Analog, organic and musical, with dynamic impact and tonal accuracy has dictated the evolution of this system. Competent sources and cabling along with the new Volti Alura are the current realization of my sonic preferences.
Added the Aurender ACS10 which has taken digital to a level where I no longer feel I’m sacrificing audio performance for convenience. Digital will never sound “analog” until certain filters are developed to simulate the peculiarities of vinyl. Until, if, and/or when that happens, analog rules. However, digital can sound very satisfying. The Aurender made it so.
I have soft spot for Tannoy as I owned the D700 with the ST-200 Supertweeter.
They were casualties of flood waters many years ago... I'm also mightily impressed with your Esoteric stack of components. Cool.
The Stillpoints, generally provide a better focus and soundstage throughout the frequency band. Specifically, the Ultra SS under the speakers really helped tighten the bass and mid-bass, and in turn, revealed more leading edge impact.
Volume level really isn't a factor.
As for the K-03: I use it for SACD. I heard wonderful sounding digital at AXPONA a couple years ago, and noted Lampizator DACs were the source. As good as the Esoteric is, the Lampi has an organic sound I really enjoy.
BTW:
Question.
I noticed you list the Kiseki Purple Heart. Is it N.S. ? And if so, would you mind saying how long it took to break-in? What did you notice sonically?
Lowered the noise floor which is resulting in an enhanced clarity and 3D soundstage.
With the Air Tight PC-1 out for re-tipping, The Kiseki Purple Heart N.S. is breaking-in with about 25 hrs on it. It doesn't reach the AT at the frequency extremes, but it's mid-range presence is pretty magical. Also, its a very quiet cartridge. I don't consider it to be inferior to the AT, only different. Are cartridges the most influential component of an analog set-up? I think so...
I expect we may have similar audio preferences, even though we're using a significantly different speaker. I heard the Harbeths at AXPONA last year and they were one of the best rooms of the show. You know, I've been toying with the prospect of the Synergistic Research Power Cell. What does it do for your system? I'm a believer in their various products.
Digital is finally as sonically enjoyable as analog. I've added the LampizatOr Atlantic DAC and have been running it for about five days. It's settled in nicely. All the dynamics are present, but without the typical digital glare, harshness and brittleness. Recordings from vintage to modern audiophile are 3 dimensionally holographic. It's true what the blogs and reviews have said about LampizatOrs ability to convince analog people like me, that digital can be as musically satisfying...
Hearing several very musical systems at AXPONA with the LampizatOr DACs, I took the plunge and I'm glad I did. The only tube rolling available in the Atlantic is the rectifier tube - so I expect I'll experiment some time with that.
I took a look at your system and speakers. The Uccello is a beautiful speaker and clearly shares an intellectual heritage with the Volti. The horns are gorgeous. I'd love to hear those some day.... maybe they'll come across the pond to AXPONA some year???
I had the opportunity to hear the Volti Vittora and Alura in similarly sized rooms at AXPONA in 2013. At the time, and continuing today, I knew little about horn speakers, and even less about low powered amplification. I cannot profess to be well-versed on the technologies. I can say that the natural sound-field combined with a smooth, organic realism won me over. Add to that an overall ease of presentation and I became convinced. I have not heard an equivalently priced loudspeaker attain the level of musicality I enjoy with the Alura.
However, to answer your question regarding the decision to choose the Alura.
You are most certainly correct in your "guess"!
At the time, Greg Roberts had yet to introduce the ELF (low frequency) cabinet for the Vittora. In comparing the two speakers, the upper mid range/tweeter horn section, being essentially the same speaker, the difference then, for me, was the impact of low frequencies via the bass bin of the Alura. I felt it provided the low frequency foundation and impact with a seamless blending to the horn section. The bonus beyond that was twofold - yes the soundstage height is higher, and the ultimate cost, lower. :) And of course the craftsmanship is stellar on both.
The connection of Gary Dews and Border Patrol is serendipitous. Since the Volti horns are very sensitive to the quality of amplification, Gary's amp, in my case, the push/pull P21 EXD, reveals all the capabilities of the Alura. I've driven the Alura with other amps, both SS and tubes, but the BorderPatrol is really a natural partner to the Alura and a necessity for me.
Hope this answers your questions, phusis (god of nature?).
