I like this person. He knows what he wants and what he can afford, and never look back. He is not in an upgrade mode all the times. He is a very realistic person!
What a great video! Cynthia's a great interviewer and asks all the relevant questions. It's also good to actually _see_ the equipment rather than just talk about it.
She does a good job here, this guy looks very uncomfortable being asked questions by her when you look at his face and gestures in between questions or maybe that’s just his look. Music and being an Audiophile is a passion. I would never say my that spending money on cables is wasteful because the hobby in itself or any hobby can be considered by some as wasteful. I like his system it is simple and to the point, I have owned Rega P3-24 and love their tables and I have owned Magnepan 1.6s and their are times I miss them. There is nothing like a Magnepan, is it the best speaker, no, no speaker is, but if you have ever owned one, you will remember that experience for the rest f your life. If I had the room I would mate my Vandersteens with a set of Magnepan 3.7s or 20.7s. I also owned Emotiva XPA2 and they are a great company and I do remember that their were some issues with his amps in class A mode overheating due to size on the Forums, so he is right, just use it in a/b mode. That Black Ice phono pre is very interesting. I share his philosophy of Solid State Amps for the power or slam and tube preamps and tube phono preamps for the finesse. Unless you have tried cables you don’t know, you are just speculating that they don’t make a difference. I have no problem with his Lowe’s cables but I also have no problems with someone else’s, Audioquest, Nordist, Transparent, Blue Jeans or Monoprice, but we must stay away from absolute terms of especially things that we have no knowledge of, it’s the snobbery in a lot of cases that’s hurting our hobby. I want more Cynthia’s in the hobby, so that she can teach her daughter or son. Let’s not get hung up on cables one way or the other because I could care less of what some people spend or not, let’s just enjoy the music through the best piece of equipment that we can afford. Good job Cynthia and I hope to see you do more of these.
There's a lovely used Bryston BP26 with an MPS2 power supply on Audiogon asking price 2350 for the pair with most of the warranty left on it. The improvement over my tube preamp a Conrad Johnson PV10B with "top of the line" Mullard tubes was "striking". Finesse.
so the digital link made a huge improvement (@13:40) but the super entry level crossover doesn't need replacement/improvements (@14:45). it's things like these that make this hobby such a laughing matter to most music/sound lovers :} nice setup, take it easy, have fun everyone!
Thanks for the interview and the tale of someone’s audiophile journey! Always interesting to see how other people put together systems, what they had, what worked and what didn’t.
Some advice for young budding male audiophiles...Let your future wife know early doors that music appreciation will be an integral and essential part of your future home. Save on aggravation further down the road.
I think you missed the point. Letting someone know ahead of time about a proclivity of yours, is never poor advice. He wasn't implying that there are no women who won't allow for it. Congratulations of having a good wife.
My marriage quite possibly fell apart because we are so different. I've spent the last 20 yrs lamenting for a proper stereo and gritting my teeth listing to music out of little tin boxes. Well no more of that. I'm 46, and have a fund and starting from scratch. These are great times for audio. Cheap and well made products abound. I might land on the schiit/maggie combo. We'll see.
Because of the size of my listening room I had to go with the Maggie's 0.7's along with a SVS Ultra 13 sub I drive the Maggie's with an old school Spectron musical MK ll class D amp 500watts@8ohm 650@4ohms & 1,200@2ohms 65amps for 500 milliseconds And sometimes with my VAC PA 100 100 tube amp. My tube pre amp is ARC LS15 and my source is Oppo BD 105 into a Exogal Comet Plus DAC I stream with the Audiolab 6000N Its always great to see other people's audio rig and the process/ decision making that made it all come together. Great interview!!
Cynthia, interview of Mike was probably on of the most interesting interviews of an audiophile I have seen in a long time! Mike is a wealth of audiophile knowledge....the kind of person, who on a teacher's budget prioritized his life around his hobby of great music. But he went about it by experimenting, not afraid of returning gear that he did not like. Agree w his idea of cheap big box store 10awg speaker cable, but upgrading to Audioquest Carbon cables for improving digital, and Jolida amp and Black Ice phono stage, Putomayo mfg of music media. Cynthia if you could interview Mike again to help demystify the method of properly adjusting and connecting that active crossover from Behringer please....i always wanted to biamp my speakers, just have no clue how to use an external crossover. Thank u, and again very informative interview!!
@David Greenwood - Part of it is fairly simple. Your pre-amplified source (from your pre-amp), goes to the active x-over. The x-over splits up the sound into high and low frequency bands. For example, the right channel input become a right channel high, and a right channel low output, which then go to separate amplifier channels, where they are amplified separately. From the Right High amplifier output, that goes to the right speaker high; the Right Low amplifier output goes to the right speaker low. Here is an example using my system that has Carver AL-III+ ribbon speakers, each with a 4' ribbon driver (mids and hight), and a 10" cone base speaker. I have the x-over set at 200 Hz, so that the low outputs are all frequencies below 200 Hz, and the high outputs are all frequencies above 200 HZ. The high output goes to the ribbon driver so that it gets all frequencies above 200 Hz, and the low output goes to the 10" woofer and gets all frequencies below 200 Hz. 200 Hz is based on the drivers in my speakers. This will vary base upon the drivers that you have in your speakers. Now for a little bit of complexity -- the speakers need to have inputs for bi-amplification, and ideally would allow you to switch the passive crossovers out of the the circuit. Again using my speakers as an example, first as is and NOT bi-amplified; they have passive crossovers, which split the frequencies below 200 Hz to the woofer, and those over 200 Hz to the ribbon tweeter. The crossover is passive because it is splitting the frequencies after they have been amplified, and this eats up power. Again using my system as an example for non bi-amplified, 325 W RMS (@ 4 ohms) from one channel of amp (right), feeding right speaker with a 20 - 20K Hz signal (full frequency), is then split by the speaker's passive x-over. Say we have 175 W RMS to the sub, and same to the ribbon. But the passive x-over eats up some power so maybe the sub is only getting 100 W, and the ribbon is only getting 100 W (not sure of the exact efficiency of a passive x-over). Compare this to active crossover. I split the right channel signal into two frequencies before amplification (active x-over) and feed two amplifier channels of 325 W RMS each. I take the high and low amplifier channels and feed them to the speaker. If I have taken the passive x-over out of the speakers, then I am now feeding 325 W RMS into the sub, and 325 W RMS into the ribbon driver. If I leave the passive x-overs in the speakers (but I still have separate high and low inputs into the speaker, typically with conductive bars between them in the default that have now been removed), then I am still getting the power loss from the passive x-over. So in this case maybe the sub is getting 200 W RMS and the ribbon is getting 200 W RMS. What I did was to go into the speaker, and add toggle switches so that I could switch out the passive x-over, thereby lessening the power loss to the passive x-over. One other issue with passive x-overs for ribbon speakers it also attenuates the output at a specific frequency, the resonate frequency for the holes in the back side of the magnet plates behind the ribbons. So if you remove the passive x-over from the ribbon, then you will need to equalize the signal with a notch filter at the correct frequency. So this is what I do. I use a Behringer spectrum analyzer with a microphone to measure the frequency output of the speakers after feeding them pink noise (noise with equal energy in each sound spectrum, the