Grandinote Mach 8 XL vs Mach 9 speakers

[abeidrov]

I think it’s the 845 version, will check this evening when I get it. I was told it could be connected to a preamp. That’s a good thing as I really would like to keep CHP L1 in the chain.

 

[abeidrov]

What are the thoughts about AC Genus vs Jadis SE 845? Jadis will be the next amp I’ll try. Another thing: Jadis has RCA inputs and CHP L1 reverses polarity on RCA outputs according to the measurements section of the L1 review done by Stereophile. Maybe CHP corrected this bug since the review?

 

[morricab]

What are the thoughts about AC Genus vs Jadis SE 845? Jadis will be the next amp I’ll try. Another thing: Jadis has RCA inputs and CHP L1 reverses polarity on RCA outputs according to the measurements section of the L1 review done by Stereophile. Maybe CHP corrected this bug since the review?

Never heard that particular Jadis amp.You can just reverse + and - at the amp to correct polarity.

 

[abeidrov]

They imaged great in Munich with essentially no toe-in. Really curious to hear your thoughts on the Genus. Do you know if it’s an 813 or 845 output tube version?

It’s an 813 tube version. Beautiful sound)

 

[morricab]

It’s an 813 tube version. Beautiful sound)

That is the one I had…now have a Protos in my main system.

 

[Hi Notes]

Grandinote dealer here. If you do not like the Grandinote amps (I do!), and prefer a SE solution, the Thoress EHT would be an option. It is a lovely amp.

 

[morricab]

It’s an 813 tube version. Beautiful sound)

Any further thoughts?

 

[abeidrov]

I haven’t had time to give it a good listen yet. Do you have any advice to the bias adjustment to change the sound. Shall I start with adjusting bias of the input tubes first, then the output ones? How does it change the sound?

 

[morricab]

I haven’t had time to give it a good listen yet. Do you have any advice to the bias adjustment to change the sound. Shall I start with adjusting bias of the input tubes first, then the output ones? How does it change the sound?

It will change the sound quite a lot but I found the recommended factory settings were the best.

 

[doug s.]

I have an opportunity to audition either Mach 8 XL or Mach 9 speakers in my living space. Mach 8 XL is probably a more interesting choice: newer and slightly bigger model plus a horn-loaded twitter. Since I am still dreaming about Anantgarde Duo SD, I’m excited about anything related to horns
I wonder if anyone on the forum has heard both Grandinote speakers or maybe happens to own one? How do they compare?

Not sure how much help this will be, but i heard the mach 8xl's at last year's caf, in a hotel room setup, and everything about them was fantastic. I'd love to hear a pair in my 26x38x8.5 room, crossed to my sub setup. Not that any low end was deficient, but my room, opening up to other spaces, means about 20k cuft. And my experience has been that hi-passing any speakers whose woofers play >200hz improves their sound, as their amp(s) and drivers don't see the lowest frequencies. These are way above my budget, even used, so it's unlikely it will ever happen. (I'd also love to audition horning eufrodites or agalmas in my room, based on hearing eufrodites at a caf show a few years ago; again not likely to happen).

Don't get me wrong; i love my present setup, but i like hearing different presentations. I don't think i could significantly improve what I have now, even with unlimited funds. It's an active 4-way horn based system. I've seen a pair of speaker cables that cost more than what I spent for my system. (mostly purchased used, admittedly. )
doug s.

 

[bonzo75]

Not sure how much help this will be, but i heard the mach 8xl's at last year's caf, in a hotel room setup, and everything about them was fantastic. I'd love to hear a pair in my 26x38x8.5 room, crossed to my sub setup. Not that any low end was deficient, but my room, opening up to other spaces, means about 20k cuft. And my experience has been that hi-passing any speakers whose woofers play >200hz improves their sound, as their amp(s) and drivers don't see the lowest frequencies. These are way above my budget, even used, so it's unlikely it will ever happen. (I'd also love to audition horning eufrodites or agalmas in my room, based on hearing eufrodites at a caf show a few years ago; again not likely to happen).

Don't get me wrong; i love my present setup, but i like hearing different presentations. I don't think i could significantly improve what I have now, even with unlimited funds. It's an active 4-way horn based system. I've seen a pair of speaker cables that cost more than what I spent for my system. (mostly purchased used, admittedly. )View attachment 159071
doug s.

I like the way you have placed pots and plants around. Improves WAF.

Does the parrot squawk when you play bad recordings or music, and sing otherwise?

What are the details of the two speakers you have there?

 

[Hi Notes]

I have an opportunity to audition either Mach 8 XL or Mach 9 speakers in my living space. Mach 8 XL is probably a more interesting choice: newer and slightly bigger model plus a horn-loaded twitter. Since I am still dreaming about Anantgarde Duo SD, I’m excited about anything related to horns
I wonder if anyone on the forum has heard both Grandinote speakers or maybe happens to own one? How do they compare?

Hello, just seeing this thread. The Mach 8XL represents Max's latest thinking on speakers. The 8 XL is slightly less efficient than the Mach 9, but has increased bass extension. Both would make an excellent choice, but I would go with the 8XL.

 

[abeidrov]

Still playing with toe in and bias. I’ve put my Transparent SC back, and it’s much better than the cheapo professional cables. So, it was definitely an amp mismatch, not cables.
One strange thing: the manual states that the bias range for E280F tubes is 200 - 280 and the recommended setting is 245, but the maximum I can reach on the left tube is 235 and 225 on the right one. I wonder if the tubes are OK.

 

[morricab]

Still playing with toe in and bias. I’ve put my Transparent SC back, and it’s much better than the cheapo professional cables. So, it was definitely an amp mismatch, not cables.
One strange thing: the manual states that the bias range for E280F tubes is 200 - 280 and the recommended setting is 245, but the maximum I can reach on the left tube is 235 and 225 on the right one. I wonder if the tubes are OK.

Not all tubes can cover the whole range. I would just leave them where they are as that is close to the factory setting. Did you get any other input tubes to swap? Ask the dealer for some others if not. I never found the amp to sound its best at the upper end of the range. I usually kept mine between 230 and 250. I am glad you got the 813 version, IMO, this is the most correct sounding version as the 813 is a more linear tube (wired in triode) than an 845, even though the 845 is a true triode.

 

[abeidrov]

 

[abeidrov]

 

[abeidrov]

 

[morricab]

Sounds pretty awesome

 

[abeidrov]

 

[morricab]

Pretty stark difference...