Auditioned two more from my list, the Magnepan 20.7 and the Legacy Aries. Was also able to hear the Magico A3, albeit not yet fully broken in. Auditioned the Maggies in a less than desirable situation. Small room with the speakers only spread about 7’ and seating just about 6’ away, plus Roon lost connection so many times that I lost count. Made it difficult to concentrate. I would really love to hear these properly set up and ideal circumstances, because as is, they don’t make the top five.
The Legacy Aries audition was similar. The dealer is not moving forward with their Legacy line and so the Aries had been removed from their set ups. They were hastily reset and connected. I won’t bore you with the details, but as much as I wanted to love these, I expected to love these, but it was not to be based on this audition. We also heard some Audio Physics loudspeakers with Zesto components and a complete Gold Note rig. Both sounded better, with some really great sound from Gold Note, although asethitically the walnut GN were not my cup of tea.
Finally, heard the Magico A3 with an Octiv integrated and a Lumin streamer. Simple system and the A3 really surprised me, although they have not yet fully broken in. Honestly, I liked them better than the S1MKII. The were articulate with better base extension and had a really meaty midrange.
Nothing has Yet to unseat the Wilson Sabrina so far. Next week I hope to hear the Vandersteen Quattro CT and Joseph Audio Perspective with some Ayre equipment. I really want to love something from my local dealer. I’d also like to hear the PAP Quintet15 with the horns, and I’d like to see if I could get down south to hear the JA Pearl 3. Then it will be done and I’ll have exhausted my search and feel good about my decision.
The Legacy Aries audition was similar. The dealer is not moving forward with their Legacy line and so the Aries had been removed from their set ups. They were hastily reset and connected. I won’t bore you with the details, but as much as I wanted to love these, I expected to love these, but it was not to be based on this audition. We also heard some Audio Physics loudspeakers with Zesto components and a complete Gold Note rig. Both sounded better, with some really great sound from Gold Note, although asethitically the walnut GN were not my cup of tea.
Finally, heard the Magico A3 with an Octiv integrated and a Lumin streamer. Simple system and the A3 really surprised me, although they have not yet fully broken in. Honestly, I liked them better than the S1MKII. The were articulate with better base extension and had a really meaty midrange.
Nothing has Yet to unseat the Wilson Sabrina so far. Next week I hope to hear the Vandersteen Quattro CT and Joseph Audio Perspective with some Ayre equipment. I really want to love something from my local dealer. I’d also like to hear the PAP Quintet15 with the horns, and I’d like to see if I could get down south to hear the JA Pearl 3. Then it will be done and I’ll have exhausted my search and feel good about my decision.