Behringer unit has a pink noise generator). This allows me to setup the notch filter for the ribbons, and allows me to setup my parametric equalizer. My signal goes from my pre-amp, to the spectrum analyzer (which is usually bypassed in normal listening). It then goes to a Klark Teknik DN410 parametric equalizer, which allows 5 channels of equalization per channel. From there it goes to a Peavey PV35XO Active Crossover, which splits up into high and low signals, for both the left and right channels. The 4 signals (rt low, rt hi, left lo, left hi) then go to the power amplifiers (4 channels required). These then go to the Carver AL-III+ ribbon speakers, that have had the passive x-overs removed. The spectrum analyzer is used to set the notch filter, and help me set crossover points, crossover slopes, and signal levels. My speakers are now getting 1300 W RMS total. The amplifiers are working much less hard. The IM distortion from the bass frequencies are isolated from the mid and high frequencies. The sound is much cleaner... Another lever of complexity is RCA style cables, versus balanced cables and inputs and outputs, and pro-level audio gear signal levels, versus consumer level gear. My amplifiers don't have balanced inputs, and my equalizers and x-overs use only balanced. Converting, setting levels, making the custom cables is a PITA. My advice, use balanced from end to end. Don't use RCA. I also use a Velodyne subwoofer, which has it's own built-in amp and uses an accelerometer to reduce distortion. I am upgrading to twin Velodyne ULD-15 subs, also looking to upgrade the 10 woofers in the carvers (something with an accelerometer), and add super ribbon tweeters to the Carvers, maybe 12 circular tweeters in the front, and 4 to 6 in the back. This would end up being a 4-way system. Final thoughts on reducing complexity: My PC/Office stereo uses a DSP (digital Signal Processor), the Dayton DSP-408 4x8 DSP. It does both cross-over and parametric equalization. This vastly simplifies a system. Some say that an additional analog to digital to analog conversion is never a good idea, however, the technology is so good that I don't think that one can hear the difference. And you definitely can hear the difference when you time align the speaker drivers and set the cross-overs and equalization. Plus the flexibility is unreal. So for simplicity, flexibility, and tunability, consider a DSP! You might get by with non-balanced equipment is such a system. Some speaker designers create an initial design for an active x-over by first using a DSP, then by recreating the resulting equalization and crossover functions using discrete component to create an analog active x-over. In other words, it is easier to start with a DSP versus an analog active x-over. You can always swap it out later, but maybe you won't want to... Cheers, hope this helps!
@@todd8155 that is theeeeeeee most….complete….examples and description of the BIAMP connection process and signal process I ever read, and I have read mannnnnny. Practical info…what REALLY works! Gonna copy and paste this to NOTES..for my system reorg plans in new dedicated audio room. Many thanks ….if u can add….anything to this process, brands, details would be most appreciated 😎👍🏻
@@todd8155 ok, reread your explanation…correct me if I am wrong….but since I am now considering replacing my speakers this year….wouldn’t it be preferable ….if I sought out speakers WITHOUT a passive crossover built in? My assumption is passive crossover is related to a passive woofer? But I doubt that. My point is, is there a process, or speaker types WITHOUT PASSIVE crossovers to eliminate the need to add a spectrum analyzer, getting inside the speaker modifying the electronics…from the audio path reducing complexity….and simply use an external crossover, and blaming the existing speakers 4 rear speaker terminals? I am not worried as much about amplifiers efficiencies or lost power, but les complexity to biamp. Appreciate your thoughts
This was a great interview.. very informal, I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two.. it made for an enjoyable watch, for a subject that can get very boring
Hey Cynthia, well done for adopting your new doggie and supporting your local animal shelter. I have two border collies that were rescued from Ireland. They are Bonkers but I wouldn't be without them. They are great company when walking across the British countryside. They've had a 8 mile walk today. Time for me listen to some tunes now!
I can totally relate to Mike, being a public school teacher and audio enthusiast myself. The struggle is real! Congratulations on putting together your dream system.
I used lowes 10 gauge with banana plugs for a good while. then I heard some morrow audio speaker cables in my system and found them a decided improvement. Recently I have been hearing some audioquest speaker cable in my system with largerr gauge solid strand and proper shielding and dialectric and they are far beyond where i started with 10 gauge solid core wire with some lowes banana plugs.
I really prefer the audioquest to the morrow cables. I think probably the biggest factor is there is no shielding in the morrow just numerous tiny individual solid core wires. I don't have a pair with shielding and no dielectric however so perhaps it isn't just the shielding that makes things so much clearer with the audioquest speaker cables.Also I don't see a need for more expensive or better than these AQ speaker cables style. something with sufficient guage good shielding and dialectric seems to really work well in my experience so far. it just seems like they deliver a cleaner signal than the morrows or regular wire. I will say there is still a diminishing return to expensive cables it seems to me however. My father in law sent back some rather expensive AQ interconnects in favor of the cheaper pair as we couldn't discern any real difference to the cheaper pair. However the cheaper AQ interconnects were still night and day from standard cheap interconnects we had available at the time.@@Reyfox1 This of course is all just my experience with limited brands but several styles of speaker cable and interconnect so far. and this is also the last place i spend money in the audio budget. Speakers, source, amplifier all come before this as far as sonic benefit goes, but it does make a difference just like everything else in the chain
@@thedogefather thanks for the reply with your experience. Which Morrows do you have? Me? I go waaaay back in audio. I have Monster Cable Powerline 2 speaker cables when they were first released. I have what is considered the first ground breaking interconnect.... Monster Interlink Reference. Also have MIT's first, MI330, which was a game changer back in the day. I've gone through home made Belden's with Eichmann Bullets, MIT's with boxes, Canare, Audio Quest, zip cord, Siltech proto type of their first interconnect, etc.. and each made a change in the way things sounded. Some, noticeable, others, not so in my systems over time. I would have to say that MIT's were always good for me, but you know the audio itch sometimes has to be scratched. Now, I have Morrow MA3 interconnects and SP4 speaker cables on my Von Schweikert VR4's. I think they'll stay a while in my system, which is a little old. I have no desire to continue the audio equipment chase. My gear sounds really good to me, and to move up would cost more than I am willing to spend unless something breaks. Who can remember VPI Bricks.... I have 3 of them....
Yeah, this is one place I disagree with the guy in the video. Good speaker wire makes a difference. I tried some of the 10g that Lowes sells. I went back to my 25 yr old Audioquest lines. The Audioquest sound better throughout the spectrum. Cleaner highs and far better bass. If he can't hear a difference, good for him, he saved a few bucks. I don't have his ears...and frankly, I'm happy that I don't !
@@rakitakhan I never question what people hear and their choices. Mine are just different. Like many others in this hobby, if Home Depot speaker cables actually sounded better, I would have them and invested the money saved somewhere else in equipment. But if the listener is happy, that is all that matters.
love those maggies! I have heard 1.4, 1.7(which my father in law have in his room) and I own MMG with the QR tweeter, fantastic speakers, I am sure the larger maggies are out of this world.
I love Magnepan and I also play organ. The Magneplanars are perfect speakers for a home virtual theater pipe organ ( church or theater) like Hauptwerk. The organ community hasn't caught on yet.
