Music from a farther room
- Thread starter kiwi_1282001
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kiwi_1282001
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- #242
It has been a while since I last wrote so what follows is a short update.
In the next couple of months my audio system will be moved from our holiday home in New Zealand to our tropical home in Singapore. Audio rooms in both houses are similar in size but vary in construct and amount of passive acoustic controls used. This presents an interesting opportunity to observe and compare the impact a room can have on the quality of audio reproduction.
While the Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 amplifier continues to impress with its outright musicality, its performance is taken a notch higher when the power cord is connected to the Ansuz Mainz D8 distributor. Just about every facet of the audio reproduction is improved by the D8 ā but most significant for me is the progress with layering, depth and overall scale of soundstage.
In the next couple of months my audio system will be moved from our holiday home in New Zealand to our tropical home in Singapore. Audio rooms in both houses are similar in size but vary in construct and amount of passive acoustic controls used. This presents an interesting opportunity to observe and compare the impact a room can have on the quality of audio reproduction.
While the Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 amplifier continues to impress with its outright musicality, its performance is taken a notch higher when the power cord is connected to the Ansuz Mainz D8 distributor. Just about every facet of the audio reproduction is improved by the D8 ā but most significant for me is the progress with layering, depth and overall scale of soundstage.
kiwi_1282001
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- #243
Double post deleted.
octadyndude
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Gotta love the MainzD8
Odyssey
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Hi Ralph, I've got one MainzD8 in my system in my winter home. I run two MainzD8's in series with an Ansuz ground wire between them in my Chicago home. I'm a big believer in what the MainzD8 can do for your system.
kiwi_1282001
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Hey George & Le Roy,
Absolutely agree, the Ansuz Mainz D8 is good stuff. Even my Nordost Qbase QB8 fully loaded with Ansuz Sparkz harmonizers can't match it. I can now understand why Lars thinks this product is one of their finest achievements. Did either of you buy additional Darkz footers to sit under the D8?
Absolutely agree, the Ansuz Mainz D8 is good stuff. Even my Nordost Qbase QB8 fully loaded with Ansuz Sparkz harmonizers can't match it. I can now understand why Lars thinks this product is one of their finest achievements. Did either of you buy additional Darkz footers to sit under the D8?
octadyndude
New member
Hi Ralph
No I didn't get the footers yet. Again when Lars was here to show the DTC power cord he also added a diamond digital cable and the DTC footers under the Aavik. Too much to fast to really let the sound sink in and how much each piece contributed. With all in place I couldn't believe what I heard in my home with my system. I hope to soon demo each of those pieces along with the Dx.1's and see in what order I want to upgrade.
No I didn't get the footers yet. Again when Lars was here to show the DTC power cord he also added a diamond digital cable and the DTC footers under the Aavik. Too much to fast to really let the sound sink in and how much each piece contributed. With all in place I couldn't believe what I heard in my home with my system. I hope to soon demo each of those pieces along with the Dx.1's and see in what order I want to upgrade.
MDP
Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
I love my Mainz 8 too!
Odyssey
Member
Ralph, I've tried using the Darkz footers under the MainzD8. But with the weight of the power cords, it is a balancing act for the footers to make contact with the rack.
kiwi_1282001
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Hello George,
I am also considering the order in which upgrades from here will take place. My current thinking is:
First, return my loudspeakers to Copenhagen for the .1 upgrade
Second, acquire an Ansuz d.tc power cable to sit between the mains socket and the Ansuz Mainz D8
Third, obtain Ansuz Darkz footers for the D8
I might need to reduce my visits to Starbucks to boost my savings for these upgrades....:lol:
kiwi_1282001
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- #251
Fair comment Le Roy. Some of my audio friends have located their Ansuz Mainz D8 on a mid rather than lowest rack shelf as the careful combination of power cables heading up and down seems to help the balancing act you speak of.
hoosiertom
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Ralph,
Thanks for the updates..
What's your opinion on the sonic improvement you've heard on D2.1 ?
How long have you had the Mainz D8 ? I'm using mine on the front end and the Nordost Qb8 for my mono Amps....Very happy with the results.
