Need opinion help on audio gear that is for sale, plus an unusual audition story.

evhudsons

I would like to know the opinion of folks here on this local guys list of things he is selling. I listened to them and they all sound great, but it was hard to give a real audition as it was a tiny room filled with speakers surrounding his bed. I'll tell you about that in a second, but this is what he has:

"The B&K st 140 $100
Sofia Electric "Baby" tube amp $200
Magnapan MMG $150
Moniter Audio Silver RX2 $150
Celestion SL6S $150
Kef C75 $150
NHT SUPER ONE $100
Siesta Lab SE BS $100

I've got an integra amp that sounds as good as the B&K its 105 watts per solid state too. $100
Crown CT 210 150 watts per $100"


I have the equipment listed below in my signature, but I am about to get a Marantz that the the owner said at first he thought it was a quad, but now says it has tubes. I want to venture into a 2 channel setup in another room which will be much smaller than the one I have now. I am using all my gear now as a combo HT and music space. Is any of the above gear good for the price? I liked the Magnapans as they might be mountable. I couldn't really get a soundstage from them because he had them facing each other on across his bed.

I was going to get an external amp anyway to drive my four outside speakers, two are 8ohm and two are 4omh, about 170 watts handling total for the outside speakers.

I don't need a center channel speaker. I might try a 'presense' speaker as my yamaha is set up to do that. I also have two cube speakers as rear channel, and book shelf for surround sides.

I don't want to lose out on a good deal but don't want to throw money away either.

So here is the story: it's the craziest audition ever, totally a Key West experience! Here's the ad from Craigslist:

AUDIOPHILE BONANZA - $100 (Key West)

Date: 2012-01-24, 12:53PM EST
Reply to: sale-pv43d-2815785128@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Tons of high end speakers, amps, and home theater equipment. Everything has to go. Magnapan, B&K, Parasound, Monitor Audio, NHT, Kef,
Sofia electromics, etc. No resonable offer refused. Save big.



I emailed the guy, got his address, went there and went to the rear per instructions, and thought I had to be in the wrong place. It was a room off the back of the house, but it was in a shed. If you have seen Trailer Park Boys show, it's Bubble's shed. There was trash filled bags, stinky of course, and a bucket of eaten bones, assorted rusty crap, dead plants, and the shed/room was shanty but had this nice deadbolt on a door that probably was never sealed in anyway. I knocked, and finally the guy came out looking typically homeless but had some teeth left.
The room inside was just big enough for a twins sized bed, and speakers. Nothing else. It was probably about 8 feet long and 6 feet wide. Inside were piled on top of each other about a dozen pairs of nice speakers, a small desk with a tv on top and several small subwoofers underneath. He had a receiver, many amps, a speaker selecting component, and tons of other electronic speaker and audio equipment. None of it looked cheap, and they were all in pristine condition. That makes sense because it would be hard to even touch them as they were a wall of speakers and amps.
I finally asked the guy why he was selling some of his stuff, and he said he just got into being an audiophile and wanted to get some more gear. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and hearing. He put on some various tunes, and it all sounded so good. Here I was in a rat infested shanty shack with this guy you wouldn't think had a pot to piss in, and I was enveloped with great music from all these speakers I had never heard. Most of the speakers were somewhat aligned with the exception of the magnapans.

As I spoke with him, he really knew his stuff. Before entering I thought I might have stumbled upon a thief quickly selling stolen gear, but this is clearly not the case. He might have gone broke with audiophilia, or he may just be a retired guy with low cash reserves that loves audio. His lcd tv was stuck with a green tone, so it was obvious that he was not into HT, just audio.

Obviously no wife, as there is no room for a wife or even a hamster in that room.

He was selling other gear not listed above, such as the parasound 1500a preamp. I have the parasound 1500a amp, so although it makes sense to put it together, I am using my yamaha as the main receiver.

Anyway, what do you guys think about the gear or prices?

