Magico M3 arrived today

[bonzo]

I have compared the Mephisto to Luxman m900u (on TAD CR1), the Colosseum to the Burmester 956 (on Kef Blades and Gryphon Pantheon speakers), and heard the Antileon Evo Sig on its own with Dynaudio Temptations.

I think Vitus has the better tone, density, that class A liquidity and fluidity, while Gryphon has more speed, detail, and jump. Annapolis Raider had both and chose the Gryphon, Audioblazer on WBF chose Vitus after having both.

I have never directly compared the D’Ags but they remain the best amps I heard the Alexandria X2S2s with. So I think Adam’s shortlist is excellent.

So my top SS amps if I had the money would be D’Ags and Vitus, followed by Symphonic Line Kraft (rare in the used market, class A 3400 – 400w), and Luxman m900u (cheapest good amp if you cannot afford the higher priced amps). Loved the Berning Quads but not sure how well they drive tougher loads.

IME the Kraft showed a much higher delta to Burmester 911 (on Magico S5 and B&W 802 D3) than the Colosseum did to the 956. It had all the attributes of class liquidity and fluidity with speed and bass. Problem is availability and distribution

[Anatta]

http://audioklan.pl/gryphon-audio.html

[Elberoth]

http://audioklan.pl/gryphon-audio.html

They had parted ways a few months back, unfortunately.

[Mike]

Unfortunately - there is no Gryphon distributon in Poland. Besides, that would violate audiophile rule #1: don't borrow stuff, you cannot afford to buy

In the meantime, the M3s are burning in nicely in my living room system:

Nice!! When will you move them to your main room?

[Elberoth]

Next week as I'm just boarding a plane and flying to Prague to visit their HiFi Show.

[SoundRebels]

Next week as I'm just boarding a plane and flying to Prague to visit their HiFi Show.

In Prague try to listen Blockaudio pre+power

[a.wayne]

Like the design and layout of the Block built pre and amps ....


http://www.blockaudio.com/reviews/au...AUDIO%20EN.pdf

[pessoa00]

I do not have one. I'm trying to be open minded. The three amps I would like to try first are:

- Vitus SM-011 and SM-103
- D'Agostiono Momentum

how about the Soulution 511?

[Elberoth]

I have heard the 511 monos at Munich High-end 2016 and ... I liked the combination (much to my suprise). They are a bit more than I would like to spend (at least in mono configuration), but maybe a single stereo piece would work in my 14x19 listening room ... who knows. I will have to find out.

[pessoa00]

I have heard the 511 monos at Munich High-end 2016 and ... I liked the combination (much to my suprise). They are a bit more than I would like to spend (at least in mono configuration), but maybe a single stereo piece would work in my 14x19 listening room ... who knows. I will have to find out.

They seem to have a huge amount of power reserve, so it could work. In stereo configuration it is competitively priced, compared to a Momentum Stereo, but I don't know if they are at the same level.
I'm now demoing a Nagra Classic Int with my S1MkII and they are not behind my current setup of GS150 + Ref 5SE, being less than half the price, so sometimes less is more.

[kzhtoo]

Unfortunately - there is no Gryphon distributon in Poland. Besides, that would violate audiophile rule #1: don't borrow stuff, you cannot afford to buy

In the meantime, the M3s are burning in nicely in my living room system:

Get another pair for your main room. M3s look too cozy in your family room to move.

[Nikhil]

So my top SS amps if I had the money would be D’Ags and Vitus, followed by Symphonic Line Kraft (rare in the used market, class A 3400 – 400w), and Luxman m900u (cheapest good amp if you cannot afford the higher priced amps). Loved the Berning Quads but not sure how well they drive tougher loads.

IME the Kraft showed a much higher delta to Burmester 911 (on Magico S5 and B&W 802 D3) than the Colosseum did to the 956. It had all the attributes of class liquidity and fluidity with speed and bass. Problem is availability and distribution

Interesting! I did not know the Symphonic Line Krafts were in this league.

