I’m considering buying Duevel Venus speakers, but concerned my Unitistar won’t have the power to drive them. Has anyone tried this match or do you have other suggestions for a good amp for these speakers? I’m reluctant to leave the integrated flexibility of Unitistar, but don’t want to risk damaging amp or speakers.
Perhaps a suitable power amp that’s happy with the Duevels and retain your Star as a preamp.
Thanks Neil, appreciated suggestion.
I should have written in the question, for those reading this who don’t already know, the Duevel Venus are omnidirectional with nominal 4 ohm impedance.
Yes, Ive seen them and they look really interesting. Less fussy regarding placement I understand?
Yes, apparently they are. I listened to them recently and was overwhelmed by the sound. Such clarity, and openness. Positioning of the listener doesn’t seem to matter either, so all in the room get the same perspective. I’m very happy with my current speakers, Spendor A4, but these Duevels in my ears are a step-change in quality. I’m now just not sure the rest of my system will live up to them, and I wasn’t planning on an upgrade.
I also have some interesting old equipment, an original Quad 33/303 and Linn LK 1/Powertek, and am intrigued to hear what they might do with the omni speakers. It’s so easy to fall down a rabbit hole with hifi, and never be satisfied!
I wonder if other omnidirectional speakers might be better suited to the star?
What was the one that shared similarities with the shahinian Larc?
Actually could be the larcs I’m thinking of
Thanks Robert, that was an interesting read.
I have owned Duevel Venus(I also own Shahinian Larcs) for almost six years now. I have used several different amplifiers with them, ones I own are Naim XS3 integrated, LinnenberG Allegro monoblocs, Croft Acoustics Series 7 amplifiers. All of these work very well on the Duevels, personally, I do not find the Venus to be particularly amp fussy, that’s just me. Supposedly one review of them said they can present a tough load to the amplifier, maybe I am deaf, as I never encountered any strain or issues driving them with any of my amps.
With that said, my rooms are not huge either, one was 11.5’ x 14.5’, another was open floor plan about 15.5’ x 15.5’. Currently they are in another open floor plan space roughly 20’ x 17.5’ with high ceilings, yet I listen to them from a distance of about 7-8’ away. I’m not a head banger, probably average around 70/75 dB or so, even less at times. No issues.
Certainly each amp brings about a bit of their own subtle flavor, I enjoy what each does, and enjoy the Venus greatly. I cannot seeing me ever moving them on. The Larc, play extremely well on the Naim XS3 too, I play that setup in a spare office space that is about 10’ x12’. Very fun.
Audiomat is another tube amplifier brand that works very well with the Venus, even the 30-wpc one. There are many ways to go here, obviously the better the amp, the better things can be, depending on rest of system. Do they demand top flight(whatever that is), no, but they will continue to shine as things are improved upstream, source, pre, etc.
Just very enjoyable speakers, if one likes what omnis bring to the table.
I might add, the Unitistar will drive the Venus fine in a suitable sized room. Will it do things justice, that is up to your ears. They work okay on my old Uniti1, but one must be careful of driving them too hard. The Uniti is still a product I am impressed with, just a great Swiss-army knife of a do all audio product.
I would hope you could get a chance to listen to the Venus on your Star, that is the only way I would go about it, after all, you have to satisfy your own ears, and the levels you like to listen at! Have fun! Keep us posted!
Hi there! Good to see you here again, and how your omni journey has been going. I still love my big Shahinians and couldn;t imagine going back to “normal|” speakers again
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I agree, once you get what omnis can do, it is tough to enjoy the typical monkey coffin speaker. Although I can and do enjoy normal box style speaker, going back to my omni seems a relief.
I would love to hear your Diapasons, years ago I had Obelisk and sure wish I had never sold them, I just could not get them to work well in the new room I had at the time. I guess I will just have to enjoy my Venus, and my very mini Shahinian Larcs, which are great fun little speakers.
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Dear Frazeur, many thanks for helpful and reassuring insights. I’m very encouraged.
My dealer has also been very good and I’ve made the leap and bought the Venus. Really excited to see how they sound in my set-up and with different sources. As well as the Uniti Star I’m going to test an old Quad 33/303 and Linn LK1/Powertek. The journey’s just beginning. It’s good to read that you’re still so happy with yours after six years.
Will be happy to keep you posted.
Yours, Mark.
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Excellent Mark! Hopefully you will enjoy the Venus, at least you are giving them a chance! I look forward to hearing how you get along with them. Give them a bit of time so you can adjust to them, they are a different presentation for sure. Have fun!
Tim
Thanks Tim! Your inputs helped a lot.
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