Here are some initial thoughts on the Majik Buss/Electra Power Cord combo.
Before talking about sonics, I would like to discuss a non-music items first.
The MB as currently built, isn't compatible with my FurmanSound IT Ref-20i balanced power conditioner. When I plug the Majik Buss into the outlets on the Ref IT-20i, the IT Ref-20i shuts down due to the internal GFI being tripped.
While I was disappointed that this was happening, the customer service I received from both Danny and Dave was excellent!
Both responded to my PM's on a Saturday afternoon in less than an hour and explained what the issue was and offered possible options so that I could plug the MB into the IT Ref-20i. I will continue to work with the guys and we will jointly figure out the right course of action.
So on to the music...
I first tried the MB plugged directly into my dedicated 20 amp line (with Oyaide R1 outlets) and kept my FurmanSound Ref IT-20i balanced power conditioner also plugged into the wall. I connected my Plinius M8 preamp and Modwright Transporter to the MB via Kaplan Cable conditioner cords and I left my Atma-Sphere MA-1's and the powered subs from the Vandy 5A's connected to the Furman via Kaplan Cable conditioner cords and Black Sand Sliver Ref Mk V cords respectively.
My initial reaction to this combination was mixed. I felt that on the positive side, the initial transient response was faster and there appeared to be a little more detail. I noticed this especially on acoustic instruments (such as the great guitar work on Wilco's
Being There). The opening lick on
"Sunken Treasure" was quick, textured, and hung in the air more than with everything plugged into the Furman.
On the negative side, I felt that the music thinned out a bit and wasn't as full sounding in the mid-range and mid-bass areas. This made male vocals, bass guitars, piano, etc...sound like they lost some of their size and authority. Listening to Ben Harper's or Sam Cooke's voices, they sounded "off" to me and weren't as captivating as they normally are.
I relayed this info to Danny and Dave and both thought that I would get a better experience by plugging the MB directly into the wall and the Furman directly into the MB. So after letting my system warm up this morning, I played some of my usual reference tracks and validated my findings from yesterday - check, still the same as yesterday. With that done, I went about making the system configuration changes.
Well, both guys were spot on - running the Furman into the MB is definitely a winning combination!!
The best way to describe what I have been listening to for the past few hours is "
ENTHRALLING!! The music is just pumping out and oozing out of the 5A's in a simultaneous fashion that grabs hold of me, smacks me around, and demands that I listen more and more!
No longer do I feel like things have thinned out...in fact, the music is more full bodied, with increased weight. Ben and Sam, not only were more solid and fleshed out, I now felt like I was there in the studio with them watching the recording. There is a such a nice improvement in the "palpability" of the music that it really makes things more magical.
I am getting a much blacker background with more detail and speed, than I was with the previous configuration. The high's are more crisp and extended without going over the edge and being grating or irritating - picture silky smooth, but with tons of detail and shading. When listening to Ben Harper's
Fight For Your Mind's "Gold to Me" track, the cymbals and bells are excellent and airy. The bass line is tight and well defined with texture, authority, and slam.
Switching over to some female artists, I am grinning ear to ear as I play music from Peggy Lee's
Black Coffee, Natalie Merchant's
Tigerlily, and Holly Cole's
Romantically Helpless. In all three examples, their voices are rich and luxurious when they should be, while being powerful and forceful when called for. Adjectives like "haunting", "beautiful", "mesmerizing", and "seductive" come to mind when playing
Black Coffee, I've Got You Under My Skin, Beloved Wife, The Letter, One Trick Pony, and Don't Fence Me In.
In case you missed it, I am very happy with combining the Majik Buss/Electra PC and the FurmanSound Ref IT-20i. This combination definitely produces a very nice improvement in my system. While I have no idea if it will do the same for you, I strongly suggest you take Danny up on his offer to demo the Majik Buss/Electra Power Cord combo and see for yourself.
Danny and Dave, how about an Uber Buss to try?? aa
George
