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Thread: Archive through March 02, 2005 |
    
Silver Member Username: Larry_r
Naples,
FL
Post Number: 680
Registered: Oct-04
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 09:26 am: |
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Sorry, gang, but these past few days have been rather hectic.
Have shipped the Yammie back to the company for "repair, replacement, exchange," or whatever they intend to do with it. Too many problems - and so it is in the hands of FedEx. (sob)
The NAD apparently has some problems, as well. Called the NAD customer service, and the nice chap said that I obviously have problems with the DAC, and something in the circuits that makes the unit shut down - for no apparent reason - about three times a week or so. No loud music, no power surges, nothing apparent. Just shuts off. And the digital input "seems" to have volume shifts. The chap was NOT optimistic as to an easy fix. Sigh. Sooooo - this next week I take the NAD into our local (shudder) repair shop for their examination. Double sigh.
My Internet connection somehow got messed up, and it was finally traced to my cable modem, which has been "jump started," and appears back in action.
My friend underwent "routine" laparoscopic gall bladder surgery - and then his heart stopped on the operating table. Big trauma, operation all messed up - but at the moment, he is resting OK, and although super-hooked up to monitors, is I guess "out of danger." Life gives and then takes back, don't it? Anyway, Mer and I are hand-holding his wife, who is a total mess about the situation.
So - the all-white chicken (double grin - loved it, Keg) is back, sorta. Mid-out CDs and such for weeks - so my mental health is not the best, as y'all will surely understand.
Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play??
More anon. . . |
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Relevant Product Info
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 09:58 am: |
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Lordy, Lordy!!! What is dat been goin' on 'roun' here? I does dat Mambo fo' Melissa at Midnight and thinks my work be done. An' den I fines I done got to fin' anuther ol'bird for dat der Yammie Hammie. Well, it done gonna have to waits, cause de moon, she done gone over de other side now. But don' you worry, be happy, de dark o' de moon is even more powerful JooJoo than de big bright stuff gets. And all de folks on the bottom of de world, your little Melissa, she gonna be getting dat stereo better now, jus' you wait an' see. Soon she gonna be doin' dat stereo strut. Jus' glad I could help. An' don' you worry none about dat chicken, she makes some very good eatin' and den I mash up dem bones for medicine.
*******************
"No, there would not be much point in an IMAX version of that wonderful movie "Casablanca". But as regards the sense of "being there"."
Ah, I'm glad you're seing the value of those old black and whites. But wrapped around me or not, the images are still two dimensional. Now if you tell me I have to start wearing those funky glasses to get the most out of surround...
"well, it seems obvious."
YEP!
"So, we have finally settled the question."
YEP!
"Surround wins."
John?
"Even for music."
John?
"Motion carried?"
JOHN?
"The hammer is raised.... "
Oh, I see, you've been hitting yourself in the head with a hammer. That explains it all.
***************
John, why do you think there were loudness switches on older audio pieces?
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Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 868
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 10:37 am: |
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Jan,
You are remembering to spit the rum at the chicken? Don't forget, that's an important part.
Also I think you better do a "no animals were harmed" disclaimer, before you hear from P.E.T.A. |
J. Vigne Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 11:22 am: |
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De Rum? I put de demon Rum in my mouth to spit, but it go down so easy. De work of de Devil.
I think my neighbor, he spy for dis P.E.T.A.
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 11:24 am: |
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1968: Discussing the war capacity of a country that had been fighting for 23 years and had just staged the massive Tet Offensive, U.S. General William C. Westmoreland states: "I do not believe Hanoi can hold up under a long war."
Didn't ya just love Willie?
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Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 869
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 11:59 am: |
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LOL! Very funny stuff Jan!
1968: Two weeks after the start of the Tet Offensive, a young Special Forces Sargeant from New York starts his first, of three tours of duty in Southeast Asia. Not so funny stuff................ |
Gold Member Username: Myrantz
Post Number: 1444
Registered: Aug-04
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 02:58 pm: |
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We're glad he made it back in the end. |
Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 871
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 03:06 pm: |
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Thank you............................ |
Gold Member Username: Myrantz
Post Number: 1445
Registered: Aug-04
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 03:27 pm: |
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Played some stereo last night with friday evening drinks. After the Terry Evans sacd finished we retired to the lounge as Mrs Rantz wanted to hear "Gaucho" in that wonderful, full-bodied hi-res surround. When it was over, she simply said, "astounding!"
