Magico M owners, what amps are you using.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Cincy2

I'm using D'Agostino M400 monoblocks with Transparent Audio cables. The MSB front end creates a meaty analog like sound that the D'Ag's pass unadulterated to my Magico M3's that then present it perfectly.

Cincy

You have such an elegant simple system. Beautiful! Could you comment on how the Q-sub interfaces with your M3's?

[Cincy2]

Originally Posted by Charles

You have such an elegant simple system. Beautiful! Could you comment on how the Q-sub interfaces with your M3's?

Actually, the Q-subs are not delivered yet. I'm currently using a pair of REL subs but the answer is the same. I used an audio tool to measure my room's frequency response. I had a big bass dip in the 30-50Hz region of the spectrum. The rest of the plot was really quite flat. I couldn't get rid of the suck-out with any manipulation of speakers or listening position without hurting the response in the other 90% of the spectrum. Put the subs in place. Cut them at 50Hz and measured the response a few more times adjusting their volume until I had a fairly flat response over 15-100Hz. I noticed that the overall presentation (soundstage, 3D images) improved although I can't explain why. I'm currently happy with the sound but the allure of having both Magico speakers and the Magico subs was too much to resist. When they arrive in a few weeks, I'll get some help setting them up from the Magico dealer and a Magico employee who helps with most hi end set ups of this nature. I'll post the results. Probably May before all this happens.

Eric

[Jbags]

Originally Posted by Thase13

JBags,



I just came back to this thread and realized that I came off sounding a bit harsh in my earlier reply. It was purely unintentional and I apologize.



What I was trying to say is that "best/optimal" is pretty much in the eye of the beholder so what sounds best/optimal to me, might be perceived otherwise by someone else listening to my system. Regarding the "some people" part of the question, that part is pretty generic and hard to interpret - much like "they say" or "everyone agrees". I hope you understand my dilemma - there's simply not enough detail there to formulate any type of helpful response. Finally, "they can be tough to get to sound their best" could apply to any/all speakers when all of the other independent variables are left undefined. I would imagine Magico to be no different when matched with non-complimentary equipment.



Consequently, not knowing how to address the open-ended statement attached to the back end of your question I chose to answer the former by relating that I had no difficulty coaxing a sound that pleases me out of my pairing of my Magico M3s to my Constellation Audio separates while acknowledging that others might audition my system and determine that it's not their cup of tea.



Again, I apologize for the impertinent tone in my "vague and subjective" response to your question. It was not my intention to come off sounding so coarse.

No worries at all, and I know this hobby of ours is very subjective. In addition the way a system sounds is dependent on many factors, the room, the electronics, cables etc.

I know my question was a bit vague, the truth is I let a sales person get into my head a bit. I found a local Dan D’Agostino dealer so I contacted them asking for prices and availability. They asked me what speakers I was looking to pair the amps with and when I said Magico’s he started to criticize the speakers and brand. One of his comments regarding the Magico’s were that they are very hard to get “sounding good” and that the brands he carries are far superior. And instead of me realizing that he was just trying to push his products I started to have doubts.

[marsalis]

You can say many things about Magcio, "hard to set up" is not one of them.
Just look at objective data; these are some of the most linear, well behaved, smooth measuring loudspeakers out there. In the real world all that translates to “easy setup”

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Cincy2

Actually, the Q-subs are not delivered yet. I'm currently using a pair of REL subs but the answer is the same. I used an audio tool to measure my room's frequency response. I had a big bass dip in the 30-50Hz region of the spectrum. The rest of the plot was really quite flat. I couldn't get rid of the suck-out with any manipulation of speakers or listening position without hurting the response in the other 90% of the spectrum. Put the subs in place. Cut them at 50Hz and measured the response a few more times adjusting their volume until I had a fairly flat response over 15-100Hz. I noticed that the overall presentation (soundstage, 3D images) improved although I can't explain why. I'm currently happy with the sound but the allure of having both Magico speakers and the Magico subs was too much to resist. When they arrive in a few weeks, I'll get some help setting them up from the Magico dealer and a Magico employee who helps with most hi end set ups of this nature. I'll post the results. Probably May before all this happens.

Eric

Cincy2, absolutes congrats. I would want to have the all Magico system also. I would love to hear your system especially when your Q-subs arrive. I have never had opportunity to hear a Magico. Magico M3's with Q-subs/Dag Momentums/MBL II Select/ complete Transparent equals a system that will compete with the best. You have a reference system.

____________________
Charles Updated System
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Coffee USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box

[Jbags]

So I just pulled the trigger and ordered the M2’s. Extremely excited. Now it’s really time to decide on an amp

[crwilli]

Why not try your big Brystons?

[Jbags]

Originally Posted by crwilli

Why not try your big Brystons?

You think? I was initially thinking of going either D’Agostino, AVM(which I hear pairs very nicely). And going to listen to others as well.

[crwilli]

It was just a thought.

Might save yourself some significant $$$ by finding the Big Brystons do a great job with your new speaks.

I THINK Ivan used these to drive the TAD Reference 1s to a great level..

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by crwilli

It was just a thought.

Might save yourself some significant $$$ by finding the Big Brystons do a great job with your new speaks.

I THINK Ivan used these to drive the TAD Reference 1s to a great level..

I still do.