Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand + Bel Canto C5i vs..

Lajollabiker:

1. I hope I'm not too late. Sand or fill is not recommended for the Grand line of speakers. Sand or fill was recommended for the prior line -- prior to the "Grand" line. This line had no specific moniker such as the "Grand." They were just called Vienna Acoustics Mozart speakers, etc. Although, to differentiate the 2 lines, this series is sometimes now referred to as the "Classic" line, i.e. Vienna Acoustics Mozart Classic.

2. I see you purchased your integrated amp. For future reference, the Primare products are supposed to match well with the Viennas.

3. Here is a link to a Vienna Acoustics owners thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=824287&page=76

Hope this helps.

Musicpod,
Thanks so much for that information and for correcting my initial post. I just did some searching of Audio Asylum, where Patrick Butler of Vienna first posted about the need for sand filling. I see that he made those posts before the Grand series was introduced. (Man, time flies!) From your link, I see that the same Patric Butler says sand filling is not even an option on the Mozart or Bach Grands. I apologize for spreading outdated information! (And it's interesting to see that the Grand line is soon to be updated!). Thanks so much.
-Bob

Hi Everyone,

I receive the C5i two days after I made the order online. I was very shocked!

I have been listening the Bel Canto C5i now for about 5 hours and I am very happy with it. The more I listen the more I enjoy it. The quality appears better than my DAC3 IMO. My setup is very simple. I replaced my Wadia 170i with a Cambridge iD100 Docking System for my Ipod Touch/Iphone which I also purchased new with the C51. The iD100 has USB, Toslink, SPDIF RCA and AES/EBU XLR outputs. I am using a Cardas RCA or Wireworld SuperNova6 digital cables and noticed that the Cardas sounds better and louder than the SuperNova 6. The Definitive Tech Bipolar speakers sounds surprisingly great considering they're too old for the C5i. The DAC of the C5i perhaps an upgrade to the DAC3 I currently own (for sale). It has a very nice blend of detail and more refined IMO. Overall, it is an amazing unit with fine imaging and wide soundstage.

Now, since this is under speaker forums, I need some help finding a good speakers for the C5i. I would appreciate your inputs and recommendations. My room is 11x11 and 9 ft. ceiling heights. I listen to lots of new age acoustics, ambient, soft jazz, pops and classical. I have no plans of using a SUB. My budget is no more than $1200.00. Here are some choices I have.

First Choice: Vandersteen 1Cs
Second: Dynaudio DM 3/7 (it's more than $1200 but sounds great).
Third: Dynaudio Xcite 12
Fourth: Totem Mite, Rainmaker, Dreamcatcher
Fifth: Silverline Minuets

Please help and thanks in advance.

Rod, thanks for your review. I don't want to hijack this thread so I'll keep it short, but if you feel inclined to give a more thorough review of the C5i as time goes by, I'd like to hear your thoughts. I'm REALLY considering buying this thing although it's too expensive for me. My speakers are more dated than yours (Snell E/III's), so I'm also curious what others have to say in this regard (older speakers with this newfangled integrated).

Let us know what you ultimately decide upon. FWIW, I thought the Vandersteen 1C to be an interesting option considering their age.

Hi Rodm3878,
I'm glad to hear you are so happy with the Bel Canto C5i. For the record, I also have the C5i connected to a pair of Dynaudios X12. My source is a Logitech Touch and what I have found is that the DAC inside the Touch is almost (if not completely) as good as the one inside the C5i, which was a surprise to me. Perhaps the Dyns can't show the difference between them???

Anyway, appart from that, I'm very happy with the combination C5i/X12. If I had the chance, I'd have probably tried the Dyn X16 for some extra bass/fuller body sound, but they are also more expensive. The Dynaudios DM3/7 will probably have more bass than the X12, but the tweeter is definitely worse (I think that's probably the best part of the X12). Can't really say anything about your other options, sorry.

Paco