Today’s Avantgarde Duo XD Install

[kzhtoo]

I feel that they work with every kind of music, but I’ll defer to others with more experience. I’m so happy with mine that I sold all my JBL speakers and my Studio2 as well. I’m so ecstatic with my Duo XD that they don’t let me think about anything else.

Picture or it didn’t happen, Joe!

Wow, thought you’d never part with the JBL.

 

[Paul]

Picture or it didn’t happen, Joe!

Wow, thought you’d never part with the JBL.

So am I ...... sold my Harbeth M40.1 , Tannoy Canterbury, Maggie’s etc. Done


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[kzhtoo]

So am I ...... sold my Harbeth M40.1 , Tannoy Canterbury, Maggie’s etc. Done


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[emoji85][emoji86][emoji85][emoji86][emoji85][emoji86]

lalalala..

 

[Paul]

[emoji85][emoji86][emoji85][emoji86][emoji85][emoji86]

Hahahaha. Bye bye Magico [emoji1309][emoji1309][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji56]


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[the professor]

I love my Avantgarde's. But I'd be lying if I said they were the end all of speakers.

There are a thousand different ways to make amazing music in a stereo. And I enjoy each and every one of them.

Soooo many musical systems, not enough rooms to set up to use them.

 

[kzhtoo]

Hahahaha. Bye bye Magico [emoji1309][emoji1309][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji56]


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It’s dangerously possible.

 

[joeinid]

I love my Avantgarde's. But I'd be lying if I said they were the end all of speakers.

There are a thousand different ways to make amazing music in a stereo. And I enjoy each and every one of them.

Soooo many musical systems, not enough rooms to set up to use them.

I agree Jock. I hooked up my 4367 before the sale. The guy wanted to make sure everything was working. I had a wonderful couple of days before they were carted off. I was sad to see them go. There are many speakers that make beautiful music. Right now my Duo are filling all my wants/needs but I won’t rule anything out in the future but the Avantgarde are here to stay.

 

[Mike]

There’s a reason why I keep running into Avantgarde owners who have had their speakers for 10, 12, 15, even 18 years. There are many fabulous speakers, but the Avantgarde’s give you a close to live performance that’s hard to leave for another.

That being said, you have to work at it. Don’t think you can just plop them in your current system. AG’s like tube amps, copper cables, clean power and a good source. Meaning, your Levinson amps, Nordost cables and Esoteric CD player will not be a good match.

Good matches:

Shunyata
Kubala Sosna
Luxman MQ-300
Viva 300b/845
VAC
Triode 300b
Shindo
AudioNote
MSB DAC’s
Lampizator
Chord DAVE/Blu2 or MScaler
First Watt SIT-3
Previous generation McIntosh
ARC REF160M in Triode mode
Vinyl
...and so on.

 

[Skanda]

how much room does an ag trio or duo xd need? or rather, whats the smallest room you think could work? the mental gears are turning!

 

[Mike]

how much room does an ag trio or duo xd need? or rather, whats the smallest room you think could work? the mental gears are turning!

Minimum:
Zero TA XD - 10 x 10
Uno Fino XD - 10 x 12
Duo XD - 14 x 20
Duo Mezzo XD - 14 x 20
Trio XD w/231’s - 16 x 22
Trio XD w/short bass horns - 17 x 22
Trio XD w/long bass horns - 18 x 22


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[apdoc2004]

Mike,
With the adjustability built into the XD series, do you think the Duo Mezzos can work in a room that is about 20% smaller than what you mention or will it still be a pretty compromised result?
Thanks,
Anshul

Minimum:
Zero TA XD - 10 x 10
Uno Fino XD - 10 x 12
Duo XD - 14 x 20
Duo Mezzo XD - 14 x 20
Trio XD w/231’s - 16 x 22
Trio XD w/short bass horns - 17 x 22
Trio XD w/long bass horns - 18 x 22


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[Mike]

Mike,
With the adjustability built into the XD series, do you think the Duo Mezzos can work in a room that is about 20% smaller than what you mention or will it still be a pretty compromised result?
Thanks,
Anshul

No.


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[Jerry Seh]

Minimum:
Zero TA XD - 10 x 10
Uno Fino XD - 10 x 12
Duo XD - 14 x 20
Duo Mezzo XD - 14 x 20
Trio XD w/231’s - 16 x 22
Trio XD w/short bass horns - 17 x 22
Trio XD w/long bass horns - 18 x 22


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What happen to Uno XD?

 

[bzr]

If musical bliss is like being one with the Borg, count me in as assimilated. Whether it’s a 300B, 45, MC275VI, First Watt SIT3 or even Job INTegrated, I’m ecstatic.

I never thought I'd see the day you wrote such a thing Joe.... congrats & xmas too..

