Introducing My System

[Fred Crane]

It does pay to have been collecting Eimac tubes for a good many years.

 

[Fred Crane]

Hey guys, a quick update on my slow-rolling evolution of the system. I was previously testing with Magma M’s from NAT to see if they’re up my alley. I saw huge potential in the sound and decided to take the plunge. However, I was testing previously with what I believe are the standard GM30 tubes. For my own pair, I managed to procure a pair of Eimac 450TL tubes.

The difference in sound is substantial in favor of the US tubes. Less heat emission (which is a big thing for me) — not to mention the added clarity in the sound, control and tighter bass. As it is, the 450TL is a higher power tube than the GM30 and with that comes a higher damping factor. This controls the Coltrane 3’s in such a way that I don’t see a need for bi-amping that I was experimenting with previously.

I have only spent a couple of hours with the amp, but those are the quick first impressions.

Also, as another update, I ended up with using the KR PX25 Anni tubes in the GG3 Lampi DAC, to go along with the NOS WE 274A tube (use it with an adapter). As compared to the stock 45’s (which in retrospect and having tried a few different tube setups are the worst I’ve heard), and comparing to new WE 300B the PX25’s are clearly better in every way than the 45’s and maybe only lack a touch of tube magic/warmth on the 300Bs, but improve on dynamics, sound stage and bass considerably.

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This is a compelling system. Congratulations!! I'd love to stop by for a listen the next time in that part of the world. I'm hoping to be in Serbia in a couple of months. Are you nearby? On my last visit, I had a great time in Beograd as well as in Bosnia / Herzegovina and Croatia. (some of the most beautiful coastline I've encountered).

 

[Thundersnow]

This is a compelling system. Congratulations!! I'd love to stop by for a listen the next time in that part of the world. I'm hoping to be in Serbia in a couple of months. Are you nearby? On my last visit, I had a great time in Beograd as well as in Bosnia / Herzegovina and Croatia. (some of the most beautiful coastline I've encountered).

Hey Fred, when you know the date let me know. If I’m not traveling, by all means.

 

[Woofer and Tweet]

"Welcome to the camp, I guess you all know why we're here." Impressive.

 

[Thundersnow]

A quick update to the system, guys. Rel Reference No. 31 is the newly-added member to my hi-fi flock. Expect a write-up on my impressions soon. Also, in the next few weeks I should have major NAT news in the thread as well.

 

[Thundersnow]

I’ll try to sum up my impressions of the Rel 31 thus far as efficiently as I can. First, the settings: Crossover is set at 33hz, gain is a relative thing so I’d call it moderate, and I have a PEQ 2 set at 43hz -2db. I felt I could get a bit more resolution in the upper bass by dropping the Rel in the upper bass region.

The results with Coltrane 3. Coltrane 3 has extremely fast bass with the Accuton aluminum woofers, so I was very apprehensive about the match with the 31. Much to my relief, the 31 is lighting fast with absolutely NO overhang. What’s even more important to note is that this is a true sub-bass system. This sub was meant for serious full range speakers that can dish out bass. It’s voiced as such, and if you apply it to use like that it will absolutely shine.

The 31 sings in unison with the Coltrane 3 in such a way that the lower octaves sound like they are played from a single driver. Knowing Coltrane’s prowess in my listening room, I can immediately tell though which octaves the sub amplified (and in all the right ways). The two major differences with and without the 31 are the transient speed and impact of the bass, as well as the prevailing sense of hall and atmosphere you get from recordings. If the ambience is recorded by the engineer you will absolutely hear it with the 31. This in turn improves imaging considerably and gives an overall better balance to the sound, where even the highs appear to be more pleasant and better integrated.

So long story short — it’s a keeper

 

[dbeau]

I’ll try to sum up my impressions of the Rel 31 thus far as efficiently as I can. First, the settings: Crossover is set at 33hz, gain is a relative thing so I’d call it moderate, and I have a PEQ 2 set at 43hz -2db. I felt I could get a bit more resolution in the upper bass by dropping the Rel in the upper bass region.

The results with Coltrane 3. Coltrane 3 has extremely fast bass with the Accuton aluminum woofers, so I was very apprehensive about the match with the 31. Much to my relief, the 31 is lighting fast with absolutely NO overhang. What’s even more important to note is that this is a true sub-bass system. This sub was meant for serious full range speakers that can dish out bass. It’s voiced as such, and if you apply it to use like that it will absolutely shine.

