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Recommendation - Ref 3a, GMA, NHT or Fritz?

Hello, I sold my PSB Gold i's after 10 years of enjoying them. They were just too big for my space. I am now in the market for a pair of monitors (new or used) for my 2 channel system in a 12x12 room. My system consists of a Spectron Musician II Hybrid amp (Digital amp @ 500 WPC), a Prometheus Audio Passive Volume Control, an Audioquest Dragonfly DAC and a Macbook Pro playing lossless music files. From reading reviews and forums here, I believe I've narrowed it down to four monitors. Please let me know if you have compared the following against each other, and which monitor you'd recommend: Green Mountain Audio Rio Chroma, Reference 3A De Capo i, NHT Classic 3, or Fritz Carbon 7?

While I'm not the best at describing my listening priorities, a wide soundstage, clear, neutral sound is what I like. I listen to an eclectic mix of music, but Jack Johnson, Dave Mathews, reggae, classical are some of my favorites at the moment.

Thanks!
canjo07
canjo07 OP
14 posts
 
Thanks for all of the responses. Base on the replies here and without any auditions yet, I am ranking in the following order: 1. Fritz 2. Ref 3A and 3. GMA. The Fritz Carbon 7 also appear to be the lowest price speaker of the three, so I think I'm leaning this direction.
grinnell
661 posts
 
I have used the Ref 3A de Capos with 4 different tubes amps from a 40wpc Primaluna to a 1.75 wpc Grommes SET/P.

plenty of loudness, great dynamics even low level, full rich

good price used and they sell fast
toddnkaya
457 posts
 
There is a pair of Carbon 7 on eBay now. Buy it now $1150 plus $150 shipping . No relation to seller.
I own the Vapor Audio Breeze, a fantastic speaker!
tubegroover
2,279 posts
 
Of the 4 speakers mentioned the Fritz Carbon 7 is IMO the best allrounder. The only issue is clarity/resolution(from what i've read)."

I am curious Dayglow, are you saying you recommend a speaker you haven't heard based on what you've read? You really shouldn't comment if that is the case.

Canjaoo7 be careful. The recommendations you are getting seem to be from those that own or have heard only the speakers they are recommending. Hard to know for sure since not a one has offered any comparative info. It is clear what your question is but it sure isn't clear to me that anyone has answered it. I wouldn't be so fast to come to any conclusion let alone ranking, you've only just begun in my not so humble opinion.

and to you "sweet" judy blue eyes, are you as cynical in real life as virtually every post you have made on this site indicates?
dayglow
708 posts
 
Tubegroover-Who made you the AGON Gestapo? When ever I post an opinion I will always let the OP know if I had demoed or heard the component being discussed. Regarding the original question IMO the Carbon 7 fits the needs best(of the speakers mentioned) for the OP. My many years of audio knowledge make me very comfortable making this statement. From every review read(not all reviewers lie) clarity/resolution/speed is the the minor weakness of this speaker. Maybe the OP could consider a ribbon tweeter on the Carbon 7 to deal with the "alleged" weaknesses mentioned. I hope this resolves your curiosity.
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