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Indeed awesome news! BTW, Joe...interesting change of Avatar given recent posts. Is this a prelude to a formal announcement, or did I miss the announcement?
Magico S5 or Sonus Faber Strads ...
- Thread starter LL21
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Indeed awesome news! BTW, Joe...interesting change of Avatar given recent posts. Is this a prelude to a formal announcement, or did I miss the announcement?
Re: S5's have landed at Rhapsody.....available for demo
Hi Lloyd,
I fell in love with the Strads 3 years ago and just recently heard them again. The goose bumps returned and now I can not get them out of my head. My heart says Strads. My head says Magico S5. I don't know yet and it may be several months before I make a decision.
Indeed awesome news! BTW, Joe...interesting change of Avatar given recent posts. Is this a prelude to a formal announcement, or did I miss the announcement?
Hi Lloyd,
I fell in love with the Strads 3 years ago and just recently heard them again. The goose bumps returned and now I can not get them out of my head. My heart says Strads. My head says Magico S5. I don't know yet and it may be several months before I make a decision.
Re: S5's have landed at Rhapsody.....available for demo
The heart knows.
The heart knows.
- Thread Author
- #5
Re: S5's have landed at Rhapsody.....available for demo
Why does the head say S5? If it is for its tremendous linearity...you can get quite a lot of that with the Strad if you very very carefully focus on your electronics. You're gonna need a superbly powerful and effortless amp...I am thinking Vitus/Gryphon, but I know you have great experience with Burmester which I've not heard but am aware falls into that category. You might change up your cables and go Nordost (Valhalla or Odin) which I know Microstrip loves with his Aidas (different designer technically speaking)...but which I think DaveyF also loves with his Guarneris (same designer). I think if you follow this path using your 'head'-side...you might find your head jumps into the Strad camp with your heart. Good luck.
Penthouse-D
New member
It's easy to fall in love with the beautiful cabinetry of the Strads. I think a blindfolded audition would be best.
cmalak
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Joe...as Mike said, the mind is more likely to change its mind than the heart is likely to fall out of love 
The heart is the way to go for long-term enjoyment/involvement with a speaker. That's my 2c. If there is a way to get the Strads in for a home demo over a week just to confirm that you are truly in love, that would be ideal way of making a decision.
The heart is the way to go for long-term enjoyment/involvement with a speaker. That's my 2c. If there is a way to get the Strads in for a home demo over a week just to confirm that you are truly in love, that would be ideal way of making a decision.
still-one
Active member
Re: S5's have landed at Rhapsody.....available for demo
Here is my take on Strads versus S5's. I am not sure that it is the comparison I would make. If in one camp you had Sonus Faber and the other Magico, I would be comparing the Strad's to the Q3 while the S5 is more along the lines of the Futura's. The first two a bit more musical while the later two would have more rhythm and pace.
Here is my take on Strads versus S5's. I am not sure that it is the comparison I would make. If in one camp you had Sonus Faber and the other Magico, I would be comparing the Strad's to the Q3 while the S5 is more along the lines of the Futura's. The first two a bit more musical while the later two would have more rhythm and pace.
Re: S5's have landed at Rhapsody.....available for demo
Lloyd - Microstrip sold his Aida's for Alexia's - like someone else I know!. Me.
Joe - I think the CJ on the Strads could be magical.
Lloyd - Microstrip sold his Aida's for Alexia's - like someone else I know!
. Me.Joe - I think the CJ on the Strads could be magical.
Joe - you recently demoed the Q3's - how do they stack up against the Strads you heard?
I only heard the strads once briefly run with an older mc275. And it was a warm sound but it was a great sound and to steal the word from Mike magical!!!
Think we should all meet at Bobs for a Christmas party and hear the s5's on set's!!!!
Think we should all meet at Bobs for a Christmas party and hear the s5's on set's!!!!
Penthouse-D
New member
It also may depend on what type of music you prefer. I think the S5s may be more of a "rocker" and the Strads may be more of a classical/vocal type speaker. Both quite good. Have the Strads been updated at all? They have been around for quite some time. That's not a bad thing. Just curious. Sort of like comparing Porsche to Mercedes. Both have wonderful qualities. No one but you can answer the question. Yours is the only opinion that matters.
I agree Jim and I have found through experimentation that the S5's need some volume to bring out their best - and I won't REALLY know until they are in my house....hopefully next week. Joe listens at very modest volumes and therefore, the Strads might just be the ticket. They are best if not pushed to uber loud volumes. They can play loud, but not nearly as loud as the S5's. They really play at different ends of the spectrum like you said.
Mike
I thought the Q3 was terrible. I did not like it at all. I heard them at the same time as the Alexia and the Alexia blew them away.
I thought the Q3 was terrible. I did not like it at all. I heard them at the same time as the Alexia and the Alexia blew them away.
microstrip
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Re: S5's have landed at Rhapsody.....available for demo
It is true, although the Aida's are a better speaker than the Alexia's. :disbelief: But considering my room and the equipment I already owned, and was not performing at the best with the Aida's, and also the difference in price between the two speakers I decided to move to the Alexia.
It is true, although the Aida's are a better speaker than the Alexia's. :disbelief: But considering my room and the equipment I already owned, and was not performing at the best with the Aida's, and also the difference in price between the two speakers I decided to move to the Alexia.
Penthouse-D
New member
Joe, I TOTALLY agree with you on the 3's. You are going in the right direction. Take your time, like Mike has. Maybe you too will find the "last one".
Re: S5's have landed at Rhapsody.....available for demo
I'm not convinced the Aida's are a better speaker than the Alexia's - BUT - I will agree, our rooms (which are similar dimensions) are not ideal. They need lots of space in all directions to breath. The Alexia's are "just right" in my room. How about yours?
I'm not convinced the Aida's are a better speaker than the Alexia's - BUT - I will agree, our rooms (which are similar dimensions) are not ideal. They need lots of space in all directions to breath. The Alexia's are "just right" in my room. How about yours?
Re: S5's have landed at Rhapsody.....available for demo
Hi Lloyd
I'll have to explain more when I can but I think the Magico speakers are more modern, for what that is worth. I got more of an emotional response to the music with the Strads. Sure the Magico resolve more and probably have tighter bass but I know with my gear (and better cables at some point) I am well on my way to nirvana with the Strads. Based on my love for the Evos and every time I heard the Strads, I was in awe, I think I have found the answer. I plan on hearing both again but the Strads sing to ME. They are like an instrument in sync with me.
Hi Lloyd
I'll have to explain more when I can but I think the Magico speakers are more modern, for what that is worth. I got more of an emotional response to the music with the Strads. Sure the Magico resolve more and probably have tighter bass but I know with my gear (and better cables at some point) I am well on my way to nirvana with the Strads. Based on my love for the Evos and every time I heard the Strads, I was in awe, I think I have found the answer. I plan on hearing both again but the Strads sing to ME. They are like an instrument in sync with me.