Rotel and VAF Research...

[Taito]

Hi all, here's one for the Aussies out there. If you've been following the 'Couldn't be happier' thread, then you would know that I've been looking/listening around for a pair of speakers to complete (for now -cables come later) my Rotel-based stereo system.

I summed up my options, and had at least investigated KEF, Paradigm, Sonique, Krix, Linn and Quad. By poking around the web, I stumbled across VAF Research, and then had them recommended by Aussie Geoff, and also by a friend.

Yesterday, I took my gear into VAF (quite an effort - 28KG and 3 boxes) for an audition. I was primarily interested in the DC-X (Gen 4), but had heard the Signature I-66 (on Saturday), which had absolutely blown me away.

I auditioned each pair for about an hour, starting with the DC-X's. They were nice -excellent bass, no compression (at very high levels), nice mids and highs, and excelent imaging. BUT... I didn't feel any connection with the music. The presentation was accurate, but seemed clinical.

Opinions: I have heard criticisms of Rotel for being clinical in their presentation (mainly the 10 series). Have any of you found this? What I'm getting at here, is that the speakers may not have been entirely to blame for the lack of involvement.

Don't get me wrong, the DC-Xs are nice speakers, which I could very happliy live with (and excellent value)...

The other side of the coin: After a little reshuffling to get the I-66s into position (these puppies weigh 60KG a piece!), I put some more music on. It took about 2 seconds - these were what I have been looking for! They had all of the qualities of the DC-Xs, but combined it with a smoothness and musicality that just amazed me! 2 seconds to decide, another hour of listening for fun.

If you have a chance to listen to these speakers, try U2's 'The hands that built America' The piano in the the introduction sounds fantastic. As far as treble goes, these speakers really (REALLY) have their treble right -smooth, sparkling and extended. The midrange was so flat and realisitc -the I-66s don't add to or take anything away from the mids. The bass was accurate, fast and extended, but maybe just a little lean (but this opinion would vary peron to person). It was definately all there, and powerful. Maybe it's because I'm used to the slightly sloppy (only slightly) and emphasised bass of the JBL's.

One other note - these things go loud VERY LOUD, with no hint of compression, or distortion. Infact, they seemed to be asking for more.

The bottom line is that having done a reasonably extended audition of both of these speakers with my own Rotel gear, I will be getting the I-66s (although my budget is totally overrun by this decision). I'm quite happy to wait a few months to make up the difference between the two, knowing what comes at the end of my wait.

I am one happy camper!

-Ben

[hired goon]

G'day,

The bottom line is that having done a reasonably extended audition of both of these speakers with my own Rotel gear, I will be getting the I-66s (although my budget is totally overrun by this decision). I'm quite happy to wait a few months to make up the difference between the two, knowing what comes at the end of my wait.

Thanks for the info on your demo at VAF. I've heard the I-66 once, briefly, on non-Rotel gear, and I liked them a lot. I'd love to hear them again on my own equipment. Short of lugging my amps down to Adelaide, however, I guess that will never happen.

Anyway, sounds like you've made a wise choice.

Did you listen to the I-91 centre/rear speakers at all? From memory you only have a stereo setup, so I guess not.

What Paradigm/Sonique speakers did you test out?

Also: are you buying these in kit form, or assembled?

--Geoff

[Aussie Geoff]

Hired Goon,

Did you listen to the I-91 centre/rear speakers at all? From memory you only have a stereo setup, so I guess not.

I did extensive listening to the I-91 centre (different tonal qualities in the Centre is something I am sensitive too). Bottom line INO the I-91 is a great bookshelf speaker and makes a great centre with other I-91s but is not a good tonal match for the I-66. (mind you they sell lots of these together - I am just fussy in this regard)

However the good news is their new head speaker designer Simon Wilde has had several requests for a larger centre and has made various forms of cut down I-66s. I spent some time with him and he did a design, computer modelling and a quote for a full size I-66 centre with the drivers rearranges so that the tweeter is in the centre - only worked out to be about $100 more than a left right speaker because of the special cabinetry. His contact is simon.wilde@vaf.com.au if it helps!

Geoff

[hired goon]

G'day,

I did extensive listening to the I-91 centre (different tonal qualities in the Centre is something I am sensitive too). Bottom line INO the I-91 is a great bookshelf speaker and makes a great centre with other I-91s but is not a good tonal match for the I-66.

This is what I feared. I have been seriously considering the I-66, but was concerned that the I-91 would not match it tonally. The I-91 uses a dual concentric drivers, and its frequency reponse only extends to 12kHz. Now I dunno how dual concentric drivers would sound, but I'm guessing it's not like MTM or the tweeter above mid arrangement of the B&W centres.

If the I-91 does not match the I-66, then the I-66 is no good to me in a HT setup. The I-66 would be great for stereo, but a HT setup using the I-66 + I-91 doesn't sound like a good combination.

However the good news is their new head speaker designer Simon Wilde has had several requests for a larger centre and has made various forms of cut down I-66s. I spent some time with him and he did a design, computer modelling and a quote for a full size I-66 centre with the drivers rearranges so that the tweeter is in the centre - only worked out to be about $100 more than a left right speaker because of the special cabinetry.

Thanks for the update. I'll contact Simon and try to get some further info.

--Geoff

[Taito]

I listened to a pair of Paradigms quite a while ago -almost a year now. At that stage I was looking at around $1500 for a pair, and also not upgrading my CD player (I also have a 945). I can't actually remember which model I was listening to. As far as Sonique goes, although I read as many reviews as I could get my hands on, and had a look at them at Grenfell Hifi, I haven't actually done an extended audition of them. I did about a 45 minute audition of a pair of KEF Q7s, but like the DC-Xs, they were nice, and I could live with them, but they just didn't do it for me.

Had I decided on a pair of DC-Xs, I would have bought them fully assembled, but since the price of a Kit pair of I-66s is already $1700 above my initial budget I have decided to save $950 by assembling them myself. Chris Lawry (head of R&D) has told me that they can be time-consuming, but not very difficult to assemble (so long as you can follow instructions and wield a screwdriver and soldering iron). It should be about 2 months now, but I'll let you know how I find the assembly and whether I am completly happy with the outcome.

Also, I only auditioned in stereo.

-Ben