If you saw my previous system you already know that I'm the Italian distributor of some brands, so please be aware of this. I'm also a Music lover and a real passionate of audio gears since 1987... when I was fifteen. The new reference system with German Physiks omnidirectional speakers is something that you can easily appreciate if you are used to attend live music events. With the entering of this fabulous speaker the sound can be now compared with real music only. Dynamics, liveliness, timbric accuracy and all of the other words normally used to describe a great system seem now pointless: just put a piano sonata recording, or a live jazz double-bass, sax and drums trio, or even a single female voice... then close your eyes. You'll hear the musicians in your room as never happened before. When you hear what this system is capable of, there is no going back. And you will start rediscovering all your music collection... as happened to me.
The great Reference table made by Franc Kuzma in Slovenia. Known all other the world.
Kuzma Stogi Ref
The perfect match for the Ref TT.
Koetsu Signature Red
Not a bad cartridge... ;-)
German Physiks Loreley
Omnidirectional speaker from German based company. German Physiks is often the first choice of many important musicians all over the world and a statement for the most expert and demanding audiophiles. Not surprisingly, they are not for all pockets.
Thank you Jjhf5678 (what a difficult nick you have).
The Andra II are way less difficult to drive than the original Andra, whereas the Savoys need much more power and current, being only 85 dB efficient and having 9 drivers each. The Viola Symphony is more than capable to power them even at loud levels in my big room, anyway.
That looks like it could sound REALLY good! I used to own the original Andra's and should probably shoot myself for selling them...I just never bought the right amp for them. Looks very nice. Enjoy the music...
Dear GD, what a magnificent words you spent for my room and the new pictures, many thanks !
Actually I am planning to change again some of the pictures with better ones soon.
Anyway I like very much the picture used for the title because that is the kind of light and atmosphere I prefer for evening listenings... just a little spotlight and my imagination to feel the musicians in the room...
thanks for your very nice comments. The room is very large indeed so I can use both large and small speakers with no problem. Even if I am really much satisfied with the present sound, there is always room for improvements, you know... My next step will be probably the treatment of all first reflections and, maybe, some changes on the wall and floor surfaces.
that is a great system you have there. I like the Kuzma Analog rig of course :-) That is also a nice room you have there, enough space for the great speakers. How do they sound and what is your next plan?
sorry I have not seen your 2nd post until now. Thank you so much for your kind words. Great that you return in Italy soon ! I have a friend near Genova (very close to the town you mentioned) having a wonderful system too... maybe we can arrange a visit for you there. Please keep me updated on your next trip to Italy. By the way, I would really like to visit Canada, it's a fantastic Country for a nature lover (as I am)...
It really is a beautiful room as the new picture shows. We are planning to go again this year and will be in Piedmonte and likely stay at a friends place in Pieve Ligure. Unfortunately thats not very close to you. But should you ever make your way to Canada, the invitation is also open. The cycling, food and people in Italy are marvelous, but I have yet to convince my wife to let me go stereo listening there. Take care
thanks for your compliments. I did change many speakers (and electronics) before to find my cup of tea...
I live in Trieste, about 100 miles east of Venice, in the north east of Italy. If you return in this area, please visit me: I am always glad to meet other passionates.
A beautiful system. It looks like great care has been taking in collecting some of the finest components. Have not heard the viola but heard wonderful things about them. Out of curiosity where do you live? We have been lucky enough to cycle in your wonderful country for the past 5 years and who knows.
My room, that is also my show room - as you can imagine by the number of speakers displayed - is very large by an European point of view but not regular. It's about 80 square mts (similar to a 30 x 40 feets room), but its shape is rather unusual, forming approximately an L. Anyway, I'll post a picture from another angle in order to better understand its shape. The room is supplied with 16 Tube Traps, carpets and other stuffs. As a consequence, it has reflection, absorption and diffusion characteristics of average level, similar to most domestic rooms. I think that an acoustically too damped room (like an anechoic one) would deaden the life of sound, thus making void the harmonics and reverberations needed for a correct ambience. So at the end I can use here both small and large speakers satisfactorily.
Viola Audio Labs was founded in 2001 by Tom Colangelo and Paul Jayson, the chief designers who worked at MLAS and Cello when Mark Levinson was the owner. The great qualities of Cello products are now enhanced and prosecuted by Viola. You can read more here: http://www.violalabs.com/designers.html
As far as concerns the differences between the Andra II and Savoys... well, the Andra II is the most known speaker of EW and it is really special: musical, dynamic, smooth and involving yet tranparent and timbrically correct. The Savoys, however, are in a completely different league. When you hear them the first time, they seem not to have a specific sound: as the planars they are uncoloured, fast and extremely correct. BUT they are also extremely dynamic, with no strain or compression even at loud levels (when powered by the right amp). I think they are a true reference and, not surprisingly, they are often used by important mastering studios.
very nicely done system. Although I am not familiar with your Viola Audio amps, I am intrigued by your Savoy speakers. How do they compare with their smaller brother, the Andra? How large is your room, by the way.
