Forums - HDTvII

charles hidalgo

Seasoned Member

Posts: 494

HDTvII
01/20/24 at 04:51:31

Today was a special day. After listening to a pair of 6" Lii Audio speakers a while back I was really impressed. I feel very fortunate to have had a sneak peek session with these new fresh built amazing speakers. I took Sarah to meet with the pictured Decware HDTvII's and their 8” drivers and it was probably the best I have heard that room sound. That room belongs to my friend, and speaker builder Jon Anderson. I cannot wait to hear them in my main room next week. I love walnut btw.

Sarah+HDTv2=WOW!

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SEWE300B #004
HDTv2
Zbit
Schiit Freya+
Schiit Loki Max
EverSolo Streamer/DAC combo
Custom AT turntable
Softone phone stage
TEAC and Otari tape machines
SVS Pro 1000 subs
Nordost cables

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JBzen Seasoned Member Posts: 1378	Re: HDTvII Reply #1 - 01/20/24 at 06:45:13 Looking forward to your impressions in your room with the HDTs. I listened to those a couple of times at Steve's place. Very impressionable with good bass and highly detailed pinpoint accuracy. Excellent imaging! A bit odd looking and probably the one thing that holds me back from a build from plans purchased.
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charles hidalgo

Seasoned Member

Posts: 494

Re: HDTvII
Reply #2 - 01/20/24 at 14:49:52

I realized photos definitely did not do these justice once I saw the final build. They are also heavier than I expected. I like the very solid and stable bases Jon built for these, along with the solid walnut corner pieces, and top plate. I am fairly predictable with my love of walnut also. These are absolutely beautiful.

Thank you also Steve for the design, and the communication with Jon during the building process. I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with these.

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SEWE300B #004
HDTv2
Zbit
Schiit Freya+
Schiit Loki Max
EverSolo Streamer/DAC combo
Custom AT turntable
Softone phone stage
TEAC and Otari tape machines
SVS Pro 1000 subs
Nordost cables

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Tony

Seasoned Member

"Life without
..music is
inconceivable"
A.Einsteln

Posts: 627

Re: HDTvII
Reply #3 - 01/20/24 at 15:38:26

Charles,

The speakers look fabulous. Your photography skills are outstanding, so it is hard to imagine how much better they would look in person.

I noticed the smaller speakers on top of the prominent speakers in this and other pictures of your room. Are those Aperion MKII Super Tweeters? I looked at those at once and could not decide to buy. Unsure what they would add to the experience.

If they are the Aperion's or some other speaker, can you say something about them and what they add to your listening experience?

Thanks,
Tony

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charles hidalgo Seasoned Member Posts: 494	Re: HDTvII Reply #4 - 01/20/24 at 15:44:39 The basic iPhone photos are good, but they really are stunning in person. The tweeters are indeed the Aperion tweeters. I bought a pair long ago when they first came out (I feel a great purchase btw) and I use them on many speakers, Jon had them on top during my visit yesterday. I'll try them when they are home in my room, and see.
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JBzen Seasoned Member Posts: 1378	Re: HDTvII Reply #5 - 01/21/24 at 12:10:48 Charles, I surely did not mean to bash your build. Yours is a fine looking example. The design portrayed the oddity. Never the less, it is a great speaker and full of heavy MDF. My ZP3 has a walnut base. I like it and going to change the other Decware component bases to walnut.
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charles hidalgo Seasoned Member Posts: 494	Re: HDTvII Reply #6 - 01/21/24 at 20:38:01 Bashing never crossed my mind. Tomorrow they will be in my room. Can't wait.
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Tommy Freefall Seasoned Member Posts: 400	Re: HDTvII Reply #7 - 01/22/24 at 18:52:10 Charles, curious - what range are the Super Tweeters running?
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charles hidalgo Seasoned Member Posts: 494	Re: HDTvII Reply #8 - 01/24/24 at 16:52:14 I have only had about 6 hours with these as of this morning. I am not using the supertweeters as of now. I am guessing he had the tweeters wide open to keep up though.
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charles hidalgo Seasoned Member Posts: 494	Re: HDTvII Reply #9 - 01/25/24 at 03:05:40 About 12 hours now. After finally getting them where they are to stay for now, toeing in them more than I originally had them, a few clicks here and there these things are ..... My goodness.......
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JBzen

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1378

Re: HDTvII
Reply #10 - 01/25/24 at 13:54:01

Give those silvers time to blossom! Heard the HDTs at Decfest 2022. Was not impressed with a SE84UFO25 that just got back from a deep freeze and the silvers were just installed. So all was fresh.
Nine months later listen to the same setup at Steve's head to head with the Headwreckers. The Headwreckers had better bass but the HTDs just blew me away with image and pin point accuracy with very good bass.

Hang in there.

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AMC CD8b>XO3>Cambridge CXN2>ZDAC>ZBOX>braided silver/occ> Zrock2>CSP2+>SE84 milflex copper 25th>9AWG silver/copper braid>lii Crystal 10 in Huijgen cabinets. Ortofon 2M Black>JVC QL-F4/Otari MX5050B2>ZP3. Isolation. AC filtering. Room treatment.

