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Your most disappointing purchase or audition?

I've had a few.

bought a Naim Nait 3. Loved it in the store. Returned it within a week- way forward at home

Brought home some CJ preamp to audition perhaps 22 years ago. Noisy as anything and a turn off transient destroyed a tweeter (though years later i bought a CJ 17LS2 which I thought was the finest preamp I ever heard in my home)

Auditioned a VPI table (HW19) in a store- the store just could not get the belt to stay on. Bought a Rega instead. This was in perhaps 1990.

Fortunately, I never really experienced buyers remorse say 6 months or more after settling on a piece of gear.

Finally, there have been too many speakers that got stellar write ups which I just didn't care for.
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unoear
141 posts
 
Melbguy1

You made an astute observation about Syntax...on one hand, he is a nice guy, friendly, and giving of his opinions; on the other hand, he works as a business, marketing front, for a Bavarian of dubious history.

Melbguy1, you are right; Syntax, he is a marketing guy. However, what is wrong with marketing guys, they are all over this forum :).

Cheers!
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syntax
2,193 posts
 
Such threads are always a bit "cruel" because there will be always someone who loves exactly this product which is a disappointment for the next. But it is always about a product, nothing more. When someone takes "this" critic/disappointment as a personal slap in the face, well, I feel sorry of course. On the other side, I have no problem with Wilson speakers....but when someone wants to know what kind of speakers in that Magico price range are "better" for me --> Verity Audio Speakers. But as usual: Each his own :-)
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Syntax, don't take my comments personally. I've heard the Q5's, yes they eat watts like a couple of Apogee Scintilla's on heat, but fed with a lot of warm, rich, clean power and they can really sing. They are very transparent to source, so rubbish in, rubbish out applies. I'm not saying they are perfect. I actually prefer my S5's in many respects, but I thought your comments were a little uncharitable. If they were directed at the Q5's sensitivity, i'd would not and agree with you though..
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unoear
141 posts
 
Well, those Wilson guys...they are known to have their own issues :).

Cheers!
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Magico is very TRUE to source so important to drive them properly.

When I was in market for speakers, I demoed Q3 and Q5. The dealer demonstrated their chameleon characteristics in driving them in 2 configurations. One all Spectral and other tube pre with SS amp. All Spectral was horrific and other EXCELLENT. At the end I decided on another brand.

What's interesting is dealer said at shows, they usually drive them faster than the Spectral configuration. Probably reason Magico earned poor musicality reputation especially with SET fans since most only experienced them at shows.

Syntax, can you briefly describe the system you demoed Q5? Just curious.
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