3.7i
upgrade particulars?
October
27, 2014
Marc,
Did
Wendell Diller by chance mention anything about the damping tape behind the
3.7i's midrange? The tape was there on my 3.6 but gone with the 3.7 -- and back on the
3.7i. I wonder if that is the upgrade. At least it´s the only thing you can see
that has been changed.
I
suppose changing the tensioning of the mylar that has been mentioned as the "i"
upgrade would cost more than $500. The upgrade would unfortunately cost me a lot more here
in Sweden -- about the same as if I trade in my 3.7s and buy the new 3.7i's.
I
can fully understand why you think the Lamm hybrid amps are a great choice with the
Magnepans. A guy here in Sweden decided on the M2.2 monoblocks over the Audio Research
Reference 250 on his 20.7s.
Your
input would be much appreciated.
Hasse
Jerresand
I asked Wendell about the tape you mention, and he wasn't sure what you were
talking about. Wendell is not one to be coy, so I suspect that this is isn't part of the
3.7i upgrade package. Retensioning the mylar would definitely cost more than $500 to do.
It would involve disassembling both speakers, probably replacing the panels, and
reassembling.
I
suspect that Magnepan is keeping quiet about the 3.7i upgrades because they aren't that
extensive in terms of parts, but modifying each speaker is. There is also the matter of
the sonic change wrought, which may be greater than any physical change to the speaker. As
upgrades go, $500 for two speakers seems pretty reasonable, especially for a speaker that
is as good as the 3.7i. -Marc Mickelson
Venture
speakers and Atma-Sphere amps?
October
20, 2014
Marc,
Though
I’ve never crossed paths with them, for me, too, there is something seductive about
Venture speakers that beckons to me. I really hope to audition the Ultimate References at some point, or even a pair of their little
brothers.
I
have to ask, though, by any chance did you spend any time listening to them paired to the Atma-Sphere MA-2 amps? I would think this combo could really sing,
provided the amps are capable of adequately controlling the four pairs of woofers.
Alan
Trahern
Unfortunately,
the Venture speakers and Atma-Sphere amps weren't here at the same time, so I wasn't able
to hear them together. I agree with you that this is an intriguing speaker-amp combination
-- a potential sum greater than the considerable parts. -Marc Mickelson
Which
protractor?
October
14, 2014
Marc,
I
attended Roy Gregory's seminar at this year's RMAF and thoroughly enjoyed the presentation
(as well as last year's equipment-setup seminar). My question is about the protractor that
he used. I cannot find it on the web, primarily as I can't remember the name or who
manufactures it and in the equipment credits for the seminar it is not listed. Help please
and thank you. Also, would the Feickert Alignment System also work?
Jeff
Harris
The protractor Roy used is the Acoustical Systems SMARTractor. You can read more
about it here.
You
can certainly use the Feickert protractor to set up your cartridge, but there are some
advantages with the SMARTractor, including the UNI DIN geometry, which is unique to it and
what Roy and Stirling Trayle talked about in the seminar.
I'm
glad you enjoyed the seminar. I did too. -Marc Mickelson
Five
years of The Audio Beat
October
7, 2014
Marc,
Congratulations
on TAB's five-year anniversary. I'm proud to say I follow TAB. It's
always a pleasure reading your work. Wishing you continued success.
Sheldon
Simon
It
has been invigorating and fun, in addition to a lot of work. My only regret is that this
isn't the site's ten-year anniversary. -Marc Mickelson
"Add
me"
October
2, 2014
Marc,
Please
add me to your reader e-mail list.
Tim
Grindell
You're
added! For others interested, e-mail rl@theaudiobeat.com
and you'll be added to the list, which means you'll hear about all new articles first.
-Marc Mickelson
