Posted by Steven Evanson on October 28, 2003 at 12:31:00:
In Reply to: Don't go overboard with your comments..... posted by Matt Rogers on October 28, 2003 at 10:05:32:
I appreciate your comments and that some folks might want to finick. From your and other comments on this post here, it seems the SL's can have problems with humidity changes, direct sunlight for brief periods, radiant heat, amplifier design, incorrect bias setting, etc. I have to think seriously as to whether these very real annoyances, or finicky delights if you choose to see them that way, are worth the added detail and enjoyment SL's provide. I now have to pack them up and ship them back to the factory and be without them for several weeks even though I haven't even received my new Innersound amp to replace my beloved McIntosh MC352 which I sold because it wouldn't properly drive my SL's. This whole upgrade from Acoustats is just getting too finicky for me. I've experience with owning and restoring classic European sports and luxury cars from the 1950's and 1960's and eventually lost interest because, really, most of them were far more trouble than the satisfaction and performance they gave. Modern vehicles are simply better. It's a tough decision. Although nothing sounds as good as SL's to my ear, I do think the B & W Nautilus 801's and 802's are very nice, Maggies (I've got some older MG-2B's lying around...never failed once and have a pleasing sound), and a few other brands provide gratifying listening experience with less bother than the SL's. It's all about getting that old effort/pleasure ratio right.