markmuse's System

Owner

Milpai, @milpai , changed my mind again and returned the Orchard monos. They were good, but not a $6k improvement over the AGD. I ordered a 3B3 Bryston. Supposed to be special driving Maggies.

You know those Proacs of yours would be an easy load for the Tempo.

markmuse March 09, 2025 12:26

Owner

milpai, what speakers are you using? I think the Tempo will successfully drive most. Maggies are notoriously hard to drive.

The limited edition monos from Orchard are sold out, but Leo said he is going to produce another run with some minor changes.

markmuse February 26, 2025 22:29

Owner

Malpai, decided to keep the Orchard LPS monos. They better the AGD Tempo in every way except for a slight loss of textures in the upper mids and highs. Also, now that I have them I do recognize the Tempo was struggling with the Maggie load.

These things are beasts. Very heavy for class d amps. Seemingly very well made.

Posting new system photos.

markmuse February 20, 2025 15:48

Owner

Just arrived yesterday. Give me some time with them.

markmuse February 15, 2025 14:47

Owner

Oh, I see you have Proac Response. I have a pair of Response 2's from years ago. Bass drivers need refoaming and the tweeters have lost their ferro fluid. And probably the crossovers need work too. Good cabinets though. Trying to decide what to do with them.

markmuse January 19, 2025 10:55

Owner

milpai, what speakers will you be using with the amp?

markmuse January 19, 2025 10:48

Owner

I expect to have them in mid February if there are no further delays. You might need to remind me.

markmuse January 18, 2025 22:02

Owner

milpai, yes the Tempo drives the LRS+ with ease... absolutely no sense of strain at all. Plenty of "bounce and zing". The Tempo is like shining a light into the darkness, if that makes any sense. And "Tempo" is a great name for it due to its strong sense of pace (boogie factor). But I must qualify my comment: I listen mostly to small ensemble jazz at moderate levels. Even when I listen to classical it is mostly choral and chamber, not so much full blown orchestra.

The Tempo is 200 watts into the 4ohm LRS+ load. I have ordered a pair of Orchard Audio LPS mono blocks (500w > 4 ohm) for a 30 day trial. Not because I feel anything is lacking, mostly out of curiosity. Leo at Orchard has been most helpful. You might want to talk with him too.

markmuse January 18, 2025 10:39

Owner

Hello milpai. The Coda is a fine amp, but for me the AGD Tempo is a better match for my system, particularly with the LRS+. The detail (without changing the tonal balance - meaning not exaggerated presence region) is superb; the weight is there, harmonics, vibrance. The Coda just sounded lifeless by comparison. And the Tempo uses a fraction of the energy of the Coda. Sold the Caladans. Still have the KEFs and the Fynes, but using the LRS+ exclusively - sounds so fine. And this KEF subwoofer integrated seamlessly with the Maggies. I occasionally get the urge to try other equipment, but then I think WHY? Retail therapy? I am delighted with what I have now.

milpai

markmuse January 17, 2025 16:57

Owner

Hi Milpai, the 12sn7’s are a bit sharp in the presence region by comparison to the Horizon 12au7’s. And the BBs, I am beginning to wonder if they perhaps not BB. They are Amperex but don’t say BB. The seller might have misled or perhaps was misled. My system now with the LRS+ is revealing in the extreme. The Horizons so far seem to find the right balance with detail with tonal richness.

markmuse July 30, 2024 07:06

Owner

mipai, they are RCA 12SN7 GTA

markmuse June 26, 2024 09:25

Owner

No, you can’t use the 6 volt version.

markmuse June 22, 2024 19:09

Owner

Thanks, Jond!

markmuse June 22, 2024 07:26

Owner

Yes, you can and should (in my opinion). The sound is more spacious, detailed, and dynamic at the micro level. The dealer I bought it from sent it with them. I have tried several 12au7 tubes in them but the 12SN7 wins hands down. And they last forever.

I have talked to the folks at Backert about it. They are well aware and offered no cautions. In fact they asked me, once they knew who the dealer was, if he shipped it with the 12SN7's. We both got as good chuckle of out it.

Regarding amp power, you are operating with a rather old assumption. I think that advice was was from the old days based upon class AB amps that clearly distorted when they switched from class A. Class A and class D amps do not have that problem, and even amps that go from A to B are much better at it these days. 100 watts should be plenty to drive any normal speaker properly. Heck, right now I am listening to 50 watts class A driving my KEFs, which are ~85db insensitive. And it is doing a beautiful job. It will play louder than I can stand and clean as a whistle.

markmuse June 21, 2024 13:09

Owner

Hi Milpai, and thank you!

Tubes are 12SN7 with adapters. More detailed and dynamic than the standard tubes. These are RCA, I think gray plates. I would have to pull them to check.

Right now listening to the KEFs. I just got them back from my son-in-law where they were on a long term loan. The Fynes are really good too.

The AGD is a great amp. I had two of them almost accidentally, so I tried biamping the speakers for a while. Certainly not necessary from a power point of view. I have since sold one of the Tempo’s. The KEFs are the least efficient speakers I have at something like 86db and 8ohms. With the Fyne’s and Caladan’s I have to lower the output from my DAC to 65-75% to have reasonable control over the volume. The Caladan’s and Fyne’s are both ~92db and 4ohm. Both the AGD and the Coda have plenty of power for my needs.

markmuse June 19, 2024 22:00

Description

Components Toggle details

Aurender N200

PS Audio DSD Mk II

Backert Labs Rhythm 1.4

KEF Reference 1

Fyne Audio F1-8

KEF KC92

Magnaplanar LRS+

Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium LPS

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