Avantgarde Speakers

KeithR said:
Avantgarde Trios w/ basshorns driven by a BAT-VK75SE was an amazing audiophile moment around 10 years ago at the SF Stereophile Show. I've never seen an audience give a standing ovation after a demo- in this case, after Pink Floyd's The Wall.
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It was at the S.F. Stereophile Show in 2003.

Robert Harley and Srajan Ebaen both commented on the applause.

I voiced the system. The applause at the end of each demo was consistent in two ways - (1) It happened with nearly every demo - (2) I was amazed every time it happened!

If you would kindly overlook the shameless capitalistic plug - there is an interesting back story to that event that I tell in my upcoming audiophile tool kit - Through the Sound Barrier. :)
 
Jim Smith said:
It was at the S.F. Stereophile Show in 2003.

Robert Harley and Srajan Ebaen both commented on the applause.

I voiced the system. The applause at the end of each demo was consistent in two ways - (1) It happened with nearly every demo - (2) I was amazed every time it happened!

If you would kindly overlook the shameless capitalistic plug - there is an interesting back story to that event that I tell in my upcoming audiophile tool kit - Through the Sound Barrier. :)
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Jim, That's exactly why I emailed you about setting up my system as soon as I move to Georgia!
 
A buddy of mine had a pair for about six months, but could not get the system sounding right. He was using the Wavelength Cardinal amps for power.
 
Yeah, I'd look at First Watt amps in addition to good tube options. The SIT-1 in particular. At 104dbs and above efficiency, the AGs are a perfect fit for them and as I recall Nelson uses custom horns at home.
 
Seriously, the AV's own pre/power, so far, seems to me the best fit. I guess it had to be after listening to Ongaku's, Souga's, Air Tight 211's, all seem nice, but dollar to dollar value to performance, the AV can't be topped. Value for money I must say. And being well designed SS, they are fast, tight and musical (like tubes).
 
I like the Avantgarde Uno Finos - very reasonably priced for what they offer. Heard them driven by a Silbatone Acoustics DAC and 8W 300B SET integrated amplifier - seriously gorgeous looking (and priced accordingly).

What struck me was the scale of the sound, the sense of ease and unlimited dynamics as well as the lack of compression. The separation between the performers on stage as distinct bodies/sounds was evident, and one could follow a line or the whole.

The soundstage did not have much depth but I understand that this is typical of horns. The sound has a certain immediacy and presence, especially the mids. If one had to pick a fault, the vocals were slightly less open and had a tinge of nasality/colouration, but still beautiful sounding. Perhaps, using them with AVG's own pre/power amps may ameliorate this.

Here's a review on ETM:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0513/avantgarde_acoustic_uno_fino.htm
 
Jerry Seh said:
Seriously, the AV's own pre/power, so far, seems to me the best fit. I guess it had to be after listening to Ongaku's, Souga's, Air Tight 211's, all seem nice, but dollar to dollar value to performance, the AV can't be topped. Value for money I must say. And being well designed SS, they are fast, tight and musical (like tubes).
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Yes, and quite innovative technologies utilised too.

Looking at the build quality, one wonders how AVG managed to price their top line products at what other manufacturers would reserve for their entry level products.

Perhaps there is a certain logic in using a 150W amplifier for >104 dB sensitivity speakers after all.

Btw, would you be able to share how the Ongakus, etc sounded with your Duo Mezzos? Besides value for money, are the AVG electronics still the best match?
 
nfnc said:
Yes, and quite innovative technologies utilised too.

Looking at the build quality, one wonders how AVG managed to price their top line products at what other manufacturers would reserve for their entry level products.

Perhaps there is a certain logic in using a 150W amplifier for >104 dB sensitivity speakers after all.

Btw, would you be able to share how the Ongakus, etc sounded with your Duo Mezzos? Besides value for money, are the AVG electronics still the best match?
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Great post.
I'm very interested on finding out how these speakers sound, and what electronics work best.
 
Guys,

I've heard Duos (two different models) and Trios, and they all sounded best with tube amps.
A friend had Audiopax 88s (25W) on his Duos, and when I took the new Audiopax Maggiore 50 (50W) amps, these was a substantial improvement in the flow of the music. Even at 100+dB, they appreciate more power. Next in line for a tryout are the 100W Audiopax Maggiore 100 :)

I'll also try a darTZeel SS amp, and see how it fares against tubes...


alex
 
Oh while we're at it, here's a pic of Duo Mezzos at THE Show Newport Beach (w/ Audiopax).

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asiufy said:
Guys,

I've heard Duos (two different models) and Trios, and they all sounded best with tube amps.
A friend had Audiopax 88s (25W) on his Duos, and when I took the new Audiopax Maggiore 50 (50W) amps, these was a substantial improvement in the flow of the music. Even at 100+dB, they appreciate more power. Next in line for a tryout are the 100W Audiopax Maggiore 100 :)

I'll also try a darTZeel SS amp, and see how it fares against tubes...


alex
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Alex, have you tried the XA pre/power amps? Would seem to be synergistic given that the amps were designed to compliment the speakers and vice-versa.

