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Post by adaboy on Sept 18, 2015 11:09:34 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
I currently own the XPS-1 and really enjoy it; however, a buddy of mine is a two channel Classe' gear listener and is wanting to get into Vinyl.
He has heard my rig with the Ortofon Quintet Blue MC and XPS-1, he loved it then borrowed the phono stage and used it on his system and was taken back by its clarity. Now he is the type of guy that changes speaker cables out regularly Kimber cables etc, on his Magnepan 1.6's and Thiel CS 2.4 SE's.
Ok to get to it, he was reading Stereophile and saw a gushing review of the Mani and decided it should be better than the XPS-1 so he ordered it.
I want to know what you guys think, would the Mani be better and if so is it worth me picking it up as well?
Thanks
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Post by creimes on Sept 18, 2015 11:38:39 GMT -5
One thing is for sure you can now both A/B them in your systems when he gets his Mani and then you could decide for yourself  otherwise we really couldn't tell you what would be a better fit in your system so that's my thought's, just do an A/B comparison when he gets the Mani. Chad |
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Post by repeetavx on Sept 18, 2015 11:47:17 GMT -5
One thing is for sure you can now both A/B them in your systems ... just do an A/B comparison when he gets the Mani. Chad Yes, and please post your opinions here. |
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Post by adaboy on Sept 18, 2015 12:01:38 GMT -5
Good point and that was on my to do list. Super curious if anyone here has heard the Mani and may even had the opportunity to compare them?
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Post by creimes on Sept 18, 2015 12:08:01 GMT -5
Good point and that was on my to do list. Super curious if anyone here has heard the Mani and may even had the opportunity to compare them? I am curious as well, I have owned Schiit products before and they have always been excellent with great SQ and build quality |
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Post by Porscheguy on Sept 18, 2015 12:55:41 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I currently own the XPS-1 and really enjoy it; however, a buddy of mine is a two channel Classe' gear listener and is wanting to get into Vinyl. He has heard my rig with the Ortofon Quintet Blue MC and XPS-1, he loved it then borrowed the phono stage and used it on his system and was taken back by its clarity. Now he is the type of guy that changes speaker cables out regularly Kimber cables etc, on his Magnepan 1.6's and Thiel CS 2.4 SE's. Ok to get to it, he was reading Stereophile and saw a gushing review of the Mani and decided it should be better than the XPS-1 so he ordered it. I want to know what you guys think, would the Mani be better and if so is it worth me picking it up as well? Thanks I would say maybe.... But maybe not. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
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Post by KeithL on Sept 18, 2015 13:39:39 GMT -5
I doubt that the Mani is more neutral, or has better technical performance, than the XPS-1.
However, each phono cartridge is different, and each interacts differently with different phono preamps, so you or your friend might like either one better with a specific cartridge - and in a specific system.
(Don't believe everything you read - anywhere - especially if the author doesn't have the same phono cartridge and audio system as you do.)
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Post by Porscheguy on Sept 18, 2015 13:42:11 GMT -5
All the opinions on this stuff is pretty useless. It's all about the your ears, your system and your expectations.
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Post by monkumonku on Sept 18, 2015 14:23:19 GMT -5
All the opinions on this stuff is pretty useless. It's all about the your ears, your system and your expectations. That is so true... it's like asking which is harder to achieve, 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. There is no definitive answer.  My suggestion - both the XPS-1 and Mani are not that expensive. Get both, compare and then return the one less favored. Shipping costs on items that small would be negligible, and Schiit charges a 5% restocking fee, also negligible when viewed as a cost for auditioning a new product that then can't be sold as new if returned. |
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Post by Porscheguy on Sept 18, 2015 16:28:15 GMT -5
All the opinions on this stuff is pretty useless. It's all about the your ears, your system and your expectations. That is so true... it's like asking which is harder to achieve, 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. There is no definitive answer. My suggestion - both the XPS-1 and Mani are not that expensive. Get both, compare and then return the one less favored. Shipping costs on items that small would be negligible, and Schiit charges a 5% restocking fee, also negligible when viewed as a cost for auditioning a new product that then can't be sold as new if returned. You're full of Schiit Rickie, everyone knows 3000 hits is harder because you have to swing the bat 2500 more times.. |
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Post by monkumonku on Sept 18, 2015 16:37:27 GMT -5
That is so true... it's like asking which is harder to achieve, 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. There is no definitive answer. My suggestion - both the XPS-1 and Mani are not that expensive. Get both, compare and then return the one less favored. Shipping costs on items that small would be negligible, and Schiit charges a 5% restocking fee, also negligible when viewed as a cost for auditioning a new product that then can't be sold as new if returned. You're full of Schiit Rickie, everyone knows 3000 hits is harder because you have to swing the bat 2500 more times.. That argument makes no sense whatsoever but I have to admit you are correct, I am full of Schiit - my signature proves that.  |
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Post by adaboy on Sept 18, 2015 17:04:04 GMT -5
Lol, you guys are hilarious!
So first impressions are after a 4 hours of A/B'ing them my buddy and I both agreed that the XPS-1 heald the edge against the Mani.
It's not a night and day difference between the two as the XPS-1 is more neutral vs the warm Mani.
Keith was spot on with his assessment, it would be a either or kinda situation;however, they both sound really good and well worth the money spent.
