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| Letters -- September 2008 System for "soundstaging and warmth" September 26, 2008 To Garrett Hongo, Doubtless you are often contacted for recommendations, given your eloquent expertise. Please, would you take a moment to share your experience? I am looking to acquire a high-end system for listening to opera and symphonic music in a large library (18' x 28' with 12' ceilings). From the distant past, I have an affinity for tube amplifiers and electrostatic speakers for soundstaging and warmth. The Quad 2905 and the Magnepan MG20.1 come to mind, perhaps driven by the Audio Research Reference 3/ Reference 210 combo. I am looking for a long-term value-holding investment without gimmicks. I would greatly appreciate your input. Sterling Hamill I'm not an electrostatic, planar or Quad guy and know nothing about them, so I can't help you there. But I can say that I approve of your choices in electronics. The ARC Reference 3 preamp and Reference 210 amps (Reference 110 too) are excellent for our kind of music. Your biggest challenge will be the room, which might tend to dissipate warmth from the speakers. I'd recommend you work with an informed local dealer who could help you situate your speakers (and perhaps treat your room) for best effect. That said, let me also recommend you consider for audition some speakers I know work well with the ARC electronics for operatic and symphonic music in largish rooms: Nola Baby Grand Reference As for a player, I recommend the Ayre C-5xe. For analog, there are too many variables to suggest a 'table, arm and cartridge. I will, however, suggest you audition a Herron VTPH-2 phono stage. Of course, the ARC PH7 phono makes the most sense if you're acquiring the rest....Garrett Hongo “...McIntosh is not king” September 19, 2008 Editor, The title “A Journey from Entry Level to McIntosh" gave me the impression McIntosh is the pinnacle of high-end audio. It has a negative effect, sir. In high-end audio, McIntosh is not king. In fact, no one is king. McIntosh nowadays is considered a high-end product for the mass market and for those who still in reminisce about the good old days of this brand. I think it is dangerous if your magazine has such a concept. It tells what kind of exposure your team has. Sorry for being so blunt. Winston Ma Thank you for your note. And don't worry about being blunt -- I like that. Here are a couple of points to consider: 1. The McIntosh article is the perspective of one person, although in this case that person is a lifelong audiophile who has had an impressive history in the industry as well. 2. As a magazine, we have written about many companies in the "Features" section of Ultra Audio: Blue Circle Audio, Pass Labs, Verity Audio, Rockport Technologies, YG Acoustics, Simaudio, Vitus Audio, etc. We've never pronounced anyone "king" but we have highlighted interesting companies and their accomplishments, and people seem to find that enlightening. 3. Although I respect your opinion, many audiophiles do find McIntosh to be wonderfully high end. Opinions vary, and nowhere do they vary more than with audiophiles. You may like something I don't like and vice versa. That's life. So in the end, I would have to disagree with you that we are doing a disservice to the industry. We are providing interesting reading and what we think is good information. I think that serves the industry well. Thanks again....Jeff Fritz Rockport Mira review September 12, 2008 Editor, I realize there are a handful of reviews of the Rockport Mira, but I found yours very, very helpful with a true attempt to be well balanced in assessment. Due to its price, I wonder what you would consider a close second. Also -- from reading alone -- it would appear that the Gallo 3.1 Reference is the poor man's Rockport (my guess -- never heard them, only read the reviews). Thanks for your interest. Damn readable review! Laurence There are so many ways you can go that I hardly know where to begin. I suppose the first place would be another Rockport, specifically the Mira Monitor, along with a subwoofer, perhaps a JL Audio Fathom f112. You’d be looking at about $8000 and if the sub were dialed in properly, which I show you how to do here, the sound would likely be very close to that of the Mira. I’ve also heard the JL subs paired with the Paradigm Signatures with great success. That would cost even less money and give you true full-range sound. Paradigm just introduced the Signature Sub25, so that along with a Signature speaker model would also be on my short list. Other speakers with a warmish, full-bodied sound that I’ve heard include the Aerials. They just introduced a new Model 7 that looks promising. I’d take a listen to that. Lastly, one of the speakers to beat right now is the PSB Synchrony One. If I were shopping for a floorstander at under $8000 or so I’d listen to that one, too. I have not heard the Gallo, but like you I hear that it is really good....Jeff Fritz MacBook and Minerva September 4, 2008 Editor, I have been reading a lot of your reviews and like what I’ve read. I really like your simple setup and am looking for something similar. I see that you have started to get to know the Weiss Minerva. I’m really interested in this machine. You state, “Red Book CDs sounded better than they ever have, easily beating the best CD and universal players I’ve listened to here in the Music Vault.” So are you using the MacBook as transport and just FireWire interface with the CDs ripped with regular iTunes or are you running a special transport to the Minerva? So do you think MacBook/Minerva beats the ARC CD7 or Esoteric UX3-SE? Pär Wiklund The Weiss Minerva is connected via FireWire directly to the MacBook -- no transport. I use no special software, just iTunes with music imported using Apple Lossless. To be blunt, the sound is better than any disc player I’ve heard. The ARC Reference CD7 is the best CD player I’ve personally had in my system, but the Weiss/Apple combination produces even better sound. The Weiss Minerva review will be published on October 15, so check back then in “The World’s Best Audio System” for all of the details....Jeff Fritz
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