The 31 sings in unison with the Coltrane 3 in such a way that the lower octaves sound like they are played from a single driver. Knowing Coltrane’s prowess in my listening room, I can immediately tell though which octaves the sub amplified (and in all the right ways). The two major differences with and without the 31 are the transient speed and impact of the bass, as well as the prevailing sense of hall and atmosphere you get from recordings. If the ambience is recorded by the engineer you will absolutely hear it with the 31. This in turn improves imaging considerably and gives an overall better balance to the sound, where even the highs appear to be more pleasant and better integrated.

So long story short — it’s a keeper

@Thundersnow, I have REL 25s paired with WA X1v3s and your description fits what I hear better than what I could have. Congrats

 

[Thundersnow]

A quick look at a casual iPhone graphs of my system with and without Rel 31:

Coltrane 3 no sub:


Coltrane 3 with Rel 31:

 

[Thundersnow]

I figured if anyone’s interested, wanted here to introduce my office system as well. A fully active stereo 2.1-way Apogee Stage system (Apogee‘s have been modded out, ribbons fixed, wiring and terminals changed, etc. — each speaker weighs around 150lbs and the frames are done in American oak solid wood), with two Ti9 Rel subs. I am not at all worried about resonance (MDF hint, hint) because the bass panels have a high pass filter Butterworth 48db/Oct. at 60hz. The system is powered by a MiniDSP’s Flex 8 unit, running on an Ediscreation linear power supply and streams off of a Bluesound Node upgraded with a Teddy Pardo LPS.

Two custom A/B ams are running the woofer ribbon and the MRT. Rel’s are active. That’s all there really is to say about the system. Future upgrade will include a one-box solution for the MiniDSP and Bluesound, but with a tube powered output section for all 8 unbalanced outputs. Will use I2S to internally connect the streamer to the DAC, while each section: (DAC analogue, DAC digital and streamer will have a separate power supply). Here are some pics:

 

[Thundersnow]

Also, recently connected my UMIK-2 measurement mic to my iPad Pro. Managed to install the calibration file as well, so here is the measurement of the home system (with the Coltrane 3’s and the Rel 31 sub):

 

[AMR / iFi audio]

How have the Rel's been treating you?

 

[Walnut Horns]

Also, recently connected my UMIK-2 measurement mic to my iPad Pro. Managed to install the calibration file as well, so here is the measurement of the home system (with the Coltrane 3’s and the Rel 31 sub):

How did you install the calibration file on your iPad? I’m too stupid to figure it out. Thanks.

 

[Thundersnow]

How have the Rel's been treating you?

Far exceeded my expectations. They are perfectly integrated for stereo music which is all I use them for. It’s getting to the point where I’m constantly listening to Marcus Miller. I love the crisp and musical tone of the bass in the upper octaves that is contrasted so well with the fundamentals of the lower octaves. Rel 31 does this sooo well in tandem with the Coltranes.

 

[Thundersnow]

How did you install the calibration file on your iPad? I’m too stupid to figure it out. Thanks.

Using itunes (or whatever it’s called these days). Apps become available as you connect your ipad, you then double click on the app and add the file there (before renaming it from calibarationwhatever.txt to .cal). I had to restart the app (Analyzer) a couple of times before the file finally became available.

 

[Thundersnow]

So here’s some major news from la casa del Thundersnow! The world’s first of the new Magma Evolution (I think! I‘m not sure this is 100% true but it sure has a nice ring to it.} Here are some pics gents. Expect my write up in the coming days as I break these puppies in and provided I don’t start glowing green from the giant tubes!





That’s one of Dejan from NAT!

And one with your’s truly!

 

[spiritofmusic]

Magma, Magma HPS, Magma New, Magma Evolution...can you sift and sort?

 

[spiritofmusic]

Thundersnow, those are mighty scary yet mighty alluring...well, mighty, all the same.
I've recently had a thorough overhaul of my Nat Utopia pre and SE2SE monos, previous noise issues very much minimised. And I remain very much addicted to the Nat house sound, driving my 101dB/1m Zus with ease in my 250 cub m space.

 

[Thundersnow]

Magma, Magma HPS, Magma New, Magma Evolution...can you sift and sort?

Well, I can’t really keep up with all the fancy names either To me, all that matters is that it’s a step up in sound. And also, similar to you I am addicted to the NAT house sound as well. I will write my full impressions soon, but off the bat, these Evo battlecruisers take the very same house sound to the next level. More on that in a few days.

 

[spiritofmusic]

How did you get Dejan over to your place? If I have a major gripe about Nat, it's that they don't even answer my emails.

 

[spiritofmusic]

No mention of Magma Evolution on their website, or any Google reference.