Sopra No.2 + McIntosh MC275VI = Good combo?

[mintakaX]

Originally Posted by jakegt3

When I audition components, I don't really compare one model against another. I audition each and try to assess how closely it recreates the illusion of a live musical performance. Of course this presumes you know what live music sounds like. I listen mostly to classical music and I have the experience of attending live concerts. I am particularly critical of midrange performance and recordings of voice and piano are very useful for making this assessment. I would go for the speaker that generates the "goose bump" factor the most for you.

Thank you. I've only been to a few live classical concerts and despite that 50% of my listening is classical. The other is rock, movie soundtracks (love em) and techno. I'll keep the live music idea in my mind. For my new speakers I know I want a tighter, faster bass than my current N802s and I'm really sensitive to overly bright highs. A lot of this audition will be to make sure those two aspects are satisfactory.

[Down Under]

Originally Posted by mintakaX

Thank you. I've only been to a few live classical concerts and despite that 50% of my listening is classical. The other is rock, movie soundtracks (love em) and techno. I'll keep the live music idea in my mind. For my new speakers I know I want a tighter, faster bass than my current N802s and I'm really sensitive to overly bright highs. A lot of this audition will be to make sure those two aspects are satisfactory.

Great choice in music-we need more audiophiles like you.
Favourite techno tracks?

[mintakaX]

Originally Posted by Down Under

Great choice in music-we need more audiophiles like you.
Favourite techno tracks?

Cool ! I think techno plays really well on good systems because most of the content is pretty well mastered with individual frequency groups having their own space.

A couple of my favorites are: Christopher Lawerence : Rise->Phreaks, Christopher Lawerence : Trilogy Part 1-> Rhythm of life (love the TB-303 synth), also a few tracks on Donald Glaude: Mixed Live -> Planar and Under Pressure.

Its kind of funny when I audition equipment at stores and ask them to play some techno tracks

[mintakaX]

I auditioned the Sopra 3s and B&W 802 D3s today. I first heard the Sopras hooked up to all Mark Levinson gear. They sounded very nice, but I immediately realized that they were not warm enough for my taste. I much preferred the B&Ws, which were driven by McIntosh equipment. They did not have any Scalas to listen to. I ended up ordering the 802 D3s.

[avsBuddy]

I always found b&w diamond tweeter to be bright and biting with female voices. That wasn't the case for you?

[Poncha]

Originally Posted by mintakaX

I auditioned the Sopra 3s and B&W 802 D3s today. I first heard the Sopras hooked up to all Mark Levinson gear. They sounded very nice, but I immediately realized that they were not warm enough for my taste. I much preferred the B&Ws, which were driven by McIntosh equipment. They did not have any Scalas to listen to. I ended up ordering the 802 D3s.

Congratualations, you chose well. The 802 D3s are stunning - you'll have many hours of enjoyment with them.

[mintakaX]

Originally Posted by avsBuddy

I always found b&w diamond tweeter to be bright and biting with female voices. That wasn't the case for you?

Thanks for the heads up. Admittedly I did not play any female vocals at the audition. Female vocals probably occupy a small percentage of my listening, yet I hope this isn't the case when I get them home. I was listening hard for any brightness and heard none in the content I listened to . There is a very fair 30 day satisfaction guarantee from my dealer and I really hate bright sounds, so I'll be alert for this. Maybe the Mac equipment mellows it ?

[mintakaX]

Originally Posted by Poncha

Congratualations, you chose well. The 802 D3s are stunning - you'll have many hours of enjoyment with them.

Thank you !

[mcpaf76]

Originally Posted by mintakaX

Thanks for the heads up. Admittedly I did not play any female vocals at the audition. Female vocals probably occupy a small percentage of my listening, yet I hope this isn't the case when I get them home. I was listening hard for any brightness and heard none in the content I listened to . There is a very fair 30 day satisfaction guarantee from my dealer and I really hate bright sounds, so I'll be alert for this. Maybe the Mac equipment mellows it ?

I own Sopra 3s and I almost bought 805 d3s recently when I got my Contours. I wouldn't worry, when set up correctly I don't think there is harshness in either speaker.

[Down Under]

Originally Posted by mintakaX

I auditioned the Sopra 3s and B&W 802 D3s today. I first heard the Sopras hooked up to all Mark Levinson gear. They sounded very nice, but I immediately realized that they were not warm enough for my taste. I much preferred the B&Ws, which were driven by McIntosh equipment. They did not have any Scalas to listen to. I ended up ordering the 802 D3s.

Congrats!
Hope you have many hours of techno listening.