aperfectcircle

Forte II with Crites upgrades, maybe? Not sure if cost used where you are.

Thanks, man. Did you consider one of the McIntosh hybrid amps?

Any SE tube amps you would recommend, or particular designs/tubes? The 300B seems very popular.

I feel you, man. Had KT120s arrive 2 days ago, and absolutely loving them. That bass is incredible - I keep thinking I have the sub on - and they are much sweeter than the KT88 in the midrange. Think I’m sticking with tubes!

Thanks man, the SE to SE/PP to PP experience is good to know. This would be a PP to PP change. What are your thoughts on shifting from KT88 to KT120 power tubes?

I have the Cornwall IV with about 150 hours on them. Haven’t noticed any sibilance. Just gave that Norah Jones track a listen and I’m hearing absolutely stunning vocals with a great 3D presence and very delicate mic pick up of her breath and vocal imperfections. Listened via Apple Music 24/96 via a Cambridge Audio CXN to PrimaLuna Dialogue HP integrated.

Seeking experiences and perspectives on shifting from a tube integrated to class A solid state for Cornwall IV. I currently have a PrimaLuna Dialogue HP integrated with several sets of EL34 and one of the Gold Lion KT88. I use this for music, switching to a Yamaha A810 for TV duty. A Rythmik F12G provides extra bass duty (I meander between sub or no sub for stereo depending on mood). I absolutely love the PL, but have been using the Yamaha more often lately for less focused music listening to run the Cornwall in. I’ve noticed the Yamaha delivering a deeper and more controlled bass than the tubes, but with harsh mids and highs. This has got me lusting after the Luxman L-590AXII, wondering if I can get a best of both worlds. The improved bass presence with the lush and silky mids and highs. Anyone by chance heard the two or similar with thoughts?

Agreed! I wouldn’t even go for used Heritage; grab a pair of reference bookshelves if only for background music. RB81s would do the trick

Forte III to Cornwall IV I was lucky to get a trade in offer for full price on what I paid for the Forte III to upgrade to the Cornwall IV. It was a no brainer deal, so I had to take it up. Those that say the Cornwall is like a Forte on steroids aren’t wrong. They deliver a bigger presentation more effortlessly. The word I keep coming back to with the Cornwall is delicacy. Slightly ironic given the sheer size of these speakers. They are massive. But as large as they are, the craftsmanship is impeccable. The shift to a polymide compression driver in the midrange is immediately noticeable; the scale of the larger mid horn is perfectly complimented by the silky smoothness of that driver. Vocals and instruments are effortlessly natural, presented on a wide and deep soundstage. Imaging is tighter, particularly noticeable on good recordings. Bass is a bit different with the Cornwall. It’s bigger, cleaner and deeper, but initially feels weaker than the Forte. That might be due to the rear passive on the Forte creating extra bass reinforcement, or possibly the tuning with the passive or the prior crossover design creating a mid bass bump. However, the Cornwall feels more balanced overall and the bass feels more natural. Drums are ethereal. For double the price I paid for the Forte (it’s now priced higher), the upgrade was absolutely worth it. The music is bigger, more natural and lifelike, and more detailed. It’s more delicate and warmer, more nuanced. Gear: Cornwall IV PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated Gold Lion KT88 Gold Lion 12AU7 Cambridge Audio CXN v2 Project 2Xpression Benz-Micro Ace SL Project TubeBox SE II

Just chiming in with my experience. Running a PrimaLuna Dialogue HP integrated and Cornwall IVs arrived today to replace Forte III. Left them running for 3 hours, now with an another 2 hours listening, and absolutely no concerns with bass. I have a Rythmik F12G sub, but so far have left it off. Am not wanting of bass with the CIVs on their own. Room is 5.5m x 4.5m (sorry my non metric friends) with the speakers along the longer wall. I have them a bit out from the walls and currently toed in to cross every so slightly in front of the MLP. @Chief bonehead You’ve done it again, man!

Couldnt be happier, except when the whiskey runs dry

Well... they have arrived. The Forte IIIs - first shipment to NZ docked Tuesday night, and the dealer managed to convince the distributor to let me pick up straight from the warehouse on Wednesday. Had to fly out on business that night, so only got a few hours listening in, but back today and halfway through a nice bottle of Australian red while having a good listen. What a massive improvement on the RF 82-IIs I had - immediately noticed much sharper imaging and an absolutely massive soundstage. Vocals are just incredible on these. Currently have them around 40cm/15" out from the rear wall, toed in pointing straight on the listening position. Will play around with placement after a good 50 hours to let the woofers loosen up I think. NZ pricing came in at $7k which is just over $5k USD at current exchange rates.

How did the Forte III compare to the RF-7 II at the low end?

Sold! Ha. Now to decide the finish and hope (pun intended) that the release date over here isn't too far off. Thanks for your input everyone!

Hoping for some advice and guidance from wise and experienced heads on an upgrade from RF-82 IIs. I've had the 82s for ~4 years now, and have in the most part adored them. I originally ran them from off a Yamaha Aventage AVR, then pulled out an old mid-90s top-line Technics pre/pro combo, which was a nice match, and tamed some of the harshness I found with the Yamaha. Admittedly I tend to progressively increase the volume control during listening sessions, pushing the speakers quite loud. Listening is mainly to progressive, classic and acoustic rock, with a bit of jazz and EDM thrown in for good measure. I sold the Technics on a house move and went back to the Yamaha, and was very close to moving on to something different... Monitor Audio, Sonus Faber were in the mix. Then... I picked up a PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Premium integrated (running off stock EL34s still) and it was like having a whole new speaker... WOW. I have been enjoying this combo for some time, but with the recent release of the Forte III and pending release of the RF-7 III (or very good deals on the RF-7 II), the upgrade itch has hit again. Being in New Zealand, I don't have the luxury of auditioning before buying, so keen on any advice from those who have heard the Forte III/RF-7 II, and particularly in comparison to the RF-82 II if possible. The Forte III pricing and release date is being announced in a couple of weeks and being a little trigger happy with the credit card am quite likely to scratch the itch. What I love about the RF-82 IIs is the sheer dynamics and bass, plus of course the mid-top end clarity from the horn. My assumption is that a move up (RF-7 II or III) will give more of the same with noticeably improvement, whereas moving to the "heritage" line with the Forte III could be quite a different experience. I am certainly leaning to the Forte III (in either walnut or distressed oak) as I have heard nothing but good things. Just curious on the sonic signature differences and any pros/cons of the move from those who have heard. Would I lose that deep, thick bass on EDM/good rock tracks (e.g. Mother from Pink Floyd's The Wall), or is the 12" woofer and 15" passive combo going to be even better than what I have today? Listening room is 17' by 13', with the speakers along the longer wall, about 2' from the side walls. Thanks in advance!

For those who've had the privilege of hearing the Forte III, what would be the benefits/differences upgrading from RF-82 IIs? Running a PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated, with a mix of digital and (mainly) vinyl. I was at the point of wanting to replace the RFs until I added the tube amp, and then the Forte was announced! Music tastes is mainly acoustic, jazz, prog rock, and a bit of electronic. I love the bass presence with the RFs (sold my sub as I never used it), so biggest concern is losing bass. Being in New Zealand there will be no way to audition so buying will be a leap of faith.