Quanmer, did you also mean to say bi-amping instead of bi-wiring? |
As my hearing matures and got tired of playing around with equipments (28yrs--made many costly mistakes along the way), I came to realize that the FM 611 is definitely a keeper! Have been serving my home 15yrs of hassle-free musical bliss now..
Would love to hear and share with other FM owners their findings. Also from anyone who had experiences with their latest offerings (FM 115 and FM 1811)? Hearsay even more 'refined' than previous line-ups ie. 411mkII, 611x and 811mkII. |
17yrs from their first introduction (in '91 if I'm not mistaken), Resolution Series were the benchmark for many designers to aspire to. Having learnt a trick or two, yes I heard few 'makes' managed to come up with really great sounding products too.
But problem is, as others were just about approaching this (almost) two decades old design's performance, FM Acoustics again took off with yet other breakthroughs in their 1811 (amp) & 268 (pre).
As I'm thinking of an upgrade, and this is a substantial outlay, would really appreciate if someone who had a 'genuine' first hand experience with the above products to share their thoughts. Just as I've been faithful enough to live with the 611 for more than 15yrs, this next amp purchase might also well be my last.. |
Vinylucky,
Having heard recently two different set-ups of 'FM Inspiration System1s', one being driven by 266mkII and a pair of 1811s. The other a 268 with a pair of their Anniversary 2011s (total 4pcs).. Left me plain speechless! Made me took the plunge and bought their 268 to partner them with my 611 for the time being. Now, thinking of ways of how to afford those amp plus speakers and a cdp upgrade, hopefully soon when this crisis eases off.. ;) And thanks, your response sure put more weight into my decision. Cheers! |
Hi Dev,
Re my remarks of the FM266, in my full post I was implying that in comparison they were actually the more truthful to the source. You remember in late 80's early 90's back when digital were premature? FMAs seems to have their voicing on track even back then. Unlike the many other pre-amps which compensate digital's shortcomings by giving them nice warm beautiful cloaks to make them 'look' good, the 266 simply laid them bare. I had a friend brought over his '16yrs old' FM266 earlier this year to compare with my REF3 (with current digital rigs) it made me the more convinced that FMA were just ahead of time.
This prompts me to an FM266mkII, and finally last month the FM268. Since the 266mkII was still a loaner, I decided to make the jump now rather than too late after depreciated cost has been factored in by my dealer. It also freed me the thoughts of any pre-amp upgrading in a very very distant future. Beside an obvious step up in sound quality, into consideration also is the 268 excellent built-in linearizer plus remote convenience over the 266mkII.
Dev, again I cannot warrant any recommendation other than to speak from personal experiences. There will be just too many variables - components synergy, room factors, not to mention tastes and differences in priorities. But I can swear by the brand and attest that they are the best 'I' have encountered thus far. As their cost is quite substantial, do find time to audition them yourself possibly in your own set-up. My guess is driving your MBLs, you might need one of their bigger amp - say the FM1811 which if not mistaken list is CHF125,000 (nett price policy, lucky if your kind dealer can give a 5% break on them). However, I strongly believe in our journey towards 'audio grail', this will be the one road worth traveling, to have an FM experience, whether or not you ending up with one.
Ps.this post is getting too long, I will save my room and equipment details for another time. |
Dev,
Ok, here's a suggestion, when you get in touch with your FMA dealer..
Amplifier - Ask to audition the FM115 mono config. (250W 8ohms, 450W 4ohms). They list around CHF85,000. If this is insufficient to drive your speakers/room then you will need the FM1811. Sound wise they are both fairly similar in characteristic and quality, and a refinement over the older Resolution series.
Pre-Amp - Partner them with either an FM255mkII, FM266mkII or the FM268 (depending on how far you want to stretch your budget). For pre-amps, unlike their amplifiers, I heard more significant improvements each time you climb up the ladder.
(I came to above conclusion as I'm doing this upgrade in stages (cost consideration), I was thinking to either buy the amp or pre first. I tested two combinations, one 1811/REF3 and the other being 611/268. I had much better result with the latter, therefore decided on the FM268 first and do the amp upgrade later).
Cables - Tie them all up with FM's cabling (a must!). Forceline3 spkr cable and PIT (Precision Interface Technology) ic's. This is where it gets a bit sweet, though not as expensive, they put to rest my Valhallas, Synergistic Designer's Reference2 and Siltech G6 ic's and speaker cables. You will save a bit here as you don't need tenths of thousands of dollar in cabling to make your system work!