In my "retirement", I'm able to enjoy music nightly without having to stress about any audiophile nervosa. I've tweaked my room a bit with various treatments, and those additions have only solidified and enhanced my enjoyment. Room-Equipment-Personal aesthetic.
Update: a couple of photos with the new Timbernation rack. Gone is the Lovan glass rack - In with solid maple. Moved away just a bit from a sense of hardness to a measure of warmth, not sacrificing any resolution however ...
I've enjoyed and appreciated the Snake River IC and speaker cables since I bought the Volti. However, I had been getting a bit of glare or "tiz" at the high frequency extremes, almost exclusively with digital sources. I looked to solve the issue with all sorts of digital manipulations - always improving, but not quite the ultimate solution. A good audio friend and reviewer suggested I try different speaker cables. I've been totally impressed with a variety of the SR products. They all have contributed to more air, layered sound staging, separation of acoustic space and definition of low frequencies - a more natural
sound. The Atmosphere Level 4 added to all of that PLUS the glare is gone. The high frequency and bite is all there but with a smoothness that makes digital much more listenable and pleasurable. Analog is that much more live sounding. Tonal balance, remains characteristic of the speakers, But each instrument, voice, grouped performers are in their in their own acoustic. Very enjoyable.
I agree - synergy and personal taste are the key.
That seems to be quite a change in direction with your turntable! How and why? Still using the Etna? Is the Technics quiet? I have a NOS Kenwood KD-5100 direct drive table in a second system and I do get a bit of "rumble", although I realize this is not a high-end turntable....
Latest addition is Synergistic Atmosphere Level 4 interconnect and speaker cables. Seems that cabling is becoming more and more influential in revealing the capabilities of the electronics.
Your system looks and must sound fantastic. A very well thought-out rig.
That PBN turntable is gorgeous. What do you like most about your Lyra Etna cartridge? Well done.
System edited: Several changes and upgrades which I've been meaning to do. Thanks to Al for showing me how... Vinyl - Origin Live Motor Upgrade. Silent. Unwavering. Solidified image. And reliable. Much thanks to Jay at Audio Revelations. Digital - Clarity Cable Organic Natural USB. Moved digital much closer to analog... thanks Melissa - Regen by Uptone eliminated a good measure of digital hash. Amp - Upgraded BorderPatrol P21 to the EXD upgrade - just more of everything good about BP. Thanks Gary. 300B tubes - Emission Labs, approaches the magic of the Sophia without the cost and is very reliable. Tweaks - A smattering of Synergistic Research products. The Back Box (Chris of VH Audio) eliminated bass nodes and boom which has always been an issue in the room regardless of speaker. Various HFTs, a FEQ have resulted in the Volti presenting enhanced soundstage depth and three dimensionality.
Guys, Thanks for the compliments. Our older home's living room (located in the upper Midwest) does provide a nice setting for listening and like many of us, I'm continually tweaking to accommodate it's sonic peculiarities. If ever you get the opportunity or are interested, Volti displays at the major audio shows. With good reason, Volti and BorderPatrol hook up at most of the shows combining the effortless efficiency of the horns with the accuracy, yet liquidity of the 300B. Thanks again, and happy listening!
System edited: Stumbled upon these McIntosh MC30 mono blocks. Classic tube sound with plenty of muscle and a midrange which is quite involving. As good as they sound by complimenting the Volti horns, I can easily forgive their frequency extreme shortcomings. In fact the high frequencies are really smooth, I detect little missing, but they clearly don't reach the heights of the BorderPatrol. The bass reaches down very low but just doesn't have the control of the BP. However, I find the overall presentation quite attractive and an easy, enjoyable listen. Add to that the rock solid dependability of a circa 1960 amp, an I consider this McIntosh to be a keeper that will INCREASE in value as the years go by.
Cymbop, I just checked out your rig and comments. It appears we have allot of things in common along with our taste in music, listening habits, distain of television and even our love of dogs! Nice. Not surprising, then, that you were taken by the Alura as I was at AXPONA 2013.
System edited: The Volti Alura, as I've come to understand many horn based loudspeakers, do not necessarily excel at sound-staging. I've been using the Plasmatron 3 from Chris at VH Audio for several months. It has opened up the sound-stage - front to back, added delineation to the bass. Not only has it enhanced the digital, but the same overall effects are present on analog. Dimensional. Individual voices and instruments more inhabit their own space. All the individual effects could be described as subtle, but collectively the improvements are significant. I can't imagine ever removing the Plasmatron from my system.
