PHC1 - MC275 w Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento/2 JL Audio F112's/Bryston 10B SUB active
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I have not spent any significant time with that combo yet but I did mention some brief observations somewhere in that thread that got closed. I wanted to do some more serious listening before sharing my opinion. I liked what I heard very much but I need to go back to it and listen to some more variety of recordings.
Like Duke Ellington said a long time ago "If it sounds good, it IS good." so I don't think I will be disappointed but I will spend a week or so listening and report back. :thmbsp:
Like Duke Ellington said a long time ago "If it sounds good, it IS good." so I don't think I will be disappointed but I will spend a week or so listening and report back. :thmbsp:
no probs dude. Sometimes when your system is sounding good, the last thing you want to do is insert something else into the equation and risk it not sounding as good.
take your time, but don't forget to eventually do it.
Shane, so how does the Raven compare to the HRX? :scratch2:
Hi Serge,
The avatar ... your latest toy in your garage? :thmbsp:
Thats something I can only dream about and probably acquire in a much smaller scale (a model toy car).:yes:
Now U are into subs, the "rolls royce" subs I am told (the Gothams). Hope you will share your experience. I never got into subs except many years back when I had the then Dahlquist DQ10 with one Dahlquist subs to match via their crossover the DX1x ... Would be nice to know.
Cheers!
The avatar ... your latest toy in your garage? :thmbsp:
Thats something I can only dream about and probably acquire in a much smaller scale (a model toy car).:yes:
Now U are into subs, the "rolls royce" subs I am told (the Gothams). Hope you will share your experience. I never got into subs except many years back when I had the then Dahlquist DQ10 with one Dahlquist subs to match via their crossover the DX1x ... Would be nice to know.
Cheers!
I've had that car for a few months now since I've sold the 911 GT3. Jerry, next time you're in the states we'll have to have a listening session over my house and then go for a ride!Hi Serge,
The avatar ... your latest toy in your garage? :thmbsp:
Thats something I can only dream about and probably acquire in a much smaller scale (a model toy car).:yes:
Now U are into subs, the "rolls royce" subs I am told (the Gothams). Hope you will share your experience. I never got into subs except many years back when I had the then Dahlquist DQ10 with one Dahlquist subs to match via their crossover the DX1x ... Would be nice to know.
Cheers!
I've had that car for a few months now since I've sold the 911 GT3. Jerry, next time you're in the states we'll have to have a listening session over my house and then go for a ride!
Thanks for the offer and invitation.:thmbsp: I will bring a bottle Cordon Bleu, sip and enjoy!
Now PM me your address so I can store it in my new 3G iPhone which I will be collecting this weekend.
Free as I am already a subscriber to the plan that gives the iPhone 16Gb free! Lucky me!:yes:Thats a fantastic car! You sure have good taste!
Cheers!
Thanks for the offer and invitation.:thmbsp: I will bring a bottle Cordon Bleu, sip and enjoy!
Now PM me your address so I can store it in my new 3G iPhone which I will be collecting this weekend.
Thats a fantastic car! You sure have good taste!
Cheers!
Are you afraid to visit me in Florida, Jerry?
You already have "The Flu" :lmao:
You remember that I fancy Cognac? :thmbsp: I always make sure to have my supply of Remy "Extra" for the listening sessions.Thanks for the offer and invitation.:thmbsp: I will bring a bottle Cordon Bleu, sip and enjoy!
Cheers!
Martell Cordon Bleu is great stuff too.
Are you afraid to visit me in Florida, Jerry?
You already have "The Flu" :lmao:
Not afraid .... really.:yes: The most I fly home in a state of "awe"!
When you are broke, how "broke" can I go when the wallet's empty!If I visit Serge (do remember he like Cognac - Cordon Bleu's is what I can afford - not Louis XIII), so might as well pay U, Audio Classic, McIntosh Factory, a visit. All for the price of one airfare.
At least, I can show my wife there are friends who also caught the McFlu and there is definitely one person who is MUCH MORE into the flu. In comparison, I am just a "peanut" case.
Now, that could play to my advantage .. of sorts .. as I am, not too bad after all !!! :thmbsp:Now, to compute the cost of coming over for a month .... the expenses, the tickets, the hotel accommodation and the SHOPPING ....... :tears:
Cheers!
Shane
Active Member
The Raven AC-3 is awesome. Quite a bit better than the HRX, however it is quite a bit more expensive when coupled with the Graham Phantom.
I have not done a side to side comparison yet as such but can comment in general.
In my system with my tastes the Raven is more even handed top to bottom with no audible frequency being out in front of forward whereas I feel the HRX is a little forward in the upper mids/lower treble. Gives the HRX a bit more attack and speed maybe, but for me I much prefer the slightly more relaxed presentation of the Raven.
Bass on the Raven goes deeper and is much better controlled, however you don't hear it as much as the VPI which sounds a bit bigger, but less controlled. Translation - The raven goes deeper, but only when bass is actually on the album.
