R John, get the references and enjoy them now and then when the active come out, throw those passive references in the back! Imagine the bass!!

Please excuse my ignorance here, but aren't the Triton 3 and above already "active speakers" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_speakers by virtue of their built-in amplifier? Granted, there is no DAC.

So with regard to the forthcoming Reference that I'm waiting ever so patiently for, I too am now curious where the "upgrade" lies, from the Reference do in July to the "active" one perhaps on the drawing board. Active in the context of the components mentioned in this thread.

GDHAL wrote: Please excuse my ignorance here, but aren't the Triton 3 and above already "active speakers" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_speakers by virtue of their built-in amplifier? Granted, there is no DAC.

So with regard to the forthcoming Reference that I'm waiting ever so patiently for, I too am now curious where the "upgrade" lies, from the Reference do in July to the "active" one perhaps on the drawing board. Active in the context of the components mentioned in this thread.

Hey, GDHAL

Moderator Dude can explain this far better, but the current Triton powered speakers, including the new Reference, have active (powered internally) bass drivers and passive (need external amp) mid/bass and HVFR drivers.

It seems to me GEt is among those on the leading edge of exploring fully active (NO external amp needed) full range speakers. From what limited knowledge I have, active crossovers in active speakers are simpler, more direct, allow better amp control of drivers, better damping, etc. than passive digital crossovers, and as Moderator Dude stated, internal amps designed specifically for the drivers allow best amp/driver fit.

I guess the evolution of speakers will go on for a long time. If Moderator Dude tells me that the next generation fully active Reference is aways away, and a "good" amp will work wonders with the the current Reference, then I too will look to order the current References. There's always something new coming along, especially with the Sandy and company team.

I guess my point was that, after a number of upgrades of fronts, center, surrounds following new GEt model introductions, I'm getting pretty close to topping off on my upgrading of speakers, and looking for some feedback on where to stop and just "smell the GEt roses". I'm loving my T1/T2 combo, can't help but believe the References will be another major step (looking forward to your reviews when you get yours, especially how they compare to T1's!).

I'm thinking I may order the References this summer if the feedback from you and others is as I suspect it will be.

I admire your first adopter attitude! Keep us informed on your new OPPO 205 and your impressions of the References when they arrive!

Happy listening!

Rick

Steveo wrote: R John, get the references and enjoy them now and then when the active come out, throw those passive references in the back! Imagine the bass!!

Good suggestion, Steveo!

If only the checkbook had no limit...

Yah, bass. I'm loving the T1/T2 bass combo I have now... chair, breastbone shaking, can only imagine a Reference/T1 combo,... and a future active Reference front/current Reference surround combo like you're suggesting.. Would probably have to keep a structural engineer on call to repair loose house joints, and write off china, dishes as they fell.

Rick

Moderator wrote: a fully powered Triton Reference, presumably with some streaming input capacity as well

Hi Team, if considering streaming input capacity (and therefore internal DACs) please also consider balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs also, to keep those that prefer their own Dacs happy

Thank you, Rick. I like your explanation of "fully active" and as you state, unless the moderator has something more to add I feel I have a good understanding at this point. Interesting that fully active would also include active crossovers and that would (or should) translate to superior sonic performance. I'd certainly be interested to hear a fully active Golden Ear Reference speaker.

As to the Oppo, I'm honestly extremely happy with the purchase. I know I can only provide subjective feedback but if I had to guess, when and if ever there is a professional review conducted and should that review include test measurements which are objective, I have no doubt it will perform exceptionally well. I never owned a "high-end" DAC costing upwards of say three grand, but I have heard a few. I won't be surprised at all if it's discovered that the DAC in the Oppo can outperform DACs costing many times its MSRP.

And I certainly shall report back on the Triton Reference, how they compare to the T1, etc.