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Buy Montis or Keep ML reQuests & Buy Meitner MA-1?

I am looking to integrate computer audio playback via DAC to my system, which consists of the following:

- Arcam AVP 700 that serves as a preamplifier
- Mark Levinson ML-9 amplifier
- Transparent Musicwave speaker cable
- reQuest speakers

Coincidentally, I also have a Technics 1200 turntable, Samsung Bluray player, Roku video streaming device, and an ATT U-Verse HD cable linked up to my Panasonic plasma TV. You can view the system at this link:

http://www.martinlogan.com/insiders/index.php?system=1&sysID=1788

As an educator with a modest salary, I am saving up funds to purchase a DAC and doing a fair amount of research and auditioning of various gear, including the Mytek 192 DSD DAC and the Bel Canto 1.5 DAC. I plan on auditioning the Ayre QB-9 DAC soon, as well.

Recently, I became very impressed with reviews of the Meitner MA-1 DAC and wanted to audition one. actually contacted their VP of marketing, who pointed me to a dealer in Chicago. He was very polite, but unfortunately, he said he would did not keep one in stock and would not get one until I was actually able to purchase one. There are no other Meitner authorized dealers within reasonable driving distance. The VP encouraged me to save up and give them a call when I'm ready.

Looking for advice, I contacted a good friend of mine who is a rep for Martin Logan and dealer of other gear in his shop in Costa Rica (he doesn't sell to the mainland U.S.). His response is below:

Hola, Juan. Dacs are like computers. They are out of date every 3 months or so. Putting a lot of money on a DAC, it is not a right thing to do. Why don´t you change your speakers instead? You should give it a try. The newer panel is much better, dynamics and detail is something that you must listen too. If you are going to spend $ 7000.00 on a DAC, sell your speakers and get a pair of Montis! Yes, I know that they are not that big as yours but read what I have for you. With the new Montis, you will re-discover all the music that you have!!! Request is a great speaker, and I know how you love them...but that is old technology. The Montis panel is the same size as the Summits. I know that you will be in heaven with the Montis model...

Wow. I am torn. I would really like to get a higher end DAC, and I'm willing to save several years to get $5,000 to $7,000 or so to get that sound and get my system in place. I am also aware that at that price range, the Playback DAc and the Lumin Media Player are available.

Also, I'm not so sure I'm willing to part with my reQuests, but his response has me thinking. Maybe I should sell them and go with a less expensive DAC. However, my inclination is to keep them and either get something like the Ayre QB-9 or Lumin's new D-100 ($2,000 price range) and/or keep saving and maybe get the MA-1, Playback or the flagship Lumin Media Player. Your thoughts?
128x128escritorjuan

Showing 6 responses by escritorjuan

escritorjuan's avatar
escritorjuan OP
120 posts
 
Thanks for the input, DKarmeli. The speakers are now further away from the wall than in the first set of photos. They are now in the larger front room, as seen in the latter photos.

Just curious, though: What's wrong with my speaker cables? They cost $550 used. What would you recommend that I use to replace them?

The system actually sounds pretty good. Although I use the Blue Ray DVD player to play my CDs, I use it as a transport via Toslink to the Arcam AVP700. The result is that the improvement in sound when I play ripped CDs via my laptop through an external DAC (like the Mytek and the Bel Canto 1.5) versus via the Blue Ray DVD player is slight or marginal at best. And HD movies played via Toslink to the AVP sound terrific. Guess the internal DAC in the AVP700 is pretty good!

That said, I would like to be able to use a computer for audio playback of burned CDs and high res files.

Either way, I'm still early in the savings process, so realistically, it will be several years before I am able to buy a high end external DAC or music server player like the Lumin. Your thoughts?
escritorjuan's avatar
escritorjuan OP
120 posts
 
I just checked out the following link:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rcabl&1030372236&openflup&1&4#1

Maybe I'm biased, but my Transparent cables appeared to be an improvement over the old "Monster" cables I used with my old Martin Logan Sequels.

Your thoughts?

Have a blessed Monday!

jca
escritorjuan's avatar
escritorjuan OP
120 posts
 
Hi Dkarmeli,

I sent you a PM a few minutes ago. Thanks!
escritorjuan's avatar
escritorjuan OP
120 posts
 
Take a look at The Hub and my review of AXPONA 2014.

Thanks,

Juan
escritorjuan's avatar
escritorjuan OP
120 posts
 
Thahks, Minorl! I appreciate your feedback.
escritorjuan's avatar
escritorjuan OP
120 posts
 
Thanks for all the feedback, guys. On the advice of a friend, I sold the Martin Logan reQuests and bought a used pair of Von Schweikert VR-5 HSE speakers, which sound more natural and pleasant, altogether lacking the harsh edge that the reQuests tended to impose on vocals. I also pulled the Transparent cables -- for now, anyways -- and substituted a pair of homebuilt White Lightning Moonshine DIY speaker cables from the 6Moons Audio Reviews site. I combined two pairs to make biwire cables, and I like the more open sound! I kid you not -- and my wife really likes these over the Transparent cables! She says that she can hear movie dialog more clearly with them, which makes sense; the Transparent cables tended to smooth out the highs and lows, whereas the White Lightning cables make for a more straight forward, unfiltered presentation.

Currently, I'm looking to get an REL T-9 subwoofer, which I've already auditioned, to add a little extra low end (the Von Schweikert speakers don't have the low end that the reQuests had, but with the sub, they are transcendent!). Then, at last, I plan on saving up again for the DAC.

Cheers,

Juan
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