Overall the Raven is more top to bottom transparent to the musical source, but in a more relaxed easier to understand and enjoyable way. The HRX is more forward and enthusiastic, but starts to loose control at certain points of the music compared to the Raven/Phantom.
Albums all sound different on the Raven, on the VPI I can hear its sonic signature that I have mentioned on most albums.
Both great tables, however thank goodness the higher admission price does justify higher performance, which is not always the case.
The Raven AC-3 will be my last turntable and at the moment I will be keeping the HRX as well, and the Linn will always be around after 23+ years.
cheers Shane
misterdoggy1
Well-Known Member
I was in Cognac a few weeks ago and was trying all kinds ?
Plenty of XO and VSOP etc. There are some small Brands as well that are great like Cognac Robertin
Nice little town just above Bordeaux.
I then took the autoroute south towards Bordeaux and turned east to come back to Annecy, but took a detour when the sign said exit here Saint Emilion and you pass by Pomerol.
Course I got off drove up and all you see are vineyards as far as the eye can see very lush and green like the caribbean, and I asked a local working in the field whats the best vineyard and he directed me to a Chateaux where I filled the back of the car with wooden crates full of Bordeaux, Pomerol, Et Emilion, and some others.
Cognac was very popular in the 1920's and 1930's but dropped out of favor in France by the time the 50's and 60's. Now Cognac and Armagnac are having a revival and Im on the bandwagon
I did not think it was greatly appreciated around the world though ?
Plenty of XO and VSOP etc. There are some small Brands as well that are great like Cognac Robertin
Nice little town just above Bordeaux.
I then took the autoroute south towards Bordeaux and turned east to come back to Annecy, but took a detour when the sign said exit here Saint Emilion and you pass by Pomerol.
Course I got off drove up and all you see are vineyards as far as the eye can see very lush and green like the caribbean, and I asked a local working in the field whats the best vineyard and he directed me to a Chateaux where I filled the back of the car with wooden crates full of Bordeaux, Pomerol, Et Emilion, and some others.
Cognac was very popular in the 1920's and 1930's but dropped out of favor in France by the time the 50's and 60's. Now Cognac and Armagnac are having a revival and Im on the bandwagon
I did not think it was greatly appreciated around the world though ?
Thanks for sharing that Shane. I am taking notes as I am planning my analog addition. :yes:
I was in Cognac a few weeks ago and was trying all kinds ?
Plenty of XO and VSOP etc. There are some small Brands as well that are great like Cognac Robertin
Nice little town just above Bordeaux.
I then took the autoroute south towards Bordeaux and turned east to come back to Annecy, but took a detour when the sign said exit here Saint Emilion and you pass by Pomerol.
Course I got off drove up and all you see are vineyards as far as the eye can see very lush and green like the caribbean, and I asked a local working in the field whats the best vineyard and he directed me to a Chateaux where I filled the back of the car with wooden crates full of Bordeaux, Pomerol, Et Emilion, and some others.
Cognac was very popular in the 1920's and 1930's but dropped out of favor in France by the time the 50's and 60's. Now Cognac and Armagnac are having a revival and Im on the bandwagon
I did not think it was greatly appreciated around the world though ?
Very Cool! :yes: Don't know about the rest of the world but I have always enjoyed a little cognac. :thmbsp: I think I had my first taste when I was about five as I took a sip of Ararat that was left over on the dinner table. Of course the expression on my face was...
howiebrou
Super Member
Very Cool! :yes: Don't know about the rest of the world but I have always enjoyed a little cognac. :thmbsp: I think I had my first taste when I was about five as I took a sip of Ararat that was left over on the dinner table. Of course the expression on my face was...
Ararat....yum. I have a couple of bottles at home bought from Yerevan and a bottle of Noy (Noah) which I am keeping for my son when he reaches 18 :thmbsp:
Shane
Active Member
Serge, be careful of what you wish for :yes: You just may get it
misterdoggy1
Well-Known Member
Here in France the kids grow up weaned on Wines
I mean where ever you grow up its practically a wine region.
I happen to be in Cognac a lot because I buy and sell Cognac posters from the 1930's and have contacts there.
One of the nicer hotels in Cognac has a glass shelf presentation of all the bottles of Cognac you can buy and there are lot's and lot's.
Buy only XO and VSOP and you can't go wrong
I mean where ever you grow up its practically a wine region.
I happen to be in Cognac a lot because I buy and sell Cognac posters from the 1930's and have contacts there.
One of the nicer hotels in Cognac has a glass shelf presentation of all the bottles of Cognac you can buy and there are lot's and lot's.
Buy only XO and VSOP and you can't go wrong
Finally had a chance to put the MC275MKIV back into the system and spent the last few days listening to the setup. Adjusting for the gain difference between the 501s and 275, (easy to do with Bryston 10B's high pass variable level so the settings on the subs do not need to be disturbed) and getting a smooth blend between the subs and speakers with the tubes doing the driving, I did some serious listening.
