I agree totally about the size. The DB99s are very room friendly. I have heard the whole range of VR speakers with the exception of the VR-7, and I must say, the DB really is the baby VR-9. You have to remember only the VR-11, VR-9 and DB99 are the only models to date with the adjustable active bass module. Great to use when you have room problems. :-)
I still owe you a response on your system thread ...
Thank you for the compliments. I used to amp roll between the 45, 300B and 2A3 -- the 2A3 being my favorite. But once the Lamm's arrived, I just can't for the life of me amp roll anymore. It's that good. Very natural, and the frequency extremes are mindboggling (especially with the Townshend supertweets). Honestly, my SET amps are currently up for sale because of this. Well, for the price, they had better be head and shoulders above the other 3 amps. :lol: That Almarro is a beauty. I've been lusting after them even if I have never heard them. I fell in love with that tube after hearing the BAT amps. I was thinking of ordering an Almarro from Japan to use as a simple set up in my bedroom ... but the wife won't let me.
The Tonwshend Supertweeters are hard to comment on. They just sound "correct." They add that extra air around the music that's isn't noticeable ... until you take it out of the chain. How I came to use it? I have been wanting to get the DB-99's matching Super tweeter module, but I took so long that by the time I decided to order one from Albert, it would just cost too much. I eventually researched to find an alternative and came across the Townshend. Without even listening to them, I took a chance and ordered a pair from one of the dealers in San Diego. I regret not purchasing them sooner.
Just to fully disclose, I am an audio dealer here in the Philippines. So do take my comments with a bucket of salt. But for the record, I am first and foremost an audio enthusiast. In other words, I put my money where my mouth is and buy products that suit my taste. Regardless of whether I distribute the product.
JP, let me check your system and I'll come back to you with some thoughts.
Hi again GSM... I understand where you're coming from. I am like that as well. However, I want a separate listening room for the simple reason that there are times when I can't enjoy my music, specially when I want to listen critically. When my daughter is up and about, playing her handheld game console, or when she blasts the HT watching her cartoons, the noise bleeds into the living room where I am listening. Well, beggars can't be choosers. I am very happy with my place and my system. It's balancing both and keeping the wifey happy that compromises had to be made. Btw, thanks for tip on the Audio Note. :-)
I only wish my system was set up better. I guess ideally, I would prefer to have a separate listening room. This space is really a compromise with my wife. Speakers are too far apart and too close to the front wall for my taste. But due to the small space I had to use, there's nowhere else to place them. I can't place them in front of the console table as they would dominate the room. Plus, there wouldn't be much room to manouvre in and get into the living area. Despite all my complaints, they still do sound pretty good, but still not optimized for what I know they can do. Regards.
Hi Douglas. Many thanks for the compliments. The cables actually are installed, neatly hidden behind the console table. The table top is a solid piece of "narra" wood, and they have casters underneath so I can move them forward when needed. Children? One daughter of 7 yrs., and one Miniature Schnauzer dog who is smart enough to know not to go near my equipment. ;-)
System edited: Scrapped the idea of the Von Schweikert Super Tweeter module. Instead, waiting for a Townshend Audio Max Super Tweeter. With the Lamm ML2.1s, looking to unload some of the other SETs. Last phase would be the EMM Labs one box cd player and Critical Mass Reference isolation platforms for amps, preamp and source.
Something came up and the ModWright pre fell through. Oh well.
Bblilikoi, Learned of the Verbatim Cables from Albert Von Schweikert. I've tried the Analysis Plus Oval 8s and the Audience Au24 (this was my reference for some time). By far the Verbatim beat them (in my system at least). The Verbatims are balanced across the frequency range, sound smoother and much more refined than both top of the line AP and Audience cables. Oh, and they were more detailed as well.
Hi Kgturner. Thanks for the reply. Looks like I'll be letting go of my ARC soon. I have a ModWright SWL9.0SE preamp right now and I'm loving it immensely. Also, changing the Audio Note caps in my Sun Audio SV2A3 to the Vcaps of Chris Venhaus has likewise given me a big jump sonically. To think the V-caps only have 80 hours of break in time on them. I can't wait until they're broken in.
Who did the tweak for the pure battery power supplies? Just curious how to go about that.
As to the supratek, unfortunately, we don't have them here. I am more than happy with the ARC LS-166 so I'm really in no rush.
As to my Sun Audio, I had my Audio Note binding posts changed as my Audience Au24 or my Verbatim cables just don't fit them. I have to use banana plug adapters just to use em. Right now my amp is with a noted tube amp tweaker as I wait for the Vcap coupling caps I ordered yesterday.
The ARC LS-16 is a holdover from my solid state days. I actually acquired it to help tame my Brystons. Initially, it didn't do much, but when I rolled the 6922s to NOS Mullard and Amperex tubes, it did the trick. It's also still with me because I've integrated my 2 channel audio with my HT system. When I transfer to my new place next year, the HT system will be totally separate so I may (or may not) change my pre. I honestly am happy with it. I almost got a Sun Audio and an Audio Note Pre several months back. But when I did a side by side comparison, the ARC still came out on top -- at least in synergy with my system.