Magnepan's give you a great big sound which does sound wonderful but they make everything sound bigger than life. My Acoustat electrostatics have that big sound but the instruments and voices have the correct size and shape.
Pretty cool system. I have Carver AL-III+ ribbon speakers, and I was using the Behringer Super-X Pro for bi-amplification. The buttons felt really cheap with loose tolerances, and occasionally the unit would lock-up, making a whole lot of noise and nothing else. I switched to a Peavey PV35XO Active Crossover for abut $200. It my mind it is much more professional with a superior build quality. Probably sounds better, but I didn't do A/B comparison, and obviously something was wrong with the Behringer. If I was a travelling musician and I had a x-over in my system I would feel much more confident in the Peavey system holding up day in and day out vs the Behringer. IMO there may be some sound improvement for you in replacing the Behringer x-over. Just a thought...
For me, the most important aspect of his set-up is that his Magnepans are about halfway out into the room. Not enough emphasis was made of the importance of that, for experiencing front to back layered sound stage depth. I do wish his listening seat position had been shown in relation to the front face of the speakers.
Damned cute little puppy - “Audio dog” gave me the biggest smile - I live in a town where one of the few remaining independent brick and mortar retailers - established in the early 70’s is named Sound Hounds. For several decades their logo was RCA’s Nipper lifting his ear to a silver LP disc - i.e. years before the Sony/Phillips CD was introduced. Edit: if you’re not careful you may well be conscripted to be one of the very photogenic faces of a new generation of audiophiles. There are of course far worse ways to spend your time in what can be the very dark world of social media.
I do wonder if his choice of speakers dictates his music choices. Do magnepans go loud (and into the low frequencies), or are they as pernickety as electrostatics?
Cool stuff. I can't help but chuckle to myself though when I see someone's dream set up - especially their turntable, phono pre-amp, etc. - and then see that their actual vinyl collection is a fraction of what I own (and some of my friends have twice again as much as I own)! All in all, a cool segment. I think it's great you giving Cynthia a spot on your show to do her thing. It's refreshing to see someone her age who is conversant/knowledgable about more than MP3s. Last comment, I have yet to even hear a pair of Maggies. I would love to hear what Mike's old refurbished ones sound like.
The maggie 3.7i are the latest iteration of that size and apparently quite nice with the ribbon material. A lot more $$ than the 1.7i or 0.7i. I too need to hear them to see just how impressive they are. You apparently either luv em or hate em.
And all his vinyl was at ground level, I can see him crawling around on his hands n knees looking for a record. I play records everyday there's no way I'd have them at my toes.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 I curse myself every time I go to play my Neil Young, Waterboys, XTC, Zappa, YES, etc., as all of that stuff is on the bottom row of my shelving system (and it kills my knees).
@@redstarwraith And I bet for that reason you play that stuff less too. I'm younger than this guy and I find it difficult to dig through the stuff on my lower shelves and they're not as low as his but he has his entire collection down there, so he's got to be doing it tough no matter what he wants to listen to. The dude needs to get that shit waist height at least.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 Unfortunately that is true. I've got a big IKEA rig and the bottom of it is on the floor. I'm 56 and I need to come up with a better solution!
Here I am at 15:51 and I'm really blown away. Quadruple monoblocks?! I never conceieved of such a thing. I also have the AQ Carbon but haven't tested it yet. I'd love to hear a comparison between this preamp and using, say, a Woo Audio WA33 as a pre?
Hawthorn Stereo! A blast from the past! I mostly shopped at Brownell's, Chelsea Audio, and Fred's Sound of Music in Portland. Plus Toad Hall in Corvallis. I wish places like those still existed.
Talk about speaker wires... I've found for me that the more conductors the better so instead of say 6 8 or ten conductor I'll try to use 30 to 50 . Sorry i don't remember what it's called but i acquired about 20 feet of cable used for elevators about a half 3/4 inch diameter and that has many conductors. Any thoughts?
Nice system tour and interview! Seems like he put most of his money in the speakers not the electronics, which is my philosophy too.. in theory. In practice it's easier to swap out amps than speakers due to size and weight so I've done way too much amp swapping when I should have been trying new speakers. oh well
Like the system - good stuff but not over the top. That said, if he experienced that much improvement from a cable I think the first one was likely faulty.
I saw a video recently about a guy comparing 10 varieties of Audio Quest cables on two different systems. Interesting thing was, on the first system, utilizing a Holographic? Integrated amp, he heard a difference with EACH cable. On the SECOND system, he didn't hear ANY difference until he reached the fourth or third from the top of the line. What this tells me is that maybe more mainstream equipment is less suseptible to highlighting differences in cables than some more obscure or esoteric equipment is. This would explain why cables is such a hotly contested subject.
@@dsonyay not funny, it just sounded stupid. There is a huge difference between having one's speech stifled vs being classy enough not to say things like he said to someone who is conducting themselves as a courteous professional.
And whether it bothered her much, she quite graciously just moved on. She’s probably run into enough chauvinism that she’s inured to it, hopefully if she continues in the hobby for long she’ll not get too jaded - and that we males gain the self awareness to not presume about her experience/knowledge. Short of overstepping boundaries of physical space, there must be few things more frustrating to women of any age than “mansplaining”.
Well Mike for being a audiophile for over 40 years you still have a lot to learn. To underestimate the importance of cables you are short changing the overall sound of the system. Project makes low end equipment, Rega makes nice turntables especially for the money but there is so much better for not a lot more money. Your cartridge is low end. Magnepans are great no doubt. Not a fan of solid state amplification on Magnepans. Your underestimating the improvements in more expensive gear. Sorry just being honest.
hurkamur1 sorry there little to no “snakeoil” in high end audio contrary to your beliefs. Sure there some outrageous products and some that charge what seems to be ridiculous prices but the reality is everything you put into, a audio system will make a difference. The key is determining if its truly improving the sound or coloring the sound in a way that is simply emphasizing parts of the bandwidth that make you hear certain parts of music that gives you the illusion of improvement. It takes someone with keen hearing and logic to evaluate to determine this. Cables are not snake oil and any “true” audiophile knows this. You are simply one of those wanna be audiophiles who have not gotten past the mid fi price points of equipment that reveals changes and improvements in a system. Sorry 40 years and your still a newbie in audio. Read some books and learn something about high end audio. Sorry but when you discredit aspects of high end audio without the real knowledge of it you have no credibility. I have been designing, selling and calibrating the very finest in high end audio for over 40 years not to mention have degrees in audio engineering, mastering, and disc mastering as well as being a acoustician. So ya i kinda have extensive knowledge on the subject lol.
