Daedalus Audio DA-1

Thanks Barrelchief for checking in with a progress report. I would be very interested in future updates as the speakers break in and certainly a full review if you can muster one. Can you give us some perspective by talking about the equipment you are using in front of the DA-1's and the room you are listening in? I am also particularly interested whether "lively" turns out to also mean "aggressive" sounding as in forward and/or tilted up in the mid/highs. According to what I have read the DA-1's apparently are able to be both listenable (i.e. non-fatiguing) and dynamic at the same time. Have you found this to be the case?

I will just add my 2 cents. I purchased the DA-1 about 3 months back directly from Daedalus Audio. These were the demo pair of Lou and he mentioned that they were moderately broken in. The fit and finish of these speakers is fantastic and really like the looks of.
I listen to them for a couple of days and I was not very impressed by them. The speaker sounded very closed in and was lacking in high frequency extention. My initial doubt was that the tweeters were damaged during transit but both the speakers were sounding alike. I had numerous conversations with Lou and was at a point of returning them back.
Over the next couple of weeks I left the spks to breakin on and off whenever it was possible and to my astonishment these spks really came alive, after about 300+ hrs of breaking. The HF extentions, midrange and bass become more defined and what is so special about these spks is that it allows you to listen to any type of music for hours without fatigue. They are as dynamic as my previous spks (AG Unos) and can be driven by a 8W SET amp or a 200W SS amp without any problems.
My system consist of AA Capitol II directly driving a either a 8 W SET amp or 200W/ch Digital amp or 50W/ch Tube amp. All of the above sounds fantastic on these spks and your moods.
Truly spectacular spks.

It is funny that Nakolawala mentionned about the highs not being as extended as he expected, as this seems to be my only negative observation at this point...not to the point that I don't like the speakers, just not as extended as I am used to from other speakers. I now will be a bit more aggresive in trying to hit the 300th hour.

By "lively" I would not describe the speakers (in my system) as sounding "aggressive" or "forward and/or tilted up" The music just has a breath of fresh air that seems to have more of a live realism and sounds less like the playback of a recording. So far, I seem to notice this more with drums/cymbals & guitars (especially acoustic guitars.)

I definitley find the DA-1's to be both listenable (i.e. non-fatiguing) and dynamic at the same time. The lamest, but best way to describe my experience so far, is that they make my music "fun" to listen to.

My current set up...Electrocompaniet EMC-1 24/192 CDP, Aesthetix Calypso Tube Pre, H2O Signature Mono 250W Power amps. All IC's are Kubala-Sosna's Fascination Series. PC's are both Kubala-Sosna & FIM/CRL. Though my dedicated Listening room is acoustically treated, there are some issues (bass null) that need to be resolved.

Ironically, I have been considering upgrading my cdp (likely with a tube unit) and the Capitole is on my radar. I am glad to hear that Nakolawala has found good synergy with that CDP, the DA-1's and a variety of different power amps.

Details to follow...

I own a pair of DA-1's, and mine a fully broken in. Anyway, they definitely provide a high quality live music approach. I think that they are one of the very best out there.

But, if one likes a laid back and unrealistic sound (like many pseudo-audiophiles) they might not be attractive.

Thanks to all for weighing in. It seems there may be more pairs of the DA-1's out there than I imagined! I really appreciate hearing how these speakers sound with different gear and in different rooms. I'm always a little suspicious when people say that a speaker needs a particular (type of) amp or "sound great in my dedicated/treated listening room which measures 20 X 30 with cathedral ceilings". While both room and equipment are important, IMHO a really "good" speaker is one that will sound good in a variety of settings/pairings. Changing the room and equipment should reveal subtle differences but not make or break the performance. I am increasingly interested in the DA-1 after a long and unsuccessful search for new floorstanding speakers. There are far too many very average sounding (and expensive) products out there. Many can be made to sound "good" with the right recording in the right room with the right gear. Any of you DA-1 owners in the NYC metro area willing to let me come by for a listen? Response Audio doesn't currently have a pair and I'd love to hear them before I make the 6 hour roundtrip when his do finally arrive from Daedalus.