Mirage M3, Parasound HCA-2200II, PL/D-2000

billbillw

EDIT: EVERYTHING IS SOLD

I'm selling my Mirage M3 . In very good, but not perfect shape. A couple of minor scratches on the piano finish and the fabric could use a re-stretch. Unless you are super picky, you'd probably be fine with them as is. Sonically, these are perfect. The crossovers were just rebuilt/upgraded last spring. These are definitely big room, big power speakers. They are Bipolar layout with front/rear opposed midrange (~4") and tweeters (3/4" fabric dome) in each plus one front firing 10" woofer in a super well built vented cabinet. These will knock your socks of in the bass dept. Tight and deep with lots of detail. Auditions are encouraged. These were $2500 speakers when new, Stereophile Class B recommended.
SOLD on Audiogonfor them since I put a lot of time/money into the crossovers.
Definitely local only on these. They are 130lbs each.


To elaborate on the Mirage crossover rebuild. Everything was replaced except for the midrange and tweeter inductors. The bass trap inductor was replaced with Erse Super-Q inductors which are about the best I-cores you can get. Most of the caps were replaced with Dayton Metalized Poly caps. I had to use a few bipolar electrolytics due to space restrictions. However, all electrolytics are bypassed with poly caps, so their sonic signature is minimized. I used Dayton Film Foil caps to bypass in a couple spots on the midrange circuit, but not in the tweeter circuit. All of the resistors were replaced with Mills non-inductive wire wound (12w size). Overall, the sound improvement was nothing short of astonishing.

http://www.miragespeakers.com/PDFs/classic_manuals/M/M3/M3brochure.pdf
http://stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/1190mirage/

The tops are practically flawless piano finish. The fabric really does look pretty good still. Not faded at all. An open face picture too. The front arrangement is mirrored in the back, except of course, for the woofer. There are vents in the back in its place. The midrange(s) are in a sealed enclosure that runs front to back.

Parasound HCA-2200II.
SOLD to Stereo_Luver.

Parasound PL/D-2000
SOLD to Beardog

dorokusai

I think somebody posted a WTB for a Parasound PL/D 2000.....do a search.

billbillw

dorokusai wrote: »

I think somebody posted a WTB for a Parasound PL/D 2000.....do a search.

Thanks for the Heads-Up.

Edit: Couldn't find anything

dorokusai

Hmmmmm, I'll look around.

dorokusai

Bill - Sorry, it was for a DAC 1600. I apologize for the derail.

Systems

Oh damn man, I could really use that amp if it weren’t Xmas! If its not sold after the new year I could bite on it but I don’t think you'll have any trouble selling it fast.

cdjr

Sorry to see you having to sell the Parasounds. From your other posts I know how excited you were when you got the P/LD.:(

Excuse me for taking this chance to ask you a tech question.
I also have an HCA2200 MkII and just bought a P/LD2000 on Audiogon (before I saw you are selling yours).

Did you use the single ended connections or the balanced between the two? Would you say one is preferred over the other?

TIA for any insights you can offer!

billbillw

I only used the single ended connections. FWIW, I've always been told that balanced only makes a difference if you have really long cable runs, OR if you have balanced from source to amp. Since I didn't have any balanced sources to try, and my cable run is only 1 meter, I figured it wasn't worth it. Besides, I was told by Tony at Parasound that the Balanced connections would have about 3-6dB more gain, which I did not want. As it is, the Parasound combo was only letting me use about the first 1/3 of the volume range with a CD source. I didn't want to reduce that any more.

cdjr wrote: »

Sorry to see you having to sell the Parasounds. From your other posts I know how excited you were when you got the P/LD.:(

Excuse me for taking this chance to ask you a tech question.
I also have an HCA2200 MkII and just bought a P/LD2000 on Audiogon (before I saw you are selling yours).

Did you use the single ended connections or the balanced between the two? Would you say one is preferred over the other?

TIA for any insights you can offer!

cdjr

Thanks for the info!
I decided to try to find a P/LD 2000 after I saw your shots and description in the "guts" thread. It is impressive looking.

billbillw

Finally added some pictures of the PLD-2000 and a system pic that shows the HCA-2200ii and the PLD-2k together.

billbillw

Kinda surprised that none of you locals have expressed any interest in the Mirage. A year ago, I remember at least 3 of you asking to be considered when I was ready to sell them.
Hmm. I guess a year changes things.

