The Official Salk Sound Owner's And Discussion Thread - Page 258

Turns out that we don't leave Denver until Sunday at 5:40pm, so plenty of time to attend RMAF on Sunday. I think I'll be stopping in on Sunday!

I agree, would be nice to meet one of the guys responsible for me being a Salk owner. Would love to meet Jim and company too!

Cheers,
Chad

Sorry to see I'll miss you. I'm out of there early Sunday morning.

Yeah that is too bad Dennis. Not sure what our next opportunity will be either. Perhaps another year!

I was so curious about the new project tracking software that I decided to order another sub. My 12" Rythmik was getting lonely all by itself. Now I get to see what this 5.2 business is all about. And once again, let the waiting begin...

Jim's going to make some speaker stands for my Surround Is too. Happy days!

It's very cool and convenient and I'm sure it saves Jim a couple of hundred calls and emails a day. But there is a dark lining to this silver cloud. That is: the ability to check it anytime, day or night. How is that a drawback you ask. Because I find myself checking it all day and all night. Well not all night but I do check it first thing in the morning (as if Jim and his staff are working through the night on my speakers ). I have gotten obsessive about checking it and it never seems to move.
But the real thrill is when I check it and it's finally clicked forward...
Edited by KnifeGuy - 9/22/12 at 8:58am

It would be fun if when Jim sends you the final invoice he tells you how many times you checked the progress.

Knife- I'm the same way. I love the tracking system, but find myself checking it regularly even though I know I likely have another 5 or 6 weeks. I'd love to have a webcam set up so we can all see the all the speakers under construction. Then I'd really be spending too much time checking in!

I check in the morning as I figure that Jim waits till the day's work is done and then updates the status in the evening. At least that's what I convince myself is the reason.

Not to burst any bubbles but it doesn't really work like that.
I'm fortunate enough to live close to Jim and he had me to his house when I placed my order.
While I was there Jim showed me how the tracking system works. Basically when one of his guys starts (or is it finishes) one of the steps he will imput it into the computer. It more 'real time' than imputing at the end of the day.
FWIW I am now into finish sanding.

That is awesome.

That is indeed awesome. Seems also the most logical fit given Fried also worked with TL cabinets.

I am thinking of purchasing a pair of song towers and was wondering if my HK AVR 325 will be powerful enough for them? Thanks!

That might be a little too low. I looked it up 65 watts @ 8 ohms (stereo mode). Normally I've Jim tells people that 80 watts is sufficient. If you are just doing two channel stereo pick up a HK 3490 for less that 400 bucks. Its 120 wpc and is a beast for power compared to your avr. Alternately if you want an avr one in the 90 wpc range can be had for around 500. (Both of these prices may be significantly lower. (When ordering on line call them don't just click add to your cart. Usually with a call the price can be 20% less). Now your 65 watts would play them and may even drive them to a good moderate volume, but you run the danger of clipping, which can be very damaging to speakers. More power would be better.

Great decision on ST!!! Given the investment don't scrimp on power.
Edited by glangford - 10/4/12 at 2:25am

Pretty cool collaboration.

Hey Brandon, are you going to go down ADTG's path and have multiple speakers lining your livingroom? I know you want to.

Very cool! I noticed the byline for the linked article was from a town nearby and figured I would call Fried to see if they had any kind of demo area set up, but the number listed on the web site was picked up by a fax.

Anyone know if Fried has a physical presence? Dreaming of a local spot to demo Salk speakers

On another note, my supercharged STs have moved through final sanding. Very cool.....

