[mgalusha]

Bill,

This particular Mac 275 is one of the new ones, quite different from the origianl design, at least so I have read. As for a more romantic sound, I actually prefer vacuum tube amps that are voiced like the Bella, it's fast, seems very accurate and stays out of the way of the music.

[mgalusha]

Bill,

The parts for the Mac arrived today and I had a chance to listen to the Bella and the Mac side by side for a short time with the owner of the Mac. They sound much more alike than different. We both felt the Mac had a little tighter bass but in all other areas the were very similar. I felt the Bella had greater clarity on the top end, cymbals were a bit cleaner. The Mac just had all of it's Wima coupling caps replaced with Gen 1 Sonicaps and had zero time on them, so it should improve some over time.

My friend just couldn't get over how good the Bella was vs what it costs. He just kept saying I can't believe it's only $1300 (show price).

On a side note, can this use the Ei KT-90's? He brought a set over to try in the Mac and they were very nice. I don't know if they would work in the 3205 but they sure sounded good in the Mac.

Once again, I thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this in my home. I'm sure the folks at RMAF will enjoy it too.

Mike

[Bill Baker]

 Hello Mike,
 Thanks again for the kind words. I can only imagine how good the Mac will sound with some hours on it. I haven't heard the new edition of the 275 (and I am only 10 minutes from McIntosh Labs). As you know, the 3205 also utilizes SoniCaps but it is full of the Platinums which are a phenominal capacitor. Buy I love those Teflons! It would be interesting to hear a vintage Mac or even a reissue with Teflon capacitors.

 Yes, the 3205 can use anything from EL34, KT77, 6550, KT88 and KT90 output tubes. A new version may become available able to use the 6L6/KT66 tubes just as our Bella EXtreme 100 mono blocs.

 The $1300 price is only an introductory price right now with the regular price being $1590. Well, I will be on pins and needles throughout the day untill I get feedback on how the show is going with the 3205 and big boy Bella EXtreme 100s that are debuting in the ModWright room.

 I am assuming the Circle will be pretty active tonight!!!!

[zybar]

Bill,

Not too active tonight as the show doesn't start till tomorrow.

I will be hitting Wayne's and Dan's rooms very early on Friday and will be happy to report on what I hear.

Do keep in mind that the best sound typically isn't found till late Saturday or Sunday due to learning the room and making tweaks and changes.

Too bad you couldn't make it out.

George

[Bill Baker]

Hello George,
 I realize the show starts in the morning. I was simply referring to the initial feedback after setups tonight. Basically how the rooms are sounding. We all know how difficult it is to get a room setup properly in such a short time period. As you mentioned, it takes a day or so to get the room tuned in.
 I will be out all day Sunday as it is my kids Super Bowl Sunday and I have to be there for 5 games starting at 9AM till about 7PM. My twins, who are on the Response Audio sponsored Saints, made the Super Bowl while my older son made the Orange Bowl. At least it will keep my mind occupied.

[zybar]

Good luck to the boys!

Hopefully they will be doing a little of this "AFTER" the games:   

George

[Captain Humble]

GEAUX SAINTS

[Brian Cheney]

Beware 71Hz!!

Those small rooms have it in spades!

[Wayne1]

The system is set up. The Response Audio Bella EXtreme drives the RM-30M's with NO problem.

Final tuning will be done tomorrow morning. Spent some time tonight with positioning.

I think everything is sounding rather nice in room 1009.

DeadFish dropped by just before I left. He was running on close to 48 hours with no sleep. He still had some time to listen to some Jerry Garcia and David Grissman

[Wayne1]

Good Morning!. I intended to get out of the hotel and come home early and get some sleep, but I ended up chatting and drinking beer 'till around 1 AM.

Jack Bybee dropped off his new power conditioner for me to use. He is sharing a room and the other folks didn't want to use it.

It is balanced power that regenerates the AC sine wave. It eliminates all noise in the input and regulates the output for 117 VAC constant.

It is very large and heavy (125 lbs) I think he said it would retail for $3500.00

It completely changed the sound of my room. It tightened up the low end considerably. There are now even more dynamics.

"I had a modded Equi-Tech Son of Q power conditioner in the room. This operates on a whole 'nother level.

He also let me use a power cable with 6) gold Bybee Purifiers in it.

The power conditioner and power cable may cost more than a lot of folks would spend on their whole system, but OHMYGAWD! what an improvement it made to the whole system.

If you came by Friday or early Saturday, come by today and listen. The change is incredible. The most heard comments I get is "smooth", "natural", "not harsh like the others".

I have not had a chance to get out to any other rooms, but I hear the ACI room is very good. Teres Audio has a great room. Chris moved his living room 50 miles south, basically.

Today is the last day. aa  I believe I have a customer to buy the RM-30s and another one for the Responce Audio amp. I do have the Adona rack that needs to be sold. Come by the room and we can talk about "show specials"

[zybar]

Hmmm...

More Adona racks?   

George

[DeadFish]

As others have said elsewhere, Wayne, your system was sounding *really* good once you got all dialed in when I heard it first, but that power conditioner certainly raised it more than one level, to my ears.  Just like the Squeezebox itself, every time I hear an upgrade and go 'Wow, how great this thing is!", you find a way to raise the bar. 
Sure wish I woulda sold a kidney before I came, as I liked that amp powering things.

I appreciate your kindness and cheer the many times I would lumber in, just needing a break and a reset.  Thanks for putting up with me, and perhaps any of the rest of us.  It was a pleasure.

Best regards,
Bill

[bpape]

As I've said in other threads, I'll have to agree completely with Wayne about the Bybee supply.  I listened to the room a LOT over the show and the first time I was in after that change, it was completely different.  There was NOTHING subtle about the changes it made. 

Bryan

[lonewolfny42]

Wayne.....Some photo's from the show......

[Mike Dzurko]

Wayne:

Just wanted to say thanks for letting GIK send the treatments for our room to your site and for bringing them to the hotel. Wanted to stop down and thank you personally, but didn't get out of the room. Thanks again, hopefully we can meet next year