Zu Omens are in!

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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2013
    marvda1 wrote: »
    for your garage.
    http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=116213.msg1216832;topicseen#new
    Man that's a good deal on those. Few weeks earlier I would have made a trip to Houston!
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2013
    That is a good deal. Zus seem to be really popular in this part of the world. I bought my Omens in a suburb of New Orleans. I've seen two other pairs for sale in the area in the last 6 months.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    B, here's another reason for you to try and make it up to LSAF with those pups: I know a local Polkie who has a Peachtree Nova that I could *hopefully* serenade into letting me borrow it for a few days for the show.....

    I really am going to try, wife has a friend in Dallas I think we may be able to go visit that weekend and ill just send her shopping. That'd be a great chance to hear them on some other amps and get to hear everyone else's opinions.
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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited April 2013
    B Run wrote: »
    I really am going to try, wife has a friend in Dallas I think we may be able to go visit that weekend and ill just send her shopping. That'd be a great chance to hear them on some other amps and get to hear everyone else's opinions.

    Thanks for posting your experience. IIRC you have a ClarityCap in there and good to hear they sound great on SS for you. I'm awaiting some Zu Union Cubes in birch w/ CC upgrade. Anxiously awaiting their arrival. The guys at Zu are quick to respond to emails and very helpful. Sounds like the APT tweeter integrates well from your report.
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,320
    edited April 2013
    B Run wrote: »
    I really am going to try, wife has a friend in Dallas I think we may be able to go visit that weekend and ill just send her shopping. That'd be a great chance to hear them on some other amps and get to hear everyone else's opinions.

    Nice write up

    I know Skip and I are interested, and sure Assimilated might bring the lil amp he got from Heiney. Your more than welcome to try any of my gear. I have dolly to get them upstairs.
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2013
    doctorcilantro wrote: »
    Thanks for posting your experience. IIRC you have a ClarityCap in there and good to hear they sound great on SS for you. I'm awaiting some Zu Union Cubes in birch w/ CC upgrade. Anxiously awaiting their arrival. The guys at Zu are quick to respond to emails and very helpful. Sounds like the APT tweeter integrates well from your report.
    Nice! The CC upgrade is definitely worth it, and I bet they're going to look awesome in birch. The Zu staff is definitely on too of their game, and I know how it feels waiting for them to get there. Ill be very interested to hear your thoughts when you get them in and hooked up. Congrats.
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    edited April 2013
    Ok. So you got the Omen DW's which are mt next purchase...now i need you to buy a Wyred4sound mini integrated and tell me how well they pair.
    That's the direction i'm looking to go but i'd like you to go there first...don't want to risk MY money:cheesygrin:
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2013
    mrbiron wrote: »
    Ok. So you got the Omen DW's which are mt next purchase...now i need you to buy a Wyred4sound mini integrated and tell me how well they pair.
    That's the direction i'm looking to go but i'd like you to go there first...don't want to risk MY money:cheesygrin:
    Tell you what, buy it and ship it to my house and ill be your test dummy and give you a nice review! Haha I bet it would sound great.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2013
    So I've been listening to these non stop and felt like i'd mention two other things i've noticed, I was so excited initially that it seemed like a very one sided review. I'm still VERY happy with them and have been enjoying my music all over again and feel like i've had a better chance to get to know their sound. They can be a tad brighter than i'd noticed in the beginning, but only at higher volumes with certain recordings, which could also have to do with my gear. I don't see this being an issue with better gear or tubes. The second thing is at LOUD volumes I do notice a light bit of compression in the high end. However it's not present until I really crank them up. I was jamming some Talking Heads today and noticed it so I pulled out the decibel meter and it was at 95 when it became apparent. At normal to high volumes it had no trace of it at all, and even with other recordings I didn't necessarily notice it as much either. Just thought i'd throw that out there.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,904
    edited April 2013
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-yaqin-mc50l-kt-88-integrated-amp-2013-04-17-integrateds-60048
    he had some 30l's listed for about $100 less.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2013
    marvda1 wrote: »
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tube-yaqin-mc50l-kt-88-integrated-amp-2013-04-17-integrateds-60048
    he had some 30l's listed for about $100 less.

    That's a good deal. I'm still trying to figure out my next move, I have a couple extra hundred to play with right now and want to put it towards my setup. I've been thinking about doing the following:

    1) Spend it on some nice speaker cables (doug's cables, JW Audio, Kimber 8vs or Audioquest)
    2) Try to sell the Rotel and move to a 2 ch integrated like Nad, Marantz, Cambridge etc. Maybe something used or separates i'm still looking at options.
    3) Buy a turntable and spend the rest on records.
    4) Buy a standalone DAC
    5) Upgrade the sub, the Sony really isn't too bad but I definitely need something faster and cleaner.
    6) Send the Druid drivers back and upgrade to the Soul Superfly 1A drivers.

