Visit to Mike Lavigne's house

I visited Mike Lavigne's house on Feb 17, 2024.

The main purpose is to compare the sound through top digital and vinyl sound.

Mike has Esoteric T1 turntable which sounds very nice with magnetic gravitaion and option of external clock to control servo motor.

I had listened to Goebel Marquis speaker driven by Esoteric Amps and T1 turntabl during Seoul Audio Show 2023 which was very musical.

On the other hand, Goebel Divin speaker driven by Ch Dac and amps sounded rather cold and dry.

I quit vinyl on 1988.

But during three audio shows that I attended recently ( Pacific Audiofest 2022, 2023, Seoul Audio show 2023), I found rooms playsing vinyl tend to give more natural and musical sounds.

Mike also has Wadax Dac and servers whose retail price is more than 300k$.

I had listened to Wadax Dac and server twice before.

First encounter was at dealer's show room (Ed Devitto).

After doing home audition of Ideon Absolute Dac, we did side by side comparison of Ideon and Wadax over there using Magico M2 speaker drivn by Constellation amps.

I got very favorable opinion on Ideon Absolute Dac after home auditon for one week, but Wadax is clearly in another league with natural but somewhat mystical tonality.

I had another chance to listen to Wadax during Pacific Audiofest 2022.

Goebel Divin speaker driven by Wadax Dac and CH amps sounded very musical and dynamic.

About five years ago, I had done comparison between MSB Select II and Kronus turntable at dealer's showroom.

YG Sonja speaker was driven by Viola amps.

The results showed that MSB Select II could match the musicality of vinyl playback.

As good as MSB Select II is, I got the impression that Wadax is another league above MSB Select II .

MIke also upgraded from MSB Select II to Wadax around 2 years ago.

We played vinyl Beethoven Symphony No 9 directed by Solti through Esoteric T1 first.

It sounds very musical and dynamic through his Evolution MM 7 speakers driven by Dartzell pre and main amps.

No limitation of dynamics and bass with pure tonality.

As well known among audiophile community around Seattle, Mike's system is top notch.

Then we searched same recording through Roon and played through Wadax.

Wadax could match vinyl in every respect. without suface noise.


We also played Misty sung by Ella Fitzerald thorugh vinyl and Wadex.

The result is more or less same.

It seems that vinyl gave slightly more depth but the difference is rather minor.


We also played Chopin piano concerto played by Marth Argerich thorugh vinyl and Wadex..

This time suface noise bothered me slighty but not enough to enjoy music.

We also played Liberty by Anette Askvik thorugh vinyl and Wadex.

To conclude, Wadax match themusicality of th vinyls played throudh Esoteric T1 without surface noise.

Liberty Wadax

youtu.be

On the other hand, it did not overwhelm the sound of vinyl.

Vinyl played throudh Esoteric T1 sounds almost equal to Wadax and sometimes with little bit more of soundstage depth.

Overall I enloyed 2 hours at Mike's dedicated listening room.

His system gave unlimited and natural bass and dynamics with pure tonality.

The only nitpick is that the soundstage depth coud be more if speaker could breath in larger space.

I had got similar impression when I auditioned Magico M9 at Seoul Korea last November.

The dealer's showroom happened to be almost same size as Mikes( 20ft w 29ft d 11ft h)

But I would not down size speakers if I were Mike.

He will miss unlimited bass and dynamics.

The bass was very clean with no overhang.

Thanks Mike for his hospitality as friendly guest.

 

I guessed it was the etsuro because I would expect it to be livelier with the Dava. More resolving for such a complex piece

i might have picked at least 200 better vinyl choices (no, i'm not listing them) for large orchestral vinyl, but Thomask was doing the choosing both the piece and the recording that suited his needs. demo quality or pressing condition was not a factor in the choices and we did not audition any pressings first. it is what it is.

another log on the fire for why i avoid (not saying i like or dislike them) videos.

on my last video (the only other one) that fabulous cartridge set up expert Steve Williams posted that my VTA was off.

two for two.

 

on my last video (the only other one) that fabulous cartridge set up expert Steve Williams posted that my VTA was off.

two for two

Owe jesh. If you can't set up your cartridge, why play vinyl!!!

