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Apologies up front for not providing these impressions earlier, but between film related business with Morganville promotion and various tube rolling experiments (...every change matters) it's been difficult finding the time to put my thoughts down. Also, before I get started, please forgive any overlap from my prior observations.First and foremost I love these speakers. That probably isn't surprising, but keep in mind that my music tastes aren't typical of the average Maggie owner. I'll admit it, I'm a rockaholic (I should be getting my 50 year chip any day now). While I'm also moved by classical, jazz, folk and acoustic guitar, most of my preferences are guitar based classic rock. I'm less inclined to listen to female vocalists ...unless you consider early Rush in the same category (sorry Geddy).
The oft-asked question: Can Maggies satisfy the die-hard rock lover?
FTR, emphatically and without reservation, YES, ...because I'm that guy. The things I find most important in music, visceral presence, depth, timing, inner detail and mid-bass clarity are all present in my Maggies. To produce the added slam for bass-heavy rock, the forward firing, sealed enclosure Hsu Research ULS-15 centered between the Magnepans provides an excellent match for augmenting the lowest octave (the sub's by-passable crossover set between 40-45hz, volume adjusted according to the individual recording & room size).
The 3.7i mid-range and treble are sweet (mine have been breaking in for about 8 months), but I've discovered that speaker positioning, while important, isn't as critical to the overall presentation as the Wizard behind the curtain (the tubes feeding them). My upstream source is tube modded (ModWright OPPO-95 with Shuguang 50 year Treasures CV181-Z) with old school pre-amplification provided via Audible Illusions Modulus L3B line stage (w/NOS Russian mil. tubes) into the Sanders MagTech and Hsu sub. Many thanks for the Sanders recommendation. It effortlessly drives the 3.7i in my relatively large listening room with vaulted ceiling (approx. 22' X 22' X 20').
Early on I had to position the Maggies slightly outside of their ideal listening set-up to accommodate the viewing cone of a new 100" Supernova screen (mounted on a sliding rail so that I could maneuver it to the back wall for unobstructed listening). Surprisingly, the concessions made didn't impact critical listening from the sweet spot as much as I thought it would. In fact, instrument separation improved significantly without sucking out the middle, the wider soundstage compensated for by slightly increasing toe-in.
Music listening impressions: For starters, the Magtech sample disc was quite useful for testing various styles of music, many of which aren't normally in my wheelhouse. On these, I expected above average performance and received it in spades. The ultimate test came when listening to familiar music, especially music where prior speakers failed to provide the visceral realism associated with the perception of a live concert or well produced studio recording. BTW, none of my music is on vinyl.
Sampling of great rock recordings newly appreciated through Maggies: Rush s/t, Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, 2112 (Anthem CDs, 80's) Allman Brothers Fillmore Concerts (SACD), Supertramp Breakfast In America (SHM-SACD), Jimi Hendrix Rainbow Bridge (CD), Black Sabbath Paranoid & Master of Reality (SHM-SACD), The Who Tommy & Who's Next (SHM-SACD), Robin Trower State To State live (CD), Captain Beyond (CD), UFO - BBC the Archive Series: In Session And Live In Concert (CD), Led Zeppelin II (CD remaster)
On music that isn't heavy rock, my new Maggies generated the kind of personal warmth and intimacy that make familiar acoustic guitar, orchestral & jazz infinitely more enjoyable. For instance, the California Guitar Trio (most all of their CDs, studio & live), Living Stereo recordings (SACD), Dave Brubeck Quartet (SACD). I could go on and on, but I'm sure you've heard all of this before from other first timers thrilled with experiencing new Maggies.
I'm in the process of rolling different rectifier tubes in my ModWright PS 9.0 from stock and I'm reaping more benefits. Like I said before everything makes a difference. Tube changes improve the sound of some recordings more than others because of the manner in which the music was recorded, but when clearly everything falls into place it's possible to see deeper into each recording. That's what the journey is all about, is it not?
Cheers,
AuPh
Edits: 02/02/15Follow Ups:
AuPh...
I think you pretty much nailed it...glad the Magtech is working out for you...it is kind-of a special amp...other than very neutral, it is hard to describe the "sound" of the Magtech...
I turned 51 this year, so I feel-ya...I too am a bit of a rocker...and other than bass hitting you in the chest...I really like them for rock...
I am a fan of WELL recorded drums...
Steve Lillywhite is a master, IMHO, of producing excellent drum sounds...(see link at the bottom)...to many to list, but here are a few...
