Thanks for your commentary on the Magico/CAT room Mike. Just a random question from my mate; How well do the S5 Mk2's soundstage & image? Also, how coherent were the S5 Mk2's compared to the S1 Mk2's? Thanks.
Magico S5 mk2
- Thread starter vagabundo
- Start date
Excellent. They give you everything the S1 mk2's do and more. Meaty full sound.
BlueFox
New member
So when can I get a used pair to test against Pass power? :celebrate008_2:
Thanks Mike, I know you were very impressed with the coherency and soundstaging/imaging of the S1 Mk2, so it sounds like the S5 Mk2's add a richer sound with more meat on the bones & spot on bass.
madfloyd
New member
Which CAT amps and which preamp?
The same ones at CES this year. I THINK they were the CAT Statement monos with KT150's.
The amps are great, but in my house, I was able to get awesome sound with my S1 mk2's with my Devialet 400. Just ask Jerry who heard them and had to buy a pair on the spot! They are that good.
The S5 mk2's take that same magic and add the fullness and richness in the mid-bass and bass. The S7's? Oh boy. Another step further.
madfloyd
New member
Thanks, Mike. I've been thinking about acquiring some CATs.
Mega bucks Ian. Mega mega. Unless you go with one of their much older amps. New CAT monos which will handle KT150's are $130-150k ish range. Don't get me wrong, they sound great, but they aren't inexpensive.
For about 1/8th the price, the new VAC Signature 200iQ monos, populated with KT150's or KT120's or KT88's or whatever KT you want, the new patented iQ circuitry and trickle down advancements from the big VAC statement 450 iQ monos will be incredible and that's what I'm going with with my S5 mk2's. The VAC Signature 200 iQ's are playing here this weekend in the Von Schwiekert room and it's one of the best sounding rooms so far.
I would very strongly suggest having a conversation with Ken Stevens about the key differences between the Statement model and lower models, especially the current version of JL2 Ultimate with Amorphous core option. I think someone mentioned that there is a new JL7 mono at the show? I think the preamp being used by Magico may be the Rennaisance model and not the top Legend model....Ken or Magico can probably confirm. I wonder if someone could comment on the low level detail recovery of the S5/CAT system?
madfloyd
New member
Slightlyfftopic:, but an interesting commentary on the Vac Sig 200IQ amp by Kevin Hayes..
any idea what the two black units are on the bottom shelf of the racks? They look like additional VAC monos...
They are. At RMAF, they ran four 200iQ monos on the big Focal's.
kzhtoo
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2014
- Messages
- 1,615
Slightly
Stunning!
CAT has the new Debut of the JL7 mono's (smaller size like JL5) they sound great. retail is like $35k? was told they are offering special pricing on their gear for axpona?
imo: the Magico needed a bigger room with those CAT amps. Magico has really delivered an amazing product in the new MK 2's series
having a blast checking and enjoying many rooms here:yahoo1:
I was surprised to read in the Axpona thread that a couple of members found the S5 Mk2's tweeter sounded bright. I wonder if the culprit might have been the room given the accompanying gear? That pair of S5 Mk2's are (I assume) the same pair Magico have been demo'ing in their factory, so I'd assume they have atleast 500hrs on them (ie: mostly played in).
I didn't find them bright at all. When played with vinyl, they were off the charts. The tape material was unfamiliar to me.
I remember when I had my ears tested, the Audiologist told me everyone (literally) hears things differently. Some folks have sensitive hearing due to various reasons (age, inner ear problems, tinnitus etc), so what sounds smooth and fatigue-free to you or I might sound bright or harsh to the next guy. I guess that partly explains why speakers systems with soft domes like Harbeth have many fans.
Kuoppis
New member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2015
- Messages
- 5,203
Uh hum. At least my current model Harbeths have aluminum tweeters.
If you were however e.g. talking about the recent switch in Wilsons back to soft domes, then I could concur.
But then again, those typically max out at 22 kHz or so, which simply is not enough for some people and hence they prefer e.g. Magico beryllium tweeters reaching up to 50 kHz. The RIAA correction curve btw goes up to 70 kHz or so I believe.