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2C HiFi Epiphany - Worlds Best System?

My wife and I are in the Netherlands visiting our daughter, partner and our first grandson for Christmas. Just visited this store in The Hague:

http://www.chattelin.nl/index2.php

Even though I explained to the store owner, Peter Chatttelin, I am just a tourist, Peter was kind enough to give me a demonstration of his reference 2C system. Comprising of Magico Q7 loudspeakers, and Solution (Swiss ultra high end brand) CDP, pre and power amp. The CDP alone was nearly $100k, the total system cost approximately $500k! Must admit I had never heard of Solution before, they are being reviewed in the January edition of The Absolute Sound. Here is a a link to Solution HiFi products:

http://www.soulution-audio.com/en/index.php

Beyond shadow of a doubt this is the finest HiFi system I have ever heard, makes me want to cry when I think about my system. It was really that good, nothing I have heard previously even comes close. As for the sound; think of a live concert, any type of music, and the system really did sound like live music. Peter played me a wide range of CD music, he is not a fan of computer audio, I had no idea CDs could sound this good. We played everything from Paul Simon live, live jazz recorded in a church, live church choral music and finally Rebecca Pigeon Spanish Harlem. With one exception, everything sounded like a live concert. The one exception was grand piano. No system I have ever heard produces grand piano correctly, this system was as close as I have ever heard, but not perfect. I am more than familiar with Spanish Harlem, one of my standard demonstration tracks, so I know the sound very well. The sound on this system was simply beyond belief, makes my Krell/Oppo/B&W system sound like a portable transistor radio. I was in HiFi heaven for 30 minutes.

If ever I win the lottery, I know exactly what I am buying first!
mgattmch
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,232 posts
 
The most recent TAS reviews Soulution's intro line of amplifiers which costs around $30,000 for a preamp and mono amps. Two different reviewers conclude that the pieces aren't quite as good as the company's better and best offerings, but comes real, real close. I certainly don't know for a fact, but I suspect that a step or two down the Magico chain coupled with the "budget" Soulution combo would sound close to amazing too.

In a 30 minute demo, a great room, good equipment and rigorous attention to setup can produce fantastic results. And let's not forget, the Netherlands is a magical place.
taters
1,149 posts
 
I have been to a lot of audio shows and the big over the top systems never sound that good. I find modest systems with great synergy and musicality are the ones I want to listen to over and over.
rvpiano's avatar
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rvpiano
2,667 posts
 
Did you listen to a recording of a symphony orchestra?
if so, how did that do?
mgattmch OP
572 posts
 
No, just the listed music/tracks. However, I am positive a symphony orchestra would sound spectacular on this system. I have heard classical music on other Magico speakers and the sound is always fantastic.
han_n's avatar
han_n
105 posts
 
in life its all about priorities. We should accept that certain people make it a high priority to enjoy music at the highest level. Others give priority to cars, yachts, houses, or spending time with the family. Ideally you can do all, however, as we know it, most of us won't be able to do so. (including myself) We also know that the law of diminishing returns always and everywhere applies, so yes, it will be much more economic to avoid the absolute highest end, and buy 2-3 levels below that. But we should accept those who wish to spend their hard earned money the way they are most happy with it, without criticizing endlessly, and always knowing better how that money should be spend. What is "stupid" for some, may be the most clever thing to do for others. Let's all be happy, enjoy music the way we want it, and yes, I agree with @mgattmch, it is an absolute astonishing experience to listen to the "highest" end audio, in a proper room. 
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