Thanks Plato,
Do you think it has a specific sound? How was it a great combo? It sounds like you do not have that system anymore did you replace the 99?
I think I will probably try it out but am still looking for more input.
thanks again
Phil |
Bradz
Cool, we almost have the same system. I am glad you are happy and look forward to more correspondence with you.
You will be happy with the 99 Magnum, I had it done and there is more detail and better extension, but also the dynamics improve considerably (something most people do not mention).
For a power amp I had considered the Plinius as well (like Tpsonic mentioned) but they are supposed to have a forward presentation of the sound which would not work as well for me. Also I someday hope to own Quads or maybe Innersound speakers.
thanks again and best wishes
Phil |
Thanks everyone,
I welcome all comments negative or posative as I feel like I can learn from both.
Asa,
your comment about the subtlely threadbare quality is exactly the sort of thing I am concerned about with a solid state amp (after 20 years of listening mostly to tubes). Also it is a quality my stereo has a little of right now and I am running Nordost Blue Heaven cables. I think they may well be the culprit, but they have other nice qualities at this price and I have been trying to live with them.
I have decided to trust any magazine much in the same way I trust people in general, sometimes you run across the bad egg but it is my way, of course my ears (not painted on by the way) are what I trust and not many sway me beyond them.
Tom
I am considering your advice as well, Plinius is consistently recommended by all. |
thanks wellfed
EVERYONE reading this should read the zero website, at the very least interesting and maybe more (different = fear?). I do not know what to think but I will investigate further as I have often wished the Maggies were about 12 OHM's.
Phil
p.s. anyone have their own testimonials on the Zero? |
bradz
I spoke with Duke and he seems very knowledgeable and straight forward. He thinks the Plinius is very good as well. Have you heard the Plinius (any of them) and what did you think? I am in the middle of really listening to the Innersound with its own wire and maybe at the end of this week I will compare both wires on both amps. I will let you know. |
thank you everyone,
As I write this I am listening to the Innersound ESL amp (30 day trial period) and I wanted to share some very rough and preliminary views. I am using the Innersound speaker wire and will compare that with the Nordost and report back. When using the Rogue I always had Nordost Blue Heaven.
Compared to the Rogue Magnum 120's the sound is much more vibrant, and the bass has more impact and dynamics instead of the thick bass the Rogue has. The midrange of this amp complements the maggie 1.6's and has more of a solid quality (palpable?). In the high end the Rogue has a more natural presentation, more harmonics and nicer tone, but is lacking in detail and air by quite a margin.
The Innersound is very good and this has been an eye opening experience for me. At the very least I now believe if I want to keep these speakers I will drive them with solid state and I will try the Plinius and maybe Bryston amps as well and let you know. I could not find any info on the Conrad Johnson EV2000 but it is very intriging I may well be missing out, thanks tpsonic, (I see one is up for sale $2000)
I also want to try the Zeros and hopefully he will let me do an in home trial as well. The zeros may help the Rogue be more vibrant (if I am not mistaken).
sincerely
Phil |
thank you everyone,
As I write this I am listening to the Innersound ESL amp (30 day trial period) and I wanted to share some very rough and preliminary views. I am using the Innersound speaker wire and will compare that with the Nordost and report back. When using the Rogue I always had Nordost Blue Heaven.
Compared to the Rogue Magnum 120's the sound is much more vibrant, and the bass has more impact and dynamics instead of the thick bass the Rogue has. The midrange of this amp complements the maggie 1.6's and has more of a solid quality (palpable?). In the high end the Rogue has a more natural presentation, more harmonics and nicer tone, but is lacking in detail and air by quite a margin.
The Innersound is very good and this has been an eye opening experience for me. At the very least I now believe if I want to keep these speakers I will drive them with solid state and I will try the Plinius and maybe Bryston amps as well and let you know. I could not find any info on the Conrad Johnson EV2000 but it is very intriging I may well be missing out, thanks tpsonic, (I see one is up for sale $2000)
I also want to try the Zeros and hopefully he will let me do an in home trial as well. The zeros may help the Rogue be more vibrant (if I am not mistaken).
sincerely
Phil |
thank you everyone,
As I write this I am listening to the Innersound ESL amp (30 day trial period) and I wanted to share some very rough and preliminary views. I am using the Innersound speaker wire and will compare that with the Nordost and report back. When using the Rogue I always had Nordost Blue Heaven.
Compared to the Rogue Magnum 120's the sound is much more vibrant, and the bass has more impact and dynamics instead of the thick bass the Rogue has. The midrange of this amp complements the maggie 1.6's and has more of a solid quality (palpable?). In the high end the Rogue has a more natural presentation, more harmonics and nicer tone, but is lacking in detail and air by quite a margin.
The Innersound is very good and this has been an eye opening experience for me. At the very least I now believe if I want to keep these speakers I will drive them with solid state and I will try the Plinius and maybe Bryston amps as well and let you know. I could not find any info on the Conrad Johnson EV2000 but it is very intriging I may well be missing out, thanks tpsonic, (I see one is up for sale $2000)
I also want to try the Zeros and hopefully he will let me do an in home trial as well. The zeros may help the Rogue be more vibrant (if I am not mistaken).
sincerely
Phil |
sorry about the triple post I have no idea how it happened
Phil |
Hi
Thank you for your views. Can we talk? I am wondering who you are and where your shop is located.
Phil Jolett |
thanks ASA,
it is just difficult to audition an amp without buying it and there are not many dealers near me. I will listen to the Plinius as that seems to be the main amp people prefer and am leaning that way right now. I used to have a Berning EA230 driving my original Quads. It was pretty tuneful. Quite frankly after having a power tube go out on the Rogue I am thinking I may not want tubes anymore for the power amp (plus I am cheap). I do not know if the Electrocomaniet has enough power, I am looking for more than the average volume and dynamic range, I would like to hear one though. Also the Rogue pre amp has a nice phono section, remote control volume and I like the service they provide. I know it can be beat but I do not even think of it being in the system, I does not attract attention to itself, so I feel it will do (nicely at that). Thanks again for your thoughtful comments, they are appreciated. Like I said before, now is not the time to spare my feelings, I would like all the details BEFORE I buy.
Cheers,
Phil |
I have finally decided on a Plinius SA100 MKIII amplifier and have listened for only 1 day. I can tell you the raves about this amp are justified in my opinion.
Starting with the high end, it is very open and highly nuanced with no edge and (in my system) seems slightly rolled off. The mids have a tone that constantly remind me of the tone of real instruments, the lows are very defined and if anything slightly light but also tuneful. Compared with the Innersound, the main improvement is less coloration, music could be light with very little bass or full and rich sounding, all dependant on the recording, where the Innersound had a little more of the one note bass and less finness in the mids and highs. Also the Plinius seems to have more detail and inner information and is more of one piece (HP's continuity?) top to bottom.
In comparison to the Rogue the Plinius high end is much more detailed, the Rogue sounds thick in the bottom and rolled on top (more than the Plinius). In the Rogues favor it has a quality of music that appears out of nowhere, especially horns or piano that are bathed in harmonics, which is good but they were too dull for my taste. Maybe with the right speakers I would choose the Rogue over the Plinius (maybe not).
The Innersound had a very immediate presentation of the music that had a nice appeal but maybe was threadbare, and of course the Innersound had amazing dynamics that neither the Plinius or Rogue could dream of, Maggies need tons of power I now see for certain. I had a special Innersound amp with an extra large power supply and I could not believe how loud 1.6's go, approaching the volume of live drums, I swear.
Again I am very thankful for all the support you guys have given me, it has helped a lot. |