 

nothing like Alaska. and a guide to find them. Eagles go where the food is. and every state has laws for what can be done.

When we were in Alaska you would see flocks of eagles hanging around seafood processing plants the same way the lower 48 would see seagulls.
It is an amazing beautiful place.

 

When we were in Alaska you would see flocks of eagles hanging around seafood processing plants the same way the lower 48 would see seagulls.
It is an amazing beautiful place.

getting a great photo opportunity as far as sun angle, non high-contrast harsh light, wind direction, background, proximity, and natural context is pretty involved. especially for in flight pictures. a serious endeavor.

but Eagles are glorious creatures and any sighting is special.

 

Nice. However, like so many other videos posted elsewhere, there exists that undeniable and rather unpleasant empty-coffee-can-like sonic signature in all the videos here of Mike’s system.

In contrast, here’s an unadulterated version of Misty/Fitzgerald from youtube and also a flavor of Misty from my own system – not certain who the artist is. Neither of which include that rather unpleasant and undeniable sonic signature.

This can be overcome by placing mic closer to speakers and lower volume for best recording.

 

Nice. However, like so many other videos posted elsewhere, there exists that undeniable and rather unpleasant empty-coffee-can-like sonic signature in all the videos here of Mike’s system.

In contrast, here’s an unadulterated version of Misty/Fitzgerald from youtube and also a flavor of Misty from my own system – not certain who the artist is. Neither of which include that rather unpleasant and undeniable sonic signature.

Wild how different all three sound.

It looks as though the video of Mike's system is taken from behind the front listening seat as I can see what looks like the top of a chair in the bottom of the image. Perhaps this was not taken from Mike's usual listening position.

Stehno's video sounds like a different singer completely from the other two. Different records all three. I do not understand the purpose of this comparison.

 

Stereo microphone folds the omnidirectional sound field into the front as an additive resonance rather than natural surround. It's a standard hazard of recording in stereo.

The live experience would perceive the speaker sound as 'clearer' and the room reflections as natural and less 'intrusive'.

 

Wild how different all three sound.

It looks as though the video of Mike's system is taken from behind the front listening seat as I can see what looks like the top of a chair in the bottom of the image. Perhaps this was not taken from Mike's usual listening position.

Stehno's video sounds like a different singer completely from the other two. Different records all three.

Peter, I don’t think I’ve any Ella Fitzgerald recordings but the vocalist in my video sounds like she could be Ella’s sister or cousin. But seems clear enough that it’s a different recording and artist than the other two.

The empty-coffee-can-like sonic signature is never very pretty as it seems predominant in many playback presentations and in-room videos. Near as I can tell, there are infinite levels to this sonic signature as each system establishes its own level which remains pretty much a constant regardless of recording, day of the week, etc.

I’ve been making mention of this sonic signature off and on for maybe the last year or so for several reasons.

• It’s seems the vast majority of videos posted contain it.
• It is rather unnatural and unpleasant sounding.
• Nobody ever notices it even though it’s right there smack dab in our faces.

I can understand why this sonic signature is so common but frankly and more importantly, I’m surprised that nobody ever notices it. Not even after I started mentioning it. Well, except for a couple of disrespectful blokes who, without thought, immediately responded by claiming that ALL of my videos possess this nasty when just moments earlier they never knew it existed. Go figure.

IOW, the industry is presumably filled with enthusiasts attempting to elevate their listening skills and yet this sonic signature is staring all of us in the face and nobody notices? I find that perplexing. Just look at the OP of this thread. There’s something like 5 videos and 50 likes and not a single person noticed or made mention of this unpleasantry in any of the videos.

I get that Mike’s got a great system and room and all with great potential and I’m sure he has a pretty good ear and performs due diligence in everything audio. Even so, it’s an imperfect world and nobody arrives in this journey. And this sonic signature I hear in videos of Mike’s system are relatively minor compared to some others who routinely post videos here. But the signature is there nonetheless.

