The Audiophile Bug Is Biting…

jbreezy5

Clipdat wrote: »

You're getting distracted. Keep your eye on the prize. Benchmark LA4 & AHB2 combo.

I’m still open to suggestions, because so many people have heard/experienced things I haven’t. I will definitely look into the above combo.

I’m VERY tempted by the ML ESLs in Gloss Black @ only $3k. I really like the electrostat sound; so pure and transparent.

Clipdat

They need a decent amount of room and space to sound their best.

Clipdat

Then again Benchmark had ML speakers in their room at Axpona and they sounded incredible:

nooshinjohn

jbreezy5 wrote: »

Clipdat wrote: »

You're getting distracted. Keep your eye on the prize. Benchmark LA4 & AHB2 combo.

I’m still open to suggestions, because so many people have heard/experienced things I haven’t. I will definitely look into the above combo.

I’m VERY tempted by the ML ESLs in Gloss Black @ only $3k. I really like the electrostat sound; so pure and transparent.

Magnepan 3.7i will bury the Logans...

jbreezy5

No, he di’in’t!?!?!?! 😅. j/k

That’s a good example @nooshinjohn. I’ve never heard the 3.7i or 3.6, even.

Have heard and liked the 1.6, which beat Vandersteen 2ci (I think that was the model) heard under the same listening conditions.

Kudos to the 2ci considering how many separate drivers it had to cohere vs. the big simple Maggies.

Stats vs. Planars though, in my space have to go with the skinnier stats to get my dipole fix.

Clipdat

First rule of Club Polk is don't listen to anything John has to say.

nooshinjohn

jbreezy5 wrote: »

No, he di’in’t!?!?!?! 😅. j/k

That’s a good example @nooshinjohn. I’ve never heard the 3.7i or 3.6, even.

Have heard and liked the 1.6, which beat Vandersteen 2ci (I think that was the model) heard under the same listening conditions.

Kudos to the 2ci considering how many separate drivers it had to cohere vs. the big simple Maggies.

Stats vs. Planars though, in my space have to go with the skinnier stats to get my dipole fix.

Then go 1.7’s with a pair of REL S5’s... I have heard that combo with Pass Labs amplification and was floored. Sounded better than the Logan CLS...

nooshinjohn

Clipdat wrote: »

First rule of Club Polk is don't listen to anything John has to say.

Watch your back....

Clipdat

Speak of the devil, look what just popped up on TMR today: https://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/benchmark-la4-stereo-preamplifier-la-4-remote-black/

jbreezy5

Clipdat wrote: »

First rule of Club Polk is don't listen to anything John has to say.

nooshinjohn wrote: »

jbreezy5 wrote: »

No, he di’in’t!?!?!?! 😅. j/k

That’s a good example @nooshinjohn. I’ve never heard the 3.7i or 3.6, even.

Have heard and liked the 1.6, which beat Vandersteen 2ci (I think that was the model) heard under the same listening conditions.

Kudos to the 2ci considering how many separate drivers it had to cohere vs. the big simple Maggies.

Stats vs. Planars though, in my space have to go with the skinnier stats to get my dipole fix.

Then go 1.7’s with a pair of REL S5’s... I have heard that combo with Pass Labs amplification and was floored. Sounded better than the Logan CLS...

Clipdat wrote: »

First rule of Club Polk is don't listen to anything John has to say.

😅😂🤣

jbreezy5

@nooshinjohn - 1.7s still too big in my living quarters; also .7s, but could possibly do LRSs.

I love ML stats, though, and better is a relative term.

For me ML vs. Maggie spells “d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t”.

Space considerations must rule in this scenario.

jbreezy5

Well, I bit the bullet on one part of my upgrade plans, and you guessed it…





Martin Logan Electromotion ESLs, piano gloss black. Sooo good!

Clipdat

Nice! Congrats!

Milito

Congrats!

jbreezy5

Leaning towards my next move being to go for Jay’s Audio CD transport.

Anyone have experience with this?

maxward

@marvda1 I believe.

jbreezy5

After much contemplation, I decided to put in an order for a McIntosh C8 preamp instead of pursuing a Cd transport.

This is the entry-level Mc pre in terms of price, but I dig the form factor and Harley Davidson chrome aesthetic.

I listened to the MA352 integrated to get a feel for the tube sonics, although it uses 2 12ax7s and 2 12at7s, and the C8 uses 4 12ax7s.

Magnolia said it may be a few months before I receive it, so no actual photos yet.

