Hi Tannoyers and sound lovers

[BenParis]

Hi everyone,

Just joined the forum, glad to be part of the Hifi adventure.
I listen to a lot of acoustic music, of any kind. As long as the record is well pressed / recorded, then I like it

I am based in Paris, France
System wise, I love tannoys, I made my own cabinets with HPD385, sound great. I have recently bought a genuine pair of Tannoy Gold monitors in York rectangular cabinets.
I am trying to improve the sound of the latter, it's not as clear as the HPD. I am working on upgrading the crossovers and the cabinet.
I drive them currently with a Sansui AU555A (really good) or a Luxman L10 (really good also).
Source is Node 2i (very good) and a chord qutest DAC (amazing)

I am not much into cables, I am not sure they bring something. For now, more into optimizing what I got.

Regards,
Benoit

[Roy S]

Hello Benoit, I also drive Tannoys with a Luxman amp (Legacy Ardens / L-509X), sounds excellent

[BenParis]

Hello Roy, this Luxman L509X looks like a great amplifier ! Did you have the opportunity to compare it with other Luxman gears ? Or other amps ? What are your thought with your Ardens ?

[Roy S]

Hello Roy, this Luxman L509X looks like a great amplifier ! Did you have the opportunity to compare it with other Luxman gears ? Or other amps ? What are your thought with your Ardens ?

I'd been using Quad amplification for a number of years (77, 303, 405, 606, Elite & QMP monoblocks), I also dabbled with valve monoblocks, these were all used with separate phono stages & pre amps. Ultimately I got a little fed up with my room looking like Frankenstein's lab & wanted a 'one box' solution. I liked the look of the Luxman & reviews were favourable so I got one in for a home demo. To say I was blown away would be an understatement, I'd literally never heard anything so lucid! (I should say at the time I was using vintage Arden IIs). So long story short I traded in a stack of gear & parted with a large amount of cash to become the proud owner of a shiny new one. Sold the vintage Ardens as, to be honest, the crossovers were probably due some attention, had a pair of Goldenear Tritons for a while but then returned to the Tannoy fold when a cheeky ebay offer won me the Legacy Ardens, which further improved the sound, & that's me sorted

[BenParis]

Hehe, nice
I had Quad 2 monoblocks and I understand your point, it can look a bit messy and having a nice looking system with a good sound is important !
Don't have the finance for a Luxman 509X.
Any idea about the Luxman M200 sound ?

[Roy S]

Hehe, nice
I had Quad 2 monoblocks and I understand your point, it can look a bit messy and having a nice looking system with a good sound is important !
Don't have the finance for a Luxman 509X.
Any idea about the Luxman M200 sound ?

Sorry, not familiar with the M200, don't even know if Luxman has a 'house sound' as this is the first one I've had. Did have one of their turntables which I stupidly sold for peanuts

[hifinutt]

welcome benoit , great to have you .
My legacy eatons just love class D , and class A . the former is cheaper though and very engaging and affordable

[BenParis]

I almost bought a Luxman M200 yesterday for a good price, but after talking with the seller, we both agreed that it might not drive the gold 15 very well, honnest seller, with respect for Tannoys

[BenParis]

Sorry, not familiar with the M200, don't even know if Luxman has a 'house sound' as this is the first one I've had. Did have one of their turntables which I stupidly sold for peanuts

I almost bought a Luxman M200 yesterday for a good price, but after talking with the seller, we both agreed that it might not drive the gold 15 very well, honnest seller, with respect for Tannoys

[BenParis]

welcome benoit , great to have you .
My legacy eatons just love class D , and class A . the former is cheaper though and very engaging and affordable

I have heard eatons sounds totally amazing, with a lot of energy and very beautifull sound. I reckon I have way too big speakers for my appartement in Paris, but not ready to downsize yet
Your point on amps for Tannoys is very interesting, I have tried a Sugden A21SE Signature (class A), it's ok but I found it way too expensive for the sound. And it was getting too hot also, not good for summer... I don't like class A for this reason. The sound is nice, but AB works well too.
I never tried class D but I have always been tempted. Lot of people say class D sounds too numerical / surgical, but the best is to try by myself.
I have tried a Devialet once... it was stunning !! But I don't have a 5K€ budget yet for an amplifier.
Which class D amp do you have ? A bel canto ? or DIY ice power amps ?