Another great visit with Dan....

[Vintage Pete]

It had been just over one year since I last took a ride to the Live Oak, FL area to visit Dan (aka jandy) and Marlene. So, yesterday (Friday) I ventured up for another visit.
It's roughly a 3-1/2 hour ride from where I live, and it's a pleasant ride.

I arrived shortly after 2PM; we sat upstairs and chatted on a variety of topics while listening to some background music on his beautiful Living room system. Every time I look
at that system I admire the gorgeous McIntosh MC601 amplifiers and ask myself "What if...."

After a few hours of leisurely chit chat with the three of us, and some tasty pizza, Dan and I retired downstairs to the studio to play with the nearly endless supply of toys and
gadgets in the studio control room, finally settling into the dedicated room portion to listen to what is best described as a world-class two channel McIntosh system, which is also
fitted out with the fabulous Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario speakers, the Esoteric K-03 CD/SACD player and DAC. We listened to a mix of Redbook CD's and Hi-Res files from Dan's laptop
and Olive server (of which he has two-one upstairs and one downstairs). I also brought my laptop, and we downloaded the Esoteric USB driver to it so I could play some of my Hi-res files
through the Esoteric. What can I say? Utterly fabulous.....how could it be otherwise, with a meticulously fitted and treated listening room, and a system so perfectly assembled
and dialed in.....







One cannot help but be taken back by the mighty McIntosh MC2301 monoblock tube amplifiers. These behemoths are a sight to behold and are stunning to listen to.
They surely must be one of the very finest amplifiers ever produced by anyone, period.




When visiting Dan, it's very easy to get so drawn in to the studio 2 channel system that the time is up before spending any time listening (and watching) the totally
separate 5.1 channel surround system, which is also nothing less than outstanding. And how could it be otherwise? With the McIntosh MX120 processor, a McIntosh
MC452 amplifier powering the JBL fronts, powered JBL's bringing up the side surrounds and center channel, and 2 McIntosh XLS 112 400 watt subs, the result is outstanding
and very immersive. (Dan can rattle off the JBL model numbers easier than I can...suffice it to say that these are all premium speakers). An Oppo BDP-95 universal player and a
PurePower 2000 AC regenerator also graces this system.

I bought a few Blu-ray discs with me, and we settled on Patriot Games, starring Harrison Ford. Lots of action and intrigue, and the climactic sequences were a real treat on Dan's theater system.
It was great fun. Here's a few shots highlighting the speaker arrangements.....












By the time the movie ended, it was nearly 1AM, and Dan put me up in the studio to sleep on the sofa as he has in the past, with TV remote in hand to let the Sony XBR TV and McTheater
system serenade me to sleep.


After some excellent coffee and danish ring this morning, Dan toured me around the property with his new golf cart. That was a lot of fun too.




And of course, what would a visit to Dan's be if we didn't stop by and say hello to Gus?








Before I knew it, it was time to get heading home again. The time always goes fast on these visits. Dan and Marlene are the most pleasant hosts, and I always enjoy my visits.

Thanks again for a great time Dan!

[Masterlu]

Pete... Way Cool, thanks for sharing your visit with Dan and photos!

[ylee]

Nice. Mac gear is uniquely beautiful.

[tweet]

Pete,
Thanks for the great writeup on your visit with Dan and Marlene. The photos are a real treat that gives the rest us a glimpse of his amazing setup. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I hope to experience it for myself on our next trip to the space coast. Your excitement makes me want to head that way sooner than later.

[jdandy]

Pete.......Nice report. I didn't realize you snapped so many photos. You're quite the stealth photographer.

I enjoyed your visit and had lots of fun cranking the systems, talking audio, sharing old stories, and enjoying the Patriot Games on the home theater system. I think you are thinking more seriously now about surround sound for at least one room in your home after this visit.

The time flew by. It seemed like you arrived and then left in nearly the blink of an eye. It always goes like that when you're having fun. Marlene and Gus enjoyed your visit, too.

[scirica]

Felt like I was there. Thanks for sharing!!

[pete6737]

Great visit vicariously through Pete! What a great system. Thanks!

[djwhog]

Simply a great time with great folks thanks for sharing Pete, great read I could smell the coffee

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Pete....... I think you thinking more seriously now about surround sound for at least one room in your home after this visit.

Dan....you're right. But there is only one room where such a move is even remotely feasible, and that's the bedroom. Even that room would pose challenges, however. But, with some time and planning, it could be done.

Good God, my list never seems to shorten....

[chessman]

Too cool! Thanks for sharing.