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JBzen Seasoned Member Posts: 1378	Re: HDTvII Reply #11 - 01/25/24 at 13:58:53 Charles your HDTs seem to be a bit stout as compared to the normal tall slender square footprint. Is this an optical illusion or was the MDF clad with walnut planks?
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charles hidalgo

Seasoned Member

Posts: 494

Re: HDTvII
Reply #12 - 01/25/24 at 17:28:04

These were built to exact specs with conversations between Jon and Steve when there were any questions. The only difference being the "wider than the cabinet" solid bottom plinth. That might be making them look a little chubby maybe? I have the opportunity ( I just found out) to use the underneath threads that Jon installed so I can play with any spikes or footers if desired.

Here's a quick snap of the bottom.

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SEWE300B #004
HDTv2
Zbit
Schiit Freya+
Schiit Loki Max
EverSolo Streamer/DAC combo
Custom AT turntable
Softone phone stage
TEAC and Otari tape machines
SVS Pro 1000 subs
Nordost cables

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JBzen

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1378

Re: HDTvII
Reply #13 - 01/26/24 at 12:43:15

That enlarged plinth along with the shooting angle might contribute to the handsome appearance. I really like what your cabinet maker did! Needless to say, I am searching for some walnut and may just build the HDT2 shorty.
From conversations with Steve, the only difference from 1 to 2 is the driver. The Lii 8" Silver requires a different cutout which required a new set of drawings. The HDT2 uses the same updated tuning that the HDT1 uses. The HD1 can be easily transformed to a version 2.

Looking forward to your thoughts as time passes.

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AMC CD8b>XO3>Cambridge CXN2>ZDAC>ZBOX>braided silver/occ> Zrock2>CSP2+>SE84 milflex copper 25th>9AWG silver/copper braid>lii Crystal 10 in Huijgen cabinets. Ortofon 2M Black>JVC QL-F4/Otari MX5050B2>ZP3. Isolation. AC filtering. Room treatment.

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charles hidalgo Seasoned Member Posts: 494	Re: HDTvII Reply #14 - 01/26/24 at 19:48:29 I have put my eggs in this basket.... I want to give the Sarah and HDTv2's time together. The amp has less than 250 hours and the drivers and brand new with maybe 30 hours on them as of this post. I am looking forward to the results.
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charles hidalgo

Seasoned Member

Posts: 494

Re: HDTvII
Reply #15 - 02/03/24 at 08:20:05

Well.... after a few configurations (mainly toe-in and out adjustments) I had them toed in to the point they were almost crossed in front of my face. It was amazing, but I felt I lost a bit of the ambiance so I brought them back out a bit, and I must say they have stayed in this position for the last several days. The cones are pointing just outside my ears if one can picture this. The sound is full and ambient, with imaging and staging being ridiculous.

Charlie

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SEWE300B #004
HDTv2
Zbit
Schiit Freya+
Schiit Loki Max
EverSolo Streamer/DAC combo
Custom AT turntable
Softone phone stage
TEAC and Otari tape machines
SVS Pro 1000 subs
Nordost cables

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Kamran Seasoned Member Posts: 949	Re: HDTvII Reply #16 - 02/04/24 at 07:40:02 Congratulations on your new speakers Charlie—they look perfect in your room and beautifully built.
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charles hidalgo Seasoned Member Posts: 494	Re: HDTvII Reply #17 - 02/05/24 at 16:19:45 My goodness things are getting good!
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charles hidalgo

Seasoned Member

Posts: 494

Re: HDTvII
Reply #18 - 02/08/24 at 02:53:26

Today has been surreal.. I'm jittery still. It was just an incredible christening with Jon. We listened all day to these beautiful speakers
that he built. We discussed what we were hearing and it was just "another world experience for me. He felt the same. We do not bullshit anyone and certainly not each other. We have been at times brutally honest with each other and that's why it so fun we we listen.

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SEWE300B #004
HDTv2
Zbit
Schiit Freya+
Schiit Loki Max
EverSolo Streamer/DAC combo
Custom AT turntable
Softone phone stage
TEAC and Otari tape machines
SVS Pro 1000 subs
Nordost cables

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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23542	Re: HDTvII Reply #19 - 02/08/24 at 08:46:40 Very glad you are having an amazing journey!
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JBzen

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1378

Re: HDTvII
Reply #20 - 02/08/24 at 10:33:37

Quote:

"another world experience for me.

It is just amazing on what a good audio system can do with our psychic. I've experienced above many times. Those experiences keeps us looking for more material that perpetuates it. Don't matter the genre - It is the uplifting of spirit that it creates when all the players conven within our senses.

Hope you are on the ZP3 path Charlie.

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AMC CD8b>XO3>Cambridge CXN2>ZDAC>ZBOX>braided silver/occ> Zrock2>CSP2+>SE84 milflex copper 25th>9AWG silver/copper braid>lii Crystal 10 in Huijgen cabinets. Ortofon 2M Black>JVC QL-F4/Otari MX5050B2>ZP3. Isolation. AC filtering. Room treatment.

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charles hidalgo Seasoned Member Posts: 494	Re: HDTvII Reply #21 - 03/29/24 at 04:14:18 As of late all I can do is sit down and listen, and listen. My goodness.... it's been wonderful
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Tommy Freefall Seasoned Member Posts: 400	Re: HDTvII Reply #22 - 03/29/24 at 17:57:42 Charles, how would you describe the sound signature? Detailed? Warm? Smooth? Fast?
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