Big Dumb's audio adventure........

[TroyD]

So, I'm sitting there a couple weeks ago listening to the Amazings and I'm thinking, damn, these sound good but I wonder (quietly to myself) what else would sound good in here. So, I start looking at Quad ESL's, ML SL3's Amazing Plat's in oak (which I've always wanted) or the Silver's as they are more real estate friendly.....and I'm looking at different amps and so forth.

Anyhow, in order to make any of this possible I need to sell my stuff. That was a tough hurdle. So, I bit the bullet and posted my stuff for sale. I didn't say what I was getting because, hell, I wasn't sure. When Cortez got to the new world, he burned his ships so he couldn't go back. Due to that, he and his crew were highly motivated to succeed. Same principle with the sale.

So, what did I end up with? Well, the amp was first. I found this a day or so after I posted my stuff for sale. It's a Classe Model 25 amp. 250wpc and doubles in input as the impedance drops. Built like a brick shithouse. GREAT sounding amp. Definate high tone gear.

Speakers are a different story. I knew I wanted a planar type speaker and was leaning to a pair of ML SL3's or a pair of Amazing Plat's. I had been in contact with two guys from Florida, one about a pair of ML SL3's and the other about two sets of Amazings. Well, the SL3's evaporated. Then, at the 11th hour, the guy with the Amazings, one turns out one was a pair of AL-III's and the other is a pair of Silvers (which we didn't discover until I actually got there and argued over) with a broken ribbon. Anyhow, I figured, what the hell, I drove all the way down here, I'll listen to the AL-III's and what the hell, if he'll deal on the Silver's I can have the ribbon repaired (they were otherwise mint, in box, PRISTINE. He ganked the ribbon a few days after he bought them and just put them in the box and forgot about them. Sounds shady but after meeting the guy seems very plausible as he's just very eccentric). Well, I was pretty blown away by the AL-III's and he didn't want to budge on the Silver's. So, we struck a deal on the AL-III's. Dave, my faithful travelling companion dug them to the extent that when I'm ready to move them, they are his. Anyhow, paid the guy, loaded them up and headed back to Charleston.

What do I think so far? I am DAMN impressed. DAMN impressed. I haven't dicked with the placement or settings much but the ribbon on the AL-III is every bit as good (may even be better) than the original Amazings. Bass? Better than you would expect. They aren't subsonic as the Amazings were but I'd say a VERY respectable low 30's and it integrates very very well with the ribbon. Only 'issue' is the large cell foam (about a 3 dollar fix) that covers the left ribbon is deteriorated on one side, other than that, these are pristine.

Once again, thanks to David. One, being Wendi's proxy from keeping me from doing anything stupid and two, being a great guy to make a road trip with.

So, in a nutshell.....not that anyone cares but that's where I'm at for now.

BDT

[audiobliss]

Very interesting looking speakers. Are the woofers in the 'base'? Reminds me of some Infinity's I saw like that. What kind of bass drivers do they have?

Congrats on gettin' a nice set-up! Glad it worked out for ya!

[TroyD]

Yes, it's a downfiring 10" woofer.

Couple more things (I'm in a talkative mood, sue me)

I don't want anyone to think, least of all Ted, I was unhappy with the Amazings I had, quite the contrary. I've just always wanted an oak pair. Plus, the Plat's are quite a bit more efficient making them more amp friendly. In a smaller room, ala Ted's Woodshed, they are perfect. You don't need a TON of amp. In a big room like my living room, even with the big mono's, I was running out of amp. It was not uncommon for me to have the volume knob at 3-4 o'clock (and that's at normal to slightly above normal volumes).

BDT

[steveinaz]

Cool!

[BlueMDPicker]

Way effin' cool, BDT! I'd love to get an ear on that rig (hmmm..how can I convince the organization that I need to make an immediate trip to the facility in SC??)

Dave's a great guy -- and, I've yet to meet him. He's taken me on some musical sojourns that are very rewarding.

SECOND DIBS on the AL-IIIs. :cool:

[reeltrouble1]

Good deal Troy, they look Beautiful!! Glad you struck a deal and made it back safe. Your rig has really changed since I was last there in 04. May need to make a trip up to hear those bad boys.

I guess I can call and have the guard service removed?? :)

RT1

[TroyD]

Nope, Ted, I'm thinking one can't have too many pair of Amazings.

Plus, THAT pair has sentimental value. As I said, I'm glad that a real friend has them

BDT

[TroyD]

Way effin' cool, BDT! I'd love to get an ear on that rig (hmmm..how can I convince the organization that I need to make an immediate trip to the facility in SC??)

Dave's a great guy -- and, I've yet to meet him. He's taken me on some musical sojourns that are very rewarding.

SECOND DIBS on the AL-IIIs. :cool:

Mike, c'mon down. It would be a thrill to have you over.

As I said, I'm REALLY blown away by the AL-III's. I didn't WANT to like them. I've scoffed at them publicly. I mean, how can one be satisfied with one little 10" woofer? Free air 12's blowing your hair back is MANLY.

I'm also man enough to admit I'm wrong (but I'm still hunting a pair of Platinums :) )

I don't want Dave to get a swelled head, but, yeah, he is a great guy.

BDT

[DAGLJAM6]

Had a great time road trippin' with BDT and seeing Ted again. (I think we were both a bit sorry about not spending some more quality time at his abode). PoppaBear (and his wife) are swell people and i think he was really getting into the "Amazings" when we left. (BTW, send me that pm and i'll try to get you up to speed this week)

Dave

[BlueMDPicker]

Mike, c'mon down. It would be a thrill to have you over.
I'm working on it as we type. We have quite an investment in hardware infrastructure at the place down the road from you. It's been on the table for several months that I explore fuller utilization. I love it when a plan comes together. ;)

[PolknPepsi]

I could be very happy with that Classe.....> :D

[TroyD]

Fifteen Benji Franklins and you could be!

