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Post by brad1138 on Jul 7, 2017 6:32:47 GMT
Bought some new CDs and had more time to listen to the new and old. 1st, Steely Dan's Aja is an awesome album, 2nd I am even more impressed with the improvements the panels/traps made. Everything is so much more distinct and accurate. Especially the bass, which is much more tangible. I have to listen to my entire library over again to reassess it, everything sounds so much better and "right".
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Post by brad1138 on Jul 2, 2017 1:02:38 GMT
EDIT Del
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Post by brad1138 on Jun 27, 2017 15:16:43 GMT
Hello again. I have also installed some bass traps: And I have had a bit of time (not really enough) to listen. Last night I had a few hours, and the difference is amazing. The imagining is improved, everything is much tighter and cleaner. I have never felt so "one with the music", it may be the first time I have ever really felt like I was on the sound stage, or right in front of it. It really is incredible.
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Post by brad1138 on Jun 6, 2017 0:05:45 GMT
I really haven't had time to sit back and assess it yet, plus I have a couple more panels to finish and get up. But I will report as soon as I do have time.
Thanks.
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Post by brad1138 on Jun 5, 2017 0:37:32 GMT
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Post by brad1138 on May 2, 2017 0:23:19 GMT
edit del
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Post by brad1138 on May 1, 2017 5:35:08 GMT
I should have included this pic:
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Post by brad1138 on May 1, 2017 5:31:49 GMT
How does the HK Citation work as a 2.0 amplifier? Have you tried comparing with a dedicated stereo power amp? The Citation 5.1 amp is a fantastic amp. IMHO probably the best amp they ever made, next to it's big brother, the 7.1. It is 4x 100 @ 8 ohm, 4x 150 @ 4 ohm. Bridged in dual mono mode 2x300 @ 4 ohm and 2 x about 500 at 4 ohm. I compared it to a few other amps(Adcom and "BIAMP" systems), and has been the better amp. I did use it in 4 channel mode, to "biamp" the Mirages, but they are a power hungry speaker, and I found the extra power when bridged outweighed any benefit of biamping. It is a great match for my M3si. I do find it ironic that the HK Citation 5.1 is a 2 channel amp (or at least when bridged) and the HK Signature 2.1 is a 5 channel amp. Here is some info on it by someone who knew a lot more about it than I: "They are excellent amplifiers [5.1 & 7.1]. The facts are they were manufactured for Citation by ZED Audio in California and were a collaborative design by Richie Miller of Harman Kardon and Steven Manz of ZED Audio. They are extremely reliable and in some respects better built and finished than the Proceed line of amplifiers of that period. Although Citation was moved to Madrigal, they had nothing to do with the design or manufacturing of the Citation amplifiers. They were all manufactured in California." I love mine, I have a line a another one in mint condition. I like having spares, but I am not sure if I can spring for it at the moment or not.
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Post by brad1138 on Apr 30, 2017 8:00:12 GMT
Thanks John. On a tangent, on Craigslist, I just happened across someone selling my 1st pair of speakers, "Realistic Optimus 1B" from Radio Shack (not sure if you guys had those or not). For my 10th B-Day, my parents got me my first stereo, Realistic STA-18B receiver(10 wpc as I remember), Optimus 1B speakers and an Optimus tape deck, not sure of model. I just turned 50 this month, so 40 years ago, this was my first system, that evolved into what I have today. It was a long journey, but oh so satisfying . Just finished watching "Fellowship of the Ring", extended version. Been waiting a long time to finally watch the extended version with family, it was really enjoyable.
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Post by brad1138 on Apr 29, 2017 20:21:16 GMT
Nice looking Preamp. I am actually fairly new to the Tube scene. The Freya is my first tube component. Most everything I know about tubes, I have learned in the last couple months. The Freya stock tubes were just generic Russian tubes, so I bought 4 Tung Sol 6SN7 from Upscale Audio (https://www.upscaleaudio.com/products/tung-sol-6sn7gtb) Not great tubes but a step up from stock. I am happy with the Tung Sols, but I saw the Ken Rads reviewed as more or less as good as it gets, or about as good as the Sylvania "bad boys" (in the official Freya thread) and found a pair for $75 on ebay and grabbed them (another member of that forum said he was about to click "buy it now" on them and the status changed right in front of him ) They are due in Monday. I know I will be using them, so I put them in the description now. I am not going to get heavy into tube rolling, although I did just buy a pair of Sylvania tubes that were listed as "bad boys" but may not be. They are highly regarded either way though. I figure 1 or 2 sets of tubes from the top end of the review spectrum will make me happy. In the Freya(maybe all preamps?), the gain stage is the only one that makes a real difference, I will leave the Tung Sols in the buffer stage. I will let you know what I think of them after I have some time to listen.
