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Magico S5 Speaker - SET UP ADVICE PLEASE - Tow-In - Etc.

Any Magico Owners or Dealers or Folks or anyone that may have some basic advice, ideas or feedback from hearing or seeing in a friends, dealers system or owned older version of Magico or something like or anything really that can help me? How are yours or theirs set up? The smallest moves makes huge changes and I am coming from speakers that are so very different so any and all feedback would so welcomed.

I CAN EMAIL YOU PICS of Room / Set up / Etc  fsmthjack at YAH00

THANK YOU

BACKGROUND INFO:

ROOM:                         24 x 14 with cathedral ceilings 
MUSIC:                        Good mix - no hard metal / large orchestra and the like
LOUDNESS:                normal levels - just loud enough to sound best
SPEAKERS                  Magico S5 Speakers
AMP:                            Pass Labs X350.5 Amp
SOURCE:                     Bricasti M1SE DAC
TRANSPORT:               mircoRendu 1.4 w/Full suite of Uptone Audio products
CABLES                       HiDiamond Full Loom 
CONDITIONER            HiDiamond HDX2
SUBWOOFERS           (2) Sumiko S.9 Subs (hoping not needed with new Magico's) 

Thanks guys - I am kind of lost here and any help or feedback to get me heading in the right directions would be so appreciated.







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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
I just started a thread asking about these 2-preamps but you guys have been with me on my system re-fit and wanted to see if any of you guys had feedback on these preamps:

Esoteric C03 preamp or Mark Levinson 326S preamp

ANY FEEDBACK - THOUGHTS - IDEAS would be so appreciated.

gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
Definitely cover the TV with a blanket just to see if that makes a difference.....
A long thread just on that specific topic.

@kalali
I take it the idea is to minimize reflections off the front panel of the television. If so, in your opinion then, would "covering" just the screen/front portion of the panel produce a benefit/improvement in *all* (most?) cases where a flat screen television is between two speakers (and the front panel is perhaps an inch set back from the plane of the drivers)? In this scenario the rear and sides of the television would not be covered. Thanks.
greg22lz
182 posts
 
Magico-livin'on the bright side of life!

erik_squires
16,258 posts
 
I like Ayre a great deal. Also a little dark, and supernaturally quiet. You will understand when you listen.

Another pre you might want to listen to for it’s absolute candor is the Parasound JC 2. Definitely two different experiences, but neither is cool nor juicy like a tube pre can be.

Something else to try also, without a lot of juiciness to it is a modern (< 5 years) ARC preamp. The solid state and tube gear has lost some of it’s starkness but not turned exuberant.

I caution you not to get too crazy about "transparency." Meaning, you can end up with a system too cool sounding, and lacking in a welcoming or engaging transcription.

You may also want to try one of Magico's own faves, the CAT pre's. They play them a great deal for demo's and tour with them. 
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Hey Eric_squires. Thanks for the info.

Yes I agree totally in your comment to not make your system to cool. Have to guard against that for sure but it’s funny because I’ve loved and I mean loved Tubes my whole Audiophile life but know they don’t seem to fit in like they used to. I pulled the trigger on a Mark Levinson No.326s Preamp. What a great Preamp. It has taken me a little while to get used to but I love it. Also, just made a deal and am making an amp change also. Going to a Hegel H30. Not as warm as the Pass but Hegel is not bright or cool and nice and relaxed but vivid and dynamic and transparent while still providing decent warmth. I’m looking for a bit more resolution, transparency and more dynamics but without it becoming cooler so hoping the Hegel fits the bill. I’m ok with giving up some of the great Pass warmth for better resolution and transparency. Hope it works out like that. 
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