Anyway, I wanted to elaborate on the Mirage crossover rebuild. Everything was replaced except for the midrange and tweeter inductors. The bass trap inductor was replaced with Erse Super-Q inductors which are about the best I-cores you can get. Most of the caps were replaced with Dayton Metalized Poly caps. I had to use a few bipolar electrolytics due to space restrictions. However, all electrolytics are bypassed with poly caps, so their sonic signature is minimized. I used Dayton Film Foil caps to bypass in a couple spots on the midrange circuit, but not in the tweeter circuit. All of the resistors were replaced with Mills non-inductive wire wound (12w size).
Overall, the sound improvement was nothing short of astonishing.

Again, auditions are welcome.

hoosier21

billbillw wrote: »

Kinda surprised that none of you locals have expressed any interest in the Mirage. A year ago, I remember at least 3 of you asking to be considered when I was ready to sell them.
Hmm. I guess a year changes things.

Check your calander

I would like to hear these, but time is short right now.

billbillw

hoosier21 wrote: »

Check your calander

I would like to hear these, but time is short right now.

Know what you mean. Time is short for me the next couple weeks too. Maybe after New Years?

billbillw

Here are a couple better pictures of the Mirage. The tops are practically flawless piano finish. The fabric really does look pretty good still. Not faded at all. An open face picture too. The front arrangement is mirrored in the back, except of course, for the woofer. There are vents in the back in its place. The midrange(s) are in a sealed enclosure that runs front to back.

billbillw

One last bump before Christmas.

If you are local and want a chance to see these, let me know.

In January, I'll probably get more aggressive by listing these on Craigslist. I don't expect that the Parasound gear will last long after that.

billbillw

A bump for the Happy New Year!

Looks like a lot of Atl. area folks are selling gear this week. Plenty of opportunities for someone looking to upgrade.

avo!d

i will buy your HCA-2200II just send me a message

Systems

I'll get in line if avo!d falls thru. I'd like to demo if possible?

billbillw

stereo_luver wrote: »

I'll get in line if avo!d falls thru. I'd like to demo if possible?

I don't know who this avo!d person is. PM me for a demo. I'm around today and the next few weekends should be free.

billbillw

I've got a pending sale on the Preamp, but the Speakers and Amp are still available.

Nobody in the ATL wants to give these Mirage a listen? Might have to move them over to Audiogon before long.

Systems

PM'd

Texas42

I'd love the Mirage if they were closer to Texas, I'd probably grab them...

billbillw

Looks like pending on the Amp now.

Texas, that always seems to be the case with these Mirage. So many people say they would love to have a pair but never find them locally. 6 million people near Atlanta, yet nobody is longing for the M3?

One thing I know, I'm not going to give them away. I'll put them in long term storage if I have to.

Systems

***wondering how much I could get to relay these to Texas?*****

billbillw

Ok, the amp and preamp are sold. Still trying to find a new home for the speakers. Any local polkie who has ever considered a large pair of floor standers owes it to themselves to give these a listen. They are a very well built, great sounding speaker that looks great too (that is if you like black monoliths).

Texas42

stereo_luver wrote: »

***wondering how much I could get to relay these to Texas?*****

Are you a trucker heading this way?

billbillw

Texas42 wrote: »

Are you a trucker heading this way?

I'm 99% sure he is not a trucker.

Systems

Not a trucker but I do drive ALL over the country working.

beardog03

Got the pre on friday !

Thanks again...

I left feedback for you also..

I also got the 245 center speak, I can`t find the thread, but thanks...I`ll leave feedback for that also...


Bill`s a solid guy folks.....no worries doing business with him...

billbillw

Ok, this may be the last bump for the lovely Mirage speakers. I'll try Audiogon at the beginning of February unless someone here expresses an interest.

Systems

billbillw wrote: »

Ok, this may be the last bump for the lovely Mirage speakers. I'll try Audiogon at the beginning of February unless someone here expresses an interest.

Bump....LOL