Celestion DL6 v Mission 751 Dilemma

[raygreen]

Bought a pair of Mission 751 second hand and just been comparing to my own Celestion DL6 which I have had from new (Through Arcam CD, Dual 505-2 turntable and Arcam Alpha Amp). I have bi-wired the 751's. I find comparisons so difficult and hard to decide which I like best. I have switched between the two so many times. The DL6 seem smoother and a very pleasant listen - they still impress me. The 751's seem a little more brash but not overly so. With some music it seems to bring a little more out.

I wondered what others thought about these two speakers and how you rate the two against each other.

Also would any particular amp improve the 751's any further? Would a DAC make a noticeable difference with the 751's (I tried one with the DL6's and the was a slight improvement.

[raygreen]

Could anyone give me a view on either of these speakers that has an opinion on them or who has owned them. I am starting to wonder if the Missions are sounding a little on the bright side compared to the Celestions.

[RobbieGong]

Hi Ray, I've not heard the 751's but still have it's bigger brother in the series - the 752. If I'm right the original 751, 752 and 753 came with a metal dome tweeter. I have owned both the original 752's and have had the revised 752 Freedoms in my set up for some years now. Question is which do you have ? To my ears the metal dome had a fairly bright / steely, out of the box presentation, so to speak. Whereas I have always found the revised Freedoms with the silk dome tweeter to have a more balanced, slightly in the box presentation with a smoother treble. The originals still had the good things I like about the speaker but the revised Freedoms suited my listening much more in terms of balance and totally non fatiguing listening. Just my 2 pence worth :) So.... You'll either have the metal domed originals here https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Mission+751&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=n7ZzVLHgC4K8aeeWgYAC&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=8BKsv8Ml58t5QM%253A%3B1rrV1H_sgxn-mM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hifiengine.com%252Ffil es%252Fimages%252FMission%252520751%252520Loudspea kers%252520(500x424).jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww. hifiengine.com%252Fgallery%252Fimages%252Fmission-751-loudspeakers.shtml%3B500%3B424 Or the silk dome version here - https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Mission+751&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=n7ZzVLHgC4K8aeeWgYAC&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=U6Ac6Ud3mDWRCM%253A%3B92r5Ab-xAEiwkM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hifidatabase.com% 252Fstatic%252Fgallery%252F7%252F3277-751f.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hifidatabase.com %252FDetailed%252FMission_751_Freedom_2442.php%3B3 22%3B279 Do let us know.

[raygreen]

Cheers Robbie. They are the metal dome tweeter version. I think we must have similar ears. Although I have not heard the Freedoms these new additions do sound a little brighter than I have been used to listening to compared with my Celestion DL6 (also a metal dome tweeter but less brash I would say. The Missions certainly sound good, especially when putting some volume through them but I wonder if I am ready to swap them for my trusty Celestions...

Some will say...trust your ears

[southall-1998]

Cheers Robbie. They are the metal dome tweeter version. I think we must have similar ears. Although I have not heard the Freedoms these new additions do sound a little brighter than I have been used to listening to compared with my Celestion DL6 (also a metal dome tweeter but less brash I would say. The Missions certainly sound good, especially when putting some volume through them but I wonder if I am ready to swap them for my trusty Celestions...

Some will say...trust your ears

+1

S.

[DSJR]

The DL6 is the better speaker, but the edginess of the 751's will liven up the Alpha amp, which was also a 'gentle' performer.

Ray, my advice is to flog the Missions and put the funds into upgrading your sources and amp. The Alpha 7 amp and FMJ descendants have more 'life' to them and should be cheap now, as should the 7Se CD player. The 8 amp could be hard toned, but I loved the 8SE and 9 CD players. The Dual, if it has the Ortofon derived cartridge (I need to check which one), is transformed by a now expensive OM20 stylus and the heavier flat Dual mat if yours has the one with two ribs, which takes the deck as far as the low mass arm and structure will allow (I'm a HUGE fan of the heavier built previous Dual [mainly idler drive] models and these sound amazing if you choose right).

I don't have any ideas of budget for possible upgrades, but hope you'll take the above as a starter.

[raygreen]

I would agree with Ll what you have said there Dave. I am definitely edging towards my Celestions as the speaker of choice. The Dual I M not too worried about as I don't Neve a lot of vinyl. The CD would probably be my first replacement and I have always fancied a Rega planet. The other thing I would like to invest in is a DAC.

Thanks for the advice.

[raygreen]

Been listening to the Missions the last few days and they are starting to grow on me. I have also put them on a sturdy shelf in an attic alcove which really seems to give thr sound a little more depth. They also sit nicely out of the way.

Would a Rega Planet or another Arcam CD player complement the Missions well? Always been happy with the Arcam CD but I'm sure an upgrade would be a good investment as mentioned above.