ray4262
Seeker Of Truth
"Supporter of the Bob Loblaw Law Blog"
Posts: 9
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Post by ray4262 on Jun 3, 2013 0:11:26 GMT -5
Hi all. I've been holding off participating in the forum until I completed my system. Put together the following: Emotiva XPA-2 amp (black trim) Emotiva USP-1 pre-amp (black trim) Emotiva XDA-2 DAC (black trim) Rega-Apollo-R Rega DAC Panamax 5400 EX power conditioner NAD C565BEE CDP NAD C446 Digital Media Tuner NAD IPD 2 Dock and 160G iPod Logitech Squeezebox Duet Martin Logan ESL Electromotion speakers Martin Logan Dynamo 500 subwoofers Hope you like... Unfortunately, the site won't let me upload any pics...something about exceeding attachment limit. Look forward to future discussions. Cheers. Ray Attachments:
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jun 3, 2013 0:18:13 GMT -5
Very nice system... It will be cool to eventually see some pics. I know people upload pics to photo bucket.
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ray4262
Seeker Of Truth
"Supporter of the Bob Loblaw Law Blog"
Posts: 9
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Post by ray4262 on Jun 3, 2013 0:23:06 GMT -5
Thanks...everyone on the forum is very cool and helpful!
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Post by mshump on Jun 3, 2013 6:59:58 GMT -5
What do you think of the ML ESL's They were on my wanted list, almost had a set, then settled for Maggie MMG's. Not upset with the decision I made but still wonder if the ML's would've been a better choice.
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Post by geebo on Jun 3, 2013 7:37:50 GMT -5
Welcome to the Lounge! You've put together a very nice system there, Ray.
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ray4262
Seeker Of Truth
"Supporter of the Bob Loblaw Law Blog"
Posts: 9
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Post by ray4262 on Jun 3, 2013 8:17:18 GMT -5
I really like the blended benefits of planar and box performance from the ML ESLs; the "soundstage" is pretty accommodating (i.e. sweet spot) with great depth and separation of voice and instruments. Added the ML Dynamo 500s to accentuate the bass response (though the ESLs on their own were up to task on their own).
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My Gear
Jun 5, 2013 10:31:10 GMT -5
Post by ocezam on Jun 5, 2013 10:31:10 GMT -5
What do you think of the ML ESL's They were on my wanted list, almost had a set, then settled for Maggie MMG's. I really like the blended benefits of planar and box performance from the ML ESLs; the "soundstage" is pretty accommodating (i.e. sweet spot) with great depth and separation of voice and instruments. Agreed. I've always thought it was a mistake for Jim Winey to absolutely rule out hybrid planer/cone speakers. You end up with a much more dynamic, and IMHO enjoyable, speaker that way. The ML's curved driver also gives a much wider sweet spot than the Maggies. Hard to beat the price of the MMG's though! ... |
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My Gear
Jun 5, 2013 16:07:07 GMT -5
Post by chaosrv on Jun 5, 2013 16:07:07 GMT -5
I love my ML Vistas to no end. Bought them brand new on clearance (discontinued model) for half price. The only way they'll leave my system is if they die or I step up to a larger model at which point they'll transition to surround duty.
