Contacting
Magnepan
March
27, 2017
Marc,
I
recently read your article on the Magnepan 3.7i and the dinner with
Wendell Diller in particular, where he spoke about value. I’ve been trying to contact
Magnepan; however, they don’t publish an e-mail address. Would you be kind enough to
pass Mr. Diller's e-mail to me; alternatively, can you pass my e-mail to him, requesting
that he contact me?
John
McMahon
Magnepan
doesn't publish an e-mail address, because they prefer to answer questions via the phone.
I personally prefer this too, as you never know if e-mail sent to an info@ address
actually goes to someone. You can find phone numbers on this page from
Magnepan's website.
When
you call, you will probably talk to Wendell Diller, who knows more about Magnepan speakers
-- current and older models -- than anyone. -Marc Mickelson
Ayre
and Atma-Sphere in one?
March
21, 2017
Marc,
Whew.
I consider the Ayre MX-R Twenty amps world class -- a combination of drive and restraint,
a combination of clarity and realism. But, to be really, really critical, the highs are
slightly rolled off. The mids are focused but not really, um, warm.
Having
heard at length the Atma Sphere MA-1 3.3s, I can say that they achieve a level of purity
in the highs and presence in the midrange I've never experienced. I thought piano through
the Ayre/Wilson Alexia combo was the best I've heard, until I heard the Atma-Sphere amps.
That said, the Atma-Spheres render about half of my music collection wanting,
unsatisfying. Why? No bass line.
I
could, literally, divide my music collection into two piles: one I prefer with the Ayre
amps and one I prefer with the Atma-Sphere.
In
your experience, is there an amp, at any cost, solid-state or tube or hybrid, that
combines the overall top-to-bottom excellence of the Ayre with the purity of the
Atma-Sphere?
John
Leosco
Boy,
you don't want much, do you? The Ayre and Atma-Sphere amps are very distinct to me --
equal in quality, but certainly different in their sound and drive characteristics. I
don't know of any amp that somehow combines the best of both of them, but I do know of a
few amps that are of equal (or even slightly greater) overall quality and thus are worth
investigating.
The
first would be the VTL Siegfried II monoblocks, which have all of the muscle
of the Ayre monoblocks along with the ease and fullness of tubes. The second would be the Jeff Rowland Model 825, which has some Atma-Sphere-like purity but also
solid-state muscle. Third, while it has been a while since I've heard any Convergent Audio
Technology amps, I suspect that Ken Stevens' top monoblocks might also fulfill some of
your wish list. Finally, given that you heard the Atma-Sphere MA-1s, it might be
worth investigating the latest MA-2 monoblocks, which I found to sound better than the MA-1s.
-Marc Mickelson
Alexx
and WAMM MC
March
13, 2017
Marc,
How
is your review of the Wilson Alexx coming along, and do you have any idea when you may be
publishing it? I understand that Michael Fremer is also doing a review.
Also,
I read your report on the WAMM MC with great interest. Hearing those speakers
must have been a great experience. What amps and preamp was Dave Wilson using for your
session? I can see VTL and D’Agostino amps in the photos, and I think he has a VTL
preamp too, but I'm not sure.
Ash
Varma
I am finishing another review and the Wilson Alexx review will come after that.
Roy Gregory will also be writing about the Alexx, although with a pair of Thor's Hammer
subwoofers in his case.
I
heard the WAMM MC in Dave Wilson's listening rooms with VTL electronics: TL-7.5 III preamp
and Siegfried II monoblocks. For digital, I think he also used the dCS Vivaldi DAC
straight into the amps with no preamp. I'm sure Wilson Audio is rolling out WAMM MCs now,
so I suspect we'll read some thoughts from owners at some point soon. -Marc Mickelson
VTL
TP-6.5 Signature review?
March
5, 2017
Marc,
Any
chance of a review of the VTL TP-6.5 Signature phono stage? Myself and many other
audiophiles find it pretty strange that this component has never been reviewed. I'm
curious to see how it compares to the Pass XP-25. Everyone jumped on the TL-7.5 III preamp
to review, but not the TP-6.5. Anyway, it might not happen. Audio politics?
Clive
Williams
I've
discussed a review of the VTL TP-6.5 Signature phono stage with Luke Manley and Bea Lam of
VTL more than once, and it will happen when I have the room in my schedule to do the
listening and writing. I suspect the review will be underway later in the year. We
certainly want to produce the review, because the TP-6.5 Signature has helped produce the
best sound we've heard at many shows. So stay tuned. -Marc Mickelson
Reader
list
March
1, 2017
Marc,
Can
I please subscribe to your e-mails?
David
Whitton
You're on the list. For others, send e-mail to rl@theaudiobeat.com to join the reader
e-mail list and find out about new TAB articles first. -Marc Mickelson
