A few updated pictures of the new system, its night and I couldn't get good lighting to get a whole system shot, but its around the corner. Overall I am very pleased with this system its a huge downgrade from where I've been and its lower resolution allows me to forget about being an audiophile and enjoy music. While I have no complaints I have little doubt I will be playing with the big boys again in the not so distant future. I am planning on moving with in 2 years and at that time I will search for a better listening environment in my home and build a more SOTA system. At this time I just like the flexibility this system offers, it does everything good and has no real weakness, I feel all the components represent tremendous value, which is why they were chosen.
Tim: Best of luck with the new setup. I am watching and waiting for the photos. I hate to see the Maggies go too, but the Von S's should be killer speakers. I would also like to hear your comments about moving away from the Parasound monos to the Audio Aero tubes. You are a man on a mission. (Thanks again for the Sorbane feet too).
Congratulations on the (positive) change Tim, it sounds like a wonderful system! I do hope it is a slow year for you, for system changes, it is so enjoyable to have a system that is fun to listen to.
Hey Brian! I was wondering when you were going to come give me a hard time :)
The changes are down right sublime. The db99's are not better in every area but they do some things that make me very happy. First of all real dynamics, incredible dynamic range, bass slam and most importantly the ablity to listen at low levels at full resolution. I do miss the air of the maggies, but its starting to come close(around 450 hours on the speakers) and there will be a ribbon tweeter available soon that should satisfy me. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy amplifier flexibilty- I can use virtually ANY amp on these things. Which is why I let the JC1's go, while I did really like the JC1's there is no point in keeping them on a speaker like this, it was OVERKILL.
I guess maggies are an aquired taste and none of my audiophile friends "got it", so far those who have visited have been blown away with what this system does now. I can sum it up in a single word- fun. These make listening so much fun, from bach to bill evans to the who these speakers to everything for every genre- better then most other speakers I have heard.
I am going to be visiting a friend with the VR-11's in a few weeks I am very curious just how much better they are! I think I have officially reached the point of diminishing returns. Though I may be eating those words when I hear the VR-11's I just have a hard time imaging a 10% improvement.
I see 2005 as a very slow year for my audio purchases(gosh that sounds awfuly familiar!)
Hey Tim, I don't know what happened, I am on MY PAGE all the time yet I never saw that you upgraded your system! It wasn't til I saw a post of yours mentioning different speakers that I knew you had made some changes.
It appears to me that you have held me guilty all year and then you simply waited until the last few days of the year to tie the game! :)
Anyways, it is a month late, and I am now enlightened, congrats on the changes? Are you pleased?
I've been listening for a few more days now and its starting to sound really good and the speakers are not fully broke in and are not positioned properly but closer and in just a few short days they've become MUCH better. I have a SS amp coming today on loan to break in the speakers(I can't see wasteing tube life on break in) so it should be good by next weekend. I also have to move my nimbus/transport and then it will allow me to put the right channel speaker where it belongs. As long as this evening isn't too wild I will have pictured tomorrow.
I must admit I do like the dynamics! But its still going to hurt seeing my beloved maggies go :(
System edited: I don't know what to say but, big changes took place literally over night. It all happened at once and seemed to be the "next step". This is clearly a different type of sound, I've had it for a few days now and it a nice change. In many ways its better, in other's I prefered the maggies, but the new equipment needs to break in and get proper set-up. I think it has a lot of potential to be VERY enjoyable, time will tell if it is on the level of the maggies. And Brian, what can I say I am weak ;)
I couldn't agree more with Fcroweder's comments. I am using promethean's(from machina dynamica) and Jena Tek power cords, both made a large improvement in different areas. The biggest shocker was what the Promethean's did for the system, it brought a sense of life to the system that I have never heard with any other product(be it component or a tweek).
Just a few quick thoughts. The JC-1's definitely benefit from a good amp stand. I am using the Finite Elemente with their Cerabases and am very happy with that combination. They also are very sensitive to the power cord used and can range from extended but a little lean to lush depending on the AC. The cord can also effect the imaging and the perceived level of blackness around instruments (noise level).