BDT

[beardog03]

THe whole system blows..!

you should send it to me , freight collect of course, and i will properly dispose of it..(ya, right) !!

Congrats on the new rig..!
I know how hard it can be to stick to the plan...
It is all worth it when the plan comes together though...

glad to hear it all worked out for ya..



Bear

[Steamer]

Congrats on those speakers. They've been doing a nice job of massaging my ears. Your descrition matches my thoughts on them. Great speakers. I may never part with them. Of sourse I've said that before in the past but it may hold this time.

[ohskigod]

sweet looking gear troy. Yeah, I've heard you and some others smack around the ALIII in the past, so I know what your sayin. :p I was allways intrigued by them, and was the first carver speakers I was activly hunting before my club polk days. I wound up with the platinums because they were readily available, and knew I would like them from hearing them at George's house.

I figure if a 10" woofer can sound great musically in, say, a Hsu stf2 (like I have), or an 8" woofer with a 10" passive radiator like in my Vandersteens can sound kick ass, I am none too surprised at those ALSIII's having good bass output with a downfiring 10 on each side. cant wait to hear them at next years polkfest.

I like my Piano Gloss black, but those ALIII's look sweet in the oak finish. Classy. Ive never seen the ALSIII's in that finish

[DAGLJAM6]

Now i've just gotta hope we can locate some Platinums before BDT rubs all the finish off the oak trim. :D I keep having mini nightmares of Troy doing pole dances like the gals at the Cheetah 3.

Seriously, the III's look pretty stunning in person and tuned in should sound even better than the quick listen when we returned.
Hell if the sub were out of the link the ribbon acting as a "psuedo" 2-way on some music might sound great.(basically the ribbon stacks up against alot of full range drivers spec wise that is)

[TroyD]

Screw that, I'm too busy thinking about the hundreds of dollars worth of tubes I probably passed on.

BDT

[amulford]

Cool. Whats the difference in efficeincy?

[DAGLJAM6]

Yeah, that 5gallon pail 3/4's full of Tele's/amperex's sitting in the back corner of the storage unit.

[ND13]

Yeah, that 5gallon pail 3/4's full of Tele's/amperex's sitting in the back corner of the storage unit.


WHA,WHA,WHA,WHA...WHAT?????? Can ya'll still get ahold of those?? I'd be interested in going in on them with somebody or bodies, if anybody else is. Anybody got a tube tester?? :D Seriously :) Or are you just kidding?? :rolleyes:

[organ]

Congrats Troy!
Great to hear you got a rig up so soon. The speakers are beautiful and the pre/amp looks killer.

Maurice

[BobMcG]

Awsome Troy, beautiful system!

I would like to try a pair of the oak Platinums myself. However, I too would have to sell my nice, shiny Piano Black Amazings first... Damn, can't have both.

[DAGLJAM6]

WHA,WHA,WHA,WHA...WHAT?????? Can ya'll still get ahold of those?? I'd be interested in going in on them with somebody or bodies, if anybody else is. Anybody got a tube tester?? :D Seriously :) Or are you just kidding?? :rolleyes:

Just Kiddin' :rolleyes: It's my lot in life to torment when the opportunity arises.

[ND13]

Just Kiddin' :rolleyes: It's my lot in life to torment when the opportunity arises.

It's not nice teasing the sick :( ;)

[organ]

What's that audio sickness again that we all use as an excuse? Audiophelia Nervosa or something?

[cfrizz]

^ROFLOL! :D

I hope you are feeling better Noel.

[TroyD]

Just a little update.....

I've been spending some real quality time with the AL-III's and just want to report back that my original impressions still ring true. This is a FAR better loudspeaker than I had figured on. The soundstage that these things throw is just incredible. Well beyond the boundaries of the speakers.

I'm further impressed by the bass response. I'd say in room, LOW 30's....I was playing my Telarc 'Round Up' disc today, specifically the William Tell finale and the Mag Seven theme. Now, the low end AIN'T what the Amazings are but it's better than, oh, 98% of what is out there. Right there with the 2.3tl's.

Just thought I'd follow up and pique Dave's interest a bit.

BDT

[RuSsMaN]

You rock broham.

[fredv]

Now, I really have to figure out why one of my AL-III+'s ribbon has such a low volume ... not sure it has gone south or not. I really miss them, they are more musical than the 2.3.

[organ]

Good to hear:). Got a question for you.... Is there anything you miss in your new rig that you had with the Amazings? Or does it sound better in all aspects?

[TroyD]

Sure, the AL-III's don't have the low end presence that the CAL's have. I listen to a lot of symphony music and the CAL's was more convincing in recreating a entire orchestra.....

BDT

[DAGLJAM6]

Just thought I'd follow up and pique Dave's interest a bit.
BDT

Not that i've been walking around with a pup tent in my pants for the last coupl'a weeks or anything....but did just receive an amp that will do them justice when the time comes. A Carver A500x (250/8ohms, 400/4ohms, 750/2ohms) should be a decent driver for them. So far it sounds great with the Dodd running the show and the SDA2s doing the work. I've been studying up on the ALS's and they hover around 3ohms on average so i figure 450-500wpc wouldn't hurt. :)

[TroyD]

Don't shiite with me, biznitch. Get busy and find me a pair of Plats already.

BDT

[organ]

Awesome. There's nothing like listening to symphonic music with a big, wide and deep soundstage.