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We have embarked on a humungous midsummer project, what is likely to be a Hi FI system with a total installed cost approaching a million dollars.
There are location, calibration, measurement, and installation difficulties which we are overcoming at this moment....
And how do you place a value on the primary audio components, and not least the system?
As I generally do, I will measure what I can and report, and listen with great concentration to familiar music and sources, comparing this actuality with previous experiences.
I will not be addressing the moral dimension,: can such an expense be justified?
Martin Colloms
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 Rank: HIFI Addict Joined: 14/04/2011(UTC)
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Sounds like a a very exciting project and look forward to your report/s. Can you share any info on the components? Guessing Wilson XVX or a Naim/Focal system or perhaps Definitive Audio Horns combined with CHP M10/L10.
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 Rank: HIFI Veteran Joined: 04/10/2008(UTC)
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I don't think Naim/Focal can reach the million mark.
Also guess Wilson plus , perhaps, Relentless.
Horns would be unusual for mainstream HiFi magazines.
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Hans |
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Sneak preview on Instagram  |
Hans |
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 Rank: HIFI Novice Joined: 18/05/2016(UTC) Posts: 38  Was thanked: 3 time(s) in 3 post(s)
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Originally Posted by: Martin Colloms  We have embarked on a humungous midsummer project, what is likely to be a Hi FI system with a total installed cost approaching a million dollars.
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Rank: Moderator Joined: 15/07/2008(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Togil
I don't think Naim/Focal can reach the million mark.
Also guess Wilson plus , perhaps, Relentless.
Horns would be unusual for mainstream HiFi magazines.
Mainstream ! who would have thought it Martin
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Karousel LINN
This evaluation became something of an exploration into the importance of main bearing noise for a turntable.
It seems that even if the noise, which can be of quite complex frequency distribution, is below the inherent noise floor of a record,
it can still powerfully affect many subjective quality parameters.
Who would have thought that main bearing noise would interact, in my view intermodulate, with record wear noise and distortion?
Martin Colloms
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Originally Posted by: Martin Colloms Karousel LINN
This evaluation became something of an exploration into the importance of main bearing noise for a turntable.
It seems that even if the noise, which can be of quite complex frequency distribution, is below the inherent noise floor of a record,
it can still powerfully affect many subjective quality parameters.
Who would have thought that main bearing noise would interact, in my view intermodulate, with record wear noise and distortion?
Martin Colloms Would be very interesting if you were to review the Brinkmann Balance turntable which uses heated bearing I believe. Hoping that you are able to ship to EU in the near future.
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Rank: HIFI Veteran Joined: 04/10/2008(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Martin Colloms Originally Posted by: Togil
I don't think Naim/Focal can reach the million mark.
Also guess Wilson plus , perhaps, Relentless.
Horns would be unusual for mainstream HiFi magazines.
Mainstream ! who would have thought it Martin How many magazines review a million dollar Cessaro horn system ? |
Hans |
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High End Magico gets there too.....
Nearly two years since I embarked on the Magico M2 review , and learned more about loudspeaker peformance and supports in consequence...
I have put the M2 review up as a sample on the site.
Martin
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Rank: HIFI Addict Joined: 14/04/2011(UTC)
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Hello Martin,
In your wonderful XVX review (probably the best review I have ever read of any component), you made reference to the Dartzeel 18NS pre and 108 II power amps but it wasn't clear to me whether you got to try them with the XVX or not....I suspect all the listening was done with DAG pre/amp combo? If you did get to try the Dartzeel combo then would be very helpful to know how they performed with the XVX given the tough load it presents?
Also, any plans for you to review the ALEXX V, perhaps in your own system?
Many thanks
Ash
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Wilson Chronosonic XVX
In response, it has just struck me that this very high level of sound quality,succesfully made it down some 8m of loudspeaker cable per channel.
(Sorry no Dartzeels, perhaps not quite the full peak current tolerance of the DAgostinos.)
The whole project was quite an experience annd I learned once again not to prejudge an outcome.
The sense of on-stage realism was uncanny and held true for a wide range of programme type and quality.
This level of system quality seems to be able to cut through the impediments and reach back more effectively to the original performances.
Martin Colloms
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What is more worrying than the 8m is the fact that the outputs of the crossovers are delivered via 5 ( ? ) pairs of binding posts which would normally be regarded as detrimental
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Very good binders though! and well torqued down.
Necessary because this loudspeaker system is modular, comes in a set of crates, and where each module may be physically adjusted.
The outcome defies what might seem improbable design.
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Rank: HIFI Addict Joined: 14/04/2011(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Martin Colloms Wilson Chronosonic XVX
In response, it has just struck me that this very high level of sound quality,succesfully made it down some 8m of loudspeaker cable per channel.
(Sorry no Dartzeels, perhaps not quite the full peak current tolerance of the DAgostinos.)
The whole project was quite an experience annd I learned once again not to prejudge an outcome.
The sense of on-stage realism was uncanny and held true for a wide range of programme type and quality.
This level of system quality seems to be able to cut through the impediments and reach back more effectively to the original performances.
Martin Colloms Many thanks for the feedback.
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Rank: Moderator Joined: 15/07/2008(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: ashandger Originally Posted by: Martin Colloms Wilson Chronosonic XVX
In response, it has just struck me that this very high level of sound quality,succesfully made it down some 8m of loudspeaker cable per channel.
(Sorry no Dartzeels, perhaps not quite the full peak current tolerance of the DAgostinos.)
The whole project was quite an experience annd I learned once again not to prejudge an outcome.
The sense of on-stage realism was uncanny and held true for a wide range of programme type and quality.
This level of system quality seems to be able to cut through the impediments and reach back more effectively to the original performances.
Martin Colloms Many thanks for the feedback. New Issue News Apologies : There has been a printing delay and the mailout is now Monday-Tuesday 27-28th Sept Martin
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Rank: Administrator Joined: 19/09/2008(UTC) Posts: 2,428 Location: UK Thanks: 37 times
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Thud, and my weekend is saved!! 
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Martin Nothing yet received in Nottingham  All subs are up to date.
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 Rank: HIFI Newbie Joined: 12/04/2015(UTC) Posts: 7  Location: Napoli
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I could finally seat down and enjoy the XVX review.
While the review unfolded I felt like transported back to the 27 years ago when I was in the same room and enjoyed the X1 review. Not quite the same level of enthusiasm from Martin words but the nth uniquely inspired and inspiring review. While reading through I would have bet the conclusion would make a reference to the original X1 described as ahead of the then state of the art of other components in the chain. That conclusion led me to order my X1 pair.
But the real pearl of the issue is Martin’s much awaited review of Linn Karousel and the subsequent “Suspension variations” article that reminded me why hificritic still clicks this jaded listener on.
The big pity is that the concept and the messages contained in these articles are probably beyond the catch of most of the players in this hifi world at both sides of the fence.
Thank you Martin
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