Drenis

Buy it all and part it here. :razz:

BeefJerky

Drenis wrote: »

Buy it all and part it here. :razz:

Agreed! We are in need of some good karmas around here.

Joe08867

I like all of it for the prices quoted. Except the Siesta Labs, I don't know them at all.

evhudsons

Thanks for the info. Anyone have experience on Magnapans?

If you were to pick one of the amps, which one do you think would be the better? I think the B&K is 70 watts per channel, which would be ok for pushing my outdoor speakers, but I think I might want some more power. I'm also thinking though about getting two amps, one for my future 2 channel,, and one for the outdoor speakers.

anyone prefer the a pair of speakers listed over the maggies? They all sounded great, but one didn't sound so great, maybe that was the siesta lab speakers.

I'll take a picture when I go back of the front of this shack, it'll add to the story for sure.

Joe08867

If it were me I would buy these:

Magnapan MMG $150
Moniter Audio Silver RX2 $150
Celestion SL6S $150
Kef C75 $150

The B&K is 70 at 8ohms and 105 at 4ohms. Nice sounding amp and would be a good match for the KEFs and Celestions.
The Sophia Baby should be super musical but isn't very powerful. Those Monitor Audio's would sound awesome on this.

audiocr381ve

Joe08867 wrote: »

If it were me I would buy these:

Magnapan MMG $150
Moniter Audio Silver RX2 $150
Celestion SL6S $150
Kef C75 $150

The B&K is 70 at 8ohms and 105 at 4ohms. Nice sounding amp and would be a good match for the KEFs and Celestions.
The Sophia Baby should be super musical but isn't very powerful. Those Monitor Audio's would sound awesome on this.

Those are pretty stupid prices for these items. I'm with Joe, these are the items I'd snatch up. In fact, why aren't they gone yet? Those RX2's are sweeet.

Tony M

Seems like a deal and the guy will reduce it more per his ad.

Remember the old corvette in an old garage covered in dust with low miles for like 300.00 from 30 years ago. You just never know and I've had my weird yard sale finds. Old dirty stuff and up against the house in the bushes was a pair of ADS L-1280's I think and when I asked the guy how much, he yelled to his mom. So they were his dads for sure and she came out and said....ooooh how about 5.00 for both. I kid you not.

I gave her twenty and felt bad that I didn't give her a 100.00. Covered in nicotene risidue but that came off with 409 and a roll of paper towels. They worked fine but the ADS L710's had alot more clarity to them..But the bass was very, very powerful!

SDA1C

Are you thinking package deal? I'd be interested in the SET Baby if you are? We could worry about shipping if /when it comes to it.

evhudsons

thanks for the info! What I don't use I might be able to either sell or hook up for friends. I would have thought it shady but I've seen and heard for myself. Funniest sight ever all that perfect condition gear in that complete hovel. Wait til I post a picture of the front door.

any opinions on the integra he mentioned? I looked up the crown and it looks more like a pa amp, and it isn't pretty so the waf factor would kill that thought.

So far it looks like the good ones here are the maggies, b&k amp, monitor rx2, sofia tubes, celestion and kefs. Is there an order you would priority? I might have to get some of his stuff, but if I can get some cheaper I would make an offer for the lot.

SDA1C

What Marantz are you picking up? My buddy has a stack of Marantz and it sounded awesome last time I was there (8 yrs ago)
He's had it since HS (40 yrs).

nooshinjohn

For a buck-fitty you won't find a better sounding speaker than the MMG. I love mine, but they are a gateway drug to the dark-side as the sound the produce is detailed and seductive. They don't play in the deep end and will need a sub to go full range, but they are better than anything else out there through the mids and highs. Guitars come to life and vocals are incredibly detailed, warm and open.

