Description

Second system in a relatively small room. MC4 plugged to a PS Audio UO. Zu Birth and Canare 4S11 cables. Music files in lossless format.

The MC4 is quite a stunner. Picked it up on a whim after hearing it paired with a System Audio SA705 monitors, blew me away. Kept it in storage until now. Synergy with the 301-AV Monitor is superb. The 301-AV Monitor was a limited-edition model manufactured only in 1998 and designed specifically as studio reference monitors.

I'm aware the Bose brand is disdained by many enthusiasts who delight in calling themselves "audiophiles". I'm not going there. When I first heard the 901's back in the mid-70's at a friend's place I liked what I heard. However, I wouldn't give the same praise for their lifestyle products currently in the market.

The other system sits on the opposite side of the room. Tara Labs cables end-to-end.

The sound reproduction in this room is fantastic! Rich, dynamic and tuneful, full bodied and detailed, enormous staging, warmly seductive. Near-field listening at its best. The experience is like hearing it thru headphones in a large open space, just what I had hoped to accomplish. It's spooky.

Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Roth Audio MC4 Music Cocoon
    Hybrid vacuum tube transport for the iPod Classic. 12AX7 and 12AU7 tubes at the preamp stage, MOSFETs at the output stage. Fantastic performer!!!
    • Bose 301-AV Monitor
    The 301-AV Monitor was a Limited Edition model manufactured only in 1998, the 30th anniversary of the immensely successful launch of the 901 in 1968 that put Bose on the hifi map. Designed specifically as studio reference monitors. Matching original AS-3 stands. Stunningly goes deep and midrange purity is glorious. A hidden gem!
    • Apple iPod Classic 120GB
    Contains over 4,000 music files in Apple Lossless format.
    • Sonos System ZP90 Player
    Connected to my home network and fed through the a NOS DAC, pulls lossless content from a NAS, delivering signals to the amplifier, controlled thru Sonos app in iPad...what a lovely experience.
    • Pacific Valve Fathom NOS DAC
    Makes 44.1/16-bit resolution music files engaging.
    • Luxman R-1050
    Circa 1977. Elegant, gorgeous, wonderfully balanced and powerful.
    • KEF Reference Series Model 103/4
    Circa 1995. Reference Series. Unbelievably natural.

Comments 7

Showing all comments by jaybo.

View all comments

very cool.

jaybo