This 5.1 system is primarily used for listening of classical and jazz music, even though it is also used for watching DVD & HDTV. For SACD and DVD-A, I usually listen to the surround track, which utilize the 5 channels for a more immersive experience. For redbook CD though, I usually just listen to the 2 main speakers.
The highlight of the system is the ribbon tweeters on the Aurum Cantus speakers. These speakers sound very transparent and natural. Combining with the Bryston amp, the imaging and instruments seperation is excellent. Bass is very good for monitors, but not as full as floorstanders. I've hard time integrate the sub with the system, thus I only use the sub for recordings that have LFE.
The AC speakers are very well-built, with very high quality finishing. For bookselve speakers, they are also very heavy. The V3M weight about 36lbs each, V4C 46lbs, and L2SE 25lbs.
Overall, its a pretty nice system, but there's always room for improvement :) Any suggestion would be welcomed. Thanks for reading.
Linnie, love your Linn equipments. I have auditioned them with Dali Helicons. Very nice stuffs. In fact, I started to get interested in ribbon tweeters after auditioning the Dalis. I felt that the AC can sound very similar to the Helicons, depending on the upstream equipments.
My software is located at the back of my seat. The disc rack is full now. Need to find another one :(
You really make me want to try tube stuffs now. I'll keep an eye on deals here in the gon and see. I am actually based in US, so no easy access to those nice and cheap Chinese gears :(
The AC is indeed very sensitive with the source. It was very easy to distinguish the difference betwee the Bryston 4BSST and Rotel 1080 when I was comparing the two amps. So, I'd imagine tube amp should make a rather significant difference to the sound too. I listen to a variety of classical, from Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart to Beethoven, Mahler, Ravel and Stranvinsky. I'm just worry that the tube amp won't handle those large orchestral pieces as well as the SS stuffs. But I'd have to try to find out.
This hobby is fun, isn't it? One thing I learn is, while good equipments definitely make a difference, good recordings are also a must. I'm going to pickup some more SACD and DVD-A from Channel Classics, Pentatone, Telarc and AIX soon :)
Garry, your response to my question in avtalk.uk had helped me make the decision for purchasing the V3M. Your suggestions here are also greatly appreciated.
The rack is a TV stand by Bello. I used to put my plasma TV on it, but after I mounted the TV on the wall, I put the center channel on it, which results in perfect height for that speaker.
If this is a 2-channel system, I would probably had gone tube route, as the AC speakers are usually demoed with tube equipments, especially Cayin. That said, I have not heard the AC with tube stuffs. I may try the Musical Fidelity X-10 V3 tube buffer stage to see what tube can do to the system. Currently, well-recorded SACD & DVD-A sound really good on the system, but not many redbook disc sound good, as the system expose the grain and harshness in many CD. Maybe the tube stuffs will help.
Regarding sub, I'll have to spend more time with it. The Mirage S12 is supposed to be a rather fast and musical sub, at least compared to the similar SVS sub. Need to experiment more on that, like you suggested.
