AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Spatial Audio => Topic started by: Tyson on 1 Nov 2021, 09:15 pm
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To read my initial listening impressions, go here - https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=178889.msg1881613#msg1881613
Oh, I love when new toys arrive! Some pics to get us started:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231609)
These guys are NOT small!
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231610)
Very well packed.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231611)
Easy to get out.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231612)
Almost there.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231613)
Hello beautiful.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231614)
They absolutely dwarf the hotrodded Klipsch Forte III's I had in there before.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231615)
Excellent choice in high quality binding posts!
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231616)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=231617)
And playing!!! Oh man, bass is crazy. Seriously, I'm going to have to spend the next few hours chasing down the stuff I hear rattling around on the whole floor.
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They can do bass. Put on Mickey Hart "The Gates of Dafos".
Your neighbors will think that your meth lab blew up...
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Congratulations! Looking good!
I'm still awaiting delivery of my X-5's. :scratch:
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Looks awesome! That tweeter is next level.
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Your chair is facing the wrong way! Even a noob like me knows that.
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Your chair is facing the wrong way! Even a noob like me knows that.
He straddles the chair with his chin on crossed arms, nearfield at 95db. Works everytime.
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Is that the satin finish?
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Oh, I love when new toys arrive!
Tyson, you are going to love the X3s. You selected the same Satin Red as me. 6 Months later and I still love the color. I know you will fuss with positioning. But, they sound superb no matter the location. They are fantastic for classical music.
Marcus
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Really stunning. The color you chose complements your furnishings nicely.
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They can do bass. Put on Mickey Hart "The Gates of Dafos".
Your neighbors will think that your meth lab blew up...
Listening to it now, thanks to Qobuz's ridiculously big library.... Yeah there's some bass there!
Your chair is facing the wrong way! Even a noob like me knows that.
Funny guy. Haha. Actually I just flip the chair around & move it back a couple of feet, gives me nice midfield/nearfield listening. I also have a chair further back that lets me do far field listening too.
Is that the satin finish?
Yep, Satin Red. I was thinking about getting the high gloss but felt it might attract too much attention if it was shiny on top of being red.
Tyson, you are going to love the X3s. You selected the same Satin Red as me. 6 Months later and I still love the color. I know you will fuss with positioning. But, they sound superb no matter the location. They are fantastic for classical music.
Marcus
Yes, it's very clear that they image like demons. Way better at building out the acoustic space of a recording than my prior speakers the Forte III's (hotrodded).
Really stunning. The color you chose complements your furnishings nicely.
Thanks man. It's nice, now that I'm single I can just make the rooms in the house however I want them. Since I'm in a 1954 split ranch brick house, I've tried to have a more midcentury modern vibe, and the speakers definitely fit nicely into that. I'm really pleased with how they look.
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Are your super 7s playing second fiddle to them?
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Are your super 7s playing second fiddle to them?
I have 2 systems, the Super 7's are still kicking butt in my downstairs system.
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I am jealous.
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Finally, congrats!
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So this is why you've been selling off gear! Very nice, hopefully I'll get to hear some Spatials next year if they show at Lou's (Daedalus) show.
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Finally, congrats!
Thanks man!!! Especially since your speakers were a direct influence on me to giving the X3's a go.
So this is why you've been selling off gear! Very nice, hopefully I'll get to hear some Spatials next year if they show at Lou's (Daedalus) show.
Yep, gotta defray some of the cost if I can. Although for the level of performance you get with the X3's, they are very well priced.
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Oh man, those look so nice! Please tell me I want a pair.
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Oh man, those look so nice! Please tell me I want a pair.
You want a pair.
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Tyson. Stop listening to music and tell us some details (LOL). I'm curious about your positioning, especially distance from the MLP. Also, your thoughts on the AMT driver. I love listening to my X3s. Take a listen to my most recent recommendation. Available on Qobuz now (24/192). Search for Honeck Brahms. Even David Hurwitz at Classics Today loves the performance.
Marcus
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Tyson,
Very nice. I stopped by the Spatial audio rum at the Capital Audio Fest and they were using a version of the X5’s without a plate amp. They sounded very nice.
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I have 2 systems, the Super 7's are still kicking butt in my downstairs system.
Well, when you have a little more time with the X-3's and they are fully broken in, will you kindly share your honest feedback on the pro's and cons on these two well respected speakers?
Myself and a whole of folks are very interested in an objective comparison.
With thanks
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Tyson,
Very nice. I stopped by the Spatial audio rum at the Capital Audio Fest and they were using a version of the X5’s without a plate amp. They sounded very nice.
Yes, my experience has been that Spatial always gets really good sound at shows. But it's because Clayton is cheating. It's literally 10x easier to get a good OB speaker to sound good in a difficult room than it is a box speaker in that same room. Ask me how I know that, lol!!
Tyson. Stop listening to music and tell us some details (LOL). I'm curious about your positioning, especially distance from the MLP. Also, your thoughts on the AMT driver. I love listening to my X3s. Take a listen to my most recent recommendation. Available on Qobuz now (24/192). Search for Honeck Brahms. Even David Hurwitz at Classics Today loves the performance.
Marcus
Burn In Notes:
Ah, didn't know anyone was waiting on impressions. I learned that Clayton use the Vcap ODAM caps in the crossover, which are probably the best caps out there outside of maybe some of the Duelund ultra-premium caps. I should know, I've tried most of them in my DAC or in my 1 solid state amp and 7 different tube amps. The ODAM caps are just about as close to perfectly neutral as you can get. And dynamic sounding as hell. But they take a looooooong time to burn in. Like 500 hours. I had Clayton run them in for 7 days at the factory, so they already had 170 hours on them when they arrive. I've been putting about 20 hours per day on them since they got here 6 days ago. So that's almost 300 hours.
Then yesterday I realized I'd made a mistake. Because the top end had really opened up and started to sound very nice, but the bass was.... uhm.... constipated. Doh, I had only used pink noise and no deep bass frequency sweeps. So I ran some 20hz bass tones through them for a few hours last night and this morning. Ah, that's better!!! Bass is coming in very nicely now. One word of caution if you do bass sweeps. LOOK AT THE DRIVER WHEN IT'S PLAYING. Do NOT allow it to go past a half inch of movement. I actually ran it a 1/3rd of an inch movement and that was plenty. You just want to do enough that it loosens up the spider and surrounds a bit, you do NOT want to hit the excursion limits. So be careful.
A little history:
As you may know, I had the hotrodded Klipsch Forte III in here before. "Hotrodded" is a bit misleading, it was more like "ripped them apart and rebuilt them from the ground up to be a reference level horn/box speaker". I was actually very happy with them most of the time. The tonal balance was smooth, beautiful, rich, emotional. And they were nice and punchy, lively and dynamic (as they should be at 99db efficiency). So, if I liked my rebuilt Forte's so much, why even consider getting something else? Oh, one word - the ROOM. The right side of my room is closed off (a corner) and the other side is open to a different room. So the right speaker always loaded the room more than the left. Even with messing with placement and even using pretty sophisticated electric EQ, it was never resolved very well. In fact it was like Chinese water torture. Every time those bass notes hit and resonated the whole room it was like "drip, drip, drip". After 2 years of fighting with it, I just couldn't bear it. So, time to move to something OB. Then I heard Mike Galusha's system that had similar mid/tweeter drivers as the X3 and it was very, very good. A bit later, I heard the X2's at Steven Stones place with a Pass X30 driving it and it was one of the best setup's I'd ever heard from an imaging and soundstaging and resolution standpoint. Plus, I also have the GR Research Super 7's downstairs in my main system in a dedicated room (along with my projector and HT stuff). So I had a very high bar that I was hoping the X3's would reach. But in truth I'd never heard the X3's before I ordered them back in August. In fact, I'd never heard them until they showed up in their giant boxes this past Monday.
Initial Listening Impressions:
Dropped them into place of the Klipsch, dialed up the sub volume to 80%, queued up the first song and I can only think of one word to describe them. And that word is "holyfuckingshit!" Haha oh man these are SO MUCH BETTER than my rebuilt Forte's it's not even funny. Immediately all the bass issues and problems and lumpiness as SOLVED. Instantly. No EQ, no messing with position, nothing. Just plop the speakers down and they immediately crush the box based competition. Astonishing. I was literally giggling like a little girl. I could immediately tell that these were just in a different class than my box speakers were. Were they similar in level as my Super 7's downstairs? Hard to say because they needed burn in (and still do), but I could tell immediately that both speakers were both at similar levels of overall performance (ie, world class). Even though the X3 is a killer sounding speaker right out of the box, it still needs a LOT of burn in. It never sounded 'bad' during the past week, but there were days they sounded more bright and other days they sounded really muted and veiled. All part of the burn in process, so just be patient and push through it.
