Question for those who have moved on from SDA

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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    DSkip wrote: »
    Moose, I almost bought some older Alon speakers, but opted out of it after sleeping on it. When you have a speaker you truly like, its very seldom a 'cheap' upgrade when you start looking at replacements. I've heard hundreds of pairs of speakers now, and the Alexia is the only one that hands down has me wanting to upgrade.... and those cost 40x what mine go for on the used market.

    I have not yet heard a pair of Alexia's, although I would like to do so. If they are consistent with the other Wilson designs I have auditioned, however, they will present extraordinary SQ in the sweet spot, but degrade in SQ when the listener moves out of that spot. This was certainly true of the Alexandrias and the Maxx 3s I auditioned a couple of years back.
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    DSkip wrote: »
    I know some Alexandria owners sell them to move DOWN the line to the Alexia. I never worry about any seat but my own, so I can't really comment on that aspect.

    What I like most, perhaps, about my SDAs is that they fill the whole room with good sound -- even the whole first floor of our house.

    I've had many visitors sitting in our living room, a good distance from the family room where the SRSs are, and say, "It sounds like you have live performers in there!"

    I don't think I'd get that from the Wilsons I've heard.

    On the other hand, the Nolas my wife and I auditioned in August would likely have filled the whole house. :)
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    Hello -

    I had SDA 1C's - I'm not really sure if anything was modded, but I didn't do anything to them. I liked the sound a lot. I purchased Sony SS-M7's out of curiosity and fell in love. I couldn't afford both so I had to choose. There was something about the Sony's - So neutral to me with no listening fatigue, and a soundstage that seemed to encompass me in sound in a very clean way. Since then I sold those to upgrade to Sony SS-M9's, which are my current speakers. I still have Polk's as surround speakers, and some bookies as my work system, and love the sound. I've owned quite a few polks in the day and have liked them all. Monitor 7's have a special place in my heart :) I just don't have the money to have many speakers.

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,240
    tonyb wrote: »
    Horns are hit or miss for me. Given their nature, the associated gear has a lot to do with either sounding like heaven or dog poo.

    Very much agree!!

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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    Pycroft wrote: »
    I just don't have the money to have many speakers.

    James

    I'm in the same boat. I suppose that's why I started this thread, I'm curious about others preferences, experiences, etc. Vicarious audiophilia . . . B)

    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited September 2014
    Pycroft wrote: »
    I just don't have the money to have many speakers.
    James

    For me, lack of enough space is the problem.
    Plus there is no end of all speakers so there'll always be something in rotation, frequency will be different but there will be more than one pair unless of course one learns to leave with a pair and stops wondering...

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    I have never been 100% or even 90% happy with my fully modded CRS+'s or 2BTL's, which is why I got rid of the 2BTL's. The CRS+'s are fun to keep around and work on, but they aren't my end game.

    I can just hear it coming, "You won't ever be a 100%" well, I was at one point with the PSB Synchrony One's, but needed to sell them for my business. Now I'm thinking about some Legacy speakers.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    I can just hear it coming, "You won't ever be a 100%" well, I was at one point with the PSB Synchrony One's, but needed to sell them for my business.

    I upgraded my unmodded SDA-2 to the PSB Synchrony One, and loved it. However, I then moved on to Aerial Acoustics 7T, and finally to Magico S5 for the stereo. The PSBs and Aerials are now in the HT/surround system. At this point, unless I win the lottery, I can't see anymore speakers coming into my life.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    BlueFox wrote: »
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    I can just hear it coming, "You won't ever be a 100%" well, I was at one point with the PSB Synchrony One's, but needed to sell them for my business.

    I upgraded my unmodded SDA-2 to the PSB Synchrony One, and loved it. However, I then moved on to Aerial Acoustics 7T, and finally to Magico S5 for the stereo. The PSBs and Aerials are now in the HT/surround system. At this point, unless I win the lottery, I can't see anymore speakers coming into my life.

    The Synchrony One's were just a blast to have around. I miss em'. I remember the look on the guys face who came to audition them.
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  • Mr_Hz
    Mr_Hz Posts: 176
    edited September 2014
    I have to admit that I've been a 'one trick pony' since 1985 with my original SDA2's. That said, I have SDA1C's, CRS+s, and a set of 2.3TLs in the pipeline for mods.

    Not that I haven't considered/dreamed of other speakers during all this time...

    What I find fascinating about this thread is that no one has mentioned any of the Thiel speaker products. I have to admit that I'm fascinated by the coherent phase engineering, among other aspects of the latest Thiel models. Aesthetically, and performance wise, I am very intrigued by the CS3.7's (actual retail price is very much a deterrent!). I understand they are a bit weak in the bass, and that a quality sub-woofer is a necessity for a full music experience.

    Does anyone own (or have experienced) the CS3.7s, or the recently introduced CS2.7's?

    As far as engineering coupled with appearance... I am very smitten with the CS3.7's. Very capable and visually appealing speakers! Many unique engineering solutions introduced with the 3.7's. Jim Thiel's 'opus' to speaker design. RIP.

    Side note: I've also experienced the Wilson Watt Puppies back in the day and was impressed, but like the Thiel CS3.7's, not in my economical achieveables at the time. I can only imagine that the continued evolution of that speaker line is quite formidable.
    Post edited by Mr_Hz on
    2.3TL's - Living Room
    CRS+'s (4.1 TL's) - Office
    SDA1C's - Famdamly Rm
    SDA1C's - Master Bedroom
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