Diapason-Italia Speakers

**Shadowfax** · January 21, 2015, 08:58 AM

Instead of hi-jacking the Wells Audio thread, where I saw these beautiful Adamantes speakers, what can anyone tell me about them. I imagine from the couple reviews, the must sound as good as they look.

Since HE MFG sites don't like to put a List Price on anything, it's so hard to find out the price of so much gear. It took me over 5 minutes to find a review to figure out just how "affordable" the Akasha amp was, but should have been able to find that out from the Product Page.

Anyway, can anyone give me a ballpark cost in the USA of the ADAMANTES III 25TH and matching stands?

Seems like the Italians are designing some of the most esthetic looking gear that has very high WAF.

I would live to hear a setup of these speakers with a Pathos. Wouldn't these two look great together in a setup? My guess is the sound would also be quite pleasing. I'll probably never get to hear this match up, but it's a nice dream.

**iosiP** · January 21, 2015, 09:14 AM

Well if you like them, buy them!
I would never put my money in a system with virtually no LF response (see the pairing with the tubed Pathos) but if you are willing to spend for listening to just half of your music... you're welcome.

**Shadowfax** · January 21, 2015, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by iosiP

Well if you like them, buy them!
I would never put my money in a system with virtually no LF response (see the pairing with the tubed Pathos) but if you are willing to spend for listening to just half of your music... you're welcome.

The reason I am asking about price is that I don't have the luxury to just buy anything I see and like.

Thanks for the input on LF tho, could always add a sub.

**MDP** · January 21, 2015, 10:23 AM

Pretty stuff Brian !!

**CPP** · January 21, 2015, 10:31 AM

Brian, from what I read the ADAMANTES II where$3998/pair (matching stands cost $750/pair), so this at least gives you a start. Diapason Adamantes II loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

Found another review on the III 6moons audio reviews: Diapason Adamante MkIII

**Shadowfax** · January 21, 2015, 10:37 AM

Thanks Chris, that is helpful, but I am guessing the 25th Anniversary pair is more, but compared to DeVore and a few others, this pair mentioned is in a reasonable range.

It would be so helpful to the consumer if they would just put the price within the description and specs on the site

**CPP** · January 21, 2015, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

Thanks Chris, that is helpful, but I am guessing the 25th Anniversary pair is more, but compared to DeVore and a few others, this pair mentioned is in a reasonable range.

It would be so helpful to the consumer if they would just put the price within the description and specs on the site

I agree, if more companies would just add the MSRP to their product pages it would either make a potential buyer interested, or it would cause them to look elsewhere. I say No harm No foul.

Those are some cool looking speakers.

**Paul** · January 21, 2015, 01:29 PM

Brian. That's nice speakers. Very nice find. Thanks for posting.

**vititito** · January 22, 2015, 11:13 AM

I don't know where to go, maybe someone can help me, I downloaded 200 CDs on my phone, they're my personal CDs that had for years.I can't find an app that would play those for me without trying to sell me something,, that's okay though.is anyone knows a good app please let me know, I want to hear my own music.you didn't email me.

**vititito** · January 22, 2015, 11:25 AM

no help

**aldcoll** · January 22, 2015, 10:38 PM

What is the format of the files?? Mp3 Flac what is the phone???? Need info to help.

**aldcoll** · January 22, 2015, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by vititito

I don't know where to go, maybe someone can help me, I downloaded 200 CDs on my phone, they're my personal CDs that had for years.I can't find an app that would play those for me without trying to sell me something,, that's okay though.is anyone knows a good app please let me know, I want to hear my own music.you didn't email me.

Wrong place to post the question. You also need to provide some information so the question can be answered. File type of music, mp3,flac etc. Phone make model and color.