Having said that, most of the guys at my local dealer prefer to initially demonstrate the AVG speakers with Audio Note/Air Tight low wattage SET integrateds. Could have a commercial angle though - it is easier for a customer to choose to buy the speakers with a view to using $3-5k tube/SET integrated vs a $20+k XA pre/power.
 
One word of advice to anyone considering Avantgardes, forget the super high efficiency ratings. To achieve the proper integration at the crossover to the sub and dynamics in the bass, power is required. The more the better. I would NEVER use a low rated SET amp on them. Lots of good experiences out there with relatively inexpensive solid state. Job, Valvet, Pass (not the First Watts) are all excellent matches as well as Avantgardes own amps.
 
nfnc said:
Yes, and quite innovative technologies utilised too.

Looking at the build quality, one wonders how AVG managed to price their top line products at what other manufacturers would reserve for their entry level products.

Perhaps there is a certain logic in using a 150W amplifier for >104 dB sensitivity speakers after all.

Btw, would you be able to share how the Ongakus, etc sounded with your Duo Mezzos? Besides value for money, are the AVG electronics still the best match?
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Its been almost close to 2 years since I last heard the Mezzo G2's with Sougas, Ongaku's and Air Tight 211.

1. The Kondo tube stuff are intoxicating. Tube magic at its best. But so is the pricing.
2. The Air Tight combo of ATE2001 + 211 Mono are about just as good. I could not draw a number, close very close to the Kondo stuff. The difference, if one wanted to nit pick would probably be the pride of ownership of one of the best tube amps in the business.
3. The AV X Pre/Power then came along and the pricing, compared to both the Air Tight combo and Kondo stuff seems more "reasonable" given the build like a tank quality. Sound wise, its musical and I believe AV would not have done this combo without much voicing and thought thru, after all, they did made some amps before this pair, integrated (2 models prior) and one heavily priced and not so great looking Pre/Power.

In the end, given the price difference and the closeness and I think, the best voiced and matched pre/power, I selected the AV. Till today, I can never fault the combination and each time, the music just flows. I no longer nit pick on anything except relaxing and listening to the music - and of course, looking at the monumental fine furniture look of the pilasander wood on both the amps and the speakers.

If not for the one desire to finding out how 70's music on vinyl sounds like on 70's equipment, which prompted me on the search to building one such system, this would have been my retirement system.

So far, for the vintage system, I have narrowed the speakers search to JBL's Paragon or the much cheaper L300, all restored to mint new conditions (from Kendrick). Yet to decide. As for amps, I have managed to obtain a mint McIntosh C22/MC75 Mono, which fits the time span of the 70's. The restored Thorens TD160 Super MKII will play the mono vinyls. The rest, I am still searching. No rush as I am just doing something to quench my "thirst for knowing how 70's would sound in a 70's system". I guess I must be growing old ... to start appreciating "antique hifi".

Cheers!
 
Thank you for the detailed response.

Honestly, I don't think that one can go wrong with AVG electronics - their speakers were voiced with them after all. Plus, great value for money, with the ability to customise the look.

In addition, for a non-boutique manufacturer,they are quite flexible. If necessary, they are even prepared to modify the sensitivity of the second power amp input to match a non-AVG DAC/pre amp. No attitude.

On the vintage hi-fi quest, I wish you all the best in your journey. That's the beauty with this hobby of ours. There should not be any wrong or right way. At the end of the day, it is the music and the enjoyment that we get from listening to our systems - different ways for different tastes. Lucky are those who have found the system that matches their tastes.
 
I was done setting up our rooms, post-THE Show, so I figured I'd have some fun "rearranging" a few things...

So I took darTZeel's new 200W integrated amp (w/ DAC+streamer) and hooked it up to our 104dB-sensitive Avantgardes!

That couldn't work, right?

But it did!

The transparency is breathtaking, the dynamic realism, the little nuances... Nice :D

It's definitely a lot of fun having these "toys" around to play with!

Folks in SoCal are welcome to stop by!

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asiufy said:
I was done setting up our rooms, post-THE Show, so I figured I'd have some fun "rearranging" a few things...

So I took darTZeel's new 200W integrated amp (w/ DAC+streamer) and hooked it up to our 104dB-sensitive Avantgardes!

That couldn't work, right?

But it did!

The transparency is breathtaking, the dynamic realism, the little nuances... Nice :D

It's definitely a lot of fun having these "toys" around to play with!

Folks in SoCal are welcome to stop by!
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i'm not surprised....and good to know.

the amp in that dart integrated reminds me of my 458 monos. low parts count, no global feedback, very quiet, grain less, and no trace of hardness. and clearly on a 104db speaker it's 'first watt purity' is fully exposed.
 
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