I guess after all this time she just can't get over the 'wow' factor eh?
Well, maybe I agree 'cause good quality hi-res recordings do tend to have that 'wow' factor - not the novelty of surround, but the open, airy, nature of voices and instruments that are simply a blessing to the senses.
John, you are sooooooo right.
Even voodoo juju can't destroy surround - I think the nekked dancing with the white chicken is only a feetish* - maybe too many years of two channeling has come to a head.
Larry,
I don't know what to say, bad and not so bad news about your friend, the Yammie going on a trip, and now the NAD. What did you say: "Et tu Brutus?"
Talk to our friend John, maybe it's a conspiracy.
Stay calm. Don't let the b....... get you down.
* The following words are not allowed on this discussion board: f-tish
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Gold Member Username: Myrantz
Post Number: 1446
Registered: Aug-04
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 03:46 pm: |
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Speaking of 'novelty' surround:
Jeff Wayne is remixing his 1978 "War of the Worlds" recording for 5.1 Surround SACD.
FTI
http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=14158634
Should be interesting - or have at least have a high 'WOW' factor.
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Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 873
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 03:50 pm: |
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Jan,
You be careful with that rum. Too much of that in the moonlight will turn you into a ZOMBIE, for sure. |
Gold Member Username: Myrantz
Post Number: 1447
Registered: Aug-04
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 03:58 pm: |
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Jan
Rick is right about rum: Back in 1971 I became a 'Zombie' and have never touched the stuff since. Can't even bear to smell it!
It's the devil's drink fer shore!
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Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 84
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 06:21 pm: |
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PATSY IS FREE!!!! |
Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 85
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 06:34 pm: |
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WHOA!!! |
Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 86
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 09:25 pm: |
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Wheeeee!!!! Snoopy Dance!!!!! |
J. Vigne Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 12:17 am: |
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And would you care to tell us what Patsy did to get free?
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Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 874
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 05:16 am: |
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SM,
Can I assume the Spendors "opened up"? And did the Mapleshade Golden Helix contribute to this delightful sound? Patsy finally sounds like the Patsy you know and love? Just a wild quess...................LOL! |
Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 875
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 06:24 am: |
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This little Snoopy dance didn't happen under the moonlight, with a white chicken, some rum, in some manner of undress did it?
Never mind! |
Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 87
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 07:53 am: |
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This little Snoopy dance didn't happen under the moonlight, with a white chicken, some rum, in some manner of undress did it?
Uh, well....unless someone can produce a videotape that proves otherwise, the answer is no. lol
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Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 876
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 08:15 am: |
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Jan??????????????????????????????????????
You did have tape? Didn't you? |
Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 88
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 09:13 am: |
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Patsy is free due to the magic of planar speaker technology. What a revelation!
I ordered the Magnepan MMG on Monday and they were delivered yesterday. The nearest Maggie dealer is 3 hours away so, once again, I bought with speaker unheard....but, they offer a 60 day return period on this model so the risk was minimal. They won't be returned. In fact, this speaker will be the last I buy for quite some time. In the unlikely event I get the upgrade bug, I will make the 3 hour trip to Charleston to listen to the big Maggies.
The frequency response specification is similar to the Spendors, 50hz-24,000hz. But, the actual application is night and day. Remember my initial disappointment with the Spendors was they sounded boxy, small and weren't as open as the B&W's? None of that is a problem with these speakers. Everything sounded incredible. Everything.
Patsy was the litmus test. "Your Cheatin' Heart" was the one recording the Spendors completely failed. If someone had been able to take a picture of me listening to this with the Maggies, there would have been a dumb-a s s grin spread across my face.....this went on for 7 hours last night. Everything I threw at the Maggies passed with flying colors: Patsy, Starker, Suzanne Vega (the
s e n s u a l recording "Nine Objects of Desire" not the folky stuff), Screaming Trees, Jack Johnson, Beethoven's 9th, Getz/Gilberto, Nina Simone, Cowboy Junkies. Even the Heart SACD - which I had previously preferred in surround - was incredibly big. Continued with Talking Heads, Jane's Addiction, The Waterboys, Modest Mouse. Today, I'll throw a little Mahler at it before I have to go out of town for the weekend....damn, I really wish I didn't have to go out of town....
