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First impressions Elac Debut B6 loudspeaker.

Posted by Opus 33 1/3 (A) on November 5, 2015 at 05:02:12

First off, I've only played 4 LPs through these new speakers so these are early impressions.

Associated equipment includes a restored, upgraded Thorens TD-150 turntable with Jelco SA-370H tone arm and Dynavector 20XL cartridge, sited on one of Kren Lyon's Neuance platforms. Speed controlled by a Phoenix engineering Eagle power supply unit.

Blue Jeans ICs to a CineMag SUT, into the phono input of an audible Illusions Modulus 3 preamp. Then, AQ Black Mamba ICs to an Emotiva XPA-200 power amplifier. Speaker cable is also Blue Jeans with locking banana connectors. The speakers sit on 21" Sanus stands.

Whenever I begin evaluating a component, any component, I pull out the same 4 LPs. They are Eric Clapton's "Slowhand" on Polydor, Rickie Lee Jones self titled debut LP on Mobile Fidelity, Janis Ian's "Breaking Silence" on Analog Productions and Thelma Houston's "I've Got The Music In Me," A Sheffield Direct to Disc. I select these because I'm familiar with just about everything they bring to the table (which is a lot) and all are exceptional recordings.

I'm afraid Mr. Jones has done it . . . Again. These are very good speakers in absolute terms and when the $279 price is considered, they are truly remarkable.

The first thing that struck me is the bass, both in quantity and quality. The acoustic string bass on RLJ's "Easy Money" is deep, resonant and detailed. The bass player sliding his hand up and down the neck is distinctly heard as is his fingering. I've not heard better bass from any small speaker in my home.

Mids are just right. Vocals are firmly placed with the proper air and space in the upper mids. The soundstage is wide, but not exceptionally deep. I've found this often improves as a speaker breaks in.

It's only at the extreme top that the B6 falls down a bit. That last measure of shimmer and sparkle is muted a bit. Not deficient, mind you, just not up to the stellar things happening lower down.

I use Thelma for dynamics. If a component doesn't get your toes tapping with that LP on the table, something's amiss. The B6 passed this test in spades. The last cut on side 1, "Pressure Cooker" is aptly titled.

Actually, the B6 proved very difficult to evaluate. It kept drawing me into the music. I can't wait for the 50 and 100 hour marks.

Opus 33 1/3

Edits: 11/05/15 11/05/15

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