Hi Geoff

I think we're both of similar mind. You've done a splendid job on the refurbishment buy the way, it's a credit to you . I totally agree RE the HPD comments as I've found the HPD's to sound fabulous with decent cross-overs in place. I can't altogether agree about the Tulip waveguide as I don't believe the difference is that great at all as long as the amp match is done with great care. In this respect, the Kensingtons pip the Turnberrys as they apparently are an easier amp match and there's no denying that their drivers have greater ultimate resolution. I know where you're coming from though. What I have found is that the amplifier choice makes a HUGE difference. I tried a Mastersound KT88 integrated hooked up to the Turnberrys and it altered the mid presence noticeably compared with the Croft power amp I'd been using. The mids gained that depth and smoothness as well as improved detail and it was all very even handed with none of the upper mid lift that I've found with other amps hooked up to the Turnberrys.

This is the interesting part. Some believe speaker first and some believe source or amp first. If you decide before all else to sort the power house out first and spend a great deal on a very good high quality Class A valve amp, then you're likely to get a good match with the Turnberrys, but the amp has got to be good. If you buy any old amp rated to drive most speakers of reasonable sensitivity (and by that I don't mean a budget amp) and then decide on Turnberrys then you are more than likely to be very disappointed . If you like what Tannoys do well (ie scale and imaging) and like the sound Turnberrys make, then taking care with amplifier choice isn't just desirable, its a must to get what they're capable of. Some may call this a flaw with the speakers and maybe they have something there, (nothings perfect in hifi) but you simply cannot judge or compare them unless first you know that the matching amp is the right synergistic (if you'll forgive the term!) match to deliver that tonal and dynamic balance.

I've managed to have quite a few amps hooked up to mine now, ranging from high end Class A valve amplification to 20 year old classics from Quad (405Mk2) and even an ION Obelsik (which was surprisingly good!). All were different. The speakers seem to allow a window on the upstream components like little else, but at the same time obviously have a funny response somewhere around the crossover point which may explain the upper mid issues with some amps. Get it right, and I can assure you there's no problems with that Tulip Waveguide. Several of us sat utterly captivated by the magical sounds emanating from the Turnberrys when Mastersound Integrated was hooked up to them...utterly sublime.