Conclusion
First, I think the biggest compliment I can pay the Orangutan O/96s is how long I listened to them before I noticed that I wasn’t listening to a single driver speaker. Even after a month of listening it was very seldom that I noticed they weren’t a crossover-less design.
Second, I think the combination of the O/96s and the Soundsmith Strain Gauge is a match made in heaven. I also think these speakers really benefit from the High Fidelity Cables. You don’t have to use the Ultimate References the O/96s sound great with CT-1, but they are good enough that the surely do shine with the Ultimate References.
Third, if you are someone who loves low powered SET amps (10 watts or smaller) these are one of the only three commercially available speakers that I know of that I would consider using, that cost less than a 100K and these cost a lot less. I don’t know any other speaker under 20K that can give you this blend of vintage sound in a modern speaker.
Forth, the O/96s offer an incredible upgrade path. Get them with a good SET integrated, a nice turntable, and some reasonable priced wire and you’ll have a really good system for the money. I did try them with the little Line Magnetic Audio’s Mini 218 with its 3 watts per channel and was shocked at how good the sound was. But, you have the option with these guys to build up to a system with a state of the art turntable, SET amplifier, preamplifier, and cabling and you will have a state of the art system that will hold it’s on with the best systems in the world and surpass most of them.
Fifth, you can’t overlook how beautiful the cabinet work is and the fact that they are not so big that they can’t work in most rooms. When the Orangutans are in my room there are three things in my listening room that are handmade in New York. The Box Furniture Rack and the DeVore speakers are both made in Anthony Abbate’s wood shop. The other is the incredible record cabinet from Atocha Designs. I think it’s wonderful to have such beautiful things that are made right here in the USA. I love Italian and German engineering, but as an American it’s nice to know we still have some real artisans who can compete with anyone from anywhere.
I do have one regret; I wish had heard these speakers with The First Watt SIT One mono blocks. I bet it would have been a match made in heaven.
I’ll close out this review portion of this trilogy with a quote from our dear old Publisher. He spent more time listening to these speakers in a single session than any system I have ever had at my house. Along the way he turned to me and said, “these speakers are just good for the heart!” I agree the DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96 speakers play music in a way that is incessantly and persistently emotionally moving!
Coming next part three of the trilogy will sum up my personal journey with speakers and where I find myself settling for the time being. So stay tuned for part three soon.
>> Read DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96 Loudspeaker Review: Part 3
>> Read DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96 Loudspeaker Review: Part 1
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I happen to own the Line Magnetic 755i’s. I love them and rotate them in and out of my system with a vintage pair of Altec Valencias. Could you offer some more comparisons between the Orangutans and the LM 755i’s? I run a Shindo Masseto and Cortese and have always wondered how the Orangutans would sound in my system compared to the Line Magnetics.
Thanks,
Jay
Jay, I think the Orangutans are speakers you need to hear in your system. I would not be surprised if they didn’t give you the best of both of the worlds of the two speakers you mention. In fact I think they will probably be better than either speaker even when comparing them to the areas where the LMs and Altecs are at there best. Still, you need to hear them in your system as I can only say how they sounded in my room with my stuff.
Matt Rotunda, Pitch Perfect Audio, now in Los Angeles, carries all of the equipment you are discussing Jay Bass. Likely you could hear the LM 755i and the D O/96 with the Masseto and Cortese in his shop.
Jack, thanks for another real-life and enjoyable review. Your journey is like many of ours as we mature, both in life and in listening to audio equipment. You have developed a keen ability to find system synergy in attaining the sound you desire and prefer. Unlike many who merely chase the latest-greatest on the merry-go-round that is the audiophile world, you have made changes to your system when you find a ‘new’ piece that improves (not changes) it. Kudos.
Jack, thanks for a great write-up. I was wondering how the O/96 compare to the Vaughn Zinfandel 4s let’s say powered by Pass Sit-1 monos? I seem to be heading for the low powered 300B or similar camp. These would replace Genesis M60 monos and Genesis 5.2 speakers. Best.
Hi Jack, very nice and thorough review. Thanks. I have the orangutans at home at present and they are indeed immensely enjoyable although set-up was slightly more challenging than I thought. But I come from a more mainstream, full-range-multi-driver arrangement (big yg’s, magico’s etc) so it could be me. My question is with regards to the stands. Did you try other (ie higher) stands or tweak the stock ones (fill with sand/cat litter use under boards spikes etc)?
My impression is that something should be done about them. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Sorry, I didn’t have any other stands on hand to compare and saw no need to look further as they sounded so good on the stands that came with them.