From Sonus faber to Magico

Gene. You are the one who owns the Accuphase and now the S7 are coming. Enjoy them together. I believe with their high damping factor it shouldn’t be a problem to drive them properly and you know what if it doesn’t you can always add another one [emoji6]
 
Good point. KeithR offered similar and I thought well considered advice – only to have it kicked back in his face.


The only thing I’d add is caution is needed when seeking advice from loudspeaker manufacturers about suitable amplifiers – especially if such advice comes back with caveats – like listening at modest volumes etc. I had one loudspeaker manufacturer once tell me that a high quality 50 watt amplifier was good enough for their speakers. Well, it was good enough in the sense that the amplifier moved the drivers – but I later found out that 5x that power (250 watts) was really needed to wake up and exert full control over the speakers and accurately track the dynamic contours of classical and other music.


+1

Quite possibly a necessary upgrade in the near future for sure. ironically the S7 demo heard by the OP was with a 600/600 @4 ohm Boulder ... was


regards
 
" Good point. KeithR offered similar and I thought well considered advice – only to have it kicked back in his face."


Continuing to argue the facts with other members who apparently have trouble accepting the truth about a non-existent issue is both frustrating and pointless.

Discuss ......... :)
 
Good point. KeithR offered similar and I thought well considered advice – only to have it kicked back in his face.


The only thing I’d add is caution is needed when seeking advice from loudspeaker manufacturers about suitable amplifiers – especially if such advice comes back with caveats – like listening at modest volumes etc. I had one loudspeaker manufacturer once tell me that a high quality 50 watt amplifier was good enough for their speakers. Well, it was good enough in the sense that the amplifier moved the drivers – but I later found out that 5x that power (250 watts) was really needed to wake up and exert full control over the speakers and accurately track the dynamic contours of classical and other music.

Amen. And JA @ Stereophile couldn't get Pass XA60 monoblocks to wake up the S5mk2s, but Peter McKay *thinks* 60-watt Class A stereo works so its cool. Honestly, as I suggested, not sure why Gene doesn't bring his amp to the local dealership and see. He can compare with higher power amps directly. Ironic that I'm a big Accuphase fan btw.

Forums are for advice - if he just wants to accept the "advice" of the manufacturers and for us to give him a round of applause on a purchase then what's the point.
 
I greatly appreciate the advice of any of my "audio elders" including sales reps and vice presidents of major speaker manufacturers who have way more knowledge about these issues than i do. After all i'm no super hard core audiophile genius, industry insider, or electrical engineer. I have a basic knowledge. I have no audiophile ego that needs to be stroked and petted and I and certainly didn't come back to this forum after a long stretch away, just to be validated and gushed over. I only wanted to share my happiness.

I guess its hard sometimes to admit that you might be wrong, especially when you think you know more than you really do and if the A-75 falls flat on its face,
then your point will be rammed home and validated and I'll deal with it. But If it does work ok.. you'll be hearing from me. Thank you all for your input.

One other thing.. JA @Sterophile never said anything in his review of the S5mkii about the Pass XA60's being unable, as you put it to "wake" them up.
He actually said on page two ... " I felt that the Magicos' bass was a little too fat with the Pass Labs amps. Substituting MBL Corona C15 monoblocks gave better control of the low frequencies" Please explain how you get "couldn't get Pass XA60 monoblocks to wake up the S5mk2s, from what was actually written?

Interesting that the specs for the MBL's lists
damping factor as ">100" and the Accuphase A-75 is at "1000". What's even more interesting is the Pass Labs amps damping factor is listed at 150.. slightly greater than the MBL's . I wonder which amp would have better control and elicit better bass response from the S7?
 
My Pass int-60 with 30 watts class A had no problem with my S3MK2’s with 88db 4 ohms. Meter needle rarely even moved. I know there are other factors that come into play but I think you should be fine. I also called Pass to confirm their compatibility with the Magicos
 
Trust me

These are all opinions, no matter what they think their pedigree is, and please take them as such. From what I've read, you have been really good with listening to opinions and have made a good guess of what will work in your situation.

Have fun!!!!! That is all this is all about.