Makes me wonder what dollar range would I have to go to top the XPS-1???
The neutrality of this phono stage is very impressive.
Any ideas on a night and day difference for under a grand?
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Post by monkumonku on Sept 18, 2015 17:07:48 GMT -5
Lol, you guys are hilarious! So first impressions are after a 4 hours of A/B'ing them my buddy and I both agreed that the XPS-1 heald the edge against the Mani. It's not a night and day difference between the two as the XPS-1 is more neutral vs the warm Mani. Are you sure the Mani isn't more neutral than the bright XPS-1? |
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Post by geebo on Sept 18, 2015 17:34:59 GMT -5
That is so true... it's like asking which is harder to achieve, 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. There is no definitive answer. My suggestion - both the XPS-1 and Mani are not that expensive. Get both, compare and then return the one less favored. Shipping costs on items that small would be negligible, and Schiit charges a 5% restocking fee, also negligible when viewed as a cost for auditioning a new product that then can't be sold as new if returned. You're full of Schiit Rickie, everyone knows 3000 hits is harder because you have to swing the bat 2500 more times.. ...but only 1/5 as hard. |
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Post by adaboy on Sept 18, 2015 18:31:04 GMT -5
Lol, you guys are hilarious! So first impressions are after a 4 hours of A/B'ing them my buddy and I both agreed that the XPS-1 heald the edge against the Mani. It's not a night and day difference between the two as the XPS-1 is more neutral vs the warm Mani. Are you sure the Mani isn't more neutral than the bright XPS-1? Lol... The XPS-1's headlights meet Federal guidelines, the Mani's lights are dim and would need replacement to pass inspection lol. |
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,864
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Post by LCSeminole on Sept 18, 2015 18:45:10 GMT -5
Lol, you guys are hilarious! So first impressions are after a 4 hours of A/B'ing them my buddy and I both agreed that the XPS-1 heald the edge against the Mani. It's not a night and day difference between the two as the XPS-1 is more neutral vs the warm Mani. Keith was spot on with his assessment, it would be a either or kinda situation;however, they both sound really good and well worth the money spent. Makes me wonder what dollar range would I have to go to top the XPS-1??? The neutrality of this phono stage is very impressive. Any ideas on a night and day difference for under a grand? All I have to say is stop wondering and just sit back and enjoy. I have found in this hobby that once you've reached a certain level that the "Law of Diminishing Returns" kicks in. |
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,864
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Post by LCSeminole on Sept 18, 2015 18:56:48 GMT -5
That is so true... it's like asking which is harder to achieve, 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. There is no definitive answer. My suggestion - both the XPS-1 and Mani are not that expensive. Get both, compare and then return the one less favored. Shipping costs on items that small would be negligible, and Schiit charges a 5% restocking fee, also negligible when viewed as a cost for auditioning a new product that then can't be sold as new if returned. You're full of Schiit Rickie, everyone knows 3000 hits is harder because you have to swing the bat 2500 more times.. Did either of you include BALCO as one of the factors for attaining 500 home runs? If not I believe it's time to reassess your choice!! Just saying............ Sorry for the off-topic. Now back to the subject at hand.  |
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Post by leonski on Sept 28, 2015 1:33:54 GMT -5
People tend to nod TOGETHER. You need to LIVE with a piece for a couple weeks and than decide. For yourself.
Also, you must evaluate YOUR goals (system / listening-wise) VS your buddies. If he listens for PRaT and you like Slam, than you might never agree. I have maggies, like your buddies but don't feel compelled to swap speaker cables. Ever.
I love the spacious image, realistic presentation and the general presentation of panels. Your friend has Panels AND Thiels? i wouldn't follow him down this path.
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Post by adaboy on Sept 28, 2015 9:39:33 GMT -5
People tend to nod TOGETHER. You need to LIVE with a piece for a couple weeks and than decide. For yourself. Also, you must evaluate YOUR goals (system / listening-wise) VS your buddies. If he listens for PRaT and you like Slam, than you might never agree. I have maggies, like your buddies but don't feel compelled to swap speaker cables. Ever. I love the spacious image, realistic presentation and the general presentation of panels. Your friend has Panels AND Thiels? i wouldn't follow him down this path. Valid points! Yes he has both and I have 2 sets of MMG's along with AV123 RS 760's. So we both have maggies with normalish type speakers. I like to use the speakers based on what I want to listen to. I use the towers for HT and rock music, I use the maggies for everything else. I still haven't bought the hole cable switching thing, I've borrowed some of his cables and it hasn't done anything for me. We both are pretty hard headed so although we can agree one moment we disagree the next. The best part of it is that we both love the hobby and have something to talk about it. But I know deep down inside the maggies kick most speakers butts in the midrange. (no offense) After listening I'm keeping the XPS-1. |
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Post by leonski on Sept 28, 2015 15:20:23 GMT -5
As you go forward keep your GOALS straight.
MMG is a DIY / Modders DREAM speaker. New hardwood frames? Pole Piece damping> (razering) various Stands? Not to mention the original Series crossover which some think sounds the best.
Planar Asylum or Magnepan Users Group is where you want to 'catch up' on panels.
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otherwise we really couldn't tell you what would be a better fit in your system so that's my thought's, just do an A/B comparison when he gets the Mani.
