Description

After many years of having equipment all over , we decided to try this about four years ago .The back looks a bit busy , but no audio cables or cords are in contact with each other , and it' s very easy to dress cables ect . There' s still a couple of upgrades to come , I'll up date photo' s when that happens . MAX
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Components Toggle details

    • Ayre Acoustics KXR
    preamp
    • Transparent Ultra
    speaker cable
    • Madrical CZ Gel balebced
    3 sets interconects
    • Levinson #431
    power amp
    • Revel Ultima Salon
    Revel Salon 1

Comments 30

Love the installation...this has got to be one of the top systems in terms of thoughtfulness to installation, organization, etc....you must be very happy with the sound as well of all that great gear! Congratulations! Wish I could accomplish this clean an installation and layout :-) !

zephyr24069

Owner
Sorry for the late reply , Samhar .

The Sudio2's have considerably more detail , the bass is lesser in degree but more resolving . Better overall balance .

tmsorosk

Congratulations !!!!! I looked at the 2's before I bought my current speakers none came up used at that time. I'm interested in your thoughts on the sound of two models?

samhar

Hello,

I recently purchased a new pair of F52(I know they are discontinued) after owning Wilson Audio Sophia 2s, 3s and Sashas. I have an opportunity to purchase Salon 1s for $6,200 or should I get a new pair of Studio 2s? Looking for opinions from Revel owners.

Regards,

Rick

ricred1

Owner
Upgraded to the Revel Studio 2 speakers , Sweet .

tmsorosk

Owner
Graham, sorry for the slow response. #532H, Improvements were not huge but the music is somewhat cleaner and clearer, slightly better bass resolution and a tat sweeter upper mids. I traded in the #431 so the new amp didn't cost me a ton more ( $5000. ) I had the #431 since new so it was about 8 years old. I was a bit worried about a major breakdown so the choice was easy. We brought home many amps before we settled on the #532H, it just sounded right in are system.

tmsorosk

Hi Tim

Did you get a #532 or #532H ? I have a #432 and considering a #532H but sure if it will bring much improvement.

Lovely looking system. I have Revel Studios so am interested to hear your comments.

Graham

specialk

Owner
New speaker cables, went from Transparent Ultra to M.I.T. Oracle,s. Although there not fully run in yet I can say without a doubt that the improvement is many times greater than the recent amp upgrade. An audiophile friend said " the new cables make red book CD's sound as good or better than the SACD's did before the cable change " . Also added HI Fi Tuning Supreme fuses to the Ayre KX-R preamp, Ayre C5exMP CD player and Audio Research DAC8, also install six Hi FI Tuning Silver Star fuses to the new Levinson power amp.

tmsorosk

Owner
Hello Glai.
The Levinson was like the story of Goldylocks and the three bears. The MXR's were to thin the Pass XA100.5's were to warm but the 532H was just right. Keep in mind I've setup and voiced my system using several generations of Levinson amps. I'm sure the ARC's would have been grand but because of the hours I log tubes are just no longer feasible. With much listening and the right setup I've found you can reach or exceed tube nirvana without the expense and hassle.
Regards Tim

tmsorosk

Congrats on the new amp, how would you compare it to the many amps you have auditioned or listened at ohter system?

Especially interested in how it compares to ARC ref 150/250; MXR; Pass labs; 532H.

Any reliability issues?

Many thanks

glai

Owner
New amp, now have a new Mark Levinson #532.

tmsorosk

Owner
Have moved into a larger house now, don't have any new pictures yet. Before moving in we transferred the dedicated power and added another layer to the walls, there now 1" thick on all sides. Also had to move a living room wall to make room for the audio gear and still have a livable living room. Hope to find a state of the art amp this year. I've brought home at least a dozen amp's so far and haven't found one thats a clear step up from my current amp.
Tim

tmsorosk

Not sure what you are doing about power, but in my experience getting a PS audio regenerator (first powerplant premier than upgraded to P5) was a huge boost.

Second, I used to have Studios as well. Then I did an in room shootout with Verity Audio Parsifals and decided to keep the Parsifals. I then did the same between Parsifals and Eidolon visions and prefered the Eidolon's. I now feel I am a few steps up with the Eidolons from where I was with my Studios. Lot more $$$ though. For current used price the Studios are hard to beat.

edorr

Room treatment...The final frontier...ASC traps in the corners should be your next upgrade.

etbaby

Wow,I thought I was crazy about routing cables!Awesome room and equipment,love the way you can get behind the equipment.Got to admit,I AM JEALOUS!

larryfontana

Owner
Quanmer ... Thanks to some fellow audio club members I have heard some very nice amplifiers in my system . My favorite was the Vitus but way to expensive for me , second would have been a Pass Labs XA160.5 , very nice sound but very hot running . I'm also going to bring home a demo Levinson #532h from my local dealer when I get the time . I have given much thought to tubes but I listen to about 4000 hours of music per year so tube costs could get out of hand .

tmsorosk

Tmsorosk, thank you for reply, I had ML 23.5 before, after that, I don't have any experience of new generations from ML.
What do you find the "step up" from ML?

quanmer

Owner
Quanmer ... Yes , I am currently looking for an amp and have heard the MX-R's in my system thanks to a friend . They were fine but I felt I was getting to much of the Ayre sound , a little to analytical for my tastes , maybe something a tad warmer . Biggest problem is finding something thats a clear step up from my Levinson .

tmsorosk

Tmsorosk, have you tried MX-R in your system?

quanmer

Owner
Another system change . Went from a Levinson #360s DAC to an Audio Research DAC 8 .

tmsorosk

Owner
Bjbcab... I did take the top off the KXR and the C5 , had a very thorough look , no fuses were visible . I have used these fuses in other components including my Levinson power amp with small but good results .

tmsorosk

tmsorosk,

Do you use Hi Fi Tuning fuses in your Ayre pre? I highly recommend. The MX-R has external and internal fuses. I think there were 3 or 4 fuses in all. I am not sure if that is the case with the pre.

bjbcab

Man.... wish I could get my cables sorted out that well! Nice job.

no_money

Behind the wall.....you should have a very small liquor bar. You could just sir and drink and look at the beauty. :)

paul_graham

Very nice. I used to own Levinson amps and Salons too.
I think you've got equipment and a room many would envy.

sgr

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