Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

GoldenEar BRX (Bookshelf Reference X) loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog source: Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Lingo power supply, Linn Ekos tonearm, Linn Arkiv B cartridge, Channel D Seta L phono preamplifier.
Digital sources: Roon Nucleus+ file server; Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP universal player; PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream, Weiss DAC502, and HoloAudio May D/A processors, Ayre Acoustics QA-9 A/D converter.
Power amplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblocks.
Integrated amplifier: NAD M10.
Loudspeakers: KEF LS50, Vimberg Mino.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Vodka (Ethernet), AudioQuest Coffee (USB), DH Labs (1m, AES/EBU), Esperanto (S/PDIF). Interconnect: AudioQuest Wild Blue (balanced) with Parasounds, AudioQuest Fire (single-ended, with NAD). Speaker: AudioQuest K2. AC: AudioQuest Dragon Source & High Current, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Sanus SF30 loudspeaker stands; Target TT-5 equipment racks; Ayre Acoustics Myrtle Blocks; ASC Tube Traps, RPG Abffusor panels; AudioQuest Niagara 5000 Low-Z Power/Noise-Dissipation System (amplifiers) and AudioQuest Niagara 1000 Low-Z Power/Noise-Dissipation System (source components). AC power comes from two dedicated 20A circuits, each just 6' from breaker box.
Room: 20' (left side), 25' (right side) × 16' × 8'.—John Atkinson

COMPANY INFO
The Quest Group dba GoldenEar Technology
2621 White Rd.
Irvine, CA 92614
(949)790-6000
goldenear.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 12:43pm

As a less expensive alternative to Parasound JC1+, one of the good choices would be the Mark Levinson 5805 integrated amp ...... Stereophile measurements show ML 5805 can handle 2 Ohm loads :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 12:55pm

Thank you JA2 for reviewing the ML 5805 and doing the 'heavy lifting' :-) .......

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 1:14pm

JA1 should include the ML 5805 as one of his reference (integrated) amplifiers as a part of his reference amplifier arsenal :-) .........

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 1:31pm

Is it possible for JA1 to do the EPDR measurements in retrospect, for at least some of the class-A speakers? ...... The impedance and phase measurements are already available for those speakers :-) ......

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 1:44pm

JA1 says, "I don't have time for that EPDR measurements ..... Go buy the Parasound JC1+ amps" ....... Just kidding .... Just kidding :-) .......

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on August 20, 2020 - 2:01pm
Bogolu Haranath wrote:
Is it possible for JA1 to do the EPDR measurements in retrospect, for at least some of the class-A speakers?

I have started doing that. The Volti Razz review now has the EPDR figures - https://www.stereophile.com/content/volti-audio-razz-loudspeaker-measurements - and I will be adding more as time goes by.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 2:08pm
Thank you JA1 ...... You are a gentleman and a scholar :-)
Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 3:27pm

TG liked the sound of Volti Razz speakers better with the Bel Canto e1X amp ...... EPDR measurements explain the reason in a better way :-) .......

Anton's picture
Submitted by Anton on August 20, 2020 - 2:31pm

I love 'stand mounts.'

They make for easy in n' out for switching speakers, which makes for awesome shoot outs!

These seem like winners.

I've been ogling the Legacy Calibre, too.

I also watch for Sonus Faber Extremas, but the have simply refused to depreciate worth a damn!

Thanks again for this review. Any chance you will keep it around for more comparisons?

Last question: Would have any working memory of the Crystal Cable Arabesque speaker for a few comparison comments?

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 2:49pm

Crystal Cable Arabesque speakers ($20,000/pair) are certainly memorable for their looks :-) .......

Anton's picture
Submitted by Anton on August 20, 2020 - 3:06pm

Good work, man.

;-D

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 20, 2020 - 3:44pm

Another audio component whose beauty is only skin deep :-) ........

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on August 21, 2020 - 4:16am
Anton wrote:
Thanks again for this review.

You're welcome.

Anton wrote:
Any chance you will keep it around for more comparisons?

Herb Reichert now has the BRXes for a possible followup review.

Anton wrote:
Last question: Would have any working memory of the Crystal Cable Arabesque speaker for a few comparison comments?

Too many speakers have passed through my listening room for me to be able to offer any thoughts on the comparison. Sorry.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 21, 2020 - 9:32am

My 'crystal ball' says, HR likes the sound of BRX with LKV PWR+ and Bel Canto REF600M ...... Both have 3rd harmonic distortion and both can handle 2 Ohm loads :-) ......

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 21, 2020 - 2:47pm

BTW .... May be HR could do a follow-up review of the Parasound A21+ ($3,000) :-) .......

remlab's picture
Submitted by remlab on August 21, 2020 - 12:42pm

By what Sandy Gross and company pull off for the price. I don't care where its made. Exceptional engineering, design, and quality control.

remlab's picture
Submitted by remlab on August 23, 2020 - 10:39am

they usually don't measure this well. Very similar to the Elac, at least in this case

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 23, 2020 - 10:38am

It would be a good idea, if GoldenEar uses the same tweeter for their top model speakers :-) ......

remlab's picture
Submitted by remlab on August 23, 2020 - 10:42am

to subjectively compensate for the extremely deep bass response on the other models

Bogolu Haranath's picture
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on August 23, 2020 - 10:50am

Some of the young people who can hear up to and above 15 kHZ, have complained about harsh treble in GoldenEar top models in the Stereophile web forum :-) .......

remlab's picture
Submitted by remlab on August 23, 2020 - 10:38am

Especially in how it relates to the loudspeaker's efficiency is much, much better than the Elac

remlab's picture
Submitted by remlab on August 23, 2020 - 10:46am

and I examine everything he does with a keen interest, but Sandy's got him beat on this one.

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