True Thomas ! Theres more meat on the bones with the PA3 added in the mix of course, ( a fuller over all sound) (scales larger) I absouletly love the complete IOTAVX-STACK for its price point it Puts a smile on my face and it has that (Vintage Flavor) 😆Honestly I can't get over how a total 900.00US Integrated can have such good balance and Netrality, and being a tone horn and budget-File The IOTA is my 1 reccomendation integrated amp until i find another pre 1k thats better 😆
I have watched many of your videos. This one I watched 18 months after it was published. By grace of almighty me & my family are fine in this pandemic. Your offer to speak with any body who needs a chat makes you a real human. I commend you for that. While I like good sound in the music I consume, I dont go to extreme pursuing it, even within my budget. I guess lack of time is a factor too. I mostly have used components. AVOs interest me. One of these days I may go for them. Thanks for your passion.
Great job Ron 😆 I have the SA3 and Upgradable Power amp PA3 and with the PA3 added , You do get more meat on the bone and bass but then you lose a lil bit of that balance, but overall I love the SA3 integrated by itselfs Its drove my JBL 580s very good even the bass but the JBL is 90db efficant and much much easier to drive than the 530s! But yeah love your enthusiasms with the budget speakers thats awesome buddy ! The 580s are really good but i wish it had a lil bit more of that 3d holographics layers like i do with some other speakers . But the center imaging can be down right freaky lol Thanks Ron
Fantastic. We are in a golden age for performance/price ratio in $500 to $3k hi-fi rigs but with all eyes on the expensive gear that fact goes largely unnoticed by the old guard. More coverage of this segment helps both the new audiophile and bring balance to the industry.
I pair the IOATAVX SA3 and PA3 stack with Buchardt S400. I can assure you the PA3 gets you the meaty bass and mids. They paint a wall to wall sound stage. And when I extreme toe'd-in the S400's,(again thanks Ron: ) the pin sharp centre image popped up. Don't forget the SA3 has a sub out . I have a decent sub connected there which when switched on gives me all the grunt needed for my movies.
My favorites: Notebook (MBP) as source Benchmark DAC1 USB (Pre and headphone amp) HfiAkademie Poweramp P6 Mini Monitor Ribbon from German DIY Magazine „Hobby HIFI“ Headphone AKG K701 All components below 1k€ (each) Sound with speakers: Amazing! Sound with headphones: Excellent! 😁😁
I haven't been able to justify purchases of stereo to my wife at this dangerous time. As a nylon string guitar player for about 25 of my 77 years, I've dreamed of good audio equipment. I've played and listened to all types of jazz, folk, rock, classical, Latin boogaloo, salsa, since I was a 7-year old clarinet student. I guess, based on my age, life expectancy is an issue. Anyway, during this quarantine I've time soon to enjoyed playing classical guitar and listening to your commentary. (My wife let me go out of the house!)
Considered headphones? Due to the lockdown, I purchased Sennheisers with a $100 amp, and this is incredibly good. Doesn’t disturb the whole family as well, but makes me enjoy music in new ways. It’s also not bound to a room, so you can hear it where you need.
So nice to see IOTAVX getting more press. I have the stack (take Thomas' advice, get the PA3!) and they really made something special imo. Add the power amp and you'll get that muscularity back!
Great info buried in all that humor! PS noticed your supportive comment to Joe. Another indication of why you are special to this community. Thanks for all you do!
That Bass Driver placement in the cabinet of the 'AVO's is something Roy Allison, formerly of Acoustic Research ("AR") speakers, came up with, (in the mid -1980's) to minimize the problems usually found in a standard layout. Thus His Speakers avoided the normal problems associated with "room boundaries." (As He noted - "we" DON'T live in Anechoic Chambers) But also please note; that the Polk SDA - L800 uses an Isosceles Triangle on the top portion of each speaker cabinet. Each pair of Mid & High End Drivers are mounted on each "face" of the triangle. Roy Allison did this in 1984, on His Top of the Line Speaker - the Allison I 's. The Angle of said Triangle is Identical on the Polk. The Allison I, only differs in that; It was a Sealed Box (in true 'AR' - "acoustic suspension" form). And Also, The Allison used Two (2) 12 inch Bass Drivers per cabinet. As the Allison tower's Triangular Shape ran the complete height of the Cabinet, from Top to Bottom. Regardless, Cheers ! ;-)
I enjoyed this Ron, but 5 months on and the pandemic seems to be really screwing with Danny's supply chain and he's just one of many in that situation. I dont know if you can still get same-day deliveries in the US as of late September 2020, but we're at the stage here in Australia where we are often told 'expect it when you see it' and sadly that includes businesses. I know - first world problems compared to many who are genuinely suffering - but while we can still talk about a luxury like audio, it beats the hell out of the blanket media coverage of the plague. Thanks for the vid - keep this escapism coming through these dark times.
