August 21, 2000
Subject: What integrated amp can run MartinLogans?
I know MartinLogans need a lot of current to be driven
successfully. What integrateds on the market are capable of high current? Here in Austin,
we do not have a Krell dealer, so I have not auditioned the KAV-150 yet. Including this
unit, what other makes can I put on my audition list?
Thank you for your help, my next system is going to be very
simple using MartinLogan's Aerius i or the Ascent (SL-3 replacement).
William Davis
(answer follows next question)
August 21, 2000
Subject: Low power amps with planar and
electrostatic loudspeakers
I have a Conrad-Johnson CAV-50, and overall, I'm happy with
its performance. I'm using it to drive B&W Nautilus 805s, and really don't have any
complaints. Recently, though, I heard two speakers I absolutely fell in love with:
Magneplanar 1.6 QR and MartinLogan Aerius i. Are these speakers totally out of the
question for my amp? I've gotten such passionately conflicting reports, so I'm not really
sure whom or what to believe.
Someone told me that he drives the Maggies to realistic
levels with a Sonic Frontiers Amp 1, which has roughly the same output as my amp. On the
other hand, I've been told under 100 watts need not apply. It seems to me that the
speakers should represent a benign load, since the impedance is flat at 4 ohms.
What's the truth? The MartinLogans, I know, are all over
the map impedance wise, but one dealer actually told me I could drive them with 25Wpc; the
MartinLogan website recommends 100Wpc. Who's right? Why do electrostatics need so much
power?
Thanks,
Rob Damm
Hi William and Rob:
The truth about how much power MartinLogans need is
dependent upon a lot of factors, including room size and the loudness at which you listen.
While electrostats have a reputation for being difficult loads to drive, they aren’t
as hard on an amplifier as people would have you believe.
I visited ML’s Gayle Saunders a few years back
and he had a screaming-red pair of Aeriuses in his kitchen that were driven by VTL’s
25W Tiny Triodes. I thought they sounded great.
However, in my main listening room, I suspect
I’d want a tad more power -- something like Rob’s CAV-50 should be just about
perfect. I’ve always really liked tubes on electrostats myself, so other integrateds
I’d consider would include Audio Research’s CA-50 or any of the three offered by
Sonic Frontiers. If solid state is more your bag, I’d give the Krell a try, but as
much as I liked it on dynamic loudspeakers, I’m not sure it would be my first choice
on ‘stats. Other choices include Classé’s CAP-101 and Bryston’s B60.
Another likely candidate is Magnum Dynalab’s MD 208, which is actually a receiver,
albeit a really special one from all reports. (I’ll be reviewing that one shortly, so
be sure to watch for it.)
And, as for the Maggies, Rob, I concur -- they
shouldn’t provide any real problems for your CAV-50 or anything similar.
ATB...Wes
August 20, 2000
Subject: What speakers to partner with the
NAIT3?
Currently I use the Naim NAIT 3R amp with my Marantz
CD63mkII KI Signature CD player and (borrowed for audition) Acoustic Energy Aegis Three
loudspeakers. When funds allow, I will upgrade to a full basic Naim system, but at the
moment I am looking for a small bookshelf speaker. People tell me to go for the Epos
ES12s, but I wonder if a Tannoy M1 can get away with it as I have a pair of unused ones in
the storeroom (bought for rear AV channels).
Cheers,
Onny Izwan from Malaysia
Onny, Onny, Onny…. Let me get this straight --
you own a pair of Tannoys and you’re asking me if you should connect them to
your hi-fi? Of course you should! You already own them, they’re free.
If you hook ‘em and hate the sound,
they might encourage you to hurry up and save enough for your dream speakers. If, on the
other hand, you actually like ‘em, that’s great. Some days you eat the bear
…
ATB...Wes
August 18, 2000
Subject: Mark Levinson...car audio?
I have read somewhere that the next generation Lexus
(LS-430) will have car audio powered by Mark Levinson(!). Is there any truth in this
rumor? What's next, Audio Note Ongaku in an MB 600SEL?
Chris Phoa
Hi Chris:
Yep, it’s true. Lexus and Mark Levinson
announced at the January Detroit Automotive show that Levinson would be building the $3000
upgrade option stereo system for the all-new LS-400.
I was between review gigs at the time and drafted
the press release, so I even have details. It’s a serious undertaking on the part of
Madrigal, which took advantage of its association with Harman International and its
automotive OEM division to develop a relationship with Lexus that would set new standards
for automotive sound systems.
