Some photos from my trip to Boston

[the professor]

After owning the Magico Q1s for a year and ultimately replacing them with the Raidho D1's. I couldn't have said it better.

I loved them. Intellectually there was no fault, but my heart just wasn't interested. It was hard to engage with the music. I enjoyed it, but emotionally void. Weirdest thing.

......

That being said, I really did like the Q1. It does nothing wrong, but isn't as involving (emotionally) as the S1/S5.

.......

 

[Rhapsody]

Mike....thx SO MUCH!!! Great information, really appreciate it. I just love my D1's but I do know what you mean, just on a few select cd recordings the woofers gets too ambitious and can "burp" at you. On 95% of the recordings that I listen to, even ones with lower bass than the "burp" recordings, the D1's sound so great on the bass.

My D3's are traveling tonight from Denmark to JFK....will have them Monday or Tuesday....can't wait.

Again, thx so much really enjoyed reading your answer about the D1/C1.1.

 

[Mike]

Mike....thx SO MUCH!!! Great information, really appreciate it. I just love my D1's but I do know what you mean, just on a few select cd recordings the woofers gets too ambitious and can "burp" at you. On 95% of the recordings that I listen to, even ones with lower bass than the "burp" recordings, the D1's sound so great on the bass.

My D3's are traveling tonight from Denmark to JFK....will have them Monday or Tuesday....can't wait.

Again, thx so much really enjoyed reading your answer about the D1/C1.1.

You're very welcome and you are in for a real treat. Me too. I'm hoping mine arrive next week.

They need 250 hours to break in remember....

 

[Rhapsody]

I know about the break in....ugh, but a good "ugh" to be having. How are you going to break yours in? Gradually and just enjoy the changes or out of phase/blankets? Or ??? I'm going to see what mine sound like out of the box and then decide.

 

[Mike]

I know about the break in....ugh, but a good "ugh" to be having. How are you going to break yours in? Gradually and just enjoy the changes or out of phase/blankets? Or ??? I'm going to see what mine sound like out of the box and then decide.

Luckily I have my Classe CAM600's and CP800 that run cold. I will run them 24/7. Louder when I wake up and soft at night. 5-10 days ought to do it. I know what broken in D3's sound like now.

 

[Rhapsody]

Thx.....cool.

 

[sharkmouth]

Goodwins is terrific and everyone there was great to me. I wish I had a dealer like that in Sarasota.

Don't get me wrong, the Rockports are great speakers - but its just not a sound for me. I can see why many people love them.

I'm not terribly keen on the Magico Q series, but the S series is a home run IMO. The S1 is an engineering marvel. How do they do it? Disappearing act. Bass that you think a subwoofer is in the room and sweet highs. The only knock? You wouldn't put the S1 in a 20 x 30 and expect it to compress the room and play super loud.

That being said, I really did like the Q1. It does nothing wrong, but isn't as involving (emotionally) as the S1/S5.

The biggest winners from the trip for me, were:

Audionet Max amps (very high resolution and musical)
Audionet DNP preamp (engineering marvel. It does it all - and all well)
Raidho D3 (I couldn't find fault!)
Raidho C1.1 (these are better than the D1's IMO. Others may disagree.)
Soulution 501/520 (these are not clinical amps. They are beautifully musical and a big thank you to my friend Jon for bringing them for me to listen!)
Magico S1 (engineering marvel)
Spectral (now I understand all the fuss).

Just my opinion of course. YMMV.

Mike, now you understand my opinion, it is solely based on the 5 series goodness with emotion. I suspect many think that the 5 series sound is the same as the 7 series.

 

[LL21]

Goodwins is terrific and everyone there was great to me. I wish I had a dealer like that in Sarasota.

Don't get me wrong, the Rockports are great speakers - but its just not a sound for me. I can see why many people love them.

I'm not terribly keen on the Magico Q series, but the S series is a home run IMO. The S1 is an engineering marvel. How do they do it? Disappearing act. Bass that you think a subwoofer is in the room and sweet highs. The only knock? You wouldn't put the S1 in a 20 x 30 and expect it to compress the room and play super loud.

That being said, I really did like the Q1. It does nothing wrong, but isn't as involving (emotionally) as the S1/S5.

The biggest winners from the trip for me, were:

Audionet Max amps (very high resolution and musical)
Audionet DNP preamp (engineering marvel. It does it all - and all well)
Raidho D3 (I couldn't find fault!)
Raidho C1.1 (these are better than the D1's IMO. Others may disagree.)
Soulution 501/520 (these are not clinical amps. They are beautifully musical and a big thank you to my friend Jon for bringing them for me to listen!)
Magico S1 (engineering marvel)
Spectral (now I understand all the fuss).

Just my opinion of course. YMMV.

I was just at Goodwins last month...great guys. I have known Paul for over 20 years...top notch and straight up an honest person in my experience. Almost an audiophile first and a businessguy second. From a consumer's perspective...big compliment. In any event, I heard the DCS Vivaldi thru all Constellation thru Altairs. I really liked the Altairs a lot...very impressive and easy to sound great from my gut instinct. not an exacting speaker like Magico...but also very transparent. I would not trade my X1/Grand Slamms for them having created a system that blends very well with these...as they can be a bit of a microscope and scientific instrument...hence all-Zanden digital, CJ GAT and Gryphon Amps into TA Ref MM cabling...but at the same time, I am so intrigued by the value proposition of Altairs at less than half the price of an X2...that I am MOST intrigued by the Arrakis which is more on the same price level as X2. I also have heard the Arrakis is even more transparent, more delineated and more effortless. As it should be for 2.5x. Still, really enjoyed my time with Goodwins and learning about new equipment and getting to see Paul again after several years.