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My Gear
Jun 5, 2013 16:10:55 GMT -5
Post by garbulky on Jun 5, 2013 16:10:55 GMT -5
If you don't plan on a sub don't get a USP-1. The XDA-2 has an excellent pre-amp
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My Gear
Jun 5, 2013 16:38:04 GMT -5
Post by chaosrv on Jun 5, 2013 16:38:04 GMT -5
Hi all. I've been holding off participating in the forum until I completed my system. Put together the following: Emotiva XPA-2 amp (black trim) Emotiva USP-1 pre-amp (black trim) Emotiva XDA-2 DAC (black trim) Rega-Apollo-R Rega DAC Panamax 5400 EX power conditioner NAD C565BEE CDP NAD C446 Digital Media Tuner NAD IPD 2 Dock and 160G iPod Logitech Squeezebox Duet Martin Logan ESL Electromotion speakers Martin Logan Dynamo 500 subwoofers Hope you like... Unfortunately, the site won't let me upload any pics...something about exceeding attachment limit. Look forward to future discussions. Cheers. Ray Looks like a mighty fine system. I have no doubt you'll be very happy with it. Out of curiosity, is all of this gear to be in the same system? I ask because you have two DACs and two CD players. It seems redundant but for all I know you need both and I love knowing why people do what they do.  |
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My Gear
Jun 5, 2013 16:38:49 GMT -5
Post by chaosrv on Jun 5, 2013 16:38:49 GMT -5
If you don't plan on a sub don't get a USP-1. The XDA-2 has an excellent pre-amp There are subs in the system - Martin Logan Dynamo 500's.  |
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ray4262
Seeker Of Truth
"Supporter of the Bob Loblaw Law Blog"
Posts: 9
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Post by ray4262 on Jun 6, 2013 0:45:48 GMT -5
Hi chaosrv... Got 2 DACs because the Rega DAC while awesome, requires me to get out of my chair to switch inputs (no remote)  The Emotiva DAC is much more versatile, functioning more like a pre-amp. As for the CD players, more of a variety thing; the Rega sounds warmer and laid back while the NAD focuses more on detail and a bit more bright. Which one I use depends on the type of music I listen to...and my tastes cover a lot of ground! |
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Post by garbulky on Jun 6, 2013 5:27:31 GMT -5
If you don't plan on a sub don't get a USP-1. The XDA-2 has an excellent pre-amp There are subs in the system - Martin Logan Dynamo 500's. Doah. I should probably bother to actually read the OP's posts.  Thanks. |
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ray4262
Seeker Of Truth
"Supporter of the Bob Loblaw Law Blog"
Posts: 9
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My Gear
Jun 7, 2013 21:30:30 GMT -5
Post by ray4262 on Jun 7, 2013 21:30:30 GMT -5
Pics are up now!
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ray4262
Seeker Of Truth
"Supporter of the Bob Loblaw Law Blog"
Posts: 9
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My Gear
Jun 7, 2013 21:31:13 GMT -5
Post by ray4262 on Jun 7, 2013 21:31:13 GMT -5
Sorry, here they are. Attachments:
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Post by garbulky on Jun 8, 2013 1:46:31 GMT -5
Wow. That looks way too good. Liking the black trim
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Post by garbulky on Jun 8, 2013 1:47:23 GMT -5
Wow. That looks way too good. Liking the black trim Have you tried the emo gear direct to the wall? (emo recocmends that) Did you notice a difference? |
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Post by brubacca on Jun 8, 2013 5:38:49 GMT -5
I'd be very interested in hearing more about your two dacs. Do they sound different? Is there a particular genre that sounds better on one or the other? If you could only have one of them which would you get assuming you wanted the most enjoyable sound?
Also does the nad media streamer play 24/96 files?
Love your system and setup.
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ray4262
Seeker Of Truth
"Supporter of the Bob Loblaw Law Blog"
Posts: 9
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My Gear
Jun 8, 2013 11:18:09 GMT -5
Post by ray4262 on Jun 8, 2013 11:18:09 GMT -5
Couple of responses to some questions:
Yes, I have plugged in the amp directly to the wall as recommended, however I don't hear any difference in SQ.
IMHO, of the 2 DACs, the Rega is laid back, more suited for jazz, acoustic or blues whereas the Emotiva seems more forward, inclined toward rock, pop and vocals.
Unfortunately, the NAD media streamer does not play hi-rez 24/96 files - that's another project that I have on the go. I do have the Squeezebox though.
Nonetheless, I like versatility and variety, hence the different CDPs and DACs.
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ray4262
Seeker Of Truth
"Supporter of the Bob Loblaw Law Blog"
Posts: 9
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My Gear
Jun 8, 2013 12:06:15 GMT -5
Post by ray4262 on Jun 8, 2013 12:06:15 GMT -5
On the 24/96 files, sorry I should have been more specific - my Squeezebox Touch can natively play 24/96 files but is in my office. I plan to switch it with my Squeezebox Duet which is in my audio system which is limited to 24/48 files.
And to my DAC preference, I like the versatility of the Emotiva more than the Rega, so it's my preferred DAC.
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Thanks. 
