A very fun time at Sal's house today

[Vintage Pete]

Today I had the pleasure of joining Jimmy, Bob,and KingRT at Salmtpa's house for a sort of a local AA nut get together. Sal made the gracious invitation for what was sure to be a fun event, which I'd looked forward to all week. Sal's hospitality was outstanding, not to even mention his fine system-which is very thoughtfully set up in a dedicated room.

Before I even entered the dedicated room, I could hear the fine sound emanating from the room, and I then saw the gorgeous blue eyes of the MC402 amp. The room itself is very thoughfully appointed, with very tasteful room treatments applied; diffusers behind the Magnepan MG3.6R's, and acoustic panels along the side walls.

I must say this is a very fine 2 channel system. This was also a first for me, in that, though I've long known of Audio Research and their outstanding reputation, this was the first time I'd actually auditioned an AR piece in person-in this case the LS26 Tube preamp. Teamed up with the MC402 and the Magnepan MG3.6R's, the result is a fine, smooth presentation with a great soundstage. The ACI Force XL subwoofer augments the 3.6R's very nicely. There is just something about planar loudspeakers that never fails to impress-their speed makes for a simply marvelous presentation of stringed instruments, and their overall smoothness is very impressive. The ribbon (line source) design gives a terrific image height. These are very fine speakers indeed-and visually stunning as well.

The primary source is a Rotel CD/DVD player run through a PS Audio DLIII D/A converter. Sal has two 20 amp dedicated lines feeding the system and a RG Conditioner. (which RG model was that Sal?) A very fine system indeed.

We had fun enjoying the system, and just discussing this very fun hobby. I always come away from these events with lots to digest and consider. I think Amazon.com may well benefit a bit from our little get together today as well... Sal had a couple of really good DVD's I think I need Peter Gabriel's "Growing up Live" and a DVD of a Boz Scaggs live event. I really enjoyed Gabriel's live rendition of "In your eyes"...I enjoyed this right off, and I could see this one really growing on you. I think the fellas liked my Loreena McKennitt "Nights from the Alhambra" DVD I brought along and were talking of ordering that one. I'd recommend this without hesitation to anyone.

Definitely a very fun day...as I knew it would be. Sal's a great guy with a great system, and this is a great community.


Thanks again Sal!

Pete

[Waboman]

Sounds like a great time! You Floridians have all the fun.

I even hear the ride home was a bit of an adventure.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Waboman

Sounds like a great time! You Floridians have all the fun.

I even hear the ride home was a bit of an adventure.

Thanks guys...what can I say.

[salmtpa]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Today I had the pleasure of joining Jimmy, Bob,and KingRT at Salmtpa's house for a sort of a local AA nut get together. Sal made the gracious invitation for what was sure to be a fun event, which I'd looked forward to all week. Sal's hospitality was outstanding, not to even mention his fine system-which is very thoughtfully set up in a dedicated room.

Before I even entered the dedicated room, I could hear the fine sound emanating from the room, and I then saw the gorgeous blue eyes of the MC402 amp. The room itself is very thoughfully appointed, with very tasteful room treatments applied; diffusers behind the Magnepan MG3.6R's, and acoustic panels along the side walls.

I must say this is a very fine 2 channel system. This was also a first for me, in that, though I've long known of Audio Research and their outstanding reputation, this was the first time I'd actually auditioned an AR piece in person-in this case the LS26 Tube preamp. Teamed up with the MC402 and the Magnepan MG3.6R's, the result is a fine, smooth presentation with a great soundstage. The ACI Force XL subwoofer augments the 3.6R's very nicely. There is just something about planar loudspeakers that never fails to impress-their speed makes for a simply marvelous presentation of stringed instruments, and their overall smoothness is very impressive. The ribbon (line source) design gives a terrific image height. These are very fine speakers indeed-and visually stunning as well.

The primary source is a Rotel CD/DVD player run through a PS Audio DLIII D/A converter. Sal has two 20 amp dedicated lines feeding the system and a RG Conditioner. (which RG model was that Sal?) A very fine system indeed.

We had fun enjoying the system, and just discussing this very fun hobby. I always come away from these events with lots to digest and consider. I think Amazon.com may well benefit a bit from our little get together today as well... Sal had a couple of really good DVD's I think I need Peter Gabriel's "Growing up Live" and a DVD of a Boz Scaggs live event. I really enjoyed Gabriel's live rendition of "In your eyes"...I enjoyed this right off, and I could see this one really growing on you. I think the fellas liked my Loreena McKennitt "Nights from the Alhambra" DVD I brought along and were talking of ordering that one. I'd recommend this without hesitation to anyone.

Definitely a very fun day...as I knew it would be. Sal's a great guy with a great system, and this is a great community.


Thanks again Sal!

Pete

Pete,
Thank you for such a nice commentary, I really enjoyed our little event. Glad to see you made it home! Hope Mike did too. The RGPC I have is the 600, it is plugged in to one of the dedicated circuits and feeds everything but my 402 (which is on the other dedicated circuit) and my sub. I'm glad you guys got to experience the special and natural presentation that the Maggies present. Mike had mentioned that they are so much more open and wide than dynamic speakers. They have served me well for over three years now and the only nagging temptation to move away from them is the Wilson Sophia2. Maybe, someday.

You're right, Amazon should give us a cut of the action as a referral fee! The Peter Gabriel and Boz Scaggs DVDs are top notch for both the video production and the sound, as you guys experienced. And you know how much I was impressed witht he Loreena McKinnett DVD, it's on order! It's nice to know that there are actually still people out there who perform in "real time" and without a lot of gimmicks to enhance their sound or overcome talent shortfalls.

You guys are welcome any time. I hope other AAers that are close to each other get to do the same thing-meet, drink, listen, and chat.

Sal

[salmtpa]

Originally Posted by Waboman

Sounds like a great time! You Floridians have all the fun.

I even hear the ride home was a bit of an adventure.

If you're ever in town let me know. Always glad to meet up.

[jdandy]

It is always fun to see and hear what others are doing with their sound systems. It sounds like you guys had a blast.

[KingRT]

"The ribbon (line source) design gives a terrific image height. These are very fine speakers indeed-and visually stunning as well."

I did not realize how important tall speaker image height was, or the extension, until I heard your speakers Sal. It is a wall of sound!

Your 2 channel sounded better, then a lot of my friends, 3 front speakers (LCR) for Video.
Reason being, their mains are taller speakers, and their centers (tweeters) are low, below the screen, so the sound has a noticeable wave/dip, up front.
Where, your Magnepan's melded a perfect sound stage. (Something to think about, for other rooms in my home..)

Looking forward to hearing the promised Wilson debut!

Sal
I was going to window it, back in, at 2am, to check your Plasma heat, but then, figured I would just take your word for it!
Pete wore me out, speeding in and out of traffic, in his fly yellow Hot Rod.
I lost him, on my second fill up, at the same gas station.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by KingRT

Pete wore me out, speeding in and out of traffic, in his fly yellow Hot Rod.
I lost him, on my second fill up, at the same gas station.

Mike,

I forgot to tell ya what's under the hood....

[Masterlu]

Cool!

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Cool!

I figured you'd like that Ivan....

Pete