In a nutshell, the 275 benefits tremendously from the active X/O setup given the right conditions. Eliminating the deep bass from it's "to do" list, the 275 comes alive. :yes: Now, I am not saying that "every" recording will sound better, those that tax the 275 are the ones that benefit the most. I had to listen to various recordings and try various x/o points from 30-90Hz and my listening sessions revealed which is pretty obvious, the higher the x/o point, the better the 275 sounded.
A good example was the first track from the Yamamoto Tsuyoshi Trio's "Midnight Sugar". The opening of the track features relatively deep and harmonically rich bass string plucking which then overlaps with a well recorded piano key strokes which always sound "icy crisp" and "startling" when driven by MC501s. The cymbals a little later in the track come across with all the sizzle and brassiness and incredible amount of air. The kick drums lead into crescendos, swelling into a combination of all instruments together, overall a very complex recording and takes quite a bit out of the amps, especially at louder than average levels. With the 501s and especially with the dual JLA F112s firing off the deep, tight, well controlled, musical bass, this recording makes the $$$$ investment into your system well justified. :yes: (Fantastic recording to show off your system! :thmbsp
Now, without the subs and the Bryston X/O, the 501s driving my SF Guarneri Memento's full range mode make child's play out of that recording, to the extent of bass my speakers are capable of. The 275 "full range" on the other hand had always sounded a little congested during the complex parts of that particular recording. The piano notes ringing out into the room have often sounded a bit hard, edgy and brittle. The cymbals would loose some of the sparkle and air. The bass while sounding full did not have the definition and resolution of the 501s and had a bit bloat and tubbiness to it. The kick drums sound muted and did not have the same impact.
Enter the Bryston 10B active x/o and dual F112s with the 275 at the wheel and using 90Hz x/o point, WOW! I can honestly say that in this combination the 275 smokes the 501s in sheer musicality. The harmonic texture and the midrange magic of the 275 is quite stunning. There is a good portion of added transparency and air, I've never heard the 275 quite so good before. The bass duties relegated to the F112s and the 275 responsible for 90Hz and above at 18dB/octave slope does wonders for this tube amp. The 501s are still amazing amps but the 275 in this configuration clearly edges them out to my ears and is really the best I've heard my system yet. Again I am very tempted to explore the higher end tubes in the form of MC2301s. :scratch2: There is tons of potential here and the Guarneri's really strut their musical stuff with tube juice.
In a nutshell, the 275 benefits tremendously from the active X/O setup given the right conditions. Eliminating the deep bass from it's "to do" list, the 275 comes alive. :yes: Now, I am not saying that "every" recording will sound better, those that tax the 275 are the ones that benefit the most. I had to listen to various recordings and try various x/o points from 30-90Hz and my listening sessions revealed which is pretty obvious, the higher the x/o point, the better the 275 sounded.
A good example was the first track from the Yamamoto Tsuyoshi Trio's "Midnight Sugar". The opening of the track features relatively deep and harmonically rich bass string plucking which then overlaps with a well recorded piano key strokes which always sound "icy crisp" and "startling" when driven by MC501s. The cymbals a little later in the track come across with all the sizzle and brassiness and incredible amount of air. The kick drums lead into crescendos, swelling into a combination of all instruments together, overall a very complex recording and takes quite a bit out of the amps, especially at louder than average levels. With the 501s and especially with the dual JLA F112s firing off the deep, tight, well controlled, musical bass, this recording makes the $$$$ investment into your system well justified. :yes: (Fantastic recording to show off your system! :thmbsp
Now, without the subs and the Bryston X/O, the 501s driving my SF Guarneri Memento's full range mode make child's play out of that recording, to the extent of bass my speakers are capable of.
The 275 "full range" on the other hand had always sounded a little congested during the complex parts of that particular recording. The piano notes ringing out into the room have often sounded a bit hard, edgy and brittle. The cymbals would loose some of the sparkle and air. The bass while sounding full did not have the definition and resolution of the 501s and had a bit bloat and tubbiness to it. The kick drums sound muted and did not have the same impact. Enter the Bryston 10B active x/o and dual F112s with the 275 at the wheel and using 90Hz x/o point, WOW! I can honestly say that in this combination the 275 smokes the 501s in sheer musicality. The harmonic texture and the midrange magic of the 275 is quite stunning. There is a good portion of added transparency and air, I've never heard the 275 quite so good before. The bass duties relegated to the F112s and the 275 responsible for 90Hz and above at 18dB/octave slope does wonders for this tube amp. The 501s are still amazing amps but the 275 in this configuration clearly edges them out to my ears and is really the best I've heard my system yet. Again I am very tempted to explore the higher end tubes in the form of MC2301s. :scratch2: There is tons of potential here and the Guarneri's really strut their musical stuff with tube juice.
exracer
music speaks
Again I am very tempted to explore the higher end tubes in the form of MC2301s. :scratch2: There is tons of potential here and the Guarneri's really strut their musical stuff with tube juice.
It's never ending. Gotta love it.
It's what makes this hobby so much fun. :yes:It's never ending. Gotta love it.
