Thread: Marten Mingus Quintet

Anybody heard these speakers? They have piqued my interest.

Originally Posted by sharkmouth

Anybody heard these speakers? They have piqued my interest.

I know they're not quite as fast or coherent overall as the Coltrane 3 (which are very coherent), but the mids and highs are supposed to sing as one. What you're getting is most of the quality (ie: same drivers, albeit smaller bass units), with a bit less refinement (ie: wood vs carbon cabinet, less $$ x-over, lower model Jorma internal wire). But because Leif spends a lot of time testing and tuning his speakers to get the sound he wants, the end result is entirely convincing. Check out this review which should offer more insight.

Ok, so you've heard them?

Originally Posted by Melbguy1

I know they're not quite as fast or coherent overall as the Coltrane 3 (which are very coherent), but the mids and highs are supposed to sing as one. What you're getting is most of the quality (ie: same drivers, albeit smaller bass units), with a bit less refinement (ie: wood vs carbon cabinet, less $$ x-over, lower model Jorma internal wire). But because Leif spends a lot of time testing and tuning his speakers to get the sound he wants, the end result is entirely convincing. Check out this review which should offer more insight.

From the info I have, they have "the" same tweeter & midrange as the supreme but with a totally new design for the bass speaker. I see things are the same as it ever was.
Anyone heard these?

Originally Posted by sharkmouth

From the info I have, they have "the" same tweeter & midrange as the supreme but with a totally new design for the bass speaker. I see things are the same as it ever was.

Yes Marten work very closely with Accuton in developing their drivers to their specific requirements, hence they get access to their latest driver technology. A really noble effort by Marten to offer most of the Coltrane's sound for half the wallop.

Has anyone heard these, if you have could you please tell me what you think as in tone, coherency, speed etc. I am interested to hear feedback on how the new designed bass drivers interact with the mid & treble that we all know are a great triumph for Marten as has been well documented in the past

Never mind, found the answer....
Bit of rearranging...





Bit of unpacking....




Bit of one of the best dvd's for a listen....

Congratulations Sharkmouth, you have bought a fine set of speakers . Please let us know how they're sounding once they get through the initial break in process. It looks like you've got them well out in the room which is advisable, though you'll need to re-evaluate the speaker positioning after break in.

After about 10 hrs on them now, what I do know is that they are very revealing of whats upstream. Even the difference is hearable optical to coaxial between the same sources. They disappear better than any other speaker I have owned, but, then again, maybe I have owned too many & am slowly learning on how to set them up properly

well done shark mouth

dont be afraid to experiment with cables and even amps for that matter to get the sound u want - they are very very sensitive to what they are fed.

I run Coltrane 3's and i can completely change the tonality of my speakers. i used to run vitus amps with siltech/jorma cables, and now run triode corp valve amps with a mix of Taralab and PAD cables.

Originally Posted by pweg

well done shark mouth

dont be afraid to experiment with cables and even amps for that matter to get the sound u want - they are very very sensitive to what they are fed.

I run Coltrane 3's and i can completely change the tonality of my speakers. i used to run vitus amps with siltech/jorma cables, and now run triode corp valve amps with a mix of Taralab and PAD cables.

I had Getz 2 with Ayon Epsilon monos & a Soulution 520 pre. I was really happy with that sound & then thought I wonder what a touch more resolution would bring........
Those Coltrane 3's must be a total pleasure to live with. I wonder why we haven't a Marten sub-forum here???

not enuff people know them

so are u running the same front end that u had with the Getz?

I've discussed getting ayon monos for my system with my dealer - usually we talk about the vulcan monos which are SETs. But lately I've been hankering for either Absolare or Zanden - but thats another story

No not the same front end. Have now gone to Soulution 511 amp & the 560 dac. I have an Aria server & an oPPo 205. May change the server to Aurender or Antipodes yet, undecided but I need usb out from server to maximise the resolution in the 560, Aria doesn't have hires usb.