Watching the ⏰

jbreezy5

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/-/media/images/mcintoshlabs/products/productimages/c8/c8-angle-background-remote.ashx

jbreezy5

UPS dropped off two quads of matched/balanced 12ax7s today.




Long-plates and short-plates for Sunday-swapping or mix-and-match.



Estimated Mc pre availability is sometime in June. ⏰⏰⏰🤪

jbreezy5

Received a quad of EH 7025 today. Two of which are currently in the TubeDac III (I couldn’t resist).




These are way smoother than EH 12ax7s I’ve heard, on first listen. The ax7s were rather bright to my ears.

In fact, these are quite smooth, focused, and balanced sounding. They give up some bass depth compared to the Mullard 12ax7 long-plates pictured above, but mostly only noticed by way of subtraction/omission.

Glad I purchased them for the smoothness and inviting clarity in the mids/highs.

Mike Reeter

^^^^ Has the cost remained in check with your supplier? ^^^^

pitdogg2

Have you tried the RCA 7025 ? Since they invented it back in 1946 they might know a thing or two.

jbreezy5

Mike Reeter wrote: »

^^^^ Has the cost remained in check with your supplier? ^^^^

They were relatively reasonable, but probably more than they were before the war. Couldn’t find them elsewhere so far.

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Have you tried the RCA 7025 ? Since they invented it back in 1946 they might know a thing or two.

These were sold out where I looked. NOS are pricey too. Trying to have some sets to swap out, and ensure I can keep my pre rockin’ on the cheap.

jbreezy5

I was going to pick up some more Mullard CV4004 and 12ax7 long-plates only to find they were both sold out!

Got a quad of Tung-sol 12ax7s, instead, as I presumed people would keep wiping out the tube market.

Thankfully, I have tube diversification, at least.

===========

I also inquired of McIntosh about the C8 volume control, and got the following response from Chuck Hinton:

“It uses a digitally controlled analog resistor ladder, volume is in the analog Domaine.”

Phew! Sweet relief, as I feared, “What if it’s a digital volume control?”

So precision, separation, and analog tube awesomeness await.

Is it June yet???

jbreezy5

Please someone buy so I can keep my eyes on the prize. Too many temptations for me!

Someone posted Acoustic Zen Adagios (red) for $650/pr.!!!

There’s a Musical Fidelity A308CR preamp w/remote for $950.

Polk R100 for $450/pr.

Polk Monitor 7s for $160/pr.

Pathos Logos Integrated for $1900.

Ppl selling this stuff in StL on Craigslist. Someone help me!!! 😅

tonyp063

You came to *this* forum asking for help to not spend money?

Please.

VR3

Exactly! Buy them all! Do it!!

One of us! One of us!

jbreezy5

tonyp063 wrote: »

You came to *this* forum asking for help to not spend money?

Please.

No, I came to *this* forum to entice y’all to spend money. 😁

jbreezy5

Got lucky. The Adagios sold already.

Swapped gear in my main system to fool my brain.

jbreezy5

So things have changed. My McIntosh C8 preamp was well behind the expected arrival date of 06/24/2022. The latest update was anticipated arrival of 09/30/2022.

I decided that’s longer than I’m willing to wait for something I’m paying on, so cancelled my order. Best Buy / Magnolia was very helpful and understanding, and I got my refund in 3 business days!

I’m hitting pause on system upgrades. Since I have been making a lot of updates in my room, particularly, with use of EQ, balance control (my listening seat is a little left of center), and good success with a make-shift room divider on the right speaker side (which has created symmetry of front and side-walls around my speakers) I’m enjoying much improved sonic results.

I purchased a used DBX 2231 EQ for my birthday from Guitar Center, but returned it due to terrible audible hum upon power up. I was hoping to upgrade from my BSR EQ-3000, which actually has performed admirably, but I was seeking more precise frequency response control (31-bands instead of 10-bands on the BSR). The DBX also had balanced connections. Still seeking a suitable upgrade for this.

While things still are not ideal, they are much improved.

I recently swapped out my B&K Ref 5, with the Ref 50, which gives finer gradations (1dB instead of 2 dB) on the volume control adjustments. I’ve also discovered, per the owner’s manual, the volume control is a digitally-controlled analog volume control like the McIntosh had, and I still get tube injection from the Jolida Tubedac III.

New rules for myself, future upgrades will be based on in stock items (if buying new), and I’m going to consider used items again. During the past 4 months I missed out on some great used amp/preamp opportunities.

Cheers!