Coincident Dragon MK I vs MK II

Good for you, Ernie!

I agree with you, having XLR input into the amp (provided source-to-amp are all balanced circuitry), is the preferred way to go. The weight and transparency increases noticeably. Before making next major change, try to have a few more listening to speakers & cable combinations to determine what you like best.

Personally, and this is just me, depending on the budget, i would go with either:

1. Statement LineStage/Franks with good monitor and subwoofer. This is because Linestage offers you another line out to your subwoofer...and having a good monitor that throws a 3D soundstage and solid imaging, leave the lower bass to a quality subwoofer. The Statement LineStage also offers balanced (XLR) input and output.

OR

2. Get a powerful (tube/SS) integrated amp to drive the speakers of your choice. Personally, i would go with Coincident Extreme Shotguns cables and a Coincident Triumph MK2. Let the integrated amp also drive your JL Audio subwoofer. If the integrated amp has both XLR input (from your source) and XLR output to your subwoofer, then this route might be good. I have good experience with my Onkyo HT receiver using all Coincident cables, particularly Extreme Shotguns.

The best is, if you can audition the setup in a dealershop or bring it home to test it out, if you like it.

The issue with tall full range speakers is the positioning of speakers. Having separate monitors/subwoofer will provide you an easier optimum positioning. Monitor produce a directional sound but subwoofer bass is omnidirectional...makes it slightly tricky with positioning. i.e. while you get good focus and sound stage, it may comes at the compromise of subwoofer positioning. CPRE speakers are the purest transducer i've heard and it's separate monitor/subwoofers provides this advantage. My personal budget is skewing heavily towards cables and speakers. Then, the amp and finally the source...this is just me. I've had Totem Model-1 and Mani-2 Signature in my setup, while having the passive preamp/Franks..and all Coincident regular Extreme cables. The Coincident Triumph MK2 beats both of them flat! In fact, if you want a accurate and detailed midrange, you might want to consider Coincident Super Eclipse MK3 which i also owned...no regrets. But due to its high impedance, it will sound dry with SS amps...no such problems with 300B SET amp! However, it's low frequency only goes down to 28Hz...hey, you have a JL Audio subwoofer? wink-wink.

I think you'll be able to make a good informed decision based on unbiased listening...reviews are only for those who hear it themselves. Let your ears be the judge!

Jimmy

Coincident LineStage preamp has two RCA outputs and one XLR output, but you can only choose one type of output at any one time. You can listen to a XLR connection source and output via RCA OR XLR connection amp.

My first experience with 300B tube amp, was a Grant Fidelity A-534 10WPC 300B SET driving my Super Eclipse MK3. I was using an Arcam FMJ CD23 cd player as source. The sound was romantic and heavenly...both my friend (who tries to sell me this integrated 300B amp) and myself....after listening for a while, we both fell asleep on my couch! The legendary clas A 300B midrange, changed my experience...this is music, i tell myself!

Back in 2008, i paired my Super Eclipse MK3 with a SS SET integrated amp, Sugden a21a. I think it was 25WPC? It produced a 3D soundstage, organic and nice sound and good punchy bass. But in terms of music, it won't hold a candle to Class A SET 300B tube amp. Price of integrated 300B SET amp is good too (made in china), and if you look out for a Super Eclipse MK3 which has very good detailed midrange for its price...you might get it for less than $2k and no need of speaker stand and still fairly easy to move it around by yourself for positioning.

However, if you want a good monitor speakers, the latest Triumph MK2 is excellent choice. I paired it with my then passive preamp/Franks. However, i did on one occasion listened to the latest Super Victory II...highs were bright or with abit of treble energy compared to my CPRE which is completely natural yet very low noise floor. Do listen to a ribbon tweeter speaker before committing...

That dealer who was playing the Super Victory II speakers was not using Coincident amps and cables.

Jimmy

Someone on the forum wrote detailed write-up of Zu Druid and Definition variants over the years. Zu is a high efficiency speakers that might pair well with your Dragons. Will be interesting. Hope to hear your experience...

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1360136859

Jimmy

Earnie,

I have both the Zu Definition Mk4 and the Druid Mk4-8 ( last model before Druid Mk5 came out late last year). I can speak to the differences between the two as well as the effects of amps. I've had the Coincident Frankenstein Mk2 powering the Definitions now for about 1 week and I've done a lot listening in this week. I've used the Atma-Sphere M60's and Clayton M200's as well.

The difference between the Druid and Definition, even the earlier Definition Mk 1.5 and Mk1.9, is large. Still, the Druid properly set up is competitive with many more expensive speakers. It brings the rich tone, coherency, and dynamic ease (macro and micro) that Zu is known for. The Definition's, in comparison, sound more "alive", more dynamic, present a larger soundstage with a little less image focus, and more resolved inner detail. The Mk 4's are really special.

To my surprise, the Coincident Frankenstein Mk2 drive the Definition Mk4's wonderfully in my open 6000 ft^3 listening room. Unless you listen regularly at really high SPL's, I can't imagine needing more than the Franks on the Definition Mk4. At natural to quite loud volume levels, they are alive, dynamic and nuanced. Bass is surprisingly as good or better than my M60's. It is easier to follow the bass line in complex music and is just as textured. It is not solid state "tight", but I don't find that realistic anyway. If the instrument produced a "tight" low frequency sound, the Franks present it that way.

On the Definition's or the Druid's, the Dragons wouldn't break a sweat at insane volume levels. Given the easy drivability of the Coincident speakers, I doubt either the Franks, and certainly not the Dragons, would struggle at all.

Germanboxers' s description of the Frankenstein driving the Zu DEF IV is
eerily similar to them driving my Coincident speakers.A very natural large
scale sound and very balanced across the frequency spectrum. It produces
more volume than I need in my generous size room.The tone and timbre
are full and realistic, the sense of flesh and blood presence is striking. I'm
not surprised at the exceptional synergy Germanboxers is experiencing and
the quality  of the bass he's hearing.Both the Franks and Atma-Sphere
have low noise floors,are very transparent, clear and fast(like
Germanboxers I've heard them compared in someone's system).The Franks
tend toward fuller and the Atma-Sphere toward a bit leaner sound(matter of
preference and system matching).The Frankenstein is very revealing of
nuance and
the true emotion and expression of the music(what some would call
holistic).

My speaker isn't as sensitive as his Zu DEFs (101db vs 94db) but the
Coincident is a very easy to drive load (piece of cake for the Dragons) and
the Frankenstein seems to coast with them.IMO either Coincident amplifier
will be superb with either brand of speakers. You won't go wrong with these
choices.
Regards,