I'm a serious musician and audio has been important to me since the 1960s. This system is my third major upgrade in the last 40 years.
You can see that it's important for me to integrate my system into our apartment living space, that I share with my wife of 39-years. It was important for the speakers to be physically attractive as furniture and, most importantly, be very musical.
The analog front end is incredibly revealing. When I'm seriously listening I pull the speakers out to the positions that you see, which was determined using Sumiko's Master Set technolog. Rod Thomson of Soundings set mine for me. Believe it or not, that table to the left is no problem for either imaging or frequency response. The narrow set is defined by that short wall and the opening into the hall and foyer. The image goes out past the speakers and centered vocalists are about 3/4 the way up the armoire in the center and depth goes back to the back wall. You'd be amazed at the bass from this system, particularly given the wonderfully open and textured midrange.
At other times the AKG headphones and incredible Woo Audio amplifier provide a great alternative for listening without moving the furniture around.
The Korg MR1000 is used for live recording and archiving vinyl using 1-bit DSD at 5.6 mHz.
I am debating trying a class D or digital amp. They certainly have come of age. I am very sensative to horn colorations. In that regard Avantgarde & Rethm & many others are extremely colored based on my experience. While listening to the Cessaro horns I really tried to hear if there was any color. Honestly, I heard none. Mind you they are front loaded horns, we wood (not plastic) horns and Compression drivers. In fact the Lower midrange was magical. A field coil driver was in use at a price of 8K a driver. 1 for each speaker. The TAD drivers for the Highs & Super tweeter cost about $2500 each. This is cost, not the price from the speaker manufacturer. Lastly the bass had some issues which I need to listen to again to be sure but was also horn loaded but with 4 drivers a side. I am also curious about the new Ion tweeters. I have never heard them.
When it comes to trumpet, the TAD driver was the most realistic trumpet sound I have ever heard. That was in fact one of the strengths. Most full range horns (single driver) will not be able to reproduce a trumpet.
I am posting here as to maintain my direction of the original post. I will do a redirect there but answer you more specifically below. The post is not so much about my system as to find out what others have done.
I am sold on the extra resolution horns provide. Mind you, I am not letting my Wilsons go. I plan to stay with them. I live in Aruba. To get a dealer to voice the speakers would cost thousands. I did a farely good job having worked in the business while in college. I have some musician friends who helped and a few audio friends have come over who are manufacturers. The speakers were moved back and were brought foward 1 inch at a time to optimize sound. This wasn't done w. 1 speaker off but still. In addition I have spent a great deal of time determining the zone of neutrality of the room. And from within that zone taped the floor and moved the speakers around within that zone. Listened and then repeated moving the speakers. This was over months and with great attention. The Wilsons don't have any lack of detail per say. They just get congested at louder levels and feel louder. While horns don't and don't feel louder. Hard to explain. Mind you I hate most horns so that will tell you where I am coming from. Wilson came out w. a new midrange in the new X2.2. I have not heard it, but it is proprietary in some way. Also, it is described as having less distortion, & playing louder while seeming more relaxed. Every dynamic driver tries to emulate a horn's speed and detail. My speakers are 8 feet out into the room & 2-3 feet from one side wall and the other wall is a challenge. My listening position is 12 feet from th speakers which are roughly 12 feet apart. It wasn't done based on making a triangle. It was determined by 1st removing congestion from the bass. 2nd, optimizing vertical dispersion of the highs based on my height (not some of my shorter friends), and 3rd was image width while maintaining center fill. Quite tricky & time consuming You do not hear the speakers in my room. That is as far as a large speaker can actually disappear. One other aspect of the room is the ceiling height & beams. My ceiling is very high, spanning between 12 & 16 feet. If you are ever in Aruba you can come by to evaluate. I do want to erect an additional side wall to balance my room. It will need to be removable. I don't believe in too much room treatement. I like the room slightly live.
