That's OK, I have the Reimyo CD player, Accuphase A-50V power amp and Gila Audio Alana linestage.

linkster June 03, 2009 14:46

Nice Linkster!

Mind you the Tidals are very revealing of the upstream components!

ENJOY my friend and happy listening!

Mike

argyro June 03, 2009 05:19

Karel, just placed an order through the new US importer for the Tidal Amea in piano black. Your comments together with others in the small but dedicated Tidal community helped me make this decision. Now all I have to do is wait 4 months! Linc

linkster June 02, 2009 22:03

Hi Linkster!

I do not like characterize equipment like that but I suppose you are right. I would put the YG in the middle of the Verity and the Tidal as far as their musicality with the Verity the most musical and the the Tidal the most accurate. But that doesnt mean that the Verity isnt accurate or the Tidal isnt musical. ;)

The Verity due to the Ribbon tweeter is very very transparent, you feel you can walk through the musicians, I would say it is more transparent than the other two.

Excuse me but after the Verity it is very hard for me to listen to a speakers without a ribbon tweeter. YG and Tidal are some of the exceptions that can be counted in the fingers of my one hand!

Happy listening,

Mike

argyro May 30, 2009 17:41

How would you distinguish Tidal from Verity? I think the Tidal house sound would be closer to YG than Verity. Tidal focuses on accuracy and transparency where Verity provides a relaxed musicality. I think the newer Focal products give you both.

linkster May 30, 2009 11:09

Linkster that is a very difficult question for me, as you are asking me to choose between my two favorite speaker brands (and YG)...

I really don't know, I could live happily with both, but I think I would choose the Verity. I don't think you can go wrong with either of them though...

One think is for sure, they are very different...:)

argyro May 30, 2009 06:05

Argyro, as one who is familiar with the Verity, what would be your preference fo a small room- Tidal Amea or used Verity Parsifal Encore (or even Fidelio Encore)?

linkster May 30, 2009 02:01

Linkster thats a shame, Tidals are the real deal!!!;)

Happy listening guys!

argyro May 29, 2009 19:31

Hi Mike, Robin, sounds like I'll have to give the YGs another try next year, then. (Luckily, at over 100k, I can relax and must not pain myself over the question whether I missed something and should have them myself ;^))

If Tidal were playing at easy listening level in that show environment they certainly weren't doing themselves a favour, especially with the boom-box next door, a real pitty, I can assure you.

Karel

karelfd May 29, 2009 18:43

Alas, that is unfortunately impossible as I live in the US and Tidal has no importer at this point in time. In fact, I don't think there is even a single pair in the US. Nonetheless in consideration of the fact that most listeners want to hear the sound of their upstream components as opposed to the colored presentation of most speakers, gives your obervation on the Tidal "house" sound a strong endorsement. I think the new generation of Focal speakers as represented by the Utopia III line share this trait also.

linkster May 29, 2009 18:31

Hi Linkster, not an easy question since I have not yet heard the Diablo. Tidal speakers to me have a "family" sound (although I can't judge the Sunray or the T1) and that is coherent, unperturbed, fast-reacting "naturalness" with increasing lower end authority as you climb the hierarchy (stability is there with even the smallest). I realise, that is telling you no more than you would expect to find in any high-gloss brochure. What it means, though, if you like the sonic signature of your source and amplification, Amea will bring out the best of it.
Do you have a possibility to audition the speakers? If not, tell me where you are located, we can try to find someone near your place who owns the Amea. Just a thought.
Karel

karelfd May 29, 2009 17:34

Hi Karelfd!

I also went to the Munich show.

We basically agree on everything except the YG Acoustics system. For me it was easily the best sound of the show. Musicality and accuracy both in the same package. I wouldnt call this sound "in your face" or the "typical american sound".

In your face and American was the Wilson system. Dissapointing as you say...

The Tidal system was very good as well, but the two times I went the Contriva was playing at very low volumes.

The emilly was a pleasant surprise, very musical but the low end was not top class, quite normal for that kind of speaker.

The MBL were good, but for the money I would expect much more. The voices were a bit strange. And I am talking about the timbre not the soundstage.

