Hello Stan,

After selling my AA Capitole mk II SE I have tried several different players from all price points, including - among other things - the whole Audio Aero line (wanted to stay brand loyal at first, so I tried the new Capitole Reference, Capitole Reference SE and SACD Prestige) and also the non signature EMM Labs CDSD/DCC2 combo.

None of them impressed me so much as the MBL 1531 at the time. It came as a surprise, since I have never really cared for any german Hi-Fi. The first time I switched it on, I was floored. Compared to the Capitole, the 1531 offered much higher resolution, much better bass & PRAT, better soundstage depth (surprise) and more laid back character in general (appart from the higher midrange that was a bit forward).

elberoth2 January 22, 2008 00:16

Hello Adam, Great system!! Wonderful room!!! I'm curious. How does the MBL 1531 player compare to the Audio Aero Capitole MkII SE player that you had? Best regards, Stan

talon4 January 06, 2008 19:28

Hemisferik - thanks for your notes and compliments. I always admired YOUR room. I even copied the pics to my HDD. Too bad you pulled your system.

Lapierre - I did not have a chance to listen to Diamonds with Ref 110. My plan is to upgrade the CDP first, and then start looking for a new speaker.

elberoth2 January 06, 2008 16:39

Great room, I like the design, and the lighting looks fantastic. Unusual to see such a good room in an apartment.

hemisferik December 23, 2007 22:43

Elberoth2 I keep checking your post to see what's changed. Have you listen to the Diamonds with the Ref 110? And did it make that much of a difference in your system?

lapierre December 15, 2007 07:45

Samuellaudio - unforunately, I did not have a chance to directly compare the Ref 3 to Placette - the Ref 110 power amp lacks RCA inputs.

elberoth2 December 13, 2007 02:50

how do you compare the placette passive vs audio research ref 3?

samuellaudio December 10, 2007 08:05

Mick,

I have ~200 hours on Ref 110. It has opened up considerably, but still it's "flavor" revolves more around a "musical/organic" sense, natural timbres,and an easy flowing liquidity than pristine clarity, fine sharp details, speed, very extended top/bottom frequencies.

elberoth2 December 06, 2007 17:45

Hi Elberoth2

Hows the Ref 110 sounding , now that it's had a chance to run in?

Thanks, Mick

mickey_sg December 04, 2007 13:54

WOW I wish I can have your room. Absolutely beautiful.
Well done.

rickmak December 01, 2007 15:31

System edited: I added three Finite Elemente Pagode Master Reference component stands and updated the pics.

elberoth2 December 01, 2007 09:49

I had rewritten what I have just said - apparently, AgoN software deleted all the spacing upon posting, making it harder to read.

I added ARC Ref 3 and Ref 110 to my system and updated the pics accordingly.

Oanhu -> I like it very much. The Ref 3 is a class act. So much better, so much more transparent that the BAT 51SE. BAT sounds veiled and slow in comparision. Ref 110 is also an outstanding piece of gear. Out of the box it beats both Lamm M1.2 and Cary CAD-500MB monos in terms of tonality and soundstaging. It is still lacking a bit in terms of bass slamm and macro dynamics, but hopefully it will catch up, when the burn in process is complete. It sounds a bit warmer than the Ref 210, which is not a bad thing, considering the Ref 3 see through transparency and my preference for natural timbres and an easy flowing liquidity. IMO the Ref 110 is right now the amp with the best value-for-money ratio in the whole ARC lineup. VERY underrated.

Albertporter -> thank you very much. In person it looks much better - I wish I had a better camera and your skills to take the proper pics !

Audiodiver -> I sold the Eidolons with the best intention to upgrade to the Diamonds. Unfortunately, before I was able to place an order for the Diamonds, I spend most of the money on sth else, LOL. I'm self employed, and quite unexpectedly I needed the money for a certain new project. This is life. Oh well - I'm already in the saving mode again :-)

elberoth2 November 02, 2007 23:03

System edited: I added ARC Ref 3 and Ref 110 to my system and updated the pics accordingly. Oanhu -> I like it very much. Ref 3 is a class act. So much better, so much more transparent that the BAT 51SE. BAT sounds veiled and slow in comparision. Ref 110 is also an outstanding piece of gear. Out of the box it beats both Lamm M1.2 and Cary CAD-500MB monos in terms of tonality and soundstaging. It is still lacking a bit in terms of bass slamm and macro dynamics, but hopefully it will catch up, when the burn in proces is complete. It sounds a bit warmer than Ref 210, which is not a bad thing considering the Ref 3 see through transparency and my preference for natural timbres and an easy flowing liquidity. IMO Ref 110 is right now the amp with the best value-for-money ratio in the while ARC lineup. VERY underrated. Albertporter -> thank you very much. In person it looks much better - I wish I had a better camera and your skills to take the proper pics ! Audiodiver -> I sold the Eidolons with the best intention to upgrade to the Diamonds. Unfortunately, before I was able to place an order for the Diamonds, I spend most of the money on sth else, LOL. I'm self employed, and quite unexpectedly I needed money for a certain new project. This is life. Oh well - I'm already in the saving mode again :-)

elberoth2 October 31, 2007 20:35

Hi Elberoth2

Congratulations on your system, which really looks great. You mentionned, a while ago, that you were thinking about replacing the Eidolon Vision by the Diamond. Did you try them? I am curious about the results, since I am also thinking of making the same upgrade.

Many thanks

Audiodiver

audiodiver October 30, 2007 23:00

I realize I've already said this, but the beauty of your space is beyond compare. I love what you've done. A work of art.

albertporter October 23, 2007 02:48

Elb,
How do you like the ARC combo? How do you think between the ARC ref3 and the BAT 51SE? What country are you living?

oanhu October 23, 2007 00:56

Yes, Audiostatics were juston loan from the distributor. I will update pics shortly.

elberoth2 October 11, 2007 15:31

Cemito
These Audiostatics are not Elberoth's speakers. They are on a loan.
Elb, just for photos?

krzycho October 11, 2007 14:45

your speakers are adorable

cemito October 10, 2007 23:17

Jeff,

I do not really know. I hired a company to do all the work.

elberoth2 October 10, 2007 07:26

Beautiful interior design on the room.

What computer program are you using for your measurements?

Thanks,

Jeff

jkalman September 26, 2007 23:10

System edited: I have sold the BAT VK51SE, the Placette and the Cary monos. Going back to tubes. I have ARC Ref 3 and Ref 110 on order.

elberoth2 September 26, 2007 19:29

Nice set up...A little Kapusta and some Rye Bread and you got yourself a nice evening. : )

I am married to a Pole (american version)..Nice system nonetheless.

jc51373 August 19, 2007 01:50

Those were DCM-5s ! They did sound great in many ways, but ultimately, I missed the dynamic capabilities of more conventional speakers.

elberoth2 August 09, 2007 19:21

Hi,
Have you had a chance to hear the new Audiostatic DCA (Direct coupled active) sound system. Check out the Audiostatic website for more information. They use the new DCM 5 model with an unusual active sub system.

lawrence_carmel August 08, 2007 04:34