Search results

  1. mxk116

    Axpona 24’ Mike Lavigne pics

    Across the hall (Room 1230) Amphion + Esoteric Integrated + Esoteric streamer + Playback Distribution TT, also sounded wonderful. A smaller system set up with care. One that kind of beckoned me to stick around a little longer. Amphion is completely new to me and I was happy to spend sometime...
  2. mxk116

    AXPONA 2024 Ron Reporting

    Sunday afternoon I had just walked into the big Clarisys/Convergent Audio Technologies room (Nirvana C?), there were two guys on their hands and knees switching cables on some amps. When the music started again it filled the room. The sound was transparent and had scale and dynamics that were...
  3. mxk116

    Axpona 2024 who is going and why?

    Returned 3x and confirmed this room as one of my favorites of the show. Scale and musical drive second to none. And the terrific music didn’t hurt either. Bravo to all who contributed to the effort.
  4. mxk116

    Pilium Audio in action-

    I can say that, as someone who was using Classe Delta amps as a place holder during the pandemic to power my Magico A5’s I agree with your statement regarding the “epitome of modern hi-fi” sound. I think it’s a bit dramatic to characterize that sound as scull drilling but I think I understand...
  5. mxk116

    Magico S5 Mk3 2024

    The new S5 is a nice looking speaker in person. Nice curvaceous lines to its design. While it is significantly larger than the speaker it replaces (~31% more internal volume) it is much more svelte in appearance imho than the previous S5. As a side note, in the video posted by CKKueng and in...
  6. mxk116

    Re-imagining "Class A" Amplification

    I certainly agree with your thoughts on Mr. Harley's review. It pretty much sums up my impressions and why I like the Rei as much as I do. One thing I'd add from my perspective is the form factor; definitely an important element for me. Lastly I can't emphasize enough, when paired with the...
  7. mxk116

    Rhapsody.Audio Listening Rooms

    Just to clarify for me, the Esoteric K1X is being used as the DAC? Audio streamed from the Taiko Extreme? Thanks
  8. mxk116

    Magico S5 Mk3 2024

    Just received pricing info (I assume this is USD); S5 2024 MSRP $74,500 (Softec finish) S5 2024 MSRP $83,000 (High Gloss finish)
  9. mxk116

    Magico S5 Mk3 2024

    https://www.magicoaudio.com/news/magico-s5-2025-pr
  10. mxk116

    Re-imagining "Class A" Amplification

    I have been using the WestminsterLab Rei monoblocks for better part of a year. 2 weeks ago I installed the WL Quest preamp with the latest volume control update. ~170 hours into the break-in period. As much as I appreciated the musicality and control of the Rei amps, adding the latest version of...
  11. mxk116

    The WBF humor and joke thread.

    How true; courtesy of The New Yorker"He tells it like it is"
  12. mxk116

    The cars you have loved, or are in love with. Tell us your car history and what each one taught you

    Tom is an exceptional driver. He was up for a Mazda factory ride in ALMS when it was still called ALMS. Do you know what he is driving now?
  13. mxk116

    The cars you have loved, or are in love with. Tell us your car history and what each one taught you

    Yeah, Glenn Long and the crew at LLR were the best as far as I'm concerned. Mazda moved the MX5 cup car production to a company in Florida around 2018/19 (not certain why). Unfortunately, faced with a personal tragedy, Glenn closed the doors on LRR in 2019. From what I can tell he's back in...
  14. mxk116

    The cars you have loved, or are in love with. Tell us your car history and what each one taught you

    I've raced many cars over the years but my favorite was the 2017 GMX5 Cup Car. Here is a photo from the day I picked it up at Long Road Racing in Statesville, NC. Miss that car big time.
  15. mxk116

    VAC Statement system inbound!

    Nice to read you are auditioning the new "SE" version of the Esoteric D1X. IMO the Esoteric Master Sound Discrete DAC is beautifully executed and a significant leap forward in sound quality v. the previous generation of Esoteric DAC. Looking forward to reading your experiences v. the Lampizator...
  16. mxk116

    Rhapsody.Audio Listening Rooms

    Sorry but I’m not familiar with the jargon, DHT. What does that mean?
  17. mxk116

    Magico S5 Mk3 2024

    Is it too much to ask for the 12" drivers from the M7? ;)
  18. mxk116

    Magico S5 Mk3 2024

    Are those 12" bass drivers?
  19. mxk116

    Most under-rated guitarist of all time?

    Under appreciated; anyone who has seen him realizes he's a monster. I see him in Colorado when he's making videos for Wildwood. The studio is down the street from a local restaurant where he eats lunch. Very funny, generous with his time. Hard to believe he is so under the radar outside the...
  20. mxk116

    Axpona 2024 who is going and why?

    I was simply responding to your reply to Elliot regarding manufacturers/distributors/dealers being accessible to the consuming public like myself. I personally don’t see that as being limited to trade shows. I agree regarding time and money but my visit to Bending Wave in south Florida was pure...
  21. mxk116

    Axpona 2024 who is going and why?

    I can vouch for Elliot's willingness to do just what you suggest above. I had the pleasure of enjoying Elliot's hospitality during a recent visit to Bending Wave in Florida. It's a wonderful thing to be able to look (hear) beyond the horizon from time to time. It was much appreciated.
  22. mxk116

    Axpona 2024 who is going and why?

    "Suncoast" Mike posted this on the Audioshark on March 5.
  23. mxk116

    Axpona 2024 who is going and why?

    I believe the 2025 Florida Audio Expo is moving to a larger facility; New Digs, New Dates for Florida International Audio Expo 2025
  24. mxk116

    The cars you have loved, or are in love with. Tell us your car history and what each one taught you

    Here's an old video of my favorite VW at Sebring.
  25. mxk116

    Your All Time Favorite Preamplifiers?

    Jeff Rowland Design Group Coherence II S2 Preamp
  26. mxk116

    Wadax Server PSU unit has now arrived

    Very much looking forward to your experience with the level 4 Wadax rig. Enjoy.
  27. mxk116

    Wadax Server PSU unit has now arrived

    I had the good fortune to visit Elliot yesterday and have a lengthy listen. Elliot was kind enough to substitute the Divin Marquis for the Noblesse and insert the amps I use at home, the WestminsterLab Rei mono blocks, for the Riviera mono blocks. Based on what I heard the system had the ability...
  28. mxk116

    Some insight into the somatic response to live vs. recorded music?

    In a review published in the NewScientist recent research suggests why “live music may be more stirring than listening to a recording of the same tune because it triggers greater activity in the part of the brain linked to processing emotions.” Perhaps this information can be used to close the...
  29. mxk116

    Any cyclists here?

    As the saying goes, there are 2 types of cyclists; those that have crashed and those that will.
  30. mxk116

    Pilium Audio in action-

    A wonderful, lively combination. Love the digital front end and the S3 never disappoints.

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

Home Forums Contact us

User Menu

Login
Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing
Top Bottom