@@latourhighendaudio BWAAAAAAAAAAAAaAHAHaAaA, 👌 A snake oil salesman selling snake oil. What a novel concept. 😂 You sir need to read something other than brochures. Sure, if you're doing a long cable run, it *might* be worth investing in some expensive cables, it's all about resistance. That said, it should be the last upgrade you make.
hurkamur1 well your obviously spewing ignorance. You have no idea what your talking about and clueless. I am always up for a friendly debate but when you spew false information because you don’t know what your talking about you can expect to be called out on your sh It. Clueless
@@Hal9000Comp I've never heard any 20k dollar esoteric speaker wires, and I'm sure they're leagues better than cheesy lampwire. That said, in the real world sometimes you get what you pay for, but more often pay for more than what you get. I like to see hard data before considering anything. Most people don't have magical golden ears like yourself, and probably couldn't pick out the difference between $300 and $2000 cables. You may have been through this but. www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
I come from a Pro Audio background, but have not seen anybody using active crossovers in audiophile systems. The Behringer unit described here would not be my choice, I wonder what the impression of folks is... plopping a $100 Behringer crossover right behind your multi thousand dollar preamp?
In the Pro world Behringer is the 'Bose' of the industry. The other rule of Pro systems is: "The quality of the signal is always reduced to the lowest component."
Trip how people in New York live in apartments ( for obvious reasons) and in the suburbs of the south the middle class wouldn’t be caught dead in one. People are a trip. Great video.
When our family moved from Chicago to Dallas in the mid '70's, my father told me that he would NEVER be able to afford a house in Chicago. We ended up moving into a 4 bedroom, two bathroom, with attached garage house in Texas. That house would've probably been TWICE the amount in Chicago.
I'm watching this as an Audiophile and this guy is going off on a bit of mysogyny. I didn't expect this from an interview with the "Audio Belle", who seems to be fine with it. I haven't seen his system yest, I'm at 4:26, but still...Video could start at 4:26 or so? ...continuing...
Nice setup! Interesting point on cables speaker cables not so much between Lowes 10ga and more expense cables, then on the DAC more expensive cable sounded better. thank you audio belle for the interview.
the arrogance of this guy bothers me. I think he is a fool for bi-amping maggies, as they will never get 'down there'. mags need a sub, plain, and simple. I enjoyed the audio belle right up to the time she started talking to this pretentious old guy that can't possibly hear like he used to think he could. I bet it's the high side amps that are over heating, and not the bass amps
I think he was talking about them getting warm when in class A, or did I miss that? Would kinda agree that low end - say circa 40 and down- might be tricky with dipole planars in a small poorly treated room.
Weird gate-keeping comments. But moreso, he just seems to have a problem with women. Kudos to her for keeping her composure while dealing with this guy.
I have a 4 way digitally crossed over Klipschorn with EAW 110db sens mids, (200-1000hz) & Faitalpro 2inch on a JBL horn Danley sub, wallmart cables. 2 Behringer DCX2496+1 DEQ2496 %100 digital domain signal chain up to the power amps.
I can't afford to buy the kind of amplifiers you use, but I prefer tubes. I drive my Magnepan 0.7s with 833-A single ended triodes run at 1Kv, zero grid bias, and an 8:1 step down transformer to drive it with 254 single ended triodes. It is my dream system. I may add Rythmic open baffle subwoofer soon.
I use Hammond 1642 SE transformers, They are good to 300 ma and my 833As draw only 115 to 120 ma. Hammond are underrated transformers and the 1642SE costs less than $300 from Hawk Electronics. I use the 4 Ohm outputs to the Magnepans.
Robert Vincelette Thanks for the info.. Yeah, some of the Hammond and Edcor models are really good for the money. Happy listening. I think Steve (or Cynthia!) needs to pay you a visit on how DIY DHT amps could sound on Maggies.
I disagree. I have heard crap speakers connected to good speaker cables and they sounded ok. Then I heard those same speakers with high end cables and they sounded really good. I disagree that lamp cord like that is making those speakers sound their best.
Well, bear in mind that his bi-amped Maggies are about the most, purely resistive speaker loads that one could have. No doubt this puts much lower demands on speaker wire and amplifiers. So in his system. it's quite possible that different speaker wire would make virtually no sonic difference.
@@JohnDoe-np3zk You are correct they are direct and I like that characteristic too. Perhaps you misinterpreted my attempt at humour. The British sense of humour isn't everyone's taste either. Sorry if It sounded crass, it wasn't my intention.
I think he just ran 10 AWG single strand wires and bare end terminated them. Nothing wrong with that and considering you are able to trip over them in the middle of the room maybe better not to spend crazy money on them.
They are definitely stranded wires running to the speakers. I examined them in the video showing them hooked to the back of his speakers. I don't think anyone in a audiophile's right mind would/should run solid speaker wires..... 😎
![[UA] NAVI vs MOUZ | BO5 | IEM Rio 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CMBYk0cbGoA/mqdefault.jpg)
I like this person. He knows what he wants and what he can afford, and never look back. He is not in an upgrade mode all the times. He is a very realistic person!
@Tripp Cayden What a bullshit thing! You post this Flixzone, and you post an answer as if it were a different person!
What a great video! Cynthia's a great interviewer and asks all the relevant questions.
It's also good to actually _see_ the equipment rather than just talk about it.
Nice to see Cynthia again!
Love these weekend “ show you my system” videos. Steve, keep up the great work!!!!!!
Thanks
Nice to see a girl being into HIFI, most people you see are men.
Girl v Men - nice
old men at that
She does a good job here, this guy looks very uncomfortable being asked questions by her when you look at his face and gestures in between questions or maybe that’s just his look. Music and being an Audiophile is a passion. I would never say my that spending money on cables is wasteful because the hobby in itself or any hobby can be considered by some as wasteful. I like his system it is simple and to the point, I have owned Rega P3-24 and love their tables and I have owned Magnepan 1.6s and their are times I miss them. There is nothing like a Magnepan, is it the best speaker, no, no speaker is, but if you have ever owned one, you will remember that experience for the rest f your life. If I had the room I would mate my Vandersteens with a set of Magnepan 3.7s or 20.7s.
I also owned Emotiva XPA2 and they are a great company and I do remember that their were some issues with his amps in class A mode overheating due to size on the Forums, so he is right, just use it in a/b mode. That Black Ice phono pre is very interesting. I share his philosophy of Solid State Amps for the power or slam and tube preamps and tube phono preamps for the finesse.
Unless you have tried cables you don’t know, you are just speculating that they don’t make a difference. I have no problem with his Lowe’s cables but I also have no problems with someone else’s, Audioquest, Nordist, Transparent, Blue Jeans or Monoprice, but we must stay away from absolute terms of especially things that we have no knowledge of, it’s the snobbery in a lot of cases that’s hurting our hobby. I want more Cynthia’s in the hobby, so that she can teach her daughter or son. Let’s not get hung up on cables one way or the other because I could care less of what some people spend or not, let’s just enjoy the music through the best piece of equipment that we can afford. Good job Cynthia and I hope to see you do more of these.
There's a lovely used Bryston BP26 with an MPS2 power supply on Audiogon asking price 2350 for the pair with most of the warranty left on it. The improvement over my tube preamp a Conrad Johnson PV10B with "top of the line" Mullard tubes was "striking". Finesse.
Super interesting guy. Really enjoyed this. Thank you Audiophile Belle and Steve!
so the digital link made a huge improvement (@13:40) but the super entry level crossover doesn't need replacement/improvements (@14:45). it's things like these that make this hobby such a laughing matter to most music/sound lovers :}
nice setup, take it easy, have fun everyone!
