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$9000 speaker Orangutan or speaker + amplifier

Hey guys,

Wanted to see if I could get your opinion on this question I am noodling over.

I really need a speaker upgrade. Of all the speakers I have heard (which are not many) I really like Devore Orangutan (Priced $8000-$12000).

I also liked Harbeth (SHL5).

Am wondering if I should get the the Harbeth (used) and buy a nice set of new amps (Coincident Dragon $6500). Which could cost me about the same as a new pair of Devore Orangutan (cannot find them used).

So my question is :
Devore Orangutan + Pass Aleph 3 (my current amp)
OR
Harbeth SHL5 + Coincident Dragon

What do you think ?

My current system.

Clearaudio Concept
Triode TRX-1 Preamp
Triode DAC
Pass Aleph 3
Pyle pro phono amp ($15)
Stager silver interconnects.
Cheapo AQ speaker cables (will move to something silver soon).
Vienna Acoustics Haydn

I mostly listen to Jazz, Indian Classical, Piano, Vocals
essrand
tubegroover
2,279 posts
 
Agree with Arh, get the speakers you most prefer FIRST. On a further note it would be easier and quite likely less expensive to find a quality amp that would meld more ideally with a higher efficiency speaker than choosing a lower efficiency speaker that is going to be more limited in amplifier choices. Go with the speaker you REALLY like, which you indicated is the Orangutan, is this right? Your Pass is a really nice amp, maybe limited in the lower frequencies but I'd still bet it would sound great with those speakers, high efficiency and higher impedance. That speaker is going to love a lot of amplifiers if the Pass doesn't work out, even inexpensive SETs and of course OTLs, if either turns out to be your thing.
tubegroover
2,279 posts
 
And Kidmann, I feel your passion, you make some very excellent points.
mapman's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Larger speakers might be overkill for smaller or more lively rooms. Definitely worth considering.
essrand OP
163 posts
 
Kiddman, based on your post I am now looking for flight tickets to Denver for RMAF. Will update if I make it there.

I did listen to number of speakers at CAS 2013, but I think RMAF might be the way to go.

Am also intrigued about your comments on Harbeth. Can you elaborate ? I did not realize that Harbeth are known to be a bit colored and lacking in detail.

I have heard Tannoys, but only the 35K Royal Westminister SE, which I felt was not that impressive. It might have been the SS amps though. The dealer did not have any Tubes at that time.

Heard Tannoy DC10 at CAS 2013, it was extremely impressive.

My preference has been with Devore because when I heard it, I loved it. and it might go well with SET amps, which is something I want to explore.

My safe choice was Harbeth, cheaper but harder to drive, and I will have to upgrade my amps.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Essrand,
The various higher efficiency speakers mentioned so far would all work very well with a SET amp. There may be no looking back.
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