**vititito** · January 23, 2015, 03:36 AM

2.800 each

**vititito** · January 23, 2015, 04:00 AM

It's not worth .The smaller the speaker more$ $$'
it's going to be wifi.
With marrcacya1.500 amp,I've seen two ,wow it looks like it came out the space shuttle,you can change the lights,when you open it up.the remote is half of your phone.you talk to it,it will even say hi to you, ask you how day was, you tell it by the tone of your voice, no playing music in cheer you up.no kidding man.
I'm sure Jimmy Buffett has one.

**CPP** · January 23, 2015, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by vititito

2.800 each

Why don't you just start your own thread in the general discussion area or the computer area as it might get more attention

**vititito** · January 23, 2015, 11:57 AM

well excuse me

**bzr** · January 23, 2015, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by vititito

well excuse me

without punctuation & smileys as with your other posts in this thread, this could only be read as rudeness! We don't need it!

**BayStBroker** · February 28, 2015, 10:22 AM

My pair of Diapason Adamante III 25th's were installed just last night by my dealer. So far the 6 Moons review seems spot on. I've never lived before with anything in this league, so it sounds utterly spectacular. We have them positioned in front of some bay windows, which my dealer was giddy make use of. I'm in early burn-in phase, but they instantly disappear into a rich 3D soundstage. They are breathtakingly beautiful to look at. The WAF (wife appeal factor) helped me get the Mrs. to sign off. Cost in Canada is more because of USD strength and higher sales taxes. I paid the equivalent of ~$6kUSD (inclusive of stands). I will post photos when I can.

**Mike** · February 28, 2015, 10:40 AM

Congrats BayStBroker! Any pictures?

**BayStBroker** · February 28, 2015, 10:55 AM

I need ten posts before I can post pictures... stay tuned... and thank you! I'm sure everyone here knows how exciting it is to finally install new game-changing gear. I'm glued to the couch all weekend!

**Perfect Sense** · February 28, 2015, 11:01 AM

Congrats to one the most musical monitors available.

**BayStBroker** · February 28, 2015, 11:20 AM

Here's a quick pic of the new arrivals.

**MDP** · February 28, 2015, 11:48 AM

Very pretty !

**thegoodarcher** · March 15, 2015, 04:43 PM

Wow - didn't you get the 25th anniversary walnut stand? great speakers i have the Karis 3 on a second system with Synthesis Shine Integrated Tube Amp, always wanted to upgrade to the Adamantes but wouldn't know if my 12x10 room would fit? what are your thoughts?

**BayStBroker** · March 25, 2015, 08:17 PM

I do have the Diapason stands with canaletto walnut accentuating steel. I heard their tiny Micras fill a room larger than 12x10 with incredibly musical sound. So it is rather a paradox. The Adamantes are in a niche (small but costly monitors) that many audiophiles would shrink from. They would want more low frequency extension at the price point. But for a Karis 3 owner with a small room, the Adamantes would be overkill. You already have the look and umph to fill that room at high volume with the Diapasonès signature, no filter sound, very natural sound.

**thegoodarcher** · March 27, 2015, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by BayStBroker

Here's a quick pic of the new arrivals.

Could you please tell me how's the synergy between the hegel and the Adamantes III?

Reason i am asking is i am inching closer to buying a diapason for the living room ; i can't decide between the Astera and the Adamantes III ; the only thing about the Astera is these are usually high on a 77cm stand, but for the Adamantes i have an option of going for the shorter 25th anniversary stand ; lots of plus and minuses with the Adamantes i can switch to my favourite 40 Watt Intergrated Amp; i do not know if its possible with the Astera since those like power, The Astera (pictured) surely will look good with the hegel h160 that i have in a very nice "scandinavian" way ; but i doubt the black version is the canaletto walnut cabinet but rather Medium Density Fibreboard applied with automotive paint - any diapason guru's here?

(Astera, in Matte Black)

**BayStBroker** · March 27, 2015, 05:44 PM

I get the sense that the Hegel integrated products mate very well with most speakers. With my Adamantes I note very muscular base control. This is significant since limited low-end frequency is a feature of these monitors. I am taking delivery next week of a Rogue Audio Cronos Magnum tube integrated. I plan to swap the Hegel with the Rogue intermittently in order to better appreciate the tube vs solid state trade-offs (and mostly to have fun with the music).

