I am glad to know that my suggested change worked for you.

I was also extremely impressed by the system of your friend Mike. What a glorius sound he has. I think his 80K analog system is worth every penny. And those Hyperions speakers driven by the VTL 750 were awesome. Please tell him to post the pictures of his system here. Audiogon members would love that.

GD

gallant_diva October 02, 2004 11:04

Gallant Diva

Thank you for your kind words but more than that I really appreciated your having taken time from your busy schedule and visited me for an audition of my room.

For me there is no other enjoyment than spending time with a fellow enthousiast and enjoying the music. You have a great knowledge of this hobby.

More than anything else however I want to thank you for the suggestion of repositioning my sitting position. I did this last week, and, with the help of a friend, toed in the speakers to adjust for the closer sitting position. This was no many feat for 2 people with speakers that each weigh 750 lbs. Nonetheless when we were finished the overall improvement was truly magnificent and worth the effort.

I hope to be in the Dallas area next year and look forward to an audition of your system in your new home.

Best Regards.

oneobgyn September 27, 2004 05:16

I would like to express my thanks to Dr. OB for his wonderful hospitality during my visit to his home. He has a lovely family and a fabulous system in a stunning dedicated media room. What a taste and dedication you have OB!

We spent the whole evening listening to his system. The sound was awesome, deep, big, detailed and very impressive. Initially, the sound struck me as a bit aggressive and too forward but as the evening went on, it became smoother and more delicate. Imaging was crisp and soundstage big. The main strength of Wilson X-2 speakers was the dynamics.

I enjoyed Dr. OB's company as much as his system. He is a genuinely nice fellow with no sign of arrogance about his precious collection. I could not shut my mouth and gave a few suggestions on possible improvements in the system, one of which has been accepted by Dr. OB.

Thanks again,

Best Regards
GD

gallant_diva September 25, 2004 23:03

Albert

It was an absolute pleasure to have chatted with you today. You are a wealth of information. You enlightened me on each and every topic we discussed. Thank you so much. I hope that we will talk again when you return from Europe.

oneobgyn September 06, 2004 17:28

Hi Albert

I just sent you an e-mail with my contact numbers

oneobgyn September 06, 2004 15:47

Onebgyn, I have strong opinions about phono stages as well. Probably should discuss that by telephone.

Obviously I love my Aesthetix Io but concur with your alternate choice, Lamm. Remember my flight to Europe to cover the audio shows for Audiogon begins in the morning.

albertporter September 06, 2004 12:53

Albert--I would love to chat with you about Lloyd's Proscenium. I have been seriously considering getting back into vinyl and his TT tops my short list.I have had many conversations with Lloyd who sure makes a case for his TT. He also feels that his SS phono stage is the only one to get. I see you use Aesthetix which I think is great as well as the Lamm Reference.
A friend of mine who lives close by has the Aesthetix phono and line stage with dual power supplies like you as well as the VTL 750 (as you). His TT is the Sirius lll and the sound is phenomenal. His speakers are both Alon Exotica Grand Reference as well as Rockport Hyperions.

oneobgyn September 06, 2004 06:35

Yes, the Proscenium has been my reference for many years. Lloyd has continued to improve and evolve the table since I first listened to it at CES (in 1996?).

With the latest air valve mods, micro fine tonearm wire, cryo treated cartridge clips and black gate motor controller, it's one of the finest music sources ever built.

albertporter September 05, 2004 22:56

Gosh--with all of the great invites I will have to seriously consider this. My first stop however will be towards the end of October to visit Mike Lavigne and hear his new room. Promises to be spectacular.

Albert--yours is also a legend.

The Proscenium is on my short list of TT's.

I believe this is what you use. I had an invite from Lloyd Walker to visit Philadelphia and to hear his room.

Man....if only I didn't have to work for a living as I would be visiting the greatest listening rooms in the country.

oneobgyn September 05, 2004 22:33

Oneobgyn,

I live in Dallas as well. The offer to listen and share a meal is officially extended from me as well.

I am in a huge upheaval with my system right now but should have sound fit to share in mid October or early November. Perhaps you have reason to visit then or sometime after?

albertporter September 05, 2004 21:44

One of my closest friends lives in Dallas and I am often there
Get in touch with me by e-mail when you plan a trip this way. I would love to have oyu over for an audition.

My biggest thrill is enjoying this hobby with other audiophiles

oneobgyn September 05, 2004 16:59

Doc, I live in Dallas but I am in the Bay are frequently. You also have my sincere invitation to listen to my system if you ever come to Dallas Fort Worth area. A spirit of this hobby is sharing passion with fellow hobbyists and appreciate and learn from each other.

gallant_diva September 05, 2004 11:30

I am not sure where you live GD, but I have always had an open door to anyone who wants to come and listen and watch. I have met the most wonderful people over the years who share the passion of this hobby. These are friendships that have lasted for years. If interested I will be sponsoring another meeting of the Bay Area Audio Society in Novemeber to coincide with HE2004 in San Francisco. There will be many members here as well as from all over the country and even Haiti for the event. You would be most welcome as well GD.

oneobgyn September 03, 2004 20:43

Would love to listen (and watch video) to your system. GD

gallant_diva September 03, 2004 17:53

I have been back and forth on this one all year since CES2004. It is tough to get away from CRT. I really liked the Marantz triple chip but I think the one to have right now is the Qualia and that is where I am leaning. I will have another look at this year's CES2005 before deciding.

oneobgyn September 02, 2004 21:31

"impressive" would be an understatement. This is a system that I would buy a ticket to listen to :) Very nicely done, doc. What's the plan on upgrading the projector?

gallant_diva September 02, 2004 19:26

OB, it looks like the room will be done by the last week in September.....so i'm looking forward to your visit soon there after. i will do my best to measure up to the great time you showed me at your place.

best regards,

mikelavigne August 31, 2004 06:34

Mike

The pleasure was all mine. The past weekend was absolutely wonderful. It is always good to obtain opinions of other audiophiles re our systems.