I greatly appreciate the advice of any of my "audio elders" including sales reps and vice presidents of major speaker manufacturers who have way more knowledge about these issues than i do. After all i'm no super hard core audiophile genius, industry insider, or electrical engineer. I have a basic knowledge. I have no audiophile ego that needs to be stroked and petted and I and certainly didn't come back to this forum after a long stretch away, just to be validated and gushed over. I only wanted to share my happiness.

I guess its hard sometimes to admit that you might be wrong, especially when you think you know more than you really do and if the A-75 falls flat on its face,
then your point will be rammed home and validated and I'll deal with it. But If it does work ok.. you'll be hearing from me. Thank you all for your input.

One other thing.. JA @Sterophile never said anything in his review of the S5mkii about the Pass XA60's being unable, as you put it to "wake" them up.
He actually said on page two ... " I felt that the Magicos' bass was a little too fat with the Pass Labs amps. Substituting MBL Corona C15 monoblocks gave better control of the low frequencies" Please explain how you get "couldn't get Pass XA60 monoblocks to wake up the S5mk2s, from what was actually written?

Interesting that the specs for the MBL's lists
damping factor as ">100" and the Accuphase A-75 is at "1000". What's even more interesting is the Pass Labs amps damping factor is listed at 150.. slightly greater than the MBL's . I wonder which amp would have better control and elicit better bass response from of the S7?
 
Got the good news from Peter Mackay at Magico... My S7's are finished and will be packed and shipped next week!
Now i'm really excited! :woot:
 
Cool. And they'll be worth about 10% more next week!

p.s. you should be holding-fire on the S7 moniker pic until you take delivery!
 
Cool. And they'll be worth about 10% more next week!

p.s. you should be holding-fire on the S7 moniker pic until you take delivery!

Yes..i got a bit ahead of myself so I changed it as you suggested. The next avatar will be a pic of mine.
I forgot about the price increase in April. Put my order in just in the nick of time.
 
Finally!... the day has arrived! :)
Delivery for my S7's is set for Thursday, 4/18 at 11am. I'll post some pics of the install and set-up.
 
congratulations Gene

Fantastic speaker

When mine arrived , my dealer said lets plug them in no serious listening for a week

Needless to say , I spent the next 3 hrs listening closely

That said give them time
 
My Pass int-60 with 30 watts class A had no problem with my S3MK2’s with 88db 4 ohms. Meter needle rarely even moved. I know there are other factors that come into play but I think you should be fine. I also called Pass to confirm their compatibility with the Magicos

When I first got my S3 mk1, I initially used Pass XA30.8 to drive them (I believe XA30.8 is the same as the amp section of INT-60). Meter rarely moved and didn’t feel they were underpowered in any way. Then, out of curiosity I tried Gryphon Diablo 300 (300w 8ohm, 600w 4ohm) and there’s whole another level of dynamics I didn’t know before. YMMV as always.
 
What else did you consider before deciding on S7? M3 didn't interest you?

From what I had learned I pretty much had my heart set on the S7 from the beginning ,but did give serious consideration to the newer offerings from Sonus faber.
After the demo, I was satisfied I had made the right decision.
As far as the M3?...I'll refer you to my answer in post #55.
 
This hobby is so taste dependent with no absolutes. My S3Mk2’s sound fabulous with my Vac 200iq with 100 watts per channel which replaced an awesome Diablo-300 in my system.
To my ears tubes are little more musical. YMMV.
Congrats on your big daddy S series.......they are amongst the top of the food chain.
 
Well, after a one day delay due to the weather, the S7's are finally in and making beautiful music.
You really have to see the finish in person to fully appreciate how gorgeous they are. Glad i went with the red.
I'm told they will need 200-400hrs to full cook. I'm in no hurry.

BTW... The Accuphase A-75 (which i was told would not be a good match,by some) is just fine with the load.
Plays just as loud ,full and musical as i would want.


IMG_1102.JPG
 
Well, after a one day delay due to the weather, the S7's are finally in and making beautiful music.
You really have to see the finish in person to fully appreciate how gorgeous they are. Glad i went with the red.
I'm told they will need 200-400hrs to full cook. I'm in no hurry.

BTW... The Accuphase A-75 (which i was told would not be a good match,by some) is just fine with the load.
Plays just as loud ,full and musical as i would want.


View attachment 25430

Pretty color. Enjoy in good health.
 
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