Happy Listening my friend,

Mike

argyro May 29, 2009 10:05

Karelfd, have you heard the Tidal Amea's (standard- not Amea Diacera). If so, how would it match up against other stand-mounted 2-ways for small rooms. This is a speaker I am strongly considering along with the Focal Diablo Utopia.

linkster May 28, 2009 19:41

Hi Robin, thanks for the feedback. Looks like we're having a difference of opinion on YG (but that's OK, nice for all those good people building so many different machines to cater for our musical pleasure, of course ;^)). First let me specify that I intently visited only a selected number of rooms but stayed more than a half hour in each of them (in order not to jump to conclusions too fast). Trying to make the most of my time also meant I didn't get to hear the new Utopia III. I had planned otherwise but one had to queue up endlessly at the Stereoplay room in order to get tickets for a presentation (go figure, Friday morning, at 5 minutes past opening time I counted about 50 people in the hallway with more already inside the room progressing at snail's speed to get their tickets). Anyway, I did visit the YG room and admit it surely sounded spectacular but too much "in yer face" and lacking musical finesse for my taste. I believe, this cannot have been on account of the bi-amped ASR Emitters or dCS Scarlatti stack, but the speakers were not my cup of tea.

On the other hand, I absolutely agree with you with regard to the excellence of the mbl Reference system: amazing gear. Much more modest, I very much liked the WLM room, this year with an even smaller speaker, the Stella, driven by their own tube gear. Surprisingly good were Emillé/ AMR/ Rethm, I thought. As excellent as expected: Tidal/ Ancient Audio/ Audiostone/ Argento/ Transparent Acoustic. To my regret, Tidal didn't show the Sunray that I had hoped for, instead, the new Contriva once more showed its authority driven by Impact monoblocs. One major drawback of this room, however: it was next to Denon/ B&W who were showing excerpts from bluray films such as "Baraka" and "The Dark Knight" with a pair of really fat sub-woofers, so over and over again the walls were literally shaking turning the entire room in a boom-box, not very helpful. Also excellent imo: the complete Esoteric 03 system with Clearaudio Innovation turntable/ Universal arm/ da Vinci cartridge and Avangarde Duo Mezzo speakers. In stark contrast with those sytems, the biggest disappointment to me was Soulution's top gear with the Wilson Maxx3. This was squarely unpleasant and fatiguing even after a short time (for my fellow vinophiles: the thought occurred to me, if Robert Parker were to go for an all-out assault system he'd probably go for something like this, you'll get the gist).

Some of the best surprises were shown at the parallel Hifi de Luxe show where I went on Thursday. Although a recurring problem were the sometimes very tiny hotel rooms. Just to name a few of the most interesting things: Kiso HB-1 "musical instrument" loudspeakers; Einstein system including their prototype of a turntable/ tonearm/ modified EMT cartridge (all still without name); Simon Yorke S10 turntable with (prototypal?) tangential arm and Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish Gold cartridge; prototype of the Marten Coltrane Momento speakers (still, I continue to put Marten a notch below Tidal when it comes to mastering ceramic drivers, imo Tidal seems just more true to life - or should I say true to live); another "big" Einstein system driving Acapella Violon Mk IV speakers (eerie performance: a violent thunderstorm broke loose the same moment this system started performing "The Wall"); and an amazing small system consisting of humble Exposure 2010S integrated amp and cdp with Acapella 5th Avenue Mk II speakers that truly transcended the virtues of that gear.

Next year, I think I'll stay one more day, there is so much to see and hear!

karelfd May 26, 2009 19:37

Hi Karel,
so I spend weekend in Munich. And I have very very luck. In one showroom, where is Audio Physic speakers, there is in corner on little stand Playback Design player!!! At first look I dont trust, but yes I see and listen this player. But then I see Mr.Andreas Koch. We spoke about playback design and Emm Labs. And yes, this player must be in near future in my system. Andreas Koch looks like very pleasant man and he promised me loan this player.

For me the best system on show is YG acoustic with ARS Emitter and DCS top source. Of course MBL top system is the best, but creazy price! Do you hear this YG Acoustic?

Robin

pasul May 25, 2009 20:02

I received two Argento Flow interconnects a couple of days ago and I compared them with two Argento Serenity Master Reference today. My god!!!!
They are light years ahead of the previous flagship. It is impossible to describe them. It is what I call "wireless". Be prepared for a big shock in the Munich Show...

geopolitis May 16, 2009 14:13

Karel,
I know very well Almarro and WLM. WLM Lyra mkII (super-pac) with Almarro A340 and Ancient audio Prime is really one of the best sound what I ever heard. Dynamic, explosibility, space and incredibility voice. From WLM I hear La Scala Monitor, La Scala, Diva Monitor, Diva and Lyra MKII.