    Ideally i'd do all of the above and within the next year I prob will, but right now I have to take it one step at a time. I feel like cables are always easy and fun to swap out and everything else is decent as is, just don't know what would give the biggest sonic improvement for the price. I'm still shying away from tubes just because it's not a dedicated 2 channel setup and is used multiple times on and off every day and needs to be as simple as possible. The best compromise so far is the Peachtree hybrid with tube pre, class D amp and built in dac.
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited May 2013
    Great review.

    I wonder if a hybrid integrated might be an option for you. Largely hassle free with preamp tubes and SS power.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,320
    edited May 2013
    ^^^^good idea

    Here's a quality one that won't break the bank, doesn't have a built in DAC, but does have a phono pre

    http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649047531-unison_research_unico_i_integrated_amplifier_with_phono_mmmc/
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited May 2013
    Nice! I think something like that would be a good compromise of function and sound, that's about the price range I was thinking as well. I can always pick up a standalone dac or phono pre depending on what i get and what inputs it has. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited May 2013
    Too funny! I was JUST about to recommend the Unison Research Unico before I went to txcoastal1's link... and whaddya know? I think it would be an excellent option. I ran with one for a while when I was trying to simplify my system with less components and more efficients speaks. I had my rig in a room with hardwood floors at the time and the Unison did wonders to tame the higher frequencies.

    Again... an excellent suggestion.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,320
    edited May 2013
    Colleen Cardas (she lives here in Texas) may be showing Unison at LSAF this year also, I will try to confirm that info. they are still on exhibitor list.

    Russ ran the 705's last year in the Polk room off a Unico
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited May 2013
    And considering how efficient the Druids are, he may even think of saving some coin by looking at the Unico-P.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited June 2013
    Didn't want to start a whole new thread but wanted to follow up. I got in my Nad 326bee yesterday, and upgraded from the Kimber Kable to the matching Zu Mission speaker cables. These have never sounded so good! The Nad definitely took it to the next level and is my first experience with anything besides a receiver. My last step is getting a decent dec, which i'm in the process of finding one right now. Just wanted to say that i'm still VERY pleased with these and am slowly weeding out the "weak links" one by one, I think I can finally refer to it as a "2 channel" system:cheesygrin:
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited June 2013
    Well I just pulled the trigger on the Arcam Rlink from Crutchfield. It has pretty good reviews, and was the right price and didn't have all the extras I don't need. It'll be my first standalone dac so I don't have a lot to compare it to, but i'll post my thoughts once it's in and hooked up.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2013
    I notice you don't have a lot of toe-in. In my room, at least, when I use more toe-in the sound becomes much better. Optimum for me is when sitting in the sweet spot the sound would intercept about a foot or a little more in front of my knees. I have not tried it in different rooms though. Might be worth a try to see if you are missing anything. I didn't try it for months and was astonished when I did. To my mind it didn't make sense to have that much toe-in, was just playing around one day.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited June 2013
    madmax wrote: »
    I notice you don't have a lot of toe-in. In my room, at least, when I use more toe-in the sound becomes much better. Optimum for me is when sitting in the sweet spot the sound would intercept about a foot or a little more in front of my knees. I have not tried it in different rooms though. Might be worth a try to see if you are missing anything. I didn't try it for months and was astonished when I did. To my mind it didn't make sense to have that much toe-in, was just playing around one day.
    madmax

    Yeah that pic was when I had just unboxed them. I've finally got them setup perfectly and they have more toe-in and are further out in the room. I also put a big tile under each speaker and have them slightly tilted upwards as well. They have a big sweet spot but it definitely has a rock solid center image while still throwing a nice wide soundstage.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited June 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    Hey B, you going to make it up on July 20? Those Zu's would look nice in my living room, even if just for a few hours. :cheesygrin:

    Hmm sounds like a good time. I'll just be getting back from Vegas so if i'm still alive I might have to do that. How far are you from DT Ft. Worth? I have a friend who lives up there I could crash with. I'll keep you posted and try my best.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited June 2013
    Just got my dac in, it sounds quite a bit better than the one I was using in the Airport Express. It hasn't even warmed up yet but out of the box it helped with that digital harshness and added some detail. It also is a lot louder than the express which I wasn't expecting, the volume is barely on and it has a much fuller sound. Can't wait to let everything break in over the next few weeks and really enjoy it. The dac, ic's and amp all have very low hours on them so far and i'm very satisfied.
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