Possible sonic benefits of Darkz footers over Nordost TC ?....Or stability improvement, or both ?
d.t.c. power cable improvement should be staggering just like the cost
Any progress on acoustic upgrades to the listening room..
Inquisition officially over ...thanks in advance for your patience.
All the best,
Tom SE MI
Thanks for the updates..
What's your opinion on the sonic improvement you've heard on D2.1 ?
How long have you had the Mainz D8 ? I'm using mine on the front end and the Nordost Qb8 for my mono Amps....Very happy with the results.
Possible sonic benefits of Darkz footers over Nordost TC ?....Or stability improvement, or both ?
d.t.c. power cable improvement should be staggering just like the cost
Any progress on acoustic upgrades to the listening room..
Inquisition officially over ...thanks in advance for your patience.
All the best,
Tom SE MI
kiwi_1282001
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- #253
Hey Tom,
Without having the D-2 and the D-2.1 side by side in the same audio system it is not possible for me to comment on the sonic improvement of the .1 upgrade.
This means sending my speakers back to the manufacturer for the upgrade will largely be an exercise in āqualifiedā faith.
The upgrade itself is considerable;
New motor system
New rubber suspension
New airflow system
New binding posts
New airflow back panel
Cross over and other smaller changes
When it comes to loudspeaker design I have the utmost respect for Michael BĆørresen, Raidhoās chief designer. Michaelās research in loudspeaker mechanics and resonances coupled with their most recent findings in airflow design place them in a very rare league. In particular Raidhos application of and advances in computer aided velocity measurements not only reduce or eliminate the need for damping materials and tombstone like cabinets but progress the positive audible characteristics for which Raidho is already well known.
So, while I havenāt had the chance to compare a D-2 and D-2.1 side by side I will take Raidhoās word on the benefits of the upgrade and thank them for the opportunity of having their most up to date loudspeaker.
I will happily and separately reply on your other questions tomorrow.
Odyssey
Member
Hi Ralph, it is my understanding the there is not just a new motor system in the new Dx.1 series but whole new drivers.
These drivers are purported to play at much higher SPL's. My question is if you change the driver are you changing some characteristic of the Raidho sound that makes them so endearing to the people (including myself) that are spellbound by their magic?
I also understand the the new .1 series are going to have something called "active tesla coil" technology built in to the new series. I have no firm idea of what this means but it sounds promising.
I'm inclined to take it on faith that they sound better. But I already am quite pleased with the sound. In a state of audio bliss. I've been told by others that it is quite easy to be knock off of this perch by making changes to ones system. Therefore my conviction must be quite high extending beyond inclination to hearing with my own ears when possible.
I too have the greatest respect for Mr. Borresen. Here is an interview with him from Alpha Audio:
hoosiertom
New member
Thanks Ralph.... I appreciate the integrity and generosity of your posts :congrats:
hoosiertom
New member
Sounds like a great idea...
I've had good luck putting several Mapleshade brass pucks on top of my Mainz D8 to stabilize it...YMMV
I've had good luck putting several Mapleshade brass pucks on top of my Mainz D8 to stabilize it...YMMV
kiwi_1282001
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- #257
Hello Le Roy,
Yes, new drivers will be installed as part of the upgrade. These drivers employ Raidhos latest thinking on motor systems and suspension design.
Personally, the ability for the speaker to handle higher SPLās is not an incentive to upgrade. My D-2ās already deliver 105dB (c-weighted) as measured at my listening position ā which means power handling for the loudspeaker exceeds 110dB, more than enough for my requirements.
What is of interest to me is the possibility of a lower noise floor and improved transient speed.
A lower noise floor should be of interest to all audiophiles because this is causally linked to greater dynamic range, improved resolution and logically a quieter, blacker and more dramatic backdrop against which to appreciate the music means more music. Noise in all forms, mechanical, electrical, environmental etc. is unwanted energy.
Blackness is one of the most endearing and addictive qualities of Raidho loudspeakers for me. Iāve constantly observed that with increases in blackness comes obvious gain in transparency and solidity of images. The result rewards the soundstage which becomes more defined and stable. The improved definition which āblacknessā aids not only improves the leading edge of notes but also their harmonic envelopment and decay. Hand in hand with this comes a dramatic increase in low level resolution producing music that is full of immediacy, presence, communication and emotion.
