A few quick photos of a system in flux - Duo XD ...

Thank you very much Kev.

I appreciate the kind words. Thank you. I have to say how happy I am with what I’m hearing now. Demoing gear at a dealer or show is one thing, but getting to live with a piece or two on a long term basis is the only true way of knowing if you love it or not.

You have had a wonderful journey as well, and I appreciate seeing what has been through your doors. I would love to hear your current gear. I’m absolutely sure it’s spectacular.

For me, it’s now a matter of selling off the least used pieces and making the most of the room and system. Before, I couldn’t wait to get a new piece of gear. Now, I can’t wait to turn on what I have and usually stay up way too late.
 
Sounds like me playing with software again Joe, happy with what I have. Got rid of all the big ticket items, just wasn't really thinking about new music & the journey at all....
 
joeinid said:
The Valvet E2 is simply outstanding. It's a little more neutral overall than the SIT3 for example but it feels so complete top to bottom. I'm personally leaning towards the SIT3 overall but have had the E2 in the system for the past 10 days or so.

It's only 12wpc into 8 ohms but I still need to find out from the company officially if it likes or hates the 16-18 ohms of my Duos. It seems perfectly happy but I don't know electrically if it's too much like the SIT3. That needs a resistor in parallel to lower the overall resistance to 8 ohms or below.

The E2 runs hot on the bottom because it's fully Class A. It's very open, 3D, lively, dead quiet, very musical and detailed.

The SIT3 for example seems a little smoother, a little more reserved on top and a little more SET-like overall.

If you made me pick one for the Duos, I'd go SIT3 for my personal taste. If you want more detail and openness, go E2. I think on another or different high efficiency speaker, I would absolutely pick and happily live with the E2. I'm certainly not giving it up. It's simply superb with another flavor of great.

I think Sugden or Accuphase E650 could be superb as well.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
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Joe,
Have you looked into the compatibility of the VALVET E-2 with the 16ohm load that your speakers present? Adding a resistor?
 
I am so sorry for not responding sooner. I missed seeing your post for some reason.

I asked the dealer at the time of purchase and he said it was not a problem. I still want to check with the manufacturer but I don't hear any issues/problems.



jadedavid said:
Joe,
Have you looked into the compatibility of the VALVET E-2 with the 16ohm load that your speakers present? Adding a resistor?
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joeinid said:
I am so sorry for not responding sooner. I missed seeing your post for some reason.

I asked the dealer at the time of purchase and he said it was not a problem. I still want to check with the manufacturer but I don't hear any issues/problems.
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No problem Joe, thanks for the response.
I was curious as I have an itch to get some O/93's and was curious as to how they would work with them.
 
I am sure the O/93 with a 10 ohm 93 dB sensitivity will be absolutely stellar with the Valvet E2. It's a superb amp and I could be extremely happy with it as my solid state reference.

This review below nails it!

http://10audio.com/valvet-e2.htm



jadedavid said:
No problem Joe, thanks for the response.
I was curious as I have an itch to get some O/93's and was curious as to how they would work with them.
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I am surprised and excited every time that I listen to my system. Having the musicians right in front of me is such a cool feeling.
 
jadedavid said:
Joe,
Have you looked into the compatibility of the VALVET E-2 with the 16ohm load that your speakers present? Adding a resistor?
Click to expand...

I just received a response from Valvet regarding 16 ohm loads on the E2 amp. It’s absolutely fine but power does drop to about 5wpc at 16 ohms. I’m sure your 10 ohm Devore will split the difference and be somewhere around 10wpc but still plenty of power in my opinion.
 
joeinid said:
I just received a response from Valvet regarding 16 ohm loads on the E2 amp. It’s absolutely fine but power does drop to about 5wpc at 16 ohms. I’m sure your 10 ohm Devore will split the difference and be somewhere around 10wpc but still plenty of power in my opinion.
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Thanks for the info, good to know.
I'm sure your AG's are spectacular.
I heard some at the Florida Expo and really liked them.
A little pricey for me at this time. Although after all of the speakers that I have bought and sold (at a loss I might add) I probably could have had the AG's paid for by now. LOL
 
After selling a bunch of gear, it was an easier stretch for me. Knowing what I know now, I could have saved a boatload on some mistakes but the journey was fun.
 
joeinid said:
After selling a bunch of gear, it was an easier stretch for me. Knowing what I know now, I could have saved a boatload on some mistakes but the journey was fun.
Click to expand...

Joe, I don’t think there really are mistakes in this hobby [emoji3]. The journey is the destination.

There just is no substitute to hearing something in your own system.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I do agree. Even hearing the same piece in someone else’s system it’s never the same in my own.

I’ve never been happier with what I’m hearing now.
 
hey joe, it's been some months since you got the avantgarde's set up. what is your rig looking like now in terms of upstream gear and amps? also, any thoughts to share after 6+ months of ownership - i'm realizing my curiosity about high efficiency horns and speakers has been growing for a while and i could possibly see a pair in my future :)
 
Hi,

I have to say that I’m extremely happy with them.

The McIntosh gear that I had was good but gone now. Not because it was bad or anything, I just found gear I enjoyed more on my Duo.

I also sold my Bricasti dac. I’m looking forward to getting something a little smoother and sweeter dac-wise.

My Duo are phenomenal performers. For me, best solid state amp is my SIT-3. I’m trying to get my hands on a pair of SIT-1 monos as was recommended to me. The Accuphase and Valvet are wonderful too but a little more neutral.

My GAT2 works perfectly with my SIT3. Other amps with the gat2 have too much gain.

The Misho wooden combo is superb, best tube combo for my Duo. The Luxman MQ300 is superb also, a little sweeter and meatier than other tube gear. I love rotating through the different combinations of gear because it keeps it fresh.

Low gain, low noise gear is a must but damn, there’s a concert in my room every night.

Avantgarde speakers are a destination. If you are the least bit curious, definitely check them out. A proper demo will blow you away.



Skanda said:
hey joe, it's been some months since you got the avantgarde's set up. what is your rig looking like now in terms of upstream gear and amps? also, any thoughts to share after 6+ months of ownership - i'm realizing my curiosity about high efficiency horns and speakers has been growing for a while and i could possibly see a pair in my future :)
Click to expand...
 
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