There is no right way to achieve audio nirvana. I feel that I have gotten there one way and Mike--you have gotten there another.

I welcome your comments and critiques. My room, unlike yours is not only for 2 channel audio listening but so also a home theater. As a result compromises were necessary in speaker placement but, for me, the results have been rewarding.

Room treatments for me were by ASC and for you Rives. I look forward to the completion of your room so that I can take a trip to Seattle and hear what you have worked so hard to achieve.

oneobgyn August 29, 2004 19:19

i would like to thank OB (Oneobgyn) for his gracious hospitality last weekend......it was a pleasure meeting him and Mrs. OB and also all his fellow crazies down in the Bay Area.

OB's system is one of the very best systems i have yet had the pleasure to experience and the very best at quite a few different things.

the first thing that comes to mind is that there are many different valid approaches to sonic (or even video) nirvana. also, that one's context, listening biases, aural memory, and references dramatically influence perceptions. as i listened last weekend i found that i was examining why i was reacting to things in a particular way as much as what was happening. my current sonic perceptions are greatly influenced by listening to my system is a very small room in the extreme near-field. to go into 30' x 17' (or 20') foot rooms and listen at twice the distance makes the experience so different that i was always having to recalibrate my perceptions. i do look forward to moving into my own bigger space.......maybe then my perceptions from last weekend will be more valid.

i spent about a total of 10 hours in OB's room in 4 separate sessions. i came away very impressed with OB's system, room and taste. every room is set up with personal priorities. it was interesting to read discussions in previous threads of the set-up of OB's room, his speakers and various room treatments. after spending time with OB and his room my opinion is that he should change nothing.....the system is doing what OB wants it to do. the speakers are where they should be based on OB's priorities. you could apply a different set of priorities to his set-up and change things......but i believe OB has found his 'sweet spot'. we did discuss various approaches to how he could integrate vinyl into his system....which could involve him moving his source gear from between the speakers to the left side.

OB's room has considerable absorption......which based on his listening and visual considerations suits his approach. if he were to remove some of those treatments he would get a few sonic trade-offs that might suit other's sonic visions. the nice thing about what he has done is that he can change things easily if he ever wants to. overall, his room has plenty of energy and has a good sonic balance. when you walk into the room you get a sense of 'ease and control'.

i was impressed by how OB has the big Wilson XS integrated into his system. when you are playing music it never intrudes.....it serves the music. it provides a wonderful foundation for everything. when you do want to 'rip the house off the foundation' with bass.....it will go as far as you dare. even still......it stays in context and doesn't get out of control.

the X-2's do many things better than any speakers i have yet heard......and in other areas are world-class. it's list of superlatives is long. the X-2's energize the sound stage thru the entire frequency range better than any speaker i have heard. even though the speaker is massive......i got no sense of 'box' or 'closed in feeling'. everything has just such an 'ease' and 'flow'.....never forced. with all that energy and complication the X-2's were very fast and had excellent seamlessness and coherence (while not quite the best i've heard in this category). the X-2's do a very good job with soundstage width and height.......i think his set-up priorities do reduce the potential depth and layering that this speaker is capable of.....but that is not the most important thing. tonality and clarity are very good......the ARC Ref 600's are a natural match and the sound is neutral and uncolored; yet natural and not edgy......a very good balance. this X-2/Ref 600 combo really has no weaknesses. it does nuance, it does space, mid-range clarity and dramatic frequency extension. i was damn impressed.

OB's system allows you to really enjoy the music......both the sounds and the event. we were into the music and the performances.......especially on Saturday afternoon as everyone pulled out their own personal cd's......every cut had a little magic......this is a world-class music system.

finally, spending time with OB was a real pleasure. he is a class act that shares my level of commitment to this great hobby. i greatly value his insights and friendship.

mikelavigne August 29, 2004 10:29

Storm

Thank you for your kind words.

The cost of the system certainly has come at the expense of life's other luxuries. Some have expensive cars, boats or summer homes etc. For me it is audio and video.

For me this hobby has provided me with great enjoyment as well as the ability to meet other fellow enthousiasts. The friendships that I have established have stood the test of time.

oneobgyn August 29, 2004 06:12

You have the best system Ive ever seen. I can just imagine the money you spent on all of these gear. I am sure that it sounds heavenly!!!! :)

[email protected] August 28, 2004 20:09

Jeff

Thanks for your kind comments. For me this has been a 30 year labor of love and with the Wilson X-2 speakers I feel my journey has reached its final destination. For me this is IMO audio nirvana

oneobgyn August 25, 2004 11:11

Yesterday I had the extreme pleasure of hearing oneobgyn’s system. Needless to say that I was blown away. The ease with which the system reproduced music was incredible. Much I’m sure due to the Wilson X-2’s. This I think is about as good as it gets, the music was as lifelike as being there and for amplified concerts, it was much better than being there. Never once would you have known there were speakers in the room. He really has done a tremendous job assembling the right components together and his willingness to share information and his time is beyond reproach. It was inspiring to see what one person can do. I’ll be going over my system with a fine tooth comb.

jeffmac August 25, 2004 09:51

Howard--just connect with me via e-mail through audiogon and we will arrange a convenient time

oneobgyn August 23, 2004 06:39

Thank you very much. I'll contact you the next time we are coming to the Bay Area.

boa2 August 23, 2004 01:02