Avantgarde Speakers

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.

Good to know they're closely related! It's nice having that feeling of drinking champagne on a beer budget!!! :)
 
So I took darTZeel's new 200W integrated amp (w/ DAC+streamer) and hooked it up to our 104dB-sensitive Avantgardes!

Going OT a bit - how is the performance of the performance of the DAC/streamer section of the Dartzeel?
 
Going OT a bit - how is the performance of the performance of the DAC/streamer section of the Dartzeel?

personally I think it is in the Playback Designs MPS-5 territory....which is pretty high. it could be better. I've been listening to Playback Designs with darTZeel pre and amps into Evolutions for 8 years. so that is quite familiar to me.

provisionally; it's as good a digital performance as I have heard in a familiar environment in a show. i'd need a direct comparison to say more than that.

at around $15k with that amp and dac it's a steal.
 
Very interesting. At $15k, it is priced slightly below the Avantgarde integrated but would offer better value due to its in-built DAC/streamer. Attractive all in one solution even for speakers other than AVG.
 
personally I think it is in the Playback Designs MPS-5 territory....which is pretty high. it could be better. I've been listening to Playback Designs with darTZeel pre and amps into Evolutions for 8 years. so that is quite familiar to me.

provisionally; it's as good a digital performance as I have heard in a familiar environment in a show. i'd need a direct comparison to say more than that.

at around $15k with that amp and dac it's a steal.

I spent the whole day Feb 14 listening to it (driving the MM Micros and Mini 2s). Should have spent last Saturday doing the same, but Herve had to cancel last minute. Perhaps we revist in July/Aug. Its a killer and will sell like hot cakes. Demand is not the issue, adequate supply is. Haute Fidelite (French) mag gave it a rave review months ago.
 
Going OT a bit - how is the performance of the performance of the DAC/streamer section of the Dartzeel?

It's fantastic, I think Hervé was able to extend the darTZeel "house sound" to the digital section of the amp, so it's a perfect match. For the money, it's great value, even if you factor in the savings in cables and such... Oh, and it's still made in Geneva :)

I agree with Mike L. that it's a touch like the Playback Designs DAC, as it has that particular smoothness and delicacy that's very appealing. With the extremely dynamic Avantgardes, it was just plain gorgeous.

The streamer is UPNP compliant, so any control point will work just fine with it. In THE Show, I've used Auralic's Lightning DS app, as I like the way it works/looks, and so I was able to easily and seamlessly switch between the two systems we had in the room! On Android, most of the apps suck, but BubblePNP is the least sucky of them all...


alex
 
asiufy, I understand that there will be improvements to the AVG speakers in September, apparently with digital amplifiers and DSP for the bass modules. Do you have more details, and whether the changes apply to the Uno Fino? Thanks.
 
asiufy, I understand that there will be improvements to the AVG speakers in September, apparently with digital amplifiers and DSP for the bass modules. Do you have more details, and whether the changes apply to the Uno Fino? Thanks.

There's no firm date on these new models, with DSP. They call it the "XD" series, and apparently, it extends their work on the Zero.1s to the bass modules in their other lines.
Since Avantgarde offers plenty of options for the bass, I'm guessing these will be an option to the existing array. You'll still be able to get regular subwoofers (in various sizes), basshorns, or either option + DSP.

Will post more once I learn more about them :)

alex
 
This is an older discontinued Duo Version Alessandre?

Yes, it's an older Duo 2.2, but with upgraded, latest specs, Duo Omega drivers. The only difference is the bass module, that is different on the actual Duo Omega.
Unfortunately, the factory ran out of upgrade kits, and are not making them anymore...
We got this pair in trade, and it's in top shape! Could be a good entry for those wanting to explore the Avantgarde range...


alex
 
There's no firm date on these new models, with DSP. They call it the "XD" series, and apparently, it extends their work on the Zero.1s to the bass modules in their other lines.
Since Avantgarde offers plenty of options for the bass, I'm guessing these will be an option to the existing array. You'll still be able to get regular subwoofers (in various sizes), basshorns, or either option + DSP.

Will post more once I learn more about them :)

alex

Thanks, Alex.
 
Interesting changes for the XD series below - anyone has more details?

