Eclipse TD 512
February 26, 2004
Wes,
I am thinking of purchasing the Eclipse TD 512 system, but
I really am not satisfied with the reviews I have read thus far. I was wondering if you
can assist me in my decision. Have you heard of these nearfield monitors?
George
I heard the 512s the last time I was in the UK and
they're certainly a sexy-looking package with sound that's not quite like anything else
I've ever heard. These egg-shaped minimonitors sure don't sound "boxy" like
conventional loudspeakers -- in fact, they disappear about as much as any speaker I've
ever heard. I'm a sucker for that kind of transparency, so I loved that aspect of their
sound.
But in a brief audition in an unfamiliar room, I could
never shake the feeling that something was missing. A few audio critics have opined that
one has to learn to "unlearn" the habit we all have of accepting box colorations
as "normal." I accept that -- up to a point, but I didn't have time to test the
validity of that theory for myself.
There certainly are some reasons to ascertain how well they
match your needs before taking the plunge, however. Because they sound different from the
rest of the pack, you need to determine whether or not you really want to live with
"different." Also, they aren't terribly efficient (80dB/w/m), which ought to
mean they're not all that easy to drive -- although I heard 'em with the 30Wpc Eclipse 502
amp and they were more than loud and dynamic enough for the small space I heard 'em in.
That's another thing. Like any minimonitor, they aren't
designed to fill a large room or even play Bruckner symphonies at concert-hall levels.
That's OK, of course, as long as you know that going in and don't demand it of them.
And last, while not cost-no-logic expensive, they aren't
cheap either. That's not a criticism of them, by the way, just an observation that you
really do need to know you want 'em before taking the plunge.
I realize I haven't answered your question, but once again
it comes down to preference. They look really cool and they do perform some audio magic
about as well as any speakers I've ever heard. If that's what you're looking for -- and
you're willing to pay what they cost for it -- they'll probably satisfy you more than any
conventional design.
$1650 amp
February 24, 2004
Hi Wes,
I'm in the process of looking for a good solid-state amp to
go with my ARC SP9 Mk III preamp. I've got it narrowed down to the Belles 150A Hot Rod or
either the ARC 300 or 100.2. I've got a CAL Icon CD player and Von Schweikert VR1 speakers
-- still looking at cables also.
I'm on a limited budget (son in college with his hand
permanently held out!) and like tube-like SS amps with their smooth, full midranges, airy
highs, and firm bass. I don't have that critical an ear, but etched sound is very annoying
to me. Warmer sound seems to let me get into the music more -- and it's less fatiguing.
My listening room is carpeted, with furniture and curtains
and is roughly 15' x 17 'x 8'. I don't listen at ear-splitting levels -- I actually prefer
very moderate to lower levels. I like to relax listening for hours, as opposed to being on
edge.
Which amp(s) mentioned above do you think I should focus
on, given my budget ($1650 or less)? I do not live in an area where I could listen to any
ARC products, only Levinson, Rotel, and Naim. Any others you would suggest that are in the
mix? Marsh, McCormack, and the PS Audio HCA2 have all received good reviews, but I'm not
sure about everything I read because of association with manufacturers, biases, hearing
ability as it relates to high/mid frequency notches.
Thanks for the help. I've followed your writing for years
and value your thoughts.
Glenn
I haven't heard the Hot-Rodded Belles, but a few of my
buddies in the reviewing community have written pretty passionately about it, so I have to
assume it's a serious contender. As for the ARC 100.2, it would be a great match for your
preamp, has plenty of juice to drive the 89dB-sensitive VR-1s, and, having been superceded
by the 150.2, should be available in your price range.
I would also strongly suggest you check out the McCormack
DNA-125, which definitely has that warmth you're looking for, not to mention a lot of sock
and slam -- even at low or moderate listening levels.