Current Listening Impressions:
As I said, I'm about 300 hours into these guys now and can say that they've filled in, smoothed out and the bass in particular has opened up and become fulsome, while also being very punchy and tight. They don't do SUPER deep, maybe around 28hz with full power, but that's plenty for just about anything except pipe organ music. The other thing I love is just how evenly they load the entire room with sound. And that sound really is focused in to the room itself. If I go off to one side (toward my office), then the sound (especially the bass) drops off dramatically. This is GREAT, because my whole house doesn't resonate and vibrate when listening. The high intensity part of the music it projected mostly into the living room, which is where I want it.
Hopefully this is good, I'll do a full review in another week or so, and do much more detailed comparisons between the X3's, the Forte's and the Super 7's.
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Thank you for your impressions and the upcoming comparisons!
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Thanks. Similar to my impressions of the X5s and I didn't have to worry about break in.
As I climbed the ladder with speakers, I would always listen and then fret about something not quite right or something missing. These speakers I just love more and more each time I listen.
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Burn In Notes:
Ah, didn't know anyone was waiting on impressions.
Yes! Waiting. Thank you Tyson for providing these initial impressions.
Initial Listening Impressions:
... I can only think of one word to describe them. And that word is "holyfuckingshit!" ...Astonishing. I was literally giggling like a little girl.
Well, that about sums up my thoughts exactly.
Hopefully this is good, I'll do a full review in another week or so, and do much more detailed comparisons between the X3's, the Forte's and the Super 7's.
Looking forward to more of your impressions.
Marcus
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Great news!!!
Here's my best guess at what Tyson's impressions will be: X3's highs are better than the Super 7's (more reserved and definitely more resolving), mids are close (not-so-subtlely different, with a preference for the Super 7's due to his musical tastes), and the bass is better overall on the Super 7's (no surprise there). Then he'll say the perfect speaker would be the Super 7's with the X3 tweeter while extolling the benefits of a horn.
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Knowing ODAMs are in the crossover makes me want these even more. Those caps made a dramatic improvement in the tweeter circuit of my NX-Oticas and NX-Studios.
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Initial Listening Impressions:
Dropped them into place of the Klipsch, dialed up the sub volume to 80%
I've kept my X3 sub volume at 80% myself for most music. However, for symphonic music, I dial the subs to 100% so the plucking of the double basses match the rest of the orchestra. Just a personal preference.
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I have my subs at 100% but use room correction to lop off the highest peaks. That brings up the rest of the bass to a naturally elevated concert hall level.
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Knowing ODAMs are in the crossover makes me want these even more.
+1
Tyson, thanks for the write-up!
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Fine job on the feedback Tyson :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :thumb:
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Hello Tyson, Desertpilot and co.
I am partly blaming you guys for being so interested in the X3s. - your postings are too good to be ignored.
The unboxing shows that the speakers appear to be well protected in their packing (which will be needed for a trip to Australia) and your feedback/listening notes etc have only served to make me even more keen (if that was possible) to get a set of these speakers, once I know what I am up for in terms of transport (plus other duties upon arrival in the country).
As soon as I have my ducks in a row.....order completion will be happening.
In the meantime thank you for your thoughts on your new speakers.
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Ozspace, you are most welcome. Just as a tease, suddenly today, after owning my X3s for 6 months with a few hundred hours on them, they sound noticeably better than ever. I'm not kidding. Generally I do not notice subtle changes. So, for me to notice a big change (for the better) is saying something.
Tyson - I'm looking at you six months from now. I can't wait to hear your thoughts (LOL).
Marcus
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I've kept my X3 sub volume at 80% myself for most music. However, for symphonic music, I dial the subs to 100% so the plucking of the double basses match the rest of the orchestra. Just a personal preference.
I have the X5s and would love to hear the difference in the bass between the X3 and X5. I keep my subwoofer set at about 95% at all times and it's ok for the majority of music I listen too, but not as tout as I would like. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have purchased the X3s, assuming they have a tad bit more bass?
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I have the X5s and would love to hear the difference in the bass between the X3 and X5. I keep my subwoofer set at about 95% at all times and it's ok for the majority of music I listen too, but not as tout as I would like. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have purchased the X3s, assuming they have a tad bit more bass?
Are you saying you keep your X5's at 95% bass or a separate subwoofer? If you have a separate sub then here is this..........
I've heard both, although in separate systems, and I don't recognize any difference in bass output. They are both rated to go down to the same 25 hertz and I maybe, MAYBE, hear that the 5's are just a tad quicker. I suspect that what you are hearing is your sub that is out of whack with your 5's. I went through this same problem when I had Magnepans. I was trying every high end large sub I could get my hands on and always had that muddled bass where the tones were still hanging around after the Maggies had moved on. They were simply too slow and you could hear there was no symmetry between the sub and the main speakers. Then I was in a local audio shop and an experienced old timer suggested I try a sealed sub with a smaller driver and gave me a couple of recommendations. The first one I tried was a powered, sealed sub with a powered 10 inch woofer by Martin Logan. I knew after listening for just a few minutes that the problem had been solved. You see, Martin Logan builds very fast electrostats for their main speaker line and had developed their subs to integrate well with those speakers. The sealed enclosure and smaller driver simply damped much faster than the behemoths that I had been trying. I still use that M&L with my X'5 to this day, although very sparingly as I'm very happy with the sub that comes with the Spatials. The best part was.....the new in box ML was less than 600 bucks. I truly don't think you need to go to X3's. I think you will be hearing the same thing you have now, maybe even a little worse. Anyway, all the best to you and good luck.
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Hey, sorry I've been lax in replying here - I had sinus surgery on Tuesday and it kind of kicked my butt. You guys might not know it but I also got a new DAC (finally found a new DAC that had more tubes than my old DAC, lol). So it's been burning in, too. It arrived at just about the same time the X3's came & I added some Duelund copper bypass caps to the output about a week ago. Which means the DAC and they speakers are BOTH burning in.
Today I'm somewhat feeling back to myself, so time for some updates/replies!
Thanks. Similar to my impressions of the X5s and I didn't have to worry about break in.
As I climbed the ladder with speakers, I would always listen and then fret about something not quite right or something missing. These speakers I just love more and more each time I listen.
Daryl Zero,
Agreed! Often in the high end audio hobby we change to something new and it's more of a step sideways than a step up. Which means most upgrades are fun for a while but they don't stick, necessarily. But sometimes... sometimes we end up with something that's a true step up over what we've used before, and that's certainly true of the X3's for me.
Great news!!!
Here's my best guess at what Tyson's impressions will be: X3's highs are better than the Super 7's (more reserved and definitely more resolving), mids are close (not-so-subtlely different, with a preference for the Super 7's due to his musical tastes), and the bass is better overall on the Super 7's (no surprise there). Then he'll say the perfect speaker would be the Super 7's with the X3 tweeter while extolling the benefits of a horn.
Early B,
What, another prediction! I loved your last prediction (from the Forte III Hotrodding thread).
We'll see how it goes as burn in finishes up over the next few days, but from what I'm hearing so far... well I'll let Jason (Pez) sum it up in his comment when he was over the other day & we listened to both systems. First, we both agreed that the Super 7's and the X3's were absolutely great speakers, and even shared many design elements (powered bass, planars/ribbons, high efficiency, open baffle). Jason said "You know, for speakers so similar in design, these 2 speakers sound about as far apart from each other as 2 OB speakers I've ever heard." I agree. And I'll also add that it's a GOOD thing. These 2 sets of speakers have a lot of overlap and they both do everything to an exceptional level (especially when compared to ALL the competition out there), but when compared to each other, they have VERY different strengths, weaknesses and voicings. And I couldn't be happier about it, I love that. I'll expand on it more when I do the full review in a bit.
Knowing ODAMs are in the crossover makes me want these even more. Those caps made a dramatic improvement in the tweeter circuit of my NX-Oticas and NX-Studios.
mkwrawz,
Yes Clayton clearly has an excellent ear and a willingness to use the very best parts to get these speakers to the elite level that they are at.
