Sierra-2 Development Thread

[Dark Ranger]

If all goes as planned, this will be our most significant upgrade yet. ...this will be an optional "uber performance" upgrade, available as factory new or DIY. I am extremely excited about this and have invested a significant sum to make this happen for you guys

This version will firmly place the Sierra-1 into the ranks of the best bookshelf speaker at any price anywhere... Our customers asked for this and we are going to deliver BIG TIME!

We are essentially designing and building custom parts from the ground up and committing to large enough purchase quantities to take maximum advantage of volume discounting to keep price points reasonable.

Emphasis mine. I think the hint is the DIY option, not to mention the "uber performance." That does narrow it down based on what we know from previously mentioned prototype designs.

Yup, Dave knows how to tease us.


Might I add additional possibilities to logicology's list:

• internal Class-H amplification of 2000 watts into 8 ohms (>120 dB SN @ 1 watt)
• chameleon finish options to automatically blend into any decor
• nano technology upgrade for improved sonic performance when evaluated in the realm of quantum mechanics

Whatever it is, I gotta have it!

[qwknuf6]

RAAL tweeter upgrade?

[merrymaid520]

Good news Dave! I'll admit, I am bit nervous.....will this "upgrade" effect the Towers? I really cant swing any more A/V purchases for a while

[Dark Ranger]

Good news Dave! I'll admit, I am bit nervous.....will this "upgrade" effect the Towers? I really cant swing any more A/V purchases for a while

I'm just speculating here, but I believe this optional upgrade is intended for the Sierra-1 monitors. Now with Dave, anything is possible, but the Towers are already Ascend's flagship performer offering exceptional SQ in a 3-way design (plus optional RAAL upgrade). Meanwhile, folks have inquired about a Sierra-1 upgrade and Dave has been working on various designs.

You should be safe...for now.

My bets are on this^^^^ [RAAL tweeter upgrade]

Maybe a custom sized version to fit the sierra-1 cabinet including a revised XO.

Emphasis mine. I remember Dave saying that the current 70-20XR model could not be fitted to a current Sierra-1 cabinet. I have a lot of faith in Dave's ingenuity and engineering skill, but that would take a miracle to accomplish. Then again, this wouldn't be the first miracle he's pulled off.

I'm with all of you; looking forward to future announcements. As I've mentioned before, I just don't have the space for Towers. My Sierra-1 monitors are placed on Auralex MoPads resting on a computer desk. If Ascend can offer an additional upgrade for these puppies (beyond the NrT), I'm going to do everything I can to get it.

When this upgrade is ready, it will be interesting to hear Dave's feedback on the level of performance compared to the Towers. For example, this upgrade will deliver 84.93% of the NrT Tower performance (number pulled from thin air for demo purposes).

Oh, and one more thing: I'm sure we'll have to twist Curtis's arm real hard to stop by the Ascend workshop when Dave is ready for show and tell.

[GirgleMirt]

Oh, and one more thing: I'm sure we'll have to twist Curtis's arm real hard to stop by the Ascend workshop when Dave is ready for show and tell.

I can see Curtis hopping in his Ninja suit and peering inside the windows of the Ascend factory...

[davef]

Good news Dave! I'll admit, I am bit nervous.....will this "upgrade" effect the Towers? I really cant swing any more A/V purchases for a while

Hi Brandon,

No worries ... this will not affect the Sierra Towers.

[natetg57]

Dave, it may be too early to reveal this..but will the 'uber' upgrade be in addition to the nrt upgrade or instead of? any timeframe on the big reveal?

[Mag_Neato]

natetg57,

Dave mentioned in one of his posts starting with post #35 that this would be an upgrade for the standard Sierra-1 as well as the NrT. Which to me means either a ribbon tweeter or woofer change.

[merrymaid520]

Hi Brandon,

No worries ... this will not affect the Sierra Towers.

Thanks Dave! Congrats on the Sierra-1 upgrade, I am sure it will be well worth it for those interested.

[Mag_Neato]

Dave, I have a couple of questions

Will this upgrade cost more than the NrT upgrade?

Is this upgrade non-dependant upon which version we have, i.e. standard Sierra-1 or NrT?

Thanks