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Old 06-18-2017, 04:56 PM
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mchydro mchydro is offline
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Post An Excursion to the Cape

I just returned from a 4-day trip visiting Ivan and his family in their beautiful home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Ivan and I are longtime friends and it has been over 5 years since I had last visited them. I was way overdue to see my good friend. Before I get into the heart of this post which is a review of his wonderful systems, I just want to take a moment and explain something. Ivan is obviously an incredibly successful person. His home, his audio and video gear and his cars are things that most people could only dream of owning. However, none of that compares to how great of a person he is. Ivan is the real deal. A true family man. His love of family is such a beautiful thing. And he is always so generous to open his home to others and let them share great times with him. So I just wanted to mention this because when you see love and generosity like this, it really shows a person’s true colors. And his true colors show me that his love of family is tantamount to everything in his life. We can all learn a lesson from him.

One other note before I get on with the reviews. As most of you know, Ivan has been involved with high-end audio and video for over 40 years. His knowledge and experience is vast. What really hit me was how much he has taught his son Richard (aka Masterlujr). Richard and I were talking about audio equipment and it quickly became apparent to me how knowledgeable he was as well. Indeed, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Legend Audio and Video is comprised of the father son super team that can advise and fully implement for anyone looking to either get into the hobby or upgrade their system.

On with the reviews.

The first system I will talk about is in an upstairs “bonus room”. Ivan refers to this system as the All Grandioso System which makes sense because he has a full complement of Esoteric’s flagship series on display. Specifically, he has the Grandioso M1 Monoblock Amplifiers, a Grandioso C1 Linestage Preamplifier, a Grandioso K1 Super Audio CD Player and a Grandioso G1 Master Clock Generator. These components with the exception of the G1 clock are stored on a sharp black Steve Blinn rack placed in the center of the room. Tucked neatly under the rack is the famous SilenZio from Audio by -E-, the brainchild of fellow AA’er and IT guru Emile. The G1 clock is located in the corner of the room on a dedicated 19” x 21” HRS SXR stand with the uber high-end M3X shelf. Flanked on either side of the equipment rack are the gorgeous Dali Epicon 8 loudspeakers in the Ruby Macassar finish as well as the Aerial 20T loudspeakers and SW-12 subwoofers in the Santos Rosewood finish. Stillpoints Ultra SS’s were used under both sets of speakers and subs as well as the Grandioso C1, K1 and G1. The heavy M1’s had the Ultra 5’s. For cabling, he used Wireworld Gold Eclipse series 7 cabling for the whole system.

On looks alone, this system is stunning. The Esoteric Grandioso equipment exudes quality. The millwork on the front panels must be seen up close to be appreciated. The fine flowing lines in the solid block of aluminum created over many hours on a CNC machine show you how serious Esoteric was about creating a series that left no doubt about their engineering prowess. The contrast of the silver Grandioso boxes against the black shelving strongly appealed to my senses. So did the soft blue LED lights on the amps, preamp and clock.

With the clever use of a high-quality speaker switcher, Ivan played several demo songs to showcase this incredible system. All tracks were instantly served up by the absolutely amazing SilenZio via an ipad. We listened to three tracks off of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones’ Greatest Hits of the 20th Century cd: Sinister Minister, Sex in a Pan and Flight of the Cosmic Hippo as well as Walking On Broken Glass by Annie Lennox and Just Funkin' Around by Pieces of A Dream. Whether using the 20T’s or the Epicon 8’s, Fleck’s banjo floated in mid-air and hung there to delight my ears. The 3-dimensional nature of this system was outstanding. I suspect the width and depth of the soundstage as well as the pure smoothness to the sound can be attributed to the Grandioso gear. The K1 DAC and the G1 clock worked their magic throughout the demo tracks causing sparkling details and shimmering to just float and soar in the room. On Flight of the Cosmic Hippo, the bass lines were pounding my body with crystal clear deep bass. With Walking On Broken Glass, the lead vocals and chorus interspersed with the keyboard were skillfully reproduced by the imaging capabilities of this system. Deep bass, mid bass, and highs were perfect. The saxophone, synthesizer and bass of Just Funkin' Around had me tapping my toes. Sounds filled the room and I could pick an instrument to single out and clearly enjoy the resolving capabilities of this fantastic system. This system was not even the slightest bit taxed by any of these demos. I had the feeling the volume could just keep going higher and higher with ZERO signs of distortion. Suffice it to say, I was very impressed with this system.