Enjoy them, but beware of the slippery slope.

cnh

I agree with Joe, would buy the pieces he suggests. Yeah, it's hard to believe these guys are around. I had a not too dissimilar experience a while back. A guy who was selling monster vintage silver face receivers on ebay had an address that was close to my old stomping grounds (where I grew up). So I asked him if I could visit and see what he had on hand while I was down there visiting family. The Guy's house was FULL of gear. At least he had a "house". But no wife. He had one room where he had many amps and receiver on receiver stored wall to wall to ceiling?

We auditioned a number of pieces. And I walked away with three vintage receivers: a Vector Research, Realistic, and a nice Kenwood for $100. The Kenwood and Realistic serve as my computer systems along with some Minimus bookies. And the Vector Research is powering a set of HH Scott S-11s, a nice three way Acoustic suspension design that I use in the HT room for some FM and vintage two channel sound. Got the Scotts on the same trip for about $40. I felt like I was in an episode of American Pickers! lol

cnh

evhudsons

Wish me luck!

SDA1C

Fingers crossed!

SDA1C

Hey there EV. Hope you made it out alive hehe.

snow

Any Marantz that is old enough to have tubes will be worth a pretty penny, preamp or amp, in fact most likely to be worth more than all the other stuff combined.



REGARDS SNOW

evhudsons

Well that certainly was an experience!

I wound up getting
the B&K st 140, the Sofia Electric "Baby" SET tube amp (including 6 spare tubes), the Magnapan MMG, integra amp adm 2.1, Moniter Audio Silver RX2, and the Celestion SL6S

I didn't get the Kef C75 because the lower part of the cabinet had water damage and the bottom had rotted out which although could be fixed, is beyond my time right now. Even though it was not a sealed cabinet because of the damage, they still sounded nice. But I really didn't need them, was just snagging deals. It would be a shame to not see them refurbished though. If I get time later and he still has them, it might be worth making a franken Kef at the price he was selling them, which would have to be cheaper now that I exposed the issue.

Everything else was in great condition, except that the guy was a smoker and the maggies stunk. I used some dryer sheets to wipe it down, some lemon oil on the wood, deoxit on everything just for cause, and hooked it up. I first took the maggies and centered them behind and almost center from my CRS+'s just to audition them. I used the integra amp. They sounded amazing although I didn't have them positioned right. The vocals, horns and stringed instruments were incredible. Interestingly enough, any other speaker addition really messed up the sda experience, but these maggies sometimes did muddy it up, but at other times simply added a much bigger field that didn't interfere too much. I was able to adjust the integra amp to blend them together. My intent was simply to try them out, and after telling my wife they were temporary, after listening to them on, then off, then on, off, she wanted them to stay where they were!

It's fine, because when I want fuller movie sound, entertaining guests or the wife I can have them on at the same time, but when it's just me I can turn the integra amp off and just go with the crs. Or, just the maggies. Having a sub is nice as there is some but not much bass on the maggies. I had no idea they could sound so life like!

I am using the celestion's as my rear surrounds simply because I haven't put them in my mancave drum kit room yet where I will put my 2 channel system. Eventually that's where I plan on putting the maggies. They sound very nice and are in great condition.

But the real prize is those monitor audio silvers paired with the baby SET tube amps, wholly canolli! I am using my Marantz 2230 as the preamp to the tube amp. I'm not sure if that's a good idea, but it's what I have now. I set them up in the bedroom, which is where my wife goes to lay down when I am being too loud in the living room jamming on guitar or killing friends with machine guns online. Now she can have her very own audiophile set up for her space.

I set it up so that when the alarm timer goes off, she is awakened to her favorite music in the most incredible sweet sounding bedroom setup ever. It's so freaking nice! And the tubes look cool too. My wife asked me why I have to have the speaker grills on the monitor audio's, and I told her we don't. They look awesome in their speaker nakedness, and paired with the Marantz and warm tubes, it's a site to behold. Quite the romantic mood setter! :cheesygrin:

Sorry Sda1c, my wife wants to keep the tubes, even after I told her I was going to sell them. I tried using just the Marantz, and then both. The tubes certainly add a lot more harmony, warmth, and general quality to the sounds. It's as if it makes the music better, even crappy music. My living room setup sounds like crap when I play poorly recorded music, but the bedroom setup is nice.