Hello All,
I read the last 100 pages and I'm beat. Thanks to everyone here and us double agent Audiocircle folks for the great info on these speakers and company. I have only learned about and started researching Salks for a short time, but I have ramped up my speaker search with a short trip to the Audioholics event this month in Florida to get my eyes and ears on the SS8s. I have a Bryston 14Bst amp which I believe will power the SS8s with no trouble. I am, however, worried that my preamp will now be the weakest link. I have an old Bryston SP 1.7 surround processor, but earier this year, I delved into the tube preamp world with a Cary Audio SLP 03 preamp tied into the system, using the HT bypass function into the SP1.7. I am wondering if the tube preamp will not be detailed enough to show off the detail capability in the SS8s and I will have to get a new preamp....The Cary preamp was probably on par with the old B&W 803 Matrix's I am currently using, but with this kind of major upgrade with the speakers I am thinking that my system might get out of balance with a lower end preamp....I guess only time and listening will tell, but I kinda would like a heads up before I make the 8K plunge. If anyone is familiar with this Cary preamp, I like some encouragement ( real, implied, or just try to make me feel better) that everything will be OK...I'm afraid that after hearing these speakers I will be full throttle on getting me a pair.... Thanks, Pete

Nuance,Thanks for your input. I posted my concerns because of the really high end, detailed sound in the SS8s/ Salks/ RAAL tweeters, that are described here in over 250 pages of discussion, and I wonder that the Cary preamp MAY not be up to the level of the SS8s since Cary's higher end SLP 05 is supposed be so much more detailed that my preamp... I have been considering the option of trading my Bryston processor for the new Bryston SP3, and letting go of the tube preamp altogether...That purchase(if I choose that path) may need to wait until later in the year...I will likely order SS8s after hearing them, as they are on my short list of speakers to audition. I can't wait for the GTG event. I am brimming with excitement . Thanks for all your great information you post on here and at Audiocircle. You are a wealth of info. Pete

I really wouldn't worry about electronics with the SS8. They are an easy load for an amp to drive, and any decent preamp will showcase their strengths. I certainly didn't have anything exotic running when I designed the crossover and compared the result with other speakers. That's not to say that marginal gains couldn't be had by spending more money on the front end. But it's not necessary to appreciate the RAAL tweeter, Accuton mid, and the open-back design.

Dennis,
Thanks for the reassurance! I am stoked that I'm goin to be able to listen to them very soon...I pre-briefed my wife and she is on board with whatever speakers I get...The Salk SS8 is the most expensive of the speakers I have been looking at, she doesn't even care...She is the best!!!!!!!!!!!! Pete

Hello all, new Songtower owner here, I've searched for this but get bits and pieces so I thought I'd seek advice on my exact issue/question.

After sliding down the HT slippery slope I decided to upgrade my 2 channel set up. To that end I've purchased a set of Salk Songtowers and a Jolida integrated tube amp.

I just recently built my home and pre wired so that I have an AV closet with speaker wires running into the living room (where I will do my 2 channel listening). We do most of our listening through our squeezebox duet using Pandora or CD’s ripped (MP3 format) from my office PC.

When I first got the speakers and amp home (bought them from the same guy) I put the amp on the floor (not realistic long term), plugged Oppose BDP-83 to amp, ran wires from amp to Salks and thought it sounded great.

I am trying to get the best sound couples with convience/WAF with the equipment I currentley own. My question is this. Would you?

a. Go from the AV receiver (Pioneer Elite VSX-23) pre-out to the integrated amp to the speakers using the existing, in wall, wires. This keeps all gear in closet and allows squeezebox use through AV receiver into Jolida.

b. Use the integrated amp on Zone 2 of the AV receiver?

c. Hook the tube amp directly to the speakers from the AV closet. This option becomes an issue of ease of operation for other (wife) family members. Can run CD direct into Jolida but would, I suspect need another squeezebox receiver or a splitter out of squeezebox?

Is there a huge difference between going direct CD inot amp vs. from MP3 through squeezebox? I know I could set up the different scenarios but it is time consuming and doesn't nec. allow A/B comparisons on the spot.

Do you think the Jolida won’t sound superior enough to the AVR to warrant messing with a, currently, easy to use set up? That is to say should I consider selling the Jolida?

Thanks for your input.

Jamie
Edited by jamie ford - 10/8/12 at 3:25pm