Hey Carl- Sorry I forgot to reply about the amps in our email! I got caught up with other things ;) I have thought about upgrading the amps(through empirical), but don't think I'll be doing it. I don't want to risk the waranty, or compromise resale value. I would be more inclined to get a latest spec. classe omega or another pair of JC-1's and bi-amp. A fellow modified magnepan user has used the jc-1's and greatly preffered the classe omega and has recently upgraded to the omega omicron mono's which he feels is yet another level better. My reply was "ignorance is bliss", I am so happy with the jc-1's right now I can't see changing just for the sake of change. His system is VERY similar to mine, though he is using 20.1's and he has a better room- so who knows what would happen using the classe here???? Other then that or perhaps a good deal on a huge boulder I don't think I am tempted to change. Chances are I would end up biamping before changing- no active crossover just twice the power :)
Have you ever considered an upgrade to the JC1's?....I recently had a Carver digital modified at Empirical Audio, who also offer a $1800 upgrade to the JC's....just wondered if you had any thoughts on that. My quest for better amps for the 3.6's isn't over yet!
Hello, I have also used a BAT Vk-60, VK-120 and Vk-500w/bat pak. I have listened to various classe, sim, adcom, pass and plinius amps on magnepans. The JC-1's are as good as anything I have heard on magnepans. I have friends who tell me the classe omega series amps are better, but they cost twice as much so one would hope they are better. If your going to get 3.6's get the most powerful amps you can find, the speakers perform much better with a lot of high current wattage. I know a lot of people talk about the Bel Canto but not many have experience mating them with magnepans. The good thing about the parasounds is that most dealers will offer an in home audition so you can see if it is your cup of tea. I like the amps a lot, but that doesn't mean they are right for you, you really should try to arrange an audition to see what you think. It is worth mentioning that the JC-1's were designed by CTC builders and are built by parasound for parasound, CTC builders has a fantastic reputation(for a good reason) and they do not sound like the rest of halo gear does.
OK, the last threads are topical for me. I am looking to purchase some 3.6r's and I had planned on buying the amp first. I currently have 1.6qr's and use, very effectively I might add, a Parasound Halo A21. It was a huge sonic upgrade from the McCormack DNA that I had previously. I have been leaning towards a Bel Canto eVo 4 Gen II, which I could run in bridged stereo, or Bi-amp, but I love the Parasounds, and am looking for recommendations. What other amps have you used with your Maggies?
As always Bon, thank you for your comments :o) More importantly I have updated my system(and renamed it), I added the Machina Dynamica isolation platforms and am stunned by the level of improvements. If you are ever in the market for platforms like the promethean, nimbus or Nirvana audition them in a hurry! I am arranging an audition on the sistrum stands, however I am very doubtful that they are going to offer the level of improvements the Geoff's platforms do. A friend turned me on to them and I was very doubtful, but I am a believer now and a happier audiophile because of it.
Tim your impression on the JC1 is very accurate,I appreciate it when owners like you,dont tend to be bias.Thats why I learn a lot from you.With the magnaplanar, I agree, the JC1, match them.
Hello Perfectionist(interesting moniker), in any case before I update my system again- yes I do have a few changes happening VERY soon- I can comment on the Parasound JC1's which are staying in my system at this time. I am really really impressed at the value these offer, they are powerful and explosively dynamic while maintaining transparency and detail. The emm labs is so revealing if there was a problem down stream it would be VERY obvious, it is a none issue with the JC1's. If anything they are a touch on the sweet side which I enjoy, it adds a little of tube like magic when it comes to texture(though I would never define it as tube like sound) in the midrange. As one would expect it is in control of bass and maintains linear response with articulation and detail. This amp is not perfect I suspect I am losing a little bit in inner detail and it does not have the magic of tubes. I don't think there is much competetion for this amp though, and at its price its a steal. I can't think of an amp that's less then 10K that can offer it a real run for the money, and even at that price range its more of a lateral move than a quantum leap in performance.
From my experiences these amps are particular about power cords, not to the point that would make or break a system but has the ability to tune the sound to your liking. I strongly suggest auditioning these amps if your looking for a high power solid state amp under $15k.
Daniel- Do you also know Brian? He's one of Frank's buddies, he's a pretty cool guy.
Tvad- There really is no secret, to me its common sense. A lot of 80+ hour work weeks and 10 years with no vacations and less then 5 sick days helps too. I feel old at 23:^) I did it the old fashioned way with a lot of hard work and patience. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything!
Tireguy, you should go on the speaking circuit and offer seminars in the "How To's" of tire sales. Based on your unbelievable system, you clearly have the secret.
I am watching Tim! Btw, you are closer to 30 than 20. It was a valiant effort, but a change / addition was inevitable. Look at it this way, you would have to do quite a few changes to surpass me for the year. When the Emm arrives, your strength will return.