Hello Tyson, Desertpilot and co.
I am partly blaming you guys for being so interested in the X3s. - your postings are too good to be ignored.
The unboxing shows that the speakers appear to be well protected in their packing (which will be needed for a trip to Australia) and your feedback/listening notes etc have only served to make me even more keen (if that was possible) to get a set of these speakers, once I know what I am up for in terms of transport (plus other duties upon arrival in the country).
As soon as I have my ducks in a row.....order completion will be happening.
In the meantime thank you for your thoughts on your new speakers.
Ozspace,
Welcome to the family! Even with the extra hassle of long range shipping, the X series is still absolutely worth it. I've actually done a fair bit of DIY speakers in my past and I was going to build something like the X3's on my own, but at a certain point in my research I realized that I might be able to get close to the X3's, but I woudn't be able to surpass it. Hell I couldn't even build them for much cheaper than what Clayton sells them. To me, that makes them both world class (in absolute performance) and a stone cold bargain.
Everyone else,
re: the bass, here's my 2c. I've gone from 80% to about 90% on my settings too. I talked with Clayton and he said he set it up that way on purpose, that the correct settings for most people will be very the upper end of the volume control. I've not heard the X5, but looking at the bass driver in it, it looks very similar in design to the woofers used in my Super 7's downstairs. If that's true, then the 12 inch woofer in the X5 is designed to have a much larger excursion than the woofer in the X3. But the X3 driver is bigger and has less maximum movement. The net result is a wash, in terms of total bass output. The X3 doesn't have to move as much front to back to get the same output as the X5, because a 15 inch driver has more surface are than a 12 inch driver. The X3 driver is constructed more like a typical pro-style woofer (paper woofer, stiff suspension/spider, stiff accordion-style surround. Based on hearing a lot of designs of the years, the X3's bass will be a bit more tight and tactile up through the midbass, while the X5 will have more grunt and power in the mid/deep bass. Again, just me speculating but based on hearing how these different drivers sound in other applications gives a pretty good idea. Other than the bass though, the X5's and X3's should sound identical. The X5's might image better though, because they are smaller/narrower and that always helps speakers disappear better.
Right now I definitely do not feel the need for a sub, the X3s go down strong to 25hz in my room, and as long as they can hit those very low notes with power, that's all I need.
HOWEVER, if anyone else here IS considering getting a sub, please please please take my strong advice and get the servo OB subs that GR Research offers. They are the ONLY subs on the market that are in the same (thoroughbred) class as the X series. There's 4 main ways to design a subwoofer - Infinite Baffle, ported, sealed and OB. I've heard a ton of each. Infinite Baffle and ported are always terrible matches for great OB speakers like the X series. Sealed is better, but OB is best. Especially the servo controlled OB bass that Danny uses.
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I have my bass settings up pretty high as well on my X5s. I'm glad to hear that is the norm. I think it's mainly about making sure you are doing something wrong since when I've set up subwoofers before I'm usually at about 1/2 volume. Thanks for the information about Clayton's direction on it.
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We'll see how it goes as burn in finishes up over the next few days, but from what I'm hearing so far... well I'll let Jason (Pez) sum it up in his comment when he was over the other day & we listened to both systems.
Oh, this is cool -- y'all are gonna bring back the old days when you both reviewed the same systems. It will be interesting to hear what both of you have to say.
And don't leave us hanging -- what DAC did you get???
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As mentioned by others here, the X3s will sound suddenly magical one day when they’re broken in. I’m amazed at mine every time I listen to music. The bass is spectacular, as is the overall soundstage. Clayton really knows how to produce a superlative speaker.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=232072)
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Oh, this is cool -- y'all are gonna bring back the old days when you both reviewed the same systems. It will be interesting to hear what both of you have to say.
And don't leave us hanging -- what DAC did you get???
Went from an iFi iDSD Pro:
(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rhfzv8EAExnUYujoBQNYDE.jpg)
To a Musical Paradise MP-D2 mk3, which is ridiculously overbuilt as a DAC but is perfect for my upstairs system since I don't have room for a dedicated preamp upstairs. Plus, has real tube rectification AND lets me use the superlative 12BH7 output tubes? Sign me up! It also measures very well on the bench:
(https://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/image/cache/data/amp/MP-D2-MK3_01-1024x683.jpg)
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As mentioned by others here, the X3s will sound suddenly magical one day when they’re broken in. I’m amazed at mine every time I listen to music. The bass is spectacular, as is the overall soundstage. Clayton really knows how to produce a superlative speaker.
Hi Ken. How long have you owned the X3s? Just curious.
Marcus
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Hey, sorry I've been lax in replying here - I had sinus surgery on Tuesday and it kind of kicked my butt.
...Today I'm somewhat feeling back to myself, so time for some updates/replies!
Tyson, My heartfelt sympathy. I've been plagued with severe sinus infections every few years. There is no medical solution. So, I go through a huge bottle of Aspirin (three tablets every three hours to keep the headaches at bay) over a two month period. Truly miserable. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thank you for your expert thoughts on your X3s. I would like to write a review as well (but using the X3s in a multichannel configuration). I look forward to your review.
Marcus
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Tyson, My heartfelt sympathy. I've been plagued with severe sinus infections every few years. There is no medical solution. So, I go through a huge bottle of Aspirin (three tablets every three hours to keep the headaches at bay) over a two month period. Truly miserable. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thank you for your expert thoughts on your X3s. I would like to write a review as well (but using the X3s in a multichannel configuration). I look forward to your review.
Marcus
Heck yeah you should do a review! The fact that you're multi-channel and running 3 of the X3's in front will give it a value that no other review will have.
Re: the surgery, yeah I had polyps that had to be removed, a deviated septum that had to be broken and re-set, as well as a lot of structural tissue that was malformed and not letting air pass the way it should, and that all got removed. Of course my default setting is to never actually give myself a break but I really was forced to over the past few days.
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Tyson, My heartfelt sympathy. I've been plagued with severe sinus infections every few years. There is no medical solution. So, I go through a huge bottle of Aspirin (three tablets every three hours to keep the headaches at bay) over a two month period. Truly miserable. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thank you for your expert thoughts on your X3s. I would like to write a review as well (but using the X3s in a multichannel configuration). I look forward to your review.
Marcus
I had sinus surgery that sounds similar to what Tyson had years ago. Definitely not an easy recovery. But what really changed my life and has virtually eliminated my frequent sinus infections is nasal rinse. I do it twice a day every day without fail and it has made a world of difference for me.
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Ozspace, you are most welcome. Just as a tease, suddenly today, after owning my X3s for 6 months with a few hundred hours on them, they sound noticeably better than ever. I'm not kidding. Generally I do not notice subtle changes. So, for me to notice a big change (for the better) is saying something.
Tyson - I'm looking at you six months from now. I can't wait to hear your thoughts (LOL).
Marcus
I am going to have to stop reading these threads - the X3s sound brilliant.
Marcus, I think that I read that you like classical music as one of your music choices.
Can you do me a favour?
Can you see if you can get any Julia Lezhneva singing Handel (or similar) off Qobuz/Tidal or similar and tell me your thoughts on how she sounds on the X3s? Especially any recording done with Il Giardino Armonico on Decca.
If I can't hear them (X3s) myself, I think that her voice, heard/assessed by someone like yourself and Tyson (and any other X3 owners who like classical) would tell me a lot about the speakers capabilities.
All the best,
Paul.
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Can you see if you can get any Julia Lezhneva singing Handel (or similar) off Qobuz/Tidal or similar and tell me your thoughts on how she sounds on the X3s? Especially any recording done with Il Giardino Armonico on Decca.
I have X5's so you can file this information or not. AFAIK the X5's are the same as the X3's except for the size if the bass driver. I would think that they would sound identical from the human voice and up
I listened to Julia Lezhneva on the album that you mentioned via Roon/Qobuz. I did not know about her. What a stunning voice! Such control. I have never heard anyone that could hold a note that long.
Yes. She sounded great on my X5's. Once well broken in I think that the X series excels at reproducing the human voice.
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I have X5's so you can file this information or not. AFAIK the X5's are the same as the X3's except for the size if the bass driver. I would think that they would sound identical from the human voice and up
I listened to Julia Lezhneva on the album that you mentioned via Roon/Qobuz. I did not know about her. What a stunning voice! Such control. I have never heard anyone that could hold a note that long.