[Melbguy1]

Thats a good start , all great amplifiers and I'm a fan of the DAG momentum , would also suggest taking a look at the AVM Ovation MA8.2 Monobloc's...

Impressive specs http://www.stereophile.com/content/a...ctEpxieR1k1.97

[bonzo]

Interesting! I did not know the Symphonic Line Krafts were in this league.

I am not saying they are in Dag/Vitus league. I wouldn't know as I haven't compared. But for those like me who don't have the budget, get a Luxman m900u or an used Kraft (the used Kraft is available at ridiculous prices, but very rare). The Kraft is faster than the Lux and can drive down to 1 ohm.

[kkfan]

I have compared the Mephisto to Luxman m900u (on TAD CR1), the Colosseum to the Burmester 956 (on Kef Blades and Gryphon Pantheon speakers), and heard the Antileon Evo Sig on its own with Dynaudio Temptations.

I think Vitus has the better tone, density, that class A liquidity and fluidity, while Gryphon has more speed, detail, and jump. Annapolis Raider had both and chose the Gryphon, Audioblazer on WBF chose Vitus after having both.

I have never directly compared the D’Ags but they remain the best amps I heard the Alexandria X2S2s with. So I think Adam’s shortlist is excellent.

So my top SS amps if I had the money would be D’Ags and Vitus, followed by Symphonic Line Kraft (rare in the used market, class A 3400 – 400w), and Luxman m900u (cheapest good amp if you cannot afford the higher priced amps). Loved the Berning Quads but not sure how well they drive tougher loads.

IME the Kraft showed a much higher delta to Burmester 911 (on Magico S5 and B&W 802 D3) than the Colosseum did to the 956. It had all the attributes of class liquidity and fluidity with speed and bass. Problem is availability and distribution

Very interesting.

Do you have any idea where the PASS XS300 fall in comparison to the amps you have listed?

[bonzo]

Very interesting.

Do you have any idea where the PASS XS300 fall in comparison to the amps you have listed?

Hi I haven't heard that model but my experience with lower models of Pass is that they have a nice class A tone, liquidity, though a bit slow. The liquidity and tonality reminds me of Vitus but I would prefer the latter.

I did find the 160.5 struggled to drive the big TADs however, so maybe best used for easier to drive speakers?

[kkfan]

Thanks for sharing your views!

Hi I haven't heard that model but my experience with lower models of Pass is that they have a nice class A tone, liquidity, though a bit slow. The liquidity and tonality reminds me of Vitus but I would prefer the latter.

I did find the 160.5 struggled to drive the big TADs however, so maybe best used for easier to drive speakers?

[Mike]

Bonzo - curious where you would put the infamous Gryphon amps in this list.

[Ctsooner]

Congrats. They look great.

[brodricj]

...So my top SS amps if I had the money would be D’Ags and Vitus, followed by Symphonic Line Kraft (rare in the used market, class A 3400 – 400w), and Luxman m900u (cheapest good amp if you cannot afford the higher priced amps). Loved the Berning Quads but not sure how well they drive tougher loads...

Halcro is going to be back on the hi-end SS amplifier radar come September, and at more hip pocket friendly prices. Stay tuned for that one...

[Mike]

Hi Ctsooner. Was great meeting you on Saturday.

[Elberoth]

At last I have found some time to move them to my listening room:





I didn’t have to listen yet, apart from 60s sound check. My feeling is that they need 200h-300h burn in which I’m gonna do in the coming week or two.

[madfloyd]

What is a 60s sound check?

[Mike]

Adam, they really look great in there.


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[Elberoth]

When you play the first 60s (or 15s) of a song just to see if the system works

[Melbguy1]

Looks wheely good!

[byrdparis]

that is a great system!
enjoy!
looking really good.

[bthomas9]

Looks wheely good!

I see what you did there


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[Mike]

"M" must stand for musical. Just saying...love my M3's.


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[Audiophon]

I do not have one. I'm trying to be open minded. The three amps I would like to try first are:

- Vitus SM-011 and SM-103
- D'Agostiono Momentum

The Vitus dealer in my town has a used demo pair of SM-102 half price off... I was listening to them last weekend ;-). ...Could be the "budget" solution you're looking for ;-)

You can also find the pair on audio-markt!


