New Gear/Speaker Info

Toddcc01

New Member
Mar 24, 2024
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Grand Rapids, MI
Hello WBFM,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I’m seeking advice on a set of new speakers. I’ve been a Harbeth owner for the last 6 years, with a couple Dynaudio jaunts (Heritage Special, C4 Signatures), but have only ever ran the SHL5+, and SHL5+ XD’s. I’m a little challenged with listening to gear, as the nearest worthwhile dealer is about 3 hours away, along with a busy daily work schedule places me in a position of many….pouring thru forums and posting questions. Additionally, I operate a few years behind everyone else, used gear is really the only way I”m able to level up. I have a set of Pass Labs XA100.5’s, have ran McIntosh and PS Audio monos, I’ve used PS Audio DACs, and Pre’s, along with Pass Labs and Coda preamps. I’ve gone direct from the DAC to the amps, tested Shunyata, Audioquest, Cardas and Audience cabling. I’ve ran Shunyata and Nordost power conditioning. All to say, I’ve tested and ran thru some gear.

I now have a larger room, with one side open but it is spacious/deep approx 35 feet by 18 feet wide, excluding the side of the room where it opens up. The SLH5’s sound good, traditionally Harbeth, but as many say, they just don’t have that “grip” at higher volumes. I’m in the midst of moving room treatments around, post Sumiko Speaker placement, along with Jim Smith’s wisdom, I do believe they’re very close to optimum placement. Not all the time, but enough for me to notice, at higher volumes there can be slight midrange harshness; which if I listen too long at those volumes, ear fatigue sets in.

I listen to a wide smattering of music, Jazz, Tool, Radiohead, LoG, Led Zepp…basically, everything but Pop, Country and Rap…though NWA has been known to receive some spins. I do have a slight sensitivity to overly bright, the XA’s and tube pre have really leveled that off. I say all this, because I really would like to have a go with a set of Magico S3 MKII’s. I’ll be running both speakers, and will eventually move the Harbeth’s to a secondary setup. I understand the notion “you really should listen to them,” but I’ll likely rely upon reviews and commentary for the purchase.

I’m also looking into moving up the preamp to the VTL 7.5 or VAC Master, if anyone has experience with either of those + Magico’s, any info is greatly appreciated.

I’d also be interested to hear from anyone that has swapped out of an Inakustik, I recall reading that they contributed some “brightness”, causing them to swap into another power distributor.

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Welcome to WBF, Todd!
 
I’ll likely rely upon reviews and commentary for the purchase.

No, no, no. This makes me nervous. Unless you are very lucky only madness, sadness, wasted money and wasted time lies in this direction.

Not only is this a faulty idea on its face, but when you layer on the fact that often an audiophile's personal sonic preferences change over time as he/she develops experience with different systems and different types of sound not even a computer could solve the resulting equation.

You have to figure out a way to visit local audiophiles or otherwise hear speakers yourself.
 
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@Ron Resnick crazy thought, I know. But, if you consider the numerous outlets available for resale/trade, the equation changes. I won’t discredit what your saying, as that’s wisdom. But, given the time and effort to travel, it’s not as large of an imbalance. There’s also the hobbyist side in re-listening to your favorite tunes on someone else’s interpretation of how music should sound. I do see PL + Magico combos, periodically. The sealed enclosure has peaked my interest as well.

Magico may not be the speaker for me, but there’s a healthy aftermarket appetite for them. I know they’re on the polar opposite of Harbeth, and I think you’re right, my hearing has changed. I would like a little more detail and nuance, but nothing overtly in your face. I have a pretty tame pre/amp combo, so something with a little bit of excitement may be the ticket, was my thought at least.
 
@Ron Resnick crazy thought, I know. But, if you consider the numerous outlets available for resale/trade, the equation changes.

Oh! If you use reviews and audio forum reports merely to develop a list of loudspeaker candidates several of which you then buy on the used market and cycle through auditions at home (hopefully side-by-side), then that's a different story.
 
fwiw I heard Magico S3 at UK Hi-Fi Show, Ascot this year. They were in a "sister" demo room where the sibling was showing off the 50th Anniv. Wilson Watt/Puppy. Front ends were dCS Vivaldi in each case. I know the Wilsons were on D'Agostino M400s - not sure whether same for Magicos. Anyway - I was seriously impressed with the Wilsons (£43k GBP) and less so with the Magicos (£57k). The Wilson sound was fulsome especially at the low end. Also very convincing. The Magicos were subtle and had thud. But I would have taken home the Wilsons (regardless of price) easily.

Heard the Wilson SabrinaX in another room (on Brinkmann). Same character as Watt/Puppy. But imo the Watt/Puppy £ for £ was far senior.

Just my ears on one day in one demo. I don't doubt that many others would have had a different opinion.

Can't help but agree with Ron. I would avoid Buyer's Remorse like the plague. If you audition first, and like the sound, you can chase the illusion knowing there is gold at the end of the rainbow somewhere. Enjoy the chase as it were. If you buy blind and are dissatisfied, you will never know whether a fix lurks underneath your brand new problem.

Are there Magico S3 Mk IIs on the second hand market anyway? Why would anybody be selling them except for bad reasons?

Edit: Well I never. Used Magico S3 Mk II went for < €20k https://www.audio-markt.de/en/market/magico-s3-mk2-7170494401.
 
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Oh! If you use reviews and audio forum reports merely to develop a list of loudspeaker candidates several of which you then buy on the used market and cycle through auditions at home (hopefully side-by-side), then that's a different story.
^ this is the way!
 
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