The pairing with the Mac is exceptionally sweet. Mac'n'Maggie, possibly the best pairing since mac'n'cheese.
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J. Vigne Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 09:26 am: |
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SHHHHHHHH!!! Melissa will hear you.
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Silver Member Username: Black_math
Post Number: 221
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 10:53 am: |
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John,
I think the Cassablanca/IMAX comparison to stereo vs. multi-channel is a good one. However, I liken surround remastering to colorizing Cassablanca (or White X-Mas, It's a Wonderful Life, etc...). Poor Ted Turner thought that people with color televisions would enjoy utilizing them with new masters of classic films (kind of like people needing to use all speakers in a multi-channel setup) Boy was Ted wrong on that one!
Stereo wins! |
Silver Member Username: Black_math
Post Number: 222
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 11:58 am: |
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As far as surround giving the sense of "being there" let's consider a Grateful Dead show. In surround you would hear the band in front of you doing what they do best...the same thing would happen in stereo...music comimg from the marvelous sound system that they had in front of the listener. What about beside and behind you? Would you put people screaming "Jerry", comparing set list notes, collecting money for a beer run, or asking you if you want a hit? That is what I remember. No music, just people. Has anybody done a mix like that? Does anybody want a mix like that? |
Gold Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 2235
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 01:31 pm: |
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SimplyMcIntosh I've been listening to a lot planors/ribbons/electrostatics
the past year or so and they WILL be my next speaker, I love there sound!
The 2 problems they had for "me" in the past was that most took a ton of power
to drive them and the bass was horrable!
Lately most have figured out the bass deal then you mate them with a small
quick sub plus the smaller versions can be powered by tubes! So I will
eventually go that route. My little bookshelves I built with a ribbon tweeter
sound wonderful and I want more of that sound.
Congrats to you and your findings!
Please let us know how all music sounds on them.
I for one value your taste in music which seems very simular to mine and your taste
in the sound of your system! The more detail you can and want to give the better for me!
Again that's great findings!
Oh yah the third problem was allways the price, now that is more in line! |
Gold Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 2236
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 01:39 pm: |
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Magnepan MMG Loudspeakers
Performance, value, and personal preferences. These are the most important factors to consider whenever buying audio equipment, perhaps never more important than when purchasing speakers. Performance can be summed up simply: How accurately do the loudspeakers reproduce music? Value is also determined easily: Do the speakers perform well and fit your budget at the same time? We all know that most $5000 loudspeakers sound great, but how many of us can afford 'em? Conversely, most of us can swing $69 speakers, but they usually don't perform as well as we'd like. Personal preference is pretty self-explanatory: Some folks -- especially those who listen to Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, and Pearl Jam -- are going to want speakers capable of delivering a fleshy bottom end, and they're often willing to sacrifice a bit of high-end detail to get that fat bass. Those who grew up on James Taylor or chamber music aren't necessarily going to want or need bottomless bass -- they're more interested in precisely detailed, transparent sound in the midrange and upper end. And folks who listen to classical music might well find that they want speakers capable of delivering natural-sounding, high-resolution strings as well as making those tubas, tympanis, and double-bassoons sound and feel as if they're in their listening rooms.
The Magnepan MMG speakers, at $550 a pair, are an extraordinary value and their superb performance is matched by very few loudspeakers anywhere near this price -- taking care of two of the three ingredients in finding a good speaker in one swoop. That leaves personal preference, of course. The good news here is that these Magneplanar speakers (more on Magneplanar technology in a moment) will give almost everyone what they want from loudspeakers. If you've read other reviews of the MMGs, you've probably noted that the one criticism consistently leveled at them is they're a bit thin at the low end of the musical spectrum; bass doesn't boom from a pair of these speakers. But that can be remedied easily and fairly cheaply (more on this later too).
