This is my (temporarily in the bedroom) system. Some of the components are leftovers from an older midfi system (the powerwedge, rack and speaker cables) so it's in a process of constant upgrading. The bedroom setting also creates problems with speaker placement etc, but it IS just temporary.
K5Xe preamp, original evolution model with MP upgrade.
Ayre V5Xe
V5X with evolution upgrade.
Magnestand Magnepan 1.6QR
Done with 'curly' cherry frames and crossovers done in green poplar heartwood with figured quarter sawn oak and a leopardwood stripe on top.
Synergistic Research Acoustic Reference
Using Galileo MPC. Cable positioned between source and preamp.
Synergistic Research Accelerator
Using Galileo MPC. Between preamp and amp.
Synergistic Research Galileo MPC
Used on Acoustic Reference and accelerator interconnect
Audioquest Bedrock
none
Synergistic Research T2
On Preamp
Synergistic Research T3
Used on Amp and CDP
Synergistic Research QLS-9
Replaced powerwedge 112. Running MPCs, CD and preamp. T3 power cord.
Synergistic Research Precision Reference PC
PC used on QLS-9
Synergistic Research Teslaplex
no description
Polycrystal 31
31" ultra high density 'wide' rack. Three shelf.
SRA Ohio Class XL Squared
In 'sexy' matte black for the V5Xe.
Synergistic Research Art Basik
Room acoustics package
Cardas Myrtle Wood Blocks
I have Large V-blocks keeping power cords and IC's off the carpet, and small blocks stacked under the powercord on the CDP and Pre to keep the cords weight from pulling on the IEC inlet.
To answer your questions... YES! the V5xe beats them into submission. I've heard maggies with a lot of amps (bryston, macintosh, etc etc) and The Ayre is a beautiful match. Very tight and controlled.
as for the 2nd question... I have a mix of SR's acoustic art basik room treatment and some acoustic 'pillows' in the room.
System edited: More SR Tesla cords added to the system. Swapped Cardas Golden PCs for a T3 on the CDP and a T2 on the preamp. Much more dynamics, detail, fluidity and musicality. Next up will be Speaker cables!
System edited: Added the T3 to the QLS. It really opened up the sound. Wonderfully detailed and warm and musical with expansive soundstage and deep detailed bass.
System edited: Added a QLS-9 to replace the aging powerwedge 112. There is so much more clarity and depth and musicality now! And all this with the stock toss away power cable! I always knew that the wedge was sucking the life out of the music. A T3 is on the way as I type this and will be used with a Galileo MPC.
System edited: Swapped the MPC on the Acoustic Reference for a new Galileo MPC. Just put it in and even cold, right off the bat it was a rather noticeable difference. Much more air and imaging and wider, deeper soundstage. More body, slightly better timbre, a bit more detail, and the bass... I didn't think my mags could go any deeper or produce bass any better than they were.. but wow. And the quality is outstanding. I only have one in the system. I put it on the Acoustic refs between the CD and preamp. Seemed like the best place for it. I'd akin it to making the move from accelerator to acoustic ref in that spot, only a bit better. I can't wait for it to really get warmed up and get some hours on it. Now I must have another! From Ted Denney III in another post: "spin off technology from our Galileo research program. A hand built Quantum Tunneled Galileo MPC. The Galileo MPC is point to point wired (no circuit board), uses Vishay capacitors and Quantum Tunneled diodes. It is Quantum Tunneled in a six step process- the transformer is first Quantum Tunneled on its primary winding and a second time on its secondary winding, the Vishay capacitor is Quantum Tunneled as are the diodes. Next the signal path is Quantum Tunneled as are all contact points- the two AC blades, the lead wires and connectors are all Quantum Tunneled."
Teslaplex on the way. After having the speakers done, the gear upgraded and new cables I'm out of money for even the QLS-6 for now! Maybe for christmas :)
System edited: Finally traded in my old VD Master series for shiny new Synergistic Research ICs. I just finished a long audition of the Acoustic Reference and Accelerator with Accelerator speaker cables from the CableCo, and it's the best my system has EVER sounded. Just stunning. Today I sent their cables back and received my brand new set of ICs. I'm sad to see the speaker cables go as they really helped a lot. The first half of the audition was with my AQ Bedrocks... and while it was a huge improvement, it just got that much better with the Accelerator cables in place. Those will have to be my next purchase, that or a QLS-6 to replace my old powerwedge.