U2, War..."Like a Song"...the snare drum sounds like a gun-shot...and an un-dampened bass drum on "Seconds"...(the garage band from garage land)...the whole album is ruff and raw...Edge's guitar solo in New Year's Day...sounds like bombs dropping in flight...
Big Country, "In a Big Country"
Simple Minds...anything in the 80's
Dave Mathews Band, Crash...track 6, starts with drum solo...perfectly panned kit...one of my references when listening to any changes...he has done 4 of the DMB albums...
The Police...Hugh Padgham producer, "One World", my all time fav recorded drum performance...Sting takes the leash off Stewart Copeland and he just cuts loose...he beats the $hit out of that little jazz kit...that 18" bass drum, sounds like a floor tom...punchy...punchy...punchy...
Rush, Moving Pictures...Neil's MONSTER kit is a runaway train...
Many of mid 70's recordings, WHEN EVERYTHING WAS OVER-DAMPENED, and drums sounded like cardboard boxes stuffed with foam peanuts...close mike-ed in a marshmallow room...lots of good music and bad drums...IMHO...
Anyways I digress...Happy everything is working out for you...I still use my goose-bump meter the most...when the rig is right...the emotional connection to the music comes through...I am no longer listening...I am enjoying...from your review sounds like you found that place...
Congrats...
Take care
Mark
Thanks, Mark. Undoubtably my report is full of oversights (even with the edit). I put my thoughts together late at night. One thing I left out is that I'm rolling tubes in my ModWright PS 9.0 (power supply), changing my NOS 5AR4 for a Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube that Kevin Deal claims will make an even more dramatic improvement in the overall presentation.
I'm elated with my experiences thus far. Early on it became clear that rolling certain combinations of tubes provided dramatic changes to soundstage width, depth, voicing and top to bottom cohesiveness, more so with the Maggies than my previous speakers. Given that spiked Mye stands support these statuesque beauties the idea of fine tuning the sound by moving tubes around instead of the speakers is quite appealing (grin).
I recommend spending about $100 for these 55 Classical Music discs, http://tinyurl.com/m3qyj2d (Mercury Living Presence "2"), if you can tolerate listening to classical music. It might possibly offer an additional opinion concerning Magnepan's 3.X's offerings.
It's easy spending your money. IAE after it goes o/p, you'd be able to earn a nice profit.
I do enjoy classical and have a fair sized collection of Living Stereo SACDs. Some of my faves are the Rimsky-Koprsakov Scheherazade (Fritz Reiner cond.), Ravel Bolero (Charles Munch cond.), Rhapsody in Blue (Arthur Fiedler cond.). I failed to mention the Decca gold CD of Holst Planets (Zubin Mehta cond.) or Danny Elfman's quirky Serenada Schizophrana, which will be next up on the OPPO.
Those suggestions look like a huge bargain and the Amazon customer reviews testify to the quality. Much appreciated, Norman!
Cheers,
AuPh
I was pleased to read your reply, particularly because you have an affinity for classical music, which is kinda rare these days partly I think because folks have lots to do (including tweaking their systems!)therefore having little patience to listen to longer works, wanting shorter 'tunes'.
(Danny Elfman's Serenada Schizophrana, is new to me, but having listened to clips and read about it at allmusic.com, I just ordered an unused new copy from Amazon.com for only $10.50 including shipping).
Likewise, "much appreciated"
Norman
I'd love to hear a modded Oppo. It along with the AI preamp (I've must've owned 3-4 over the years) looks like a great match.You also have
greatincredible taste in musicI bet hearing the bells on the opening of Jimi's "Hey Baby" must sound incredible through the true ribbon (I recall being floor hearing it for the first time on my old MG1.6s :)
I spent many a lazy Summer in my teens listening to Rainbow bridge through my dad's motorola console (complete with 8-track of course!).
I need to explore some classic rock on my system as well..again great review!
Edits: 02/02/15
Before auditioning a pair of 3.7i, I'd almost reached a point of indifference to music listening. My Gallo Ref. III speakers failed to satisfy in the larger room environment leaving me disinterested. Not a problem with the Maggies when combined with clean amplification and good tube gear upstream. I'm definitely a happy camper!
Hey Baby is the perfect album closer for RB. Every tune sounds meatier than previous EH releases and the best mastering of Dolly Dagger I've heard since the Reprise 45. I'd rate the SONY/Legacy Bernie Grundman master of Rainbow Bridge as excellent (warm, open; not brick-walled). CDs may be a little long of tooth, but it's nice to know some folks in the industry are finally "getting it."
Thanks for the nice comments.
Cheers,
AuPh
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