Amps for Raidho D3's

I just came back from visiting the member's list. ...Disappointing what I've seen. ...Bunch of no good names there.

Wrong thread. :(

Put this under forum announcements or something.

We do what we can Bob.... As I mentioned, our new measures will significantly reduce new spammers from getting in....but the ones that are in - need to be banned one by one.
 
Let me see if I can get this thread back on track...

OK...spoke with Michael Børresen today for a little over an hour. It was an extremely informative conversation and discussion about micro related topics (amplifiers, racks, damping factor vs current, etc.) and macro related topics (evolution of sound). As many of you know, he is extremely intelligent and his view of the future of our hobby is exciting.

I learned that Raidho speakers are "voiced" with a Burmester integrated amp. However, Michael himself prefers Audionet, DartZeel (oh God, I will have to hear this from Joe) and VAC on his speakers. Burmester and Soulution are also excellent (among several others).

Michael himself has a pair of D1's driven by a prototype of the new Raidho integrated (180 watt/channel) amplifier.

Michael and I spoke for 20 minutes about racks and isolation. He is not a fan of expensive racks that isolate because, as he explained, the energy (50-60 cycles per second) built up in equipment needs to be released. I asked what happens if its not released, and he said "the customer is not smiling". But, more specifically, a boomy sound. Raidho is coming out with their own line of racks which will ensure the energy is released. If anyone is interested in the rack he suggested (until theirs comes out) - you can PM me.

All in all, it was a very interesting discussion about Raidho (the company), the industry (how to attract younger folks) and sound in general (coloration vs natural) and how the brain perceives coloration in the sound.

Mike
 
Mike -- I hate to ask the obvious, I haven't caught up on everything [this thread is getting long and I'm getting lazy ;) ].... Does this mean you're getting rid of the Aida's? If so, why the change? I thought they were the bee's knees? What do the Raidho's do that the Aida's don't? I'm very curious why the change. At first glance, I would consider the change a downgrade. Especially in terms of low-end reproduction.

From what I've personally experienced, the D'Agostino mono's are great and can blend with a wide range of loudspeaker manufacturers -- they may be the prized "last amps you'll ever buy". Having not heard all the competitors you've listed I'd certainly not jump to any conclusion about what's better with the Raidho's though. Perhaps there's an option for home demo of some of these with your new speakers from your dealer? Also, what amps do Raido tune their speakers with? That's what I'd go with quite honestly -- despite all the other's on the list. The Raidho's are so very different than many other loudspeakers out there that you may just drive yourself nuts trying to find good synergy with just literature and recommendations.

One last thing to consider: If you are getting rid of the Aida's, you might want to consider that you'll probably get rid of the Raidho's in a few years too. The decision to purchase amps that only pair well with the Raido's may force you to change out your whole system again, just like it sounds like you're doing now. If, however, you purchase the D'Agostino's the odds are they'll pair well with whatever loudspeakers you change to in the future.

Congrats on the new gear. I love the smell of new electronics in my room ;)

Bryan

I've just placed my order yesterday for a new pair of Raidho D3's. I'm very much looking forward to getting them as I absolutely loved the D1's and D2's.

I have been auditioning amps/preamps for the better part of 3 months now. I have auditioned Constellation, Soulution, D'Agostino, Vitus, Boulder, Strumento and numerous others.

I have narrowed it down to Soulution 501/520 and D'Agostino Monos with either the Constellation Virgo or Soulution 520.

I have a dedicated 15 x 25 room.

I would welcome some thoughts on the matter. Thank you.

Mike
 
Mike -- I hate to ask the obvious, I haven't caught up on everything [this thread is getting long and I'm getting lazy ;) ].... Does this mean you're getting rid of the Aida's? If so, why the change? I thought they were the bee's knees? What do the Raidho's do that the Aida's don't? I'm very curious why the change. At first glance, I would consider the change a downgrade. Especially in terms of low-end reproduction.

From what I've personally experienced, the D'Agostino mono's are great and can blend with a wide range of loudspeaker manufacturers -- they may be the prized "last amps you'll ever buy". Having not heard all the competitors you've listed I'd certainly not jump to any conclusion about what's better with the Raidho's though. Perhaps there's an option for home demo of some of these with your new speakers from your dealer? Also, what amps do Raido tune their speakers with? That's what I'd go with quite honestly -- despite all the other's on the list. The Raidho's are so very different than many other loudspeakers out there that you may just drive yourself nuts trying to find good synergy with just literature and recommendations.

One last thing to consider: If you are getting rid of the Aida's, you might want to consider that you'll probably get rid of the Raidho's in a few years too. The decision to purchase amps that only pair well with the Raido's may force you to change out your whole system again, just like it sounds like you're doing now. If, however, you purchase the D'Agostino's the odds are they'll pair well with whatever loudspeakers you change to in the future.