When I built my second system, I chose Reference 3A Dulcet and Leben CS-300. My first high-end speakers are reference 3A Veena. This combination is really good too and for WLM I don´t have space around my PC. Source I need for this system.

Ancient Audio Grand SE I never hear. I contacted Mr.Waszczyszyn and we talking about Grand SE. But its little problem lend it this player.

Here is my main system.
http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1240734184.jpg
In near future I will show it here and with second system too.

Robin

pasul May 11, 2009 19:42

Thanks Robin.

Sounds like an extremely interesting hifi studio to spend your time.

Since the 2008 High End, I have been impressed by the Almarro - WLM combination, one of those lucky systems where the total is much more than the sum of single components. They seemed made for each other, and I bet they beat most other combinations that are much more expensive. If I ever find a well kept used WLM Diva Monitor and an A318 to go with it, the days of my second system Lua Con Fuoco and Unison S2K will probably be counted... (Or the Diva with a Yamamoto A-011, I wonder how that would sound? There we go again...)

Have you heard the Ancient Audio Lektor Grand SE? I guess that must be a fantastic player. Is it much better than the Lektor Prime in your opinion?

Karel

karelfd May 11, 2009 17:50

Hi Karel,
so better is, when I answere here, than in Bob tread.

Ancient audio I know very well. In my favourite hi-fi studio, where I spend very much time, are Lektor Prime the best player. Fantastic sound. Fantastic system. Lektor Prime, Almarro A340 or Red Wine and WLM speakers. When I search my main player, I thinking about Lektor Grand SE. Finally I buy Emm Labs combo. AMR CD-77 or Letor V. I must hear this players in my system. And then I may choose.

At this time I may tested Wadia 302 player. Wadia I never hear. Its all for my second system( Leben CS-300 and Reference 3A Dulce).

Playback Design in Munich. Yes you have right. Its look that this player is not there. And it is a big pity.

Your system looks very good.
Thanks
Robin

pasul May 09, 2009 15:17

I already know two people that are planning to order the Presencio. They are convinced that this is the best preamp in the world based on the performance of the Preos (currently the best preamp in the planet together with the Sovereign Director in my opinion)

geopolitis May 01, 2009 15:43

Geopolitis, I went to see Lothar of Tidal last weekend and had the great privilege of hearing the almost finished Presencio pre-amp. On their website, they call this their "craziest" project yet. I can only say, should you ever see this advertised, go, go, go listen to it; this is worth a pilgrimage (on one's knees and with a hundredweight around one's neck)

karelfd May 01, 2009 08:50

I have heard about the show setup. It will probably be the best system that people have seen in a show ever. I ordered two Argento Flow interconnects and the Flow Speaker cable. I think they are the best value for money cables that Argento currently offers. The system that I like the most is installed in a dealer near my house. He has an Orpheus Heritage DAC, Tidal Preos, Sovereign Glory and Tidal Contrivas fully wired with Argento. This is the end of the road in my opinion for a normal sized living room....

geopolitis April 30, 2009 19:04

Hi Geopolitis, Tidal will share a room with the Argento distributor at the Munich High End show next month and will show a Sunray system rigged with a full loom of Argento cables. I will ask to do a quick calculation if I were to furnish my own (core) system with Argento. I just hope I won't leave the premises chanting They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha-Haaa (one doesn't wanna do that with so many people watching).

karelfd April 24, 2009 11:34

I am a great admirer of the Tidal Contrivas. I also heard last week the unbelievable Tidal Sunray driven by the big Wavacs. A dream system that was wired completely with Argento Serenity Master Reference. Try the Argentos there is nothing like them...

geopolitis April 14, 2009 11:50

System edited: Now what? I tried Virtual Dynamics Revelation ICs between the amps and speaker cable (all the rest unchanged). In direct comparison, I realized how precise both Jim and Rick have named their products. On the one hand Venustas = Beauty indeed, sensual and addictive; on the other hand Revelation = uncompromisingly revealing and supremely fast. And depending on the records I play and the mood I'm in, it's either one or the other that is preferred. Can't decide. Ridiculous, of course, since for the price of both sets there may be yet another cable that has it all. The Truth? Could be both, depending on the mood the artist may have been in... Oh well, this will keep me busy for a while, huh.

karelfd April 04, 2009 13:54