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Gold Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 2237
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 01:42 pm: |
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Testing the "weakness"
The Magnepan weakness is supposed to be their inability to reproduce deep bass; if they do have a weakness, here's where it lies. However, when I cranked up John Fogerty's "Southern Streamline" from his Blue Moon Swamp [Warner Bros. 9 45426-2] I got all the sharp, tight bottom end I needed and wanted.
Magnepan MMG Loudspeakers
But when I dug into the deep, dark recesses of my music collection, I found an ugly test: Mötorhead's 1982 metal opus, Iron Fist [Dojo 3034-2]. The relentless bombast and guitar-hammering of Eddie Clark on every single song on the album proved to be a bit much too much for the Maggies. So I hooked up my Hsu Research VTF-2 powered sub, which filled in the bottom of the archetypal speed metal quite ably. (The Hsu subwoofer goes for $499.)
If you're one of those folks who enjoy a little bombast, or maybe just bass-heavy rock'n'roll, you'll likely need a sub to accompany the MMGs. The same might hold true for those who enjoy Wagner or Beethoven -- the lows of their music might go beneath the capabilities of these speakers.
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Gold Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 2238
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 01:57 pm: |
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I might actually order a pair of the Magnepan MMG W's at 88db sens and the
fact they go down to only 100 hz might work pretty well with my tube and
bass/sub setup I have going at the moment!
At $300 for the pair it's very tempting!
I will give this big consideration! |
Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 89
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 02:22 pm: |
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Hey Kegger, good to hear from you! I didn't realize you liked the planar speakers too.
I've got to hit the road in a few minutes but here are some initial thoughts. Between last night and this morning, I have about 12 hours of listening on them already! I can't stop. In fact, my trip today was supposed to be an overnighter but I'm coming home tonight so I'll have time to listen to them tomorrow.
Anyway,here's a few observations. They don't seem to take any more power than the Spendors but do need more juice than the B&W's. With the B&W's I usually listened with the volume at 10 or 11 on the Mac. With the Spendors, I had to put it a 11 or 12. The Maggies are ok at 10 but really sing at 11 and watch out at 12! lol
For the type of music I like, jazz, samba, pop, acoustic and classical, these speakers are superb. Magnificent Maggies!
They have an e x p a n s i v e soundstage and an openness I have never heard - not even in the B&W's, which I feel is a strong point of those speakers. The vocal, piano and acoustic instrument presentation is as natural as anything I've heard. So natural, it reminds me of the times in my carefree days of youth when I frequently experienced live music.
Don't let anyone tell you these things can't rock! Listening to the Screaming Trees CD, they were punchy (for instance, it sounds like the drummer uses a double kick drum which I hadn't really noticed before) and very solid in the bass region. So far, I haven't listened to them with the sub yet because the sub is emitting a hum when I turn it on. There must be a loose connection somewhere. Will check that out tomorrow and give it a run with the sub.
The only thing I found that the Spendors do better is the bass line in Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer". The Spendor is very fast and tight with that bass line. But, if you'll recall, I hated the Spendors "small" presentation of the drums in Also Sprach (aka theme to 2001). On the Maggies, the spatial qualities of Also Sprach are present and the drums are given their due depth.
This morning, listening (and watching) to Rattle/Mahler 5th, I noticed one quiet passage where a large string instrument was playing and I didn't hear the notes. Possibly, this was a double-bass? And, I believe it was a concern of Asimo and Larry that I miss those notes with the Spendors. That seems to be the case with the Maggies too. But, everything I did hear was simply sweet! The cellos were lovely, the horns were detailed but smooth. Zero harshness.
And, did I mention Patsy was able to break free from the box? lol
Overall, I'm in love. Something I never felt with the Spendors. With those, I liked them but had moments of doubt with them and never loved them (sorry, Rick.) The effect is very similar to my first experience with the Mac.
Any future upgrades in the system will focus on getting the Mapleshade cables and, possibly, looking at replacing the Denon DVD2200. But, none of that can occur until I sell the Monitor Audio and Spendor speakers taking up space in my house. lol.
