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.

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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.

 

Academia is filled with strange polices. Along with fragile little creatures. I prefer competition in advancing knowledge/skill set. With Audio visit reports everyone would get an A as to not hurt anyone's feelings!

I do agree with GND, because academic grades are not the point of business school.

On the other hand, relative forced grading curve is extremely important in audio. The Zero Distortion university was established to grade audio students.

 

I do agree with GND, because academic grades are not the point of business school.

On the other hand, relative forced grading curve is extremely important in audio. The Zero Distortion university was established to grade audio students.

I get it, couldn't resist!

 

What do you think of the difference between Thomas' Altecs, Howard Swayne's big ones, and I think there was another one you heard, in your area.

They are so different. Howard and Thomas further from the mark than the set I go to in Portland. The one in Portland has the best electronics and its apparent. Even that one would have some frequency issues if you used a Mic to measure it. But its close enough I would use it in my new room.
Howards did give me the sense it would be too much for every day. I did tear up during Dylan. And I have never hear a better Simon and Garfunkel Live in Central Park. That could be the wine and spirits that were talking.
Thomas's can be more an every day system. Especially with the Lanche. He just needs to work on getting the subs integrated and needs better electronics and power to the system. I don't know how you get Lansche or Scaena to blend with an Altec horn. I get where he is going. A horn sub can be fast. But it was obvious they were not integrated at the time.

 

. And I have never hear a better Simon and Garfunkel Live in Central Park.

Simon and Garfunkel were two cats

 

Simon and Garfunkel were two cats

They fought like cats. I think I would rather watch them fight than sing.

 

They fought like cats. I think I would rather watch them fight than sing.

I have been playing some of their music. I do like the Paul Simon Songs From the Capeman. Mostly I look for new music now. Hanging at Mikes with Jazdoc is fun as you hear a lot of new music. I took a photo of 5 or 6 albums. Then found them on Qobuz at home.

 

I have been playing some of their music. I do like the Paul Simon Songs From the Capeman. Mostly I look for new music now. Hanging at Mikes with Jazdoc is fun as you hear a lot of new music. I took a photo of 5 or 6 albums. Then found them on Qobuz at home.

jazdoc (Mark) and Scott returned on Tuesday night to hear the (3) Akasa DC cables installed on the Wadax. three and a half hours of digital only and all new crazy stuff (all chosen by those guys) all streaming. likely listened with Mark and Scott in my room 50 times in 15 years and never listened to that much digital total over those previous 50 times. there was never even any thought to listen to vinyl.

Level 4 Wadax is a whole new ballgame.

 

jazdoc (Mark) and Scott returned on Tuesday night to hear the (3) Akasa DC cables installed on the Wadax. three and a half hours of digital only and all new crazy stuff (all chosen by those guys) all streaming. likely listened with Mark and Scott in my room 50 times in 15 years and never listened to that much digital total over those previous 50 times. there was never even any thought to listen to vinyl.

Level 4 Wadax is a whole new ballgame.

Congrats on your new Akasa DC cables. Would it be possible for you to describe the improvements you are hearing? Many thanks.

 

Playlist from Tuesday night's session...
(from my Roon history)

Jar of Flies, AIC
Trouble Will Find Me, The National
Purgatory, Tyler Childers
Colter Wall, Colter Wall
10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, Kenny Wayne Shelpherd
The Three E.P.s, the Beta Band
Controversy, Prince
Keep It Live, Dazz Band
Prince, Prince
Algiers, Calexico
Lotta Sea Lice, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile
Taken By Force, Scorpions
Guitars, Cadillacs, Dwight Yoakam
Super Jazz, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain
Slightly Concussed 1 (Live at De Melkubs), New Orleans Swamp Donkeys
These Are The Vistas, The Bad Plus
More Fun In The New World, X
Made Possible, The Bad Plus

it was fun doing digital streaming only with zero restrictions on musical choices. anything that came to mind was played, and it all sounded superb. we had a great time. Mark and Scott traded the Roon i-pad remote back and forth and i just sat back and rode the volume control.

 

Congrats on your new Akasa DC cables. Would it be possible for you to describe the improvements you are hearing? Many thanks.

to be clear, these 3 Akasa DC cables are in my system for demo purposes. they ship back to my dealer on Monday as he needs them for his own demos and for Axpona in April.

i am in negotiation with my wife regarding acquisition. we just wrote a check for the Server Power Supply (ouch!).....and now this. gulp!

i will try today to describe the details of my feelings about these cables on the Wadax power supply thread.....stay tuned. i want to keep discussion regarding the Wadax details there. i will include comments i recall from Mark and Scott as they heard the system on Sunday without these Akasa DC cables.....then Tuesday with them in. i will say now three days later (about 4 total days in my system) they are better for sure. it was only 24 hours in my system when Mark and Scott heard them.

