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Focal Speakers The Spirit of Sound

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  #21  
Old 03-22-2014, 04:39 PM
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audioguy3107 audioguy3107 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redm View Post
Isn't half the fun trying new equipment and tinkering?
While that's true in most cases they cost $120,000 and according to one reviewer....."........and are better than sex."

I wouldn't tinker with that.

Buck
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  #22  
Old 03-22-2014, 05:05 PM
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Ivan.......This is a decision that only you can make. Both of the speaker designs, the Sonus faber Aida and the Focal Utopia Grand EM, are the epitome of the two manufactures' greatest efforts to date. Neither of the two designs are compromises, rather they are no holds barred, cost no object creations, each with their designer's signature embedded in every aspect of the speakers. The Sonus faber Aida and the Focal Utopia Grand EM represent the best of the best. Still, they are quite different with respect to voice and appearance. Since it is apparent you have embraced the appearance of both, it boils down to the sound. It always comes down to the sound no matter the price point. Without some extended auditioning with familiar music, and at the very least similar amplification and sources, you will be shooting in the dark, a $200K crap shoot, if you will. Remember, lust and satisfaction are two entirely different things.

I understand the dynamics of the situation and would probably be equally quick to take advantage of an opportunity if I were in your shoes. None the less, you have stated you are thoroughly satisfied with the Aida/Burmester system. Swapping a known beauty for an unknown beauty might just carry some baggage that may be uncomfortable to live with long term. You know what the say, "If its wound up don't try to wind it, if its not lost don't try to find it."

Perhaps you might consider a slightly less lofty pair of Focal speakers, maybe the Stella Utopia EM or Maestro Utopia powered by the Bryston system in the Cape. That will get your feet wet with the Focal Utopia lineup without having to part with the astonishing Sonus faber Aida's. I think you may eventually regret parting with the Aida's if that comes to pass.
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  #23  
Old 03-22-2014, 05:16 PM
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If it's feasible to have both, can you compare them, keep the pair you like, and sell the others to lighten the financial burden? I think spending that kind of money, whatever your resources are warrants critical listening in your system.
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  #24  
Old 03-22-2014, 05:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterlu View Post
But would you visit me?
Yeah that would probably get me over there, especially to "make sure you have them calibrated properly." har har har
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  #25  
Old 03-22-2014, 06:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy View Post
Ivan.......This is a decision that only you can make. Both of the speaker designs, the Sonus faber Aida and the Focal Utopia Grand EM, are the epitome of the two manufactures' greatest efforts to date. Neither of the two designs are compromises, rather they are no holds barred, cost no object creations, each with their designer's signature embedded in every aspect of the speakers. The Sonus faber Aida and the Focal Utopia Grand EM represent the best of the best. Still, they are quite different with respect to voice and appearance. Since it is apparent you have embraced the appearance of both, it boils down to the sound. It always comes down to the sound no matter the price point. Without some extended auditioning with familiar music, and at the very least similar amplification and sources, you will be shooting in the dark, a $200K crap shoot, if you will. Remember, lust and satisfaction are two entirely different things.

I understand the dynamics of the situation and would probably be equally quick to take advantage of an opportunity if I were in your shoes. None the less, you have stated you are thoroughly satisfied with the Aida/Burmester system. Swapping a known beauty for an unknown beauty might just carry some baggage that may be uncomfortable to live with long term. You know what the say, "If its wound up don't try to wind it, if its not lost don't try to find it."

Perhaps you might consider a slightly less lofty pair of Focal speakers, maybe the Stella Utopia EM or Maestro Utopia powered by the Bryston system in the Cape. That will get your feet wet with the Focal Utopia lineup without having to part with the astonishing Sonus faber Aida's. I think you may eventually regret parting with the Aida's if that comes to pass.
Dan... As always, sage advice from a very wise man. I will probably do just that; start with the Maestro or Stella EM and go from there.
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MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

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Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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  #26  
Old 03-22-2014, 06:34 PM
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28Bs would power even the EMs...
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  #27  
Old 03-22-2014, 06:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -E- View Post
28Bs would power even the EMs...
I would hope so, they are 94db efficient.
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FLORIDA
MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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  #28  
Old 03-22-2014, 06:38 PM
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Not just for the sake of efficiency...
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  #29  
Old 03-22-2014, 06:44 PM
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Or perhaps you could kick the Stradivari to the curb, move the Aida's into the two channel room, and then you'd be free to set up the Focal Utopia Grand EM with the Burmester.
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  #30  
Old 03-22-2014, 07:43 PM
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Dennis nailed it!!
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