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Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 90
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 02:30 pm: |
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One other point...a frequent comment is that the Maggies are hard to place and have a small sweet spot. Fallacies. Maybe in a huge room but not in my space. The MMG's are so light weight I had no trouble testing them in different spots and had no trouble getting a great response from them. The sweet spot is pretty much anywhere I sit or stand in my living room unless I stand directly to the side of them. I don't mean if I move to the side of my listening area - I mean if I literally stand to the side of the physical speakers. That's the only place the sound weird.
I have them approximately 3 feet from the wall behind them and 2 feet from the side walls. When I'm finished listening to them, I can easily place them against the wall out of the way.
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Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 91
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 02:34 pm: |
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Kegger,
At first, I considered the MMG W but decided to go with the larger MMG since they are a fuller range and had similar specs to the Spendors and B&W's. I figured this would give me a better comparison point with those speakers.
I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am with the speakers. And at a price of $550 usd? Ridiculous! :-)
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Gold Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 2239
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 02:36 pm: |
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SimplyMcIntosh
Great stuff! |
Silver Member Username: Larry_r
Naples,
FL
Post Number: 682
Registered: Oct-04
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| Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 02:58 pm: |
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SM - Well, congrats to you! I once had a yearning for some Maggies - the larger ones, though - and Mer announced that 55-inch-high speakers were not going to cut it in our house. OK-sigh.
I sure do love to read when people find sound that makes them tingle! You obviously have done so with the MMGs - and after reading your frustration with the Spendors, this is a breath of fresh air!
As I posted earlier - the Yamaha is on its way to California. I should have known better than to buy the first production run of any new stereo product. Live and learn. . . now, I'm hoping that whatever is wrong has been corrected in later production runs - and that they send me a newer unit. sigh.
The B & Ws seem to have passed the critical mark in their break-in - Mer says they are sounding fuller and less strident - and I have to agree. Much better - and very nice when paired with the new sub.
I've done a ton of testing - and have decided on an 80Hz crossover point, rather than my previous 100Hz. Was using the sub's set-up CD - but without a player, obviously, the testing has come to a halt. The 80Hz seems "right" to me - though I'll still try a 50Hz crossover when I get another player.
My friend is making a good recovery - seems that something in the anasthesia may have been the culprit - and I'm sure that lawyers will now enter the picture. Meanwhile, it was good to talk to him again today. A close call. . .
I've decided that gremlins have taken up refuge in my listening room. This morning, when I tried to set up the TV set to play through the NAD, I discovered that the left channel output from the TV has gone dead. Sigh. Worked just weeks ago, the last time I tried to hook it up. So wat's goin' on heah, chaps?
JAN - Jan - oh, Jan! Could you please extend yourself a bit - you know, another one of dem nekked moon-dances and sech? Suah wood hep-a-fella out heah! Would do it myself, but all-white-chickens in the moonlight are too good a target for all the Rednecks hereabout!!! (grin)
Mer, meanwhile, is suggesting a wind-up Victrola. Hmmm. . .maybe she's right.
More anon. . . |
Gold Member Username: John_a
Post Number: 2843
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 03:13 am: |
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SimplyMacintosh,
It is great to read about your Magnepan MMG speakers. I have read only strong recommendations of those, here, and yours is the best. I recall they are four Ohm speakers and this sorts out a lot of otherwise OK amplifiers as unsuitable. NAD is then still OK, but if you are already in McIntosh country you do not need to concern yourself with that, I guess!
It inclines me to think I should also get the speakers before the tube amp.
BTW Magnepans are fairly exotic and expensive outside the US and possibly Canada. As with other equipment, I suppose that with such a home market and "brand image" there is not a great incentive to export. |
Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 92
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 09:45 am: |
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Larry,
The MMG model are only 48 inches high (14 inches wide and 1" thick) so maybe Mer would consider that. You have a choice of coverings and finishes. I got the black cloth with black oak wood trim...but, you could do a white or black cloth with a natural oak trim. There's not much to lose since they have a 60 day money back guarantee. The NAD should have more than enough power to drive them at 4 ohms. You could bring them in house, compare them side-by-side with the B&W's and make a decision on which you like best. You could sell the B&W's for say, $1000, pay for the MMG's and have $450 left over to take Mer on a nice weekend trip. Or, put the money in the savings for a fall trip to London. Hmmm...