On the other hand, Audiohertz2 posted that this nasty can be overcome by placing the mic closer to the speaker and lowering the volume. And he’s right. But what Audiohertz2 neglected to mention was that taking such actions is merely putting a band-aids over open wounds because his suggestion only addresses the effects rather than the cause. For example. I’ve shared videos of less-than-stellar-engineered recordings of The Who, Van Halen, etc playing in-room at near live performance volume levels and that sonic signature sound should be nowhere to be found.

Moreover, I’m curious what purpose is served if one were to carry out Audiohertz2’s suggestions? Not only does his remedies not address the cause, they only steer us only further away us from what the listener hears from the listening chair. These are not natural sounding remedies nor perspectives and ultimately tell us nothing about reality, yet it seems some people think nothing to subject the rest of us to listening to such unnatural perspectives.

Your comments seemed to imply that perhaps all 3 recordings are different composers and artists and perhaps it was recorded behind Mike’s listening chair. Yet, individual recordings have very little to do with it as it seemed all 5 of the recordings/videos in the OP seemed to contain roughly the same or similar levels of this unpleasant sonic signature.

It should seem rather evident that this sonic signature has nothing to do with the room per se. Obviously Mike is rather fastidious about his room, his system, and even his recordings. Yet, there are rooms much inferior to Mike’s that might have less or greater levels of this unnatural sonic signature. For example. In my own case, I’ve nothing special in my shoebox-dimensioned narrow room except for carpeting, a chair, a few ottomans and bookcases, yet I’m pretty confident one should never hear that signature sound in my room nor in any of my videos.

IOW, to the best of my knowledge, this unpleasant sonic signature exists because the cause is system-based only. And it has everything to do with how resolving a playback system genuinely is. But too many times it seems we prefer focusing our attention on the band-aid rather than the wound i.e. the effects rather than the cause.

I do not understand the purpose of this comparison.

Here we are, presumably every last one of us engaged to some degree in a performance-oriented pursuit, expending great resources to improve performance, and participating in a “What’s Best” performance-oriented forum. What’s not to understand?

 

Does the nasty empty coffee can coloration disappear if one clamps his electronics under a thousand pounds of pressure?

 

Does the nasty empty coffee can coloration disappear if one clamps his electronics under a thousand pounds of pressure?

For me, that is certainly a contributor. But as I said above there are videos from others that seem to lack this unpleasantry.

But who cares if nobody can hear it, right?

 

Does the nasty empty coffee can coloration disappear if one clamps his electronics under a thousand pounds of pressure?

Nice to see the sailboat again

 

For me, that is certainly a contributor. But as I said above there are videos from others that seem to lack this unpleasantry.

But who cares if nobody can hear it, right?

to me, a lot of videos sound closed in, lacking openness. They are constricted, congested, slightly dark. Is this the same thing, using different words, as you describe as “coffee can coloration“? In other words, just because people don’t use your exact words to describe an effect, that doesn’t mean they don’t hear the same thing.

Now, if you’re describing something different, could you be a little more specific with your description, so we know what you’re talking about?

 

The only nice thing is I could enjoy misic with my humble system despite having gone through his phenomenal system

Every time I leave Mike or Steves place I shut my system off for a week and find other things to do.

 

View attachment 125912

I visited Mike Lavigne's house on Feb 17, 2024.

The main purpose is to compare the sound through top digital and vinyl sound.

Mike has Esoteric T1 turntable which sounds very nice with magnetic gravitaion and option of external clock to control servo motor.

I had listened to Goebel Marquis speaker driven by Esoteric Amps and T1 turntabl during Seoul Audio Show 2023 which was very musical.

On the other hand, Goebel Divin speaker driven by Ch Dac and amps sounded rather cold and dry.

I quit vinyl on 1988.

But during three audio shows that I attended recently ( Pacific Audiofest 2022, 2023, Seoul Audio show 2023), I found rooms playsing vinyl tend to give more natural and musical sounds.

Mike also has Wadax Dac and servers whose retail price is more than 300k$.

I had listened to Wadax Dac and server twice before.

First encounter was at dealer's show room (Ed Devitto).

After doing home audition of Ideon Absolute Dac, we did side by side comparison of Ideon and Wadax over there using Magico M2 speaker drivn by Constellation amps.

I got very favorable opinion on Ideon Absolute Dac after home auditon for one week, but Wadax is clearly in another league with natural but somewhat mystical tonality.

