Thanks for the info.

bflowers August 30, 2009 23:05

Hi jfrech,
Thanks very much. Your system looks great as well.

I was lucky that we could tear my old room down and basically start from scratch. Reinforcing the floor was a huge improvement especially for bass - so much of the bass used to leak through the floor into the garage, but not much at all now. I highly recommend adding the additional layers of plywood on the floor (of course that means ripping up carpeting, changing baseboards, adjusting any doors, etc, but it is a very worthwhile improvement).

The power improvement is very significant as well. If you already have dedicated lines run, then adding the isolation transformer is not very difficult - far easier and cheaper than adding the reinforcement to the floor. The isolation transformer that I used is priced somewhere between $2500 and $4500 depending on the size that you need and the various options that you want with it. Installation, etc via a well qualified electrician is probably around $1000 - $1500. The transformer can be ordered to go inside (in your garage) or outside (which is where I have mine).

The Purist Limited edition power cord is a nice step up from the Purist 20th Anniversary. It has the same tonal balance as the anniversary cord but it sounds more coherent than the anniversary cord and what surprised me the most is that when I switched back from the LE to the Anniversary - the Anniversary sounded fat and fuzzy around the edges.

Since you are in the Austin area, contact me sometime and you can come by for a listen and we can talk more about the room treatments, power, etc.

babybear August 29, 2009 13:16

Hi Bflowers,

I had it designed by a guy from California. The key to it is the isolation transformer (quality and size) and the grounding. The company that builds the iso transformer is called Controlled Power Company - do a google search and check out their web site. The type of product that you want to look at is called a K-Rated isolation transformer. If you give them a call, they can put you in touch with a local Dallas area distributor and the distributor knows the local electricians who have installed their products. You'll need a transformer that is sized at least double the maximum power draw of the sum of your components. You'll want a separate grounding rod for the transformer and the last step is to use isolated ground outlets. The distributor can help with the ordering of the correct transformer based on what your needs are. If you decide to go this route, feel free to privately email me and I can walk you through the various options that come with the transformer and other tips that were used in my power design.

babybear August 29, 2009 12:59

Hi, amazing system !!

Our rooms are very similiar. I to am over a car garage and I am hoping this fall to seriously invest in my room. Doubtful that I'll take the sheet rock down and go as far as you did, but I might do something on the flooring. I'm wondering/worrying about something more rigid...

I am also curious on your electrical work. I have dedicated 20 amp lines, Iso grounds, etc. But not near the attention here as you. I suspect this is like getting your room right, a $1 invested in good power goes a very long way.

On another thread I just asked if you compared the Purist 20th anniversary to the Limited Edition. Curious on your thoughts...Thanks !

jfrech August 29, 2009 11:11

Who designed your electrical system? I was thinking of having something like that done and I live in the DFW area.

bflowers August 29, 2009 05:36

Hi Bsal,

I had the diffusors on the side walls made for me by a local cabinet maker.

babybear August 28, 2009 23:02

Nice system. I'm interested in the diffusers on the side walls. Did you buy or make them? If you made them, how did you do it?

Thanks.

bsal August 28, 2009 19:15

System Update:

I have been auditioning 2 pairs of Echole Obsession speaker cables (need 2 pairs because the Magico M5's are designed for bi-wiring) for the past several weeks. I have not done a direct comparison to my Prana Wire Cosmos speaker cables yet, but the Echole Obsession speaker cables are very good indeed!

I am also auditioning a VTL 7.5 Series II preamp. My local dealer, who is a really good dealer, got this brand new from VTL so I am breaking it in as well, and once that is complete, I will be able to compare how it sounds to my ARC Ref 3. I will also have a chance to compare it to the new Jeff Rowland Criterion preamp, as local audiophile Guidocorona has been breaking in a Criterion for the past several weeks in his system. I am using a Echole Obsession power cord on the VTL so that I will be able to compare that to my Purist Audio Limited Edition power cord which I normally use on my Ref 3.

babybear August 19, 2009 19:29

Thanks Roypan,

I haven't heard the Mini's but I have heard the V3 at my dealers and its a great speaker as well.

babybear August 16, 2009 13:32

Hi Arnie, good to know I still have a couple brain cells left to rub together! :-)

I will take you up on your offer for sure, and it works both ways in the event you're ever up in Fort Worth.

Peace,

Art

arthursmuck August 16, 2009 02:03

Well done. Have been a Magico fun for a long time. Own the first Mini and now the V3. Perhaps one day will step up to the M5. Best speakers I have ever heard.

roypan August 16, 2009 01:37

Hi Art,

Your memory has served you very well indeed. Thanks very much for the nice words. Please let me know if you are headed down to Austin again as it would be great to have you visit and do some listening.

babybear August 15, 2009 01:02

I think I'm right if my memory serves that this is Arnie in Austin, I hope that's correct....either way your room and system are looking fantastic! Congratulations sir!

Art

arthursmuck August 15, 2009 00:42

System edited: System Update: 8/14/2009. I added 3 Appogg Systems Isolation platforms under my P03, D03 and Ref 3. With all 3 removed, the sonic difference was easy to hear - to me it was a loss of air around performers and seemingly moving the performers closer together towards the center of the soundstage. There was a loss of delicacy in the upper frequencies and some loss of depth in the soundstage. Perhaps the bass was a not quite as tight as well.

babybear August 14, 2009 23:43

McIntosh MC2301 monoblock tube amplifier...

lapierre August 14, 2009 01:55

Pdreher, thanks very much.

babybear August 13, 2009 20:22

Wow... I'm extremely impressed with the amount of fore-thought and work you've put into your room. Exceptional gear / system... very strong!

pdreher August 13, 2009 17:42

Thanks Lapierre.
I really want to use tube amps and the M5's need a good deal of power to bring them alive especially in the larger room that I have now. I have tried the ARC Ref 210's with them - they just don't have enough power but I can hear how well the ARC amps sound with the M5's. The Siegfried is wonderful with the M5's as well - and more than enough power. I guess the only other one that I can think of is the ARC Ref 610t's.

babybear August 13, 2009 13:58

Well done!!!

What other amps are you looking at for the M5?

lapierre August 13, 2009 02:39