Maybe looking at the following to replace my Magico S-5 MK 1

You are missing the point Sciencepop, I am clearly stating that I will NOT be unbiased or ignore my preferences when buying for myself. I don't want to! I'm also realistic enough to understand that accuracy versus pleasant CAN mean two different things to two people.  The original poster has biases, as well he/she should, which no one but he understands and appreciates. But he should follow his path. You should follow yours. I will follow mine.

The Magicos that I have heard obviously didn't float my boat or I would have written a check. I will repeat though, they are exceptional speakers and I am confident there are many happy owners out there but we are contributing to a thread where there is one who is not. Alot of speakers are exceptional but ignoring our biases and preferences is how people end up with gear they don't enjoy.

The A3 Magicos seem promising as most everyone on this thread who is not in love with the brand are turned off to varying degrees by the treble, which Mr. Wolf has been working on apparently. I look forward to hearing them someday soon. I will repeat, I appreciate Magico and many other companies striving to add value to our hobby.

I too have the S5’s, but the MkII iteration. I do a lot of low level listening and it is VERY different in this regard than its predecessor. I think Magicos are really neutral and transparent so a lot of the tonal balance boils down to the gear you have. I’m running an all tube setup (Zanden 3100 and 8120) and the sound is full, fast, sweet and very lush. The S3 MkII doesn’t share this attributes with the S5. I know you that you didn’t ask this, but I would not rule out the mk2. It is a better speaker than the ones you listed - more linear, neutral and transparent.

I like the Martens a lot, but I like my S5’s even more. They are more coherent and effortless - even with low power.

Hope this helps

Is the Zanden 3100 superior to the preamp stage integrated in the 6000 ?
Is it a good idea to couple the 3100 with the 6000 ?

I own LHC208 so I can answers any questions you might have. I have tried it wits several speakers but finally settled down on DeVore 0/96.
email me at arturgorniak@yahoo.com so I can give you my phone number and we can talk. 

You may wish to consider the Joseph Audio Pearl 3. 

I suggest that you audition the Bache Audio 002AB as a replacement for your Magicos:
http://bacheaudio.com/portfolios/bache-audio-002ab/

Jeff,

I looked at the Absolute Sound review of the Gauder Acoustic Cassiano (I always like REG's reviews - he always directs the reader to the significance of a particular design aspect and it's effects).

REG wrote that the Guader used very steep crossover slopes, like Joseph Audio, and he remarked that a primary characteristic of the Guader was a "silent background" out of which instruments can be heard clearly, no matter how many enter the mix.

What's interesting is that the Joseph speakers tend to impress people with exactly those same characteristics.  People talk of a "black background" or a "quietness" and purity of tone.  Which is exactly what I heard when I auditioned Joseph speakers (both in store and at home).

It really is something once you experience it, and if it appeals it's hard to forget.  I've listened to many excellent speakers in the last couple years, including recently the Magico A3s, and none really had the level of "black background" and sonic purity I hear from the Joseph design (which is why they are high on my buy list).

It really allows fine detail and instrumental tone to emerge in a way that is non-fatiguing, so either of those two brands - Guader or Joseph Audio - would seem worth an audition.

I agree with markalarsen that if the Joseph Audio Pearl 3 is in your price range you should check it out.  It's something of a giant killer as far as flagship speaker price/performance ratio goes.

Better is not what measures better. Better is what sounds better in your room with your electronics. Sometimes they coincide.

I've actually done a comparison at a shop that sells Rockports and Magicos (accidentally stumbled into this little shoot out), and although both deliver the goods in the mega buck sound arena, I preferred the Rockports as seeming slightly more "there," which is actually neither here nor there. My current well sorted home rig sounds just as good (to me anyway) which relieves me from feeling the need to spend the large bucks. Bullet dodged!

I'd suggest you audition the Devore Gibbon X and the Wilson Sabrina. They are on the opposite side of Magico.

You should listen to the monitor audio Platinum 200 and 300 very neutral speaker. The three-dimensionality is spectacular not bright and forward sounding like the paradigm persona. Voice instruments piano violin sound beautiful and natural.

Urbie19 you’re 15 months late to the party on this. The OP has either bought new speakers by now or never will. 😊 BTW, I would love to hear the PL300ii they seem like the real deal to me according to the reviews