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  #11  
Old 10-25-2020, 12:06 PM
Charles Charles is online now
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audioquest4life, I regret commenting on this thread so late but better late than never. Your story and write up are extremely interesting. I am so happy for you that you found your dream speaker and system.

I never heard of the Classic Audio T1.5 Reference or the Hartsfield. I did some research on CA. What an interesting company and their speakers seem remarkable with the field coil technology even extending to the mid.

The weight of the T1.5 means the cabinet is well made and I saw a review of the speaker in which the woofer weighed in at 50 pounds. Very impressive along with the electromagnet technology which I understand to be inherently better than a permanent magnet.

Congratulations on finding/discovering this speaker (T1.5). Apparently, its a classic and competitive with anything on the market.

Best

Charles
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  #12  
Old 10-31-2020, 01:13 AM
Charles Charles is online now
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audioquest4life, just saw the pics. The speakers and room and system are amazing. I'm in awe. That's the most beautiful wood I have ever seen. Congrats on your dream system!

Best

Charles
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  #13  
Old 10-31-2020, 11:53 AM
audioquest4life audioquest4life is offline
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@charles,

Thank you for the nice words. Yes, these speakers have been transformative in my listening experiences no matter the source. I can play vinyl, stream, or play SACD and enjoy each equally well, except in a different manner. For example, my phono stage, an Aesthetix IO Signature is getting upgraded and while it’s away I have been using the Bluesound streamer with Tidal and my MCIntosh MVP 891 SACD player to great satisfaction. While my analog rig has more palpable harmonics, the other sources played through the T1.5s sound great too.

One factor that continuous to amaze me in any of the source feeds is that vocals tend to be so lifelike and articulate. I feel as if I get a sense of the recording venue.

These speakers play equally well at low and loud listening levels. I tend to like to play louder most of the time as I like to feel the bass or hear it’s impact more forcefully on the music I play. Since I acquired these speakers I don’t really feel a need to use my subs anymore. The bass is so deep and impactful I ask myself if I have the subs on, but no, they are off. And, I am talking clean, articulate, and deep bass, not boomy or mushy. I know my custom designed room with noise abatement and damping designed into the construction allows any speaker to play at there best, but, these speakers took the listening experience to a whole new level. I don’t know if I will get an itch in 10, 15, or 20 years to swap out, and if I do, there’s a very narrow market of speakers that I would consider that compete with these in terms of listening quality, and they all start in 50k to well over 100k ranges, at least, based on my Own personal listening experiences. There is always someone faster or better than what you have, but I have not found it, and I am not looking as the T.1.5 offers everything I was seeking for this upgrade; speed, efficiency, bass, dynamic, and some form of horn technology. The bonus was the field coil technology and a completely custom and hand built speaker by an audio craftsman. It took my wife a little bit to get used to the look and the enormity of the speaker in the listening room. But, when I played a song, Nils Lofgren, Keith Don’t Go, she knew immediately why I sold the B&W N800s, which she loved the sound and looks, for these. She was completely overwhelmed with joy and emotion by the music presented by these speakers. My wife has always been my beta tester for equipment experiments, haha, and I ask her for her opinion when I swap equipment or experiment. With her endorsement, I knew I made the right decision. She’s a keeper for life.
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  #14  
Old 10-31-2020, 12:45 PM
Charles Charles is online now
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audioquest4life, it's always good to find a like minded audiophile. It is clear that like myself you are a speaker aficionado. I too use Mac amplification and source gear. I'm not into vinyl because I never liked it growing up. But I like SACD a lot and I do a lot of computer audio. I'll leave my Signature below.

I think your 2301's awesome and your choice of the 891 also. The rest of the gear equally awesome but I can tell that you believe the speaker is where the "money" is. It's the speaker that makes the sound. With a sensitivity of 101 and the tubes I can understand the magic you have. With the field coil technology and the 18"/15" woofers you undeniably have bass authority. Makes for an incredible system.

If you have time, can you list me a couple of SACD's that you like a lot that are available on the market for purchase? I'd like to listen to them and compare notes down the road.

Best

Charles

____________________
Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
Most recent updates: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer; Wilson Pedestals
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of house.
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