Hi Neil, I have about 48 hours on the Purist Proteus Provectus inter-connects now. (2 runs of the Purist break in cd also) Burning in on my cd player and moving over to my phono to pre now (where they'll stay)

Really is a amzing cable. The depth is coming around now with some warth, retaining every else I said above.

I loved my Venastus when I had it (tonearm and interconnect) it's a great cable. The Proteous Provectus is about double the money...but it's about double the cable. If you can ever get a demo or buy one set, I'd suggest it...

Samhar, :) sounds like we are hearing the same thing! I trying to find a combo of things I can sell to fund a 2nd set of Proteus Provectus from my CD/DVD to my preamp ! I have a set of Purist Opis (similar to Venastas, little warmer and more dynamic) that I may sell soon...

jfrech April 19, 2009 07:05

Sort of a rich man's "Anti-Cable"? ;-)) (just kidding!)
Solid core does have its merits in systems/apps where ultra-low capacitance is key (like speaker cables for driving electrostats.) And separating the conductor runs (as in the Proteus speaker cable) is the no-brainer way to zap capacitance AND inductance. Virtual Dynamics was an early proponent of both solid core AND separated conductor runs.

nsgarch April 18, 2009 18:24

I agree with your experience, from the moment I started listening with the Protius Provectus installed I had similar "feelings", "This cable is incredibly quiet and posseses a beauty, clarity, resolution in the midband that is wonderful". I had a big smile, in fact I still have it!!!!

samhar April 18, 2009 10:10

System edited: I replaced my Purist Dominus Ferrox interconnect with Proteus Provectus (from phono stage to preamp). I realize this is a cheaper cable in the purist line up. However, I think from a system matching perspective I stepped up. This cable is incredibly quiet and posseses a beauty, clarity, resolution in the midband that is wonderful. It's still breaking in, but I can already make the above comments. It's the same thing I heard when I switched my tonearm cable from Venastus to Proteus Provectus. Don't overlook this cable is Purist line, I think it's special.

jfrech April 18, 2009 06:28

Wow Scott, your system looks great ! I bet it's sounds stellar too! I'll always miss my BAT gear. It served me very well over the years. I love how you integrated your music and video together. Cool !!

Soliver: sorry on sat, it wasn't my new toys...it was the boss getting mad at me :). I LOVED the Nagra VPA's and that 845 tube. Wasn't to hot (heat). I felt like the Ayre's gave better bottom end control and a sense of continuousness/effortless all over. Plus my gosh are they quiet allowing incredible amount of detail to come through. The Nagra's have a magic/seductiveness that's hard to pass up. I was real close on the Nagra's, I think my Wilson Maxx 3's have so much "beauty" in the mids, it allowed me to go with the Ayres and get the best of both set's of virtue's. Honestly, my former BAT VK150SE are right in the same leaque...heat and tubes was the factor to change...not as much on the sound.

Neil: I love the solid core Purist phono cable (proteus provectus). Shocked at how it bettered the Venastus. So much so I think I am trading out a set of Dominus Ferrox interconnects for Proteus Provectus. I feel it has more clarity and lower resolution. They are both good however, it's system matching thing I think in the end on these two.

Thanks for all the comments !!!

jfrech April 07, 2009 12:49

Boy! You can always spot a Purist fan! Is there ANYBODY that makes fatter cables than Jim Aud!! I still want to know about the sound of the (solid core) PP phono cable v. the Dominus/Venustas designs.

Enjoy yer new stuff John! You're gonna come out of all this looking very smart -- investing in audio instead of securities ;-)

Neil

nsgarch April 07, 2009 10:35

I guess my email on Sunday was a bit late, and I can see why you were unable to make it over on Saturday. Too many new toys of your own!

Congrats!

Did you give the Nagra 845 mono amps a try in comparison to the Ayre's? How did that comparison go? Or were they too big of heat producers to be in the running?

soliver April 07, 2009 08:12

John,

Just when I buy my Wilsons and complete my miniature version of your system, you go and change everything! ;)
Congratulations! I hope your new acquisitions bring you many hours of musical pleasure.

Scott

sdrenslow April 06, 2009 23:37

System edited: I really made some changes. I added some comments in the system description. I'll post more as things break in. The big sonics changes are in transparency, blackness of background, detail retrieval, top end sweetness, realism and extension, PRaT. I know I am going to surprise a few of my friends with these choices. I couldn't be happier though. I am also happy to buy made in america for most (just phono, pre and rack overseas) Thanks to everyone I emailed,visited and called. I appreciate everyone here at audiogon!

jfrech April 05, 2009 16:22

Jfrech... thanks for the response and YES. I really do need to buy her something nice.

I arrived at Maxx 3's by upgrading my 2's.

I got the 2's because she let me sell her car. Of course it was an extra vehicle but never the less she was incredible to allow me to chase my audio nirvana.

Happy listening!

theaudioassociation April 02, 2009 11:32

eddiesudz:

I think it's time to go buy your wife something VERY nice. Because she is going to have to deal with your Maxx 3's being where they are.

My pics aren't lying...My dealer did move em out a little in some final tuning (maybe 3 inches), but each room is different.