I had another chance to listen to Wadax during Pacific Audiofest 2022.

Goebel Divin speaker driven by Wadax Dac and CH amps sounded very musical and dynamic.

About five years ago, I had done comparison between MSB Select II and Kronus turntable at dealer's showroom.

YG Sonja speaker was driven by Viola amps.

The results showed that MSB Select II could match the musicality of vinyl playback.

As good as MSB Select II is, I got the impression that Wadax is another league above MSB Select II .

MIke also upgraded from MSB Select II to Wadax around 2 years ago.

We played vinyl Beethoven Symphony No 9 directed by Solti through Esoteric T1 first.

It sounds very musical and dynamic through his Evolution MM 7 speakers driven by Dartzell pre and main amps.

No limitation of dynamics and bass with pure tonality.

As well known among audiophile community around Seattle, Mike's system is top notch.

Then we searched same recording through Roon and played through Wadax.

Wadax could match vinyl in every respect. without suface noise.


We also played Misty sung by Ella Fitzerald thorugh vinyl and Wadex.

The result is more or less same.

It seems that vinyl gave slightly more depth but the difference is rather minor.


We also played Chopin piano concerto played by Marth Argerich thorugh vinyl and Wadex..

This time suface noise bothered me slighty but not enough to enjoy music.

We also played Liberty by Anette Askvik thorugh vinyl and Wadex.

To conclude, Wadax match themusicality of th vinyls played throudh Esoteric T1 without surface noise.

Liberty Wadax

youtu.be

On the other hand, it did not overwhelm the sound of vinyl.

Vinyl played throudh Esoteric T1 sounds almost equal to Wadax and sometimes with little bit more of soundstage depth.

Overall I enloyed 2 hours at Mike's dedicated listening room.

His system gave unlimited and natural bass and dynamics with pure tonality.

The only nitpick is that the soundstage depth coud be more if speaker could breath in larger space.

I had got similar impression when I auditioned Magico M9 at Seoul Korea last November.

The dealer's showroom happened to be almost same size as Mikes( 20ft w 29ft d 11ft h)

But I would not down size speakers if I were Mike.

He will miss unlimited bass and dynamics.

The bass was very clean with no overhang.

Thanks Mike for his hospitality as friendly guest.

Fist two I am vinyl all the way, the third Wadax clear winner.

 

Every time I leave Mike or Steves place I shut my system off for a week and find other things to do.

As I use pair of Rel 31 and Sceana 18 inch subwoofers tandem below 90hz and Altec 15inch basshorns from 90hz to 290hz using active crossover, I do not miss deep bass and dynamics.

The only thing that impressed me deeply is pure tonality out of Mike's system due to excellent sources.

On the other hand, line arry of Scaena 3.2 driven by tube pre and power amp give more depth and holographic image.

Thus even after listeing to Mike's excellent system, I have no problem going back to my system on the same day.

 

Thomask, which of the speakers are engaged in the YouTube vids? I don't think they are all on at once, a couple of different systems in there?

 

Thomask, which of the speakers are engaged in the YouTube vids? I don't think they are all on at once, a couple of different systems in there?

Pair of Rel 31 and Sceana 18 inch subwoofers tandem below 90hz and Altec 15inch basshorns from 90hz to 290hz using active crossovers.


Scaena line arrays covering 290 hz up.

Lansche 4.1 is idle as well as treble horn of Altec A7.

 

Pair of Rel 31 and Sceana 18 inch subwoofers tandem below 90hz and Altec 15inch basshorns from 90hz to 290hz using active crossovers.

Wow! That is a lot of woofage! I love it!

 

Thomask, which of the speakers are engaged in the YouTube vids? I don't think they are all on at once, a couple of different systems in there?

Lansche 4.1 give supreme treble due to plasma tweeter, thus violin and some female vocal sound clean

But Sceana give more realistic soundstage although Lansche is not far behind.

I tend to play Scaena more often since I care about soundstage more.

 

You use similar crossover points to mine (@ 70 hz and 300Hz) Does the Scaena have a passive crossover for the midrange and tweeters?

I think the videos sound quite good through my headphones.