Thanks for the interview and the tale of someone’s audiophile journey! Always interesting to see how other people put together systems, what they had, what worked and what didn’t.
Well done Cynthia. You did very well. Please keep on keeping on and do some more.
Some advice for young budding male audiophiles...Let your future wife know early doors that music appreciation will be an integral and essential part of your future home. Save on aggravation further down the road.
Or don't have a wife.
Yes, because women don't change their minds? Just get a man cave, both of you will be happier.
I think you missed the point. Letting someone know ahead of time about a proclivity of yours, is never poor advice. He wasn't implying that there are no women who won't allow for it. Congratulations of having a good wife.
Having planar speakers in living room takes care of that. My Mirages (M3) look kinda like the 2001 monoliths
My marriage quite possibly fell apart because we are so different. I've spent the last 20 yrs lamenting for a proper stereo and gritting my teeth listing to music out of little tin boxes. Well no more of that. I'm 46, and have a fund and starting from scratch. These are great times for audio. Cheap and well made products abound. I might land on the schiit/maggie combo. We'll see.
I do the same thing with 4 of the big emotiva Monoblocks in my system and it works wonderful.
I like the lofi appeal of this video. I would have thought it was from 20 years ago. Great system Mike has! I imagine he was a superb instructor.
OK, first woman I've seen interested in Audio. Period. Nice to see.
Because of the size of my listening room I had to go with the Maggie's 0.7's along with a SVS Ultra 13 sub
I drive the Maggie's with an old school Spectron musical MK ll class D amp 500watts@8ohm 650@4ohms & 1,200@2ohms 65amps for 500 milliseconds And sometimes with my VAC PA 100 100 tube amp. My tube pre amp is ARC LS15 and my source is Oppo BD 105 into a Exogal Comet Plus DAC I stream with the Audiolab 6000N Its always great to see other people's audio rig and the process/ decision making that made it all come together. Great interview!!
Wonderful stuff. Loved the genuineness and practicality of these two folk's approach.
Cynthia, interview of Mike was probably on of the most interesting interviews of an audiophile I have seen in a long time! Mike is a wealth of audiophile knowledge....the kind of person, who on a teacher's budget prioritized his life around his hobby of great music. But he went about it by experimenting, not afraid of returning gear that he did not like. Agree w his idea of cheap big box store 10awg speaker cable, but upgrading to Audioquest Carbon cables for improving digital, and Jolida amp and Black Ice phono stage, Putomayo mfg of music media. Cynthia if you could interview Mike again to help demystify the method of properly adjusting and connecting that active crossover from Behringer please....i always wanted to biamp my speakers, just have no clue how to use an external crossover. Thank u, and again very informative interview!!
@David Greenwood - Part of it is fairly simple. Your pre-amplified source (from your pre-amp), goes to the active x-over. The x-over splits up the sound into high and low frequency bands. For example, the right channel input become a right channel high, and a right channel low output, which then go to separate amplifier channels, where they are amplified separately. From the Right High amplifier output, that goes to the right speaker high; the Right Low amplifier output goes to the right speaker low.
Here is an example using my system that has Carver AL-III+ ribbon speakers, each with a 4' ribbon driver (mids and hight), and a 10" cone base speaker. I have the x-over set at 200 Hz, so that the low outputs are all frequencies below 200 Hz, and the high outputs are all frequencies above 200 HZ. The high output goes to the ribbon driver so that it gets all frequencies above 200 Hz, and the low output goes to the 10" woofer and gets all frequencies below 200 Hz. 200 Hz is based on the drivers in my speakers. This will vary base upon the drivers that you have in your speakers.
Now for a little bit of complexity -- the speakers need to have inputs for bi-amplification, and ideally would allow you to switch the passive crossovers out of the the circuit. Again using my speakers as an example, first as is and NOT bi-amplified; they have passive crossovers, which split the frequencies below 200 Hz to the woofer, and those over 200 Hz to the ribbon tweeter. The crossover is passive because it is splitting the frequencies after they have been amplified, and this eats up power. Again using my system as an example for non bi-amplified, 325 W RMS (@ 4 ohms) from one channel of amp (right), feeding right speaker with a 20 - 20K Hz signal (full frequency), is then split by the speaker's passive x-over. Say we have 175 W RMS to the sub, and same to the ribbon. But the passive x-over eats up some power so maybe the sub is only getting 100 W, and the ribbon is only getting 100 W (not sure of the exact efficiency of a passive x-over).
Compare this to active crossover. I split the right channel signal into two frequencies before amplification (active x-over) and feed two amplifier channels of 325 W RMS each. I take the high and low amplifier channels and feed them to the speaker. If I have taken the passive x-over out of the speakers, then I am now feeding 325 W RMS into the sub, and 325 W RMS into the ribbon driver. If I leave the passive x-overs in the speakers (but I still have separate high and low inputs into the speaker, typically with conductive bars between them in the default that have now been removed), then I am still getting the power loss from the passive x-over. So in this case maybe the sub is getting 200 W RMS and the ribbon is getting 200 W RMS. What I did was to go into the speaker, and add toggle switches so that I could switch out the passive x-over, thereby lessening the power loss to the passive x-over. One other issue with passive x-overs for ribbon speakers it also attenuates the output at a specific frequency, the resonate frequency for the holes in the back side of the magnet plates behind the ribbons. So if you remove the passive x-over from the ribbon, then you will need to equalize the signal with a notch filter at the correct frequency.
So this is what I do. I use a Behringer spectrum analyzer with a microphone to measure the frequency output of the speakers after feeding them pink noise (noise with equal energy in each sound spectrum, the Behringer unit has a pink noise generator). This allows me to setup the notch filter for the ribbons, and allows me to setup my parametric equalizer. My signal goes from my pre-amp, to the spectrum analyzer (which is usually bypassed in normal listening). It then goes to a Klark Teknik DN410 parametric equalizer, which allows 5 channels of equalization per channel. From there it goes to a Peavey PV35XO Active Crossover, which splits up into high and low signals, for both the left and right channels. The 4 signals (rt low, rt hi, left lo, left hi) then go to the power amplifiers (4 channels required). These then go to the Carver AL-III+ ribbon speakers, that have had the passive x-overs removed.
The spectrum analyzer is used to set the notch filter, and help me set crossover points, crossover slopes, and signal levels. My speakers are now getting 1300 W RMS total. The amplifiers are working much less hard. The IM distortion from the bass frequencies are isolated from the mid and high frequencies. The sound is much cleaner...
Another lever of complexity is RCA style cables, versus balanced cables and inputs and outputs, and pro-level audio gear signal levels, versus consumer level gear. My amplifiers don't have balanced inputs, and my equalizers and x-overs use only balanced. Converting, setting levels, making the custom cables is a PITA. My advice, use balanced from end to end. Don't use RCA.
I also use a Velodyne subwoofer, which has it's own built-in amp and uses an accelerometer to reduce distortion. I am upgrading to twin Velodyne ULD-15 subs, also looking to upgrade the 10 woofers in the carvers (something with an accelerometer), and add super ribbon tweeters to the Carvers, maybe 12 circular tweeters in the front, and 4 to 6 in the back. This would end up being a 4-way system.