Headphone recommendation
February 21, 2004
Wes,
I got an iPod for Christmas, and I am enjoying it
immensely. I have been using a pair of Sennheiser HD 490 headphones for my portable
listening experience, but I would like to upgrade. What would be a good choice without
having to add an amp? I mostly listen around the home, and I have not had good success
with in-ear headphones like the Shure E3c (just not comfortable in my ear).
Steven
The Grado SR-60s are an obvious choice, although they
can be a tad uncomfortable for big-headed guys like me. The Beyerdynamic DT 831s are very
comfortable, but they're kind of big and give you that audiodweeb vibe for sure -- but I
am an audiodweeb and I like the way they sound.
And, even though you may want to get away from Sennheiser,
simply because you've already been there, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pros are awfully hard to
beat at around $100.
Naim analog question
February 18, 2004
Hi Wes,
I've enjoyed your writing in various magazines for years,
but wasnąt aware of onhifi.com until about ten minutes ago, when I did a Google on the
Linn Adikt cartridge. Found your review, read it, and agreed completely -- it's a great
cartridge. I've been using it for six months on my LP12 (Cirkus bearing, Valhalla power
supply, Ittok tonearm). Some might say I'm underpowering the table with the cartridge, but
I think it's absolutely wonderful and have no desire to dip my toes into the MC swamp.
I use an all-Naim system (except speakers) consisting of 52
preamp, 250 power amp, and CDS2 CD player. It pains me to concede that the turntable,
bought for 1000 Canadian dollarettes, still tops the hideously expensive CD player, which
is in itself extremely good. And the gap will widen again because I've ordered the Naim
Stageline phono stage.
And that, at last, brings me to my question. What do you
think of the Stageline?
Don
At $375 USD, I think it’s a stone bargain. And I
think you're right about that gap widening.
More power sounds like...?
February 16, 2004
Hi Wes,
This may be too much of a newbie question for you, but if I
have a system and use first a 100Wpc amp and then use a 500Wpc amplifier (arbitrary
number, but significantly higher than the first), and I use an SPL meter to level-match
the output with each amp, should I hear any difference in the sound?
My guess is that I should at least hear a difference in the
extreme frequency ranges (bass and treble), especially at very loud volumes. Will I hear
differences at moderate volume levels? If so, what kind? And will I hear differences at
loud levels? Again, what kind?
I've been having trouble getting a straight answer. I went
to CES and asked some people at the Alexis Park. I got a different answer every time. I
suppose the answer is to borrow a large amp (I have a 100Wpc Mark Levinson No.383) and try
it out myself, but my dealer has not been all that helpful. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.
Henry
The reason you've been getting different answers is that
you're actually not asking a question with a simple answer. Well, there is a simple
answer, which is it all depends, but that's not very satisfying.
The real answer has to do with your room size and the
speakers you're using.
Big rooms and insensitive loudspeakers will benefit from
additional power. There are also loudspeakers that don't sound particularly
"fill" until they play at fairly loud levels, but that is less amplifier
dependent than room-response related.
And some amplifier manufacturers don't necessarily measure
power output as rigorously as others, so two "100Wpc" amplifiers might not
actually be producing the same amount of power.
That said, the sonic differences between two amplifiers
that are identical in all respects other than wattage will probably not be all that
audible -- if both amps are adequate for the speakers and acoustic space.
That doesn't mean all amps sound alike, simply that
sonic differences between two different amplifiers can result from a variety of causes
other than rated output.
I'm guessing that your question is really a simpler one
Will getting a more powerful amplifier actually improve your sound? Possibly not. Your
No.383 is a very good integrated amplifier and it is very conservatively rated at 100Wpc.
According to John Atkinson's measurements in Stereophile, the No.383 delivers
closer to 150Wpc into an 8-ohm load and well over 200Wpc into 4-ohm loads. In most rooms,
driving most loudspeakers, that's probably sufficient.
It's possible you will find an amplifier that you like
better than the Levinson, but the cause of your sonic preference will probably not be as
simple as a matter of additional wattage.
