A "where things stand" post

Loud & Clear

Bought my first pair of Polks roughly twelve years ago - the RT800is. Since then I've owned probably another twenty or so pairs of Polks, not including center speakers and subwoofers. My favs were the large SDAs - the SRS 2.3s and SRS 2s. Others include the CRS+, RTA 12Bs and LSi 9s. My favorites among the Reference Theater line ended up being the RT55is.

At some point in the last year or so I finally decided to try something other than the Polk lines of speakers. I loved the SDAs and knew I'd likely miss certain aspects of them no matter what I ended up with. I really didn't know what to go for, nor the price range to guide myself with. I ended up taking a flyer on a pair Wharfedale Opus2 3s, as they were being discontinued and priced at less than half of the original msrp. Turns out that it wasn't a bad move. My stereo is at a good place.

Just a couple of pictures showing the speakers. They're finished with a birdseye maple veneer and laquered to a high gloss. Also pictured are some associated equipment - notably the Jolida tube integrated and tube CD player.

Geoff4rfc

Very nice set up. Love the rig.

boston1450

very nice. they look HUGE sure they sound sweet. congrads

newrival

L&C, your rig looks great. Glad to hear you're enjoying it.

cnh

Your new speakers certainly look like they deserve some "serious" listening! Very nice.

Hey, how do you like that Jolida JD-200 (that's the newest model--they decided to discontinue mine [Music Van] and focus on just two models...an improved 100 and the new 200). I am curious because the Music Van is one sweet player. I suspect the 200 is right up there with it as it is a newer design but slightly less expensive.

Enjoy!

cnh

Dawgfish

Wow. That is a a spactacular looking rig! I bet that thing really sounds sweet.

tonyb

Loud & Clear wrote: »

Turns out that it wasn't a bad move. My stereo is at a good place. .

Good on you, I like to call that "discovery". There's a whole world of audio beyond Polk, and thats not a knock on Polk either. Nice looking rig you have there. Just curious, how would you describe the sound differences between your new babys and the SDA's ? I probably already know the answer but it's nice to get others opinions as well. One more question, do you find the Jolida amp and cdp together produce a slighty too warm sound ? Just lookin' for feedback is all. Enjoy the tunes.

Loud & Clear

Thanks so much for the comments.

The tubed CD player and tubed integrated. Yes, I too was concerned about there being too much warmth ... not only when paired, but within the CD player by itself with its six tubes inside. I was told not to worry. After receiving the unit and having several listening sessions I agreed that all was well. The JD200 is very analog-like in its performance; very detailed while also having that smooth linear flow to it. I didn't expect it to be a full level better than the JD100, but in my opinion it is. I've never heard the Music Van so I have no reference for comparison.

With respect to the speakers and the differences: midband transparency and presence. That's the first thing that jumped out at me. Vocals and other midrange instruments are startlingly real and detailed. The domed midrange driver on this speaker is quite special. But the SDAs could throw a massive 3D stage like nobody's business, with a deep and taught low end that I'll never forget. Love 'em both. The grass is always greener I suppose.

SCompRacer

Congrats on your new speakers! I have the greatest respect for SDA's but moved on to something else I enjoyed more. That's how the SRS 2's became available for you, and now someone else is enjoying them. I wish you great listening!

Funny story about listening tastes, I sold some big Cerwin Vega's for a friend who didn't have or want an ebay account. A local pickup thing. So I had them set up in my living room for anyone who wanted to hear them. Had a buyer come by, they listened, were happy, paid, done deal. They asked about my strange looking ESL's and wanted to hear them. 20 seconds in they jumped up and absolutey hated them. How can you stand them, I was asked. They preferred the Vega's and couldn't understand how I could sell them. To each their own, I say.:cheesygrin:

Loud & Clear

Haha! Very funny. It's also possible that one day that very same Vega fan will fall in love with a big pair of 'stats. I owned a huge pair of Vegas - AT15? - and thought they were the best things going at the time. Of course back then I'd never had the pleasure of sitting down in front of a massive pair of InnerSounds either. I think it was either Vegas or Infinitys around here in the late 80s.

cnh

Thanks. I'm not surprised that the Wharfedales sound great. I've always been curious about domed midranges. I've only heard one or two, but I've always liked what I heard.

The Music Van only has 4 tubes,two fairly large R-Transformers and a smaller EL in the back, and uses a different DAC than the 200. I was also concerned about having tubes on tubes with the amp and the player both. But like you, I don't really notice a difference...the sound does not seem too soft. While I was in China at the Jolida plant, I got to listen to their TOTL Music Envoy Mono-blocks and matching pre-amp on the Music Van with some largish Tannoy floorstanders (now that was something).

Enjoy!

cnh

Loud & Clear

Those Music Envoy monos with Tannoys or Legacy Audio speakers is something I can see having, perhaps down the road. Then again I may have already reached the end of the road. What I would like to do next is get some audio racks that match the maple of the speakers. Perhaps the Salamander racks. Tough to find a match for maple. If the speakers had been available in Rosewood at the time of purchase I would have gone that direction. But I took what I could get with the closeout prices.

indyhawg

That is a sweet looking set up. I love the birdseye maple.

Mike Reeter

Great lookin' rig L&C I bet it sounds as good also.

audiocr381ve

LOVING the birdseye maple!

Oldfatdogs

That is a very nice setup,I love the Maple.

SCompRacer

Loud & Clear wrote: »

Tough to find a match for maple.

So your speakers are both different and beautiful at the same time.:cheesygrin:

I recalled this place from Audiogon? Timbernation. http://www.timbernation.com/teak.cfm
I've seen them do Maple in clear instead of Teak finish on some items.

tonyb

Vega's over ESL's......now I've heard it all. Hope that guy doesn't tune his car by ear.

SCompRacer

I dunno Tony. It was the first time I heard Vegs's with nice gear. Never heard them sound better, but as Norm said, they just suck a little less.:cheesygrin:

Loud & Clear

SCompRacer wrote: »

So your speakers are both different and beautiful at the same time.:cheesygrin:

I recalled this place from Audiogon? Timbernation. http://www.timbernation.com/teak.cfm
I've seen them do Maple in clear instead of Teak finish on some items.

Haha. I never said that. I only intended to imply it whilst retaining my humility.

Great link. Perhaps I'll give them a call and see if they are capable of a suitable color match.