Used Deals Thread

Hmm.... So, it's a decent-size space overall, but maybe La Scala's would be a squeeze in that inset TV nook.

I can't quite visualize your space, but... If it's an open-plan dining/living area, those black boxes are gonna dominate visually. Even if you do them in a nice veneer.... They seem more suited to a basement system to me, especially as is.

Again, not to dissuade you, but you gotta figure there are reasons the guy is selling them cheap.

I go for audio stuff b/c it's a bargain all the time, but the one thing I've become leery of is speaker bargains. Speakers are big. They take up valuable space, and if they're not right, you also have them hogging your sq footage. They're also a pain in the ass to sell on. You're gonna have to sell those locally if they don't work out. And they're gonna ugly up a big chunk of your living space either way.

Cornwalls's make more bass than La Scala. Some folks consider them an all around better speakers to begin with. But they are also massive, make no mistake. Tbh, vintage Klipsch come up all the time. Maybe not in Winnipeg, I recognize, but, hell, you could probably score a close to brand new pair of Forte III or IV for $3k USD without sweating too much.

If it were me, I'd stop seeing the La Scala as an out and out bargain and equally as much a liability. I'd say, Only if you're definitely sure they'll work sonically, spatially, and visually in your living space. Otherwise, wait for something more appropriate.

 

The guy just messaged me again. He's selling because he wants to make space in his basement. They are sequential serial numbers too.

My basement is actually unfinished. The plan is to develop it eventually, but that's gonna be years away. I could store them easily enough, space down there is not an issue at the moment.

But yeah, part of the appeal factor right now is that these almost never come up locally. On the downside, again, is that I'd need some kind of integrated amp. If it were just me, I have a couple amps that I can hook up, but my partner likes to have streaming integration for spotify etc. Considering that angle, something like the KEF LS60 might be the better choice as an all-in-one active speaker.

 

True statement. LaScala is known for very good mids and highs, and can be taken up a few notches with some mods. But deep bass is not gonna happen. I've heard LaScalas with powered dual 15s and it was awesome. Cornwalls have nice deep bass but lack a little resolution in mids/highs compared to stock LaScalas.

@Armaegis if you're that tight on space these may not be for you. An old pair of Fortes would fit better and could more easilly be sold. I think in your case LaScalas might be like getting a great deal on a Ferrari, but living on a dirt road.

 

That's an apt analogy and what I was getting after.

I learned, somewhat the hard way, how important matching the speaker to the room can be. A couple years back, I was in a big industrial loft. 1800sq ft, completely open, 13 ft ceilings. It was a hecukva good deal, too, and probably the closest I'll ever come to living like, I don't know, Blade or something.

I was so excited to get a bangin' system in there, and I auditioned a bunch of speakers, not quite understanding the unique needs of that space, which actually did amazingly well with deep bass (no nodes!) but completely swallowed mid-bass. B/c I was blown away by an audition, in a much different room, I went with a pair of Magnepan 3.7i. Incredible speakers that did... okay in my loft. Eventually, I paired them with a massive pair of dual-opposed 15" subs. Those things could shake the walls and send glasses tumbling out of cabinets. But I could never get that mid-bass, and upright bass, especially, just never convinced. I loved the hell out of that system for many things, but it never quite satisfied.

I was lucky to be able to sell the Magnepans (it helped being in Chicago) and the sub manufacturer graciously swapped out those huge subs for a pair of friendlier-sized boxes. So I got lucky downsizing. But what it all impressed on me is... speaker gotta fit the room.

I do wonder if La Scala's could be put on the other side of the room layout above. Like in the kitchen space. I think one of the things PWK built La Scala's for is theater use, to fill a room with sound, at volume. Not so much about pinpoint imaging and sit-down listening then, and more like providing music for a social space.

That said, yeah, La Scala won't make deep bass. That surprises many folks about them.

Maybe this should all be moved to the 2-channel thread? Or a new "matching speakers to the room" thread?

 

Porting conversation over to here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...hannel-advice-thread.3191/page-60#post-433979

Non verbal side eye disapproval.

 

for our Canadian friends - https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650137571-fostex-t10-headphones/

these are a steal for $50 - still one of the best one ear headphones i have heard

 

Hah, I think the second quote in the ad is mine. Very nice for $50. Probably needs a cleanup inside. Mind had some gritty black stuff possibly from deteriorated/hardened foam that would be a hazard for the drivers.

 

i still have 2 pairs - I will always be with one - definitely headphones i reach for more than others.

above my monitor in my work area when WFH

 

Bryston BDA-3 for $1595: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbaig7-bryston-bda-3-da-converters

Little known here but very good D/S DAC, especially at this price. I’ve owned the BDA-3.14 for a bit, which is the BDA-3 + BDP-Pi streamer in one unit. Didn’t care for the streamer interface, but the DAC sounded excellent!

 

Wow I don't think I've ever seen one that cheap before.

 

Nitsch Pietus Maximus w/ ESS DAC + JAR580 for $1000 on Head-Fi

 

I want the JAR580 !

 

I own these two as well. It's pretty crazy to think how good a complete system can be for $1000. The JAR580 scales far beyond just the ESS Pietus but I'd say it's pretty unnecessary.

I don't listen to this system at home but it is my travel rig and it makes me very very happy.

Someone should buy this and then quit all the gear forums.

 

I owned a JAR650 some years back. Had abundant opportunity to compare it to a stock HD650, which I really liked. But the JAR650 took it way higher.

Any mod Jupiter Lee does to a headphone improves the sound significantly, in my experience.

 

ifi gold go bar

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/ifi-anniversary-edition-gobar-goldbar.74535/

 

Listening now. Hey, pretty good as-is! Not too trebly / bass-light as described in the thread; rather, a bit of emphasis in the lower to middle mids giving a bit of a 'boxy' edge (these are the supposedly darker 'black nameplate' version, so that fits).

The original pads though are pretty rough-textured and well squashed down, will see what happens with some others before disemboweling (got fake Thinksound On1s coming).

 

They respond well to simple mods too

 

Yep. And still having a most of the materials you generously sent during my Yamaha modding adventures - and it being your fault I now have these - you can expect to be hit for advice

 

A pair of Monarchy Audio SM-70 monoblock amps (or two stereo amps if you prefer) for $899 + $55 shipping (US) from TMR:

https://tmraudio.com/components/pow...-audio-sm-70-monoblock-power-amplifiers-pair/

I have a pair of the pro version that I love, but some folks round the internet prefer these. I can't find it now (so take this claim with a grain of salt), but I swear I found an interview with the owner, CC Poon, where he said the SM-70 was his best sounding amp, and everything else he did had compromises for more power.

There is a bit of a hum in my amps that I've never gotten to go away, and other have reported similar with these amps, so may not be great in a near field setup or with super high efficiency speakers.

 

Monolith Cavalli Liquid Platinum DAC for anyone still looking for one. I had a bay search alert on it from when it went out of production. I have too many DACs as it is... https://www.ebay.com/itm/276638060393