**thegoodarcher** · March 27, 2015, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by BayStBroker

I get the sense that the Hegel integrated products mate very well with most speakers. With my Adamantes I note very muscular base control. This is significant since limited low-end frequency is a feature of these monitors. I am taking delivery next week of a Rogue Audio Cronos Magnum tube integrated. I plan to swap the Hegel with the Rogue intermittently in order to better appreciate the tube vs solid state trade-offs (and mostly to have fun with the music).

BayStBroker,
I do not want to discourage you, but i owned a rogue cronus magnum and i thought it was vastly over-rated, it was superbly built but lacked the magic of tube amplifier and i found it extremely unmusical.

I would suggest any MasterSound (even the Dueventi S.E Class A 20 Watts) which has a wonderful synergy with Diapason and is enough to drive the adamantes to very good levels or the Synthesis Audio Flame (Class A 20 Watts) as well or Shine (Class AB 40 Watts) - you will be so very pleased!

I tried to make the cronus work for about 2 years until i gave up, compared to it the Hegel is very much musical and played
all music well ; as it is a warm solid state amplifier, perhaps though the Astera is a better match given its sway for solid state.
Only thing about Hegel is its power chord sensitive so use a good snake chord.

**Perfect Sense** · March 28, 2015, 04:55 AM

I'm representing Diapason in Sweden, where I have Adamantes III and Asterra on permanent demonstration.

These speakers are moderately easy to drive. I believe they do benefit from tube amplification to get the real magic out of them. Mastersound makes a natural match, where Diapason and Mastersound have been partners for many years during shows, events etc. One step up would be the Trafomatic EOS integrated, which delivers enough power to drive both speakers without strain or limitations. I honestly believe that both models deserves an amp on a higher level than the Hegel H80. If you prefer SS, I would recommend Densen, Gato or Parasound. The Astera and Adamantes will benefit greatly from high quality electronics.

Hope that helps.

**BayStBroker** · March 28, 2015, 10:15 AM

I plan to begin next week to drive my Diapasons with an "All-American" Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum. I rather hope it will be akin to American Phil Hill driving the Ferrari 246 in 1960 to victory at Monza.

Joking aside, I'm relatively new to spending real money on high-end audio. The Diapasons are a breed above the amplification I've chosen. But that's because I'm not sure what I want long term and the Rogue, like my Hegel, is well regarded in absolute terms and praised to high heaven for its value for money. (Thanks goodarcher for your divergent opinion on the Rogue; I've only heard praise elsewhere.)

**thegoodarcher** · March 28, 2015, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Hyperion

I'm representing Diapason in Sweden, where I have Adamantes III and Asterra on permanent demonstration.

These speakers are moderately easy to drive. I believe they do benefit from tube amplification to get the real magic out of them. Mastersound makes a natural match, where Diapason and Mastersound have been partners for many years during shows, events etc. One step up would be the Trafomatic EOS integrated, which delivers enough power to drive both speakers without strain or limitations. I honestly believe that both models deserves an amp on a higher level than the Hegel H80. If you prefer SS, I would recommend Densen, Gato or Parasound. The Astera and Adamantes will benefit greatly from high quality electronics.

Hope that helps.

Dear Perfect Sense,
Which out of the Diapason Speakers is best suited for something on the higher mid-end of solid state like the new Hegel H160?
On paper, adamantes looks like a poor match and astera specified to handle solid state better? Really need a good match with my Hegel H160

In RMAF - The H160 could drive the Magico S3 with ease, but i do not know the voicing on the astera..
hope you can contribute.

Or is the Astera as well a Tube Only Feed like the rest of the Diapasons.

**thegoodarcher** · March 28, 2015, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by BayStBroker

I plan to begin next week to drive my Diapasons with an "All-American" Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum. I rather hope it will be akin to American Phil Hill driving the Ferrari 246 in 1960 to victory at Monza.