System edited: Just to be thorough. Upgraded the electro-harmonix to Sophia Electric Princess. The Sophia added more air, resolution, bass texture and power. Just a more sophisticated presentation. Plus, as an added bonus, the glass larger and visually impressive!
Thanks Roxy54. Akiko Audio "Tuning Stick" - AC Put it in/out of the system for a few days. It DOES something. The sound staging has more depth resulting from the vocals moving a bit forward. I'm now playing with the various settings on the Esoteric to determine what combination of sampling/filters sounds best. Vinyl playback doesn't seem to be affected as much....
System edited: Minor, but significant change - finally bought shelving for some of my albums. I had to "touch" every album to categorize them in some semblance of organization. I had forgotten about so many of them - some old friends. While most of my audio buddies are downloading their CD collections or Hi Rez, I'm the luddite, stuck in the mid-twenieth century! However, I remain convinced that my experience of music is enhanced by both the quality of sound, and also the ritual of vinyl playback.
Sgr, Our river house is located on the Wisconsin bluffs, a little south of La Crosse. We just love it. There is something very special about the Upper Mississippi. And it's funny, I rarely listen to the rig at the river. I mean to say that we listen to music,though the audio is not as good as home. Of course, with my Neo Vintage rig, I do enjoy music immensely, but I do on occasion, listen to the rig - mostly in awe that I have the good fortune to have such a set-up. Enjoy, also! Dave
Albert, I appreciate your comment. The Volti Vittora and Alura are really exceptional speakers. They project a "sound-field" unlike any panel or dynamic speaker, and yet deliver all the "audiophile" characteristics we demand. And, no, not a bit telltale sign that less sophisticated horn speakers are known for - really an accomplishment. Music has really become alive in my room.
Charles, Thanks for the comments and info for Dan regarding the BorderPatrol amp. My system "locked in" when I added the BP. They compliment the Alura perfectly. Dynamic. Muscular. Delicate. Nuanced. All with 20 watts/channel. Truth be told. I ended up purchasing the demo BP amp that I heard at AXPONA powering the Aluras. The translation to my home has been nothing short of astonishingly gratifying.
System edited: System edit. Replaced the Esoteric X-05 with Esoteric K-03. More delineation and thus more three dimensional. Nice. Plus a major upgrade in the DAC.
System edited: Recently added the BorderPatrol P21 amp. This is the amp I first heard with the Volti Alura at AXPONA. With the BP, I've completed the transformation of the system from a rather complex set-up to a simplified and highly musical rig. I'm also using Snake river cabling - another show demo. the BP is a pretty amazing amp. Plenty of power for the Alura, delicate, dynamic, revealing and highly coherent.
Metralla, thank you. I have the good fortune of my wife, who also enjoys our rig and has allowed our living room to be dedicated to music all these years. And the setting does enhance our enjoyment.
Schubert, Thanks for the kind comment. I'm sure Greg at Volti Audio would be able to give you current pricing or check the website. I can say that I heard many speakers at AXPONA that cost considerably more than the Alura but didn't impress me nearly as much as this creation. I classify this speaker as a significant audio achievement that must be heard.
Lapierre, Through the years I've positioned Bass Busters in the four corners of the room. Other than that, speaker placement has helped with controlling the bass. The Volti is ported in the front of the speaker and have proven more flexible with the back wall placement. Bass performance has proved to be dynamic,resonant and articulate with these guys. The Signature amps are very limited production made in Milwaukee and were probably made about 15 yrs ago. They are unusually a FET input and a tube output (4 - 6550) - About 150 watts. I really was concerned about their ability to cleanly and qualitatively feed the very sensitive Alura. Fortunately they do. Maybe some day I'll look into SET amps.
Thanks Catfish. The living room dimensions are 21 X 13 X 8.5, not counting the window bays. Our house is 95 yrs. old and has plaster textured walls and a coved ceiling. If it's true that the room plays up to 50% of the sound, then the system is really affected by this construction. The Volti Alura is truly amazing and unlike 95% of traditional driver speakers. Yet it has no "horn" signature other than providing a huge sound-field. Dave
