Trio15 with Voxativ PiFe
This build was a unique experience for us as the customer asked to use the Voxativ PiFe wood cone driver, that to date we did not try…
Well, we took that challenge and a week after, a set of drivers were installed on our in-house Trio15.
Our Series Topology XO was made ready to AC-1.6 configuration and as all was connected and set was turned on, it was clear we need to reduce the L value a bit to get the high bass / low mid to place. L2 was removed too and that’s it ! All the rest stayed without a change ! Trio15 Voxativ PiFe started singing and did it 24/7 for a week ! Full body but with all the finesse Voxativ drivers have ! True sonic heaven.
Dismounting the drivers and sending them was not easy but knowing what pleasure these will provide their new owners compensated on the ‘missing’ feeling…
We thank Tim for making the choice and after receiving the speakers sending us pictures and feedback.
Since then Trio15 Voxativ PiFe grew to be one of our most popular and raved speakers.
———- Tim First Feedback ———-
I have listened to both the Voxativ PiFe driver and the woofers separately and can state with certainty that there is magic in the crossover network. The system is extremely precise throughout the frequency range. Time-phase errors are nonexistent (to my ears). The sound is highly engaging. I haven’t yet experienced any listener fatigue. To the contrary. I’ve had to drag myself away from listening sessions.
I have several sets of speakers, including the Gallo Reference 3.1s and Magnepan 1.7s pictured. Fine speakers all, but since the PureAudioProject set arrived, I’ve been contemplating unloading the other speakers and therewith about half of my rig. I really listen only to your set anymore. My usual listening position is 9-10′ from each baffle, with the speakers spaced 9′ apart. Some might consider this nearfield but I get extremely good imaging, with a beautiful soundstage.
Normally I run the speakers with a Nagra Jazz (tube) preamp feeding either a First Watt F2/J (an F2 into which Nelson Pass has inserted the SemiSouth input JFETs) or an Audio Note 300b amp (shown tubeless at the moment). I have also used a custom bel canto Fidelio (tube) preamp that’s had the full Ace Tomato Company treatment by Matt Cramer and a one-off original Fi Audio preamp built by Don Garber. The F2/J is my favorite solid-state amp with these speakers. I run the Gallos through a Cary preamp and monoblocks, and the Magnepans through a custom 4P1L (triode) preamp made by Radu Tarta and a Bryston 4BSST2. It’s these last two configurations that I may move on from.
Usually I transfer LPs to half-track 1/4″ tape via a modified Technics 1500 R2R and DeHavilland 222 repro head stage. Playback is through either the Technics or Tascam 3030 decks. A TEAC X2000M mastering deck backs up all through a Bottlehead Repro Tube Headamp. So I mostly listen to tape, then SACD/CD. I like jazz, classical, modern, rock, electronic – pretty much everything, but especially if it’s well-recorded.
———- Tim Second Feedback (few month after) ———-
Ze’ev,
I love the speakers. Love them. I find them perfect for me. I’ve usually had a revolving suite of 6-8 different sets at a time and it’s been a pain. Hard to move around, sell, ship (especially Magnepans), and drove my wife crazy. That has ended. The flexibility inherent in the open baffle concept and your business model mean that this is the last and final speaker system for me. I wake up looking forward to exploring fascinating new sounds every day. Thank you!
Nelson gives several possible configurations for including the F4 in such a setup and I’ll try those too. May need to hack up a few cables in the process, as some are fairly non-standard! ?, Timothy W., USA”