Shakeydeal

If you shop smart you can find a used pair of Forte IVs in your price range. I would think they will be a better replacement for the Tritons.

I wouldn't place them against the wall because of the passive radiator. But they will work well 4-6" off the wall. It still sounds like a lot of space for Fortes to fill. But that's subjective, depending on how loud you listen and your expectations. I had Forte IIIs in a 416 sq. ft. room and although they sounded good, just could not pressurize it the way I like.

I think you have made a good choice to go with a Heritage speaker. If I'm reading this right, the length of your room is ~40'? If so, that's a pretty big room for the Fortes. What is the width? I know you said the CW was too wide, but it can be as close to the wall as the Forte and still sound pretty good. It will certainly fill that big space much better. But I'll go you one better. If a CW will fit, so will a lascala. I'm a little curious what you were powering the Infinity speakers with? Those aren't very friendly to low powered amps. Whatever you decide, going from 88db sensitivity speakers to 99db is going to be quite a treat.

Oops, you are right. I was thinking 10 VOLTS! My faux pas...

Not sure I understand what you are saying. If the Leak amp had a 10mV input sensitivity, you would need a preamp with a s&*t ton of gain. So you are saying the Croft had LOTS of gain?

Yeah, just no gain.

I almost bought one of those. But it’s not an active preamp, it has no gain. I’ve heard really good things about it. I spoke with Ed on the phone, really nice guy.

I know what they used to call that when I was in high school. But you certainly put it more, shall we say, delicately.....

But, but…..speakers don’t break in…..

Helluva deal for someone. And I was just up in your neck of the woods last weekend picking up a car. I would have taken you up on it if I had known. GLWS

I'm sure they will fill in with more hours. My old CW IVs improved quite a bit with break in.

So what are your first impressions?

Everything vibrates. YOU are vibrating right now as you read this. Vibration control is a real thing and most every component in your system benefits from it if you are willing to put forth the effort. It's also another reason why massive entertainment centers are detrimental to the sound. What you sit your components on matters, so why wouldn't you expect vibration control to benefit speakers?

2022 Genesis G70

I did something similar to a pair of Von Schweikert VR4 Silvers back in the 90s by using a semi inflated bicycle inner tube. It did make a difference.

This followed me home.....

I don’t have any thoughts on the cartridge. But I do have thoughts on your thread. You might get more action on it if posted in a more appropriate sub forum.

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I’m not going to be an apologist or a fan boi. No speaker is perfect. But as I type this, I’m grooving to some Joe Bonomassa on my LS IIs with an ear to ear grin. Resonance and all, I’m still digging ‘em.

Good point.