Congrats on the new gear. I love the smell of new electronics in my room ;)

Bryan

Bryan, the only thing Mike has had longer than 2 years is his wife !!

Mike loves to experience new gear, and new combinations. He is always moving. He's one of my best friends,yet we are very different. I've come to understand his love for the "New" !

We are all different, but, we all love music !!
 
Hi Bryan - I'm actually very happy that you're interested enough to ask! But you are probably 10 steps ahead of me. A little background will definitely help.

First, what started out as a search for a speaker that will work in my family room, has turned both my systems upside down and has caused me to really think about music, my love for music, my passion for music and the deep way music affects me personally.

A little background: I purchased a pair of Revel Studio 2's for my Family Room after selling the SF Guarnari Mementos. The Mementos were wonderful little speakers, but they were not a fit for a space with is 15 x 45 and 12 foot ceilings. The Studio 2's are magnificent speakers (especially for the money), but they were not a good fit at all in my family room. They need to be out from the wall a piece and had a tough time imaging (imaging was a big step down from the Mementos - but it was because of my room - NOT the speakers). The Revel Studio 2's are terrific in my main room. But since they don't work downstairs, they have been SOLD.

I went to Toronto in July. I spent a few days traveling from one high end shop to another. I listened to as many things as I could: Focal, Vienna Acoustics, Joseph Audio, Raidho, Magico, Vandersteen and many others. I was searching for a speaker that would work in my family room. There was one speaker that was so different, so advanced, so incredible sounding, I just had to have it. The Raidho D1. I immediately purchased a pair. Got them home and they worked wonders in my Family room. Imaging was there in spades. Bass was impressive too. The more I listened to them, the more I wondered what they would sound like upstairs on the big system. Up the stairs they went. I immediately began experimenting. Amps. Preamps. Cables. Sources. The little D1's were exceeding my expectations in every way. As I ran through my test tracks, I was hearing music the way I wanted to hear it. The sound was so different - I became extremely interested in Raidho. I had heard of them from friends (Bob - Vintage Tube, Jon, etc.) - but I had never heard them myself - until now.

I began to listen to the D1's more than any other speaker in my house. I found myself going into what I call the "music zone". It's a very personal place, but eyes closed, I am "there". I am feeling what the musicians feel. I am emotionally connected. I began to wonder, "if the D1's are this good, how much better would the D3's be? OR would I lose some of the D1 magic?" Well...nothing ventured, nothing gained!

So, I quickly sold the D1's to a Doctor fellow (super nice guy) and pulled together the funds for D3's. Order placed. Now I wait. We shall see.

Bryan - I am discovering that their is a real shift from warm, colored gear to high resolution, dynamic gear. I am not exactly sure which side I come down on. I find that the uncolored, high resolution, dynamic sound is capable of allowing me to get into the musical zone. But I truly enjoy both. More listening is required!

When I asked Lars why this was the case, he said, "take a look at your iPhone. It is smooth to the touch. It has beautiful smooth edges. Nothing sticks out. When we color sound, things stick out and our brains have to work hard to fill in the missing pieces or to figure out why something sounds different than it should." Interesting. I'm still digesting it! ;)

But your logic as it relates to the D'Agostino amps is bang on....and exactly in line of how I'm thinking too. But, I may end up with something completely different....but resale probabilities are important. I guess if I end up buying the Audionet gear, they will be burying it with me. :) That's one way to get me to hang on to gear for a while. Buy the stuff no one else would! :)

I am off to Boston next week for the Raidho/Audionet presentation. We shall see. I also want to hear D'Agostino and D3's, Soulution and D3's and most importantly, attend RMAF to see what else is out there I might like.
 
You should try this one too.

update8.jpg
 
Mono 909mk5, then stereo 909mk5, then mono 911mk3's, then stereo 911mk3 :)
 
Mono 909mk5, then stereo 909mk5, then mono 911mk3's, then stereo 911mk3 :)

You are correct here - best sound of all of them are mono 909mk5 and then stereo.
I like the sound of 909mk5 stereo much better than mono 911mk3 - the very big transformer and better quality parts has something to do with that.
 
You are correct here - best sound of all of them are mono 909mk5 and then stereo.
I like the sound of 909mk5 stereo much better than mono 911mk3 - the very big transformer and better quality parts has something to do with that.

Thank you Wizard for confirming what I hear.
 
Thanks for sharing Mike. Looks like you've got your work cut out for you -- but it certainly sounds like fun work for sure. Safe travels and happy listening. It will be interesting to learn what you decide on for your new system.


Bryan
 
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