Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 6:37:47 GMT
Having got both tweeter versions on previous trade in's I would suggest the Be version is of a better standard.
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Post by MartinT on May 25, 2016 6:43:08 GMT
As a matter of interest, Tony, what did the trade-ins get swapped out for?
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Post by jandl100 on May 25, 2016 7:33:06 GMT
Some recollections from me of my visit to MartinT Towers back in the day of the mighty Chord amp .... Crushing dynamics when called for. Astonishing stop/start ability especially at high levels. 'Awesome' might well be the operative word. -- I forget the LP used now (Chabrier?) but the slam pinned me to the back wall and made me laugh out loud. It was just crazy!  No perceived treble lift to my ears, although I do enjoy a high rez sound so maybe it was there and I liked it! Very much a Testosterone System back then, although reading about the updates over the last 3 or 4 years I suspect it has added improved low level dynamic nuance to its capabilities now. It would be interesting to hear it again, if I'm ever planning a trip to the locality I'll drop you a PM, Martin.  |
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Post by MartinT on May 25, 2016 7:47:07 GMT
LOL, yes that pretty much sums them up. I can't tell you that I knew these would be my last speakers when I bought them, I just suspected that they would be great all-rounders and would take some beating. That has proven to be the case and my admiration for them has grown and grown as they keep responding to system improvements by just being a wide open window. Where the system has improved is exactly as you have noted: nuanced detail, microdynamics, air & space. The record was the Fruhbeck de Burgos Albeniz orchestrations on Decca, a rather fine recording! The JVC XRCD is almost as good. You are always welcome to come over, Jerry |
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Post by John on May 25, 2016 7:58:12 GMT
For me the biggest difference is cleaning up and controlling the bass better it has allowed the micro detail to come out more
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Post by MikeMusic on May 25, 2016 9:17:00 GMT
I think the Ushers may have a rival....
You will have to come over and listen to these Aurums.
They deliver and after today Tony says they will deliver even more.
I assume they will never give the volume the Ushers can
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jono
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 10 
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Post by jono on May 27, 2016 10:48:20 GMT
Martin,
I would be interested to know what cabling you prefer with these speakers.
Our little mob of audio nuts here have spent a fair bit of time cable swapping on the BE 20s and they seem to be incredibly sensitive to such things.
The owner is a bit of cable nut so there is plenty of choice from Jorma Statement price level and down.
Accuphase Super Refined interconnects [the brown ones ] in combination with Vermouth Audio Red Velvet speaker cables make a glorious combination and clearly beat far more expensive stuff like the Jorma.
Both affordable cables.A friend with Magico S5s uses the same combination.
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Post by MartinT on May 27, 2016 14:29:09 GMT
I have used various speaker cables with the Ushers including Kimber Select KS-3035, NVA LS6, Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval, Tellurium Q Ultra Black and Coherent 5D. The Kimbers are the most expensive and were the least good.
By far the two standout cables have been the NVA TSCS (a relative bargain) and my current Coherent 6D. These two cables both give massive insight in the midrange and just sound right.
Oh, the jumpers are Coherent BD and do make one hell of a difference - I heard it for myself and couldn't believe it.
AND I use the Spec RSP-901EX units across the speaker terminals.
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tmtsui
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 18
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Post by tmtsui on Dec 4, 2017 2:00:00 GMT
Hi Martin,
I am using Usher BE-20 as you are. Regarding the SPEC 901EX sound processor, I am about to get one for my speakers after reading your post.
Wonder if different connecting cables would bring sonic differences ?
BTW, very glad to "meet" other users of BE-20. Very few users in where I live (Hong Kong).
Tom
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Post by MartinT on Dec 4, 2017 6:51:32 GMT
Hi Tom and welcome to TAS!
It's a very symbiotic thing between speakers, cables, power amplifier and SPEC unit. My experience with speaker cables certainly showed differences but, in my tests, the SPEC always improved on the sound quality. Combined with the Coherent 6D main speaker cables, 6D short cables to the SPEC and Coherent BD jumper cables, the sound quality is very natural but immensely detailed with a wide and somewhat deep sound stage and staggering dynamics (this latter aspect is a feature of the Ushers that I've heard in few other speakers).
When listening to cables, go for depth and naturalness as the Usher beryllium tweeter does not need any high frequency enhancement or brightness.
There are not many Be-20 users in the UK although Hi-Fi Plus magazine seem to like using them at shows. I've said elsewhere that they are simply the best all-round, least intrusive speakers I've ever used and I doubt that I will ever change them. As Chris Martens, the reviewer, said, they are music-making machines and I agree wholeheartedly with that.
Do tell us more about your system and what you use to drive the Be-20s.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 4, 2017 6:53:08 GMT
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tmtsui
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 18
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Post by tmtsui on Dec 4, 2017 10:35:05 GMT
Thanks for the reply. I seldom use "accessories" for my system. But what you said interests me a lot, so I ordered one a few days ago. Hope to get it in a week or two.
Sometimes good stuffs don't equal to good sales. Also, the size of it is hard for it to stay in many others' houses.
I also replied to your other questions regarding cables in the other Post.
Glad to join TAS.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 4, 2017 13:15:38 GMT
The issue with the SPEC units is the same as responses I get to power cables: the usual "there's miles of cables between the power station and your house" or "a properly designed crossover shouldn't need a compensation network".
All of these ignore that fact that a) I can hear the differences regardless of reasoning and b) a good accessory can greatly enhance the performance of an already good system.
I really hope the SPEC works for you. It's certainly not leaving my system.
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tmtsui
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 18
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Post by tmtsui on Dec 4, 2017 15:20:33 GMT
I am looking forward to it myself. Will report back how it sounds when it arrives.
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Post by MikeMusic on Dec 5, 2017 16:21:06 GMT
Think Tony has mentioned these would be good for my TADs.
Being very non pushy he has yet to come back to me on that
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Post by MartinT on Dec 5, 2017 17:50:42 GMT
Remind me to bring them along for you to try on your TADs, Mike.
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Post by MikeMusic on Dec 5, 2017 19:08:33 GMT
Yes please When are you coming ? |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 5, 2017 20:11:27 GMT
Possibly w/c 18-Dec if that suits?
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Post by MikeMusic on Dec 6, 2017 18:42:01 GMT
Great.
W/c 18th is fine from Tuesday onwards.
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tmtsui
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 18
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Post by tmtsui on Jan 19, 2018 2:40:52 GMT
Finally I received my SPEC RSP-901EX three weeks ago. Due to the holidays, I didn't connect the units to my speakers until last week. My first impression is a slight improvements in focus and imaging. Smoothness improves a bit as well. However, the volume in total is lowered about 1 to 2 db. And one thing I in particular dislike is the bass portion becoming weaker and less punchy even though I tune up the volume accordingly. Not sure if the SPEC needs burned in or what. BTW, I found changing the speaker jumpers bring quicker and more significant results than adding the SPEC. Anyway, will keep it connected for a few more weeks to see how it goes, if I could bear with it  |
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