The Ayon Epsilon's were just so neutral with a hint of sweet to them, but only just a smidgeon. Gobs of power that did all the right things that come with said power done properly. Never had any probs at all with them the 2 years that I had them & dead quiet too until I switched the phono stage on in the 520 Soulution & then I had to do 1 ground wire, problem solved.

What pre-amps have/are you running?

i used to use the preamp section of my Vitus MP Dac when driving the Vitus monos. Now i have the Triode Corp TRX M845 and Junone Ref preamp.

i heard the 511 driving some Magico S1mk 2's at my dealer recently and thought it sounded marvellous - also with aria server......

ur not in Melbourne by any chance?

Not in Melbourne, no. NSW Goulburn but am about to move again. Love the look of the Triode gear & am sure it sounds as good as it looks . Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to hear it yet!

Righto. After a bit of time & hrs put through these speakers I can honestly say they are "good". I'm getting holy sh*t moments. The bass is so articulate & powerful, the Soulution 511 really has their number Hooked up the network last night & another step up. I have once again dialed my Wilson Benesch Infrasonic Generators down again as I simply was overloading the room. This is the lowest I have set them with any speaker.I have no idea where that bottle of shiraz/cab went last night.

A new addition to the mix. I have sourced an Antipodes from New Zealand, you know, that place that just stole "The" Auld Mug, in a one horse race.
The Aria Piccolo for me in the system is alright but I am a very firm believer in ssd storage for music presentation to the dac. I had the Aria/spdif in a comparison with an Aurender N100H/usb to which i thought the N100H was the superior in sound, the highs not as forward & just a touch less pronounced. You wouldn't think you were missing anything at all with either but it was very close which really surprised me as I thought the distance between the 2 would be obvious. My past memories of having the Aria top of the line server with ssd would certainly swing things in the favour of the Aria, but, not a dependable comparison really apart for the fact that I did listen to a lot of music from it until lightning struck the house & the magic smoke appeared from the Aria for a brief glimpse. I have now returned the Aurender as it was on loan & am at this moment loading my files onto the Antipodes DX

A brief update. Have since put the Antipodes DX into the system & am smitten. Really enjoying the server & am using roon with it from the usb into the 560 dac. The Aria Piccolo & external power will be up for sale. Just need to work out how to get ethernet out of the Antipodes into the 560 & try that too.
So far as the servers go I would rate the Antipodes as my favourite out of the Aria & Aurender comparison.

Another update on the Mingus. These speakers really load the room well. My listening room at the mo is 8.6mtr x 4.4mtr. These speakers have me with the 2 Torus Infrasonic Generators dialled down on the crossover at 30hz & I have bass & midrange that is like a well remembered taste on the palette. The pairing with the 2 Wilson Benesch generators is phenomenal, better than I ever thought it would be, which tells me these new drivers that Marten have in the Mingus, that they commissioned Accuton speakers to build have really stepped up & have incredible speed. My last step in the journey is a preamp to bridge the last challenge in presentation. I have always based my systems on the preamp for the last 5 years & it has been a really "holy shit" revelation for me to have a world class preamp in my system & reap so many benefits from it. I was going to go Boulder, but for now, I think I need some tube goodness in the mix, stay tuned sharks!