 

WADAX is the only audio company where i dont laugh when they sell 20 K cables.

 

Scott came back by my place after hearing your new cables. He said they took the Wadax to a place he has never heard digital go. But I will let you explain in your thread. Needless to say, he was impressed.

 

to be clear, these 3 Akasa DC cables are in my system for demo purposes. they ship back to my dealer on Monday as he needs them for his own demos and for Axpona in April.

i am in negotiation with my wife regarding acquisition. we just wrote a check for the Server Power Supply (ouch!).....and now this. gulp!

i will try today to describe the details of my feelings about these cables on the Wadax power supply thread.....stay tuned. i want to keep discussion regarding the Wadax details there. i will include comments i recall from Mark and Scott, as they heard the system on Sunday without these Akasa DC cables.....then Tuesday with them in. i will say now three days later (about 4 total days in my system) they are better for sure. it was only 24 hours in my system when Mark and Scott heard them.

Great, many thanks. Looking forward to reading your impressions and best of luck with the negotiations

 

it was fun doing digital streaming only with zero restrictions on musical choices. anything that came to mind was played, and it all sounded superb. we had a great time. Mark and Scott traded the Roon i-pad remote back and forth and i just sat back and rode the volume control.

That sounds like a great evening. That's exactly how I do it here with my listening buddies.

 

Playlist from Tuesday night's session...
(from my Roon history)

Jar of Flies, AIC
Trouble Will Find Me, The National
Purgatory, Tyler Childers
Colter Wall, Colter Wall
10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, Kenny Wayne Shelpherd
The Three E.P.s, the Beta Band
Controversy, Prince
Keep It Live, Dazz Band
Prince, Prince
Algiers, Calexico
Lotta Sea Lice, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile
Taken By Force, Scorpions
Guitars, Cadillacs, Dwight Yoakam
Super Jazz, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain
Slightly Concussed 1 (Live at De Melkubs), New Orleans Swamp Donkeys
These Are The Vistas, The Bad Plus
More Fun In The New World, X
Made Possible, The Bad Plus

it was fun doing digital streaming only with zero restrictions on musical choices. anything that came to mind was played, and it all sounded superb. we had a great time. Mark and Scott traded the Roon i-pad remote back and forth and i just sat back and rode the volume control.

Were you rocking out to Qobuz or Tidal?

 

The purity of Mikes' system transcends the internet.

 

Were you rocking out to Qobuz or Tidal?

both. and i'm sure a few of my files too (we did not use the 'version' button, so were not trying to optimize the resolution). searches used both services. these days with Tidal doing true hirez the differences are marginal.

 

Great, many thanks. Looking forward to reading your impressions and best of luck with the negotiations

my impressions....fingers crossed on the negotiations.

Wadax Server PSU unit has now arrived

Frankly, although one cannot miss the Wadax components in the room, my experience was so compelling they never came up in conversation. I can only assume the three “red” Akasa cables were in use. Perhaps Elliot can confirm their use during my time there but whatever was in play I will have a...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

my impressions....fingers crossed on the negotiations.

Wadax Server PSU unit has now arrived

Frankly, although one cannot miss the Wadax components in the room, my experience was so compelling they never came up in conversation. I can only assume the three “red” Akasa cables were in use. Perhaps Elliot can confirm their use during my time there but whatever was in play I will have a...

www.whatsbestforum.com

Perhaps I should visit before the, uh, negotiations to ensure I hear the system.

 

That is the reason I had used Lansche 4.1 from 2006.

Lansche Audio No.4.1 Loudspeaker

Ultimate reward or audiophile road apple? November 2010 Of all the components that make up my system, the loudspeaker has presented the most treacherous terrain on which to navigate. Like a young Frodo Baggins traversing the foreboding landscape of Fangorn Forest, finding the perfect speaker has...

www.stereotimes.com

It is very efficient at 95db/w(99db spec but real no is 95) with clean treble due to plasma tweeter.


I bought it new at 50k$ on 2006.

But I tend to play Scaena 3.2 more often over Lansche because of realsitic soundstage due to line array.

Nevertheless, I like silky violin tone out of Lansche over Sceana.

The Lansche 5.2 at the Florida show sounded really good.