S3 Mk I

[Bob82]

I listened to the S3 MK II yesterday and was simply amazed by them.

The price of the S3 Mk 2 is not one that I can afford in a heartbeat but instead I was offered an ex demo S3 Mk I.

The Mk 2 is a different beast altogether.


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[kzhtoo]

For the price you can get S3 mk1 at the moment, it’s a steal. If you’re thinking A3, S3 mk1 can be had for a similar price.

 

[Bob82]

For the price you can get S3 mk1 at the moment, it’s a steal. If you’re thinking A3, S3 mk1 can be had for a similar price.

The S3 Mk I on demo is priced the same as a S1 mk 2.


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[kzhtoo]

I’m sure S3 mk2 is quite awesome, but if I were to replace my S3 mk1, it’ll have to be M2. So, if you’re thinking that demo unit, go for it.

 

[Kuoppis]

I listened to the S3 MK II yesterday and was simply amazed by them.

The price of the S3 Mk 2 is not one that I can afford in a heartbeat but instead I was offered an ex demo S3 Mk I.

The Mk 2 is a different beast altogether.


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Agreed, S3 mk2 is a different beast. Cannot compare.

Have owned both S3 mk1 and mk2.


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[Bob82]

I’m sure S3 mk2 is quite awesome, but if I were to replace my S3 mk1, it’ll have to be M2. So, if you’re thinking that demo unit, go for it.

I have pondered over the demo unit since. The S3 is special that it will take an M series speaker to make one trade up.

I heard both speakers through the Soulution 330 integrated. Certainly an outstanding presentation that made me evaluate if I should keep my half VAC- will need to VAC 200IQ power amp to complete that setup.

The S3 mk 2 offered was beyond my comfort. But let’s see, anything could change.





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[JimmyS]

Another S3 MK1 owner here, and hearing the S3 MK2, M2, and M3 I’d have to go to the M series to consider the upgrade. If you can get the S3 MK1 at a good price, why not move forward and start enjoying the music .

 

[Bob82]

Another S3 MK1 owner here, and hearing the S3 MK2, M2, and M3 I’d have to go to the M series to consider the upgrade. If you can get the S3 MK1 at a good price, why not move forward and start enjoying the music .

The S3 Mk 1 is at an attainable price without breaking the bank and lets me still keep my VAC preamp and get the VAC power amp for the price of a ex demo S3 Mk 2. I got to agree the M2 or the M3 is the logical upgrade path.


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[Mike]

The S3 Mk 1 is at an attainable price without breaking the bank and lets me still keep my VAC preamp and get the VAC power amp for the price of a ex demo S3 Mk 2. I got to agree the M2 or the M3 is the logical upgrade path.


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I think you’re on the right path.


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[Bart001]

One "consolation" is that the S3 mk1's are available in colors . . . but I think I'll love listening to my A3's for a while. Every time we sit and listen to music we do really love them.

 

[Skanda]

The S3 Mk 1 is at an attainable price without breaking the bank and lets me still keep my VAC preamp and get the VAC power amp for the price of a ex demo S3 Mk 2. I got to agree the M2 or the M3 is the logical upgrade path.


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Hey Bob, just to make sure I'm understanding correctly, the mk2 would require you to sell your vac gear? If you were to do that do you have a short list of electronics you might use on the mk2? I feel that with the mk1 + vac + bryston you'd have a very nice, balanced system...with the mk2 you would be building a rig around a great speaker and that's always fun (for us audio nutjobs anyways )

For context: I haven't heard the s3 mk1 so can't comment much about that but I have heard the s1 mk1 and did not like it (with vitus with dual rel subs - found it too bright imo) and i currently own the s5 mk2. i could easily see the s3 mk2 being a destination speaker for most systems. The m series is better but the mk2 is no slouch and, in my opinion, a different flavor.

 

[brodricj]

.. I got to agree the M2 or the M3 is the logical upgrade path.

If M is outside the comfort zone, Q3 is the logical upgrade path. They come up for sale from time-to-time on the used market. Grab a bargain if you find a pair and then put them on Spods.

 

[Bob82]

Hey Bob, just to make sure I'm understanding correctly, the mk2 would require you to sell your vac gear? If you were to do that do you have a short list of electronics you might use on the mk2? I feel that with the mk1 + vac + bryston you'd have a very nice, balanced system...with the mk2 you would be building a rig around a great speaker and that's always fun (for us audio nutjobs anyways )

For context: I haven't heard the s3 mk1 so can't comment much about that but I have heard the s1 mk1 and did not like it (with vitus with dual rel subs - found it too bright imo) and i currently own the s5 mk2. i could easily see the s3 mk2 being a destination speaker for most systems. The m series is better but the mk2 is no slouch and, in my opinion, a different flavor.

Hi
Meant that the Mk1 + VAC 200 IQ is the price of the Mk2 over here in Asia (it sucks). I already own the VAC Sig preamp. For starts, I am planning on purchasing the Mk 1 and drive them with the Bryston first.



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[Penthouse-D]

I owned a pair of S3 Mk1's. Not a bad speaker. The good news is, the prices are so "washed out" at this point, you could probably sell them a year or so from now for what you'll pay for them currently . Your cost of ownership will be extremely low....

 

[Skanda]

Hi
Meant that the Mk1 + VAC 200 IQ is the price of the Mk2 over here in Asia (it sucks). I already own the VAC Sig preamp. For starts, I am planning on purchasing the Mk 1 and drive them with the Bryston first.

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ahhh, understood. i personally would stick with the bryston and pass on the vac in order to get the mk2. the speakers should love the power that the brystons can put out and while i don't have experience with your pre the tube pre+ss combo should work great on the magicos. i think it would be a very nicely balanced system and in the future you can pick up the 200IQ. just my $0.02

the mk1 has eaten most of it's depreciation at the time so it could be relatively risk-free buy and i can see a lot of merit in that route but i would still push for the better speaker if budget allows it. these are good problems to have!

 

[GSOphile]

ahhh, understood. i personally would stick with the bryston and pass on the vac in order to get the mk2. the speakers should love the power that the brystons can put out and while i don't have experience with your pre the tube pre+ss combo should work great on the magicos. i think it would be a very nicely balanced system and in the future you can pick up the 200IQ. just my $0.02

I agree with this. I believe speakers should be your anchor point - not an amp. One step at a time. Your Bryston will hold its value if you want to sell/trade-in later.