Onto the second system Ivan demoed for me. Located in the basement fireplace area, Ivan calls this system the TAD Bryston Esoteric system. It consists of the Esoteric C-02x Stereo Linestage Pre-Amplifier, the D-02X 36bit Dual Mono D/A Converter, G-02X Master Clock Generator, the AMR 777 SE DAC, Bryston BHA-1 Balanced Headphone Amplifier, SilenZio, BIT15 Power Conditioner and the mighty 28B3 monoblocks all atop a solidly built Quadraspire audio rack. Wireworld Platinum cabling was used here. Stillpoints Ultra SS’s were under the preamp and DAC. HRS damping plates were atop both as well. Stillpoints Aperture panels hung on the front wall as well as a beautiful acoustic panel with colorful artwork of musical instruments. The speakers are the one and only TAD R1’s. The R1’s sit on the Ultra 5’s. Just like the upstairs system, this system was absolutely beautiful to look at. The speakers are gorgeous and so is all of the gear. How he managed to create this system in front of a fireplace with no visible wires is unbelievable.

This system takes everything up a few notches. The TAD R1’s are in a different league than the speakers in the bonus room. That should be expected given their much higher price. But their imaging and the clarity of the CST drivers needs to be heard to be believed. As soon as he started playing the system, I knew. Bass was delivered with authority. The system created sounds that could be heard behind my head. Weird but totally cool! We listened to My Funny Valentine from Boz Scaggs. Holy crap he was in the room with us. We also listen to Money by Pink Floyd. The cash register sounds and the coins dropping sounded so real it was spooky. Running With The Night by Lionel Richie was played and this system made a 35 year old recording sound like a live performance right in the basement. My only wish would have been to hear the R1’s with the Grandioso gear since that is the system I am trying to build. But needless to say, the Esoteric and Bryston equipment showcased the R1’s brilliantly. This is a dream system. No doubt about it.

The last system I demoed was the Burmester Aida system. It sits on the opposite wall of the fireplace and is simply majestic in every category of the human senses. It includes 3 Burmester 911 MK3 stereo amplifiers, a 088 preamplifier, 089 CD player, 948 power unit, the full four-piece Esoteric Grandioso P1/D1 digital stack, G-01X clock, PS Audio P10, SilenZio, Wireworld Platinum cabling throughout, Furutech GTXD NCF outlets and Flux50 NCF inline filters. A TELOS Quantum Noise Resonator was also used. The transducers were the majestic Sonus Faber Aida’s and a pair of JL Audio F113 subwoofers.

The demo tracks we listened to were Master of Tides and Crystallize by Lindsey Sterling, Lucky Man by ELP, the Heart cover of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, Come Together by the Beatles, Ain't That A Kick In The Head by Dean Martin amongst several others.

This system easily reigns supreme in my book. First of all, the soundstage is absolutely huge. I am talking about Grand Canyon sized. You literally sit “in” the performance. The details produced by this system are astounding. The Grandioso stack combined with the Burmester gear produces organic, analog sound. The 3-dimensional factor of this system was the highest amongst the 3 systems we demoed. Everything about it blew me away. I just had to laugh when I heard it because it is so over-the-top, ridiculously good. No great. No outstanding. No… You get the idea. Quite simply, it is the best stereo system I have ever heard. An all-out assault.

For the record, the second best system I ever heard was the TAD Bryston Esoteric system and the third best was the all Grandioso system. Saying good, better, best does not quite work here because there is no way anyone could describe the bonus room system as only “good”. I prefer this way of putting it, dream systems at different price points.

If you get a chance, reach out to Ivan or Rich. Or better yet, ask them if you can pay them a visit sometime. You will get to experience some of the finest audio systems in the world and get advice from some of hifi’s most knowledgeable men.

P.S. there are two other systems I did not critically review because I had seen them before. The first is a two-channel room with McIntosh electronics and Sonus Faber Stradivari speakers. This is the room with the wall of McIntosh components. It is the man cave of man caves and sounds great. And finally, there is the home theater room. The theater is truly unbelievable. Tens of thousands of watts of power immerse you in the action and a massive screen with a crystal clear and razor-sharp image float in the total blackness. I highly recommend talking to Ivan and Rich if you are interested in home theater as well. After seeing what they could do in that theater, I would not be surprised if they ever went to the local movie theater. I wouldn't!

















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TAD Reference One MK2 Loudspeakers, Esoteric Grandioso M1 Monoblock Amplifiers, Esoteric Grandioso C1 Linestage Preamplifier, SilenZio Music Server, Shunyata Everest 8000 x 3, Omega XC x 3, Omega QR x 2, Furutech GTX-D NCF(R) AC Receptacles

Last edited by Masterlu; 06-18-2017 at 05:14 PM. Reason: Enlarge photos
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Old 06-18-2017, 05:14 PM
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jdandy jdandy is offline
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Mike.......Thanks so much for the three systems reviews and the great photographs. I particularly enjoyed seeing Richard, Ivan, and Donna together. It is clear from your descriptions that each sound system astonished your senses with the Burmester/Aida system as the Grand Finale. Glad you were able to spend some time with Ivan and family at the Cape. It's been awhile for me, too, but I remember my stay and their warm hospitality like it was yesterday.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
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Old 06-18-2017, 05:44 PM
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mchydro mchydro is offline
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Dan.......You're welcome. Indeed, my favorite part of the trip was spending time with Ivan and his family. They are truly wonderful people as you know. I know they think very highly of you.

I wish I could do his systems justice. Writing audio reviews isn't easy for me since there are so many things I could focus on. Audio is best heard of course. My words are simply a gross approximation of the experience.

I came away impressed with all brands that were represented. This is all very high quality gear folks. You cannot go wrong with any of it.
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Old 06-18-2017, 06:45 PM
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Masterlu Masterlu is offline
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Mike... first, it was really great seeing you again; hard to believe it's been 5 years! We all had a super time, especially me.

Thank you for all your kind words, and awesome reviews. I enjoyed reading your detailed description of each system. Funny, I don't recall seeing you take notes so you must have an incredible memory.

I'm very glad you had a terrific time here, and finally got to see and hear what we have been talking about over the years.

Thanks for being you!
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MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
CAPE COD

MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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Old 06-18-2017, 06:55 PM
MasterLuJr MasterLuJr is offline
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Mike it was great seeing you! I'm glad you had a chance to hear all the new gear/systems/etc. Your review was phenomenal and we all appreciate your kind words. Hopefully you will be finalizing and cabling up your beasts soon!!!
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Old 06-18-2017, 09:50 PM
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EfeTe EfeTe is offline
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Oh what a soiree. Fantastic one chaps, the (may I add incredible) systems and rooms just an excuse for good people to get together and enjoy their company. Don't think I haven't noticed the bottle -hopefully there was more where that came from
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Old 06-19-2017, 01:30 PM
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It really is audio Graceland up there in MA...

Easy enough to get to; nearly impossible to leave!
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Old 06-19-2017, 03:45 PM
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Sounds like a fantastic time. Come to think of it - it has also been 5(!) years since I had the pleasure of meeting Ivan and demonstrating his splendid equipment in Cape Cod myself. Time does fly - I can remember it as if it was yesterday!

Thanks for the detailed account of your visit as well as the excellent photos.

-Eric
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Old 06-19-2017, 04:25 PM
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Mike, excellent description of Ivan's (and Donna and Rich's!) systems.
And of their hospitality.
Graceland in MA indeed!

I guess that since your visit, things have again changed (with the Vivid Audio G3s), and we all need to go back there...
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Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
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Old 06-19-2017, 08:56 PM
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Thanks for posting from your visit to "The Manor". I feel very fortunate to have listened to those three systems at the Cape Cod gathering I attended. While I thoroughly enjoyed the big gathering, the opportunity spend a few days with Ivan and the family and get some solo time in front of his systems would be a real treat.

Ivan is truly "The Host With The Most"!
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