Yes. She sounded great on my X5's. Once well broken in I think that the X series excels at reproducing the human voice.
Many thanks for your reply.
Yes she has a great voice, and I thought that she would sound great on the X series, so your thoughts are very much appreciated.
I haven't heard from Clayton at this stage, and I won't disturb him on his weekend, so I can only hope that he will be willing to send a pair of his speakers to Australia. After Capitolfest, I imagine the waiting list for Spatial Audio speakers is only getting longer.
All the best,
Paul.
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I am going to have to stop reading these threads - the X3s sound brilliant.
Marcus, I think that I read that you like classical music as one of your music choices.
Can you do me a favour?
Can you see if you can get any Julia Lezhneva singing Handel (or similar) off Qobuz/Tidal or similar and tell me your thoughts on how she sounds on the X3s? Especially any recording done with Il Giardino Armonico on Decca.
If I can't hear them (X3s) myself, I think that her voice, heard/assessed by someone like yourself and Tyson (and any other X3 owners who like classical) would tell me a lot about the speakers capabilities.
All the best,
Paul.
I'm also about 70% classical in my listening and since I got my Super 7's (and now X3's) I'm a really big fan of soprano voice. Why? Because these speakers do them so well. Which is very rare. Most speakers suck at nailing classical soprano voice, either being too damped and draining the life of the performance, or being to harsh/bright and just becoming unpleasant when the singer really leans in to the notes.
That's not a problem AT ALL with the X3's. In fact, they eat it up and come back for more! Vibrant beauty? Yes! Room filling sustained passion? Yes! Incredibly human sounding? Yes! Overload problems? No! Any stridency or harshness at all? No!
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They look great. I hope they sound good. I'd like to hear your comparison to your Klipsch speakers.
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I'm also about 70% classical in my listening and since I got my Super 7's (and now X3's) I'm a really big fan of soprano voice. Why? Because these speakers do them so well. Which is very rare. Most speakers suck at nailing classical soprano voice, either being too damped and draining the life of the performance, or being to harsh/bright and just becoming unpleasant when the singer really leans in to the notes.
That's not a problem AT ALL with the X3's. In fact, they eat it up and come back for more! Vibrant beauty? Yes! Room filling sustained passion? Yes! Incredibly human sounding? Yes! Overload problems? No! Any stridency or harshness at all? No!
I really appreciate getting your feedback Tyson.
After a lot of research into different O/B speaker manufacturers, and then following whatever I could find on Youtube etc about Spatial Audio I then "found" the AudioCircle threads about the current models.
That was the finisher - after reading Desertpilot, Doggie and others, your thread which started with you unboxing your new X3s followed by your recent impressions was the clincher.....that was me done. Search over. Final decision made. Spatial Audio it is (if possible).
I will be terribly disappointed if Clayton does not ship to Australia. Hopefully he does, and I can complete an order in the next couple of days as soon as I know the transport costs.
I have put Julia Lezhnova on my old speakers to listen to, while I am typing this message. She sounds really good on my (very) old B&W Matrix 3s. I can only imagine how good she would sound on your X3s. Fingers crossed that some time early next year I will be logging my impressions of my own new X3s.
All the best,
Paul.
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I really appreciate getting your feedback Tyson.
After a lot of research into different O/B speaker manufacturers, and then following whatever I could find on Youtube etc about Spatial Audio I then "found" the AudioCircle threads about the current models.
That was the finisher - after reading Desertpilot, Doggie and others, your thread which started with you unboxing your new X3s followed by your recent impressions was the clincher.....that was me done. Search over. Final decision made. Spatial Audio it is (if possible).
I will be terribly disappointed if Clayton does not ship to Australia. Hopefully he does, and I can complete an order in the next couple of days as soon as I know the transport costs.
I have put Julia Lezhnova on my old speakers to listen to, while I am typing this message. She sounds really good on my (very) old B&W Matrix 3s. I can only imagine how good she would sound on your X3s. Fingers crossed that some time early next year I will be logging my impressions of my own new X3s.
All the best,
Paul.
Oh man, I've heard those speakers before and you are in for a treat, the X series is a big step up over what you are hearing right now. Not that your speakers are bad in any way, but the X series is truly world class. Best of luck with the shipping questions!
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Oh man, I've heard those speakers before and you are in for a treat, the X series is a big step up over what you are hearing right now. Not that your speakers are bad in any way, but the X series is truly world class. Best of luck with the shipping questions!
I have some Quad ESL 63s, but after multiple ongoing issues with arcing panels, despite being looked at by a quality tech guy on several occasions (and spending quite a bit to try to get them going properly) I gave up and went back to the B&Ws.
The Quads didn't like the humid days we can get where I live, which was a pity, because my wife and I loved the open, "non-box" sound of the Quads.
My hope, and understanding (from reading what you guys are saying) is that the X3s will give us the open sound of the Quads in the treble and mid, plus a whole lot more in other areas where the Quads have a little less "authority". Plus of course, the X3s are a modern design using the best components/technology available etc.
Just read a thread from a happy owner in the Ukraine, so hopefully Australia won't be a problem.
It's interesting - there is growing interest down this way in O/B speakers, so fingers crossed.
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I have some Quad ESL 63s, but after multiple ongoing issues with arcing panels, despite being looked at by a quality tech guy on several occasions (and spending quite a bit to try to get them going properly) I gave up and went back to the B&Ws.
The Quads didn't like the humid days we can get where I live, which was a pity, because my wife and I loved the open, "non-box" sound of the Quads.
My hope, and understanding (from reading what you guys are saying) is that the X3s will give us the open sound of the Quads in the treble and mid, plus a whole lot more in other areas where the Quads have a little less "authority". Plus of course, the X3s are a modern design using the best components/technology available etc.
Just read a thread from a happy owner in the Ukraine, so hopefully Australia won't be a problem.
It's interesting - there is growing interest down this way in O/B speakers, so fingers crossed.
Imagine the open sound of the quads combined with the dynamics and liveliness of a great horn based speaker and then add in bass that's stronger and more detailed than your B&W speakers and that's pretty close to what the X3's do.
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Imagine the open sound of the quads combined with the dynamics and liveliness of a great horn based speaker and then add in bass that's stronger and more detailed than your B&W speakers and that's pretty close to what the X3's do.
That will do me perfectly!!
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I also owned Quad ESL 63 totally rebuilt by Electrostatic Solution from the power supply up. Nothing was left not upgraded, and I loved them and still do, but my M3's give me 80% of what the Quads could plus the unlimited dynamic range at sane levels without being concerned about the panels arcing, the Quads are untouched in many ways and they put many current $$$$$ speakers to shame, but having said that I still have my Saphhires M3's and enjoy them very much once they got some use on them and who knows they may continue to get better,
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Are you saying you keep your X5's at 95% bass or a separate subwoofer?
geerock, I set my X5 subwoofers at about 95%, not a separate subwoofer. I do have a 12" sealed subwoofer made by Sunfire, but I use that for my surround sound setup. If I decide to add a subwoofer to the X5's, it will be an OB subwoofer.
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(https://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/image/cache/data/amp/MP-D2-MK3_01-1024x683.jpg)
Tyson, my buddy just sent me the link to the Musical Paradise website today. He wanted to get my thoughts on the DAC and I couldn't give any opinions as I never heard of it until today. So, I would like to get your impressions of the Musical Paradise DAC paired with your X3s.
Thanks in advance!
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Tyson, my buddy just sent me the link to the Musical Paradise website today. He wanted to get my thoughts on the DAC and I couldn't give any opinions as I never heard of it until today. So, I would like to get your impressions of the Musical Paradise DAC paired with your X3s.
Thanks in advance!
I got mine with all the upgrades so I can speak to the fully upgraded latest version (the Mk3). It's phenomenal. Looking at the size of it, the design choices, the quality of the parts and the overall performance (including excellent measured performance on my friend's test bench), it should really cost much, much more. If I someone were to send it to me blind, ask me to demo it and guess the price, I'd say $5k at least. I can't believe there's not more buzz about this thing out there. Oh well, maybe that's good, if it got too hot, the manufacturer might raise his prices, haha.
One thing - I just use it as a DAC, I don't use the volume control on the front (these are usually just an afterthought on DACs anyway), and I also switched over from the 6922 tubes that come stock to the 12BH7 tubes which you can run if you flip it over to 12v tube operation (there's a clearly labeled switch to do this on the inside). The 6922 is a decent tube but the 12BH7 is much better, IMO. In fact the 12BH7 is the closest I've ever heard a 9 pin tube sound to a 6SN7 (my favorite signal tube).