 

[cmalak]

Mike...it was good meeting you yesterday at Goodwins. Hope the rest of your listening sessions at Blink provided you a good sense for the Audionet amps. Looking forward to see what you decide to mate with the D3s. Hope the trip back home was good.

 

[MDP]

Mike...it was good meeting you yesterday at Goodwins. Hope the rest of your listening sessions at Blink provided you a good sense for the Audionet amps. Looking forward to see what you decide to mate with the D3s. Hope the trip back home was good.

Cyril, Maybe we can get together when I'm at Goodwins in Oct. !!

 

[cmalak]

Cyril, Maybe we can get together when I'm at Goodwins in Oct. !!

Mark...for sure. Let me know. Mike mentioned he might be coming back in Oct so I am assuming you guys are coordinating.

 

[socfan12]

Goodwins is terrific and everyone there was great to me. I wish I had a dealer like that in Sarasota.

Don't get me wrong, the Rockports are great speakers - but its just not a sound for me. I can see why many people love them.

I'm not terribly keen on the Magico Q series, but the S series is a home run IMO. The S1 is an engineering marvel. How do they do it? Disappearing act. Bass that you think a subwoofer is in the room and sweet highs. The only knock? You wouldn't put the S1 in a 20 x 30 and expect it to compress the room and play super loud.

That being said, I really did like the Q1. It does nothing wrong, but isn't as involving (emotionally) as the S1/S5.

The biggest winners from the trip for me, were:

Audionet Max amps (very high resolution and musical)
Audionet DNP preamp (engineering marvel. It does it all - and all well)
Raidho D3 (I couldn't find fault!)
Raidho C1.1 (these are better than the D1's IMO. Others may disagree.)
Soulution 501/520 (these are not clinical amps. They are beautifully musical and a big thank you to my friend Jon for bringing them for me to listen!)
Magico S1 (engineering marvel)
Spectral (now I understand all the fuss).

Just my opinion of course. YMMV.

+1 on Goodwins. Great gear, and even better staff! Hard combo to beat!

So Mike, closer to a decision on your amp for your D3s?

 

[Mike]

+1 on Goodwins. Great gear, and even better staff! Hard combo to beat!

So Mike, closer to a decision on your amp for your D3s?

Haha! I wish. No, I have ruled out many though. If I had to pick today, it would be the Audionet MAX and Audionet DNP with external PS. But I want to be careful.

The Soulution 501's are also still in the running. I was very impressed with them. But the Audionet value proposition is hard to beat. That being said, I recognize that resale would be an issue. Audionet as a company has been in business 20 years. They just don't spend a lot on marketing I guess. Their products are highly reviewed.

But I still want to hear Jock's D3/Dag combo and attend RMAF to see what's what. Still want to hear the latest Rowland offerings and Burmester. Definitely Viola too. Nick's journey has me intrigued.

 

[Mike]

Mike...it was good meeting you yesterday at Goodwins. Hope the rest of your listening sessions at Blink provided you a good sense for the Audionet amps. Looking forward to see what you decide to mate with the D3s. Hope the trip back home was good.

Thank you Cyril for arranging! It was greatly appreciated. You definitely helped smooth Paul over!

It was great to finally meet you and I appreciate you staying and listening with me. We must get back and hear those S1's again!

 

[veindoc]

Hey I head to Boston Sunday for a medical conference perhaps some free time can now b fiiled My symphony is really sounding superb and my ayre dsd QB-9 arrives tomorrow. About 60% of my wall treatments r up. Just waiting for my ASC tower traps for behind both speakers. I still can say how profound the sound has improved with a few well placed diffusers , absorber panels& bass traps. I really am one happy camper. Very excited for the stork to bring u those large Dutch twins

Nick

 

[joeinid]

Great news Nick. I'm glad you are enjoying your system and especially the TADs.

Sanjay is trying to get me to reconsider Viola on my TADs. My head says yes, but my heart is not in it. Maybe I should see him.

 

[veindoc]

Your both in New York. What do u hot to lose. Perhaps amp is good for tads or perhaps perfect for whatever your next speakers might be. Or the amp just doesn't rock your boat and you move on. Seems like not too much to lose
Good night
Nick

 

[joeinid]

Agreed, thanks.

 

[Rhapsody]

+1....you never know until you try it and like Nick said you are both are here in NY....just do it

 

[Ritmo]

Mike....thx SO MUCH!!! Great information, really appreciate it. I just love my D1's but I do know what you mean, just on a few select cd recordings the woofers gets too ambitious and can "burp" at you. On 95% of the recordings that I listen to, even ones with lower bass than the "burp" recordings, the D1's sound so great on the bass.

My D3's are traveling tonight from Denmark to JFK....will have them Monday or Tuesday....can't wait.

Again, thx so much really enjoyed reading your answer about the D1/C1.1.

Congrats on your D3s!