Momentum Stereo 250 MxV upgrade

I had the S200 and upgraded to the S250. amazing upgrade and thoroughly recommended.

I too have been waiting for feedback on the MxV upgrade as it's on my radar.

XV-1 said:

I had the S200 and upgraded to the S250. amazing upgrade and thoroughly recommended.

I too have been waiting for feedback on the MxV upgrade as it's on my radar.

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Thank you... I read your posts and am surely motivated by the results you've gotten. I've made arrangements to audition the used Soulution this weekend and see if its a suitable replacement. Keeping my options open for the time being and am also pushing for a better commitment from the importer

I am a UK owner of the Momentum HD preamp and Momentum S250 MxV stereo power amp.

I bought them from a UK dealer in March this year as part of what I consider a very good deal. The HD preamp's paperwork indicated that it only left D'Agostino's factory on 31st October 2021. The S250 power amp was a pre-MxV version.

Both units are in "as new" condition and frankly, the preamp looked as though it had never been out of the Pelican flight case.

I was offered the opportunity to have the S250 sent back to D'Agostino for the MxV upgrade for £9K GBP.

The whole deal worked out at 50% less than I could have expected to pay retail in the UK, so I went for it!

The back story, was that it was a cancelled order, from a gent who had ordered the Momentum units, but was seduced by the newly-introduced Relentless pre/power and decided to go for that!

I'm afraid that I can't comment on the performance differences between the pre and post MxV upgraded S250, as I hadn't spent any time with the standard S250 in my system, prior to going for this deal!

The D'Agostino factory were quoting a two-week turnaround at the time and from the dealer sending the S250 from the UK to the US and me receiving it back, was forty five days, which I thought was really impressive, considering the export/import obstacles!

All I can say, from inserting the HD preamp and S250 MxV into my system (dCS Vivaldi full stack - DAC now upgraded to Apex, TAD CR1 MKII speakers) is that I am very pleased with the sound. The amplification and loudspeakers enjoy a synergy that I have been searching for, even purchasing a TAD M2500 MKII power amp to replace my Conrad Johnson GAT2/Premier 350SA combo (which drove the tAD's really well, but I was conscious that I bought the 350, new in 2004 and it was getting a bit long in the tooth, albeit, it is a very special power amp!

The D'Agostino's not only look 'out of this world' but grip the TAD's drive units and deliver a fantastic sound.

I hope my scribblings help my forum friends to come to a decision about the upgrade, although I appreciate that waiting times may have now increased!

Many thanks for your reply Xcop5089. Very much appreciated.

The components of your system are from the same manufacturers except my system are the respective brand's entry items so I'm quite sure, if it can drive yours, the MxV will surely be more than adequate for mine. Guess that resolves the question on system synergy.

2 months return from the upgrade with travel inclusive sounds fair and I'd be happy if its no more than 3 months. 6 months is a bit much... I'll reach out to the local importers again and see if this can be shortened.

Petzzz said:

Many thanks for your reply Xcop5089. Very much appreciated.

The components of your system are from the same manufacturers except my system are the respective brand's entry items so I'm quite sure, if it can drive yours, the MxV will surely be more than adequate for mine. Guess that resolves the question on system synergy.

2 months return from the upgrade with travel inclusive sounds fair and I'd be happy if its no more than 3 months. 6 months is a bit much... I'll reach out to the local importers again and see if this can be shortened.

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Honestly, if you are to proceed with the MxV upgrade, all you dealer has to do is book an upgrade production slot with D'Agostino. then airfreight it 10 days prior to the slot. It's not that difficult.

cheers

XV-1 said:

Honestly, if you are to proceed with the MxV upgrade, all you dealer has to do is book an upgrade production slot with D'Agostino. then airfreight it 10 days prior to the slot. It's not that difficult.

cheers

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I wrote to D'Agostino previously and was told to go thru my local agents, hence I didn't have a choice... when the agent told me that it would take above 6 months, I was honestly quite put off but having listened to the Soulution and Gryphon the past weekend convinced me that I should stick to the sound I like best. Anyway, just paid my dealer 30% deposit for the upgrade so hopefully, it will be fast.

I am dropping off my S250 off at the dealer tomorrow. He said Dag will take around two months to do the upgrade + shipping. Assume it will be around 3 months all up.

My m400’s took 2 months.

Rscotth said:

My m400’s took 2 months.

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You happy with the new sound quality when comparing it to the cost?

XV-1 said:

I am dropping off my S250 off at the dealer tomorrow. He said Dag will take around two months to do the upgrade + shipping. Assume it will be around 3 months all up.

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Thanks for the update... I spoke to my dealer yesterday as it has been 3 weeks since. He told me that they will be expecting the upgrade parts from D'gostino and the upgrade will be done locally. Wonder if this is normal or should I write to Dan to clarify this?

Petzzz said:

Thanks for the update... I spoke to my dealer yesterday as it has been 3 weeks since. He told me that they will be expecting the upgrade parts from D'gostino and the upgrade will be done locally. Wonder if this is normal or should I write to Dan to clarify this?

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I thought the amps had to be done at the factory and that is what is going to happen with mine. Mine is however an early S200 so has a bit of copper discoloration which Dag are going to do a refurb of the finish.

The preamps can be upgraded at the dealer.

XV-1 said:

I thought the amps had to be done at the factory and that is what is going to happen with mine. Mine is however an early S200 so has a bit of copper discoloration which Dag are going to do a refurb of the finish.

The preamps can be upgraded at the dealer.

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Looks like I've to clarify this directly with Dan as I've got a different answer from the dealer here. Mine is also the S200 and it could use a case buff too. I'm going to write in and will update

XV-1 said:

I thought the amps had to be done at the factory and that is what is going to happen with mine. Mine is however an early S200 so has a bit of copper discoloration which Dag are going to do a refurb of the finish.

The preamps can be upgraded at the dealer.

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After being bounced around, the unit will be sent off to Dag for upgrades. Its true (Dag confirmed) that the unit was supposed to be fitted here but there was some technicalities when the same upgrade was being performed by another region resulting on the change of direction. Anyway, was told that it may take up to 3 months so hopefully will get it by Xmas