Joining the @cfrizz 200wpc club
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…The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
…? 🤔nooshinjohn wrote: »I think he would rather suck them through a straw
That’s not very flattering for the proprietor of the aforementioned appendage.
😱
Alea jacta est! -
@Kex are you a size queen?
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I disabled signatures.
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Alea jacta est!
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Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
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Only in your dreams kexy, only in your dreams.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Okay Nutsy. I love you! 💋
P.S. did you leave your sense of humor at home for safe keeping? 🤨
You know that what doesn’t get used stops working. 😱
Alea jacta est! -
YawnPolitical Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
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I love everyone here.
Wait, no, that's not true... where is that list, it's around here somewhe...
It's probably actually easier just to list the people I like, I guess.
Somethin' weird's going on though. Whenever I browse the forum, most of the posts are faded out! I think Vanilla's imposed some sort of content limit on me. It's like I can only see a tiny fraction of the posts, and and they're always like gushy and happy, or pictures of @Tony M 's cottage and birds, or lion stuff from Charley. I like that stuff. And threads about people being pleased with speaker buys.
And also Drew's "I'd like to [scalped thread content taken way out of context in a disturbing way] her [scalped content], if you know what I mean." Actually no. Not those. Those give me nightmares along the lines of eating cheese too late at night.I disabled signatures. -
And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
The Michi X3. This integrated originally launched at $5k back in late 2020, and then its price later increased to $5,300. The recently announced Michi X3 series 2 retails for $5,800. I picked up this "open box" X3 from TMR as they have recently dropped Rotel/Michi and are clearing out their inventory. They have one more X3 for sale listed here.
Despite some greazy fingerprints on the remote and faceplate, there weren't any other obvious signs of use. So I'm guessing this was a demo unit or a lightly used customer return. As you take out this heavy and inert feeling 62lb rectangle from the high quality double box packaging, you can't help but notice the quality. There's no flexing, creaking or anything cheap/plasticity looking. The design is understated and stunning in person, demanding your attention. It looks luxurious.
It also sounds luxurious. Granted, I've only tried the XLR input with my Auralic Vega G1 streaming Tidal, and only with the Triangle 40th Anniversary Comete speakers. Either this is just incredible synergy, or this amplifier is really something special. The X3 considerably changed the character of these speakers compared to the last two amplifiers I drove them with. (The Benchmark AHB2 and the Boxem Audio Arthur 4215/E2 ((Class D using Purifi Eigentakt modules))
I'm fairly certain the following performance attributes are going to carry over to future speakers I try with the X3, but of course I'll report back if that isn't the case. Quite simply, the sound is smooth, lush, and effortless. There are abundant 3D stereo imaging effects, along with an enveloping and hypnotizing fluidity. It's just endlessly listenable. The rhythmic flow is spellbinding, and makes you want to keep listening to whatever it is you are playing. And notably, this unique sound quality doesn't go away at lower listening levels. Even at the lower end of the volume range (6-10), the weighty, bold, and smooth sound signature comes through.
I get the impression that this amplifier was deliberately voiced in this manner, as opposed to a goal of outright utter transparency. I think the Michi team at Rotel knew exactly what they were doing, and succeeded spectacularly in their goal. It's hard to fathom anyone NOT liking the sound of this amplifier. Like I said I've only tried it with the Triangle speakers, but if these attributes come through with others, this is a killer product. The way it is, I already feel like it's worth every penny I spent on it.
Top to bottom in the frequency range, everything seems to be balanced as well. There's no treble, midrange, or bass emphasis, everything just sounds as it should be. Bass control is exceptional and taught. Rhythmically flawless. Midrange is uncolored but does highlight different attributes and sounds within the song at times. It's bringing different things to light than the elements that the AHB2 and Boxem featured. The motion and bloom in the midrange is also different, there's more solidly defined and outlined elements. The decay of sounds are also smoother, flowing, and more controlled. Somehow it does all of this without ever sounding syrupy or slow.
It also runs warm to very warm, but not hot. So that's a pleasant surprise and makes it rack friendly. Looking forward to checking out the built-in MM phono stage soon, but even if that and the DAC are just "good not great", I'm still beyond impressed with the preamp and amplifier sections and overall sound.
This is an outstanding product based on sound quality alone. Thanks for reading my initial impressions. I'm definitely loving it so far. -
Great way to start out! Love it when that happens
JAT, if the Buchardt’s are still in da house, see if they play nice with the Michi
btw, nice write upAC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
Pre Cary SLP-05
Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
Mains Salk HT2-TL
Rythmik F12 -
Drew, how does it compare to the Norma?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 -
Or tripped over them!KEF 207s / Coda Continuum / SST Thoebe II / Oppo BDP-105D / Technics SP-15 w/SAEC WE-308SX & Ortofon AS-309 arms / Ikeda 9C2 & Dynavector XX2 Mk II carts -
Drew, how does it compare to the Norma?
I can assure you that it is definitely different. -
Drew, sounds like they are trying to emulate a tube amp? That would be a very good thing.Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
That's certainly possible. This review from Positive Feedback touched on that point:
"I have heard smooth and musical solid-state amplifiers before, but they usually come off as trying to replicate the sound of a tube amp. They are usually expensive, and end up sounding colored. I don't know what kind of alchemy the engineers at Rotel are putting into the Michi line, but whatever it is it is working quite well. This integrated amplifier drew me into the music from the get-go, and never let me go. This integrated amplifier is the best I have ever heard at just making you forget what you are doing and draw[ing] you into the music for a long listen." -
Tried the built-in phono stage today. Not quite as good compared to my $1k iFi iPhono3 BL, but I expected that.
It does however sound very good, perfectly listenable. It seems to fit the house sound of the rest of the unit as well, as I was getting plenty of 3d stereo imaging effects. Overall, a very nice and satisfying listen through the phono input today.
Continuing to really enjoy the X3! Will try it with some of my other speakers soon. -
Twice!
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Another Dave @verb minty fresh condition Michi X3 just popped up on TMR: https://tmraudio.com/components/integrated-amplifiers/michi-x3-stereo-integrated-amplifier/
Click buy it now, life is short. -
Come January, I’ll have the opportunity to compare the above to St Peter’s BasilicaSamsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s -
Your local provider was cheap & behind the times.Funny story...or not😁 growing up most folks I knew shared lines between neighbors. Either our town was behind the times or the cost for a private line was too expensive.
The cost for a private line* was cheap back then. The switching equipment OTOH… $$
*copper was very cheap in those days.
Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s -
Must the 200+watts @ 8 ohms RMS be for a single channel or would multiple* amps per a channel qualify?😂😂Courtesy of the Michi X3. Should be interesting.
*bi or tri ampedSamsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s -
Interesting, they just listed another one for sale today but for $700 less than the last one even though the condition is the same: https://tmraudio.com/components/integrated-amplifiers/michi-x3-stereo-integrated-amplifier-mm-phono/
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That'll make someone unhappy.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk
