#21
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Does anyone know how the Momentums sounded with the Kef Blades in Australia ?
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#22
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Already available ? Pls let us know what you think !
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#23
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Quote:
I heard the D.D. Momentum stereo amp at CES 2012, and it was most impressive! If I remember correctly, it was playing with the Wilson Sasha W/P's, dCS Debussy DAC, and (I think) Transparent Opus MM2 cabling. As much as I love the MX-R/KX-R/QB-9/Sasha combo (http://www.audioaficionado.org/wilso...tml#post183897), the Momentum monoblocks knocked my socks off (http://www.audioaficionado.org/wilso...tml#post204922)! Don't get me wrong, I think Ayre products are world-beaters and are among the best out there, and for what one gets in terms of the performance level, it's hard to believe that Charles Hansen & Co. manage to price their products at the level that they do. At US MSRP 19,500 per pair, the MX-R monoblock amps (300Wpc/8 ohms) are great value for the money. Interestingly enough, at US MSRP 14,950 the VX-R stereo amp (200Wpc/8 ohms) is only USD 4,550 less than the MX-R's. However, I personally believe that this (relatively speaking) marginal difference in price between the two is largely driven by the fact that MX-R's were priced so darn competitively to begin with, and thus, there was not much more room for the VX-R to be priced any lower than it is currently. That being said, kudos to Dan D'Agostino for pricing his Momentum stereo amp (200Wpc/8 ohms) at US MSRP 25,000 which is half the price of his US MSRP 50,000 Momentum monoblock amps (300Wpc/8 ohms). In addition, he provides an upgrade option whereby the stereo amp is upgradeable to mono operation at any later point in time - a smart move indeed! I do so love the Ayre house sound, but in my humble opinion (and others may disagree), the Momentum monoblocks were like "MX-R on steroids" and then some - among others, better dynamics, 3D imaging, expansive/full-bodied soundstaging, control, definition, pace, slam, etc., and the standout for me, highly musically engaging coupled with unreal realism. Then again, the Momentum monoblocks do cost twice as much as the Momentum stereo amp, but if going by what I heard of the Momentum stereo amp setup at CES 2012, I believe that Mr. D'Agostino has another hit on his hands! In a nutshell, given what I heard of the Momentum stereo amp setup at CES 2012, and if you're a fan of the Ayre house sound, I would not be surprised (price notwithstanding) if you fall head over heels for either the Momentum stereo or monoblock amps. In any event, looking forward to hearing your impressions once you get the chance to A/B the Ayre MX-R monoblocks and the D.D. Momentum stereo amp. Philip Last edited by psjl; 02-19-2012 at 01:58 AM. |
#24
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Hi Philip
I have got the MX-R's at home ATM. Can't say I am a Ayre fan, or any ss amp however open to be convinced. Then again up to recently I was not a Wilson fan either. There are incredibly smooth and go loud effortlessly. They are a little reserved sounding currently. That will be effected by 3 things. They are brand new, I am running them SE and my cj pre amp has zero grain and is a little laid back. I have cd on repeat on a low volume when not listening, so hopefully later this week they will open up a bit more. They should be around 100 hours by then. I will never listen to the mono momentums as I cannot afford them. The stereo will be a stretch but very keen to try them. Again, they will be as new so not run in. Philip, I hope you are right in them being a turbo charge MX-R. I just wonder whether they can drive and control my Maxx3's at LOUD volumes. Lower volumes will not be a problem. Cheers Cheers Last edited by turntable; 02-19-2012 at 03:25 AM. |
#25
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Philip,
I think that at least some of the difference you heard between the two amps (MX-R vs Momentum) comes down to the fact that MX-R is not really happy driving difficoult loads (1.8 Ohm in case of Sasha). |
#26
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I have to agree with PHC1, I've owned three different Krell amps, two pre-amps and the MD10 transport. In the right system they swing with the best.
__________________
System: ML:5206,5302 Serafino's Nordost Lumin U1 RM15 |
#27
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Quote:
Unlike the MAXX 3, the Sasha W/P is probably the more fussier of the two speakers with its amplifier-testing impedance minimum of 1.8 ohms at around 92Hz. At least on paper, this is a tougher load calling for either a beefier high-current SS amp or powerful valve amplification. However, that being said, from what I heard in Dan D'Agostino's room at CES 2012, the Momentum stereo amp was effortlessly driving/manhandling the Sasha W/P's displaying terrific grip & control coupled with a huge and very full bodied soundstage. In addition, I was impressed with the absolute consistency in the overall musical presentation whether at low or ridiculously high volumes - being me, with a wicked grin, I asked Dan if I could crank up the volume big time, and I think the next time round, he's going to hide the remote from me! Truth be told, after hearing the just launched Momentum stereo amp, if I had initiated my amp search today instead of almost a year-and-a-half ago, I would probably be having a tougher time deciding between the Momentum monoblock and the stereo amps given the price difference as well as knowing that I could always upgrade the stereo amp to mono operation at any later point in time thereby lessening the initial wallop on my wallet. Then again, I have always been a sucker for monoblock amps! In any event, will be eagerly awaiting your impressions once you manage to demo the Momentum stereo amp with your MAXX 3's. Philip Last edited by psjl; 02-19-2012 at 12:18 PM. |
#28
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Quote:
Whilst the Ayre MX-R's are no slouch in the amplification department, there could be some truth to what you say above given the relative obvious absolute authority that the Momentum monoblock amps imposed upon the Wilson Sasha W/P's when I demo'ed them, despite both amps' respective spec. sheets, rating them at 300Wpc/600Wpc into 8ohms/4ohms (the Momentum monoblock specs also mention 1,200Wpc into 2ohms) - then again, specs versus actual performance are never always quite the same. That being said, many individuals (including reviewers) have resoundingly declared that the Ayre MX-R's are capable of effortlessly driving Sasha W/P's without so much as a hint of strain at any level. Be that as it may, I personally feel that it's all relative, in that if I never demo'ed the Momentum monoblocks, I would probably have felt that the Ayre MX-R's drove the Wilson Sasha W/P's exceedingly well providing an outstanding sonic performance in-line with my musical tastes. However, as superb as the Ayre MX-R's are, the Momentum monoblocks incredibly raised the bar another notch for me. I'm sure that there will be those in this hobby who will possess differing opinions to yours or mine regarding the above, but that's the beauty of this hobby, as there is no absolute best or worse gear/system, just a whole lot of diverse preferences! Philip |
#29
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You should go by what you hear. Spec's do not tell the whole story. My MBL's are very inefficient speakers. The way the Momentum's control my 111f's makes me think my 1.2ks were connected out of phase.
Jim |
#30
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Jim.......Careful now, as you may soon have the flame torch-bearing raucous "MC Pitchfork Mob" on your doorstep! .......Philip
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