I came across a very funny post in a review someone wrote about their experience with the larger Maggies (1.6 model) and the WAF. He wrote:
"First off, they are quite large; I mean really quite large. When you take them home and set them up for the first time the masculine side of you gets the Tool-Time-Tim Harrumph! feeling, but the feminine side starts glancing around nervously for your spouse… They are simply physically imposing, (this apprehension melts away rather quickly once you actually hear them, but the initial view is rather stunning). As much as you want to pop in your all-time favorite CD, I strongly suggest that you start by playing your significant others’ most treasured recording..."
lol
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Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 93
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 09:54 am: |
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More WAF humor regarding Maggie 1.6:
This brings me to another point, the ubiquitous Wife Approval Factor (WAF). Let me preface my comments with a complement to my wife. She is understanding, supportive, and the light of my life. However, when I set up the speakers at our little love nest, I thought she was going to hyperventilate. That was before she started crying. I have learned that for women there are 4 phases they go through when you bring these monoliths home-
1) Anger
2) Denial
3) Grief, and
4) Acceptance.
We are now in the acceptance phase judging by the fact that she now comes out of the bedroom most days.
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Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 94
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 09:56 am: |
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I must be a very strange woman to actually want these in my home..... |
Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 877
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 10:32 am: |
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MC,
As the former owner of a pair of 1.6's, you are definitely in the minority. I am pleased you finally found a pair of speakers that do it for you. The Maggie sound is very seductive. Nothing to be sorry about regarding the Spendors. I suggested you give the S3/5's a go. You went with a model I have no first hand experience with. Sorry they didn't work out. Just proves bigger isn't always better. Enjoy the Maggies, and they to will sound better with time. Play with placement, and think about as I once did, of possibly suspending them from the ceiling......
Cheers! |
Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 95
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 10:34 am: |
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JohnA,
Thanks. They are definitely 4 ohm speakers. Surprisingly, they didn't seem to need as much juice from the Mac as the Spendor speakers. Maybe there was more going on in the box with the 4ohm vs the 8ohm that wasn't readily apparent to me.
In my research, there were several reviews in which McIntosh amps were used. In one of those reviews, the reviewer tried several amps but didn't reach nirvana with the MMG's until he tried an old Mac.
The MMG's are only sold factory-direct. They are priced to introduce listeners to the Magneplanar technology with hopes of getting them hooked so they'll go to a dealer and upgrade to a more expensive model. But, I've seen opinions expressed that the MMG is so good that the next 2 models, don't give enough of an improvement to justify the 2-3 times higher cost. Some are of the opinion that you should upgrade only if you can afford to go to the 3.6 or 20.1 model. If I go to Spoleto in Charleston this year, I'll stop by the Magnepan dealer for a listen to hear the other models.
In this story, about a tour of the Magnepan facility, the writer states the lobby of the facility had a pair of MMG's on display connected to NAD electronics. Lar?
JohnA, which speakers are you considering? I remember you mentioned this before but, regrettably, I have forgotten.
Who knows, with the strength of the Euro, you could make arrangements with one of your American friends to ship a pair to you for a relatively inexpensive try out and then sell them as "exotic" speakers if you don't like them. :-)
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Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 96
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 10:54 am: |
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Good morning, Rick! We crossed posts. Yes, I wonder if the S3/5 might have been better suited. But, I wanted to go with floor standers due to the precarious location in my living room for speakers on stands. You may recall, I knocked one of the MA's off a stand a while back and damaged the corners. Anyway, the reviews for the 5e were so good I decided to give it a try. It just wasn't my cup of tea as the saying goes.
As for hanging the Maggies from the ceiling....my own WAF may wake up at that suggestion! lol! It's not something I would rule out completely but I'd have to find aesthetically pleasing hardware and a good location to do it.
