Relocation and experimentation brought me away from medium efficieny 2-way Sason's and on to high efficiency, crossoverless, Zu Audio Definitions. It has been a very rewarding switch.
----SPEAKERS----
I started life in the high efficiency world ~4 years ago with the Zu Druids Mk04-08 and was mightily impressed...better in what matters to me musically than the over twice expensive Ridgestreet Audio Sason's. I quickly picked up a used pair of Definition Mk1.5's and quickly realized the Definitions were a step value improvement over the Druids. Within 6 months, sent the Defs back to Zu for upgrade to Mk1.9 and a change from the black nextel finish to piano black gloss.
It's been a blissful 3 years...until reading opinions on the new Definition Mk IV. Just when you think you're out, they pull you back in!!! Seriously, for the first time in the 25 years I've been involved in the high-end, I mostly just listened to music and didn't fuss. I did, of course, have mild criticisms, but unlike in the past, I didn't feel compelled to "solve" the problems because: 1.) they weren't keeping me from enjoying music and 2.) I didn't want to give up a single thing my system did right to chase another elusive "attribute".
Full Range, crossoverless design with high pass supertweeter ([greaterthansign]12.5kHz) and low pass, powered 12
Atma-Sphere M60 Mk3.1
Output Transformless amplifier. 60w/ch with Power Supply Boost and Copper Teflon Vcaps.
Metric Halo LIO-8
Pro Audio ADC / DAC. True to source and the best digital I've owned. Wish it was more attractive and easier to use, but I'll take sound quality over appearance any day.
Zu Audio Event
DB25 to XLR's and RCA's for use between Metric Halo 8 channel DAC and amplifiers
Zu Audio Ibis
Speaker cable
LG CF181D
LCoS projector hung from ceiling and projected onto 120" screen.
Coincident Speaker Tech Frankenstein Mk2
8 watt 300B SET amp. Surprising sense of power/control driving Zu Definitions Mk4. Very
Spirit, just received my Zu Definition MkIV's yesterday evening. They show a world of promise, but are a little too hard and punchy without burnin. I expect them to relax and reveal all of this great inner detail and microdynamics in a more natural way after some burnin.
Hi Germanboxers, like you have just ordered Zu definitions Mk4s to replace 2s, also as result of uniformly positive comments mainly from Phil 213Cobra. Look forward in June/July to posting comments and compare experiences with you. Hallo Albert, enjoying posting comments on your thread, and reading your informed responses, psyching myself for the paradigm shift of moving from belt drive to rim drive - wish me luck!
Hello, Beautiful system! I look forward to your early impressions when the DEF IV arrives.This speaker should excel with both OTL and SET amplifiers.I`d like to hear this speaker with my Coincident Frankenstein amplifier one day. I`m intrigued by the crossoverless concept. Regards,
Just a single dog now (lost Samson just 2 months ago), but yes Bella comes down with me for listening sessions. Samson was the audiophile, though, often claiming the sweetspot while the system was warming up. Bella just wants to be with me/us.
Haven't actually received the MKIV's yet (~2 weeks). The Zu's in the picture are my Mk1.9's. I decided to upgrade based on reports from other users. I will post more pics and sound commentary once I've had a chance to break them in.
Good to see your new system Jordon. Do the dogs get to watch that big TV with you?
The Zu Audio Definition MK IV reads to be a very fine speaker. I've heard several Zu at audio shows I've covered but can't remember if I caught that particular model.
