They were also very highly regarded in the audio world , a number of magazines gave them high ratings and awards. They weren't cheap, costing over $10,000 around 2000.
You'll notice the tweeter arrangement is phase compensated physically, with the tweeter set back from the front baffle and the foam "steps" acting as a wave guide , and to help with diffraction.
The result of this is excellent phase performance, the best explanation of phase performance is that the better it is, the better the speaker disappears. Imaging becomes very precise and sound-staging is wide and 3 dimensional.
They are also very accurate, which explains their use in recording studios, but not in an analytical way, they are still very involving and very pleasant to listen to.
They really do disappear, leaving the music just as "live" as you could hope to hear.
Phase coherence is something the Supratek tube preamplifiers are famous for, they bring a "big" open sound , something they have been engineered for.
Quite a few years ago I built a special preamp for the Lipinski's.
It uses 6SN7 input driver tube and 71A DHT (directly heated triode) output tube. Transformer coupled output, and with direct coupling (no capacitor) between the 6SN7 and 71A. This is to increase the phase performance of the preamp.
It works very well, and enhances the overall performance of the system .
Also included in the preamp is a 24dB subwoofer crossover for the dual Lipinski 15" subwoofers under each speaker. Of course it is tube based, using 4 x 7N7 tubes.
The crossover frequency is 70Hz, the Lipinskis speakers have good bass , so the subs are only required for low bass use.
They are non-boomy, and articulate, yet have good depth and power.
The preamp is quite old and quite ugly now, but circuit wise it's as good as new , and it is still a very good up to date design with the fabulous DHT sound. The 71A DHT tube is one of my favorite tubes. Seperate over-engineered power supply.
I've partnered the preamp with a Parasound 4 channel high current amp , 2 channels for the speakers and two channels for the subs.
There are level controls on preamp and amp to adjust balance of speaker/subs.
The Parasound is an excellent DC coupled amp, which again helps with the phase response of system.
The complete system sounds as you'd expect- world class audio components that combine to make a very synergistic , and capable sound. Extremely musical, foot-tapping , and hard to turn off!
In order to complete the package I'm including a quality Geek Pulse PCM/DSD dac, with optional power supply , and a simple mini-pc based music server with hard drive- everything you need to get going.
Free lifetime service on the preamp, but not on other components. However they are all well engineered, quality components and will last forever.
$6500 negotiable. Email me to arrange a listen- supra AT supratek.com.au
