New System: Going Out of My Head over You …

[Calvin]

Pass X260.8s amps
Pass XP22 Preamp
Luxman D-08u SACD
Aurender N100H Streamer
Magico A3’s
Magico A3 Grills
Shunyata Hydra Alpha A12 Power Conditioner
Shunyata Cables
Bamboo SVT Quadrasphire Racks (x3) and Amp Stands (x2)

First, I would like to thank Mike, the owner of Suncoast Audio in Sarasota, FL., for suggesting such a marvelous system. Awesome!!!

Initial impressions

Mere words can’t do justice to what I’m hearing coming from my SACDs playing on the Luxman D-08u. I’m simply there in, with, and around the music all at once; captured in the moment. The spacious soundstage and imaging are absolutely breathtaking. It sounds better than any live concert I’ve ever been too. It’s only been a few hours and the music is already entrancing. Positively majestic! I’m already at a new plateau in my listening experience and the system isn’t even broken in yet ...

IMO, the Pass 260.8s (which are barely warmed up now) have a tube-like sweetness – a harmonic richness to them. Their sonic signature is just perfect to my ears! They dig deep into the emotional side of the music and yet deliver a brilliantly balanced engaging detailed sound. Power and then some! WOW!!! I normally play my music kind of low, so all I’m hearing is in Class A. And while every amp has its own character, to me the Pass sound is simply music. It’s so engaging and real! I’m in absolute awe.

I initially thought the Magico A3s may be too small for my room, but they fill the entire space (Great Room, Gathering Room, Dining Room, and Kitchen) with beautiful music. The Magico A3’s deliver an excellent bass; a powerful bass grip and remarkable slam for their size! This is complemented by the very fine detailed mids and highs. The spacious soundstage is so involving – it’s huge. The imaging is absolutely extraordinary. Magicos are stunningly musical and yet deliver a wonderful articulate sound as well. The speakers sort of disappear and all you hear is the music. Music the way it should be – at least to my ears. These Magicos are so good, I can’t even image what a set of M2s would sound like. The Q7 Mk IIs I heard some years back though were transcendent! And I understand the Ms are even better.

IMO, there is sufficient speed to deliver amazing rhythmic magical pacing (pun intended) on recordings of all musical genres (esp. my favorites jazz and soft rock). I thought for sure I might miss the sound I enjoy so-much from the B&W 802s and Wilson Yvettes that I’m so familiar with and the Martin Logans 13As which I auditioned numerous times at different dealers. Properly driven these are all amazing speakers. IMO, each is excellent. They each do many things exceptionally well. However, for me personally the Magicos are delivering a class-leading level of detail and dynamics that to my ears surpasses them all. They’re unbelievable.

Being more than a sum of all its parts, IMO this Pass / Magico system effortlessly recreates every aspect of the music. It displays a rich dynamic expression, detailed resolution, and tonal sophistication I haven’t heard at this level before. I’m drawn “into” every note. It has already given me a new appreciation for music.

And yes, I’m just a little excited.

First Planned Improvements

There is always room for improvements. And needless to say my room(s) needs a lot of work. While it will never be perfect (none really are) no matter what system resides here, at a minimum acoustical improvements are needed at least behind the audio system itself, in the coffered ceiling, and above the kitchen cabinets. I have to research which acoustical materials would be best (and wife friendly, like Guilford of Maine) and someone to properly install them. An EtherREGEN is in the future. A Turn-Table and / or Headphone system may be in the future as well.

We will probably move some of the components around when Suncoast comes to put the final touches on the system – including some more Quadraspire rack polls.

For the present we will enjoy the music just as it is.

A Huge Thank You

As stated above Mike at Suncoast Audio designed the system. Thanks Mike, it’s absolutely stunning! And the set up this system was an amazing job as well. It was delivered early! I want to thank Suncoast for taking such great care with all the components, their technical knowledge, and answering all my questions so completely. I’m so very grateful.

[brad225]

Congratulations Calvin. Knowing what Pass equipment and Magicos sound like I am guessing you are "out of your mind" with happiness. Enjoy your amazing combination.

[BlueFox]

Congratulations. Looks great, and the gear is superb. Have fun.

[joeinid]

Awesome setup Calvin(Joe)!

Congratulations.

[jdandy]

Calvin.......Your excitement comes through loud and clear. I am happy for you. There is nothing that improves a home environment more than a great sound system. Here's to many hours of happy listening.

[Sean]

Calvin, I am so happy to read you are loving your new system. Congrats!




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[Calvin]

Many thanks to all. I really appreciate it.

My wife just improved upon the perfect system. Mike send me those Focal Utopias!!!

They will be paired with the Pass Labs HPA-1s.

[still-one]

Congratulations. That is a very nice set-up you have acquired.

[Calvin]

Many thanks still-one. Much appreciated. I’ve got a lot of breaking in to do. Easiest job I’ve ever had.

[AJ Soundfield]

Enjoy your early Christmas toys!!

