Magico V3

I own the Mini2 and drive them with Pass XA160.5. These Magicos do need a lot of good, clean power and I think you have that. I have heard the V2 and V3. I did not like the V3 as much as the Mini2 or the V2, but I really think it was the set up at the dealership so they were not demonstrated to their potential.

I found the Mini2 lacking in bass impact and extension at the dealerships, but that was greatly improved in my own room after finding the right spot in my room and also with recent improvements in isolation to my front end. Bass was always very articulate and detailed, but now impact and extension are very good also. Magico does bass very well, IMO. For me it's about quality, not quantity, especially with the kind of music I love (cello, piano). The V3 should be even better in this area if the room/listener/speaker relationship is right.

I did find the V3 less coherent compared to the V2, Mini2 and especially the Q3 and Q5. Perhaps it is because of the physical separation between the mid and bass drivers. I don't know, but this is the weakness of the V3, IMO. I would want to audition a pair in my system for a few days to be sure.

The used prices are very good now on the older wood enclosure Magicos. I think it is a great time to buy. I listen mostly to smaller scale classical and jazz in a small room, and could not be happier with the Mini2.

If you've heard the Mini2, why not consider a pair of those at used prices? If you want bigger, the V3's could be the way to go.

Sure the Q's sound much better than the V's. However, if one considers a pair of V3's cost $15K used and a pair of Q3's cost $40K new, the question of value enters the picture.

If I were to consider trading my Mini2 for the Q1 in a year or so, the Q1 will be $30K and I would be lucky to get $15K for my Mini2. Is the Q1 really worth double the price of the Mini2? That's a bit more difficult to answer.

Many of us could re-buy our current systems with components found used on Audiogon for a fraction of what we paid originally, new or used. I try not to dwell on such things.

IMO, the V2, V3 and Mini2 are very good values right now. Perhaps even better after the holidays.

I could have paid about the same for a used pair of Mini2 or V3 when I bought
the former a couple of years ago. I did listen to each 2-3 times before deciding
on which one to buy. I always preferred the Mini2 because it was more coherent
in the demos I heard. The V3 extended down a bit more, but the bass was
slightly less well defined, IMO. I just could not hear the drivers or the cabinet of
the Mini relative to the V3.

The Mini2 also disappeared as a source. I actually preferred the V2 to the V3 in
the demo I heard because it was also more coherent, but it was not as clear and
nuanced as the Mini2.

The Q3 is a different animal. I would replace the Mini2 with the Q3 if I could
afford to and if my room could handle the weight and size.

Congratulations Teeshot. Sometimes things are just worth the wait. Welcome to the Magico group.