So, anyone planning to upgrade?? SF/Bay area members, they are in your 'hood now!

http://www.magico.net/MAGICO_Ultimate.pdf

Cool. SOunds amazing.

I really liked how much work went into his grounding.

Cool. SOunds amazing.

I really liked how much work went into his grounding.
Dizzman, it would be so easy for you to pay a visit to see/hear that system in the Bay area!!

Call me!

The custom amps are pretty cool too. Wonder how they'd compare to the "commercial stuff" we covet?

Those speakers are for paupers... The "real" wealthy class members commission the actual musicians to follow them around their houses (and castles) playing live.

J/K (About the "pauper" part of it at least, as I have actually read in Newspaper stories of the extremely wealthy hiring rock bands to play for their special events, etc :eek: ).

How about that system on the main page of AVS today? $200K for cables?!?! Khrist!

I don't understand though... When you have gone that far, why not put Wilson Alexandria's around the entire room, even as a center channel. Don't bother with the Maxx2s in the back and a Watch Center w/ Sub. Make them all Alexandrias and have a recessed acoustically transparent screen that comes down in front of the center channel. He must have run out of scratch after spending so much on the cables, LOL.

I guess if he were really loaded he would have bought a 5 channel system with only Magico Ultimates all around. What a poser... (J/K)

Who call who?

How about that system on the main page of AVS today? $200K for cables?!?! Khrist!

I don't understand though... When you have gone that far, why not put Wilson Alexandria's around the entire room, even as a center channel. Don't bother with the Maxx2s in the back and a Watch Center w/ Sub. Make them all Alexandrias and have a recessed acoustically transparent screen that comes down in front of the center channel. He must have run out of scratch after spending so much on the cables, LOL.

I guess if he were really loaded he would have bought a 5 channel system with only Magico Ultimates all around. What a poser... (J/K)

Interesting that you say that because there is a gentleman here in Silicon valley who has 5 Wilson X-2's each having 2 Halcro DM 68 amps bridged. You do the math

So, anyone planning to upgrade?? SF/Bay area members, they are in your 'hood now!

http://www.magico.net/MAGICO_Ultimate.pdf

My good friend "grellberg" who is an AVSForum member is friends with Alon the owner of Magico. Grellberg has heard the Ultimates in San Francisco in a system owned by an MD who is a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I am unable (for whatever reason) to open that PDF file and perhaps this is the system described.

My good friend "grellberg" who is an AVSForum member is friends with Alon the owner of Magico. Grellberg has heard the Ultimates in San Francisco in a system owned by an MD who is a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I am unable (for whatever reason) to open that PDF file and perhaps this is the system described.
Hi Oneobgyn
The link can be reached on the theabsolutesound.com site under reviews

Yes, Alon frequents the DIY (bass list) on occasion... I very much liked the models he came out with a few years back with the machined aluminum.... I'll have to check that out now that I'll be working in San Fran as of July 9th....

Another new member of BAAS?

omg, those beasts are hideous!!!! i don't even want to ask how many houses they will cost you. btw, i was just thinking that there are quite a few who have systems retailing hundreds of thousands of dollars. wouldn't it be cheaper to rent the musicisans for the rest of their lives and probably end up costing the same? :eek:

btw, i was just thinking that there are quite a few who have systems retailing hundreds of thousands of dollars. wouldn't it be cheaper to rent the musicisans for the rest of their lives and probably end up costing the same? :eek:

You gotta do what you gotta do... sometimes its about owning the best and being able to tweak it to "perfection". The chase is great, too.

If I had the means, I'd have multiple 2ch setups (like 3) each catering to a different mood.

Another new member of BAAS I assume that stands for Bay Area Audio Society? I'd like to know more about what stores to visit also.

omg, those beasts are hideous!!!! i don't even want to ask how many houses they will cost you. btw, i was just thinking that there are quite a few who have systems retailing hundreds of thousands of dollars. wouldn't it be cheaper to rent the musicisans for the rest of their lives and probably end up costing the same? :eek:

Houses?!? Who needs those??? You can sleep inside the speakers! :D

[/QUOTE] btw, i was just thinking that there are quite a few who have systems retailing hundreds of thousands of dollars. wouldn't it be cheaper to rent the musicisans for the rest of their lives and probably end up costing the same? [QUOTE]

Price is not an indication of system performance. You would be surprised how some modest systems can beat by most subjective aspects, many a >$100,000 system. ust for illustration, one of the best systems I have heard is composed of the following Spica TC-50 with Quicksilver monos + SOTA Cosmos _ Audible Illusion Modulus 2…. Belongs to this day basically unchanged to a fellow living in Flushing, NY