[Calvin]

Enjoy your early Christmas toys!!

Thanks AJ. It won’t even be broke in by Christmas, but I will enjoy it.

[Shadowfax]

Congrats, Awesome setup. Love the rug also.

[mdp632]

Congrats on the system.

Lots of members here are running Pass electronics+Magico speakers.

So, probably a winning combo.

Btw, are you running an Apple computer to your display?

Looks like its running Mac OS on that TV.

[Ritmo]

Wonderful system Joe! Enjoy the music! Congratulations!

[Mr Peabody]

Congrats Joe, really nice set up.

[Calvin]

Congrats on the system.

Lots of members here are running Pass electronics+Magico speakers.

So, probably a winning combo.

Btw, are you running an Apple computer to your display?

Looks like its running Mac OS on that TV.

I use the Mac Mini for work. It's not in theaudio chain, only with the TV and sound bar.

[Calvin]

Thank you everyone. I've been waiting on his for years. Now it's finally a reality.

[mdp632]

Thank you everyone. I've been waiting on his for years. Now it's finally a reality.

Did you have anything previously If not, quite an amazing "first " system.

Enjoy

[Calvin]

Did you have anything previously If not, quite an amazing "first " system.

Enjoy

Yes, I did. Krell and B&W 802s, and a few others. But I went without a personal one for sometime after that but had full access to one of my friend's systems when he was traveling abroad, etc. He has some very nice ones. This said, this is the best system I've ever owned personally.

[UltraFast69]

Great stuff, and all before the Holiday’s - Enjoy in spirit and health!


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[Calvin]

Great stuff, and all before the Holiday’s - Enjoy in spirit and health!


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Thanks UltraFast69. Yes and before Christmas. I only ordered this a short time back, so we thought it may be after the first of the year. However, Mike surprised with a phone call a few days back and installed it early! And seeing I live 2 hours from Suncoast Audio (one-way) it's amazing he could fit me in at all. He's busy!!! Great dealer and friend! You feel like part of a family with Suncoast Audio.

The Quadraspire distributor needs to ship a few polls which they failed to originally ship. So, when they arrive Suncoast Audio will re-arrange things and make the system both more visually and audibly appealing.

[bluegrassphile]

Hey Mike, are you going to come to my house and set up my system? Only 1400 miles...one way.

[bluegrassphile]

BTW, the more I read about Pass stuff the more excited I get about my new system.

[Dth31]

Congratulations on your new system! I’m sure it sounds amazing. Enjoy it in good health

[Calvin]

Hey Mike, are you going to come to my house and set up my system? Only 1400 miles...one way.

I understand one of his favorite tracks is "These Boots are Made for Walkin' " by Johnny Cash.

[Calvin]

BTW, the more I read about Pass stuff the more excited I get about my new system.

I feel confident that you will love yours. Pass is music IMO. Mine is getting better the more and more I listen. I listened mostly to jazz yesterday (mostly female vocals) and today it's been The Doors, The Eagles, Santana, and The Beach Boys. It does it all so well and it's not even broke in yet. You're going to be in awe. Give us a full report when you receive it.

[Audio 1]

I feel confident that you will love yours. Pass is music IMO. Mine is getting better the more and more I listen. I listened mostly to jazz yesterday (mostly female vocals) and today it's been The Doors, The Eagles, Santana, and The Beach Boys. It does it all so well and it's not even broke in yet. You're going to be in awe. Give us a full report when you receive it.

Looking forward to hearing it one day Joe!

[Calvin]

Looking forward to hearing it one day Joe!

And I yours. You have one nice system!!!

[Calvin]

The system has been run for app 200 hours now and is sounding better than I could have even imagined. The new Quadrasphire polls should be here soon. Then we will be able to install the headphone amp - HPA-1 shelf.

IMG_0015.jpg

IMG_0015.jpg

[Randy Myers]

Nice looking system. I loved when Mike posted the photos of the three systems in one day!

[Calvin]

Nice looking system. I loved when Mike posted the photos of the three systems in one day!

Many thanks. Yes, that MBL Extreme system is something to look at. Couldn't believe Mike did three in one day, including that huge MBL install.

[Gene]

Congrats on you new system. You made a wise and musical choice going with Magico. I'm very happy for you and hope you have many hours of enjoyment!

[Calvin]

Congrats on you new system. You made a wise and musical choice going with Magico. I'm very happy for you and hope you have many hours of enjoyment!

Many Thanks. I bet your S7s are amazing. A nice system all around from what I read in your signature!

[bluegrassphile]

Wow Joe!! What a system?!!! That just has to sound killer!! Massive congrats! And well done!

[Calvin]

Wow Joe!! What a system?!!! That just has to sound killer!! Massive congrats! And well done!

Many thanks. It's astounding - but no more than your Pass INT 250. When it's finished burning in (mine is very close at this point, if not already there) it will sound like a new system again.

It's had a little transformation as to the rack layout. Newest pic below.

[joeinid]

Simply awesome setup Joe. Thank you for sharing.

