This is a high-resolution system with emphasis on analog playback and high-quality digital upsampled playback. It is possible to approach superb analog qualities with a DSD system; there is a 2:1 price to performance ratio needed, assuming that the analog equipment is near the top of the ladder.
Room acoustically treated with EchoBusters.
Listener position determined by near-field optimal acoustics. The goal for holographic sound presentation has been achieved.
I have recently upgraded my phono stage, tonearms and cartridges, preamp, and primary speakers. Now I have the option of surround sound for film, concert video, and sports while maintaining outstanding 2-channel playback at any time. The Lexicon works through the Pass XP-20 unity gain pass through input. Made the wise decision to mount plasma on the wall which greatly increased imaging space.
Babydoc, I have been talking to you on another site and stumbled across your system. Very nice. We have some similarities. I have CLS, Descent i(s), Theater i, and ML in-walls. I also have an Exemplar modified Denon 5910 and it blew away my Mark Levinson ML36/37 and became my 2 channel player. It has a tube based power supply and upgraded wiring and components. You might want to take a look.
Babydoc. You don't need any help with your system. You might be interested in this. http://www.cameras.pricegrabber.com/digital/Canon-PowerShot-SD1100-IS-ELPH-Silver/m61940634.html/skd=1/search=canon%20sd1100%20digital%20elph/st=product/sv=image
System edited: I have made significant upgrades in this system since it was first posted which included digital front end, preamp and phono stage, tonearms/cartridges, interconnects/speaker cable and power cords (Valhalla to Odin), and front speakers (Martin Logan Summits to CLXs).
Joey v. Thanks for the note. I am not aware that there are Summit upgrades available. I have also added a Sony Blu-Ray BDP 500 once the HD wars ended. Planning on updating my Preamp when the new Pass units hit the street.
System edited: I have added an Esoteric P-03/D-03/Os-Rb combination and a DV-60 for my dvd sources. The sound of this combination is phenomenal. I am considering adding a blu-ray player and am waiting for the new Sony and Denon units to become available.
Babydoc, you and I appear to have similar equipment affinities. I am putting nickels in a jar for a Verdi and a Verona (and a Xono unless something else grabs my attention). Regarding the Verdi, were there other transports that you considered or auditioned for that slot? You are invited to inspect my nascent system (Big Rig, Ever Evolving) and comment on what you think might work. Thanks cheers apo
I am using SoundGuard isolation platforms for my Summits and Descent subwoofers. They bring the speakers off the carpets and make the lower end better defined. They were bought from The Cable Company (www.fatwyre.com)
Great system. I also have the summits but in a 2 channel system. I was wondering about the platforms that your summit are on. What are they and do they make a difference in the music? My roon is carpeted. Thanks
Nice system doc, I was wondering if you would enlighten me on your X-3. What speakers do you power with it and how do you like it? I am thinking of adding a 3 channel to power my fronts and moving my Forte model 6 to power the rears. My system is used 50/50 HT/2Channel. I have read reviews but would like an owners comment. Thanks.
System edited: I recently added two Martin Logan Descent i subwoofers to the system which are active in either 2.1 or 5.1 surround. The four subwoofer approach has been recently touted in both Sound & Vision and Home Theater as improving overall bass response. The improvement in system imaging and overall detail is not subtle.
Joey v. It is not possible to have too many woofers. Having 10 woofers allows me to keep levels low enough not to interfere with rest of frequency information. Good luck with your residency. Been there, done that.
Geez man... 2 Descents? Isnt it enough to have 4x10" woofers from the Summits... you need - what is it - 4+3+3 = TEN 10" woofers??
Hahaha.... love it man... love it!
That's what I would do if I had the moolah... maybe during residency, I'll save my meager pay and eat free food at the cafeteria so I could upgrade the rest of my gear!
Thanks Joey. It took a long time to make this move. I had to wait until M-L got a center channel that I could live with and matched the Summits (the Stage does) and a second amp with similar characteristics to the X350.5 (The X-3 does). I will take some more and better pictures showing the surrounds (Script-i's)and my two turntables which are next to the two Descent subwoofers. Now I actually listen to movies and sports rather than just have the picture on but a high-quality music source instead.
I noticed your new upgrades to an already stellar system... nice nice nice!! Love the Stage and I'm impressed by your simplification of the entire 2 channel vs HT conundrum when it comes to the pre.
I went ahead and upgraded to the Rotel 1090 and I feel that it was a solid upgrade from top to bottom for my Summits. Perfectly priced and not that much different from the Classe CA400 that I auditioned sidebyside to it. The 1090 doesnt share anything with its lesser siblings, some might not even consider the 1090 part of the Rotel family if it werent for its external fascia.
Thanks for the recommendations!
I hope your Summits are giving you the aural pleasure mine are giving me... oh and I posted your system pic at the MartinLoganOwners.com forum club!
Joey V, there is no question that an upgrade from your Rotel will do wonders for the Summits. Depending on your budget, here are some recommendations: 1- Reasonable price: Innersound ESL 300 MkII amp. I had one of these and it is a killer with ESL speakers. They go for about $1500.00 on ebay or audiogon. 2- More expensive: Parasound Halo 2-channel amp. About $3K but again can be gotten cheaper on audiogon. 3- More expense: Pass Labs X.5 series. They start at the 150.5 for about $4K and work their way. the 350.5 is the best bang for the buck in their new line.
You did not mention cables because they will also make a difference. I have used Nordost and XLO because they are so neutral and quiet.
I am using a lower end Rotel amp but am vigorously looking to buy a better amp once my USMLE 1 is over (post-June 16)... now, will an upgrade in amplification imprve the Summit sound as I have experienced in the past with conventional speakers (i.e. Sonus Faber Concerto and such)?
The reason I ask is that although my RB1070/Summit system are far superior than anything I had before, I feel that I could improve on soundstage depth and the stage-forward presentation of the singer. I feel that there is a little too much fuzz around the Vocalist's voice.... and there is room improvement for the vocal "FOCUS".
Do you think an amp upgrade will improve these concerns? I remember listening to a BW703 with the RB1070 and A/Bed it against a regular Harman Kardon receiver (AVR330).... there was fuzz around the vocalist's vocal FOCUS with the HK, but this was remarkably reduced with the 1070, the vocal focus was sharper and better!
I'm hoping for a similar revelation with an upgrade amp.... I played around with the room interactions and toe-in, and I think it's as good as it's going to get with regards to positioning. I'm just looking for that next step of improvement.
So, to reiterate, will a superior amp improve soundstage depth and vocal "FOCUS"? I need that etched vocal focus where the vocal reproduction is just about the size of the singer's mouth.
Is this unrealistic? I've heard it done on the JMLabs 918Be paired with a Krell 400xi... though the ML killed it in every other aspect aside from vocal focus.
These speakers simply get better and better. The integration between panels and woofers is perfect. I have played around with setting and have decreased the 50 Hz slightly and kept the 25 Hz flat. I also have 2 Descent subwoofers in the system so that bass has never been a problem. I listen to a lot of vocal and piano. These sources sound magnificent. Did I mention imaging? These speakers image like bandits. On an excellent recording, the speakers really disappear. Mono recordings also sound spacious and clear. I understand that M-L is coming out with a more expensive speaker (about twice the price). Fine. I am going to keep these
Love the system!! Looks real cool especially with the windows straight in the background of the Summits. Any new opinions on the Summits, now that you've had them for quite some time..?
babydoc on Opinions Please