I got everything for $750, so although he didn't come down too much, I still felt like I got a steal! I haven't even hoooked up the B&K amp yet. The integra isn't bad. I'm using it now mainly because it has more power and has trigger inputs to make it easier to switch everything on and off at once. I think I'll put the B&K on the maggies though, and the integra on the outdoor speakers.

So thanks to yall for the advice! I would have had no idea what was good or not without your input.

Here's a picture of my tubes, and a promised picture of the front of the hovel. The Kef is in the picture just to show I didn't just put in an internet picture. I was kind in the photo taking, bags of garbage were under the table to the left, and a bucket of eaten rib bones on the right, and general junk and mold all over the place. But inside his room he had everything pristine except for the cigarette smoke. Hopefully that didn't mess up the tubes, but everything else I was able to wash or clean and they seem fine.

I will find out what the Marantz is in February. I'm trying to find info on Marantz that has tubes and haven't found much information. Most info seems to be for the solid state receivers. He's actually taking the amp away from his son to give to me, because I would enjoy it plus he's happy I set him up with the Polk Atrium at his house, which sounds freaking great for being outdoor speakers.

Behind the TV is where I put the Maggies for now, so I'm not getting the full experience yet. I will when I move them to the 2 channel room later. I know I have to do some acoustic treatments for my living room. I just heard from another friend that he put fiberglass insulation under his floors under the house, and it made a big difference. I am also trying to figure out a way to have nice window treatments for the glass french doors to help with the acoustics, but they have to match and look nice.

Thanks again!


-Everett

Polkersince85

I'm with Snow on this one. Put your money on the tubed Marantz. Get the right one and it could go into the mid four figures.

ViperZ

Wow, great find!! Just wow!

SDA1C

Right on EV. Enjoy the tunes man!.

heiney9

Awesome stuffffff!!!

Just one minor correction the Sophia Electric Baby, isn't as SET (single ended triode). It's a misnomer. It uses 6P1 Russian output tubes in a push/pull configuration with 5670 driver tubes. Here's a review. Sweet little 10wpc push/pull tube amp

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0703/sophiababy.htm

You did very well for $750, enjoy

H9

SDA1C

The acronym was for Sofia Electric Technology

SDA1C

In My opinion that Baby is the best piece there. Congrats !

S.E.T.? Music Baby Amplifier

6P1T tubes are available at $15 per tube, $60 per quad or $150 for 3 quads.

Buyers be aware:

Similar looks do not mean from the same maker
Similar tube arrangement may not have the same circuit designs
Copied circuit may not have the same parts and power/output transformers
(Sophia Electric transformers are epoxy potted to against copycats)
Copycat unit may not have the same sound nor the same reliability
(imagine the copycat amp may use capacitors pulled from the old TV you trashed fifteen years ago)

Reviewed by The Absolute Sound (Page 73)

Reviewed by Enjoy the Music.com

Reviewed by TNT Audio

Reviewed by Positive-Feedback Online

Reviewed by Mr. Gary Krakow on MSNBC

Specification

Upgrade Experiences

Bi-amp Bi-wire Setup Experiences

This Baby amplifier was voiced to be one of the world's finest amplifiers. Interested party should buy one unit to judge yourself. See User Reviews


1.Wide frequency range from 6 Hz to 80,000 Hz +/-3dB.

2. Impressive -95dB Signal/Noise (S/N) ratio. Which made it possible to drive 112 dB horn speakers without noise. This would translate into dead quiet performance on any speakers you use.

3. Big sound was achieved when there is high definition of music information.

4. Realistic, live performance like, male and female voice. Great for jazz, rack, vocal, and opera.

5. Wide dynamic range makes it also suitable for wide range of music.

6. Have more power and drive capability than a typical 300B single ended amp (8 watts) or a 40-50 watts solid-state amp. Should work with speakers above 89 dB efficiency and 8 ohm impedence.