 

[joeinid]

I never thought I'd see the day you wrote such a thing Joe.... congrats & xmas too..

Kev,

Thank you. I don’t usually play my system loud but if I do, my Duos rattle my windows. When I play at my normal volume, it’s crystal clear, sweet, ballsy, room filling and so right there in front of me like it’s my own concert or studio session.

The past few nights I’m on my Dennis Had 45 mono amps with a blistering 2wpc. OMG, I’m loving the 45s. Vocals to make me cry. Just awesome.

 

[Skanda]

Kev,

Thank you. I don’t usually play my system loud but if I do, my Duos rattle my windows. When I play at my normal volume, it’s crystal clear, sweet, ballsy, room filling and so right there in front of me like it’s my own concert or studio session.

The past few nights I’m on my Dennis Had 45 mono amps with a blistering 2wpc. OMG, I’m loving the 45s. Vocals to make me cry. Just awesome.

Joe, since you have a stable of amazing amps, I think you're the best person to answer this question. Do AG's prefer lower wattage delicate amps or do they sing with muscly solid states as well? given that everything i've read suggests the dynamics on horns and ag's in particular are second to none, i would think that something like the JOB, soulution/ch, symphonic line, or burmester would all be excellent on paper as those amps have little to no dynamic constraints - but are they too powerful for the speaker?

 

[joeinid]

I think a big part of that answer depends on the music you play. I hope Mike will fill in some of my blanks and I’m not trying to dodge.

I think Avantgarde’s recommendation is around 20wpc minimum. I think even their own amps are solid state and higher in watts.

If you play dynamic orchestra music, you need more power. I play singer songwriter and more intimate type music mostly but am otherwise a little varied so my power needs are minimal.

I have a McIntosh MC452 in rotation and I get the meters to dance but it can get loud. The McIntosh is not as 3D as some of the “so called better” solid state but I love the top end. It’s more tube like.

I think the quality of amps is more important than ultimate power. I know Mike used 500-1000wpc Constellation and MBL gear. His opinion was very positive.

I absolutely need and love a softer treble no matter what speakers because of my ears. Aggressive treble becomes painful to me. I guess that’s why I gravitate towards certain gear.

My instinct tells me anything over 50-100 watts is probably unnecessary but not a detriment. If you love the tone and quality of the amp, that’s fine.

I’d probably personally pick Dartzeel/Ayre/D’Agostino/Symphonic/Accuphase (think warm, clear and quiet Class A or great AB) over something like Burmester, I have not heard Soulution but could be great, and others.

If you look at users systems on the Avantgarde website, there’s a huge variety of amps.

I loved my Naim Supernait2 but personally need to soften the treble a little maybe with a sweeter/softer source. I’m absolutely sure vinyl with all amps would be superb. I guess since I’m all digital at this point, a much better dac or digital front end would top off my system.

I personally could live with my Job INTegrated on my speakers. Both quality of sound and power are wonderful.

My MC275VI is awesome too with 90 peak wpc.

I guess it’s also all about taste. If you love big muscle amps, I’m sure it will work but please keep in mind that horns can act as lenses and magnify the bad as well as the good.

Some current Avantgarde owners might think my first choice of amps so far might be a little crazy but it’s my First Watt SIT-3 amp. It’s probably 10-20wpc with a resistor across the terminals to bring down my speakers ohm rating. But it’s very laid back (as in middle to back of the hall presentation), smoooooooth, sweet, dead quiet. Absolutely not in your face or upfront. It just suits my kind of music.

My brother who got me into audio in the first place absolutely flipped over the Luxman MQ300. He said it was the best he’s ever heard my system.

 

[Skanda]

thank you for the awesome write up. interesting comment re the burm - i feel like back when i used to lurk and not post you had the 911 monos for some time? i might be remembering.

i got my brother (also a ny'er) into audio. he's been happy with a single rig: dyn x16 and line magnetic 216 but he loves to come over and let the magicos shake the walls

 

[Mike]

Avantgarde recommends 10 watts. That’s makes the 300b an ideal choice. The Luxman and Viva 300b amps both measure 10 watts (but conservatively spec 8 watts).

I would encourage anyone interested to read my post regarding amps for AG. Because the speakers are so transparent, you may not like what some solid state amps actually sounds like. LOL.


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[Marslo]

Kev,

Thank you. I don’t usually play my system loud but if I do, my Duos rattle my windows. When I play at my normal volume, it’s crystal clear, sweet, ballsy, room filling and so right there in front of me like it’s my own concert or studio session.

The past few nights I’m on my Dennis Had 45 mono amps with a blistering 2wpc. OMG, I’m loving the 45s. Vocals to make me cry. Just awesome.

Joe,

you have to change your windows, for modern ones:evil: