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Re: how was RGA's monday listening session ?

Posted by RGA (R) on August 24, 2004 at 18:55:51

In Reply to: how was RGA's monday listening session ? posted by watts on August 24, 2004 at 10:45:34:

Actually I had to move it to today. I had difficulties getting where I wanted quickly using the transportation service and both stereo places were either renovating rooms or unpacking newly shipped items so dissapointingly I couldn't listen to specific models I wanted to listen to. I know someone was hoping for me to listen to PMC - the first place I went to had them but not connected - so I figured I would just wait toill I got to Commercial Electronics(the second store who has carried PMC for years - I go there and no PMC? WTF!! They had JM Labs and ML - but expanded their Bang and Oluffson Room which seems to take up half the store.

The forst place was Sound Plus and they carry Linn, Dynaudio, PMC, Mirage, Magnepan, Wilson. But here they were renovating the top floor - I did manage to listen to the Dynaudio 42 - I had a long listen to the 52 previously the 42 less so but this time I had more time - very nice speaker packs a good wollop and quite an open sound - The amplification cd player was allin one Linn(strange little unit with difficult front panel controls - neverless the sound was quie excellent. For what it's worth I far more enjoyed these speakers than I did the far more expensive B&W 705/Bryston 4BSST/.5 combo. Dynaudio consistantly shows me they are fast becoming IMO of course the best of the big brand speaker makers by a pretty wide margin.

I had to listen to Wilson because I have never heard them...and with a $34,000 Front end of Mark Levinson cd player and preamp with a massive Krell power amplifier in a well sound proofed room the Sophia's were quite impressive.

I have heard mixed things from people on Wilson speakers - and no they are not perfect - and considering the price of this total system I'm not sure I would be convinced to take it over what I have at far less cost(and far less impressive box sizes)...nevertheless what I really liked about the set-up was that it kept me wanting to try out another disc rather than leave irritated or bored. I kept thinking yes that is an actual instrument a piano that doesn't sound like it's straining or pingy or thin. I get the sense the speaker or system was on the dark side a bit - which is better than the reverse. Insome ways it reminded me of a bigger bass version of the Reference 3a MM De Capo but with a smoother top end than the De Capo and not quite as recessed a soundstage - I don't know the price of the Sophia but it's sure to be considerably more than the De Capo so depending your view this is either a big compliment to Reference 3a or a bit of hit on the Sophia.

I like the Sophia - a bit dark but a big robust sound - strong vocals and decay - takes a bit to get used to after my own speakers. I get the sense the top end is a bit less open in the treble region and despite the subwoofer bottom section I don't get the sense it present more bass depth.

I am of the belief a speaker should be able to do reasonably good justice to ALL kinds of music - if it can't do Aerosmith plausibly what makes one think it can do classical plausibly? Well the Wilson can - from operatic vocals or Avril Levigne rocker music to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata - something that stunk on the Paradigm Reference 100V3 and the B&W 705. The only discs that seemed to give the Wilson's trouble was the very fast fiddle work of Leahy(My personal speaker killer disc almost no system does right) - and a Rory Block disc that seemed a bit hollow.

I'd have to know what the speaker costs before I can say whether I would be totally in favour of them but regardless of cost they were highly engaging. What is the point in spending $2400.00 Cdn and $2700.00CDN on the totally unengaging uninteresting hollow and thin lacking bass and dynamics of the B&W 705 or Paradigm 100V3 when one can buy speakers with these kinds of traits for $499. As usual it's not about price it's about value and the Dane 42 which I am guessing is around $1300.00CDN seemed to have what people I presume call PRAT in a greater degree - sure it can't play too loud and sure it isn't going to hit the lowest octaves - but it seemed nimble and interesting to listen to.

I am going on Wednesday and will try to listen to some others I would like to hear Audio Note's AX Two standmount which is cheaper than the Dane 42 by a considerable margin I think ~$700.00Cdn and Linn's speakers seem to number highly.

Sorry about PMC it could not be done - I am glad they finally come in something other than Black though. I would suggest though to those _$1200-$2000.00 price range to definitely try the 42 and the 52(which I still like better) these I think would be tough to beat in this class.

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Schiit Audio

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