It is very difficult to convey into words the experience one derives in term of musical satisfaction from a great system. I am blessed to have a pretty good one and it provides me with immense pleasure whenever I seat down and listen to music. The quest is never ending because you will hear another system that is closer to the real thing and try to get to that level. I was recently floored by a system with Dynaudio Evidence Master. OMG!!! I have heard several great systems amongst them OB’s. There are a few things mine does better than OB’s but overall it is not a contest, my speakers in particular are not at the Wilson X-2 level, I could argue about the electronics where I do believe mine can hold their own but speaker-wise I am not there… The MG 20.1 are incredible speakers but they are not at that level of refinement and fidelity (micro dynamics for example where the X-2 crushes them like you would a cockroach…).. The X-2 play small like a mini-monitor if needs be and a second later lashes a dynamic wave at you that is as much felt as enjoyed…just uncanny or mid-range purity and realism... long list… The X-2 throws music at you in a way that is so startlingly realistic it can make you gasp, same with the Dynaudio Evidence Master by the way, but a different presentation…

I am however suspect of overly complicated system such as the one in the article. I am not saying it is not great but such complicated systems require an extraordinary amount of time to “gel”. They are far from plug-n-play. Often they are demonstrated in less than optimum state and the results can then be quite ordinary.. Moreover they are often not that much better than systems costing a fraction, example, with the price of the Magico speakers all by themselves one can almost get OB’s system ( X-2 + Lamm Amp + Audio Research Ref 3 Preamp + Meitner DAC & Transport + Valhalla Cables) Room treatment will be necessary in both cases so I am just counting components here…
All that aside to tell you that a great system, brings music to your house in an fashion that must be experienced to fully appreciate; The truly great systems sometimes virtually summons great artists or performance to your place… J

Moreover they are often not that much better than systems costing a fraction, example, with the price of the Magico speakers all by themselves one can almost get OB’s system ( X-2 + Lamm Amp + Audio Research Ref 3 Preamp + Meitner DAC & Transport + Valhalla Cables) Room treatment will be necessary in both cases[/QUOTE]
Does the price quoted for the Magico not include all the parts (i.e. including amps and DEQX). If yes, then the are in the same price range, so it will be a question of quality of sound. The Magico would not include the Meitner equip nor the AR Ref 3, but one may argue that as a system it has its advantages. Just some food for thought.

PS I'm not making claims about either speaker since I haven not heard them, I'm just suggesting that someone considering a system in the price range of OB's could reasonably argue that the Magico is a better deal (that is of course, if they sound good, because they sure as 3ell are going to be difficult to hide otherwise).

Houses?!? Who needs those??? You can sleep inside the speakers! :D


haha, reminds me of some shooters i know who buy ferraris, but also sleep in them!!!!

Spica TC-50

I remember those, yes they were impressive sounding...

I remember those, yes they were impressive sounding...
Yes, but limited dynamic range, leading to many driver replacements.

Raul

I doubt the Magico includes amplifiers in the deal... It may well include the DEQX, active crossover. I would still require a good array of amplifiers and associated cables (Both INterconnects and Speakers). This make for a system of bewildering complexity. Flexible? Probably. Complex and difficult to set up? You can bet your hard-earned money on that. This system may be excellent but it is not even for the well-heeled, rather it is for the insanely rich...

I doubt the Magico includes amplifiers in the deal...
That surprises me. They designed it for the speaker, and they seem to loud the values of the speaker as a system. I guess it is just another opportunity for them to make money ;)

Raul

There is nothing wrong with making money... They are not forcing anyone to purchase it..

Their website is poorly designed.. Not much information and difficult navigation. I would be interested in auditioning the "6".. Despite all the positive press their "Mini" remains in my view a mini-monitor.
If one looks at the specs of the "Ultimate" their is a HUGE gap between the efficiency of the horn speaker and the direct radiating woofer 110 dB vs 88 dB... 22 dB!!!

I've heard the system, it is a RH describes-just insanely great.

Magico did not design the amps.

There are two systems up and running in the Bay area, very different implementation-one has a digital crossover, the other tube.

Getting a system like this to perform at the level it is capable of is tough,
just like tuning an F1 car. But the SF system is amazingly quiet-an achievement given its efficiency, and integrates very well.

Frantz, definitely find 6's to audition. As Goodwin's will tell you, they are extremely competitive with other ultra high end offerings.

Wow, I'm defintely looking forward to being out in San Francisco.... Can't wait!! I'll have to inquire more about the BAAS , stores, etc... when I get there July 9th...

Maybe you can join us at OB's.
I'm trying to get some nice cheap Nordost cables to try.

Lots of great systems and camaraderie with the BAAS.

Sounds good. I would like to get the contact information when you get a chance. I'm starting at Stanford on Monday July 9th... I'll be out the weekend before. If you could PM some info when you get a chance that would be great... Would love to visit Alon's place sometime as well... There was a pair of alumimum speakers from about 4 years back that were very interesting as well. I think they used the Aura NRS 15" bass drivers...