Joking aside, I'm relatively new to spending real money on high-end audio. The Diapasons are a breed above the amplification I've chosen. But that's because I'm not sure what I want long term and the Rogue, like my Hegel, is well regarded in absolute terms and praised to high heaven for its value for money. (Thanks goodarcher for your divergent opinion on the Rogue; I've only heard praise elsewhere.)

Dear BayStBroker,
Do enjoy the journey, thats what it is about i guess

i fell for the huge praises that preceded the cronus like everyone else ; but ended up very
disappointed but that might not be the case for you; if i am not mistaken i think the Dueventi SE from
Master Sound costs the same as the Cronus Magnum, Just' Saying.

All the Best.

**BayStBroker** · March 28, 2015, 03:53 PM

Were you running the Rogue with the KT120s?

**thegoodarcher** · March 29, 2015, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by BayStBroker

Were you running the Rogue with the KT120s?

This maybe the dividing factor, no - i was running the KT90 (back then it was an upgrade, back then to the regular cronus)
but i was running very expensive rca backplate preamp tubes - the biggest improvement i got was by using the DH LABS RedWave Power Cord and RCA 5814 Blackplate in the driver section...did also change the fuse from HiFi Tuning
- but that made little difference.

Also please try and avoid pure silver cables as it causes too much sibilance, after trying a multitude of cables i found that warmer cables sounded best and dynamic cables sounded worst.

I hope the KT120 really changes the game for you.

**Perfect Sense** · March 29, 2015, 03:56 PM

I would say the Adamantes III, the Micra or Karis depending on room size and budget. The Astera deserves a higher grade amplifier imho. Power is one thing, quality and characteristics another. As a sidenote regarding Magico vs. Diapason, these are speakers on opposite sides of the spectrum. I've heard Adamantes and Astera performing beautifully with both medium- to high power tube amplification as well as solid state. Diapason used Parasound monos driving the Astera in their own demo room last year when I visited them in Italy. The best result I've had is with the new Ypsilon Phaethon integrated amplifier which is nothing less of an amazing achievement.

Originally Posted by thegoodarcher

Dear Perfect Sense,
Which out of the Diapason Speakers is best suited for something on the higher mid-end of solid state like the new Hegel H160?
On paper, adamantes looks like a poor match and astera specified to handle solid state better? Really need a good match with my Hegel H160

In RMAF - The H160 could drive the Magico S3 with ease, but i do not know the voicing on the astera..
hope you can contribute.

Or is the Astera as well a Tube Only Feed like the rest of the Diapasons.

**thegoodarcher** · March 29, 2015, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Hyperion

I would say the Adamantes III, the Micra or Karis depending on room size and budget. The Astera deserves a higher grade amplifier imho. Power is one thing, quality and characteristics another. As a sidenote regarding Magico vs. Diapason, these are speakers on opposite sides of the spectrum. I've heard Adamantes and Astera performing beautifully with both medium- to high power tube amplification as well as solid state. Diapason used Parasound monos driving the Astera in their own demo room last year when I visited them in Italy. The best result I've had is with the new Ypsilon Phaethon integrated amplifier which is nothing less of an amazing achievement.

This is good to know and thank you very much room is probably 13x12 after some initial knocking around currently its 12 by 10 other room is 13 by 14 (3rd room) - being naive; The Astera looks more suited to solid state and the adamants so far away from that on the based on the fact that it is highly efficient, but based on what you recommend do you think the H160 or reasonably priced solid state can deliver some magic with the Adamantes? without sounding too bright or loose?

I frankly, love the hegel sound - it always punches above its weight.

Ypsilon wow - i know those are great.

**Koso** · November 6, 2017, 03:56 PM

I've borrowed a pair of Adamantes III 25th speakers yesterday from local distributor for home testing. Still trying to find best placemet in my listening room. Quite good match with my digital setup (Aurender streamer + Lyngdorf amps). Thats all for now.
Stay tuned.
(Unfortunately, as a new member, I am not able to post images..)

