Rockport Alya versus Ankaa

March 31, 2010

Editor,

I read with interest your CES 2010 article on the new Rockport Alya. I have not seen any information on the new speaker on the Rockport website and I thought I would write you to get your opinion. I’m mainly interested in the differences between the Alya ($29,500/pr.) and the similarly priced Ankaa that Randall Smith reviewed ($27,500/pr.). I’m leaning toward the Ankaa, but the Alya certainly raised my eyebrows when I read about it. What is your take on the two speakers in a head-to-head comparison? Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Blake Stein

You can certainly call Rockport Technologies and speak with company president Andy Payor. He can give you the scoop on the two speakers better than anyone else. But here’s my take: the Ankaa is a true three-way design that has deep bass and generous dynamic range. It will fill a large space easily and will handle high power. In some respects, I think it is the best value in the Rockport line. The Alya is a more specialized product. It is suited to smaller spaces, and is perhaps even a higher resolution loudspeaker with its beryllium-dome tweeter and even more elaborate cabinet design. In the end, I don’t think the two speakers really compete with each other at all. If you have a good-sized room and want deep bass, pick the Ankaa. If you want a speaker that is ultra-precise and resolving for a smaller space, then the Alya would be perfect. . . . Jeff Fritz


Italian amp for opera and choral music

March 21, 2010

To Garrett Hongo,

I have read that you are very much fond of opera and choral music. Also, I read about your visits to Italian audio companies on SoundStage! Now I would like to ask you, which Italian company makes the best middle-level amplifier suitable for such music and what is the model name?

Thank you,

Biju Joseph

Aloha Biju Joseph, this is a large question. My answer will likely be as large. First, it depends on what speakers you have. For speakers in the 86-89dB/8-ohm range, I'd say the Unison P70 (power amp), Unico Secondo (integrated), or Pathos Classic One (integrated) would be great. I like these companies, have visited them, and think their workmanship and sound are both terrific. The Goldenote Demidoff integrated amplifier is also worth checking out: class-A operation and fine sound. All these are Italian make and design. The Unison P70 is a stereo power amp -- you'll need a preamp too. The others are all integrated amps -- you won't need a preamp. Take care. . . . Garrett Hongo


Paradigm Signature upgrade itch

March 15, 2010

Editor,

I thoroughly enjoyed your recent article, "How Close Can I Get for Half the Price or Less? -- Paradigm Reference Signature S2 v.3 Loudspeakers." Among other things, you grabbed my attention because of your choice of the Paradigm Signature family of speakers. I’ve always felt that Paradigm -- while not the most "prestigious" brand name -- offers huge bang for the buck! I sense you agree. I currently have the Signature S8 v.1s and have the upgrade itch. Do you have any experience, comments, or advice on the floorstanding Signatures v.3s?

Any thoughts or comments are appreciated! Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Chris Ervin

Because Paradigm is a research-and-development-oriented company, I’ve always felt the improvements that they make from generation to generation of a product series’ lifespan are worthwhile and oftentimes substantial. Your v.1s, although fine speakers, are surely superseded from a performance standpoint by the current models. The tweeter alone, using the new beryllium diaphragm, is more extended and cleaner than what you have in your speakers. The bass drivers are also more capable, due to the new surround design. For a blow-by-blow account of the Signature v.1s versus the v.3s, however, I’d ask that you keep tabs on our newest site that will be launching in April, SoundStage! Xperience. In a few months, you’ll see a review on that site by associate editor Roger Kanno in which he will compare models from the two series. If it were me, since it would be a move up two generations, I’d certainly consider the purchase. . . . Jeff Fritz


New Gryphon

March 12, 2010

Editor,

You reviewed the Gryphon Sonata Allegro and Antileon Signature about six years ago. Any plans to review the Mirage and Colosseum? I would love to hear your thoughts on Gryphon's new top-of-the-line equipment.

