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some time has passed

108.29.158.46
Posted on October 4, 2015 at 12:46:45
bullethead
A few years has passed since getting MMGs and trying to be quote unquote minimal in the setup, this picture was about 5 years ago or so (below)



this is the most current system picture, I went from 1 DAC to 3, from two sources to many, much more equipment, and what I consider better speakers and cables.



I had to edit the picture because the room is extremely dark, so please excuse the up to date picture, that's the best I can do.

 

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*Definitely* better speakers..., posted on October 4, 2015 at 15:02:35
rlw
Audiophile

Posts: 3347
Location: Near West Palm Bch, FL
Joined: August 29, 2006
 The Gallo Ref. 3.5s (and the 3.1s that I have) are superior to the Maggies, IMHO of course....

-RW-

 

I just wish they would "wake up" at lower volumes, posted on October 4, 2015 at 15:22:26
bullethead
 I tend to play very low volume, the ref's need some power to awaken.

that's about the only complaint I have about them.

 

Nice set up, posted on October 4, 2015 at 16:59:16
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8487
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 I just sent a pair of MMGs back near the end of the 60 day trial. I had them set up with my M&K sub. They sounded nice, but not good enough to stay as my second set of speakers.

I am happy with my front end and have been looking for a second set of speakers with a very different presentation to swap with my ProAcs periodically. I am thinking about trying Ohm Walsh speakers.

What are the speakers on stands against the wall in the pic with the Maggies?
Gsquared

 

RE: Nice set up, posted on October 4, 2015 at 20:01:25
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8385
Joined: June 3, 2006
 If I may, they look like Harbeths.

Cheers
Bill

 

Thanks, posted on October 5, 2015 at 05:28:20
bullethead
 Thanks. The speakers on stands are Harbeth. Interesting you mention ProAc. I might be looking into them soon.

The MMG is a nice technology demo, although I haven't tried anything else in the Magnepan line I would expect the bigger the better.

 

RE: Thanks, posted on October 5, 2015 at 05:41:17
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15519
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 feel free to take more pics for your room + system.

 

RE: I just wish they would "wake up" at lower volumes, posted on October 5, 2015 at 06:57:38
Inmate51
 I don't mean to be a party pooper, but it could be that you amp doesn't perform well at low levels, or that there isn't a good match between outputs and inputs somewhere in the system. "Synergy" isn't just a word, it's reality. When there's synergy, the magic happens. When there isn't, it doesn't.

On the other hand, maybe you just need to use some EQ. Our ears are MUCH less sensitive to low frequencies AND high frequencies at low volume levels. Turn up the bass (a lot) and turn up the treble (a little) - you might find that it sounds much better. Google "Fletcher-Munson equal loudness contours".

I know, I know. Audiophiles have an aversion to tone controls. But that's their problem, not mine.

:)

 

The room looks rather dusty. (nt, posted on October 5, 2015 at 07:01:59
genungo
 Smoker?

 

RE: The room looks rather dusty. (nt, posted on October 5, 2015 at 07:06:57
Inmate51
 That's not dust. It's "grain".

Gluten-free grain.

:)

 

RE: The room looks rather dusty. , posted on October 5, 2015 at 07:38:35
genungo
 How can you tell that the grain is gluten-free? Looks more like premium organic stone-ground to me.

 

You're right. Gallos are like that., posted on October 5, 2015 at 08:00:06
Dave Pogue
Audiophile

Posts: 11689
Location: DC Area
Joined: October 9, 2001
 I've had virtually all the models up to (but not including) the 3.5s. They do need power/volume to wake up.

 

RE: The room looks rather dusty. , posted on October 5, 2015 at 08:33:21
Inmate51
 All photographic grain is gluten-free. Didn't you learn that in chemistry class?

On the other hand, it's loaded with chemicals.

:)

 

RE: I just wish they would "wake up" at lower volumes, posted on October 5, 2015 at 09:43:54
A.Wayne
Audiophile

Posts: 2527
Location: Front row center
Joined: November 30, 2011
 Not suprised , a friend had a Pr , did nothing for us at low or high levels, has a good tweeter thou ...


Regards..

 

It took me a LOT of work, and the pairing of the right amps to awaken mine..., posted on October 5, 2015 at 10:47:01
David S.
Audiophile

Posts: 3552
Location: Mountains of WNC
Joined: August 31, 2000
 Used an Innersound ESL-300 amp playing a recording of a helicopter landing at nearly live volume (beneath MANY blankets) to break them in.

Still wasn't "thrilled" with my Gallo Nucleus 3s (late 3s - just before 3.1).

Finally put them in the right space, and driven by VTL Deluxe 120 mono amps (807 output tubes) - and they SHINE.

Before that? I slagged Gallo up & down. Would probably still slag them for not supporting owners of early Nuc Ref editions that have problems with CDT tweeters and/or Dynaudio drivers.

 

RE: The room looks rather dusty. , posted on October 5, 2015 at 12:18:00
Utley1
Audiophile

Posts: 1609
Location: NYC
Joined: July 30, 2010
 You landed on a Stanley Kubrick planet in the movie "2001" SPACE ODYESSY
WHAT IS LIKE UP THERE.

 

A question for you, BH..., posted on October 5, 2015 at 12:59:22
rlw
Audiophile

Posts: 3347
Location: Near West Palm Bch, FL
Joined: August 29, 2006
 Are you powering the 2nd voice coils on your 3.5s? I am driving my 2nd voice coils with a pair of 300 watt amps and it definitely helps the bottom end.

Also, I have a separate input setting on my Emo XMC-1 prepro that uses its 11 band parametric EQs to boost the bottom end by 3-6 db and the top end by 2-3 db. I use this input when I expect to be listening late at night at lower volumes. It works a treat to "wake 'em up", perhaps you could try something similar??
-RW-

 

RE: A question for you, BH..., posted on October 5, 2015 at 14:27:20
bullethead
 I haven't powered the 2nd voice coil or tried to. It sounds pretty good without it. I might try to do a software EQ to see if that helps at low volumes . thanks for the idea. I am usually a purist but it couldn't hurt to try.

 

You really should try it..., posted on October 5, 2015 at 14:34:46
rlw
Audiophile

Posts: 3347
Location: Near West Palm Bch, FL
Joined: August 29, 2006
 There is nothing "non-purst" about using all the capabilities of your speakers. As you probably know, you -3db down point will improve from ~35Hz to ~22Hz, a pretty big improvement. You simply need 2 more channels of amplification, a pair of speaker cables, and a crossover to channel the lowest octaves to the extra amps.

I did this about a year ago, after having the speakers for 6 years, and I really wish I had done it sooner, there is no downside to this tweak...

-RW-

 

RE: You really should try it..., posted on October 5, 2015 at 14:45:55
bullethead
 I was referring to the EQ and purism. I would think about adding an extra amp to fully get what the Ref are capable of to be a good idea. Money is stopping me (or lack of right now), that seems like it would do wonders going down to 22, I might ask some questions about that when the time comes.

In terms of the EQ, I use a modified sonos connect with upgraded digital outs and a low noise power supply, I will fiddle with the Sonos EQ tonight if I have a chance. That seems interesting.

At pretty decent levels the Ref 3.5 literally blow my mind. I think I will give the EQ a shot for nighttime listening. Also noticed at really high levels where the frames of my house vibrate the Gallos are top notch so I am keeping them for awhile, so a second amplifier for the 2nd voice coil on the woofer component might be an upgrade looking into.

Thanks again for the EQ idea.

 

I Grok That ..., posted on October 5, 2015 at 14:49:40
danlaudionut
Audiophile

Posts: 5480
Location: Schenectady
Joined: June 6, 2002
 Sorry wrong Sci-Fi fantasy.

DanL



 

RE: "I went from 1 DAC to 3", posted on October 5, 2015 at 14:55:21
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 Hope those DACs use expensive DAC chips! ;-)






First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: "I went from 1 DAC to 3", posted on October 5, 2015 at 15:00:00
bullethead
 The Yaqin uses one which I don't know what it is and it sounds glorious. Probably under $20 for the chip though ;)

 

RE: I just wish they would "wake up" at lower volumes, posted on October 5, 2015 at 15:58:32
bullethead
 well my right eardrum is shot after getting pierced to remove fluid, so what I did was add the EQ little bass and much more treble and it made a world of difference.

 

I use Pure Music it has EQ Plug Ins, posted on October 5, 2015 at 17:05:31
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8487
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 That let you have several parametric eqs or a "graphic" EQ.

I use the parametric EQ plug ins to "help" bad recordings and do low level listening loudness compensation. I have not noticed any negative impact o the SQ. It is fun to fiddle with as well.
Gsquared

 

RE: I use Pure Music it has EQ Plug Ins, posted on October 5, 2015 at 17:14:49
bullethead
 thanks but for PC I use Linux only, I will continue to fiddle.... :)

 

RE: "I went from 1 DAC to 3", posted on October 5, 2015 at 17:25:47
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 Heck, the whole piece of gear is hardly $20, let alone the chip...

Link below:


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

There must be something similar in Linux-ware nt , posted on October 5, 2015 at 17:31:57
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8487
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 nt
Gsquared

 

RE: "'Synergy' isn't just a word, it's reality.", posted on October 5, 2015 at 17:58:57
genungo
 Hmmmmm, I'm not sure I agree with that statement.

 

RE: Dust?, posted on October 5, 2015 at 19:09:45
genungo
 No.

 

RE: Dust?, posted on October 5, 2015 at 19:46:44
Utley1
Audiophile

Posts: 1609
Location: NYC
Joined: July 30, 2010
 Thanks.But think of the black Obelisks ssittingon the moon . Nevertheless I prefer your room to his.

 

RE: "I went from 1 DAC to 3", posted on October 6, 2015 at 16:09:11
bullethead
 your current choice of DAC got nothing on the Yaqin. Why not get one if it so cheap in your mind? I'll take your digital observations seriously at that point.

:)

 

RE: Cheap Chinese DACs..., posted on October 6, 2015 at 16:29:24
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 Audio-gd Master 11.

Should be here in a couple weeks, that is if they can find a few more cheap DAC chips (PCM1704U-K) to stick in it.

Speaking of which (cheap Chinese gear) my LITE Audio DIY tube preamp is still doing fine as well.






First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

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