Monsters. big speakers create big problems (had to elevate my listening chair 4" as i sit ~ 10ft away in a medium sized room) but after 2+ months of dialing in, these are end-game speakers and create an event every time they're on. give up the n'th level of detail vs M3s but have more power / foundational heft via 3x10". heroic build quality, berrylium tweeter is a revelation, my last speaker and will be for those who can afford it (replaced Wilson Sasha 2s--no slouches, but no S7s). --between wilson, rockport and magico you have to pick the house sound you like best and live with the drawbacks. i think this model magico has the fewest---smaller magicos have considerably more which i wouldn't own (again).
Luxman C-900U
world class SS preamp, immaculate build quality, perfect ergonomics (1db increments via full function remote), tone controls (seldom used, but nice option) and 'loudness' (which does come in handy for bass boost on badly recorded live discs), but 'line direct' is an open window. a true reference.
Luxman M-900U
Solid state class AB, 150wpc, impeccable build and sonics to match. runs cold to just a tad warm, but has treble fidelity i've never heard from AB. has proven a wonderful combo with speakers such as Wilson Sasha 2s and now Magico S7s, never running out of power and always musical and inviting.
the ideal match for the C-900U preamp, and the combo is a last stop for not-outrageous sums.
JAYS AUDIO CD3 Mk2
excellent, beefy (30+#) top loading transport (no moving parts!) for redbook. upsamples to 192k via I2s interface to dac. my last transport.
SMSL M400
replaced the Gustard X26 and compares favorably to uber$ dacs; gives up some bass depth and leading edge, and requires top notch accessories (Shunyata Omega digital and AC cords--into an $800 dac!), but having done so it punches well above its weight.
AudioQuest Wild speaker cables
step change improvement vs the Redwoods. ---low level detail in all frequencies is now clear, no sense of silver-related brightness. tonality is spot on, and incredibly quiet. fantastic cables
Kenwood KT-8300
highly modified per www.fmtunerinfo.com; custom power supply, output stage, opamps (biased to class A), IEC adapter, lots and lots of mods.
PS Audio P-10
excellent power regen that works wonders on front end gear (not so much for amps--sucks out dynamics). a godsend for apartment dwellers.
Shunyata Research Everest 8000
was meh when using alternate brand AC cords, or even the Sigma XC. But the Omega XC? oh baby, this is the bees knees of AC treatment under 20k, and without a single part to break. this is an item you hate spending the $ on, and every day after you're glad you did
High Fidelity Cables MC-1 Pro Helix+
i've one Pro Helix on the output of the PS-10 feeding line level gear, one MC-1Pro on the wall (which feeds a distribution box that powers the amp & PS-10) and one MC0.5 helix on another circuit.
i think most HF products are wildly overpriced and can be equaled elsewhere. but the AC magnets are a wonderful item and do more for AC than you can imagine. both the PS-10 and the synergistic UEF-12SE benefited from them. highly, highly recommended.
Stillpoints LLC Ultra 5
3 ultra 5s under the Luxman M-900 U amp (resting on a BDR Source shelf) were a shocking improvement in low level detail.
Added 4 minis under the C-900U and 4 Ultra SS under the DAC. every time more detail and no etch. indispensible under SS gear.
ASC 16
ten total, four at 4' tall, balance at 3'. big improvement over my DIY Risch Q&D Tube Traps
Relax The Back Zero Gravity Chair
wonderful addition to room, no apparent acoustical downside despite headrest
OC 703 Acoustic Panels (18 of them)
now at 18 in the room (three 24*48*6" deep, 9 as 24*48*2). the added 6"ers did wonders--gotta go thick!
i've heard the G&D + entec dac in the same system as a lindy 680. the lindy is sweeter and arguably more musical (read: rolled off), but less accurate. differences are slight, as both are wonderful. myself, i'd have to live w/ both for a long time before deciding: off hand i think i'd take the lindy for the option of SACD, but i'd miss the accuracy of the G&D setup. and even then, i'm not sure the lindy is better.
but the G&D / Entec setup is @ 8yrs old, and i got it for 1/4 of the lindy $$. so much for advancing digital technology.
i've been trying to get the G&D UTP-1 transport for YEARS. problem is it needs to come up the same time as the number cruncher. can you tell me if all the things ive heard about these two are correct? btw, want to sell?
yeah, having rcrump around helps the sound a lot, but not the pocketbook :-)
i'm reluctant to add bybees to signal after multiple discussions w/ curl & crump on the matter. they've tried it and thought the benefits weren't worth the losses (not to mention the fact that the merlins come w/ some admirable zobel networks already). i don't trust many guys in audio, but i trust those guys (they know what they're doing). AC however is a no-brainer for the bybees----took only a few seconds for the paradigm shift to sink in.
the G&D & entec stuff, like the CTC & rockport gear, are for the ultra-hobbyists. not sold in stores kids, but really really incredible gear. G&D was covered in bound for sound some time back---marty raved on the transport as being the best ever. i'd agree. the entec dac has competition as its an older model and digital has a 2 yr half life or so, but this dac is lovingly executed...which few people do in audio. attention to detail matters when you're talking ultra high end, and i don't know lots of mfgs that go through the pains of love in their gear. the only companies i see execute "lovingly" on a regular basis are merlin, rockport, TG, entec...CAT & wilson comes to mind as well (yes wilson--like em or not, they're fanatical--that's what i'm talking about). lots of companies aren't so loving. but they're the names you know and the gear you see for sale on a regular basis. you don't see the gear i call 'loving' because people don't sell it, for a very for a reason...
vinyl is a non-option. haven't the room or the $$ for it (to do it right) and sold all my records long ago (my only audio regret).
listening? everything but country and rap....lots of R&R these days, along w/ jazz.
That sounds like a fascinating system. It certainly does tell you that you can have great sound by being patient. Pictures will be interesting. Forgive my lack of knowledge but I don't recognize the G&D stuff or the entec. Where do find out more about that? Have you considered adding bybees to the speaker, where I understand they make the most impact. It must be quite advantageous to have someone like rcrump somewhere in the facinity. What sort of music are you listening to? Any thoughts of vinyl? Congrads
