I'm really conflicted

[watchnerd]

For sure I'd want them in my house. They can be setup to look good in a variety of decor's going by the google image searches. I suppose they look best on top of bare wood flooring, and the more visible hardwood in the picture, the better they tend to look. Just my opinion of course. As for the question "who would want" these speakers, I think it's safe to say a fairly large number of people. The Wilson WATT/Puppy is the best selling speaker of all time priced over $10K.

None of those are pimp purple, tho.

 

[watchnerd]

ALERT! Your turntable is mounted in a cavity resonator!

Dogs don't care about rumble, apparently.

 

[bandit]

Do you enjoy the feel of the knobs on the Accuphase? How about the looks?

Believe it or not the knobs where a huge factor which influenced my purchase, they gave me the feeling of absolute quality of the unit. Even Esoteric or other more expensive units which I've had my hands on don't even come close to the Accuphase quality. Concerning the looks, I love it, I started off with vintage audio components with their big UVs, so if you add together the looks and the quality of the unit it was a no brainer for me. It's a shame to know it actually has a few design issues, I wasn't expecting it from Accuphase, now I'm afraid even its integrated bigger brothers suffer form the same flaws.

 

[watchnerd]

Believe it or not the knobs where a huge factor which influenced my purchase, they gave me the feeling of absolute quality of the unit. Even Esoteric or other more expensive units which I've had my hands on don't even come close to the Accuphase quality..

Did you try the Luxman knobs?

 

[bandit]

You seem to be really torn about what direction to head with your system as a whole. I’ve seen a number of your threads now and I feel your pain. Remember that there is no “right” answer. If you have the means and desire, just get what makes you happy! Best is just what makes you excited and brings you pleasure.

The main problem is I don't really have the means, I would have to save quite a bit in order to upgrade my system that's why I want to be sure I'm heading in the right direction

 

[bandit]

Why don't you just START enjoying the MUSIC ?

That would without a doubt be the most rational thing to do, wouldn't it? Well, unfortunately..... hahaha

 

[watchnerd]

The main problem is I don't really have the means, I would have to save quite a bit in order to upgrade my system that's why I want to be sure I'm heading in the right direction

For many hobbyists, that never really goes away, regardless of means.

Their systems simply scale with their income.

And there is always something more expensive, or better performing, tempting you.

I'm certainly guilty, as well.

 

[bandit]

I've been considering making the leap to actives as opposed to passives when the time comes. I've been favouring brands that let me choose a custom finish, so ATC and Kii 3 are very high up there on my list. I'm wondering, would a pair of Genelec W371A+8351 outperform the Kii 3+BXT modules? Why? I believe that Genelec is sold thru the pro market and as such you don't get the white glove after market treatment you do with the Kii 3. So no home delivery and fine tuning by the dealer for you. You will have to set them up yourself.

Costs wise, it seems the Genelec setup will cost about $10K less than the Kii one.

Honestly, looks wise the kii three take the crown without a doubt, would love to listen to them someday.

 

[bandit]

Did you try the Luxman knobs?

Not that I can remember...

 

[watchnerd]

Not that I can remember...

Ah, then I won't tease you by telling you how they feel even better than the Accuphase knobs..

 

[anmpr1]

John could make the AHB and DAC look like an Accuphase or Mac. Cosmetically. But then he'd probably have to sell it for double the price. Which would still be a good deal compared to Accuphase or McIntosh.

That said, I do miss some 'consumer' features found in Accuphase and Mac. Such as balance controls for analog sources. For all digital sources it doesn't matter.

 

[ex audiophile]

How funny. I did the same. I moved, so had to sell my big MC352 amp and replace it with a pair of AHB2's. Except for me, the McIntosh was the centerpiece of my system. The AHB2's? I shoved them into the fireplace and covered them up with a screen. They're nothing to look at.

I guess if you prefer to look at it you buy the McIntosh; if you prefer to listen you buy the AHB2

 

[watchnerd]

I guess if you prefer to look at it you buy the McIntosh; if you prefer to listen you buy the AHB2

I'm pretty sure you can't ABX them if they're both operating well below redline.

So, no, not really.

 

[Thomas savage]

You want that in your house??

I'd love to see what matching furniture you have in mind to go with it.

I think they'd be great if you're going for ' early 90s Russian gangsta ( Tarzan ) owned Miami strip joint ' look.

 

[watchnerd]

I think they'd be great if you're going for ' early 90s Russian gangsta ( Tarzan ) owned Miami strip joint ' look.

View attachment 103902

Pimp purple + gold works.

 

[raif71]

I think they'd be great if you're going for ' early 90s Russian gangsta ( Tarzan ) owned Miami strip joint ' look.

View attachment 103902

Looks like Shrek

 

[watchnerd]

Looks like Shrek

View attachment 103905

Purple goes well with green skinned humanoids.

c.f. The Hulk

So....now we know purple speakers are good for pimps, fat Russian gangsters, Shrek, and the Hulk.

 

[Thomas savage]

Purple goes well with green skinned humanoids.

c.f. The Hulk

So....now we know purple speakers are good for pimps, fat Russian gangsters, Shrek, and the Hulk.

Well the pimp, russian gangsta and the hulk can afford theirs .., I'm worried about what shrek is going to have to do with that donkey in order to get enough coin for his pair.

 

[watchnerd]

Well the pimp, russian gangsta and the hulk can afford theirs .., I'm worried about what shrek is going to have to do with that donkey in order to get enough coin for his pair.

Don't Google "donkey shrek fan fic".

 

[cistercian]

Should I sell my Accuphase e-270 to buy a benchmark AHB2? I love the looks of my Accuphase but the Benchmark performs better, at the same time it looks extremely boring to my eyes. How do you guys deal with the beauty/performance ratio of your system?

PS: will a top notch passive system surpass top notch active speakers? I'm questioning the point of buying the best measuring components which may not be visually appealing if I could just settle for actives assuming what I want is purely performance.

Keep the Accuphase. If you like the looks and the control feel that matters. I do not think the audio performance difference
is worth the trouble to change to a different amp! Don't worry about the test and just enjoy it.