[Peter Wieck]

Doug McCall wrote:
So, have I come full circle? Is the 901 truly the holy grail of
speakers even though only Amar Bose and his merry marketers dare say so
publicly? Or am I in need of a 12-step program?

With respect, the latter.

Looking at the various speakers you have gone through over the years,
not one of them (to me) is anything at all worth raving over. Of all of
them, including the Bose, I would give the Bose the ability to produce
noise head-and-shoulders above the others. But in audio *and* with
speakers, quantity should never be mistaken for quality.

I am going to make a perhaps-heretical suggestion that may address your
wish for nostalgia _and_ actually give you a shot at quality sound at a
reasonable cost and based on those speakers you have used in the past.

1. Obtain a decent power-amp, something on the order of 100wpc/rms or
better. Ideally, something on the brute-force end of the spectrum. Such
include but are not limited to:

Dynaco 416, HK Citation 16 & 17, Hafler DH200 & 500 and so forth. Avoid
Crown. Look for Audio Research if you can afford it. If you are into
tubes, a pair of Dynaco Mk IIIs, a Scott LK150 or some other
PP6550-based amp.

Obtain in no particular order (try to audition before plunking down
bucks, if possible):

AR9, AR90, 10pi, 11, LST or LST2, or 3a speakers (11, 10pi or 3a in
restricted space)
Dynaco A30 or A35 speakers (A25 if your space is restricted)
Large Advent speakers

Set this up per common sense and manufacturer's suggestions.

Check the results.

You may be quite pleased.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA