Music Hall A25.2

AsSiMiLaTeD

Ordered it from AA, got it in today.

VERY impressed right out of the box, night and day kind of impressed.

More to follow...enjoying my music right now, going through all my favorites like I haven't listened to them in years...

dragon1952

Pics? :rolleyes:

Congrats...looks nice!

cmy330go

I've often wondered about that player. Never had the guts to pull the trigger though.

Are you using this in place of the Denon 910? Would love to hear your thoughts after you get some more time with it.

AsSiMiLaTeD

No, I'm using a Sony SACD player for transport and an outboard DAC. I'm in love with the integrated, so I think I'll swing for the matching CD player as well - also supposed to be very good

AsSiMiLaTeD

Here's a few quick pics I snapped with crappy-cam of my 'new' 2 channel system. I'm actually running 2 systems right now.

From top to bottom on the audio rack:

Parasound P/HP 850 preamp - System 2
TEAC A-L700P Class T Amp - System 2
Music Hall A25.2 Integrated Amp - System 1
Denon 910 used as CDP for now - System 2
Entec Numbercruncher 203.2 DAC - System 1
Sony SCD-555 CDP transport - System 1
Polk LSi7 Bookshelves - System 1
Modified Pi Studio 1 floorstanders - System 2
Audioquest ICs in system 1, MIT Terminator 5s in system 2

Those cable pics are the new Audioquest Type 4 speaker cables I picked up at Tweeter tonight - weren't in my system during first set of pics but are in there now burningin...

Don't give me crap about the 'stands' the LSi are on right now, got another set ordered and should be here next weekend...just in time to pack it all up and move lol.

http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z302/polkmaniac/

hearingimpared

Polkmaniac wrote: »

Ordered it from AA, got it in today.

VERY impressed right out of the box, night and day kind of impressed.

More to follow...enjoying my music right now, going through all my favorites like I haven't listened to them in years...

I've read great things about that integrated as well as the 25.2 CDP. I always liked MH's classy simple look.

Congrats and enjoy.

engtaz

Congrats

steveinaz

Nice setup, you've got an interesting mix of equipment.

jmwest1970

Nice setup! Is that the apartment?

AsSiMiLaTeD

nope that's still here in the house, that'll be the last thing I break down.

Interesting mix is about right. On paper the Parasound and TEAC probably aren't a good match for each other, but it works well for me. I'm going to grab that MH CDP next week, and move the Sony CDP and DAC over to that rig, so that my main rig will be MH CDP and Integrated and the LSi7, and that's it...

I'm still getting used to the LSi, the extra detail taht I'm hearing throws me off at times, but I like it.

hearingimpared

Polkmaniac wrote: »

nope that's still here in the house, that'll be the last thing I break down.

Interesting mix is about right. On paper the Parasound and TEAC probably aren't a good match for each other, but it works well for me. I'm going to grab that MH CDP next week, and move the Sony CDP and DAC over to that rig, so that my main rig will be MH CDP and Integrated and the LSi7, and that's it...

I'm still getting used to the LSi, the extra detail taht I'm hearing throws me off at times, but I like it.

If you have a couple of hundred bucks to use, Wally Liederman at Underwood Hi Fi, phone number = 770-667-5633, fax = 802-609-1893 has specific upgrades/updates he does to the CD 25.2. He also does upgrades/updates to the transport but I found the cost of transport upgrade prohibitive. When I enquired about the CD25.2 upgrades they brought the price of the 25.2 from $600 to something like $798. Someone a while back whom I can't remember their name, told me about Underwood Hifi cause I was considering an MH CD 25.2. Actually Wally talked me out of it cause I have a very good DAC and would be wasting my money on the MH CD 25.2. I thought that was very good of him to put aside his bottom line to save a prospective customer money. . . I would say his effort worked, I'm telling you about him.:)

jmwest1970

Polkmaniac wrote: »

nope that's still here in the house, that'll be the last thing I break down.

Interesting mix is about right. On paper the Parasound and TEAC probably aren't a good match for each other, but it works well for me. I'm going to grab that MH CDP next week, and move the Sony CDP and DAC over to that rig, so that my main rig will be MH CDP and Integrated and the LSi7, and that's it...

I'm still getting used to the LSi, the extra detail taht I'm hearing throws me off at times, but I like it.

I was thinking of mentioning the Music Hall Maverick, but it's reviews on mechanical reliability are horrid. I can't knock what you've got now for SACD anyway. I thought it sounded great through the Denon.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm still digging the Music Hall after a few days. I've got around 50 hours on it now, so I imagine everything is mostly broken in.

There's a night and day difference from the sound I had before and what I'm getting now, and I'm much happier with what I have now. On that there is no debate really - anyone listening to the two (even my wife) can hear an instant improvement.

The level of detail I'm now hearing is amazing, but to be honest almost distracting at times. I find myself at times getting lost in the detail but then forgetting that it's the music as a whole that I should be listening for, not all the individual details. I'm sure that this will change over time as I get more used to all the extra 'information' that I'm hearing, but right now it's almost as if I'm spending too much energy in trying to process all the details, at the expense of missing the 'big picture', the music as a whole.

The same can really be said for the imaging as well. They seem to image very accurately, but almost too well. I find myself picking apart the image across the front soundstage, but again focussing on the individual instruments instead of the sounds as a whole.

I think that as I listen to them more, I'll 'learn' how to process the imaging and detail better, and that will become part of the music as opposed to consuming my attention. Right now I'm still struggling with that.

I'm surprised at how crisp the speakers are, but without being the least bit bright or tiring. I don't know how they do it, but it's done well.

Whoever said the LSi doesn't do well with rock music doesn't know their head from their ****.

I picked the LSi7 a week before the Music Hall arrived. I ran them on the Denon AVR3803 for a few days, but didn't really get much time with that pair, wish I'd had more time.

I've got everything set up so that I'm able to switch out the two systems easily to allow me to compare. After lots of comparing, I have a good idea of how each of the new components (LSi or the Music hall) is changing the sound, so I'm able to attribute certain sound characteristics to each piece.

Overall, I think the speakers had the most impact. Here are some observations that I made:

1 - Music Hall powering the LSi gives me the best sound.
2 - Parasound/TEAC powering the LSi was very close to the above setup. The Para I think colors the sound a little, and I think is a little too warm when paired with the LSi, even with the tone controls defeated. The could be the TEAC, but I think it's the Para. I also gave the MH combo the nod because it sounds better at lower sound levels. I attribute this to a better amp section in the MH than what the TEAC has.
3 - The Pi speakers sound more similar with each setup than the LSi does, but ultimately the same observations above still apply here.

Maybe it's all in my head, but the MH seems to sound a little better after it's warmed up for a few minutes. I know this can be true with tubes, but never heard of it with SS gear.

With the MH/LSi combo, I'm amazed at the big sound I get from these speakers, and yet how good it sounds and the detail I get at lower sound levels.

Overall, I'm extremely pleased, and I expect that I'll be even happier as I get used to the extra detail and imaging that I hear.

marker

Polkmaniac wrote: »

Overall, I'm extremely pleased, and I expect that I'll be even happier as I get used to the extra detail and imaging that I hear.

That's all that matters. Congrats and enjoy!

AndyGwis

I may have to get myself a nice MH 25.2 for the bedroom. Hell, maybe even some Lsi7s, too. Guess I should just hold onto the RT600s at least until the new tweeters have a chance to break in.

Looks like a sharp combo. Nice work!

Chicomoralessxm

Sounds great!!1 and congrats. I love the looks of the mh have heard lots of positve things on their sound as well. Does anyone here know anything about the MH Mavern i'm considering that since i want a receiver stereo preferably to replace my hk3380 which will be relegated to bedroom duty. Has little more juice............

AndyGwis

Haven't heard the maven, but i looked at it before choosing my MF integrated. I think it was missing phono input that I wanted, and I already had a nice tuner.

Looks pretty cool. No listening experience. No affil, but here is a reputable Agon seller with one: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1183680512

Chicomoralessxm

Do you have any idea how much wpc at 6ohms?? was trying to find that out???

AndyGwis

Didn't find any ratings for the Maven at 6 or 4 ohms. They should really state that instead of just the 100 wpc.

I'll check around some more.

Chicomoralessxm

I really know what you mean i even emailed them to find out. No response. was quite curious about.

Chicomoralessxm

that will be greatly appreciated

Chicomoralessxm

Just another quick question since the 25.2 is only 50wpc at 8ohm is it a good idea using it as an pre-amp and getting an ext amp

Chicomoralessxm

Well if anyone finds ouit anything on the mavern let me know

AndyGwis

Nothing on the Maven. I think it would be something around 140 - 150wpc into 4 ohms. Just a hunch. If it were any higher, I'm sure they would post it.

The 25.2 wouldn't have to have a separate amp unless you have rather inefficient speakers. What would you be running? You can always try it out on its own and add and amp later, if needed. Or, just get an integrated with more power to start so you aren't throwing money into an amp section you're not using.

I quit my quest for a 25.2 and got a HK 3480. Not the same league, but it does want I need it to do and then some, at a great price to boot.

Chicomoralessxm

Congrats on your choice!!! I would have taken the a25.2 though that is if you dont mind not having a tuner. for me it was a neccesity and budget. But i do have some regrets. Anyway the mavern is of intrest as well as the nad c372 int amp or the CA640V2 or CA740, but if i get rid of my hk3380, I will run into probs since i use it for video out with my vcr and dvd running into it which is quite handy(2.0 sound is fine for me) int amps from what i see dont have a video out do they??? and then i'd need a tuner as well. SO the mavern seens to have the best offerings since i'm looking a stereo receiver with a bit of power. If i had the extra cash i would get the Music fidelity a3.5 which i would be great with my next bookshelves still deciding on those the era design 4 or 5 the nht classic 3 lsi7's or a used pair or rainmakers

Mike53

Chicomoralessxm wrote: »

Sounds great!!1 and congrats. I love the looks of the mh have heard lots of positve things on their sound as well. Does anyone here know anything about the MH Mavern i'm considering that since i want a receiver stereo preferably to replace my hk3380 which will be relegated to bedroom duty. Has little more juice............

The Maven is a fantastic choice! I plan on purchasing one and am considering the Underwood modified version. (Wally does great work and only picks the better equipment on which to do his mods.)
Go to www.musichallaudio.com and check it out. Also, look up Music Hall Maven on the web and read the reviews.

The local audiophile shop recommended Music Hall to me last year and, as a result, I purchased the 25.2 amp, cd player, tuner and a set of Epos speakers. I couldn't be happier. (Wally also does mods to the 25.2 amp and cdp.)

You'll definately be happy with the Maven.

phuz

Interesting.

I ordered a CD 25.2 and they sent me the integrated on accident. The CD player should be here this week, and I'm sitting on the integrated (I'm supposed to ship it back to them).

I may give it a good run before I ship it back.

cstpeter

That could prove to be a brilliant marketing strategy!

Chicomoralessxm

Mike53 wrote: »

The Maven is a fantastic choice! I plan on purchasing one and am considering the Underwood modified version. (Wally does great work and only picks the better equipment on which to do his mods.)
Go to www.musichallaudio.com and check it out. Also, look up Music Hall Maven on the web and read the reviews.

The local audiophile shop recommended Music Hall to me last year and, as a result, I purchased the 25.2 amp, cd player, tuner and a set of Epos speakers. I couldn't be happier. (Wally also does mods to the 25.2 amp and cdp.)

You'll definately be happy with the Maven.

Well when you get make sure you let me know your impressions.

Chicomoralessxm

The Lsi's really look tempting I must say, i'm still undecided on which speakers to get still lol. Is the A25.2 able to power them or would you need an external amp??? I was seriously considering a couple of options. For one getting the arcam A70 and later adding the HaloA23. But right now i'm trying to still decide on those 1st pair of bookshelves for my new 2channel rig, then work from their.

Mike53

Chicomoralessxm wrote: »

Well when you get make sure you let me know your impressions.

I have listened to the Maven, extensively, at the local audiophile dealer, so I was able to drive a variety of speakers...all floorstanding. The midrange has a great presence and wide range, the bass is quick and distinct and the hi end was sharp and distinct. The bass, mids and treble are all very even...no need for treble and bass controls.

There is plenty enough power to drive any speaker plus it can drive two sets of speakers. A marvelous piece of equipment!

A friend purchased one he saw on Audiogon.com and upgraded the op-amps to the Burr-Brown OPA627 chips. He's driving a set of Triangle Esprit speakers.
I heard the unit both before and after the op-amp switch. The reciever went from being impressive to outstanding. It sounded as good as other amps that cost more than twice the price.

A most worthwhile purchase.