow and soundstage of the Ayre K-1X and the imaging, neutrality, air and detail of the Nagra. Is that SUPRATEK Cortese ??
Thank's Chad, good to see you are enjoying your system also. Yep, I'm very happy with the westminsters, i don't think i will be changing speakers for a long time, it's amazing how much fun, exciting and involving music can be with these large horns.
. Frank, . You would not be disappointed with a Supratek. The sound is wonderful. I had a Cortese and have now moved up to a Grange. . If you end up trying to decide between the Cortese and the Grange, definitely opt for the Grange. It will be one of the best Audio purchases you ever make. There will be a long wait, but well worth it. . Rgds, Larry .
So why did you choose the Supratek without having heard the unit - word of mouth propaganda? I´d like to order one myself, but as I don´t know how its sonic signature is I must I´m a little bit afraid of spending so much money and probably be disapointed...
Hi Frank, thanks for the kind words. I am still waiting for the Supratek Cortese, i placed my order at the start of the year so i hope to be seeing it soon. I will be sure to post my thoughts on the supratek once in the system Still using the cary slp98 with nos tubes at the moment, sounds pretty good for the price.
Very nice set-up! Do you enjoy your Supratek? I´m also considering buying either the Cortese or the Grange. Have you ever compared both or to Hovland HP-100, Aesthetix Janus; Ayre K-1Xe or CAT SL-1 Ultimate?
Cheers Arthur, I'm finding myself listening to the 2102 mostly these days, after changing the input tubes, it's sounding pretty good allround. You would be most welcome to have a listen, though i do live in Melbourne Australia. Rob.
Quite a setup! I had never seen those Tannoys before and getting to chose between SS and tube Mcs is a great idea. I am in the process of doing something similar to suit my two very different moods. I'd love to hear your systems! Arthur
Rwjp, . Very nice system. It is great to be so happy with one's system. . The ZYX cartridges would be a fabulous match for your Cortese. The Airy2 will greatly outshine the Shelter 901 (I had the Cortese in my system, the Shelter 901, ZYX Airy, ZYX Airy3, and now finally have the ZYX UNIverse/Supratek Grange combo). . Please feel free to email me off line if I can be of any help. . Rgds, Larry .
Hi Mark, i am also very fond of the macs, i guess i should of said for my tastes they may not be the best match for the tannoys, in combination with the 2102, for me everything is just a tad too smooth. Also given the fact the westminsters have a 99db sensitivity, having a 600w solid state amp is overkill to say the least. Even at very high listening levels the meters tell me I'm only using around 6-15 watts. Even though i also love the Mac's, i cant help wondering what i could acheive with a lower powered tube amp.
I like your system. Alot! At this point, get off the merry-go-round, sit back, pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink, and enjoy... Like the others, if you feel you must change something, check out a nice SET amp. Congrats.