7. One year Warranty on major parts and labor. 6 month on tubes. Replacement tube is $15 each unit.

8. Special Price: $999.99

Recommended upgrades:

1. Signal coupling capacitors upgrade (4 units of Sophia Electric capacitors): $129.99.

2. Powercord $175 for 5 feet length.

3. Speaker cable: 8 feet pair $300, 10 feet pair $350.

4. Interconnection cable: 3 feet pair $400, 6 feet pair $600.

"S.E.T." stands for Sophia Electric Technology.
Copyright@2002-2011 Sophia Electric, Inc. All rights reserved.

evhudsons

One correction here I overlooked. The Magnepans are SMG, not MMG. I looked up the model list and measurements and it is the first SMG, about 24 by 48 inches. They have tan fabric but I will order two black "socks" to make them look nicer. They sound great, really great! Of course I discovered these can be upgraded too.

My journey continues.....

Toolfan66

Very Nice!!

FTGV

Do the SL6's still work?They got a lot of positive coverage in the Hi Fi press when introduced back in the early 80's.A ground breaking design of the day but I remember them as rather bland and very inefficient needing a beefy amp.

evhudsons

They do work but one driver looks like it had been glued around the edges. they sound really Good but I'm just using them as surround backs. I haven't tried them as mains. I started taking them apart but had to come to my wife's art gallery show. I was going to pull the driver out to see if it needs work as I did hear a sound like an air leak. Interesting looking. I recovered the speaker grills and they look as nice as they sound. Researching them it looks like new drivers are not an option. What a fun haul though!

sda2mike

stop! wait just a second there!.....which tubed marantz are you speaking of???

evhudsons

I'm not sure of what tubed Marantz. I helped a friend who had this in college. When I told him of my recent Marantz find he got excited and said he had a quad but wasn't using it and didn't know if it worked. As he searched for it, it turns out his son has it but isn't using it. He said, "it has tubes in it, is that alright?"
He repeated that, so I think his son was hinting to leave him alone because it's special, and the dad was wondering if it was less than desirable. It told him tubes would be incredible. He is going to go back and bring it at some point, maybe this month. The unknowing is killing me! It could be a pile of unusable crap, or it could be something more. I haven't had much luck researching it although I have found some Marantz 7 preamps on the internet. I have no idea whatsover it could be.

I called Sheila today about my Magnepans to get new "socks". She said from the serial number mine is the first ones made in December of 1980 for the market models of January 1981. After the freeze is over she can send the wire kit to upgrade the Maggies. She is freezing her tail off now and had a hoot talking about coming to Key West some day.

I opened up the Celestion s6ls and it was packed almost full with a norez type of foam. I pulled a bunch away to find the crossovers covered in a layer of dry rotted foam. When I get more time I'll clean it out, but the crossovers look to be in such pristine and new condition it almost looks like someone upgraded them a while back. It looked like the newer larger capacitors unlike my old crs+ crossover components. I'll look up to see if there are upgrades for it, but the driver actually seemed fine once I tightened it back down. I'd rather do my crossover upgrade learning on those first before doing the more important speakers now in my collection. The Monitor Audio speakers look new and modern. They sound so incredible.

But...nothing beats my CRS+ by any margin

evhudsons

My luck continues: I just picked up another craigslist item to improve my setup, a great condition Technics mk2 1200 turntable. All the lights work, the pitch is fine, the levers, balance, everything spot on and has two cartridges and needles. It replaces the Gemini xl500 and is a thousand times better. That may or may not be an exaggeration. It sounds incredible, and it is obvious that quality matters in turntables. It's once again rediscovery in our vinyl collection. I'm going to make a record cleaning machine with the old tt so I'll be researching that here on club Polk.

tonight I'm restaining the maggies and putting on the new black "socks" speaker cover which replaces the 1980 brown cover.

I'm loving it!