Solid state for TAD CR-1

veindoc

veindoc

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Northern California outside SF
Auditioned several including tad m2500, Pass 250.5, JRDG 201, 625, ayre mx-r, musical fidelity, and Viola labs symphony. Best so far is Symphony. Low level detail whether listening quietly or loud just phenominal. Sadly just too large for my desk location. Awaiting Viola concerto new amp slighly smaller chassis to audition after NY audio show. I think this amp if powerful enough(125-8ohm, 250-4ohm, but conservatively rated) or Dag stereo will end up pairing beautifully with my xp-20 and cr-1s.
Nick
 
Hi Nick,

Thanks for the update. I was recommended to hear Viola Labs but have not yet. So far the D'Ag stereo sounds superb on my CR-1's. I love the Dartzeel but feel I need cables other than Nordost TYR2 for that combo. Nordost woks great on the D'Ag.
 
For the past week I've been using my D'Agostino momentum stereo amp on my CR-1's. I am really liking what I am hearing, a more balanced sound from the TADs with plenty of fullness. The treble is not as in your face as some amps. It is definitely a great combo.
 
joeinid said:
For the past week I've been using my D'Agostino momentum stereo amp on my CR-1's. I am really liking what I am hearing, a more balanced sound from the TADs with plenty of fullness. The treble is not as in your face as some amps. It is definitely a great combo.
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Joe
How much longer before the Momentum Pre-amp is scheduled for delivery?
 
If your looking for more tone density with the Dart, you may want to try the Shunyata Zitron cables. I recently bought the cobras after comparing to Wireworld Eclipse, SR Element Copper, and Sablon Panatella. The zitrons were a clear winner.
 
Hi Jay

Thank you for your recommendation. I do plan on adding Shunyata cables, both IC's and power cords.


Jay said:
If your looking for more tone density with the Dart, you may want to try the Shunyata Zitron cables. I recently bought the cobras after comparing to Wireworld Eclipse, SR Element Copper, and Sablon Panatella. The zitrons were a clear winner.
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Rowland 525 had power for little amp but never warmed up sonically or thermally. Not a bit of heat, cool to touch and I think this particular amp may b not working normally. Other 525 owners have said amp get warm not hot but mine stay totally cool. Merril just ok sonically with my CR-!. Today my Vitus rs-100 came, no sound from right speaker output back to dealer for fix but I still would love to give it an honest trial. I hope to make a decision any decade now.
Nick
 
Ha!

Nick, I know what you are going through. I really think I'm done with finding what I like on my TADs. The D'Agostino combo is simply awesome. I'd like to hear Constellation and Viola at some point but it's not imperative. There is a little heat from the Momentum amp but in my opinion, the warmth of an amp correlates to the quality of sound - within reason. Heat, up to a point, is necessary in my book.

Please keep us updated.
 
I agree all electronics have a break in and function within an optimal temp. range. I dont mine heat as long as my room does not become a sweatbox. But I think this 525 sonically has some issue. Class D switing amps r efficient but all I have tried do put out some heat. Delighted you have found some Zen synergy with your Dag pre & amp
BTW which cables did u change out?
Nick
 
Anybody tried the PASS XS on TAD? Have only heard good review about them, wondering if they might take the TAD higher.
 
Tuesday repaired Vitus RS-100 comes in. My tad connection wants me to get the new Viola concerto says it really high current and perfect with CR-1 even though only rated at 175/250. I did love their much larger beast Symphony. The final dark horse candidate is to me nothing that I ever considered. It is the tube based zanden 8120 100 watts per channel with 4 kt120. Either their tube preamp with the viola or both pre and amp from Zanden may b my final choice. Usa rep said he has used Zanden amp wth Tad ref. it it was just a true sonic winner. Very musical, fast bass and very very powerful even for the less efficient cr-1. With CAS in aug. I will make my decision by mid August for sure.

Nick
 
veindoc said:
Tuesday repaired Vitus RS-100 comes in. My tad connection wants me to get the new Viola concerto says it really high current and perfect with CR-1 even though only rated at 175/250. I did love their much larger beast Symphony. The final dark horse candidate is to me nothing that I ever considered. It is the tube based zanden 8120 100 watts per channel with 4 kt120. Either their tube preamp with the viola or both pre and amp from Zanden may b my final choice. Usa rep said he has used Zanden amp wth Tad ref. it it was just a true sonic winner. Very musical, fast bass and very very powerful even for the less efficient cr-1. With CAS in aug. I will make my decision by mid August for sure.

Nick
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I would suggest a pair of Classe CAM-600's. There's a fellow on WBF who struggled to find amps for his CR-1's and was shocked when the Classe CA-2300 (which is one CAM-600 converted to stereo) was the best by a mile.

Just a thought....
 
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?10889-Tad-Cr1&p=197358&viewfull=1#post197358

Re-Post from WBF ...

Stereophonic
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Junior Member Join DateJun 2013Posts9
Thats the winner !!!

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Hello all.
I had been listening various combos with the Tad Cr1. Here we go.
First of all was my Dartzeel Cth 8550. I really love this amp. Is the kind of amplifier you know is something special. And sounds like that. When i put it with the Tads the pleasure was there. Really brilliant in reproduction of mids. The magic was there. But as you know, the tads are difficult to move and put the Dart in its place. There's no enough power. The treble and the bass was not controled.
Then i put the 8550 like pre and a nhb-108. There was more control, not enough, but less coherence. The same unbalanced of treble/bass. It was a very disapointing situation to me. I know i can listen the Dart sound in this incredible speakers.
Yesterday i was called for a demo with the Tad C2000+M2500. I was really conviced that this amplification, made ex profeso for the Tads, would reveal the potencial of Tads Cr1. But not. All were in its place. Highs, mids and bass sounds like they are. Any lack of anything but lacks of the most important. Music. The music wasn't there. Was like a teacher who imparts his lesson magistraly but not transmitted the sense of his knowledge. The Tads sounds incredible correct but like they were in the typical examination that put you nervous and dont let you relax.
At this point, what to do? It was another amp in the room that didn't was a priori in the selected list.
At this point, what to lose? We put it with the C2000 as preamp. push play and......woooow. Couldn't believe. The Tads become to life. Less analitical, more open, the scene was liberated. The Tads were happy with it. So happy that they put another bass driver below the real one. Like a present !!! They played under 32 Hz with easy. They sounded more like a floorspeaker than a monitor. The best surprise for me was that amplifier was the Classé Audio Ca-2300 !!! It was less perfect but more more more real. I don't understand the Tads. They are the most unpredictable speakers i have listened. If you listen Wilson, B&W, Sonus Faber, etc.... they always sound in its way. You can listen some changes with differents electronics but the philosophy of the brand is always in.
Then i read another time the review of JA in Sterophile of the Tads and: Whats the amplifier used? The Classé Cam-600 !!!
My budget is smiling !!!
 
I've had XA100.5's on my TADs and thought it sounded great. The heat output for me would be too much in the summer but welcomed in the winter. I think the Xa160.5 or xa200 would be better on the TADs than the xa100 because of a firmer grip and tighter presentation.

I can only imagine how wonderful the Xs150 or Xs300 would be. Based on all accounts the Xs series of amps is superb giving more depth. Bigger sound stage. A clearer window into the music. Lower noise floor. More coherent presentation. I better stop. I may want them.

High Potential said:
Anybody tried the PASS XS on TAD? Have only heard good review about them, wondering if they might take the TAD higher.
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