I'd stick to what your dealer recommends. I know in my room 1/4" movements make a big deal in tuning...

Congrats on great system you have !!!

jfrech April 02, 2009 09:35

Hiya Jfrech! Nice system indeed! I too just received my Maxx 3's and have to concur that it's a huge step up from the 2's. My question is... I notice that your Maxx's are closer to the front wall than mine. I must have 3 to 4 feet between the wall and the speakers. Is it just a camera angle thing? If not can you explain why the dealer may have set them up this way? My dealer said they had to be further into the room which of course alarmed the wife... encroaching into our living space.... Thanks in advance!

theaudioassociation April 01, 2009 22:10

Very nice purchase Jfrech. I tried the PLL a while ago I liked it alot but wanted to stay with tubes somewhere in my system. A tube preamp is a lot less money to retube than an amp, I'm getting old ya know LOL, 53 at the end of March.
For my birthday I purchase a new Purist Auqeous for my center speaker, now my front speaker cables match. I also ordered Nordost Valhalla for my VPS. Single ended pair for input and balanced for output. I felt the balanced sounded better to my Ref 3 than SE. I will now have both types so I can try them on differant equipment.
You might want to try them. The sound opened up even more, there was more space better seperation and definition around the instraments and the sound stage is taller if you knoew what I mean.
Happy listening.

hevac1 April 01, 2009 19:16

Hi, yes Casey did. Also he has the Grand Prix Monaco turntable (which is VERY nice also)

Pls let me about about April 4th, sound like fun. I'll check out the jam...

jfrech March 14, 2009 17:52

Nice, did Casey just get those in?

Hey I wanted to let you know that I am going to throw a little listening party soon. I believe you moved to Austin, since the last time I threw one about two years ago.

I am aiming for April 4th, have the wife's approval, now I just need confirmation that my new top plate for mounting my Triplanar will have arrived by then and my turntable will be up and running.

I started a thread on Audiocircle under North Texas Audio Jam forum.

soliver March 14, 2009 09:18

I have a Ayre KX R and MX R on loan this week end from my dealer in Austin. DAMN .... has good solid state come a LOOOONNNNGGG way. It's been over 10 years since I've had any SS in my vinyl set up.

I know it needs a day or two to warm up and settle down. Listening to Keith Jarret Yesterdays (vinyl) right now...tranparency all over and extension on top is just beautiful!

jfrech March 13, 2009 20:39

Hi Vito,

No I didn't change any of the room treatments from the wp8's to the maxx 3's. I did move them subtly around a little. So no "ceilling" treatment. My image height is stunning (at least to me) so I guess I never really thought about it. I've heard the Maxx 3 in 2 other rooms and I don't seem to have a reflection issue comparing my setup with those...good question though, and you never know. (i don't know what i don't know :)

Robert: not exact sure the purpose of a dac link for a vinyl guy...

jfrech February 22, 2009 12:07

try this ilink
http://www.msbtech.com/

robertbrown February 19, 2009 18:37

Jfrech,

I had the Rex. It runs very very hot. If I rememer, 18 tubes total. If you have great synergy leave it. If anything get a new cartridge at some point to compare. But your system is excellent. A Titan I or a Colibri (which is very synergistic in an SME V).

dgad February 19, 2009 08:04

Jfrech,
Just wanted to wish you best of luck with the Maxx 3's.
They look amazing and no doubt sound glorious! I auditioned the Maxx 2's a few months ago and was very impressed. I decided to audition the Maxx 3's in near future. Going from the watt/puppy to the maxx's did you
need to treat the ceiling with absortion/diffusion products
considering the increase in height of the maxx's?
Thanks.
Vito

vmk February 19, 2009 07:22

Hi Yes, I'll likely go further! Hard to decide and money is a little tight. A 52SE or a REX is certainly one thought. Have considered other preamps like Nagra or maybe Aesthetix. Also maybe a better table or just arm. My worry on the REX is heat (live in Texas). I did listen to the REX...it's pretty darn good.

Honestly, it sounds very very good as is. The Maxx 3's have really broken in as of late. They have surpassed my hopes.

Right now, I have just been spending a few $$'s on vinyl. (which I have as much fun with as a new component)

jfrech February 19, 2009 06:48

Hi John..

I'm here to spend your money!

By that I mean having watched your system evolve, I can't help but wonder to what level the Rex or 52SE would take your system now that you've added the Max 3's.

Just curious if you plan on going further or are done for now. Didn't you demo the Rex at one time? :)

Mark

classical1 February 16, 2009 14:51

Hi, like way more transparent, not just a little. Transparency in spades but with beauty at the same time.

Honestly I'd compare the maxx 3's closer to the Alexandria series 1 than the previous maxx 2. It's a much improved speaker in every dimension.

And the maxx 2 is still world class.

jfrech February 16, 2009 13:56

I read that Wilson has a new carbon/pulp midrange in the Maxx 3 (same as Alexandria 2). Can you compare to the Maxx 2 midrange. More transparent I hope?

gpgr4blu February 15, 2009 21:56

John, I'll be interested to hear about what you decide with regard the upgrades you have been considering for your analog rig!

cincy_bob January 29, 2009 12:21