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[Anatta]

How about the T+A HV amps + external PSU?

[zagfan]

Once the Qpods are installed and the pins are pulled, are they easy to move aroundon hardwood?

[Mike]

Once the Qpods are installed and the pins are pulled, are they easy to move aroundon hardwood?

Can you clarify? You don't want to ever pull the pins and move the M3's.


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[brodricj]

Once the Qpods are installed and the pins are pulled, are they easy to move aroundon hardwood?

Qpods don't have pins.

[zagfan]

Thanks for the info. I meant Mpods.

[Mike]

Thanks for the info. I meant Mpods.

NEVER pull the pins and try to move the speakers with MPOD's.


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[Melbguy1]

NEVER pull the pins and try to move the speakers with MPOD's.

Agreed!!

[Nataraja]

Hi, Adam
We are still waiting for your impressions and analysis of the M3 sound, and perhaps comparison with the S5mk2.
I believe the system is well burned in now and the speakers sound at least as gorgeous as they look.
Looking forward to read the story

All the best!

[gotoma8]

Just received my M3 10 days ago and just loving it!

[gotoma8]

Just received my M3 10 days ago and just loving it!

So Adam, how are the M3 sounding?

[Elberoth]

My sound great too, although I'm so busy at work right now, that I barely have any time to listen to them (apart from some background music). They are even more transparent than the S5 mk 2, which - as an ex S5 mk 2 owner - I thought was hardly possible. The tweeter is out of this world good. They seem to have similar balance to the S5 mk2, which I found to be more meaty and more organic than the older Q series (which was my main concern).

The S5 mk 2 have more bass slam and seem to go deeper than the M3, which is expected, as they 2x 25cm woofers vs 3x 18cm in the M3. That said - they couple perfectly to my 14x19 listening room. Absolutely no desire to add any extra subwoofers.

[gotoma8]

The S5 mk 2 have more bass slam and seem to go deeper than the M3, which is expected, as they 2x 25cm woofers vs 3x 18cm in the M3. That said - they couple perfectly to my 14x19 listening room. Absolutely no desire to add any extra subwoofers.

I totally agree. My room is also 14x19x8 and there's plenty of bass. That's not to say that a subwoofer wouldn't fill in the regions below 25hz, but rarely do I listen to anything that low anyways. The tweeter is just astounding on the M3 and the 3x7 inches bass drivers gives my the right amount of bass slam and balance, plus, it's so fast that there's no prolong decay, it's just right! I only have about 70 hours on it, and continue to break them in. Here's my current system since I can't find a way to update my signature:

Speakers: Magico M3
Amps/Pre: Marantz MA9S2 and SC7S2
Digital: Marantz SA10
Analogue: DIY Plinth of Aluminum and Leadshot filled with SS fixtures and arm mounts; VPI HRX Supper Platter, JMW 12.7i and 10.5i arms (SS).
Cartridge: Ortofon Cadenza Black
Phono Stages: DIY Pass Labs XONO and DIY Joe Curcio MC Phono
Power condition: Surge X and VPI SDS
Cables: DIY I/C and SC
Acoustic Treatment: DIY Absorbers and Diffusors; Foam Corner Bass Traps

[Elberoth]

Great looking system ! I've always been a fan of Marantz hi-end amps.

[Mike]

I totally agree. My room is also 14x19x8 and there's plenty of bass. That's not to say that a subwoofer wouldn't fill in the regions below 25hz, but rarely do I listen to anything that low anyways. The tweeter is just astounding on the M3 and the 3x7 inches bass drivers gives my the right amount of bass slam and balance, plus, it's so fast that there's no prolong decay, it's just right! I only have about 70 hours on it, and continue to break them in. Here's my current system since I can't find a way to update my signature:

Speakers: Magico M3
Amps/Pre: Marantz MA9S2 and SC7S2
Digital: Marantz SA10
Analogue: DIY Plinth of Aluminum and Leadshot filled with SS fixtures and arm mounts; VPI HRX Supper Platter, JMW 12.7i and 10.5i arms (SS).
Cartridge: Ortofon Cadenza Black
Phono Stages: DIY Pass Labs XONO and DIY Joe Curcio MC Phono
Power condition: Surge X and VPI SDS
Cables: DIY I/C and SC
Acoustic Treatment: DIY Absorbers and Diffusors; Foam Corner Bass Traps

Great looking system (and room). Well done! I bet it sounds fantastic.