Final thoughts on reducing complexity: My PC/Office stereo uses a DSP (digital Signal Processor), the Dayton DSP-408 4x8 DSP. It does both cross-over and parametric equalization. This vastly simplifies a system. Some say that an additional analog to digital to analog conversion is never a good idea, however, the technology is so good that I don't think that one can hear the difference. And you definitely can hear the difference when you time align the speaker drivers and set the cross-overs and equalization. Plus the flexibility is unreal. So for simplicity, flexibility, and tunability, consider a DSP! You might get by with non-balanced equipment is such a system. Some speaker designers create an initial design for an active x-over by first using a DSP, then by recreating the resulting equalization and crossover functions using discrete component to create an analog active x-over. In other words, it is easier to start with a DSP versus an analog active x-over. You can always swap it out later, but maybe you won't want to...
Cheers, hope this helps!
@@todd8155 that is theeeeeeee most….complete….examples and description of the BIAMP connection process and signal process I ever read, and I have read mannnnnny. Practical info…what REALLY works! Gonna copy and paste this to NOTES..for my system reorg plans in new dedicated audio room. Many thanks ….if u can add….anything to this process, brands, details would be most appreciated 😎👍🏻
@@todd8155 ok, reread your explanation…correct me if I am wrong….but since I am now considering replacing my speakers this year….wouldn’t it be preferable ….if I sought out speakers WITHOUT a passive crossover built in? My assumption is passive crossover is related to a passive woofer? But I doubt that. My point is, is there a process, or speaker types WITHOUT PASSIVE crossovers to eliminate the need to add a spectrum analyzer, getting inside the speaker modifying the electronics…from the audio path reducing complexity….and simply use an external crossover, and blaming the existing speakers 4 rear speaker terminals? I am not worried as much about amplifiers efficiencies or lost power, but les complexity to biamp. Appreciate your thoughts
This was a great interview.. very informal, I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two.. it made for an enjoyable watch, for a subject that can get very boring
He definitely has the audiophile wardrobe and fashion sense.
I mean he's no Guttenberg, but yeah.
Hey Cynthia, well done for adopting your new doggie and supporting your local animal shelter. I have two border collies that were rescued from Ireland. They are Bonkers but I wouldn't be without them. They are great company when walking across the British countryside. They've had a 8 mile walk today. Time for me listen to some tunes now!
I can totally relate to Mike, being a public school teacher and audio enthusiast myself. The struggle is real! Congratulations on putting together your dream system.
Cynthia really needs to start her own channel
I used lowes 10 gauge with banana plugs for a good while. then I heard some morrow audio speaker cables in my system and found them a decided improvement. Recently I have been hearing some audioquest speaker cable in my system with largerr gauge solid strand and proper shielding and dialectric and they are far beyond where i started with 10 gauge solid core wire with some lowes banana plugs.
how are they compared to the Morrow's?
I really prefer the audioquest to the morrow cables. I think probably the biggest factor is there is no shielding in the morrow just numerous tiny individual solid core wires. I don't have a pair with shielding and no dielectric however so perhaps it isn't just the shielding that makes things so much clearer with the audioquest speaker cables.Also I don't see a need for more expensive or better than these AQ speaker cables style. something with sufficient guage good shielding and dialectric seems to really work well in my experience so far. it just seems like they deliver a cleaner signal than the morrows or regular wire. I will say there is still a diminishing return to expensive cables it seems to me however. My father in law sent back some rather expensive AQ interconnects in favor of the cheaper pair as we couldn't discern any real difference to the cheaper pair. However the cheaper AQ interconnects were still night and day from standard cheap interconnects we had available at the time.@@Reyfox1 This of course is all just my experience with limited brands but several styles of speaker cable and interconnect so far. and this is also the last place i spend money in the audio budget. Speakers, source, amplifier all come before this as far as sonic benefit goes, but it does make a difference just like everything else in the chain
@@thedogefather thanks for the reply with your experience. Which Morrows do you have? Me? I go waaaay back in audio. I have Monster Cable Powerline 2 speaker cables when they were first released. I have what is considered the first ground breaking interconnect.... Monster Interlink Reference. Also have MIT's first, MI330, which was a game changer back in the day. I've gone through home made Belden's with Eichmann Bullets, MIT's with boxes, Canare, Audio Quest, zip cord, Siltech proto type of their first interconnect, etc.. and each made a change in the way things sounded. Some, noticeable, others, not so in my systems over time.
I would have to say that MIT's were always good for me, but you know the audio itch sometimes has to be scratched. Now, I have Morrow MA3 interconnects and SP4 speaker cables on my Von Schweikert VR4's. I think they'll stay a while in my system, which is a little old.
I have no desire to continue the audio equipment chase. My gear sounds really good to me, and to move up would cost more than I am willing to spend unless something breaks.
Who can remember VPI Bricks.... I have 3 of them....
Yeah, this is one place I disagree with the guy in the video. Good speaker wire makes a difference. I tried some of the 10g that Lowes sells. I went back to my 25 yr old Audioquest lines. The Audioquest sound better throughout the spectrum. Cleaner highs and far better bass. If he can't hear a difference, good for him, he saved a few bucks. I don't have his ears...and frankly, I'm happy that I don't !
@@rakitakhan I never question what people hear and their choices. Mine are just different. Like many others in this hobby, if Home Depot speaker cables actually sounded better, I would have them and invested the money saved somewhere else in equipment.
But if the listener is happy, that is all that matters.
Yay, TWO microphones this time! 👍
love those maggies! I have heard 1.4, 1.7(which my father in law have in his room) and I own MMG with the QR tweeter, fantastic speakers, I am sure the larger maggies are out of this world.
Happy to hear what's important in your life. Great System.
I remember Hawthorne Stereo. Used to live on SE 22nd Ave just off of Hawthorne. Stereo shop was up around SE 39th Ave.
I love the approach to this man's system.
Thanks for sharing this video. She's knowledgeable and pretty. Nice combo!
Great video. You just gotta love this guy for the way he compared the audio gear to a high maintenance woman. LMAO.
P F and Cynthia just accepted it as, yup, I can see that happening - now let’s talk about your current gear.
I like the use of affordable power plants. Great video!! He said “ Friction “ 😳
Right on, I like seeing other people's audio systems... and it's refreshing to see some that are more in the real world and obtainable.
I've only met a few audiophiles who listen to music, most listen to sounds.
This guy has a loooooot of really weird ideas even for an audiophile.
I love Magnepan and I also play organ. The Magneplanars are perfect speakers for a home virtual theater pipe organ ( church or theater) like Hauptwerk. The organ community hasn't caught on yet.
Big maggies are amazing, imagining is bar none
Magnepan's give you a great big sound which does sound wonderful but they make everything sound bigger than life. My Acoustat electrostatics have that big sound but the instruments and voices have the correct size and shape.
That is where I am very lucky. My lady love does the upscale audio thing as well. The only stopper we have is bank account related.
Love it .Certain things you just care about .
I kinda dig Home Depot’s wire over Lowes
Excellent. I use an electronic X over too. And 4 amps. Same Ideas as yours.
Nice system, agree on speaker wires. More important are the interconnects.
