TAD CR-1 and TAD Reference One

johnthomas

johnthomas

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All the reviews and personally reports on these speakers are always stellar. I've never read a negative report. But every other speaker out their that are great always have a one or two buts to it. Is it me or are TAD'S the best out there today. :what:
 
Hi John,

I heard the Ref1s at the NY Audio show and thought it was one of the best in show for my taste. Am considering a pair of CR1s myself in fact. Before I pull the trigger, I'm going to look at some full range speakers first, like the S5 and the Rockport Avior. But I have read the same as you and think they could be simply amazing in the right setup!

Calling Joe...
 
John,

I've never heard the Reference Ones but I have to say my CR-1's are amazing and sometimes frustrating. I love, love, love what they do 99% of the time. That other 1% is with cds/sources that are not the best. They show exactly what's going on upstream and are, to my ear, very neutral. With great sources, I really do not think it can get any better. I have not tried moderate to higher powered tube gear with them, but I am willing to give it a go. While it's true that I have seriously thought about selling them, I really do not think at this point I can really give them up. I don't know of any other speaker that will satisfy me in the way that "I" listen to music. Most of my listening is late night through to early morning at low to moderate volume. I am getting them to truly disappear and with either the Dartzeel or the Dagostino, their flavor comes though and it's stunning.

I hope others with TAD experience will add their opinions. I am at the point where I may add another speaker for variety but can not see myself TAD-less.

Allen :what:
 
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Do you think my MSB S200 has enough power to drive the Reference One's completely especially the woofers? At 200 watts a side or will I need some Mac 1.2K's to finish the job.

John
 
If I'm not mistaken, the Reference Ones love power. Before they made their own amps, TAD used to show these with a pair of Pass Labs XA160.5s on the mids/highs and a pair of X600.5s on the woofers. That's some serious juice.
 
johnthomas said:
Do you think my MSB S200 has enough power to drive the Reference One's completely especially the woofers? At 200 watts a side or will I need some Mac 1.2K's to finish the job.

John
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200 @ 4 or 8 ohms? It's enough for me. My Dartzeel is 160 wpc at 4 ohms. The Reference Ones are more efficient than the CR-1's. I agree with Howard that more power is always welcome. I really would like to try Brian's aka klipschfan's MC1.2KW on my CR-1's for the fun of it but I don't need the juice. I am not crazy about bi-amping but if done properly can be great.

John,

Looks like your amp is 200 @ 8 ohms and probably 400+ @ 4 ohms. For me that will be plenty especially for the Ref Ones because they are at least 90dB efficient.
 
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johnthomas said:
Do you think my MSB S200 has enough power to drive the Reference One's completely especially the woofers? At 200 watts a side or will I need some Mac 1.2K's to finish the job.

John
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Hi John,

The answer is simple. Just upgrade to the MSB Mono's and get four of them!

tadroom_500.jpg

I would think at 200 watts per side, it would be sufficient but like others have said, more power can't be a bad thing right? I had the baby brother Pioneer 2-EX speakers and they did like lots of power and seemed to open up when doing so. It was a really interesting speaker. I normally don't proscribe to bi-amping and do not like Class D amps in general but both worked really well with that particular speaker. Dunno why. Will be curious to see how they pair up with the MSB amps if you ever get to try that combination.
 
This is the setup I heard at the NY show. I read somewhere in my research on the CR1s they sounded awesome at a show with some Cary Audio electronics driving them.
 
hiro100, welcome to AS!:hi:

Do you have the Ref1s or the CR1s? If so, what do you drive them with?
 
Thanks Allen

No I have the Vivid Giya speakers and used to drive them with MSB Mono amps. I recently sold the amps and am in the process of trying out a few amplifiers and am curious to see how a tube amplifier will work with my speakers. I use the MSB Dac IV as a source and preamplifier. I did have the Pioneer 2-EX speakers for a short period of time but I am sure the TAD series are a significant step up from those speakers.
 
joeinid said:
I hope others with TAD experience will add their opinions. I am at the point where I may add another speaker for variety but can not see myself TAD-less.

Allen :what:
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Haha, just read this! LOL! But I don't blame you. They are the speaker to beat IMO.:audiophile:
 
I am seriously thinking about trying an ARC Ref 75 or Ref 150 to see where that takes me on the CR-1's. Based on past experience, I do have a feeling the CJ ART amp(s) would be the logical choice for me but I am in no way ready for that step. :(

hiro100 said:
Thanks Allen

No I have the Vivid Giya speakers and used to drive them with MSB Mono amps. I recently sold the amps and am in the process of trying out a few amplifiers and am curious to see how a tube amplifier will work with my speakers. I use the MSB Dac IV as a source and preamplifier. I did have the Pioneer 2-EX speakers for a short period of time but I am sure the TAD series are a significant step up from those speakers.
Click to expand...
 
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socfan12 said:
Haha, just read this! LOL! But I don't blame you. They are the speaker to beat IMO.:audiophile:
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We'll have to talk when you are ready but at the point when I think, okay try something else, I play something that just floors me. This is terrible hobby, err, obsession. :)
 
I don't know about you, Joe, but I'm follicly challenged already. This speaker selection process is just gonna make me lose it!:D

pic2126.jpg
 
Hiro, would be great to hear what other amps you are considering. Maybe start a thread?:coolyeah:
 
I love my cr-1 but getting the right sweet amp with adequate power is a journey. Best I have tried so far were the Viola Labs Symphony especially at low volumn listening. For my layout just too big a box too fit on my desk area. Sonically outstanding and does not run too hot. Amps that have not worked have included ayre even vx-5, mx-r, my current MF f-15 100 watt per channel class A amp, rowland 201, rowland 625 was actually pretty nice. MY short list is now Lindeman 858, rowland new pascal based module 525(same innards as their reference 925) and merrill twin(same power as veritas in a single chassis. ) How do you like your MSB stuff. I will demo their analog dac next week. MY short list is Ayre new qb-9 dsd, luxman or the msb dac. Thnx. BTW the NY show biamped TAD ref. with tubes on tweeter and mids and viola symphony on woofer. I heard sound was stunning. Sanjay at Ciamera a good guy to bounce off TAD amp possibilities. Nick
 
veindoc said:
I love my cr-1 but getting the right sweet amp with adequate power is a journey. Best I have tried so far were the Viola Labs Symphony especially at low volumn listening. For my layout just too big a box too fit on my desk area. Sonically outstanding and does not run too hot. Amps that have not worked have included ayre even vx-5, mx-r, my current MF f-15 100 watt per channel class A amp, rowland 201, rowland 625 was actually pretty nice. MY short list is now Lindeman 858, rowland new pascal based module 525(same innards as their reference 925) and merrill twin(same power as veritas in a single chassis. ) How do you like your MSB stuff. I will demo their analog dac next week. MY short list is Ayre new qb-9 dsd, luxman or the msb dac. Thnx. BTW the NY show biamped TAD ref. with tubes on tweeter and mids and viola symphony on woofer. I heard sound was stunning. Sanjay at Ciamera a good guy to bounce off TAD amp possibilities. Nick
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Nick - what about a pair of Mc 601's for the CR-1's? The slight veiled sound might just be the ticket (don't flame me Mc fans, I love Mc and am thinking of getting a 452/2500 for my downstairs system). I heard some 601's on some speakers which would normally be considered "overly revealing" and damn did it sound good. When they switch to another amp, it was uncomfortable to say the least. Just a thought....
 
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