This is my first review of your channel that I've watched, as referred by Randy the Cheap Audio Man. GREAT REVIEW! The last part of your review was really touching. You are a really good person for extending/offering yourself like that. God bless you. Regarding the review, I'm on the hunt for the perfect BUDGET integrated amp. I'm considering the IOTA, the SVS, and the Emotiva TA-100. I only stream music and have Wharfedale Diamond 11.2 speakers. I'd really appreciate a recommendation. I almost purchased the Marantz NR1200 a few weeks ago because it's an all in one answer to my needs but feel like the amp section is a bit on the weak side and probably not much of an option from what I'm using now which is a Marant NR1602 (7.1 channel AVR at 50 W per channel at 8 ohms). I stream via Bluetooth to a Bluedento BLT-HD (DAC/Bluetooth receiver) which so far sounds pretty good. Thank you brother and can't wait for more of your content!
Crown XLS 1002 is $339 and has 350 watts at 4 ohms. I think I will buy the X Statik kit for $399 from GR-Research. I've made raised panel doors for high end custom kitchen cabinets. I can make a speaker box.
You have my juices flowing... I already own the SVS... I want the AVO kit... Unfortunately, it is being upgraded and unavailable right now... :-( I'm trying to remember the speaker company that made these omni directional speakers... I think Steve had an interview with the original owner on one of his shows... Right on the tip of my tongue.
Hey Ron, on this theme of HiFi under 1K I have been seeing good things about the Bluesound powernode2i. It seems like a pretty decent system for the money. Add a pair a speakers like the JBL Stage A170, and you have a complete HiFi system for $1100. Would love to get your spin on this unit, those speakers too for that matter. Would love to see more JBL stuff on the channel as well.
.aif files from phone wireless or wired to RCA jacks works well. I have a mac mini running BitPerfect delivering .aif to a Schitt Bifrost (gen 5), Yamaha CA-2010 and DIY speakers - Sunflower (Redux) from Paul Carmody. Over $1000 invested altogether, but far less than $2000 and I use the mac mini for several purposes. Love the sound.
I have Monitor Audio Monitor 100 speakers (30-100 W, 44 Hz - 30 kHz, Nominal Impedance 8 ohms, Sensitivity (1W@1M) 88 dB, Maximum SPL 111 dBA, Power Handling (RMS) 100 W) are they appropriate for SVS Prime Wireless Soundbase? Thank you
Can you do a best under 5k and under 10k video as well? I have been trying to find a good preamp for my Focal Aria 948s. I don't want to break the bank but I do want to get the best preamp out there that will help me get the most out of the speakers. Solid State preferably. Also, any recommendations for DACs as well?
THANKS RON , KIRK HERE :. YES I ENJOYED THIS VID. AND YES I AM ON A BUDGET . AND THAT'S WHY I ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR VIDS. BECAUSE LIKE YOU I AM AN AUDIO NUT ! AN QUITE A BIT "OLDER" ! . SO THANKS BRO. KIRK'OUT'PEACE
The AVO speakers remind me of the Dick Olsher designed Samadhi Kittens (which used a forward facing lineaum tweeter and an upwards firing 4 inch woofer both drivers sourced from a Radio Shack LX4 speaker).
@@imnguyen6658 it's possible, but more difficult since you have to control them each separately. Using a dedicated pre-amp into each integrated would definitely make it easier, esp when adjusting volume of the system as a whole
I think I would lean toward the IOTA VX just because - by itself, it sounds good. Later on down the road, you add the IOTA PA3 and it'll sound GREAT. There is something appealing to an upgrade path, yes? Also...those AVOs...man...those guys just keep a-calling to me. I wondered, Ron...seeing as how they are omnidirectional, can you speak to how they compare to OHM speakers (in particular the newer OHMs)?
@@Newrecordday2013 I had the chance recently to experience the OHM 3000 and the OHM 5000. I thought the 5000 were very, very cool. Very wide soundstage, (but not a lot of depth). Probably the hugest sweet spot of any speaker I ever listened to.
So I might be missing something here, but what is the intended purpose of an omni-directional mid-bass coupled to a directional tweeter? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of an omni-directional woofer if you have to be properly centered between the tweeters? Wouldn't it make more sense to have an omni directional full-range? Just some thoughts from a fellow audiophile...
Hey Ron, since you like the A/V-Os you need to hear the X-Omnis. They are the X-LS Encore version of the A/V-Os. I have an unfinished (raw MDF) pair I can send your way.
@@Newrecordday2013 OK, I have to get boxes and get them packed up. Just no comments about fit and finish :) . Though I am guilty of using raw MDF cabinets. When I built my LGK 1.0 desktop monitors I made the mistake of hooking them up before veneering, just to see how they sounded. They stayed that way on my desktop for two years. Then the only reason I took them out of the system to veneer and finish was because I wanted to take them to the Lone Star Audio Fest. If not for that they would probably still be raw MDF.
But there are not graphs! gr-research.com/av-o.aspx 2-way bass reflex design Simple parallel network 1 inch GR-T3 soft dome tweeter M-130 5.25 inch composite paper woofer with phase plug type dust cap, polymer chassis, and vented Kapton voice coil Frequency response is as good as +/-1.75dB -3dB is 50Hz Sensitivity is 86 dB (1watt/1m) Recommended amplification is 8-100 watts RMS Impedance 8 ohms nominal with a 6.5 ohm minimal dip Dimensions: 35.75 " h (plus base and floor spikes) x 7" w x 7 " d.
