heard Electrostats for the first time

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by chris661

I heard some electrostatics a little while ago, visiting a local audio fan.

They were good, and when the super tweeter was added, you might call them very good. Even with some tweaking, they (imo) can't fully justify the price tag.

Typically planar speakers are your thing, or not. If you can hear the box of even the best box speaker and the open full sized scale of a stat get's your juices flowing you really have no choice. Gotta dig into that tight wallet of yours (and mine) and pay the piper.

I run my hybrid stats with a super tweeter and a subwoofer, my system, my choice.

[mavric]

what is your amp set up for a way hybrid? if you can ellaborate or take a pic, very interested.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by mavric

what is your amp set up for a way hybrid? if you can ellaborate or take a pic, very interested.

Golden Tube Audio SE-100 (100 watt) amp. It drives the Aerius much better than the SS Rotel also rated at 100 watts before it. Bass is the biggest improvement, tube bass is awesome, I have no idea what the critics complain about. The high end is better extended too, and of course the midrange just sings.

This is the supertweeter setup, thought I would get more grief from people over it. I guess other some like to try new things too.

Sacrilege, can hear the dog bark - added tweeter - MartinLogan Club (MLC)

[speakerman]

Dear Borat -

I highly recommend that you read Roger Sanders' THE ELECTROSTATIC LOUDSPEAKER DESIGN COOKBOOK. It will be an eye-opener. Mr. Sanders covers everything, from theory, associated electronics (including amplifiers, crossovers and transformers), and construction to set-up and design of transmission line speaker design, including the fact that curved ESLs (like the Martin-Logans) are actually inferior in imaging to flat ESLs.

All your questions will be answered about ESLs and you will learn more than you ever dreamed. Roger Sanders is a genius and this is one of the most comprehensive and well-written books on speakers and electronics I've ever read.

You can obtain Roger Sanders' THE ELECTROSTATIC LOUDSPEAKER DESIGN COOKBOOK at www.audioxpress.com

Check out www.sanderssoundsystems.com

You can even write to Roger; he is very accessible and a real gentleman.

A few years ago, I heard some VERY LARGE Martin-Logan speakers and they were some of the most realistic sounding and pleasant speakers to listen to. The sound was just REAL!

Of dynamic speakers, Legacy Audio's WHISPER speakers are just incredible, the most electrostatic-sounding dynamic speakers I've ever heard.

Good Listening, Speakerman

[mavric]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Golden Tube Audio SE-100 (100 watt) amp. It drives the Aerius much better than the SS Rotel also rated at 100 watts before it. Bass is the biggest improvement, tube bass is awesome, I have no idea what the critics complain about. The high end is better extended too, and of course the midrange just sings.

This is the supertweeter setup, thought I would get more grief from people over it. I guess other some like to try new things too.

Sacrilege, can hear the dog bark - added tweeter - MartinLogan Club (MLC)

where is a good place to get a tube amp?

[srinath]

I heard electrostats for the first time too yesterday (after the woofer foaming) ... mine were the old realistic electrostat 2's.
Yea they have that sharp and light sound. Mine also dont beam too much, maybe cos the 4 panels arranged in a square may be pointing slightly different directions. I also feel they sound too much like the ribbon's I have run in the fisher cabinets. Maybe I should go to beast buy and listen to their esl's ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[kavermei]

Originally Posted by speakerman

Dear Borat -
[...] Roger Sanders is a genius [...]

Well, his designs are for a large part heavily based on those of David Hermeyer (his 'mentor' of sorts).

I remember how in a TAA article on a direct-drive amplifier (which was basically a simplification of Hermeyer's amp), he devoted the entire Introduction section to ridiculing the original design. Not a way to treat one's mentor, if you ask me

</OT>

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by mavric

where is a good place to get a tube amp?

Well if like me you want someone to call if and when something goes bad, I'd support my local high-end dealer. If they are a good shop they will check out the equipment before they sell it to you so that you don't come back angry, but come back to buy more.

There are several places in my area which take trade-in's, but visiting them all is not always practical. The week-end just goes by to quickly and they are not open on Sundays.

I found my tube stuff on audiogon and noticed the seller was one of my local high-end audio stores. Turns out they like to sell locally but if it does not move quickly they will post it. Purchasing locally means you can often home audition, and that is very important (at least to me).

Here are my suggestions;

1. Find out where your local hi-end stores are and see if they have any pre-owned equipment on their shelves or on their website. I say hi-end because they will give you "service", a lost concept on the big chain boxes.

2. Check out audiogon (started by a guy I used to buy from here in Ann Arbor), look at the dealer demos and then the used stuff online.

3. Keep your eye out, the longer it takes the more fun, right?

Good luck.

EDIT: If you are worried about getting a good deal, just remember that pair of pants or suit you got a "good deal" on. Do you wear it often? Does it fit you right? Hit or miss, if you want a hit, pay the price and eliminate risk. The real risk in my opinion is ending up with something that does not fit right.

[geraldfryjr]

kach22i,it so good to see some one from my local area. I'm from chelsea originaly and now reside in grasslake area, not far at all from you.
Have you messed with diy esl's before?maybe if your intrested we can get together sometime.
I can show some of my current audio stuff.
I had listened to some martian logens just before i finished the panels i am rebuilding now. jer

[speakerman]

Does anybody have any suggestions for buying a commercial Turns Counter (to 5 digits) or how to build one myself? Thanks for your responses.