Indian Make Amps & Spkrs

u got to visit Arasu Kumar's place..
an awesome setup..
here's just a photo of his products
(only the beige one is the speaker designed by me)



his power amps and 6 channel Pre



This setup is probably one of the best i have heard..
and in HT it is clearly the best on demo anywhere in bangalore..

You could try PULZ RS 250 Power Amp by R & S Electronics. (i use one). They make beautiful amps.

In Bangalore they're available at Music Ranch, Jayanagar.

Woah Ben! that setup sure looks impressive...will get in touch with Mr. Arasu...and also check out Music Ranch and Audio Planet...thanx guys!

Also, do you suggest going for a pre-amp?

do also PM viren and drop in for an audition.

The only reasonably priced speakers made by Indians which I like are made by Viren (lyrita audio) and Acoustic portrait. You have really great speakers done by Cadence and Rethm but the good ones cost a bomb. These are in a totally different league than main stream brands like Sonodyne. You can’t even compare them. First of all, they are voiced for music and parts are top notch typically found in branded speakers costing double the amount. They can give you a taste of hi-end sound at entry level prices. Both are done by people who are quite passionate about music – serious hobbyists who know their stuff. I searched for almost an year and settled down with the MS 301 from Acostic portrait. I have had the opportunity to conduct comparisons extensively in the same room with speakers costing about a lakh like Linn and Proac and I found these competing very favorably at around half the price. Try them out. You may like them.
www.acousticportrait.com
I can’t comment on Arasu Kumar’s speakers as I have not heard them. Make sure you do some comparisons with a reference speaker in the same room with the same electronics before you come to any conclusions. Audio can be very confusing especially if you listen in different environments. I was lucky enough to be able to do comparisons and decide. Siva actually lets you bring any brand speaker to his listening room to do comparisons…..

For amps I seriously suggest you go for branded like Nad, Cambridge audio, Musical fidelity, Rotel or tube amps from Lyrita audio. I doubt anybody makes real good solid state amps in India.
BTW: Viren from Lyrita and Siva of AP are members of this forum.

Have heard both the Acoustic portraits and the Sonodynes.
Make no mistake that the acoustic potraits are good spaekers but hardly justify a price tag of 50k.

Sachi,
which ones cost 50K? The MS-301?

Yes.if i recall correctly, its around 50k plus 12.5% taxes extra

Hi Soulforged,

If you're coming to Delhi, do stop by, and listen to what Lyrita Audio has to offer.

You don't have to commit to anything; just come and listen to some good music!

Viren.

Yes Ronnie they cost around that much. But they come with materials and sound you will never get anywhere around this price if you buy branded. Apart from breathtakingly good sound, you get real wood veneer, very thick – well braced cabinets (bad light weight cabinets are the main culprits in entry/mid level branded speakers which causes boom) and elaborate stainless steel tri-spikes. The drivers and cross-over is top notch (usually found in speakers costing twice) and it involved years of careful voicing (fine tuning and listening) to achieve the sound you get from them. I find it worth every penny I paid. But remember that all products have a signature sound. A dynaudio speaker differs from a proac or from a linn. So you need to listen and find if you like the sound. I personally find the AP MS 301 to be on the warm side of neutral. I have heard them on linn, MF, Plinius and Nad electronics with pretty similar experience.

No Squarewave you got me wrong. They are definitely not over priced compared to the commercial speakers but could be overpriced if one plans to procure the drivers and make the speakers with a self-designed xover.

Actually even i procured the vifa d25ag and P17wj from Siva and built my speakers. And i now believe that they have grown upon me and sound absolutely delicious. Thats why i recommend ppl to give the AP speakers an audition even though i have yet to hear them myself.

I have tried my speakers with both the amps i own, a NAd and an old Marantz and both have their peculiarities. For late night musical sorties involving vocals and classical, i prefer the Marantz and for upfront rock or reggae, i partner them with the nad.

BTW what are the drivers used in the ms-301? And what do you partner the AP speakers with?

