It's been 4 years with the AZ Crescendos- an eternity in my audio world.
I'm going to try these:
http://www.legacyaudio.com/products/view/focus-se/
I thoroughly enjoy the Crescendos, but I am lucky enough to be able to experiment a little. I had shoulder surgery in the Spring, and had a merry-go-round of DAC's to check out. None, in my mind, were worth the dollars to change out the Bryston BCD-1 player.
I'm sure different speakers will at least afford a completely different perspective, and will not be as subtle a change as a DAC.
Wednesday is the due date...
Congrats on a great choice, you will love them. Are you getting the latest version with the "Dual Air Motion" ribbons? It is quite a bit better than the original version SE with the round mid ribbon. The current Focus SE has some of the best drivers made now.
If my current speaker project doesn't satisfy I'll be getting these too. I once owned Focus 2020 and I miss them.
Is that your post on AC about getting the new Stratos amps too? The Focus really like a big SS amp to feed the (2.9 ohm?) impedance dip in the bass. The designer calls it turbo-boost.
I first auditioned Focus SE at a friend's house in SC, he had Edge stereo amp, 400W iirc. That was the best bass I'd heard up to that point, and it was in a tiny room. Only the Whispers have surpassed it, ime.
Have fun!! :mrgreen:
Rich
They are the new AMT version. I will be driving them with a Bryston 4 BSST2. Hopefully it is up to the task.
I read many of your Legacy Audio threads Richidoo.
I'll post my impressions soon.
The Bryston will be more than enough. The speakers are pretty sensitive so you don't need a lot of voltage, but the amp should have a large power supply (heavy) and low source impedance (solid state) so it can provide instant gobs of current.
I'm really looking forward reading about your experience with the Legacys. Now you got my Legacy itch going again...
I'm Jelly! :drool:
Congrats, Jim! :thumb:
I promise I won't tell Albert! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
SN
Hey Jim how they working out ? Yes Sir they love power. Feb. and March are open for a club meeting, just saying.
charles
So... I've been Focusing for a week and a half. They are everything I wished for, but you know the saying...
ANY recording that I previously felt was bass-shy, is now beautiful, weighty, and round. Examples- The Doors (anything), Jackson Browne Solo Acoustic, Neil Young at Massey Hall, Triumvirat- Spartacus and Illusions, Patsy Cline, any 80's New Wave, etc.
But- things I previously thought were spot on are now hovering on chesty, and verge on too much bass. Examples to follow.
I'd bet that the excess bass I sometimes experience is due to the rather small room the Focus SE's are in. 12x16 ft, with two large openings.
Fit and finish are exemplary, as fine furniture should be. (As are the Crescendos).
This is really coming down to the British saying- "Horses for courses".
If I had to guess, I'd say the AZ Crescendos check off more audiophile boxes- imaging, soundstage, etc.
This is no easy decision. I plan to have a small gathering to see what others think...
Sounds like fun!!
Email Bill D if you need any help tuning or fitting them into your system, he has a lot of advice, and easy to contact. I'm sure people have asked him about too much bass in smaller rooms. Maybe try stuffing one or both ports?
New speakers are a big change. It takes a little time to adjust to the new perspective.
What color?
:pics?:
I spent about two hours with Neil S. of Clearsound Audio today. Between more break-in time, and tweaking the toe-in, rake angle, and distance, these babies really sing now. Neil was very knowledgeable and helpful; now I can put the Crescendos up for sale.
Unfortunately, we also tried the Auralic Vega DAC. I say unfortunately, because now I have the Vega to lust after.
A great day in Audiophiledom.
BTW, I got the Rosewood finish. I am fairly lame at the picture uploading game.
Quote from: James Edward on September 22, 2014, 05:50:24 PM
these babies really sing now.
Glad to (pardon the pun) hear it! :thumb:
SN
Quote from: James Edward on September 22, 2014, 05:50:24 PM
BTW, I got the Rosewood finish. I am fairly lame at the picture uploading game.
That's OK, pictures aren't easy on AN. I had Rosewood too, so I know exactly how it looks - Beautiful!!
I'm glad it's coming together for you, and that you are happy with them! I forgot about the break in part. Legacy comes to shows with brand new speakers with no break in, so they always sound tight at the shows, too. Those big Aura woofers will take even more time to break in than the small drivers.
Put on Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture for me... :thumb:
Quote from: James Edward on September 20, 2014, 04:04:39 PM
So... I've been Focusing for a week and a half. They are everything I wished for, but you know the saying...
ANY recording that I previously felt was bass-shy, is now beautiful, weighty, and round. Examples- The Doors (anything), Jackson Browne Solo Acoustic, Neil Young at Massey Hall, Triumvirat- Spartacus and Illusions, Patsy Cline, any 80's New Wave, etc.
But- things I previously thought were spot on are now hovering on chesty, and verge on too much bass. Examples to follow.
I'd bet that the excess bass I sometimes experience is due to the rather small room the Focus SE's are in. 12x16 ft, with two large openings.
Fit and finish are exemplary, as fine furniture should be. (As are the Crescendos).
This is really coming down to the British saying- "Horses for courses".
If I had to guess, I'd say the AZ Crescendos check off more audiophile boxes- imaging, soundstage, etc.
This is no easy decision. I plan to have a small gathering to see what others think...
Ok here I am a broken record again. Did you ever try to release the screws around the tweeter on the Crescendos and mids? I have the Adagios and it is those screws around those tweeters (on that brand)M that led me down this road of tension.
You should try it if you still can.
Quote from: James Edward on September 22, 2014, 05:50:24 PM
I spent about two hours with Neil S. of Clearsound Audio today. Between more break-in time, and tweaking the toe-in, rake angle, and distance, these babies really sing now. Neil was very knowledgeable and helpful; now I can put the Crescendos up for sale.
Unfortunately, we also tried the Auralic Vega DAC. I say unfortunately, because now I have the Vega to lust after.
A great day in Audiophiledom.
BTW, I got the Rosewood finish. I am fairly lame at the picture uploading game.
Maybe Niel would like to demo the Vega for us ? Si senor set up is key.
charles
I'll be able to demo the Vega. I bought one a couple of weeks after the home audition. In the spring, I had auditioned three dacs in hopes of bettering my Bryston CD player. None were convincing enough to pull the trigger.
I expected more of the same with the Vega, and was actually hoping I would not like it, since it was more than I wanted to spend. But it was love at first listen. It should arrive any day now...
Quote from: James Edward on October 20, 2014, 03:49:53 PM
I'll be able to demo the Vega. I bought one a couple of weeks after the home audition. In the spring, I had auditioned three dacs in hopes of bettering my Bryston CD player. None were convincing enough to pull the trigger.
I expected more of the same with the Vega, and was actually hoping I would not like it, since it was more than I wanted to spend. But it was love at first listen. It should arrive any day now...
Wow, Jim! Isn't this DAC around $5,000.00...??? :shock:
Neil is awesome... Nice speakers... Are they efficient? Id like to hear them with tubes.
Rich needs to continue lusting over the Legacy's so I can take over his extremely awesome 3-way project. 8)
It's either speakers or an old Fiat Spider for me...
No Bill, the Vega lists for 3495.00. Besides, life is short.
Quote from: James Edward on October 21, 2014, 01:43:52 PM
No Bill, the Vega lists for 3495.00. Besides, life is short.
OK, Jim. I feel better now! Besides, your end comment is the most important. LIFE IS short! :thumb:
Congrats! Looking forward to a listen.
Bill
Hopefully Neil gave ya a discount. Great DAC BTW. Looking forward to hearing it.
charles