New speakers are in!

B Run
B Run Posts: 1,888
edited April 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
So I randomly traded my Zu's for a pair of mint Martin Logan ESL's tonight. I met a really cool local audiophile who had the ML's for sale, and we worked out a trade. I'm going to keep the ESL's for 3 weeks and if I want to trade back we'll trade them back, and if not they're staying. Just go them hooked up, about to pour a glass of scotch and see what they're all about! I realize the iNova is definitely on the lower end of the scale only feeding them 80 watts at 6ohms and that was my main concern, so if they don't play nice one of them has to go. I'll post pics shortly!
Post edited by B Run on
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    1173662_10101996242466187_2130274652_n.jpg


    Just a quick pic, wife is watching tv but she's about to get the boot.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    They're pretty close to the middle seat where I listen to music, the pic is kind of deceiving. I have no idea I wasn't really looking for new speakers, but i've always wanted to try them and for an even trade I couldn't help myself. Like I said worst case i'll use em for a few weeks then trade back, my ZU's sounded better than ever on the other guys setup but it was all tubes in a small room so that didn't really surprise me. I really like them so far but I know i'll need to feed them more power.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited April 2014
    Nicey, my man...so how much longer till the little ones bday
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    Thanks man! She's due May 10th, just went to the baby doctor today and everything is right on track.
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2014
    Congrats on the new baby and speakers! I'll definitely be interested on your take on them. I had a set of ML Sequel 2s a few years ago. They sounded great but were not a fit for the listening environment I had them set up in ( office in a barn, too dusty for electrostatics!). It will be interesting what you think of them compared to the ZUs.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    What i've noticed so far is they do image much better but don't have near as wide of a soundstage. They seem a little more detailed and do have more bass as well. It's a different sound for sure and those ZU's were my babies so i'm still adjusting, but I do like them. It's always nice to do a trade for speakers the same age that were twice the price.
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2014
    It's definitely good to get your ears on different stuff, you'll never know what you really like otherwise. That's why I keep a rotation. Oh the madness!
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    Yep and it was the only way I wouldn't get murdered in my sleep haha. I'm definitely digging these so far though.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited April 2014
    i'm thinking those should be out in the room some more.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    I just pulled them out a little more, right now i've got 32'' from the back wall. Man i'm enjoying these more and more I don't think they're going anywhere.
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited April 2014
    B Run wrote: »
    Yep and it was the only way I wouldn't get murdered in my sleep haha. I'm definitely digging these so far though.

    sexy looking speakers! I hear what you mean about getting murdered in your sleep, I swear my wife (also due soon) has a hidden camera at my local shop to make sure I don't spend any money there, all trades for me too.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited April 2014
    Glad you like your new ML's B Run. They look very nice. Ive had my ears on some other models & they also sounded very nice. Hope they work out for ya. Congrats on the new addition to the family too-you too chandler9a
    ..
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  • suprafantx
    suprafantx Posts: 249
    edited April 2014
    B Run wrote: »
    Man i'm enjoying these more and more I don't think they're going anywhere.

    Congrats on your little one and the MLs. The MLs sound awesome if you feed them enough power and have some kind of room treatment (at lesat two panels in the back of the speakers). Yep, go flat never go back.
    Living room
    Speakers: McIntosh XR100 Fronts, LSIM707 Fronts, LSIM 706 Center, LSIM 703 Surrounds, LSi/FX Surround backs.
    Player: Oppo 95.
    Amps: Bryston 4B SST, B&K Ref 200.7 S2.
    Pres: B&K Ref 50 S2, Paraound P5.
    Subs: Dual Rythmik F15HP subs.

    Man Cave
    Speakers: Martin Logan Vistas.
    Player: OPPO 105.
    Preamp: B&K Ref 50 S2.
    Amp: B&K Ref 125.2 S2
    Sub: Rythmik F12.
    Sub management: SMS-1.
    Headphones: HD800, HD380, RS220, SRH-1840. Headphone amp: Woo WA2.
    Room treatment: GIK Room Kit #1.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2014
    Congrats! ESLs sound good when they work (just my personal grudge), but you are right that the iNova probably isn't getting the most out of them. However, if you like the sound, keep them!
    Jake
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited April 2014
    "when they work"? Dunno about the Martin Logans, but my Quads work fine as long as they're plugged in. ;-)
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    They actually sound fantastic on the iNova but i'm keeping the volume down and definitely not pushing it. Who knows what i'll end up with, I don't want to do something cheap but can't get away with buying anything right now.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    Luckily the guy I traded with had some really sweet gear and a better listening room for the Zu's and we listened to them for a while so I got to hear them reach their potential. I'll own another pair of Zu's for sure, but the ones I want aren't going to be in my price range for a while, so in the meantime i'll be enjoying these. I'm actually surprised by how much more detailed they are than i'd expected, never really sat down and listened to ML's before.
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  • nhhiep
    nhhiep Posts: 877
    edited April 2014
    I am thinking about getting the ESL to replace my lsim707? comments anyone? in term of $, it's a break even deal for me. I wanted to get the large soundstage of my previous SDA 1C, but with better looking speakers. My 707s don't really give me that SDA wide soundstage.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    I wish I could say i've heard the Lsim series to help ya out, but I can say i'm VERY happy with the ESL and they won't be going anywhere. My Zu's had a really wide sound stage and these are on par with those, however there is much more depth and height to these.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited April 2014
    The PeachTree can be pushed a bit. It's a Digital amp and will provide clean current, go for it turn it up. I love the way it sounds. The Tube pre is such a nice touch. I really dig their stuff.

    Congrads on the new ML's , they are fantastic sounding speakers.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    Thanks Dan. I finally pushed it more last night and it didn't struggle a bit, I do really like how well they pair together and think i'm probably going to end up keeping it. I might add an amp down the road and use the iNova as a Dac/preamp, but for now i'm pleasantly surprised with this little combo.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited April 2014
    My wife just said she likes these speakers better but they sound funny. I asked her why, and she said because instead of sounding like the sound comes from the speakers it sounds like it's coming from where the tv is in the middle. Haha I had to explain that was a good thing, she didn't believe me at first.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited April 2014
    I've Installed the iNova many times and really love it man. The DAC is very good in it. Hope your running High Rez stuff over USB
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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