Youāve asked whether a change of drivers might lead to a change in some characteristics of the Raidho sound that makes them so endearing to the people?
The honest answer is I simply donāt know for sure and will have no way of conclusively knowing until Iāve listened to the upgraded speaker in a familiar environment.
However, if I had reason to believe that the upgrade might diminish some of the qualities which I find so addictive with Raidho speakers I would not proceed with the upgrade. After all, I find no fault with and indeed I am fully satisfied with my Raidho D-2 loudspeakers as they are today and therefore shelling out 7500 Euros + freight is clearly a risk ā but a calculated risk. You see, if Michael BĆørresen knows what heās about and delivers on his promise of an upgrade that provides a quieter, darker, more dramatic audio reproduction then the money will be well spent and as of this time I see no reason why the upgrade would degrade the gorgeous tonal colours, transient speed and delicate detail that have made Raidho such hits in the market. Moreover, as an owner of the earlier C.0 product I witnessed first-hand the advance of the C.1. Later still I witnessed the advance of the D-series over the C-series; point being, these guys have an established track record, a pedagogical model, reputation and standing of continuous product improvement and therefore I have defensible reason to look upon the D.1 advance with great optimism.
Of course there is still the issue of cost, which exclusive of freight is 7500 Euro for the D2 and 9800 Euro for the D3. Is that reasonable?
My thoughts here are that very few upgrades come for no cost and in some respects we are fortunate that an upgrade path is made available. In providing such a pathway Raidho is showing its continued support for customers and perhaps an acknowledgement that updates are an opportunity to build customer loyalty. In recent contrast, Magico did not provide an upgrade path for its S5 owners (BOO!) and on the issue of price, it was recently reported that the Magico Q7 Mk II upgrade which provides a new tweeter, midrange, crossover and re-machined faceplate is an eye watering US$44k + freight; and if you wanted just the tweeter upgraded that would relieve you of US$20k.
Thanks for the video Le Roy, very interesting.
kiwi_1282001
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- #258
Hey Tom,
Iāve had the Ansuz Mainz D8 power distributor for some time but only recently wrote about it. I think the product is awesome and Iām pleased to read you are also very happy with the results. Iād be interested to learn from you what the D8 has contributed to your system? Were your findings similar or different from mine?
For my system, the only place Iād entertain using the Darkz footers is under the Mainz D8 as the design ā in particular the non-resonant casing and the shape thereof ā both lends itself to their use and precludes or retards the use or effectiveness of other footers. For other equipment I prefer to use Nordost Sort TC Kones, a conclusion reached after many hours of using both products under various electronic components in my system.
Interestingly, both the Darkz footers and the Sort Kones were designed by Lars and I still own some Coldray footers ā another Lars contribution which pre-dates the above.
I have not as yet tried the Darkz d.tc footers in my system though look forward to an opportunity to do so in the next few months.
Hello All = I am moving from a system comprised of Shindo D'Yquem amps/Vosnee-Romanee pre/Devore O96 speakers to a Viola Lab Symphony amp/Crescendo pre and Raidho 2.1's. While the Shindo/Devore setup conveyed lovely tonality and emotion and was extremely captivating, ultimately I found it to be a two-dimensional, smaller soundstage than I am desiring. My hope is that the Viola/Raidho pairing will bring the same beautiful tonality with more layering, depth, larger soundstage. Any thoughts or advice are greatly appreciated!
kiwi_1282001
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- #260
Hello 2ndLiner and welcome to the forum.
Wow, moving from Shindo and DeVore to Viola and Raidho is a substantive change.
The Shindo/DeVore setup should not have been two dimensional nor lacking in sound-stage. I wonder whether speaker placement or issues with room acoustics have had a bearing on the result?
While I have not paired Viola and Raidho I'd gamble you'll find the tonality to be different and the Viola/Raidho combo will certainly be more dynamic. Assuming proper placement, the Raidho loudspeaker can cast deep and wide sound-stage with brilliant layering.