The age old question????

[Sam1000]

http://www.amazon.com/Lovan-Affiniti...3896860&sr=1-3

[arkiedan]

Anne-Sophie Mutter is one of my favs. It wasn't until I got my Ascends that I could hear her little breath intakes just before she starts a phrase on the Carmen-Fantasie album. Her playing on the Mozart Violin Concertos 3 &5 when she was just 13 is astounding, not for her chops, but for her mature musicality.

Yeah, a friend and I were arguing at lunch a couple weeks ago about which was the better violinist, Anne-Sophie or Sarah Chang. I finally convinced him that Anne-Sophie was far more beautiful and thus, the better player. Unscientific I know but.....

I love the opera, Carmen and her album, Carmen-Fantasie.

As for stands? If I go with the Sierras I've decided on the VTI UF 29" Cast Iron 29 stands. Since I got the cherry finish I think the satin finish will compliment the Sierras well. 29" because I'm now using some cheap old 24" stands and they're a little too low for my taste. They also have matching center speaker stands, which I'll be using.

arkiedan

[pkzaher]

I found very few piano black stands myself. Is there any advantages with metal over wood sound wise?

[curtis]

I found very few piano black stands myself. Is there any advantages with metal over wood sound wise?

no difference at all when it comes to stands.

[curtis]

arkiedan,

How is the listening coming along?

[arkiedan]

arkiedan,

How is the listening coming along?

Hello Curtis,

Oh the unfairness of it all! Yesterday I developed an ear infection and I'm sitting here right now with medication and a cotton ball stuffed in my left ear, suffering from pain like a severe toothache. Since I can't hear out of that ear I can't do any listening. Annoying!

On the plus side I sent the Aperions back and ordered a center Sierra just yesterday (after I went to the doctor!) They were fine-sounding speakers but IMO not on the level of the Sierras.

I love these Sierras! I don't think I've ever really heard such fine detail before. I'm listening more and more to string trios, piano sonatas and such. Man! It's like they're playing right there in the TV room. When I get both ears back I want to post a little more about my listening experiences because I am now a believer.

I've gotten some funny reactions to the Sierras from my wife and several friends. They walk into the TV room, see the diminuative Sierras, and think I'm joking. All they've ever seen are my old AR9s which were 5' tall and weighed 130 pounds. Their amusement turned to amazement though when I started the system up. Then they understood.

By the way, they're sitting on a pair of these:

VTI RF29 Cast Iron 29 inch Speaker Stands

Got them here:

http://www.standsandmounts.com

I was worried about the triple legs but these things are good-looking and rock-solid. I didn't even add sand they're so steady. The black satin color goes well with the cherry Sierras and the little logos on the bases are a classy touch.

Now I've got to design and build a stand to mount the center over the screen of my Sony RP. I don't want a wall mount so I'm going to modify a TV-mounted tray I ordered from Amazon. It's a good design but needs further reinforcement to keep the screen and mirror from being affected by the speaker's weight. I've done the drawings and now to get the materials. Hope to have it done when the center arrives next week.

Well, as you can see, I'm a long-winded old guy. I'll post back with my auditioning results when I can hear from both ears again in a day or two.

arkiedan

[curtis]

Thanks for the update.

Hope you get over the ear infection quickly so you can get back to enjoying the system!

[GPeaslee]

Hi arkiedan,

You went down the same path that I recently did. I never actually listened to the Aperions, but I spoke to them. After speaking with David, I went with the Sierra's. He convinced me that the quality of components in the Sierra's were better (not made in China), and you've got to love those bamboo cabinets. I was replacing my 20 year old Celestion bookshelf speakers which were wall mounted. Since the Sierra's were almost the same size, it made for a very easy installation. I also have the Sierra 1 center. Having 3 matching speakers across the front has made a huge difference for movies and 5.1 channel music. I also went with Epik but chose dual Sentinels. These replaced a Hsu VTF-2, and all I can say is that it was a major upgrade. I am also finding that the more I listen to the Sierra's, the better they sound. Maybe this is due to speaker break-in or maybe it is just my ear being re-trained to the benefits of a state-of-the-art modern speaker. Anyway, the bottom line is I love the combination of the Sierra's with the Epik Sentinels, and I am sure you will too.

[arkiedan]

Well, my "Swimmer's Ear" is finally gone after three weeks, two visits to a specialist and medication that cost more than a good pair of surround speakers! I can once again listen to my new Sierras and I'm loving it.

Now to decide whether to mount the center above or below the screen? Right now it's below and I'm not toally happy with that configuation. I need to figure out an easy way to mount it temporarily above the screen for test purposes.

Oh well....off to Atlanta for a week. See you all later.

arkiedan

[scape]

Well, my "Swimmer's Ear" is finally gone after three weeks, two visits to a specialist and medication that cost more than a good pair of surround speakers! I can once again listen to my new Sierras and I'm loving it.

this happened to me when i finally setup my speakers; took 2-3 weeks to get back to normal hearing-- and upset me the whole time haha. now i use white distilled vinegar (maybe 5%) and no q-tips. never has happened again.