Tim,

Thanks for your comparison of the Sat5 vs. 5.0. As I understand it they use the same drivers w/ the difference being x-over and cabinet design.

After Chris and your raves about the 5.0, I rewired the internals w/ Kimber Kable and re-dampened the inside w/ egg crate foam. The dampening opened the Sat5 up, removing the congestion and hollow sound. Replacing the existing rubber insulated heavy gauge wire with Kimber cabling added air, extension, clarity, & bass articulation. They are not the same speaker sonically. Next to redo x-over and build the larger ported cabinet. Thanks again for your comparisons.

mjcmt August 10, 2011 18:29

Thanks. After listening now the Sat5s sound a bit hollow, thin, and bright, though airy, so I will keep them for rears (if I build up a HT system) or save for the extra drivers since they were their own design. I will keep an eye out for the 5.0s.

mjcmt August 01, 2011 19:25

I see your a big Soliloquy fan. Can you comment on Soliloquy speakers?

I just traded some Mission monitors for the smallest Soliloquy Sat5 speakers. I hope I did good. As I understand it the Sat5s have the same drivers as your 5.0s, but in a smaller sealed non-ported box - clean tight bass to 60hz as I've read. I listen to Jazz mostly so it should be ok. I'm going to try it w/ my AE Super Amp MkII tubed power amp with a direct feed from the variable output of a vintage Yamaha CDP.

mjcmt July 30, 2011 14:09

How you have them configured is referred to as vertical bi-amping (one amp per speaker). There is a reason it sounds better than horizontal bi-amping (one amp for lows and one amp for highs).

In all but a true dual mono amps, the single power supply of a stereo amp only has to drive one current hungry bass driver and one easy to drive tweeter. You will experience a greater ease of music flow with less chance of clipping at higher volumes.

mjcmt July 06, 2011 11:35

Thanks, that is some good information.
That is what I liked about the Benchmark DAC. It sounded natural yet you could here deep into the recesses of a recording. A few have felt it thin in some systems. It never did for me, but I was using the AES Superamp II tube amp w/ the Benchmark DAC variable output.

mjcmt December 21, 2010 00:15

That is very useful info. I'm thinking of the Apple TV for music and movies.

Thanks for sharing the benefit from an external DAC w/ the A-TV. You say the vDAC is smoother than the CA DAC. Is everything else equal like detail, macro and micro dynamics, distortion, soundstage, etc.? I'm looking for a budget DAC, after having the Benchmark DAC a year ago I have seen the benefits of a good DAC.

mjcmt December 20, 2010 13:14

I like your 2 systems in one room ssglx.

Are you saying that you use the apple tv's internal hard drive to store your music or are using it to play your music form your computer through your hi-fi?
I'm confused, which dac sounds better, the apple tv or the CA?

mjcmt December 10, 2010 12:18

Wish I had your preamp to mate w/ my Super Amp MkII. I've seen 2 sell for $600 but wasn't sure about it. The MkII amp is amazing, but I know little about the MkII pre. Please tell me your thoughts on the preamp.

(I used to have the DJH pre and 308 cdp before owning the Superamp MkII...sorry I let them go!)

mjcmt February 03, 2010 00:21

I like your 2 different systems. Have you considered putting the AR system in a small room like a library or bedroom. Its smooth soft and emotional sound would work in a relaxing environment.

mjcmt August 17, 2009 14:58

I believe you are correct in assuming that a passive preamp will work w/ your Manarchy amps. I have a Audio Electronics Super Amp MkII power amp with 40wpc full power at 1 volt input. I use a Luminous Audio Passive preamp w/ amazing sound. The only thing better is a straight interconnect w/ no preamp. I tried it briefly playing a cd that has lower output with just an inteconnect and it has the exact same tonality, with slightly more dynamics and layering... but only slightly. A CDP has 2 volt output and your amp has full power at .6 volt so a passive attenuator volume is all you need.

mjcmt August 12, 2009 20:56