Cheers,

Isaac

Wow, has it been that long? It’s funny you should write, as I was thinking about these products not too long ago. The issue has been that Gryphon has not had any North American distribution in many years, but they have a strong international presence and have been highly reviewed all over the world. I think it has been Gryphon’s Flemming Rasmussen’s position that pursuing reviews in a market where they have no product for sale makes little sense for the reader. However, I hope this position will change soon. The SoundStage! Network, which is based in North America, has grown steadily since that review way back in 2004. These days, we have a strong international readership, so I do think a review makes sense. I’ll discuss this with Flemming at Munich’s High End 2010 event in May of this year and see where things shake out. . . . Jeff Fritz


Rockport Ankaa and Mira

March 6, 2010

To Randall Smith,

Thanks very much for your informative review of the Rockport Technologies Ankaas. I am also a big fan of Rockport speakers and of the Mira specifically. I know that Andy Payor prefers to use high-powered solid-state amps to drive his speakers, as they are of average sensitivity. I know his speakers are nominally rated as 4-ohm speakers, but I am not sure how benign or, conversely, how difficult a load they represent to the partnering amp across the frequency spectrum. I checked both your review and Jeff's review of the Mira but there were no accompanying speaker measurements that showed impedance and/or phase measurements across the frequency spectrum.

Do you know if there are any material dips in impedance at any point in the frequency curve that would represent a difficult load to the partnering amp for both the Mira and the Ankaa? Secondly, what equipment did you use to drive the Ankaa during your review period? Did you try any tube amps and were they successful in driving the Ankaas? I have heard the Miras with ARC REF 110s multiple times at my dealer and they seem to do a sufficiently good job of driving them, but I can't help but wonder if they are missing out on the dynamics front a bit given the ARC's 110Wpc power rating. Thanks for your response in advance.

Sincerely,

Cyril

Glad you enjoyed the review. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to try an amp other than my Classé CA-2200 when the Ankaas were in my home. The CA-2200 is a very good amp and is rated at 200W into 8 ohms and 400W into 4 ohms. The Classé amp had no problem getting the lowest notes from the Ankaa. While I suspect a strong amplifier is needed to get the best from the Ankaas, I also suspect even a moderately powered amplifier can get a lot out of them.

I do own a pair of Miras, which are also a three-way speaker with drivers of the same size. Since I have owned the Miras, I have used a Nuforce MCH-3SE-C7 (power amp), a Coda Amplifier 11 (power amp), a Bel Canto 300sui (integrated amp), and a Simaudio 600i (integrated amp). As you can imagine, all of the amps have their own sonic signature, but all were able to drive the Miras just fine. The Coda amp provided the deepest bass while the Classé amp seemed to be the most neutral. The important point I am trying to make is that the Miras are sensitive enough to sound great regardless of the amp's power, but neutral to the point that they will also reveal the weaknesses of the partnering amplifier.

I did pose your question to Andy Payor as well, and this was his response: "The Ankaa is rated as a 4-ohm load and its impedance doesn't dip down below 3.5 ohms anywhere, and at this impedance minima the phase angle is essentially zero, so it won't be difficult for the partnering amp to deliver current into the load. The maximum phase angle is about 24 degrees and is in conjunction with about a 5-ohm load, so, again, the reactive component of the impedance should be no trouble for any competent amp, tube or solid state." Hope this helps. . . . Randall Smith


Devilsound, Ayre, and computer audio

March 2, 2010

Editor,

I just read your review of the Devilsound DAC and I think our tastes are similar enough to trouble you with one of those dreaded "this or that" questions.

I have a modestly good system without the computer side: Sony SCD-1 as primary SACD player or as a transport into a Muse II DAC, which goes into Wavac MD300B amplifiers driving Omega Super 6 Alnico single-driver speakers (having given up the Koechels for space). I'm now experimenting with USB output of lossless ripped CDs and have been impressed how "not bad" the sound was taken through a Music Streamer directly into the Wavac.

I know the Muse is a little long in the tooth, and technology has come a long way. So the question is whether to simply use maybe a Devilsound or Music Streamer+ into the amp and continue using the Muse as a SACD/CD-only component, or to replace the Muse with something that is USB compatible, perhaps the MHDT Havana or Ayre. What do you think? Thanks so much. And if I'm missing a better way forward, I'm all ears.

Doug

The answer depends on whether you see music streaming from a computer as a huge part of what is already quite an impressive line-up of components you’ve assembled. The Devilsound DAC is certainly a great way to get into computer audio reasonably and without much hassle. The sound is quite good, as you read in my review, and I’m quite sure you’d be impressed with its sound given your current DAC. If you think you will want to do computer-based audio in a more serious way, one that handily surpasses what you have now as a source, then going the way of the Ayre QB-9 is certainly a great choice. With the right computer setup -- with the Ayre as your centerpiece -- you will have sound that will eclipse your older Sony/Muse combination easily. So it really depends on how deep you want to go. Either way, you have some excellent alternatives to listen to. . . . Jeff Fritz

 

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