The system that resulted features proprietary
digital processing and conversion circuitry; sophisticated digital-signal processing (DSP)
software that allowed Mark Levinson to design sound systems for the specific environments
of Lexus' individual models; discrete analog power amplifiers based upon devices and
topographic elements employed in Levinson's renowned power amplifiers; and custom speakers
engineered specifically for the Lexus passenger cabin.
ATB...Wes
August 17, 2000
Subject: Amplifier advice
I am buying a whole new system. I am confounded as to
whether to go with an integrated amp or separates. I like the Plinius 8150i, but am quite
enticed by your recent reviews of the Musical Fidelity components. (I will probably go
with the A3CD CD player.) Do you have any experience with Plinius products?
Also, how would you compare the A3 preamp with the Adcom GFP-750, which you ranked as
Class A? Any insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
John
PS--I will be using either Spendor 1/2 or Thiel CS2.3
speakers.
Hi John:
I like Plinius gear a great deal -- it's built like
a tank and has refined sound. I have not personally auditioned the 8150i, but people I
respect a great deal, such as Jon Marks and Scot Markwell, swear by it. Perhaps I can get
a sample for review.
As to the Adcom GFP-750/Musical Fidelity A3CR
comparison, I address this directly in my review of the Musical Fidelity preamplifier,
which will be posted on SoundStage!
September 1st. BTW, if you’re concerned about the A3CR power amp’s
ability to drive the Thiels, I’ve been using it to drive CS7.2s and have experienced
no problems whatsoever.
ATB...Wes
August 15, 2000
Subject: Repair ideas for Melos product
I am in a bad situation at present. I own a
Melos preamp that just went on the blink, so my system is down. As you probably know,
Melos recently went out of business. I have been unsuccessful at finding someone who
really knows the product well enough to service it. I heard that there was someone who
used to be an employee there that was going to start repairing and upgrading Melos
products in the near future? Do you have any ideas? Can you at least lead me in the right
direction?
Thanks,
Bob
Dear Bob:
I have been making inquiries and the
consensus is that "someone" was going to continue to repair Melos and attempt to
keep the brand's customers going.
The problem is, no one can recall who
that "someone" is. I've asked a friend of a friend to contact Mark Porzilli, but
Mark doesn't check his e-mail very often. I'll let you -- and other Melos customers --
know when I find something out.
One place worth checking is Analogique
Systems Laboratories Ltd (17 W 17th Street, NY,NY 11011 Tel: (212) 989-4240). They have
always repaired a broad range of high-end products, including tube gear. They are
friendly, honest, and professional.
Hope this helps -- and I'll let you
know if I can find out anything concrete on Melos.
ATB...Wes
UPDATE:
Here's good news for you Melos owners:
Willard Guering -- a former Melos employee for nearly 20 years -- is opening up Melos
Audio Restorations in Las Vegas. Willard was involved with the design, manufacturing and
repair for all Melos products from the GK1+1 preamp back in 1979 or 80 up until they
closed the doors, so he definitely knows his stuff. Melos Audio Restoration will open for
business on 9/08/2000.
Melos Audio Restorations
3111 South Valley View Boulevard
Suite 217 A
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
Phone: (702) 248-6745
Fax: (702) 248-7267
E-Mail: melosaudio@aol.com
August 10, 2000
Subject: System upgrades
I have the Sony DVD S705D, Nordost MoonGlo digital cable,
MSB Link DAC, JPS Labs Superconductor interconnects (RCA), X-PRE, Nordost Blue heaven
(RCA), X-A50, System Audio 1110 (brought from Singapore), ARVIK Stand (Nordost), and JPS
Labs bi-wire Ultra Conductor speaker cables.
- Please comment on this system. (I like jazz, blues, pop,
percussion.)
- If I would like to upgrade my system, first option would be
to buy XA50 for bi-amping; second option would be to change the MSB Link DAC to Assemblage
DAC2.6. Which option would be the most beneficial? (Please advise, if you have other
options.)
- Should I do the active bi-amping or passive bi-amping?
- Can the Tekna Sonic devices improve my speakers?
- Between JPS Labs and Nordost interconnect cables, which one
is most suitable for my system. Should I change the Nordost to JPS Labs?
Best Regards,
Suphap Phitaksombat
Dear Suphap:
I don’t know all of your components, so I
can’t really comment on your system myself -- it would help tremendously if you
were to tell me what you like and don’t like about it. I suspect adding an amplifier
and passively bi-amping your loudspeakers will generate the largest change in the system,
since I suspect that exchanging the MSB for the Assemblage would make a difference, but
not a night-and-day difference. As to whether or not the Nordost or JPS Labs cable is most
suitable, I think you should listen for yourself, especially as you have both on hand.
This might be best done using your CD player and a headphone amp.
ATB...Wes
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