[Ctsooner]

Congrats.

[gotoma8]

Thank you Mike and Ctsooner!

I like it and like everything else, it can always be improved upon.

I think my acoustic treatments, both diffusors and absobers, made leaps and bounds in improvement, even with my old DIY speakers! I believe that's the first thing that should be tackled, room treatment:

1 - First reflection, sidewalls and ceiling (Absorb)
2 - Front and back walls, perhaps a combination of both absorption and diffusion
3 - Corner Bass Traps - no matter the room, it's always good to take away from some bass boominess.
4 - Fine tuning....

Now, this is only after proper speaker placement has been determined.

Tuan

[Jim Smith]

Thank you Mike and Ctsooner!

Now, this is only after proper speaker placement has been determined.

Tuan

Which can only be done after locating the correct listening spot.

[Melbguy1]

Great looking system (and room). Well done! I bet it sounds fantastic.

+ 1. Very nice looking room & DIY room treatments Goto. Great choice with the M3's! .

[gotoma8]

So, an update on the M3. I think I found the proper position and toe for placement in the room. Here are some basic room dimensions, to be followed with the pictures in a later post:

ROOM:
14x19x8' WxLxH
Front wall as a window behind the system that's 70" by 52", WxH
Back wall has a closet with two sliding doors and a corner pocket entrance door, rear right to the listening postion
Front walls have 2 2x2 skyline diffusers, corner foam bass traps, 1x5ft for hard fiberglass board absorbers in the front corners
Floor is carpeted
Ceiling has 4 pieces of 2x4' hard fiberglass board absorbers at first reflection point
Side walls have two RoomTunes 1x4 feet absorbers at first reflection on each wall and another 1 RoomTunes absorbers about 3ft behind the listening position.
Backwall has 2 2x2 skyline diffusors mounted on a stand about 4 feet from the ground and four feet behind the listening position. Also some foam absorbers.

Speakers are about 5.5 ft from the front wall and 3 ft from the side walls, measured from center of drivers on the M3's baffle. Toed in about 20 degrees or so, relative to listening position. M3 are now spiked to the plywood below the carpet and carpet mat.

SOUND, so how does it sound and how has the speakers evolved since first listen?

Bass now much more taut, maybe do to spiking. Faster and more slam. Bass is full to about 30hz in the room. When listening to the remastered Hotel California, titled cut, (via digital playback) the kick drum from Don Henley just whacks you in the heart. You can hear and feel it! Playing only at about 95 db. Bass notes from acoustic bass are just amazing, sharp, full, musical and extremely dynamic!

Bass/Mid Bass is just fantastic! Voices are clear, silky and just about right in terms of imaging and sound staging. Allison Krauss's voice on MOFI LP of Union Station was just sublime. In my previous systems, her vocals can be a bit to detailed and sharp, not so here. The transparency is just spectacular! Also Patricia Barber, Dianna Krall, Melody Gardot, Johnny Hartman, Sinatra, Bennett, all voices sounds right, if the recordings were up to the task. There's a cut called "MoonDanc" from a Kenny Burrell album where the triangle sounds so realistic and the decay was spot on!

Highs, well, i've heard things on recordings that I've never heard before, anywhere!

Okay, one day I'll write a more formal review....back to listening in the background...and work break is over!

[Mike]

Congrats! Can you tell us about your seating (listening) position? Did you try moving that around to get the best spot in the room (for bass)?

I truly love these speakers. They are a big evolution for Magico (from Q) IMO and your room is the PERFECT size for them.

Did you get the MPOD'S?


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