Have been trying a few things in the system for a grounding/reference & also some new to pique the ear drums. I borrowed an MSB Diamond DAC IV fully loaded off of the distributor for the weekend. For those that don't know I used to own this same set-up dac with power supply when they were first available, so some 6 years later I once again had it in my system for a reference. I have to say the MSB really surprised me up against the 560 Soulution & I wouldn't say the 560 was the winner by any margin at all. The big thing to remember here is the DAC IV has a very good digital preamp stage in it & the 560 Soulution is a digital dac with digital volume straight into the 511 amp. After hearing the 2 on an almost level playing field it really did make me think I need to hear the 560 with a proper pre-amp in front of it.
Well, as it happens a mate of mine distributes Grandinote. Hence the Genesi pre-amp & the Volta dac/server also in the pics. Early days yet with the Grandinote gear as it's only been 24 hrs in the system but am really experiencing some traits that you just know only come from phenomenal top tier equipment. Sitting in another room with walls doors hard floors etc for the sound to bounce off before it arrives to my ears & it sounds really good from the other room. Once in the room you think it's not that loud until you leave the room & then you realise it's a lot louder than you wanted to believe because it was such an enjoyable & uncluttered sound that seems to defy poor set-up. The soundstage is way behind the speakers & that is from a 180 degrees angle that it is noticeable, quite eerie actually when I first realised as I was cooking in the kitchen & the gun shot in SRV's Tin Pan Alley was way into the front wall. It is such a pleasure to have a system up & running again in an open plan living area where I get quality of sound all over from different rooms with an adjusted perspective but still surprised at the better than expected! Grandinote, the sweetness of tubes & the power of solid state......

wow - love whats going on with Grandinote. U shud keep them

Id love to try in my system but i have just dropped a bucketload on new amps and pre which come on monday ........

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

What you describe with the Grandinote sounds great, I’m not surprised though. I do have the Celio phono pre and quite like it. It is exactly as you describe: sweetness of tubes and power of solid state.

You might also want to check with Audiophon about his experiences with Grandinote, he has the magnificent Demone monos.

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Somebody did mention they'd like me to hear the same amps in my system with the pre & server. Stay tuned....

Another update on the wobbly bike of trying to find nirvana with Soulution & Marten. The Freya has about 5 hours on it & I am that enamoured with it I have already searched the net to find some sanity shaking nos tubes/adapters, etc, etc....

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Great looking system you have there, very nice.

After successfully resisting for a long time I also got into the NOS tube game with the Telefunken pentode/ triode PCF803 tubes in the Nyquist DAC. There is only so much you can do to counter-argument .


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Yes, you are so right, with the tube comment. So many rabbit holes....

You sure its working properly?
The tubes arent glowing

You sure its working properly?
The tubes arent glowing
SORRY, DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?

Oh I noticed the lights are on.
I’m a fan of the silver. You need a silver server now mate


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Originally Posted by Mike

Kev, your system looks fantastic. Has anyone heard the new Schiit amps?

I haven't yet!

Coconut oil!

Bob, that thing on the right is a server.

I have to say I am so pleased with my Northern Red Mahogany rack!!

For me now I am getting so close to the sound I just know my neighbors will love The subtle class & authentic tone/timbre of tubes in the pre-amp is a swooning moment for me as I listen to these speakers open up & really hit their straps. They have matured & given me the thought of dread to replace them & once again go through the stage of break-in & mis-match components to see where the synogy will come from.

The addition of the aires cerat Incito preamp into the system has really grounded my search for the all elusive search for sound of hifi in the home but the elusive gossamer of live sound "in the room". I just heard an accent on Chris Rea's guitar. By this comment I mean that wherever you are born & brought up you will have a certain sound installed inside of you that is second nature from the infusion of your culture, childhood, puberty & early adulthood fused with the music around you at the time.
I've listened to this album too many times to even try to get an estimate of a listening count, but, today, I heard through this pre-amp a note straight from Mr Rea's soul that gave me this thought above. Now that is an insight....

Aries Cerat preamps, turns your speakers on their ear!

sounds like ur a convert?

Originally Posted by pweg

sounds like ur a convert?

Ha! aren't we all!!! I must say though for the money the aries cerat are a very serious contender. I'm hearing this preamp do what my Soulution 5 series preamp did & that was at 3 times the price nearly compared to the Incito. Lifting the lid I was gobsmacked, then the first thing I said was swear twice in a row, was not expecting such quality parts.

its the valves

Originally Posted by pweg

its the valves

May well be but this guy does not do things by halves either.

Something different....