Hansf, I haven't used the Hales System 11 Sig for several years. However, I do not believe that when Paul changed to the round tweeter that he also changed the x-overs.Therefore, the x-over value remained the same throughout the production; sorry cannot supply you with the serial #'s of the newer tweets.

daveyf January 19, 2014 02:13

System edited: Real Trap Mondo Traps added for bass trapping. Great improvement in bass transparency and an increase in soundstage size.

daveyf May 05, 2011 16:50

System edited: Added ARC d-70 Mk2 as a tube alternative.. IMHO one of ARC's best amps.

daveyf June 15, 2010 03:27

System edited: System edited

daveyf July 22, 2007 02:55

Well the Pioneer DVD 414 transport finally gave up the ghost. Any suggestions for a new(used) transport that would work with the rest of the system?

daveyf July 16, 2007 00:08

Igor,
Wow, if you liked the Counterpoint you have not heard anything till you try the CAT. I used to own the Counterpoint SA 3000 and replaced it with CAT. The CAT is in a totally different league and that's an understatement.
Like removing a massive veil on the music.
I will try the CAT amps and the Atmasphere's. Now very curious to hear a tube amp with the G's. The Rowland Model 8 is no slouch so this should be very interesting.
Do you use the Valhallas on your rig?
Dave

daveyf November 08, 2006 05:02

Igor,
Have you tried any other tube amps besides the Atmasphere's?
Any ss. amps?
I am also very interested in hearing the CAT amps and the Joule amps on the G's. From what I have been told the ultimate tube amps for the G's are the CAT's.
I own a CAT preamp and it is one of the best pre-amps I have ever heard. Head and shoulders above most if not all the competition IMHO.

daveyf October 21, 2006 06:41

Igor,
Several people have suggested the MA-60's or the MA-1's. I will try and do a demo with these amps if possible. The Rowland with choke is the best ss. amp I have heard. But,I am sure that a great tube amp would be magical on the G's.
Curious what amp you use to drive your G's?

daveyf October 20, 2006 03:48

Chipman, once you have heard the M's, I suspect that you like I will be glad you own the Hommage's.
Joey, I also listened to the Cremona's. IMHO they are not really in the same league as the G's. The Cremonas do have more bass and can probably play louder ( although this is not something I really tested) However, compared to the G's in my room they were no contest in any other area you care to mention.

daveyf October 05, 2006 17:11

Palasr, the knobs on top of the plinth are called Sound Cat's that are unfortunately no longer available. Basically they are a rubber based dampener with a inner concentric ring made of brass that lift the cover about 1 1/2". They were sold to owners like myself that mounted WTA arms, since these arms are too tall to allow the cover to sit on the table with that arm installed.
The Sound Cat's can be removed from the plinth when the cover is not being used.

daveyf October 05, 2006 15:57

Chipman, have you heard the two as I have or are you just going by the hype?

daveyf October 05, 2006 15:19

Joey,
That is a good question,the new Memento's have the ring radiator. Sourced from Scanspeak I believe. IMHO, the Dynaudio Esotar in the Guarneri Hommage ( which are my version) sounds smoother and is more extended than the radiator in the Memento.( Having heard both)
Also, the Hommage uses the Audio Technologie mid/bass driver( which I also feel is a superior mid/bass driver to the Memento's ( a 150mm doped paper unit I suspect sourced from Dynaudio) and has the ability to be bi-wired which the Memento does not. ( This is again IMHO a major drawback, since I am a very strong believer in bi-wiring).Lastly, the Memento's cabinet are made solely from Maple and again appear inferior to the Hommage's. The Memento's are also far more expensive. I still would have considered them if I thought they were actually superior, however, like many things in audio, the latest sometimes can be a marketing gimmick and actually I believe they are inferior.

daveyf September 27, 2006 06:39

John,
I have a very small dedicated room for the system... appx 10X11 with a vault ceiling that extends to 15'. I doubt any speaker could reproduce bass in this room. The Hales I had previously were very good for their time, but the Guarneri's are in a different league.
I have heard many speakers in the last 25 years since I started in this hobby and the G's are my current reference. Incredible ability to portray lifelike imaging ( given room size of course) great depth and tremendous high freq air. I play small ensemble, solo string instruments and blues. I also like voice and intimate recordings with great warmth. Nothing I have ever heard is better than the G's in this regard. When I move to a larger room ( If I do) then I might use a sub. It will be a major issue to get one that will work with the G's though.

daveyf September 26, 2006 02:01

System edited: New Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage. They are the best speaker I have ever heard and I have been an audiophile for over 25 years! With the Rowland and the CAT, the Guarneri's come to life!

daveyf September 03, 2006 04:45

System edited: Will add pics of the Guarneri's soon. They are IMHO some of the most beautiful sounding and looking speakers I have ever heard. I bought these brand new and they are still breaking in. With the Rowland amp and CAT pre-amp they are magnificent.

daveyf September 03, 2006 03:14

Dgad,
My X-over is stock, however, Paul changed the x-over connectors and the tweets towards the end of the run of the Sig 2's. Mine are a very late pair with all the later changes. The tweets are still MB Quart but are round and are apparently slightly more efficient than the previous version. The connectors on the speakers and the x-overs were also changed to copper Cardas models.
The foam that was originally on the ealier units was also built into the grilles.

daveyf March 14, 2006 07:05

Thanks guys,
The Hales displaced a pair of very modded Acoustat 3's. Like all speakers though, as soon as the manufacturer went out of business, the speakers plummeted in value.
So, like Jsujo says, I feel that in the used market today they are simply a steal. Oddly, while I once in the while get the upgrade itch, I have not really heard any speakers that are that much better that I have to have them. Although the Kharma's came pretty close.

daveyf November 11, 2005 03:52

Any opinions?

daveyf January 10, 2003 04:56

System edited:

daveyf January 03, 2003 07:41

System edited:

daveyf January 03, 2003 07:09