Agreed. I have witnessed a friend auditioning a number of preamp/amp combos, where the preamp was a different brand than the amp, and the results were sometimes head-scratching.
Magico M7 2023
- Thread starter CKKeung
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Agreed. I have witnessed a friend auditioning a number of preamp/amp combos, where the preamp was a different brand than the amp, and the results were sometimes head-scratching.
Vitus can make fantastic power amp ss103, but not necessarily the case for sl103, I just don’t like it. Also I love my 808, but I’m not big fan of their amps. pilium combo is not my cup of tea, but with 808 I can accept the amp bit more. You see, I don’t believe the same brand amp/pre synergy. Most of them can do one thing well (or up to my taste), doesn’t mean they can the other components the same level.
Hi Worldtime,
First of all, you have a remarkable system! I am digital only but certainly recognize some of the beautiful pieces you have in analog. And have heard the rare Emm MTRX monos (with AG Trio G3s with dual bass horns, subject to a little more investigation, one of my top 2 or 3 favorite speakers of all time).
Second, I can only speak to my own experience...but it appears I agree with you on preamp and amp. Going back to 2008, I owned CJ preamps and Gryphon amps. I really like CJ preamps and have always liked the big Gryphon amps...and believe that these pieces are what each designer does particularly well. It culminated in the CJ GAT 2 and Gryphon Mephiso...and the combination [for me] was magic.
It is only after 15 years or so, that we moved from CJ preamps to Robert Koda...and THAT move inspired me to explore the Robert Koda amps. And so for only the second time since 2007, we are back to a single designer of preamp and amp.
The new EmmLabs amp are just fantastic, I always say if anyone loves tube amp and want to change to transistor models, I would suggest to try mtrs and vitus s103 first. I feel they both have magic of both worlds, but mtrs just can deliver bass that vitus can’t do and vitus has such beautiful tonality that is so seductive.
I don’t know why but I feel EmmLabs power amp is very under exposed to audiophiles. Many people only knew EmmLabs with their digital things, I’m guilty for this before I tried mtrs
Hi, LL21
Thank you for your comments. I do believe there should be someone can make both fantastic pre/power, it’s just I personally haven’t found yet. I’m very lack of experience of all these boutique brands such as Robert Koda, dartzeel….maybe because I always worried about long term service of this kind “one man show”. But in my heart I’m very interested in how their gears sound. Maybe one day.
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
I think there are brands that excel at both however I do agree that isn't universally true. It is also true that even if they do produce both the amplifier probably will not be universally compatible with the total variety of speakers. When it comes to big amps IMO they vary wildly in SQ. Some are really good and others aren't and a real reference caliber speaker will expose them quickly. I think there are many that look for gear that covers the weaknesses first and corrects ( or attempts to correct) the obvious issues in their systems. IMO this is a major reason in the diversity of opinion that we see for many products. A topic perhaps for an additional thread.
I have heard a wide variety of electronics on our speakers and I can say that I prefer SS and Hybrids on them compared to the tube devices that I have experienced with them. ( amps )
At the install with the M7 the difference was huge, both for me ( that of course has nothing to do with the important person my client) and my client who loves the result.
I'd love for him to hear the EMM but since he has purchased the Relentless that probably will never occur and I am not planning on suggesting It
Agreed, there are those audiophiles who want to mask problems, and there are those who want to solve problems. The latter approach is much more difficult, but the results are more rewarding.
I do agree. Also it is very personal to say which amp or pre is fantastic, because after certain level I think its just pure acoustic aesthetic topic. For example, how I define a magical equipment is what I see from the sound it adds to the chain, because Im a synesthesia, more precisely a chromesthesia type which links sound and visual (colors, shapes, textures, mostly abstract ...).
So some gears give me sensational colors and textures, and some are kinda pale and plain. Some are more Ruthko, and some are Rembrandt. Basically I am just chasing a family of colors/texture that I love to see.
So some gears give me sensational colors and textures, and some are kinda pale and plain. Some are more Ruthko, and some are Rembrandt. Basically I am just chasing a family of colors/texture that I love to see.
The problem is they do it only to solve for incremental improvement in their systems, not for drastic changes. That is what leads to NLF
NLF? Did I miss the definition somewhere up-thread? I’m thinking perhaps = No Longer Fun?
Noob Linearity Factor:
The Noob Linearity factor
Going with the flow (some of you might not relate), I am introducing a new provocative hifi attribute. It is called The Noob Linearity. When we are noobs, and start with a basic system without much research (think back to your early audiophile days, even though for some people that might be 50...
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During a few weeks I could listen to the Relentless preamplifier and mono amplifiers in a room where I listened to many other top systems such as the to Koda, Constellation Audio and Audio Research. If price was not an issue I would surely pick the top D'Agostino's. More information and more complete music than any of the others in a very enjoyable way. IMO an extremely well balanced system, apparently no excess of anything.
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
I can't say more than I like it better than the Gryphon and VAC that I heard in the same home.
Where they stand versus some of the other respected high end amps is hard to say. I will say however that the system is sounding really good and I hope to be able to finish dialing it in next week. The owner is happy and that is the most important thing!
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
My M7s, paired with less-than-perfect electronics, deliver an extraordinary sound! Choosing this setup has been the best decision I've made since venturing into the world of audio. I invite any skepticism you may have—after 25 years of experience with various speakers, tubes, and solid-state equipment, I can confidently say that this combination brings an unmatched joy to my listening experience. It puts a smile on my face, and those who have joined me in this journey feel the same delight.
While not always the case, I agree that often the best high end sound from the pairing of an amp and preamp is from the same company. After checking out many amp/preamp choices/combinations in a similar combined price range I went with the Boulder 2160/2110 combination. I find it to be a great combination and very much significantly better than the Boulder 1160/1110 combination which I had previously and therefore worth the additional cost, which is significant. The Boulder 2110 preamp is an especially great piece of audio gear in my opinion and it and the 2160 really do a great job of powering Magico speakers (which really do benefit from a lot of solid state power and grunt).
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