[Andik777]

Many thanks. It's astounding - but no more than your Pass INT 250. When it's finished burning in (mine is very close at this point, if not already there) it will sound like a new system again.

It's had a little transformation as to the rack layout. Newest pic below.

Congratulations!!! It looks very nice, enjoy them.

[Kuoppis]

Pass X260.8s amps
Pass XP22 Preamp
Luxman D-08u SACD
Aurender N100H Streamer
Magico A3’s
Magico A3 Grills
Shunyata Hydra Alpha A12 Power Conditioner
Shunyata Cables
Bamboo SVT Quadrasphire Racks (x3) and Amp Stands (x2)

First, I would like to thank Mike, the owner of Suncoast Audio in Sarasota, FL., for suggesting such a marvelous system. Awesome!!!

Initial impressions

Mere words can’t do justice to what I’m hearing coming from my SACDs playing on the Luxman D-08u. I’m simply there in, with, and around the music all at once; captured in the moment. The spacious soundstage and imaging are absolutely breathtaking. It sounds better than any live concert I’ve ever been too. It’s only been a few hours and the music is already entrancing. Positively majestic! I’m already at a new plateau in my listening experience and the system isn’t even broken in yet ...

IMO, the Pass 260.8s (which are barely warmed up now) have a tube-like sweetness – a harmonic richness to them. Their sonic signature is just perfect to my ears! They dig deep into the emotional side of the music and yet deliver a brilliantly balanced engaging detailed sound. Power and then some! WOW!!! I normally play my music kind of low, so all I’m hearing is in Class A. And while every amp has its own character, to me the Pass sound is simply music. It’s so engaging and real! I’m in absolute awe.

I initially thought the Magico A3s may be too small for my room, but they fill the entire space (Great Room, Gathering Room, Dining Room, and Kitchen) with beautiful music. The Magico A3’s deliver an excellent bass; a powerful bass grip and remarkable slam for their size! This is complemented by the very fine detailed mids and highs. The spacious soundstage is so involving – it’s huge. The imaging is absolutely extraordinary. Magicos are stunningly musical and yet deliver a wonderful articulate sound as well. The speakers sort of disappear and all you hear is the music. Music the way it should be – at least to my ears. These Magicos are so good, I can’t even image what a set of M2s would sound like. The Q7 Mk IIs I heard some years back though were transcendent! And I understand the Ms are even better.

IMO, there is sufficient speed to deliver amazing rhythmic magical pacing (pun intended) on recordings of all musical genres (esp. my favorites jazz and soft rock). I thought for sure I might miss the sound I enjoy so-much from the B&W 802s and Wilson Yvettes that I’m so familiar with and the Martin Logans 13As which I auditioned numerous times at different dealers. Properly driven these are all amazing speakers. IMO, each is excellent. They each do many things exceptionally well. However, for me personally the Magicos are delivering a class-leading level of detail and dynamics that to my ears surpasses them all. They’re unbelievable.

Being more than a sum of all its parts, IMO this Pass / Magico system effortlessly recreates every aspect of the music. It displays a rich dynamic expression, detailed resolution, and tonal sophistication I haven’t heard at this level before. I’m drawn “into” every note. It has already given me a new appreciation for music.

And yes, I’m just a little excited.

First Planned Improvements

There is always room for improvements. And needless to say my room(s) needs a lot of work. While it will never be perfect (none really are) no matter what system resides here, at a minimum acoustical improvements are needed at least behind the audio system itself, in the coffered ceiling, and above the kitchen cabinets. I have to research which acoustical materials would be best (and wife friendly, like Guilford of Maine) and someone to properly install them. An EtherREGEN is in the future. A Turn-Table and / or Headphone system may be in the future as well.

We will probably move some of the components around when Suncoast comes to put the final touches on the system – including some more Quadraspire rack polls.

For the present we will enjoy the music just as it is.

A Huge Thank You

As stated above Mike at Suncoast Audio designed the system. Thanks Mike, it’s absolutely stunning! And the set up this system was an amazing job as well. It was delivered early! I want to thank Suncoast for taking such great care with all the components, their technical knowledge, and answering all my questions so completely. I’m so very grateful.

Congrats on your new system, very nice setup. As a former Pass owner I understand what you are talking about.

Enjoy!


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[Ritmo]

Joe - It is delightful to see you being so happy with your system and dealer experience. A breath of fresh air as so many audiophiles don’t typically sound as excited as you. That’s fantastic! What a way to come into 2020!

[Calvin]

Joe - It is delightful to see you being so happy with your system and dealer experience. A breath of fresh air as so many audiophiles don’t typically sound as excited as you. That’s fantastic! What a way to come into 2020!

Ritmo thanks. Having an excellent dealer who cares - really cares - for the end result is part of the excitement. I purchased this system as part of a long range plan. Stage 1 is almost complete. Hopefully State 2 will begin soon.

[Fer1000]

Congratulations..!!! Very impresive system..