What amp would you be driving the Elipsa SE with? ARC is a great match but the VSI 75 is a bit under powered. The bass for one will not be as crisp. I have a Ref 110 (with KT120 tubes) driving my Elipsa SE speakers. This combo works really well, I would not want to go with a less powerful amp. Can you bring your amp with you to audition the Elipsa SE?
Auditioning Elipsa SE tomorrow, getting my ducks in a row, am I missing anything
Gonna head out before the chickens wake and drive 350 miles to hear a pair of Elipsa SE in the morning. Will have to get it right as a second listen is gonna be tough
I've sent pictures and descriptions of the listening area and speaker placement. He's gonna try to duplicate that setup before I arrive. Speakers 11 feet apart, listening position about 12' feet from the wall and speakers set a foot or 2 off the wall.
I don't do vinyl anymore so will be streaming and CD only. I don't have any hi res media but plan to take female vocal (Ricky Lee), male vocal ( Leonard Cohen), an instrumental, and Rodrigo y Gabriela for full, fast and hard. Will hopefully listen to some high res of whatever he has on hand when I get there.
I'm looking for a wide and amazing soundstage. I'll figure out amps, etc that work with whatever speaker I end up with.He's gonna setup the demo with ARC VSi-75 and Lumin A1. I've heard the integrated with a pair of Trio Ct's and it was nice but didn't take my breath away. Not sure if the ARC will show them best or if I could expect more out of the Elipsa with something else.
Moving forward sources will mostly be streamed though a PS-Audio Direct Stream so have lots of hopes for improvements.
While I'm in the city going to swing through some dealers and listen to Focal, Wilson, other Sonus Faber, and whatever else I can get my ears on.
Any advice on what I've missed or should consider when looking at the Elipsa SE?
Thanks in advance
Keith
I've sent pictures and descriptions of the listening area and speaker placement. He's gonna try to duplicate that setup before I arrive. Speakers 11 feet apart, listening position about 12' feet from the wall and speakers set a foot or 2 off the wall.
I don't do vinyl anymore so will be streaming and CD only. I don't have any hi res media but plan to take female vocal (Ricky Lee), male vocal ( Leonard Cohen), an instrumental, and Rodrigo y Gabriela for full, fast and hard. Will hopefully listen to some high res of whatever he has on hand when I get there.
I'm looking for a wide and amazing soundstage. I'll figure out amps, etc that work with whatever speaker I end up with.He's gonna setup the demo with ARC VSi-75 and Lumin A1. I've heard the integrated with a pair of Trio Ct's and it was nice but didn't take my breath away. Not sure if the ARC will show them best or if I could expect more out of the Elipsa with something else.
Moving forward sources will mostly be streamed though a PS-Audio Direct Stream so have lots of hopes for improvements.
While I'm in the city going to swing through some dealers and listen to Focal, Wilson, other Sonus Faber, and whatever else I can get my ears on.
Any advice on what I've missed or should consider when looking at the Elipsa SE?
Thanks in advance
Keith
Showing 7 responses by lostbears
What amp would you be driving the Elipsa SE with? ARC is a great match but the VSI 75 is a bit under powered. The bass for one will not be as crisp. I have a Ref 110 (with KT120 tubes) driving my Elipsa SE speakers. This combo works really well, I would not want to go with a less powerful amp. Can you bring your amp with you to audition the Elipsa SE? |
Did you see the Tone Audio review of the Elipsa SE? These are superb speakers and truly gorgeous in the violin red. Underpowered they wont sound quite as dynamic and as I mentioned, the bass won't be as crisp. They really need 100 wpc or more to sound their best. The speakers are a great place to start. Then you can make a plan and upgrade your electronics as you go. At this level a truly great preamp is as or more important than the amp. In my system I hear more of an impact when changing preamps then amps. But a synergy with both is important. I have my Ref 110 paired with a Ref 5se and Ref Phono 2se. I have not heard the current PS Audio stuff. If I did not have ARC gear, I would probably have Pass. The problem is the preamp. The Ref 5se is a truly great preamp. I have not heard any thing near the price, especially used that sounds as good. Curious you mention Leonard Cohen. I just picked up the 45 rpm box set of Famous Blue Raincoat. Jennifer Warnes sings Leonard Cohen. |
Because of their shape, the Elipsa SE are actually very easy to make sound good. If you take you time and set they up properly, they will really shine. I have a pretty good size room and so far have not felt the need for a sub. There is a long thread at AudioAficionado.org on the Elipsa SE in a smallish room. https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=31783 |
The Elipsa SE have a deep wide sounstage with that "in the room" sound. They can be mesmerizing. The Elipsa SE can make a piano sound right and that is not easy to do. One of the problems is the integrated. The Elipsa SE need more power to sound their best, and they need a real preamp. They also need to be setup properly. If they are too far apart they will loose soundstage. You also need to play with the toe in and rake. If not toed in properly they can loose soundstage. Acoustic treatement can help alot in a problem room. If they sound boomy because they are close to the back wall, bass traps in the corner can really help. Also something non reflective in the center. I have a tapestry on the wall between mine. The Elipsa SE are much better sounding than any of the Olympia. Go to https://www.audioaficionado.org and search for threads on the Elipsa SE. They are compared to a number of different speakers including the Olympia. Around $12.000. is a fair price for a nice pair. I will say that I could not imagine owning a pair without them being in Violin Red. Graphite just does not do them justice. But it depends on the room. |
It is a pain but I would go back and pick the speakers up. The shipping boxes are cardboard. Granted there are foam inserts but they are still cardboard and not wooden crates. The speakers weigh around 100 pounds each. I would hate to see them scratched or damaged because of shipping. And I have see many shipping nightmares. There is guy on Audiogon who just had crated Apogee speakers destroyed. Why take the chance? Decide what electronics you want BEFORE you buy cables. Cables are very system dependent. If you do decide to go with Audio Research gear, Cardas Cables are a really bad match. If he used Cardas in the demo that was one of the problems. Make a plan. Listen to everything you can in your room with your speakers. Then decide what sounds best to you. Make a long term plan and work toward it. The cables should be one of the last things you purchase. Use what you have for now or buy something really inexpensive from a brand like Audioquest. They seem to work well with most gear. Once you know the direction you want to go then you can seriously consider cables. |
had heard that if you do not buy from a SF authorized dealer, or buy them used, SF will not honor any parts replacement or warranty repairs. They won't even sell you any replacement drivers or parts. REMEMBER, I said I heard (read) this. Not sure of validity. I think this is a myth. I have not heard of anyone actually having problems with service or replacement drivers. I know my dealer has replaced the drivers in older SF speakers. And if you are buying from a dealer I wouldn't worry about it. |
Congratulations! Now take your time and don't rush. Listen to everything you can. Once you have found something you really like, bring it home and listen to it in your system. Preamps are much harder to get right than amps. There are a lot of great amps out there but their matching preamp doesn't do them justice. I have always liked an amp and preamp frpm the company. I own a Audio Research Ref 5se. It is one of the best preamps I have ever heard. And I have heard and own a lot of gear in the the last 30 years. I am sure there are a few better preamps somewhere, but not for a reasonable price. |