Radio shopping
February 13, 2004
Wes,
I enjoyed your review
of the Tivoli/Kloss Model One table radio. Finding it was good timing for me as I am
looking to get a good analog table radio. I don't want digital, a clock, and presets, just
a good tabletop wood-cabinet radio. I was disappointed to hear your impression of AM on
the Model One. Yes, I do FM, but I listen to AM also and need a radio with a strong tuner.
For some reason, my state (Nebraska) is a wasteland when it comes to quality audio of this
type beyond boomboxes, so I have no way to investigate first-hand.
I am also considering the new Sangean WR-1 radio. Have you
any experience with it or opinions on how it compares with the Model One? I appreciate any
info you are able to provide.
Larry
I haven't heard the WR-1, but I have heard that its AM
section is spectacular. There have also been reports that it is unusually good at plucking
hard-to-get FM stations out of the ether.
On the other hand, I use my two Tivolis just about every
day and I'm a very happy camper.
25-year-old system
February 11, 2004
Hi Wes,
I came across your site on Google. I'm a retired NYC
public-school teacher. I recently hooked up my system after not listening to it for over
25 years: Sansui 303 receiver, Frazier CAD-1 speakers, and a Garrard AT-60 record changer
(my Akai turntable has a slight hum).
No matter how I connect the speaker terminals, the speakers
sound dull. The left speaker sounds a bit lower than the right. I've reversed the speakers
with similar results. I've raised and lowered the speakers to various heights -- they
still sound dull or a bit muffled. I get lots of static as I change stations on my
receiver. Do modern receivers eliminate static between channels? I don't seem to hear this
on my mini-system. Do newer speakers sound more lively? Any ideas about any of these
"problems?"
Charles
I don't know how to tell you this, but I think your
speakers went to sleep 25 years ago and they probably won't be waking up. It sounds as
though your tweeters are blown, have dry-rot, or are otherwise deceased. I can't imagine
your woofers are long for this world either.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a modern speaker at any price
that didn't sound better than your old Fraziers, so I'd recommend buying a new set. Check
my Archives for some good
affordable options.
And yes, digital tuners actually skip all that space
between stations so that you no longer hear the "static" hiss between broadcast
frequencies these days. This is convenient, of course, but some of the old analog tuners
had sound that few modern digital jobbies can match. I'm thinking specifically of the
classic Marantz, Fisher, and McIntosh designs, but there were other good 'uns as well.
If your Sansui receiver works OK otherwise, you might want
to use it despite the static, but I had a Sansui AU-555 from the early '70s and I would
now consider it screechy, hard, and brittle. On the other hand, if your tweeters are
blown, maybe that'll be an improvement.
Seriously, the state of the art (even the
state-of-the-cheap art) has come a long way in 25 years, you can probably do a lot better
for very little money -- and enjoying what you're listening to is what it's supposed to
all be about.
As for resale value, we're not really talking about
collectibles, so offer 'em for a few bucks at your next yard sale.
Hope this helps.
New Zealand audiophile
February 3, 2004
Wes,
Greetings from New Zealand. Thanks for a great website!
Have you ever heard of or listened to Harbeth loudspeakers?
I have the Super HL5 and would wish a pair on anyone, anytime.
Also, coming from New Zealand I was very interested in
seeing your
review of the Perreaux Radiance R200i. Have you ever listened to or reviewed Plinius
amps? Plinius seems to be a great match with Harbeth loudspeakers.
Douglas
Yes, I've heard Harbeth -- and I like the models
I've heard a lot. I can tell why you're big on 'em.
I have reviewed both the Plinius Odeon and the SA 100
Mk II (back in my Stereophile days). I'm arranging to get some of the company's
two-channel products in for review and will write about them soon.
From what I've heard, though, you could be on to an
extremely honest, revealing, and -- very probably -- transcendent combination. Good on ya!
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