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.....The 6922 is a decent tube but the 12BH7 is much better, IMO. In fact the 12BH7 is the closest I've ever heard a 9 pin tube sound to a 6SN7 (my favorite signal tube).
This sounds like an interesting dac, I'll have to look into it. Does it accommodate any 6/12 volt Noval tube?
The 12bh7 doesn't sound anything like the 6sn7 to me (in a preamp). The 12bh7 has the more classic euphonic midrange and softened treble many like (or need). The Noval 9 pin equivalent to the 6sn7 is the 6cg7 if you can use it in your dac, and in a preamp I have that can use either, they do sound similar.
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I got mine with all the upgrades so I can speak to the fully upgraded latest version (the Mk3). It's phenomenal. Looking at the size of it, the design choices, the quality of the parts and the overall performance (including excellent measured performance on my friend's test bench), it should really cost much, much more. If I someone were to send it to me blind, ask me to demo it and guess the price, I'd say $5k at least. I can't believe there's not more buzz about this thing out there. Oh well, maybe that's good, if it got too hot, the manufacturer might raise his prices, haha.
One thing - I just use it as a DAC, I don't use the volume control on the front (these are usually just an afterthought on DACs anyway), and I also switched over from the 6922 tubes that come stock to the 12BH7 tubes which you can run if you flip it over to 12v tube operation (there's a clearly labeled switch to do this on the inside). The 6922 is a decent tube but the 12BH7 is much better, IMO. In fact the 12BH7 is the closest I've ever heard a 9 pin tube sound to a 6SN7 (my favorite signal tube).
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=232144)
Now you guys are talking! I've had my MP DAC with the AKM4497 chipset since the new Mk3 came out. Switched to Vcap ODAMS and had NOS Telefunken 6922 in the signal chain and a NOS Phillip's 5u4g as the rectifier. It's a giant killer if there ever was one. But I just recently got the tube adapters so I can use 6sn7's as signal tubes and bought Linlai elite series E6sn7's and that may be the finest 6sn7 tube I've ever heard. Maybe the Shuguang Dawning series is right there with it but you simply cant find them anymore although I do have a quad of them in my Don Sachs pre.
Anyway, the DAC is a killer piece. You can tube roll until rapture and can even change out the caps with no soldering. Also it can handle up to and including DSD512 and upsampling to amazing levels. Garry, the head honcho at Musical Paradise, definitely knows how to design a piece of audio equipment. I've tried a couple DAC's since I bought this piece and both times it was no contest. And both those units were far more expensive. The MP is a keeper.
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This sounds like an interesting dac, I'll have to look into it. Does it accommodate any 6/12 volt Noval tube?
The 12bh7 doesn't sound anything like the 6sn7 to me (in a preamp). The 12bh7 has the more classic euphonic midrange and softened treble many like (or need). The Noval 9 pin equivalent to the 6sn7 is the 6cg7 if you can use it in your dac, and in a preamp I have that can use either, they do sound similar.
The 6922 is definitely tipped up in the top end vs. the 12BH7, which is not surprising as the 12BH7 is a more linear tube. This lack of top end emphasis (and overall great tone) plus somewhat better dynamics, is why I compare it to the 6SN7. Obviously nothing exactly replicates the magic of a 6SN7, which is actually my favorite. But the 12BH7 gets close, at least IME.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=232144)
Now you guys are talking! I've had my MP DAC with the AKM4497 chipset since the new Mk3 came out. Switched to Vcap ODAMS and had NOS Telefunken 6922 in the signal chain and a NOS Phillip's 5u4g as the rectifier. It's a giant killer if there ever was one. But I just recently got the tube adapters so I can use 6sn7's as signal tubes and bought Linlai elite series E6sn7's and that may be the finest 6sn7 tube I've ever heard. Maybe the Shuguang Dawning series is right there with it but you simply cant find them anymore although I do have a quad of them in my Don Sachs pre.
Anyway, the DAC is a killer piece. You can tube roll until rapture and can even change out the caps with no soldering. Also it can handle up to and including DSD512 and upsampling to amazing levels. Garry, the head honcho at Musical Paradise, definitely knows how to design a piece of audio equipment. I've tried a couple DAC's since I bought this piece and both times it was no contest. And both those units were far more expensive. The MP is a keeper.
OK, so you are running 6SN7's in yours? Did you just get a 6922 to 6SN7 adapter to do it? Did you make any other modifications to make it work? Do you run a quad of 6SN7's in all 4 sockets? If not, what tubes do you run in the 'off' sockets?.
I had planned to get an adapter to try out a 6SN7 in mine but my tech cautioned me, because if the power supply transformer doesn't produce enough voltage, then the 6SN7 can put too much of a strain on it and cause damage. Also the 6SN7's had different enough specs that it's hard to believe that the original circuit is really optimized for it. Which I'm actually OK with, as all my other tube gear has 6SN7's in the signal path so not a huge loss if I can't run them in the MP.
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Tyson
The max plate voltage on the 6sn7 is rated much higher than the 6922 / 6dj8 tubes so no issue there. The minimum current voltage is very similar. And I checked with Garry from MP before I did it anyway. Also, Don Sachs, who actually got his MP DAC when I gave him the lead on it had gone through the circuit to be sure there was no issue and had run the 6sn7 before I did. So I was comfortable with it. I run SE so I only need 1st and 3rd order tubes. The other 2 I just put in the stock 6.3 volt units so I don't waste time on the good tubes. And yes, all I did was use the adapters. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing bad about 6922 Teles from the 50's. I just think that the 6sn7 is such a great tube and I've been dying to try these Linlai elites ever since the Shuguang Dawning series became unavailable.
Best of luck.
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Tyson, can you share which dac module and upgrades you purchased for the musical Paradise? A new dac is on my radar, I am using a Schitt Iggy now.
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Tyson, can you share which dac module and upgrades you purchased for the musical Paradise? A new dac is on my radar, I am using a Schitt Iggy now.
The only DAC module available is the ESS Sabre because the AKM chip factory burned down. I was a bit leery of getting the ESS because I've heard DACs that used that chip in the past and they were very detailed but too analytical for my tastes. But I have to say the MP implementation of the ESS chip is quite good. No harshness or analytical sound AT ALL. In fact there's a beguiling softness and easiness to the sound that reminds me of vinyl more than anything.
I'd also recommend getting the Vcap ODAM for all 4 output capacitors, not just 2. I tried the DAC with just 2 and it sounded very good, but putting the ODAM's in all 4 spots took it to a higher level of dynamics and resolution. Not sure why, but I can only report what I hear.
And of course make sure to get the Crystek Femto clock upgrade as well. Better digital inputs/boards really improve imaging and soundstaging as well as do a lot to remove some of the edge and harshness digital can have sometimes.
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Tyson, curious if you've been able to compare the MP DAC with the May DAC?
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Tyson, curious if you've been able to compare the MP DAC with the May DAC?
My buddy Mike Galusha has a Holo May DAC and a Holo Spring DAC in his 2 systems, I got to hear both of them over the past 2 visits to his house. He's also my tube guy and does all the measurement for all the crazy gear I buy. Lovely man. Funny story - we both started out with Auralic Vega DAC's several years ago, and we are both big lovers of tube amps and high efficiency speakers that have been optimized to have beautiful tone in addition to their killer dynamics. He went from the original Vega to the Vega G2 and I went from the original Vega to an iFi iDSD Pro (because, tubes!). Now I've got the MP and the iFi both and he's moved on to the Holo DACs.
The Holo DACs are very good. I mean really, really good. If there were no great quality tube DACs out there, I would certainly get the Holo May based on what I heard at Mike's. Very clear, very dynamic, insane soundstage, just a super-high resolution device in the very best sense of the term. When I got my iFi iDSD Pro, I told myself I would never buy a non-tube based DAC again. But the Holo is so good, I've changed my mind. I could easily live with it.
BUT, given that I can afford either of them, which would I choose? Oh, the iFi and the MP would be my first choices. They just sound closer to what I ultimately want my music to sound like. So I give up a bit of resolution and bit of dynamics and what I gain is tone. Glorious, beautiful, soul-moving tone. For me, this makes the emotional intensity of a performance so much higher, and that's what I'm really after.
