My eternal chase for point source sound has taken me from Innersound to Vienna to B&W to Tyler to Sanders to Tannoy (Churchill) to Golden Ear to Zu (Druid IV) to Tannoy (DC10T) to KEF (Ref 1) to Sonist to PMC to Fyne to KEF (Blade 2) back to Zu (DW6) & now the Cornwall. I'll review the new Klipsch in Q4 as they need loads of break in.
Many amps & preamps along the way. Merry go round; but for me that's what makes the hobby fun.
Oct 2025: Klipsch Cornwall IV arrived a week ago. Sold a spare TT & a Primaluna preamp & SVS Ultra Towers & SVS sub to consolidate & downsize. The Cornwall? Methinks I've been chasing this sound my entire life. I'll post a review in Q4 after they break in. They need hundreds of hours of break in according to Upscale Audio & they know far better than I.
Yes! When I finished adding the VTA mods to my second Dyna 70 amp, I set everything up in a vertical bi-amp configuration using two stereo amps....one channel of each amp for woofer, one for mids/tweeter. Soundstage was spectacular!
At one point of the channels developed a problem, so I just want back to using them as single channel mono blocks as opposed to pulling the amp out of service to fix it. (one of these days I will, but in the meantime at least I'm not burning 8 Gold Lion KT66s at once!). In the mean time, I introduced a solid state integrated amp to run the woofers (below 80hz), and use the Dyna/VTA tube ups up top on the midbass/tweeters. Technically the addition of the SS amp is horizontal bi-amping, but monoblocks are inherently vertical, so I suppose it's really a hybrid bi-amp configuration. It still sounds wonderful to me, and bass dynamics are better on the woofers from the SS integrated amp.
Just sold the Kef Blade 2, to recoup their costs. They had a fun 1.5 years in residence here though. Back to my SVS Ultra Towers in main room, which are always smooth & listenable. Also, just ordered Zu DW6 for TV room and kicks in the main room from time to time. I am indeed a 'Zu fan.'
Zufan, I have two subs from SVS and I’m just blown away by them, especially the 3000 micro. They are an amazing company to deal with, excellent customer service. They are literally within 3 miles of my office. I am going to check out their towers for sure now. Thank you!
I bought the Chevs in 2020, would still own them if I hadn't moved to a larger house. I did bring them with. The new listening room is 20x21 & they're not meant for a room that size. Sold them via TMR.
To anyone speaker shopping I say this: SVS Ultra Towers. Under $3k and will bowl you over with strong clean sound. I had my two local buddies over a few months back, both are Wilson owners (one with the monster XLF). Both couldn't believe their eyes when I wound it up. I'd still have them in main room but saw a demo pair of Blade 2 for half price this year and couldn't resist. SVS are now in the TV room. SVS has amazing service & offer free home trial.
Awesome system! and you are right, Billie and George could be cousins or brothers.
Question: as I read down the comments it seems you once had Tannoy Cheviot's? Those are in my top three for upgrades in 2023. Volti Razz, Klipsch Cornwalls and the Cheviot's. How did you like them?
Ever evolving: this week a) Sanders Magtech sold & B) 2nd Bob Carver Black Magic 25 arrived to go mono. Last week the PrimaLuna Prologue pre arrived. Ergo, building the glass forest.
New addition last week: Fidelium speaker cables. That old saw of wanting to stay up late every night listening to your records? That is literally happening to me continuously the last week.
It's been so bad I've forgotten to feed or clean myself.
Great looking speakers! I’ve never had the pleasure of hearing the Blades (I’m still in love with my 207’s), but being KEF, I’m sure they sound as beautiful as they look!
Out with the NAD C298 amp, in with the Sanders Magtech. The Blade2 were good on the NAD but the KEF thrive on big current. Felt they needed a bit more mustard. Which they now have, oh my laws.
Really beautiful system. I live just a few miles from both Zu and RBH Sound. I traded into a pair of Zu cubes. They did so many things well, but sounded just awful with some recording. Have you enjoyed your pair?
Very cool setups! Love ‘em both. I see you’ve got a cat too. They make the listening environment better in my opinion! Your bitcoin reference hurts... they’re up to around $23k now for 1. Could have been a millionaire had we jumped on that in the beginning.