Hi Viren,

Is there any way i can get to audition your valve amp in Chennai? do let me know. Having heard some much about them already has whet my apetite

Hi Viren,

Thanks for inviting me over. I would give you a call once I land in Delhi.

I appreciate you saying that no commitments required

Hi Ronnie,
I understand if you calculate like that, it is a different story. If you calculate any hi-end speaker based on cost of materials they will be worth just 25 percent of the cost. In that way the AP and Lyrita gives you a much better deal too.
I definitely agree with you that you that you can build your own speakers with imported drivers and a proven crossover which will beat most entry level speakers. Yours and benkenobi’s speakers are perfect examples. But very few can undertake an adventure like that. Most don’t have the time or even the inclination. But then again, when it comes to fine tuning and finer details, you may lose out when you compare with a well designed speaker like the MS 301 or Lyrita. Well I guess it is a budget/availability/priority equation which everybody needs to solve themselves and come to conclusions.
I really don’t remember the driver model numbers exactly. I have the details somewhere. Will send you a PM shortly.
I partner them with NAD electronics and kimber cabling.

Has anyone heard Corrssun's Kit - TC2? Are they good? I would love to hear them and assemble them myself.

Ronnie22 schrieb:

No Squarewave you got me wrong. They are definitely not over priced compared to the commercial speakers but could be overpriced if one plans to procure the drivers and make the speakers with a self-designed xover.

Ronnie,

You are correct. Infact the Corrson-PR1 is a kit version of MS-301. There are few differences in terms of quality of few components used, the overall asthetics and the manufacturing process.

The difference between them are subtle, but critical for creating the harmonic structure more accurately. It is always the last mile that is difficult to achieve...hence making the small improvement in MS-301, more expensive by 15K. However, its not just the acoustics improvement, but also a few asthetic enhancements that adds to the cost.

If you are on a overall budget of around 1 - 1.5 lakhs (for all electronics, speakers and cables), then PR1 (Rs. 33K and 37K for factory assembled) is a better bet. You can use the money saved on the speakers to better the electronics. This approach will bring more bang-for-buck than buying an MS-301.

However, if you have the budget (either now or planned for future) for even better electronics (like MF A 3.2 pre & power/Sugden A21/Cadence-EL34 based amp, etc.,) you can choose the AP-301, because the differences in quality comes handy..

As you know Audio is all about gain and compromise...the options that we provide has helped many customers make better decisions the fits well into thier personal financial positions, at the same time maximing thier investment !!

Cheers
Siva.

benkenobi schrieb:

Have heard both the Acoustic portraits and the Sonodynes. Make no mistake that the acoustic potraits are good spaekers but hardly justify a price tag of 50k.

Benks,

I just read your comments (in another thread) that your speakers perform comparable to Proac (Give Proac D15 a run).

We also use VIFA like yourself, but somehow we seem only to better Sonodyne...

Maybe you could train us...so that we can also design and make good speakers like yourself. Maybe then it will be worth 50K...

Hopefully we will be able to afford your valuable services..


Cheers
Siva.

[quote="sivat"][quote="benkenobi"]


Maybe you could train us...so that we can also design and make good speakers like yourself. Maybe then it will be worth 50K...

Cheers
Siva.[/quote]


areu jokin sivaaa.. hey man i think u are damn experienced in designing the right stuff.

Anway siva I would like to discuss regarding some acoustics and room treatment. Let me know your opinion...

cheers,
Sandeep
9393721411

sivat schrieb:

benkenobi schrieb: Have heard both the Acoustic portraits and the Sonodynes. Make no mistake that the acoustic potraits are good spaekers but hardly justify a price tag of 50k. Benks, I just read your comments (in another thread) that your speakers perform comparable to Proac (Give Proac D15 a run). We also use VIFA like yourself, but somehow we seem only to better Sonodyne... Maybe you could train us...so that we can also design and make good speakers like yourself. Maybe then it will be worth 50K... Hopefully we will be able to afford your valuable services.. Cheers Siva.

You fail to consider the fact that mine is an active 3 way setup while the Proac is a 2 way passive setup..
With A plinius or Sugden or Arasu's Amps powering my speakers i am very confident that my speakers can beat most of the main stream brands.

