I've been a audio addict since i got my first decent system for my bar mitzvah in 1980. It's been pretty much a non stop path of upgrades since. Hundreds of pieces have come in and out here. I guess it keeps me out of trouble. Relentless a/b testing, from power cables, to tubes, to room furniture. I get an insane amount of joy for where i'm at, but enjoy the adventure of continuing to a/b test and strive for more. If you're an audiophile and live in the Bay Area, feel free to come on by.
A masterpiece from Keith Johnson. I've tested against latest Berkeley Reference. Just the most analog DAC i've heard.
Continuum Criterion
A good turntable.
Continuum Copperhead
A good tonearm
Transfiguration Proteus
Ultra low output, ultra low resistance. Great value and preferred over mysoniclab and lyra.
Einstein The Tube Mark II
Utterly transparent and measures as good as a solid state. Each input gets its own set of input tubes and allows to customize sound for each input. I find this to be CRITICAL. Months of testing got me amperex 7308 usa for my digital, and a telefunken e88cc for my analog. who knows why? all the more proof how important this is.
Karan KA M-1200
400 lbs of massive power ultra clean and ultra fast power. 3600 watts into 2ohm. It gives the Magico what i needs to really sing.
Audiquest Wild Blue Yonder
XLR's from preamp to amp
Acrolink Mexcel 7n-da6300
from dac to preamp
Prana Cosmos
Silver cables from Joe Cohen
Vendetta Research scp-2b
John Curl's finest.
Absolare Bybee Purifier
Great power conditioner.
Alpha Core bp-30
Dick Sequerra designed isolation transformer
Magico Q-5
To get super tight articulate bass, awesome dynamics, in a relatively small box, you need a 4 way, and a non ported non-resonant enclosure. The price you pay is in efficiency, and this is a hobby of trade-offs. Having lived with full range single drivers, electrostats, you name it, for me, this is the trade off that gives me most of what i want. The Karan's do the job and provide full dynamic expression. Q7's too big for me room, and M project is a 3 way. I might be with these for a long long time.
Wow, didn't like the S7s? This is the first time I'm hearing that, even from those that do not like Magico, LOL! If it is setup, that's too bad. I think they are fantastic speakers and hope to own a pair one day.
Tim is fantastic! So knowledgable! Larry T. introduced us and we've been in contact ever since. Good guy!
"If you're an audiophile and live in the Bay Area, feel free to come on by."
Your system kind of makes me wish I were an audiophile who lived in the Bay Area. Audiophile-yup. Bay Area-Nope. DANG!
Anyway, thanks for sharing such a beautiful system. Your invitation to stop by for a listen is one I'd love to accept were it not for my residing in.......Iowa.