I had 2 iFi iDSD Pro's, one for my upstairs system with the X3's and a 2nd for my downstairs system with the Super 7's. I'm selling both of them. Why? Because I'm moving up to the iFi iDSD Pro Signature (just released by iFi) in my downstairs system, and keeping the MP in my upstairs system. The reason I was getting the MP in the first place is I don't have room for a preamp in my upstairs system and most DAC's are too wimpy to drive an amp directly. You can to it, but most of them kind of suck at it. The MP is WAY overbuilt for a DAC, but that makes it just about perfect to drive an amp directly. I've been very happy with my unit so far.
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... The reason I was getting the MP in the first place is I don't have room for a preamp in my upstairs system and most DAC's are too wimpy to drive an amp directly. You can to it, but most of them kind of suck at it.
Tyson, I have the exaSound S88 multichannel DAC (all solid state) which I run via XLR directly in to my amp. I was encouraged to do this to eliminate any coloration by my pre-amp. Lucky for me, my DAC drives my amp and my X3s with plenty of power. I really think DAC direct to Amp is a preferred method.
Marcus
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Cool, thanks for your thoughts in comparison with the May DAC, Tyson. I knew Mike had it, that you two are close, and that you probably had some thoughts about the two. Thanks for taking the bait to comment! And I know exactly what you're talking about regarding tube magic in a DAC, as a former Lampizator Big7 owner.
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I got mine with all the upgrades so I can speak to the fully upgraded latest version (the Mk3). It's phenomenal. Looking at the size of it, the design choices, the quality of the parts and the overall performance (including excellent measured performance on my friend's test bench), it should really cost much, much more.
I will share your impressions with my buddy. Thanks…
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My buddy Mike Galusha has a Holo May DAC and a Holo Spring DAC in his 2 systems, I got to hear both of them over the past 2 visits to his house. He's also my tube guy and does all the measurement for all the crazy gear I buy. Lovely man. Funny story - we both started out with Auralic Vega DAC's several years ago, and we are both big lovers of tube amps and high efficiency speakers that have been optimized to have beautiful tone in addition to their killer dynamics. He went from the original Vega to the Vega G2 and I went from the original Vega to an iFi iDSD Pro (because, tubes!). Now I've got the MP and the iFi both and he's moved on to the Holo DACs.
The Holo DACs are very good. I mean really, really good. If there were no great quality tube DACs out there, I would certainly get the Holo May based on what I heard at Mike's. Very clear, very dynamic, insane soundstage, just a super-high resolution device in the very best sense of the term. When I got my iFi iDSD Pro, I told myself I would never buy a non-tube based DAC again. But the Holo is so good, I've changed my mind. I could easily live with it.
Thanks for sharing your opinion on the Holo Audio DACs vs. MP DAC because I sold my Holo Audio Spring 2 KTE and awaiting delivery of the newly released Spring 3 KTE model and was curious how they compared? Thanks!
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@ DBT AUDIO
I own the May KTE and the MP-D2 Mk. III (with the AKM 4497 boards) as well as the Aqua La Voce S3 and the Directstream Sr. with the transformer upgrade. While they are all very good DACs with the MP-D2 bringing it's dose of tube magic that the others don't have if forced to keep only one it would be the May KTE. If your Spring 3 KTE shares the same qualities as it's big brother you will be happy with your choice.
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Tyson, I have the exaSound S88 multichannel DAC (all solid state) which I run via XLR directly in to my amp. I was encouraged to do this to eliminate any coloration by my pre-amp. Lucky for me, my DAC drives my amp and my X3s with plenty of power. I really think DAC direct to Amp is a preferred method.
Marcus
Your multi-channel setup is so cool. I wish I had room for that.
@ DBT AUDIO
I own the May KTE and the MP-D2 Mk. III (with the AKM 4497 boards) as well as the Aqua La Voce S3 and the Directstream Sr. with the transformer upgrade. While they are all very good DACs with the MP-D2 bringing it's dose of tube magic that the others don't have if forced to keep only one it would be the May KTE. If your Spring 3 KTE shares the same qualities as it's big brother you will be happy with your choice.
Since you can DAC roll with the MP, you should give the ESS DAC boards a try. I was worried that the ESS DAC would be too analytical sounding, but it's actually very nicely balanced in the MP. I also had a Mk1 version of the MP with the AKM and it really is better with the ESS boards.
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@ DBT AUDIO
I own the May KTE and the MP-D2 Mk. III (with the AKM 4497 boards) as well as the Aqua La Voce S3 and the Directstream Sr. with the transformer upgrade. While they are all very good DACs with the MP-D2 bringing it's dose of tube magic that the others don't have if forced to keep only one it would be the May KTE. If your Spring 3 KTE shares the same qualities as it's big brother you will be happy with your choice.
JackD, I must say you have a nice set of DAC’s to employ in your system(s)! I had the Spring 2 KTE, so I know how well Holo Audio performs. YouTube reviews indicate the Spring 3 KTE model’s performance is right on the heels of the May DAC, so I’m confident it will perform well with the new upgrades that are trickle down components from the May DAC. Thanks for sharing you thoughts!
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I bought the Holo Spring 3 KTE after owning the May KTE for a few months, hoping it would be close. It's really close, provided you don't want oversampling in hardware. The Spring 3 is in a mixed system, TV/Movie and 2 channel. It doesn't have the super low frequency punch of say an ESS9038 with oversampling, it's not rolled off at all, just not the type of bass you get in a theater. But for music, I find it really natural sounding. Not that I have the Spatial's, but I do have 3 sealed subs, so the bass isn't bad. I have thought about keeping the Matrix DAC just for movies, but I'd like to recover a few bucks from it.
FWIW, I put the Spring 3 on my test bench last weekend. The noise floor is almost at the limit of my analyzer, and the are no visible harmonic distortion products in the FFT, the measurements are impeccable. Nice that it measures as good as it sounds. @Tyson, it has changed nicely in the last couple weeks, it was only 2 days old when you heard it. :)
Back to Tyson's thread. :)
:popcorn:
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I bought the Holo Spring 3 KTE after owning the May KTE for a few months, hoping it would be close. It's really close, provided you don't want oversampling in hardware.
After reading and watching a few YouTube reviews on the Spring 3 KTE model, I chose it over the May DAC. If you conducted a blind test, do you think you would notice a difference?
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After reading and watching a few YouTube reviews on the Spring 3 KTE model, I chose it over the May DAC. If you conducted a blind test, do you think you would notice a difference?
It would be very difficult at best and likely I would not be able to, unless the OS was engaged on the May, then it would be easy, it sounds very different with the OS engaged. As I found I like the May in NOS mode, when I saw the Spring 3 and I had some extra $$, I put in the order. Hence my earlier comment that unless you want the hardware OS that the May has, the Spring is awfully good.
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I agree, the May clearly sounds best in NOS mode, based on what I heard the other day.
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Hello everyone.
A few days ago I received an email from Clayton (in reply to my message to him).
It looks like a choice between the M3 Sapphires and the X4 (with the X3 still a possibility) based on the information which I sent him.
I also sent back four photos of our listening room, and hope in the next day or two to finalise the model and finish choice with him (by phone), pay the money and then count down the days.
Then I will be buying the rest of the gear that I will adding to the Spatials, so that I can burn them in, in preparation.
In the meantime, as I write, I am listening to the soundtrack from the movie "Master and Commander Far Side of the World"
I think that this would be a great test CD for any speakers, so if any of you can put on a few tracks and tell me what you think about the movie soundtrack on your Spatial Audio speakers....would appreciate your thoughts folks.
The star of the movie, Russell Crowe lives about 25 miles (40kms) from where I live (when he is home on the family property.
He is pretty well known in the community for the assistance which he gives to local projects ( e.g.building a pool at the local school, supporting football teams etc).
I like the movie, and I really like the music which was in it.
Looking forward to your listening impressions
All the best,
Paul.
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It would be very difficult at best and likely I would not be able to, unless the OS was engaged on the May, then it would be easy, it sounds very different with the OS engaged. As I found I like the May in NOS mode, when I saw the Spring 3 and I had some extra $$, I put in the order. Hence my earlier comment that unless you want the hardware OS that the May has, the Spring is awfully good.
I agree, the May clearly sounds best in NOS mode, based on what I heard the other day.