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Silver Member Username: Rick_b
New York
USA
Post Number: 878
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 11:28 am: |
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MC,
I just had a thought. Hanging them may also solve a potential cat problem. They DO like like giant scratching posts. LOL! |
Gold Member Username: Myrantz
Post Number: 1450
Registered: Aug-04
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 12:39 pm: |
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SM
You should be able to unpack a carton of speakers and hook 'em up faster than you can say, "Ghia Cabriolet!"
Congrats on the maggies - I've noted they've been very well regarded on this forum.
Rick has a point - it might pay to sprinkle pepper into the maggies fabric - better to bless a cat than wring its neck. LOL!
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Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 97
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 02:30 pm: |
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LOL! Yes, the cats are definitely a concern in the back of my mind. Pepper keeps them way? Is this just standard black pepper or some of Larry's fancy gourmet pepper? lol.
Fortunately, none of the cats have shown the slightest interest in the Maggies, not even the one who hasn't been declawed. Having speakers on stands as I did before was a big concern for me because I thought the cats might be tempted to jump on them. Of course, as it turns out, I'm the only one who ever knocked the speakers off.
The fact the cats haven't shown any interest in them is encouraging....but I'm afraid hanging the maggies might provide temptation for them tho'. They are very good at psyching me out like that. lol
MR, if you ever hear of any competition involving unpacking and setting up speakers, please let me know. I might have a shot at winning it. 
At work, we have a email forum for selling stuff. One of my listings of the home and car audio equipment I'm selling prompted someone to ask if I drive a white van. LOL!!
My house looks a little like a dealer show room with Spendors, Monitor Audio, B&W, Maggies and Energy speakers lying around. However, I found buyers for the MA's and I've got someone showing serious interest in the Spendors. Hopefully, all of the extra speakers will be sold and shipped this week.
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Silver Member Username: Larry_r
Naples,
FL
Post Number: 683
Registered: Oct-04
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 04:22 pm: |
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SM - well, just congrats all 'round here! I'm very happy that your "old" speakers have been or soon will be sold! Nothing like "cleaning house" to make one feel much better. . .
I read the Maggie plant tour story - and got an itch where I shouldn't have one - my wallet. Hmmm. . .nope, the speakers I now have are the ones I will have next year, and next year, and next year!. . .
Very hard sitting here with no way to play my CDs or DVDs! Going through a disc-withdrawal that is not a bit pleasant! Just hoping that Yamaha sends me back a new player that does not have the same problems! I've read several comments from consumers on audio forums who have mirrored my complaints about the 5770 - or 1500, same unit, different face-color.
However, I read many complaints by people who have the Denon players, as well - so I guess I shouldn't feel to isolated in my unhappiness.
Jan V. - don't know what happened. All of a sudden my "whole house" antenna let me down! The FM started sizzling and buzzing - and at first I was afraid it was the NAD. Wasn't - it was the darned antenna. Sooooo - I hastily rigged up a connector to the 75ohm input, and just ran a 20-gauge wire along the baseboard and up and over a nearby door. Problem solved pretty well, although there is still a hint of noise. that should stop when our local NPR station finishes upgrading its transmitter - it got damaged in the hurricanes last summer, and operates on about 3/4-power at the moment.
Went to Rad-Shack today and took Jan's advice from a long, long time ago - got some ProGold contact cleaner and - since my stereo is all disconnected anyway - cleaned the connectors. Didn't get a lot of stuff off - but felt better afterwards, anyway! All the connectors are gold-plated, so I don't worry much about corrosion, but am always concerned about any foreign matter that might get into the thangs.
I'd been using the silver glop that I've told y'all about - but gave it up. Didn't really seem to make that much difference, and I was fearful of shorting out any connector. The darned stuff could easily do that - so, goodbye silver glop, hello ProGold. Makes my mind more at ease, anyway, Jan!
Any reports of CD-cleaning using my latest product are welcome from Jan and SM - I've determined that it works best if you do it twice, not just once, to each CD. But just the cream, not the spray - save that for a final "dose."
Mer says she wants to watch the Academy Awards so she can study the dress designs. Yawn. Gonna be a lloonnnggggg night, gang!
More anon. . . |
Bronze Member Username: Simplymcintosh
Post Number: 98
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 05:30 pm: |
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