I have now actually heard the above FMs amp/pre-amp combinations in 5 different speakers set-ups ranging from tiny MiniII to the giants - Wilson Wamm, Kharma Grand exquisite, Acapella Campanile and FM's own Inspiration System - where all sounded truly amazing! However as none featuring your MBLs, I did hesitate initially. Goodluck! But given the odds, with the superb combinations above I'm sure you will not need one. |
Oops.. the previous tell tale post was for Chris re insane pricing.
Dev, my FM611 is the older gen, I've had it for more than 15yrs. They do not have cooling fans yet, the newer FM611X got them. Also the 115 and 1811. My amp runs warm but not hot, they have thermal protection circuit which shut off and stabilize amp once the maximum thermal temperature is reached, light blinks for 10 seconds and they are back ready for action! Btw.Their fans are whisper quiet, in the many friends set-ups, never once I notice their existence nor feel them to be intrusive. |
This post was meant to be prior to the above >>
Chris, I fully agree with you re their insane pricing, their stingy discount policy gives me the irk too! However, here's a story I'd like to share which happen late last year. A friend with the Kharma Grand Exquisite speakers ($300K+), tried to compete with this other guy driving the full FM Inspiration System1. However out of pride and not wanting to be called a follower, he tried all means to avoid the FMA gears used by the other guy (certainly not cost consideration as this Kharma guy has in his garage 2 Ferrari Enzo!!).
He then seeks and even imported some of the best gears he knew ranging from Golmund Telos 2500, top line Burmester, biggest Boulders, Spectrals to Wavacs, after six months of trying and huge monetary loss, he gave up and only to end up with--you guessed it--exactly what his 'competing' friend has-the full FMA work. Well.. we just have a good laugh each time this story is brought up within the local audiophile circle. A good effort, but just ain't good enough I guess.. ;) |
Dev,
It's kinda long for this thread, I've replied through your e-mail. |
Wadav,
It's remote have only volume up-down, mute and linearizer in/out functions, so a total of four buttons only. Thus frequency adjustments are not remote controllable.
Average to well recorded CDs do not need them, unless for very critical listening where minute changes of frequency shifts are desired or when compiling your own recordings. I switched them in mostly only for correcting popular recordings and/or some vintage ones--ella, louis, miles etc where recordings are usually poor--teeny, flat and shrill. It does a really great job of correcting and injecting lives into those ones! I have few favorite settings which I used for treatment of differing deficiencies.. Practically it's very simple to use, almost the set and forget type once u get used to those few routines.
And icing on the cake is--even when set 'flat' with linearizer function out of the circuit, it's still a damn fine pre-amp. Imo, at least twice better than their own widely acclaimed FM266mkII in all respect (I had them for 6 mths prior to 268), which is by itself a long time benchmark and no slouch either. |
Hi Quanmer, glad that you liked them and able to discover that they are at least something special upon first hearing. Spend more time, and I think you will like them even more later.. ;) Three of my most 'happening moments' in 30yrs of audio was first--with FMA, second--exposure to WE 300B SET amps, and third--Tidal speakers.
Yes, I did compare my 611 before purchase with 811, 600A and 800A. (I'm not sure of the model you mentioned however). It was in the early 90s, if memory serves me right, our group of friends all concluded that the resolution series were better, just much more refined overall. Of course the 811 was superior, but unfortunately it was way out of my budget then.
My wild guess is that what you are hearing are probably either :
1) The 611 you demoed is not in its prime condition/serviced recently (well, its a 20yrs old amp)
2) Synergy issue - The Pro series amp better suiting the monitor type speakers you heard them with?
Below is a link from the FMA web, scroll down to about middle, there is a brief summary of differences between their Pro and Resolution series of amps :
http://www.fmacoustics.com/set_misc.html
Best, |
Quanmer, thanks for sharing, it could be so as I have not done those comparison myself. However, If you intend to go for a second listen, ask your dealer to possibly step up using 266mkII for next audition. It is more dynamic, fuller and analogue sounding. Overall, Ime, a more effortless, grand and refine presentation compared to the 255mkII, who knows it will alter your amp preference then. ;)
Btw, FMA synergises with Tidal speakers really well, you should at least try request for a home audition so just to know. On the topic of synergy, I am hoping to try out the new soon to be release Tidal Impact amps (that is if my local dealer ever bring one in). Heard they are superb and something quite special too, but most importantly.. would most likely be the perfect match for our speakers. |