Thanks for the feedback from both of you! It’s rare you get to hear impressions from someone who has both items in hand to compare, so your feedback gives me more confidence in the comparisons between the May DAC KTE and Spring 3 KTE!
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Thanks for the feedback from both of you! It’s rare you get to hear impressions from someone who has both items in hand to compare, so your feedback gives me more confidence in the comparisons between the May DAC KTE and Spring 3 KTE!
Let me add that Kitsune's customer service is outstanding. The Spring 3 developed an occasional transformer hum, it wasn't bad and after a few emails with Tim Connor of Kitsune, I let him know I could live it it, truly it wasn't bad. However, Tim sent me a new DAC, DHL 3 days from HK and did so without me asking for a replacement. Seriously excellent customer service.
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Hit 500 hours today and wow that was a pretty major change. Looking back, I noticed major changes at 100 hours, 200 hours and now 500 hours.
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Hit 500 hours today and wow that was a pretty major change. Looking back, I noticed major changes at 100 hours, 200 hours and now 500 hours.
Tyson, how in the world are you able to get 500 hours on your X3s so fast? My system is setup in the family at this time and I wish I could run my system for long periods of time for break in. If I lived by myself, I would run the system as long as I needed to. However, the plan is to finish my basement next year and I'll have a dedicated room to play music all night!
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Tyson, how in the world are you able to get 500 hours on your X3s so fast? My system is setup in the family at this time and I wish I could run my system for long periods of time for break in. If I lived by myself, I would run the system as long as I needed to. However, the plan is to finish my basement next year and I'll have a dedicated room to play music all night!
I've rotated through so much gear over the years that I'm quite the professional at burn in now, haha. I'm single so that helps too :P. But at night I'll put on pink noise at a medium-low level, then during the day I'll play music and/or send 40-30hz bass sweeps through the speakers so the drivers get some movement.
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I've rotated through so much gear over the years that I'm quite the professional at burn in now, haha. I'm single so that helps too :P. But at night I'll put on pink noise at a medium-low level, then during the day I'll play music and/or send 40-30hz bass sweeps through the speakers so the drivers get some movement.
Ah ha! I see…. I do have a burn in cd I purchased last year that I like to use as well. What burn in cd are you using?
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=232771)
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Hit 500 hours today and wow that was a pretty major change. Looking back, I noticed major changes at 100 hours, 200 hours and now 500 hours.
Are we close to a detailed Tyson review and comparison to the Super7s?
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Ah ha! I see…. I do have a burn in cd I purchased last year that I like to use as well. What burn in cd are you using?
Might be the best title I’ve seen all year. Haha!!
Are we close to a detailed Tyson review and comparison to the Super7s?
Well every time I think I have a handle on the X3’s, they go and change on me! I’ll give it another couple weeks and then do a full review.
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Might be the best title I’ve seen all year. Haha!!
Well every time I think I have a handle on the X3’s, they go and change on me! I’ll give it another couple weeks and then do a full review.
I can’t listen to music when I’m not really in the mood, especially when I’m tired. When I force myself to listen to music, it can seem bright and too loud and that’s with the volume at my desired listening levels. However, I had some good and bad days with my X5s during the break in period. Some days they sounded astonishing, some days I thought, “what happened?” They are my favorite speakers I’ve had in my house thus far!
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I have a set of Vandy 3A Sigs and subs, but just heard some Emerald Physics speakers.
Man, I can only assume the X3's are even better.
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As mentioned by others here, the X3s will sound suddenly magical one day when they’re broken in. I’m amazed at mine every time I listen to music. The bass is spectacular, as is the overall soundstage. Clayton really knows how to produce a superlative speaker.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=232072)
Do you use your X3’s for everyday listening with TV programming? If yes, assuming they sound good for this purpose? I’m in a similar situation, I don’t have a dedicated music only room. Anyone else using their Spatial Audio speakers in a dual duty purpose?
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Tyson, how in the world are you able to get 500 hours on your X3s so fast? My system is setup in the family at this time and I wish I could run my system for long periods of time for break in. If I lived by myself, I would run the system as long as I needed to. However, the plan is to finish my basement next year and I'll have a dedicated room to play music all night!
A word to the wise, having a dedicated listening room has its advantages, setting up your room to meet the best possible sound possible. The possible disadvantages. spending more time with the stereo than the family/Wife. I went down that road and had the best room I could lust for, but a couple years later sold the perfect room and the new house it was in, due to a divorce. Funny, when I was single, I didn't listen to much music. Had to sell the system to rebuild my life as divorce was also expensive.
In my new marriage, I always put the emphasis on my wife and kids and my X-3's sound great in my family room and my toddler dances to the music as its her room too. Is it the perfect room, no, but it still sounds fantastic and my amazing wife likes the acoustical panels i got for the walls. Your mileage in your situation may vary and this probably doesn't apply to you, but I am sure some in this hobby may have priorities out of alignment (like I did) and if this saves one marriage my post is worth it. A balanced life is the best sounding system I could want. Lessons learned from my audio journey. Peace and happiness wishes for all in this holiday season.
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Sage advice! Everything in moderation.
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A word to the wise, having a dedicated listening room has its advantages, setting up your room to meet the best possible sound possible. The possible disadvantages. spending more time with the stereo than the family/Wife. I went down that road and had the best room I could lust for, but a couple years later sold the perfect room and the new house it was in, due to a divorce. Funny, when I was single, I didn't listen to much music. Had to sell the system to rebuild my life as divorce was also expensive.
In my new marriage, I always put the emphasis on my wife and kids and my X-3's sound great in my family room and my toddler dances to the music as its her room too. Is it the perfect room, no, but it still sounds fantastic and my amazing wife likes the acoustical panels i got for the walls. Your mileage in your situation may vary and this probably doesn't apply to you, but I am sure some in this hobby may have priorities out of alignment (like I did) and if this saves one marriage my post is worth it. A balanced life is the best sounding system I could want. Lessons learned from my audio journey. Peace and happiness wishes for all in this holiday season.
We had a nice HT setup when I was married, and we used it all together as a family for the most part. No stereo equipment anywhere else because those rooms were for other family stuff (and is where we spent most of our time). And she left me anyway. So, now I'm single and have 2 very nice setups, one in the living room and one in the HT/basement.
After 23 years of marriage to the one person I truly trusted and thought would always have my back, I've learned to never trust a woman. That's what my ex taught me. I don't see how anyone ever gets married again after stuff like this.
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Tyson, enjoy what you have going right now. At an unexpected moment relationships happen. I've owned a plane for many years. Sage advice to me was get the plane first and then the wife. This worked out for me. The plane is gone now (sweet memories) and the wife remains (LOL). So, get your system right to where you want it while you are single.
Marcus
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We had a nice HT setup when I was married, and we used it all together as a family for the most part. No stereo equipment anywhere else because those rooms were for other family stuff (and is where we spent most of our time). And she left me anyway. So, now I'm single and have 2 very nice setups, one in the living room and one in the HT/basement.
After 23 years of marriage to the one person I truly trusted and thought would always have my back, I've learned to never trust a woman. That's what my ex taught me. I don't see how anyone ever gets married again after stuff like this.
Sorry to hear about your wife. People change over the years. Hopefully, the speakers will be loyal to you.
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Do you use your X3’s for everyday listening with TV programming? If yes, assuming they sound good for this purpose? I’m in a similar situation, I don’t have a dedicated music only room. Anyone else using their Spatial Audio speakers in a dual duty purpose?
I use my X5s in a dual setup in my family room. I have a HT bypass in my PrimaLuna EVO400 preamp that I use with a Marantz surround processor and 5-channel Rotel amp for movies, etc., with the X5s. I have different gear for 2-channel listening. The X5s do well with movies.
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A word to the wise, having a dedicated listening room has its advantages, setting up your room to meet the best possible sound possible. The possible disadvantages. spending more time with the stereo than the family/Wife. I went down that road and had the best room I could lust for, but a couple years later sold the perfect room and the new house it was in, due to a divorce. Funny, when I was single, I didn't listen to much music. Had to sell the system to rebuild my life as divorce was also expensive.
In my new marriage, I always put the emphasis on my wife and kids and my X-3's sound great in my family room and my toddler dances to the music as its her room too. Is it the perfect room, no, but it still sounds fantastic and my amazing wife likes the acoustical panels i got for the walls. Your mileage in your situation may vary and this probably doesn't apply to you, but I am sure some in this hobby may have priorities out of alignment (like I did) and if this saves one marriage my post is worth it. A balanced life is the best sounding system I could want. Lessons learned from my audio journey. Peace and happiness wishes for all in this holiday season.
