Very elegant, modern looking setup, right out of the pages of Architectural Digest. I'm wondering how it sounds in that configuration, as Conventional Wisdom(tm) says Maggies have to be out a few feet from the wall.

As for using an integrated as a preamp, my brother uses a Denon receiver as a tuner/pre into his Mc power amp; his old tuner/pre had developed a bad hiss problem he couldn't fix. The setup works very well for him.

bhmcintosh April 03, 2011 15:31

System edited: All my cables have now been upgraded. I think I am done for a while, time to let everything settle in and just enjoy the music.

bwp May 10, 2010 16:09

Thanks Jerico! I am definitely happy with the sound, a few cable upgrades and I think I will be done for a while.

bwp May 01, 2010 16:26

Bwp - you have a great sense of style! This layout is amazing. I'm sure it sounds as good as it looks!

jerico May 01, 2010 12:43

I have a AES tube amp and for kicks I hooked it up to the pre outs of the CA 640A v2 that I use in the TV room, and it really choked the life out of the tube amp. It is shocking, because the CA integrated is a darn good integrated amp. I wonder when you go up the CA food chain that they improve the preamp section besides adding more power.

mjcmt April 30, 2010 00:01

System edited: Replaced Cambridge that was doing pre duties with a Quicksilver linestage. Improvements are remarkable right off the bat, I knew the Cambridge was holding my system back but I had no idea how much until now.

bwp April 29, 2010 13:37

System edited: Removed Grant Fidelity Tube Buffer from system. Will evetually introduce tubes again with a new pre. Hooked up W4S monos and first impressions are very positive. They seem to have a great "grip" on the panels, bass is much improved. Damping factor is more than quadruple my previous amp.

bwp February 26, 2010 20:05

System edited: Awaiting delivery of Wyred 4 Sound SX500 monos, will do some serious listening this weekend and report findings.

bwp February 24, 2010 15:34

I am on the hunt for a new pre, probably will go tube based. First I have to replace my amp, I will go class D due to the fact that I need high power in a small enclosure that will fit in my cabinet and not overheat. I am not sure about the Cambridge as a Preamp either, I don't feel I get quite the volume I should. My Crown's input impedance is 10k ohms which is pretty low. I have yet to find the specs for the pre-out impedance of the Cambridge but I imagine there is a mismatch between the two. I knew there would be issues with my electronics going in though. I bought my speakers knowing I would build a system around them while using my existing gear in the meantime.

bwp January 06, 2010 19:08

I read your post concerning your 540A being used as a preamp. I have the Cambridge Audio 640 V2 which is an excellent (even above average) integrated amp. The preamp outs work beautifully for a subwoofer..but as a preamp into a tube power amp it was not very good.

I tried the pre outs feeding an Audio Electronics (Cary Audio) Superamp Mk2 tube amp, powering 94db Polk Audio RTA-11 speakers and it was not so stunning as it was as an integrated amp. There could be a lot of reasons but as a preamp feeding a tube poweramp was not as good "in my system" as a stand alone integrated amp.

mjcmt January 06, 2010 18:25

I love your clean lines and minimalist sensibilities. It's a challenge to create good sound and a beautiful listening environment--looks like you're pulling it off nicely.

rosedanny January 06, 2010 18:20

Thanks for the kind words Mjcmt. The Magnepans do fit in quite well with my(wife's) decor, although I did buy them for their sound as well having auditioned them first. They are quite the conversation piece, most people have never seen a flat panel speaker and are always eager to listen. It is a good way to introduce people to higher fi.

bwp January 05, 2010 23:44

I like your anti-Sullivan treatment of your system. Instead of "form follows function" you put form first. A true minimalist. Few have the nerve to install their flat panel off-centered, or choose/place speakers for their form in a 2-channel home theater system.

What I see of your living spaces looks beautiful. I like everything about it, including your equipment. You may be able to accomplish your pre/power needs w/ beautiful minimalist PS Audio products.

mjcmt December 19, 2009 06:20

System edited: Hooked some powered computer speakers directly up to my cable reciever, no longer need to use the Cambridge to power my seperate TV speakers. This means I can upgrade in the near future to a dedicated pre, probably something tube based.

bwp December 14, 2009 20:23

Before suggesting this I admit this is not the most solid of fixes and many here will most likely want to spank me for the suggestion. That being said I have found that if I set the left speaker, the one with the boundary gain issues, in my Sunfire Pro. at one DB less during the set up mode that some of the boundary gain goes away. Again not the best of solutions, but short of another room to place the system in or a new home I am limited as to what can be done. If your Cambridge allows you to set speaker levels during a set up process or program give it a shot, maybe you will see some improvement as well.

nissancrazy November 11, 2009 23:37

Thanks for the reply, I do pull them out when listening and toe them in a bit. I have the same boundry gain issue with the speaker closest to the wall. I have been researching some DIY treatments that I can put up and take down when not using the system but have yet to come up with anything.

bwp November 11, 2009 20:32

Thanks for sharing. Just my humble opinion but get the 1.6's out from the rear wall further, the dipole effect they are famous for is most likely suffering from being so close to the rear wall. Also not sure by looking at the picture but try a little toe in on the speakers, should help with soundstage. I have the issue of boundary gain as my left speaker is just too close to the wall, you may have have some of the same with the right speaker being so close to the wall. Try some basic acoustic wall treatements, large rugs and anything to break up the large wall surfaces seen in the pictures. Best of luck.

nissancrazy November 11, 2009 19:54