- newly developed 1000 watts Class-D amplifiers

- redesigned input stage with DSP, allowing to program multiple EQ curves

- on-board 2-line display for easy access to basic parameters

- Ethernet and USB connection to apply graphic EQ software (free download)

- microphone kit for room adaption measurements (coming in Q4-'15/Q1-'16)

Looks like room correction for the XD bass modules, from the research on the Zero 1.

Probably full active + digital crossover and correction in the future.
 
Found this information on the website:

ZERO series:
ZERO 1 XD (instead of ZERO 1 and ZERO 1 PRO). XD changes: XD version will automatically feature the PRO and "normal" software, the analog input and a new "band-less" equalizer tool (software applet) that allows for finest adjustments regarding frequency and level settings (with graphic interface). A room adaption measuring kit is previewed for Q4-2015/Q1-2016.

UNO series:
There will be only one UNO XD model (instead of UNO FINO and UNO), exact size and pricing at this point to be determined! XD changes: new OMEGA type midrange and tweeter drivers, revised CPC crossover design.

DUO series:
DUO XD, MEZZO XD, PRIMO XD (instead of DUO, DUO OMEGA, GROSSO, MEZZO, PRIMO). Note: The DUO XD is derived from the current GROSSO model (OMEGA type mid-high horns and 2 x 12" subwoofers), the smaller DUO models will no longer be marketed, PRIMO XD will only be available on request. XD changes: redeveloped midrange driver, revised CPC crossover design, XD subwoofer (2 x 12" drivers, 1000 watt Class-D, input with DSP).

TRIO series:
TRIO XD, TRIO Classico XD. XD changes: redeveloped low-midrange driver, revised CPC crossover design. Available subwoofers: SUB231 XD, SHORT BASSHORN XD, BASSHORN XD (all featuring 2 x 12" drivers, 1000 watt Class-D, input with DSP).


With the launch of the XD Series line of speakers approaching, the speaker portfolio will undergo a profound change.

The XD versions will feature our latest and most advanced developments and technologies, which will
advance the speakers to a new level of quality and flexibility, and we strongly believe that this justifies a
completely new line-up of the UNO range.

Thus the new UNO range (available October 2015) will comprise just one speaker, the UNO XD, which
will feature the technologies that have so far been exclusive to the DUO and TRIO lines (proprietary
OMEGA technology drivers, patent pending CPC crossovers, 1000 watt XD subwoofer amplification, 10-
band parametric DSP bass control).

Production of the current UNO-G2 and UNO FINO speakers will cease by the 4th quarter of 2015.

The XD versions will feature our latest and most advanced developments and technologies, which will
advance the speakers to a new level of quality and flexibility, and we strongly believe that this justifies a
completely new line-up of the DUO range.

The new DUO range (available August 2015) will comprise the DUO XD and MEZZO XD speakers (PRIMO
XD available on special request), featuring technologies that will further outline the unique virtues of
our horn speakers (such as the 8 times greater dynamic range and 90% less distortion than conventional
designs, as approved by the University of Aachen/Germany), achieved by new proprietary OMEGA
technology drivers, patent pending CPC crossovers, 1000 watt XD subwoofer amplification, and 10-band
parametric DSP bass control throughout the line.

Production of the current DUO line of speakers will cease by the 4th quarter of 2015.

The new TRIO and subwoofer range (available August 2015) will comprise the TRIO XD and TRIO Classico
XD, partnered by SUB231 XD, SHORT BASSHORN XD, or BASSHORN XD. The XD technologies
will further outline the unique virtues of our horn speakers (such as the 8 times greater dynamic range
and 90% less distortion than conventional designs, as approved by the University of Aachen/Germany),
achieved by new proprietary low-mid drivers, patent pending CPC crossovers, 1000 watt XD subwoofer
amplification, and 10-band parametric DSP bass control throughout the line.
 
Thanks, Mike.

Due to Omega technology, the impedance has gone up too. Easier to drive, esp with SETs, and for better damping of the drivers.

Uno XD - 16 Ohm
Duo XD & Duo Mezzo XD - 18 Ohm
Trio XD - 19 Ohm

Expected Euro list price?

Zero1 XD - 13900
Uno XD - 21900
Duo XD - 27900
Duo Mezzo XD - 39900
 
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