We are talking many years back, but after the mini, I think he went on to review many hard to drive speaker, where ARC sounded like crap. Even being a reliable go to reviewer for arc (like Kessler), he could not honestly say it was good driving some of these beasts.
Magico FINALLY finds Musicality!!! - Thanks to CAT Preamp and Monoblocks!!!!!!
- Thread starter caesar
- Start date
We are talking many years back, but after the mini, I think he went on to review many hard to drive speaker, where ARC sounded like crap. Even being a reliable go to reviewer for arc (like Kessler), he could not honestly say it was good driving some of these beasts.
Do you have a reference for that? I know they use similar drivers but Magico uses different part numbers for them:
M Project Midrange: MCG1005
S7 Midrange: MCG8005
S5 MKII Midrange: M390G
It is the usual dilemma in speaker evaluation. Most of the time we are just just evaluating the compatibility of the speaker / system. IMHO in order to compare two speakers in general terms you must listen to them using the electronics that best matches and enhances them, according to our preferences. In this hobby it is much easier to get a poor or average sounding combination than a good sounding one.
The Mini 2's are not an easy speaker. But when properly matched they are outstanding. They loved the Audio Research REf 750's, unfortunately I did not like the Devialet 400's with them. YMMV, surely.
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Well I'm finally recovered from Axpona and truly enjoyed the tapes played in the Magico/CAT room. I've always liked the S5 and the new edition is that much better. Magico is headed in the right direction with the "S" series!
Bruce, are you speaking as an audiophile or as a recording engineer? Or does it make a difference? I would think that the Q series, which I think is more transparent and neutral than the S series, would serve the recording engineer better.
For the audiophile, I understand how it would come down to preference and which line's specific "voicing" one prefers. Do you think the S series sounds more transparent and neutral?
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Probably one of the problems is that I have never heard a "Q" series in a proper set up. It's always been at shows, as well as the "S" series. Maybe the "S" series is more forgiving of the placement? I don't know. I've heard the Q5 and Q7 many times and it always left me unimpressed. To me, they are uninviting. They don't pull me in and want me to listen to more, like the "S" series does.
I would like to see the S5 mid and S7 mid side by side. Or all the drivers for that matter. A different model # may also mean a very small design change.
I would like to see the S5 mid and S7 mid side by side. Or all the drivers for that matter.
A different model # may also mean a very small design change. The S7 has 3 woofers, so they might have opted for slightly shorter voice coil to get higher sensivity - all within the same design.
I have heard Magico different models at various shows and at dealers. Never understood the hype.
But last Sunday at Stockholm Hifi show I heard s3 mk 2 making lovely music with d augostino pre and power.
But last Sunday at Stockholm Hifi show I heard s3 mk 2 making lovely music with d augostino pre and power.
I will add that they had a Oppo CD player as source. This was because of some logistic misshape.
Not exactly high end but as said the system played beautiful!
Not exactly high end but as said the system played beautiful!
Hi Ulf,
D'Agostinos are probably the best SS amp that people usually pair their Magicos with. And it is very good sound. Yet to my ears, CAT is a much, much better option: less "sound" and more musical engagement! Nothing beats CAT's tube magic with modern designs like Magico, Vivid, etc.
In your own personal opinion you mean ? As a counterpoint I find, for the most part, CAT somewhat harmonically overblown and tonally tunes beyond a straight wire with gain approach to the true recording, nothing wrong in that per say if this matches ones audio predilections, however I do not consider it particularly true to the source.
All individual opinions of course, I do become a tad prickly tho when individual subjective opinions are quoted as 'The True And Only Word'
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Yes, of course. Everything is completely subjective in this hobby. It is kind of redundant to say "IMHO" after every sentence or post when discussing gear impressions, so I assume the subjectivity is understood.
As far as tastes and preferences go, I have no doubt that there are fights between Magico - D'agostino and Magico - Soulution owners about which combo is more "euphonic" or more "sterile" or more "accurate".
Yet it is too bad that so few people have heard Magico - CAT so they may decide for themselves. Something like CAT may really help expand the Magico brand to a wider audience
Didn't they use to share a webpage with Aries-cerat or something?
Searching for CAT amplifiers online is maddening... good luck finding anything.
Searching for CAT amplifiers online is maddening... good luck finding anything.
If you search for "convergent audio technology" you will immediately find plenty of interesting information, including many reviews.
Ultimate brand exclusivity. Highly desirable in the luxury segment
Hearing them is well worth the search costs.