The Underground System

by adamg on Opinions Please

Description

Made a number of significant changes over the past year, notably the Ayre CD player, Mac C500 pre-amp, and the Audience power conditioner. I also upgraded to Tara Labs power cords with PAD speaker cables and interconnects. I am very pleased with the sound of my current system - very detailed and open yet musical and engaging. However, one can't help but to wonder how a more capable pair of speakers would sound in this room...
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Components Toggle details

    • Ayre Acoustics C-5xe mp
    Universal CDP
    • McIntosh C500T
    Dual chasis tubed pre-amp
    • McIntosh MC 402
    Very powerful and dynamic but with a relaxed, forgiving, tube-like sound. My last amplifier for a very long time.
    • Purist Audio Designs Venustas
    Latest Preasto Revision Edition. 1.0M XLR from the CDP to pre and pre to power
    • Focal JM Lab Nova Utopia Be
    3-standing floor way with Beryillium tweeter
    • Purist Audio Designs Proteus
    7 feet
    • Salamader Designs S30
    5-shelf component stand
    • Virtual Dyanmics Nite II
    Added detail and microdyanamics. Used on the Mac power amp
    • Tara Labs The One AC power cord
    PC for the CDP and pre
    • Audience Adept Response R12
    Power conditioner
    • ASC Tube traps
    Dramatically improves soundstaging
    • GIK Acoustics 4 Tri-traps, 2 244s, 3 242s
    Acoustic panels and corner traps which tightned up the bass, opened up the soundstage, improved the imaging, and tamed the bright treble.

Comments 73

Showing all comments by aball.

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McIntosh and Dynaudio = killer bass performance. You have a great system put together.

I've had some Kimber Select and a local buddy of mine used to have a complete loom but, just FYI, those cables are quite warm and cuddly compared to the "average." If you ever want more dynamics out of your system, change these cables first.

Yeah, B&W isn't my thing either. I've had a pair of N804 and I've heard many others through the years but I never felt satisfied by their sound. They have great imaging but their soundstaging leaves a lot to be desired. The only setup I thought was natural sounding was 802D with McIntosh MC2301....but at what cost.

The MC402 is the greatest stereo amp I have ever heard. I plan on getting one one day.

Enjoy the music!

Arthur

aball

Yes, to me as well, McIntosh SS has the sweetest and most natural treble around. I agree the previous generations took it a little too far. I had a MC202 (same generation as the 352) and it was just too laid back for me and my system. The new 252 and 402 however are a different story. I have come close to getting a 252 a couple times but I am too satisfied with what I have now to change anything that drastically. Anyway, enjoy the music.

Arthur

aball

Looks great! Seems like a lot of power for those little speakers. Beautiful amp however - I'd love to have one.

Arthur

aball

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