I’m intrigued by these but I can’t find any dims or specs (even on GR Research page). What are the physical dimensions? How about freq. range. Front/rear ported or enclosed? Thanks in advance!
@@LorDarkGoose hi,, Yes initially it did nothing for me the first day,, but won me over in a w/ end,, and around 6 weeks after that I noticed a more subtle change,, the sound became more complete somehow, then adding the PA3, have bigger overall presence, but the SA3 alone is good enough for normal rooms, hope this helps you out,, all the best.
Hey good evening Ron 🧐. So you will be reviewing the Encores... Excellent. But how about you review the regular versus the modded ones plus your additional take on the AV-O while you are at it. If you plan on a full AV-O review then perhaps a mini take on them. Or a three way comparison. Really do appreciate the time you take to do these videos. And nice hat.
Love this video. I wonder if the add on power amp monoblock for the Iota VX would bring that bass authority and density the SVS has already but maintain the sweet upper range
I have the SA3 & PA3, I'm not sure how they would be with the AV/O's, but I can attest to them putting that pounding power into your chest with Bass and mid's, an the highs are sweet... but I'm using a Bucharest Audio S400's. I think anyone would have a hard time finding such a QUALITY stack SA3&PA3 for the same price! Prices are super sweet do to the fact, it's a DIRECT SALES model... not Disruptors to add on cost, no dealers to add on cost, etc., In the USA if these where sold locally, you would be seeing it price(s) being stepped on 3-6x. These are differently a wonderful value, both the IOTA's and the Buchardt's.... the DIRECT sales approach save YOU money and which give you more for your money. I call it Audiophile Saving! I'm old school, If I can't hear the difference I'm not going to pay the difference! Friends of mine have systems in excess of $15K, and tp tell you the truth I'm NOT MISSING ANYTHING! Thanks for your review....... I love DOWN TO EARTH REVIEWS.
Another great video.. Very useful information. Especially for someone looking to start their audiophile journey on limited budget and jump into excellent sound.
Ron, I feel the same way about some speakers that I built, that u do about those omni's in this video. I can see how hard that u r trying to express what they can do, and I have been there. It's really hard to get anyone to follow suit unless they can hear them first. BTW, I happen to know that u have a secret crush on Diana Krall.
Pretty excited for when this whole Covid19 business is over with. I've got a friend who's going to cut the boards up for me for those AVOs. Ron, what material do you recommend to use? Some sort of composite wood or something else?
MDF is definitely the cheapest and easiest to work with. The only caveat being that painting edges is can be a pain. I would suggest cutting 45* angles at the joints to avoid issues with paint. It takes a bit more work and precision, but the results are worth it. I definitely recommend using a respirator when cutting MDF though. There will be a lot of particulate in the air. Safety goggles aren't a bad idea either.
So basically it's Sugar Ray Leonard VS Marvin Hagler. Leonard won that fight on points but after watching it a few dozen times, and despite being a Leonard fan at the time, it looked more like a tie.
Wharfdale diamonds sell for $300 then pick them pick new rega or rotel or sprout integrated or vintage Scott tube integrated or the tube intergrated that Steve Gutenberg liked from China
I would biamp. Just use the app that has the better bottom for the bottom and the amp that has the better and more Airy top end for the top and then you'll have the best of both worlds with what you have.😁
Could not see what those 2 amp/streaming whatever looked like. I don't want or need so I'm not going to look any of this up. But still I like to be informed. Talking about the speakers you sounded both like it is to buy or you took it apart and bought mdf to make new cases? How much does any of it cost besides statement of less than $1k. Bit of a mess overall and product is not well shown or IMHO!
The Otticas are on a completely different level. It’s not really a fair competition. However, at $250 for the basic kit, the AV-O’s are an insane bargain and super fun speaker!
Sorry I meant 8006. I bought one. It seems to have well isolated chassis, but not quite as anal as the Yamaha AS3100, but does have nice big toroidal transformer and over size caps.To my untrained ear it seems to cover the spectrum well and produce almost no noise and drives my RP600Ms well along with the towers and bass. It never gets hot but I never dial it above 50% on the digital volume control either. Turned up all the way one hears to white noise. And playing a tune with a huge initial demand you only hear that note and nothing else. Klipch's seem to settle quickly as does my sub woofer. But what do I know, I'm not the pro. Maybe I'll try my iPhone db meter to see what it gets.
@@Newrecordday2013 ah; thanks for the reply; would you recommend the AVOs also for small listening spaces without a sub? room is 13x11 feet in which I position the listeningspace in a 10 (horizontal) x11ft area of the room I am from germany and can not order tooo often due to shipping lol
@@Newrecordday2013 also I love your vision making this your full time commitment; you have a great community and you bring a lot of value to the marketplace. I have no doubt that you will make it ;)