Wow, I wasn’t expecting a response like this for my post. I’m not offended, just caught me off guard. I have no plans to move in the basement when it’s finished with the dedicated listening room. Lol…. I’m disciplined in my time management, so no worries on that end as the Lord orders my steps in this marriage, so I know better. I’m sorry to hear about your past situation, but I am glad to hear about your current situation!
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Wow, I wasn’t expecting a response like this for my post. I’m not offended, just caught me off guard. I have no plans to move in the basement when it’s finished with the dedicated listening room. Lol…. I’m disciplined in my time management, so no worries on that end as the Lord orders my steps in this marriage, so I know better. I’m sorry to hear about your past situation, but I am glad to hear about your current situation!
Thanks, Yes, I'm in a much better situation now. The good lord blessed me. I'm lucky. Probably shouldn't have posted what I did and it wasn't intended for you. Probably just to remind myself on my own priorities and if it helped someone that's a good thing. Best holiday wishes and its fun setting up your room! So glad the X-3's are singing and the love of my life supports my passion!
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Tyson, enjoy what you have going right now. At an unexpected moment relationships happen. I've owned a plane for many years. Sage advice to me was get the plane first and then the wife. This worked out for me. The plane is gone now (sweet memories) and the wife remains (LOL). So, get your system right to where you want it while you are single.
Marcus
Thanks man, I appreciate it. The funny thing is I find I actually find myself quite enjoying single life. We'll see how long it lasts, but for now I'm pretty happy.
Sorry to hear about your wife. People change over the years. Hopefully, the speakers will be loyal to you.
Maybe so! I can say this - these speakers have brought me a lot more joy than the last 2 years of my marriage did, haha.
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Thanks man, I appreciate it. The funny thing is I find I actually find myself quite enjoying single life. We'll see how long it lasts, but for now I'm pretty happy.
Maybe so! I can say this - these speakers have brought me a lot more joy than the last 2 years of my marriage did, haha.
Hello Tyson.
I was sad to hear what happened in the past Tyson, and for what it is worth may I offer the following:
1. It is really clear to me, as a newcomer to AudioCircle, the very high regard in which you are held by a great number of people in the audiophile community (not only in the US).
2. From other comments which you have made, you have several very close friends such as Mike Galusha, with whom you share not only the same interests, but clearly a whole lot more.
3. You, and others in the Spatial Audio threads have made me feel very welcome from your replies to my postings, and I am very grateful to you (and the others) for that.
4. From you (and the others), I have learned a great deal, not only about the Spatial Audio speakers, but also about other matters audio (eg electronic pairings which go well with the Spatial Audios), and for that I thank you and the others.
5. I am really enjoying your whole X3 thread, and am looking forward to your future postings especially updated listening impressions etc.
6. As a result of your thread (and the other enjoyable Spatial Audio threads), after a good talk to Clayton a few days ago, I pulled the trigger on some X4s, got in touch with my bank and organised a money transfer, and am now "on the list" of future/soon to be owners. You beauty!
So my friend, (and I hope you are comfortable for me to think of you and the other people who are posting here, in that way), thank you for the knowledge, enthusiasm, friendship, and the other qualities which you and others are bringing to the discussion table here!
All the best from Australia,
Paul.
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Thanks, Yes, I'm in a much better situation now. The good lord blessed me. I'm lucky. Probably shouldn't have posted what I did and it wasn't intended for you. Probably just to remind myself on my own priorities and if it helped someone that's a good thing. Best holiday wishes and its fun setting up your room! So glad the X-3's are singing and the love of my life supports my passion!
No sweat at all. The good Lord is in the blessing business, so no worries concerning your post!
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I have a set of Vandy 3A Sigs and subs, but just heard some Emerald Physics speakers.
Man, I can only assume the X3's are even better.
I owned/own Emerald Physics and Spatial Audio speakers and can say that they compare very favorably to my Vandy 5A's.
Anybody want to buy a pair of 5A's? ;-)
George
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What you have to remember is that Emerald Physics is a Clayton Shaw design from about 12 years ago. And the new owner has replaced some of the premier drivers with knockoffs in some cases. He's a marketer, not a designer. Thats why you can buy EP speakers at 40 and 50% off. Clayton's designs are 3 or 4 generations ahead of Emerald Physics.
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What you have to remember is that Emerald Physics is a Clayton Shaw design from about 12 years ago. And the new owner has replaced some of the premier drivers with knockoffs in some cases. He's a marketer, not a designer. Clayton's designs are 3 or 4 generations ahead of Emerald Physics.
My reference to Emerald Physics and the 5A's is with Clayton's speakers...not the subsequent ones under Walter/Underwood HIFI.
I was one of Clayton's earliest Emerald Physics customers and actually sold his speakers as well (to quite a few Audio Circle members).
George
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Hello Tyson.
I was sad to hear what happened in the past Tyson, and for what it is worth may I offer the following:
1. It is really clear to me, as a newcomer to AudioCircle, the very high regard in which you are held by a great number of people in the audiophile community (not only in the US).
2. From other comments which you have made, you have several very close friends such as Mike Galusha, with whom you share not only the same interests, but clearly a whole lot more.
3. You, and others in the Spatial Audio threads have made me feel very welcome from your replies to my postings, and I am very grateful to you (and the others) for that.
4. From you (and the others), I have learned a great deal, not only about the Spatial Audio speakers, but also about other matters audio (eg electronic pairings which go well with the Spatial Audios), and for that I thank you and the others.
5. I am really enjoying your whole X3 thread, and am looking forward to your future postings especially updated listening impressions etc.
6. As a result of your thread (and the other enjoyable Spatial Audio threads), after a good talk to Clayton a few days ago, I pulled the trigger on some X4s, got in touch with my bank and organised a money transfer, and am now "on the list" of future/soon to be owners. You beauty!
So my friend, (and I hope you are comfortable for me to think of you and the other people who are posting here, in that way), thank you for the knowledge, enthusiasm, friendship, and the other qualities which you and others are bringing to the discussion table here!
All the best from Australia,
Paul.
Wow that is very kind. And you are right, I do consider many people here as friends. I don't talk about the past much, but looking back I can say that I did everything within my power to save the marriage, and to act with honor. Even though there were times where I was very bitter and angry, I kept it to myself, mostly because I didn't want any of that to spill over to my daughter. Which I'm very glad about, as I see my main role now as doing my best to be a good dad. She's already a music lover and a budding audiophile, so I can't be doing too badly :thumb:
Re: the X4's - congrats man, and welcome to the Spatial family 8)
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I never knew what loneliness was until I got married.
😀
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Wow that is very kind. And you are right, I do consider many people here as friends. I don't talk about the past much, but looking back I can say that I did everything within my power to save the marriage, and to act with honor. Even though there were times where I was very bitter and angry, I kept it to myself, mostly because I didn't want any of that to spill over to my daughter. Which I'm very glad about, as I see my main role now as doing my best to be a good dad. She's already a music lover and a budding audiophile, so I can't be doing too badly :thumb:
Re: the X4's - congrats man, and welcome to the Spatial family 8)
Thanks for the welcome, and from the sharing of information about, and passion for Clayton's speakers which occurs on AudioCircle, it does seem to be a family.
I think that it is great to share an interest/passion with friends, but for you to have the extra level of sharing your passion with your daughter - that is brilliant.
It is lovely for her to have someone from whom to learn about music and its production who not only has your knowledge and experience, but who is her dad. Terrific.
Many years ago, I had the chance to learn more about both music and audio from both of my parents.
When I was younger, I learned piano and later on, violin for a while from a great teacher, but because my main passion was in sport, my parents didn't push me down the music path.
Later on, when I worked and lived a long way away, there wasn't the same opportunity to learn from both of them, but my renewed interest in music in my 30s and onwards gave me an extra connection to my parents while they were alive.
For you to share the same passion right now with your daughter - nothing beats that.
Please keep sharing your thoughts on your evolving speakers.
All the best,
Paul.
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Sorry about my last post which had Tyson's comment and my reply lumped together in the one posting - I am new to this stuff.
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Sorry about my last post which had Tyson's comment and my reply lumped together in the one posting - I am new to this stuff.
You are forgiven. :-)