Well your definition of a Audiophile is me....lol
Pretty cool system. I have Carver AL-III+ ribbon speakers, and I was using the Behringer Super-X Pro for bi-amplification. The buttons felt really cheap with loose tolerances, and occasionally the unit would lock-up, making a whole lot of noise and nothing else. I switched to a Peavey PV35XO Active Crossover for abut $200. It my mind it is much more professional with a superior build quality. Probably sounds better, but I didn't do A/B comparison, and obviously something was wrong with the Behringer. If I was a travelling musician and I had a x-over in my system I would feel much more confident in the Peavey system holding up day in and day out vs the Behringer. IMO there may be some sound improvement for you in replacing the Behringer x-over. Just a thought...
For me, the most important aspect of his set-up is that his Magnepans are about halfway out into the room. Not enough emphasis was made of the importance of that, for experiencing front to back layered sound stage depth. I do wish his listening seat position had been shown in relation to the front face of the speakers.
Great video, Cynthia! And Mr Austin is a great subject! And a great system! Just one question: what was the wine??
Damned cute little puppy - “Audio dog” gave me the biggest smile - I live in a town where one of the few remaining independent brick and mortar retailers - established in the early 70’s is named Sound Hounds. For several decades their logo was RCA’s Nipper lifting his ear to a silver LP disc - i.e. years before the Sony/Phillips CD was introduced.
Edit: if you’re not careful you may well be conscripted to be one of the very photogenic faces of a new generation of audiophiles. There are of course far worse ways to spend your time in what can be the very dark world of social media.
I do wonder if his choice of speakers dictates his music choices.
Do magnepans go loud (and into the low frequencies), or are they as pernickety as electrostatics?
Cool stuff. I can't help but chuckle to myself though when I see someone's dream set up - especially their turntable, phono pre-amp, etc. - and then see that their actual vinyl collection is a fraction of what I own (and some of my friends have twice again as much as I own)! All in all, a cool segment. I think it's great you giving Cynthia a spot on your show to do her thing. It's refreshing to see someone her age who is conversant/knowledgable about more than MP3s. Last comment, I have yet to even hear a pair of Maggies. I would love to hear what Mike's old refurbished ones sound like.
The maggie 3.7i are the latest iteration of that size and apparently quite nice with the ribbon material. A lot more $$ than the 1.7i or 0.7i. I too need to hear them to see just how impressive they are. You apparently either luv em or hate em.
And all his vinyl was at ground level, I can see him crawling around on his hands n knees looking for a record.
I play records everyday there's no way I'd have them at my toes.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 I curse myself every time I go to play my Neil Young, Waterboys, XTC, Zappa, YES, etc., as all of that stuff is on the bottom row of my shelving system (and it kills my knees).
@@redstarwraith
And I bet for that reason you play that stuff less too.
I'm younger than this guy and I find it difficult to dig through the stuff on my lower shelves and they're not as low as his but he has his entire collection down there, so he's got to be doing it tough no matter what he wants to listen to.
The dude needs to get that shit waist height at least.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 Unfortunately that is true. I've got a big IKEA rig and the bottom of it is on the floor. I'm 56 and I need to come up with a better solution!
That guy is a raging misogynist, wow.
How do you know how music sounds?
Here I am at 15:51 and I'm really blown away. Quadruple monoblocks?! I never conceieved of such a thing. I also have the AQ Carbon but haven't tested it yet. I'd love to hear a comparison between this preamp and using, say, a Woo Audio WA33 as a pre?
Intense HIFI geek overload. Love it!
Hawthorn Stereo! A blast from the past! I mostly shopped at Brownell's, Chelsea Audio, and Fred's Sound of Music in Portland. Plus Toad Hall in Corvallis. I wish places like those still existed.
I still shop at Fred's in Portland Oregon.
Talk about speaker wires... I've found for me that the more conductors the better so instead of say 6 8 or ten conductor I'll try to use 30 to 50 . Sorry i don't remember what it's called but i acquired about 20 feet of cable used for elevators about a half 3/4 inch diameter and that has many conductors. Any thoughts?
Nice system tour and interview! Seems like he put most of his money in the speakers not the electronics, which is my philosophy too.. in theory. In practice it's easier to swap out amps than speakers due to size and weight so I've done way too much amp swapping when I should have been trying new speakers. oh well
A question the behringer crossover can this be used as a equalizer.
Gee I can’t imagine why the ladies don’t flock to hear this guys stereo!
When did Rega ever say that they “want the record floating above the platter?” All of their turntables use a felt mat.
The guy really doesn't know what he is talking about, he just thinks he does.
He must be fun at parties. ;-)
Like the system - good stuff but not over the top. That said, if he experienced that much improvement from a cable I think the first one was likely faulty.
I saw a video recently about a guy comparing 10 varieties of Audio Quest cables on two different systems. Interesting thing was, on the first system, utilizing a Holographic? Integrated amp, he heard a difference with EACH cable. On the SECOND system, he didn't hear ANY difference until he reached the fourth or third from the top of the line.
What this tells me is that maybe more mainstream equipment is less suseptible to highlighting differences in cables than some more obscure or esoteric equipment is.
This would explain why cables is such a hotly contested subject.
He tried the "like a beautiful woman" thing, standing right next to a woman. Brilliant!🙄
He's awesome. Bit of sexism thrown in for humor.. fresh air in speech-stifling times
@@dsonyay "speech-stifling times" Pretty funny, trumpflake...lol...
@@dsonyay not funny, it just sounded stupid. There is a huge difference between having one's speech stifled vs being classy enough not to say things like he said to someone who is conducting themselves as a courteous professional.
Nice system,but he comes across as a rich snob..
And whether it bothered her much, she quite graciously just moved on. She’s probably run into enough chauvinism that she’s inured to it, hopefully if she continues in the hobby for long she’ll not get too jaded - and that we males gain the self awareness to not presume about her experience/knowledge. Short of overstepping boundaries of physical space, there must be few things more frustrating to women of any age than “mansplaining”.
Well Mike for being a audiophile for over 40 years you still have a lot to learn. To underestimate the importance of cables you are short changing the overall sound of the system. Project makes low end equipment, Rega makes nice turntables especially for the money but there is so much better for not a lot more money. Your cartridge is low end. Magnepans are great no doubt. Not a fan of solid state amplification on Magnepans. Your underestimating the improvements in more expensive gear. Sorry just being honest.
ROFLGTFOHWTBS "Cables", I think you sir are underestimating the importance of hoodoo and slathering snake oil on your speakers.
hurkamur1 sorry there little to no “snakeoil” in high end audio contrary to your beliefs. Sure there some outrageous products and some that charge what seems to be ridiculous prices but the reality is everything you put into, a audio system will make a difference. The key is determining if its truly improving the sound or coloring the sound in a way that is simply emphasizing parts of the bandwidth that make you hear certain parts of music that gives you the illusion of improvement. It takes someone with keen hearing and logic to evaluate to determine this. Cables are not snake oil and any “true” audiophile knows this. You are simply one of those wanna be audiophiles who have not gotten past the mid fi price points of equipment that reveals changes and improvements in a system. Sorry 40 years and your still a newbie in audio. Read some books and learn something about high end audio. Sorry but when you discredit aspects of high end audio without the real knowledge of it you have no credibility. I have been designing, selling and calibrating the very finest in high end audio for over 40 years not to mention have degrees in audio engineering, mastering, and disc mastering as well as being a acoustician. So ya i kinda have extensive knowledge on the subject lol.
