I used to sell/install high-end audio in late 80s and early 90s and stockpiled a bunch of stuff I knew I wanted to build a system out of...never did get components, though. Now that I find myself finally nearing an install on it, I need to find out what the hell has been going on with the front-stage part of the industry the last 10 years...I come back to find lots of companies/lines that have sold or cratered in quality, etc.
Speaking strictly from a front-stage standpoint and from what I've gathered, it looks like Morel and Dynaudio are still themselves, but a/d/s, Diamond and Boston Acoustics have fallen off. What has happened with Oz, clif and any other lines? Who are Rainbow, CDT and DLS? Any other recommendations? What is the current stance on Image Dynamics and/or compression drivers?
For reference, here's what I have ready to go in. Please note that all Soundstream is prior to their move to Blue Ravine, CA so they could throw all the bad product they started making into the ravine itself when it came back from the customer.
* Soundstream Class A 10.0 amplifier to push (4) Soundstream SS-10R Velvet Hammer subs * Soundstream Class A Picasso amplifiers (2) for front stage * Alpine DigitalMax fiber-linked head-end -> 1310 Receiver/controller -> 5959s CD shuttle (quad Burr Browns) -> 3681 Time & Freq Processor -> 3362 EQ-XOver-Ambience Processor * Soundstream SL1 solid-silver RCAs
I'm looking to match some components to this that will help me achieve an accurate, neutral-to-warm sound quality system that can still show balls on serious bass lines.