If your speakers can better only Sonodyne then that's your problem. Ur design could be flawed.

Btw, ur MS-301 is no competition to mine..

Were'nt you the one who said that i would not be able to design a 3 way speaker and instead said that i should go for a kit..
maybe that was because you were selling kits and wanted some desperate sales..

Yuo think you are the only guy who can deesign speakers(i hardly think that you did)

IN fact there are many designs comprising the same drivers you have used in ur so called flagship speakers..
there is not telling if you just replicated one of those...

My project has taken almost a year and it is still not complete..I too have still not finished with tweaking and fine tuning, so don't underestimate my capabilities..

Besides you are selling drivers at a premium by exploiting the single reason that these drivers are not available here.
and for all i know they must be B or C stock ones..

For all you self proclaimed Demi Gods of audio just remember the fact that there is always someone who knows more than you..so don't think you can bull shit here and talk crap.

Just for al those who are curious as to know how much my systenm's going to cost..
It will be around 2k less than 25k..
This includes an active xover with a six channel amp..

Benks, just referring to your sig. - Fear leads to Anger. Anger leads to Hate. Hate leads to suffering.

You sound angry my friend.

or all you self proclaimed Demi Gods of audio just remember the fact that there is always someone who knows more than you..so don't think you can bull shit here and talk crap.

Er... are you implying that you're that someone who knows more than all those self proclaimed Demi-Gods?

Dear Shahrukh

I don't thinks Benks is angry. I think he is just stating plain facts.

There is a huge difference in the cost price & selling price as in the case of any industry. Which would be beneficial, to the courageous & technically inclined. I believe Ronnie & Sachi are some of the few on this forum who have proved beyond a doubt that DIY is alive and well on planet earth !

Yes ! There are a whole lot of really technically competent people on this forum, not only in speaker enclosure design but also in driver design. One just has to go through the thread "Speaker Design & Building What Is It All About ?" on this forum, to see what is being referred to...... Maknek, Viren, Deaf....to name a few.....

Regards,

Junia.

benkenobi schrieb:

My project has taken almost a year and it is still not complete..I too have still not finished with tweaking and fine tuning, so don't underestimate my capabilities..

Wow...since when did a request for training become so offensive. We really thought you could help us.....but i guess your answer is a "NO" :-((

Someday maybe you will change your mind ...

BTW those are nice speakers from Mr. Arasu...he is also a good friend of ours. Did you know those laminates are sourced from us. I remember once you had said that they look great..... we will console ourself in the fact that atleast there is one complement for one of our products (all thought indirectly...and yes i know we cannot take the full credit either !!).

Cheers
Siva.

sivat schrieb:

benkenobi schrieb: My project has taken almost a year and it is still not complete..I too have still not finished with tweaking and fine tuning, so don't underestimate my capabilities.. Wow...since when did a request for training become so offensive. We really thought you could help us.....but i guess your answer is a "NO" :-(( Someday maybe you will change your mind ... BTW those are nice speakers from Mr. Arasu...he is also a good friend of ours. Did you know those laminates are sourced from us. I remember once you had said that they look great..... we will console ourself in the fact that atleast there is one complement for one of our products (all thought indirectly...and yes i know we cannot take the full credit either !!). Cheers Siva.

Yes, i know that those laminate stickers are from you and i know that Arasu is a good friend of yours...But, that is not the only finish that Arasu has on his speakers..
But that too is a bit in my opinion costly at 58 and 12.5% tax.
I too used PVC stick on laminates similar to those that you sell on my speakers..but guess what, i spent only 15 bucks per square feet..Am not saying that your speakers are inferior or anything.i have acknowlededged that your speakers are good..i know cause i have heard them on more than one occasion ..just that they could be sold for a lesser price.

Shahrukh schrieb:

Benks, just referring to your sig. - Fear leads to Anger. Anger leads to Hate. Hate leads to suffering. You sound angry my friend. or all you self proclaimed Demi Gods of audio just remember the fact that there is always someone who knows more than you..so don't think you can bull shit here and talk crap. Er... are you implying that you're that someone who knows more than all those self proclaimed Demi-Gods?

