metaphacts
New member
I was one of those Magnepan trainees you mentioned above Jim. :blush:
Jim Smith @ My House
- Thread starter MDP
- Start date
I was one of those Magnepan trainees you mentioned above Jim. :blush:
MDP
Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
- Thread Author
- #62
I want to thank Jim for giving us insight to his process!
I also want everyone to know that the end result, in my case at least, was more dramatic than a component upgrade. Considering the investment, it was, as Mike said, the best money I've ever spent in audio.
Jim hasn't mentioned that the best tool on his arsenal are his ears! While he employs tools to guide some of the steps, the actual voicing is done by ear. He knows exactly what each of his test tracks is telling him, and makes changes to speaker position until these things sound correct.
The end result was a system that has more realism,greater depth,and improved clarity.
But the best thing to me is that I feel more engaged in the music, and really isn't that what we're all trying to achieve?
All this for less money than a good pair of cables.
I also want everyone to know that the end result, in my case at least, was more dramatic than a component upgrade. Considering the investment, it was, as Mike said, the best money I've ever spent in audio.
Jim hasn't mentioned that the best tool on his arsenal are his ears! While he employs tools to guide some of the steps, the actual voicing is done by ear. He knows exactly what each of his test tracks is telling him, and makes changes to speaker position until these things sound correct.
The end result was a system that has more realism,greater depth,and improved clarity.
But the best thing to me is that I feel more engaged in the music, and really isn't that what we're all trying to achieve?
All this for less money than a good pair of cables.
chops
Active member
Swisstrips
Member
Thanks for the response, I'm looking forward to the better sound material arriving next week! The timing is quite good since I just moved (ick) and am having to start over in my listening room. :bonkers:
Its bigger a space, and spent considerable time dialing in my last room and am very anxious to get the new space dialed in as well.
Understood, thanks. I really was just inferring the use of "calculators" as a starting point that's all. Certainly it goes way beyond that.
Interesting enough, being I am starting over in a new space, there are several options/orientations I could use and it seems that many of the normal spkr placement options I see being used put the LP in the center of the room and having tried the 1/3 rule, it seems to get me (LP) out of that area, which of course is usually the worst spot for your LP to reside. Again just my experience and certainly not implying that as a hard and fast rule.
I really enjoy learning about this process as I find it fascinating. Seeing as the room and placement plays such a critical role, its usually the most overlooked/underestimated.
Its bigger a space, and spent considerable time dialing in my last room and am very anxious to get the new space dialed in as well.
Understood, thanks. I really was just inferring the use of "calculators" as a starting point that's all. Certainly it goes way beyond that.
Interesting enough, being I am starting over in a new space, there are several options/orientations I could use and it seems that many of the normal spkr placement options I see being used put the LP in the center of the room and having tried the 1/3 rule, it seems to get me (LP) out of that area, which of course is usually the worst spot for your LP to reside. Again just my experience and certainly not implying that as a hard and fast rule.
I really enjoy learning about this process as I find it fascinating. Seeing as the room and placement plays such a critical role, its usually the most overlooked/underestimated.
Jim Smith
Member
A hint towards a head start when you receive them -
Of the 202 tips in the GBS book, the most relevant to this discussion are #74-#92.
On the three disc GBS DVD set, it's Disc #2 - where I am at a RoomPlay client's house and address some of the typical issues...
Swisstrips
Member
Have a wonderful weekend.
OMG... I think I may have heard this system in the mid 80's. Speakers were Magnepan and electronics Spectral. Deepest and most realistic sound stage ever, before or since playing HDCD material he'd recorded.
My wife and I spent a couple of days visiting with Mark and Susan earlier this week. This was our second annual holiday visit. As before, our very good friends were fantastic hosts.
I finally had the opportunity to listen to Mark's system after he added the REL Subs, Cadenza Black cartridge and his system was finely tuned by Jim Smith. I've heard this system before and was always impressed. However, the musical experience I enjoyed earlier this week was nothing short of wonderful.
Mark has managed to assemble a terrific system. Jim's technical approach along with his good ears and some of his magic have made a significant positive difference in how this system sounds. I've never heard the Salon 2s sound this good! And, by the way, I owned a pair!
Thanks to Mark and Susan for a wonderful couple of days!
I finally had the opportunity to listen to Mark's system after he added the REL Subs, Cadenza Black cartridge and his system was finely tuned by Jim Smith. I've heard this system before and was always impressed. However, the musical experience I enjoyed earlier this week was nothing short of wonderful.
Mark has managed to assemble a terrific system. Jim's technical approach along with his good ears and some of his magic have made a significant positive difference in how this system sounds. I've never heard the Salon 2s sound this good! And, by the way, I owned a pair!
Thanks to Mark and Susan for a wonderful couple of days!
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MDP
Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
- Thread Author
- #73
Thanks Mike!
We always enjoy it when you and Carmen come visit! Music,drinks,food and great company are some of life's greatest pleasures.
Regarding the sound of my system, I will say again that the improvements that Jim brought out are indeed significant! It's better than a component change. In the past when I would buy a new component I would eventually get used to the change in sound. What Jim has given me is a sound that I'm still amazed with. I'm enjoying my system more than ever and I am still not used to the improvements. I find now that the only purchases I'm considering are new music.
It's great place to be :yahoo1:
We always enjoy it when you and Carmen come visit! Music,drinks,food and great company are some of life's greatest pleasures.
Regarding the sound of my system, I will say again that the improvements that Jim brought out are indeed significant! It's better than a component change. In the past when I would buy a new component I would eventually get used to the change in sound. What Jim has given me is a sound that I'm still amazed with. I'm enjoying my system more than ever and I am still not used to the improvements. I find now that the only purchases I'm considering are new music.
It's great place to be :yahoo1:
Jim Smith
Member
IMO - No reason to do so when a component is changed - the system/room voicing is about the acoustic wave-launch into the room.
Sometimes a speaker change might benefit from re-voicing, but the owner learns so much during the session that he or she can usually make the change using what they learned.
However, a different room is a different story...