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Post by brad1138 on Apr 29, 2017 17:57:05 GMT
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Post by brad1138 on Apr 29, 2017 17:50:31 GMT
Hello, I am new here, a Google search brought me to this forum because one of the Moderators here has my same speakers, Mirage M3si, and I happened to be searching on them. I have been piecing together and building my system for a long time, I generally look for deals on eBay/Craigslist etc., and buy used. Over the last year I put a lot into the HT to bring it together. It is a bit of a hybrid system, a (2.0) stereo system and a HT. I have a separate preamp for 2.0, which connects to a custom made "mfspdesigns" (out of Portugal) RCA switcher, then to my Harmon Kardon Citation 5.1 amp and then the Mirage M3si mains. For HT, I use a Emotiva UMC-200 Prepro, the front L&R go into same switcher. Since the screens are all flat and wall mounted, there is no drawback to having the 2.0 system at this location. Also, my house and wife won't allow a separate location My HT (formerly family room) is about 7x7 meters (20+ x 22+ feet) A more complete listing of my equipment HT:PreproEmotiva UMC-200 - 7.1 channel AmpsHK Citation 5.1 - 4 channel amp, bridged to dual mono mode. About 400+ watts per channel(2) into the 4-6 ohm load of the M3si (mains) HK Signature 2.1 - 5 channel amp, 100 wpc for center and surround speakers Samson S1000 - Commercial amp for subs 2x 545 wpc (Amp came with subs originally) SpeakersMirage M3si - Mains, Bipolar speaker, regarded by some as (with the M1si) the best speakers Mirage ever made (I love them) Mirage Mcsi - Center, matching center channel speaker to M3si BIC V-52 (x4) - Surround spks. SVS CS-Ultra (x2) - Subwoofers. recent acquisition, freaking awesome subs. DisplaySony HW45ES - 1080P Projector / 125 inch "elite screen" tab tension 16x9 screen or 70 inch Vizio LCD (automatic projection screen drops down in front of Vizio) MiscSony PS4 as Blu Ray player, also PS3 & XBox 1, Dish Network "Hopper 3" satellite TV, ADCOM ACE-515 line conditioners (x2) 2.0 systemPreampSchiit Freya with upgraded tubes (Ken Rad VT-231 staggered plate in gain stage, Tung Sol NP in buffer stage) DACSchiit Modi Multibit Amp HK Citation 5.1 SpeakersMirage M3si Sources for DACOnkyo 6 disc DVD changer used as CD transport or Dell Laptop used as lossless music server running Foobar2000 Audioquest Ruby interconnects used in all signal paths pertaining to Mirage M3si mains Custom made by "mfspdesigns" RCA switcher for switching between Emotiva and Schiit Preamps into HK Citation amp. Ideally I wish the Schiit Freya Preamp had HT passthrough, but this works well as an alternative. A few of these pictures are not completely current, the panoramic picture is very close, but doesn't show the new SVS subs (black cylinders). I don't have a great picture including those yet. I still haven't finished the trim after the painting I did in the last few months, and I plan on replacing or at least painting the doors, I hate the cheap color they have. New Subs Sony HW45ES The rack before Freya tube preamp and painted walls Schiit Modi Multibit DAC and Freya Preamp Anyway, that is the culmination of about 30 years of building my system. Thanks for letting me share. Brad
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Post by brad1138 on Apr 29, 2017 5:07:23 GMT
1 pair. I use a custom made RCA switch box to switch between the Schiit Freya preamp or the Emotiva PrePro into the Citation amp. Not ideal I know, but the Freya doesn't have HT passthrough, and it was the best solution.
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Post by brad1138 on Apr 29, 2017 4:49:53 GMT
Hello, I know this thread is a bit old, but I like finding a fellow Mirage M3si owner I love mine, I picked them up almost 10 years ago, I had wanted a pair ever since I first heard them in the mid 90's. I have a room that is about 7 x 7 meters, they really do well in a larger room. You still have yours?
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Post by brad1138 on Apr 29, 2017 4:36:03 GMT
Thanks, I listed most of my equipment in my sig. I'll elaborate in the "blogs and system photos" section. But probably tomorrow, it's late here
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Post by brad1138 on Apr 29, 2017 3:55:15 GMT
Nice to find this forum. I like chatting with people outside of "my area", brings a different perspective. And on behalf of my country, I apologize for the narcissist in chief..... (no more political talk, I promise )
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