Dedicated audio room build thread aka The Big Dig

[K3RMIT]

I have converted amps even preamps from 120 to 230 if the windings permits
most devices are made for few voltages
always it sound better at the higher voltage. at one time I used a 15kw balanced transformer to feed the room
ground isolated. best sound until I converted to 230 volt
no need for iso balanced tranny then.
when I do my new room if I do lol. no in wall power period
it will be either a cut out in floor with flooring cover or in base of wall same removable
as for interconnects I like the look of seeing them on some kind of stands
I hope others would try and post.

 

[HughP3]

I have been looking into the next speaker evolution of my system starting back in March of 2021. I decided on 3 systems to audition. 1.) MBL 101 X-Treme 2.) Wilson XVX 3.) Gryphon Kodo. I know there are other top echelon systems but these 3 intrigued me the most. Before I get into the specifics, I don’t think there are any wrong choices here. Its like hi performance automotive, GT3, 488, AMG etc. all excel and speak to your listening (ie driving) styles in different ways.

My audition music was a plethora of tracks from Miles Davis, Anette Askvik, Michele Petrucciani, Al Di Meola, Gentle Giant, Hugh Masekela, Trondheimsolistine, Flim and the BB’s, Little Feet, Brian Bromberg, Aaron Copland etc…

First was a visit to 3MA in Houston TX for the MBL Xtremes. Spent a few hours at this wonderful store. They were most gracious to open a bit early for my wife and I. The venue was an older converted 2 story home with various audio rooms. The system was in the largest area of the house which was the entry way into the main lobby/great room area. Ceilings appeared to be less than 9 feet. It was a lot of system for that room. There was some room correction but not much. First most noticeable was the bass. It was literally house shaking, no fault of the speakers just a bit much for the old house. So switched tracks to Michele Petrucciani. His piano was wonderful and life like, crisp but in this room it lacked the 3d imaging I had hoped for. I was able to discern information I had never heard before which was exciting. After 2+ hours of demo I never felt the system was overly bight nor fatiguing. In the end, I felt the system was only showing maybe 70% of its potential due to the room. Per MBL and at the time this was the only Xtreme system available in the US.

Next up was a visit with Lee Scoggins to Larry Marcus at Paragon Site & Sound in Ann Arbor MI to audition the Wilson XVX. Larry is the consummate professional, such a depth of knowledge along with a great personality. We hit it off. His room was immaculate with 16 foot ceilings that did justice to the XVX system. Ancillary equipment was top echelon. Full dCS Vivaldi stack, our choice of either Burmester 909 MK5 or Dagastino Relentless monos /pre. 4 plus hour demo bless his soul. The Brian Bromberg “Wood” album was the best standup bass I have ever heard, really spectacular. The system did everything well. the thwack of a snare was especially realistic. Now the however, I prefer the Mundorf AMT tweeter on the Gryphons. Not to say piano sparkle was lacking to me ears on the Wilsons. I just prefer the AMT sound. In the end the XVX was a convincing audition that I could see coming to my Barn, but I was not done yet.

My last trip was this October with Joe Cali and his lovely wife Lori Lieberman to Ry Denmark to audition the Kodo system. Since it was such a long trip for us we had some nice site seeing before the factory visit. Copenhagen is simply lovely and so were the gracious Danes. Our demo was at the new sound room on campus. Rune Skov and Jakob Odgaard were there to greet us. First item of the visit was to sign an NDA. Yes we were the first visitors to hear the new Apex prototype amp and Commander pre, hooked up the absolutely massive Kodo system. We spent 5 hours on day 1 there and 2 hours on day 2. The experience was existential. My tastes are a bit biased since I own Gryphon components but that does not mean anything if I did not like what I heard and I liked the XVX system it was the front runner. But only 30 minutes into the demo I swooned. What power and what incredible definition. On the Anette Askvik track Liberty I knew that she herself harmonized but I heard her second voice as distinctly as her first about 2 feet over and said who is that singing. It was a wow moment. Lori never ever sits with Joe for these demos, we played her on the system and we were all transfixed, she was there in front of us. She never left the room even for very loud rock (concert level dynamics).

I am extremely excited to have placed an order in November for the Kodo’s + Apex Stereo amp + Commander Pre. Side panels with be painted Porsche Arena red. Hope to take delivery in late February or March. I would do the monos but Rune said that was not needed with the woofer towers active (1000 watt class a/b) and the mid range towers at 96db efficiency. While I am spending my life away I will also be upgrading to an MSB Select II. I feel like I have finally finished climbing Everest.

 

[LL21]

WOWOWOWOW! Congratulations! That is amazing news! You must supremely excited! Look at the size of the Gryphon! Its like a small car you parked in between the speakers! Having owned the Mephisto Stereo (and the Colosseum and Antileon before that)...and readup today on the Apex as well...I can absolutely imagine what Rune says is categorically and unequivocally true. And I think you've definitely cleared Everest and must now be sitting somewhere in the stratosphere...

When does it all arrive?

 

[alvinjamur]

congrats hugh!!!

 

[Cooler King]

 

[HughP3]

WOWOWOWOW! Congratulations! That is amazing news! You must supremely excited! Look at the size of the Gryphon! Its like a small car you parked in between the speakers! Having owned the Mephisto Stereo (and the Colosseum and Antileon before that)...and readup today on the Apex as well...I can absolutely imagine what Rune says is categorically and unequivocally true. And I think you've definitely cleared Everest and must now be sitting somewhere in the stratosphere...

When does it all arrive?

Thanks. Not sure but hope early march. YES really excited

 

[Holli82]

Arena Red!!! One of my favorite Porsche colors.

Congrats. Wishing you many happy hours of listening

 

[SCAudiophile]

Congratulations on your choice of a great speaker!

 

[Brucemck2]

Beautiful speakers, and even more so in Arena!

 

[Ron Resnick]

Congratulations, Hugh! That is amazing news! I am very happy for you!

 

[Lagonda]

Wow, beautiful speakers ! We in Denmark thank you for your order ! I have informed the Danish tax- department of the incoming funds !

 

[HughP3]

Wow, beautiful speakers ! We in Denmark thank you for your order ! I have informed the Danish tax- department of the incoming funds !

Lol thanks

 

[andromedaaudio]

Nice new speakers / system , i d think those larger designs are a better fit to your room size then the previous model .
It must sound awesome in a custom designed room.

Plus you took the time to listen to other candidates , wise decision

 

[cal3713]

Thanks for finally making me feel a twinge of regret that I never moved to Atlanta, would have loved to share a bit of listening with these monsters! Enjoy!!

 

[bryans]

@HughP3 WOW what a setup. I'm in NC but will be happy to lend my lifting services in exchange for a listening session

I'm sure I'm not alone on this offer.

 

[HughP3]

@HughP3 WOW what a setup. I'm in NC but will be happy to lend my lifting services in exchange for a listening session

I'm sure I'm not alone on this offer.

Come on down Bryan, The barn is always open and i mean that.

 

[tpsully99]

Congratulations Hugh!

 

[ACHiPo]

Hugh,
Those are monsters and you have a perfect lair for them. Congratulations. Would love to hear them in their natural environment, but that won't happen anytime soon.

Evan

 

[HughP3]

Hugh,
Those are monsters and you have a perfect lair for them. Congratulations. Would love to hear them in their natural environment, but that won't happen anytime soon.

Evan

Thank you Evan, cool Sound Labs would love to hear them.

 

[Macattack]

Congratulations Hugh. The wait is difficult but you have a great system to get you by.