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Thread: The Road To XTreme
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November 14, 2019, 04:12 PM #1
The Road To XTreme
As many know, the MBL 101 Xtremes are very special speakers. The entire MBL 101 Xtreme Reference System is at a level challenged by few. When the decision was made to bring in the 101 Xtreme Reference system, many preliminary steps had to take place first. I thought I would create a post to let everyone know some of the preliminary steps we had to take prior to the arrival of this incredible system, truly worthy of the name “Xtreme Reference”.
First, it was important to ensure there was enough power, dedicated 20amp circuits. Each amp takes 2 power cords, so that’s eight and the sub towers take 2. We also need power for the preamp and sources. So, two electricians spent the day running 8 more dedicated 20 amp circuits.
Next, storage of all the massive crates and boxes from the MBL Xtreme system. I had to rent another storage unit just for the Xtreme system, amps, preamp, DAC, transport, etc.
Next, cabling. The 6010D preamp has one set of XLR inputs and two outputs. That meant some long RCA runs were required to the sub towers. In addition, it was important to ensure we had enough power cords! 13 in total just for the MBL gear. The system also requires two sets of speaker cables.
In dealing with the room and the way Omnipolar speakers work, I know it’s best to keep things out of the middle between the speakers if possible. This essentially meant moving the entire rack to the back left corner of the room and putting the amp stands in storage, since the MBL 9011 amps at almost 3 feet long wouldn’t fit on the racks. The gear on the rack had to be moved to another rack in another room. MBL also recommends the amps stay on the floor since raising them up would actually interfere with the bottom of the radialstrahler.
Also, it was important to move a lot of the equipment from the middle room into the other rooms to ensure the system could really breath with impunity.
Logistically, when the entire system arrived, I needed strong muscle to move it in from the outside into the store. It would have to be done in stages. Move the crates and boxes into the store and setup on a different day. Creating a staging area for setup was also crucial.
Coordinating with Jeremy at MBL was important to ensure he was there to supervise the installation of the entire MBL 101 Xtreme Reference system. Lots of little tricks and tips we could never have known. His help and assistance was invaluable. He is a real amazing guy and a great asset.
In the end, we were done in less than 6 hours with the setup. The precision engineering of this entire system is simply something to behold. Everything fits together like a glove, as you would expect from German engineering.
The system takes about 100 hours to fully break in. We will be running it non-stop. The amount of adjustability of the speakers and bass towers is fantastic. There is a soft dome tweeter on top of the speakers (which I didn’t know about until we were piecing it together). This certainly adds ambience
At the end of the day, this is one system everyone must hear. Incredible.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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November 14, 2019, 04:25 PM #2
Re: The Road To XTreme
Wow! That’s some system Mike.
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, ClearAudio Performance SE, Satisfy Arm & Maestro Wood MM Cartridge
Power: 3 x 20 Amp Lines, Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Shunyata Sigma v2 NR, Block Audio Power Cords, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - Alpha CGS cables
Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon Modified) Buffalo GS2016 Switches powered with Keces P3 LPSU,
Cables: Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 SCs, 1M & 6M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: Isoacoustics GAIA I footers on the Kharmas, GIK/Vicoustics/Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Ultra SS, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
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November 14, 2019, 04:35 PM #3
Re: The Road To XTreme
Thanks for sharing a behind the scenes look. Truly remarkable effort. I have set up for audio shows in the past and understand what an effort it is. Putting together a system of this magnitude is quite a commitment. Wish I could be there to hear the fruits of your labor.
Morgan
NEW SYSTEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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November 14, 2019, 04:50 PM #4
Re: The Road To XTreme
After reading that, I need a minute.....
Jim
D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest
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November 14, 2019, 11:05 PM #5
The Road To XTreme
Simply amazing .
This is where you really can start to talk about a system and engineering. I do not have eight double power sockets behind my system, 1m deep amps would not fit my rack, the space required to accommodate the MBL 101 Xtreme system would probably mean there is no more room left for me.
What is the room size recommendation for this system, when I buy my next house?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk“Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”
Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.
Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.
HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.
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November 15, 2019, 12:15 AM #6
Re: The Road To XTreme
I’ve had this conversation many times with MBL. There are so many adjustments on the back of the speakers and bass towers that allow the entire system to fit into as small as a 14 x 16 room. Not joking. They designed the system so they would fit into smaller rooms in Asia and elsewhere.
There is an optimal size and Juergen has it available for anyone designing a listening room.
The listening room they are in is 20 x 25. They certainly don’t feel too big. We will in fact have no issues getting in three rows of chairs for the event on Saturday.
Despite their total weight per tower, they are designed to easily slide around (one person can move them). The bass towers at nearly 1200 pounds might be best with two people. Oh, and there are 12, 12 inch powered bass drivers which will go flat to 16hz. The bass adjustments on the back are incredible for dialing into any room.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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November 15, 2019, 12:47 AM #7
- Join Date
- Nov 2014
- Posts
- 2,104
Re: The Road To XTreme
Congratulations!
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November 15, 2019, 12:49 AM #8
Re: The Road To XTreme
Dan
STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital coax, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints Ultra SS & Ultra Mini, PurePower 2000, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205 Signal Sleuth, Sonos Connect, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD40 w/m505A tonearm, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Stillpoints Ultra Mini, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh 4300V, McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, JBL 4312A
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November 15, 2019, 12:55 AM #9
Re: The Road To XTreme
What, what, 12 x 12” drivers?
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, ClearAudio Performance SE, Satisfy Arm & Maestro Wood MM Cartridge
Power: 3 x 20 Amp Lines, Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Shunyata Sigma v2 NR, Block Audio Power Cords, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - Alpha CGS cables
Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon Modified) Buffalo GS2016 Switches powered with Keces P3 LPSU,
Cables: Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 SCs, 1M & 6M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: Isoacoustics GAIA I footers on the Kharmas, GIK/Vicoustics/Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Ultra SS, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
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November 15, 2019, 01:08 AM #10
- Join Date
- Jan 2014
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Posts
- 1,775
Re: The Road To XTreme
Congrats, Mike. Is this on permanent demo?
Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12
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November 15, 2019, 04:13 AM #11
Re: The Road To XTreme
Mike, I think you need to get some crankyivan undies,...
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November 15, 2019, 06:36 AM #12
Re: The Road To XTreme
Amazing Mike, congratulations !!! thanks for sharing.
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November 15, 2019, 07:50 AM #13
- Join Date
- May 2017
- Location
- NJ
- Posts
- 30
Re: The Road To XTreme
Very Impressive.
Wish I lived closer to experience this system.Rick
PS Audio BHK 250 Amp
PS Audio BHK Preamp
Marantz NA-11S1
Vandersteen Quatro Cloth
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November 15, 2019, 05:47 PM #14
- Join Date
- Dec 2017
- Posts
- 588
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November 17, 2019, 04:32 PM #15
Re: The Road To XTreme
Mike, wow wow wow!
Huge congrats.
I spent the better part of a day with this system, and it is a true end game system.
When you hear this, you can only say to yourself: I could live with this sound for the rest of my life.
Yes indeed, "vaut le voyage" (worth the travel) as they say in the Michelin guide for a three star system.
Audiosharkers: do that trip to Mike!
It will change your ideas about high end audio.Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld
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Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
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