No dude..am not angry..just pointing out the obvious truth that some people choose to ignore.

Well, Hypotheticaly speaking yes..it is possible that i know about somethings more than others but you may know about somethings more than me..But we both should remmeber the fact that there is someone who knows more about it.

however, i take it that you mean in audio..for that my answer is, no..i am just a beginner who is enthusiatic and enjoy audio and audio gadgets..am not worried about the goal..i am not worried about finishing my speakers and amps..it is more about the journey for me..that is what is worth all the effort i have put over the past year.
I could have made a wooden box and finished the amp in a matter of a few days.. instead i have decided to go for a metal case..i know it is tough and challenging..But with some help i stand to gain a lot of knowledge..that makes the effort worth while and satisfying.

hi Ben what u said is right there is some one out there who knows much better than us.

First of all I really appreciate about ur commitment regading the speaker building. Im gald to have a friend like you. So when can I come for audition?

cheers,
Sandeep

hi
do check out Indian manufacturers for speakers only.
www.spaceaudioinc.com & http://www.sanenaudio.com/
these are very good.
hope that helps

once I ve auditioned space subw at music ranch but velodynes used to be much better. The space sub was just swinging it desnt have that punch. I think there is some problem with with the driver itself at the same time its having foam surround for the driver which is too bad for the subwoofer.

I would like to go with the velodynes rather than space but even the velos were not that much deep impacting. So u have to go with the higher end velos or so...

cheers,
Sandeep

Thanks for bringing this up.
Iam closing out mostly on a Pulz (pre/power rs100/rs250)
combo to be connected to a pair of mirage nanosats spkrs.
Presently i have a nad320bee + book shelf Spks from Corrsons (acoutic potrait)and cheapo philips CD player.
Tape deck is ancient technics.Used to have a Cosmic Lab 3000,Lab6000 and K8 Tape Deck .LP players - 2 Cosmic TT's
-one with a SME arm.Now the complete Cosmics + Bevox SPks(Floor standers - Bolton Spks) are rusting in peace.[quote]

The India amp I LUST for the Canasya surely very exp but in the MAD world one of the best tube amp's ever build in the league of the CAT, Jadis JA80, Joule Electra.....

A Killer design, lush sound and HOW!!!!


Satyam.

Not really Indian make but...

I checked out Wharfedale speakers just coz I was in the neighbourhood...I really liked their Diamond 9.4...very good response to low freq sound and an overall warmer bass...priced at 28K...they seemed reasonable...what say?

The guy there was also suggesting Rotel amps...has anybody heard them? How are they?

Also, any feedback on Nakra Brothers?

Thanx!

i have the diamond 8.4s and have heard the diamond 9 series too.
nothing great to write home about. hardly any improvement in the sound. at lesat not enough to justify an additional 5-6k.



Still think that Arasu's MTM floorstanders have the best bass response and bang for buck at around 21k.

The Rotels are good..i mean the Rb-1080(50k or something) and above.
not the small Ra-02s.

those canasya monoblocks ?????

simply divine ! I've heard them on a few occasions...cant get that sound outa my head !

manek.

mahen schrieb:

hi do check out Indian manufacturers for speakers only. www.spaceaudioinc.com & http://www.sanenaudio.com/ these are very good. hope that helps

Hi All
Mahen is quite right,that these Indian brands should be checked out.I may source some empty enclosures from Sanen or Space, for car subwoofers and enclosures built to my spec,for commercial purposes.Spoke to the owner of Sanen in the AV show,and after hearing some of our stuff, seemed quite keen to do quality work for me.I will meet him during the week to work out a commercial proposition.Hope things work out.
Regards Deaf.

benkenobi schrieb:

Still think that Arasu's MTM floorstanders have the best bass response and bang for buck at around 21k.

Hi Benks,

Which one in the photograph (the one you had posted earlier) is the pair for 21K?

Thanks.