Wow! Hey, I just left Stanford for Texas. So it's like a clean swap. The more BA(D)AS changes, the more it stays the same.

Too bad we didn't overlap, it would have been nice to meet you, and we could have toasted our mutual 'friend' Adrian Alexander :)

Yes I remember your AVS Location being Menlo Park not too long ago... I worked at Stanford in Jan and Feb but had to come back to D.C. for a few months...

Adrian, wow, it has been a while. Yes, I got stiffed for a Meridian 800 and a Faroudja processor... Wish I would have seen that coming... I hope you didn't lose too much from him.

I hope Georgetown TX is treating you well!!!

grellberg, didn't you show us a photo (on your cell phone) of these speakers at the Chinese restaurant before the BAAS meeting at your house over a year ago?

I am however suspect of overly complicated system such as the one in the article. I am not saying it is not great but such complicated systems require an extraordinary amount of time to “gel”. They are far from plug-n-play. Often they are demonstrated in less than optimum state and the results can then be quite ordinary.

I have a system that is probably more complicated than this one in a Rube Goldberg way with a surround system, six SET amplifiers, 8.2 speakers, 300B's used on the surrounds etc., tube buffers, four way active crossovers for the front three speakers, it is just ridiculous and looks kind of ridiculous, with components hanging out everywhere. Turning it on is like a NASA launch sequence, it would probably take an experienced audiophile a while just to figure out how to turn everything on.
I can remove any of the layers in less in a minute and reduce it to single panel, single source, single amp and sometimes I listen that way, but each layer of complexity adds something I want and like, so the whole system is better than any of its parts. Complexity is never better, except when it is. Simplicity is always better, except when it isn't. Admittedly, it reflects my own audio perversities, but it also really sounds good that way.

I've heard the system, it is a RH describes-just insanely great.

Magico did not design the amps.

There are two systems up and running in the Bay area, very different implementation-one has a digital crossover, the other tube.

Getting a system like this to perform at the level it is capable of is tough,
just like tuning an F1 car. But the SF system is amazingly quiet-an achievement given its efficiency, and integrates very well.

Frantz, definitely find 6's to audition. As Goodwin's will tell you, they are extremely competitive with other ultra high end offerings.

You offered sometime to bring Alon over to your place with some Magico speakers for a BADAS gathering. It might be even more intriguing if Alon could give BADAS a tour of some of his bay area installations if the owners were cool with that.

Are you teaching at Stanford or starting a program there?

Teaching and working (neuroradiology/radiology)...

ah. my hospital is across the street.

Hope to meet you at a meeting at one of the great homes in the group

I look forward to it! I have the contact info, so I'm sure I'll see you soon...

Next BAAS meeting to be at my house with grellberg arranging for the Nordost Odin Supreme speaker cables and interconnects

Bring women or leave them at home?

How many do you have? ;)

Bring women or leave them at home?

so far, just a guy thing

HealthNut,
I bought my Talon Khorus speakers through Adrian through your connection. At least I got my speakers. I am also a member of BADAS (and the other BAAS as well), and an MD on clinical faculty at Stanford- looking forward to meeting you.

Sounds great!

How many do you have?

enough to have a Ron Party :)

Sounds great!



enough to have a Ron Party :)

:D

As soon as grellberg gets the Odin Supreme cables, I will announce when the BAAS meeting will take place

Hi

I will try to be at that BAAS meeting... I do not mind the presence of the feminine gent by the way. They tend to have better ears than we do...

They tend to have better ears than we do...

That's the reason why it's a guy event :o

Can I bring my Rat Shack zip cord for comparison?

Can I bring my Rat Shack zip cord for comparison?

strictly Valhalla vs Odin for now.

...looks kind of ridiculous...

cjfrbw, I thought your wonderful system of tubes was one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced!

we need to have a meeting at Carl's house in the future.

Thank you for the compliment, John. Any member is welcome to come over to listen. My listening room is somewhat near field and crowded with other stuff and doesn't accommodate more than two listeners at a time in the "Sweet Zone". It is probably more suitable as a "side trip" from the main event for that reason. I wouldn't want to force people to hang around outside the room or to the sides waiting to listen. The spacious rooms and layouts of oneobgyn, tzucc and grellberg can seat much larger groups.

How does the Ultimate sound ??

That a speaker, can it disappear ??

Any word on a BAAS get together? I've been dealing with the unpacking the last couple months. Putting up the home theater is also a major undertaking every time... At least this house has a 26x 16' dedicated room for it...

kind of small for your system Chris

Any word on a BAAS get together?

I'm having someone over Wed evening for a private listen if you are interested

I'm looking forward to getting situated and eventually buying a house. I'm also looking forward to seeing all of your setups... Probably need a couple more weeks to get situated though... Look forward to getting together at some point though...