**joeinid** · November 6, 2017, 06:55 PM

Welcome to the forum Koso, thank you for joining.

**Koso** · November 21, 2017, 12:52 PM

Hi folks.
Any recommendation about what speaker cable to use with Adamantes III?

**Shadowfax** · November 21, 2017, 01:14 PM

Welcome and thanks for resurrecting my old thread.

DSkip · November 21, 2017, 01:50 PM

Welcome Koso. May I ask what stand you are using? Your setup looks very clean and appealing.

As far as the Italians go, they are building some damn fine gear nowadays. Taking full subjectivity in account, I can say that the Italian brands I distribute have given me an experience that I've not yet heard from another system. They may not be the most technically advanced, but there is a presentation that transforms the music into a performance that is very unique.

**Koso** · November 21, 2017, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by DSkip

Welcome Koso. May I ask what stand you are using? Your setup looks very clean and appealing.

As far as the Italians go, they are building some damn fine gear nowadays. Taking full subjectivity in account, I can say that the Italian brands I distribute have given me an experience that I've not yet heard from another system. They may not be the most technically advanced, but there is a presentation that transforms the music into a performance that is very unique.

Thanks!
I use “Usher RWS 729” stands. Solid product, adjustable, great built quality, almost as if they were italian... It is no secret these are copies of original Sonus Faber stands for their Electa Amator and Minima Amator speakers. I still own my precious Sonus Faber Minima Amator speakers, so stands are the same, as they are great match for Adamantes as well.

**Shadowfax** · November 21, 2017, 02:33 PM

Very close to the adjustable stands for the JAS Orior speakers

**Perfect Sense** · November 21, 2017, 02:52 PM

I'd like to recommend Audience Au24SE or Au24SX. Wonderfully balanced, neutral and natural cables at a very reasonable price point.

/ Marcus

**Shadowfax** · November 21, 2017, 03:28 PM

Would a Vinnie Rossie LIO drive these speakers or do they want more juice?

**Koso** · November 21, 2017, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

Would a Vinnie Rossie LIO drive these speakers or do they want more juice?

As far as I know, it would, as Adamantes is very friendly to tube amps...

DSkip · November 21, 2017, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by Koso

Thanks!
I use “Usher RWS 729” stands. Solid product, adjustable, great built quality, almost as if they were italian... It is no secret these are copies of original Sonus Faber stands for their Electa Amator and Minima Amator speakers. I still own my precious Sonus Faber Minima Amator speakers, so stands are the same, as they are great match for Adamantes as well.

Sorry, I should have clarified. I am an Usher dealer and recognized those speaker stands quickly

. I had meant to ask about the RACK, not the stands.

**Koso** · November 22, 2017, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by DSkip

Sorry, I should have clarified. I am an Usher dealer and recognized those speaker stands quickly

. I had meant to ask about the RACK, not the stands.

...rack was made by Slovak company BENALEX, but it is no longer in production several years. Benalex abandoned hifi racks production as it was not their main business. It is a pity, because it is a great rack. Heavy, firm welded tripod construction, chrome plated hardware, very stable. Originally there were 10mm thick glass plates. I replaced them with 40mm (1.5 inch) thick solid wood oak plates made by me...

DSkip · November 22, 2017, 12:22 PM

Thank you. I suspected those were aftermarket plinths. It looks great sir!

**Koso** · November 22, 2017, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Perfect Sense

I'd like to recommend Audience Au24SE or Au24SX. Wonderfully balanced, neutral and natural cables at a very reasonable price point.

/ Marcus

Thanks for advice. By the way, maybe little bit off topic. I've just browsed your web. Wow! It is like best of the best in hifi/highend. If someone asked me for list of best “value for money” audio brands, my list would be almost exactly the same as list of brands in your studio. Great and clever choice! (And name “Perfect sense” is correct then!)

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