@@latourhighendaudio BWAAAAAAAAAAAAaAHAHaAaA, 👌 A snake oil salesman selling snake oil. What a novel concept. 😂 You sir need to read something other than brochures. Sure, if you're doing a long cable run, it *might* be worth investing in some expensive cables, it's all about resistance. That said, it should be the last upgrade you make.
hurkamur1 well your obviously spewing ignorance. You have no idea what your talking about and clueless. I am always up for a friendly debate but when you spew false information because you don’t know what your talking about you can expect to be called out on your sh It. Clueless
@@Hal9000Comp I've never heard any 20k dollar esoteric speaker wires, and I'm sure they're leagues better than cheesy lampwire. That said, in the real world sometimes you get what you pay for, but more often pay for more than what you get. I like to see hard data before considering anything. Most people don't have magical golden ears like yourself, and probably couldn't pick out the difference between $300 and $2000 cables. You may have been through this but.
www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
I come from a Pro Audio background, but have not seen anybody using active crossovers in audiophile systems. The Behringer unit described here would not be my choice, I wonder what the impression of folks is... plopping a $100 Behringer crossover right behind your multi thousand dollar preamp?
She’s thinking “stop lying you’ve never had a woman over in your life”
Interesting man...Well done Cynthia.
In the Pro world Behringer is the 'Bose' of the industry.
The other rule of Pro systems is: "The quality of the signal is always reduced to the lowest component."
The second woman audiophile I have ever heard of.
Omg, I love this guy.
Trip how people in New York live in apartments ( for obvious reasons) and in the suburbs of the south the middle class wouldn’t be caught dead in one. People are a trip. Great video.
Doug G This is not in New York
When our family moved from Chicago to Dallas in the mid '70's, my father told me that he would NEVER be able to afford a house in Chicago. We ended up moving into a 4 bedroom, two bathroom, with attached garage house in Texas. That house would've probably been TWICE the amount in Chicago.
I love this Billie guy. If I had a nickel for every guy that didn’t have the Fortitude to advocate for a space to listen...
Magnapan sand emotiva sound great together?
So, how does it sound?
Fascinating system. Brilliant actually. I can think of many reasons why it may punch way above it's, cost, weight.
This guy is as opinionated as me. At a party, We'd get on for a about 10 seconds.
I'm watching this as an Audiophile and this guy is going off on a bit of mysogyny. I didn't expect this from an interview with the "Audio Belle", who seems to be fine with it. I haven't seen his system yest, I'm at 4:26, but still...Video could start at 4:26 or so? ...continuing...
Need more Cynthia interviews, please.
Why is this siren screaming at me on The Audiophiliac channel?
“Describe standup bass” 😆
thoose mic don't sound to good
She had me at the dog. Love people that love dogs.
Nice setup! Interesting point on cables speaker cables not so much between Lowes 10ga and more expense cables, then on the DAC more expensive cable sounded better. thank you audio belle for the interview.
the arrogance of this guy bothers me. I think he is a fool for bi-amping maggies, as they will never get 'down there'. mags need a sub, plain, and simple. I enjoyed the audio belle right up to the time she started talking to this pretentious old guy that can't possibly hear like he used to think he could. I bet it's the high side amps that are over heating, and not the bass amps
You took the words outta my mouth.
I think he was talking about them getting warm when in class A, or did I miss that? Would kinda agree that low end - say circa 40 and down- might be tricky with dipole planars in a small poorly treated room.
Weird gate-keeping comments. But moreso, he just seems to have a problem with women. Kudos to her for keeping her composure while dealing with this guy.
Miss Bishop, simply lovely
… Not " His Master's Voice" … But " Nipper", would be Proud ! ;-)
I have a 4 way digitally crossed over Klipschorn with EAW 110db sens mids, (200-1000hz) & Faitalpro 2inch on a JBL horn Danley sub,
wallmart cables. 2 Behringer DCX2496+1 DEQ2496 %100 digital domain signal chain up to the power amps.
My sister showed me an article about dateing advice for women and guys to avoid like the plague..audiophile was near the top of the list..
No subwoofer? Nice video,thanks.
I can't afford to buy the kind of amplifiers you use, but I prefer tubes. I drive my Magnepan 0.7s with 833-A single ended triodes run at 1Kv, zero grid bias, and an 8:1 step down transformer to drive it with 254 single ended triodes. It is my dream system. I may add Rythmic open baffle subwoofer soon.
Sounds like a system I would dig.. Who wound your OPT’s?
I use Hammond 1642 SE transformers, They are good to 300 ma and my 833As draw only 115 to 120 ma. Hammond are underrated transformers and the 1642SE costs less than $300 from Hawk Electronics. I use the 4 Ohm outputs to the Magnepans.
Robert Vincelette Thanks for the info.. Yeah, some of the Hammond and Edcor models are really good for the money. Happy listening. I think Steve (or Cynthia!) needs to pay you a visit on how DIY DHT amps could sound on Maggies.
If you are in Delaware someday you can visit.
You got me at Triodes
She is so smart and beautiful.
could i tell the difference!!
yep, its like speaker wire
not home depot wire on carpet
I disagree. I have heard crap speakers connected to good speaker cables and they sounded ok. Then I heard those same speakers with high end cables and they sounded really good. I disagree that lamp cord like that is making those speakers sound their best.
Well, bear in mind that his bi-amped Maggies are about the most, purely resistive speaker loads that one could have. No doubt this puts much lower demands on speaker wire and amplifiers. So in his system. it's quite possible that different speaker wire would make virtually no sonic difference.
I don't think they make lamp cord in 10 gauge...
"No, he's a hen-pecked husband" lol
Steve has cool friends
They all talk so much it's a wonder they get chance to listen to some music.🤗 Nice people though.
@@karltodd2518 New Yorkers really are some amazing people. Not for everybody but I like them. They aren't afraid to express themselves.
@@JohnDoe-np3zk You are correct they are direct and I like that characteristic too. Perhaps you misinterpreted my attempt at humour. The British sense of humour isn't everyone's taste either.
Sorry if It sounded crass, it wasn't my intention.
@@karltodd2518 oh you are a Brit. That explains it. Cheers mate.
I learned something today....going to buy some 10 AWG speaker wire from Lowes...and I've sued Behringer stuff its ok...works well.
What a lovely lady , I would love for her to come and see my turntable collection
Edward Barr easy there Edward
Hahaah..
good stuff real nice system
What a nice interview and nice fellow this Mike.
We need more Vids by Cynthia
is that solid copper wire?
I think he just ran 10 AWG single strand wires and bare end terminated them. Nothing wrong with that and considering you are able to trip over them in the middle of the room maybe better not to spend crazy money on them.
They are definitely stranded wires running to the speakers. I examined them in the video showing them hooked to the back of his speakers. I don't think anyone in a audiophile's right mind would/should run solid speaker wires..... 😎
@@bassmasterbri I've seen fairly high-end systems using solid wire to the subs.