Well, I got everything finally working together. I repaired the damage I did to the right channel M60 tweeter, bought a NAD C370 and tamed the SVS 20-39.
Got the M60s about 8 feet apart, situated to suit me and the SVS 20-39 is properly hiding in a corner being unobtrusive and all, both sonically and visually. The C370 is just about the right amount of power for the M60s, drives them to just below my threshold of pain and not beyond. The M60s remain effortless throughout as if they could go on and on. I'm begining to believe the 400W number now.
All in all it has become a very sensual and pleasant experience. My previous objections have evaporated entirely. The overly bright treble was due entirely to incorrect settings on the NAD T742 driving them previously. Operator error.
My listening room is 20' by 35' Acoustically it's not bad, there is enough stuff in the room to break up reflections without becoming anechoic. My "listening room" is also my shop so technically this is my shop sound system.
I'm an electronic engineer specializing in motion control analog power circuit design; i.e. I design servo motor amplifiers and microstep motor drives. Curiously both resemble audio power amplifiers.
I'm also lucky enough to work from home and home is in Orange County, CA on a couple of acres in Cowan Heights in the hills above Tustin. In other words, I can crank the amp way up and no neighbors can complain because none are close enough to hear.
It is simply awesome to have speakers where I'm struck with the "I've never heard that before in this recording" experience. This is such a pleasant and suprising experience when you have speakers of such extrordinary transparency and clarity. I have been exploring my collection of Vivaldi's string concertros and it happens frequently.
What's really sweet is my wife's and my 19 yr daughter and 17 yr son have said the same thing. Their music is what you'd expect along with a surprising amount of 60's and early 70's stuff. It's also "I didn't know this stuff sounded so good until I heard it here" kind of stuff. I must say I agree. I've never heard it sound that good. Kind of a sweet way my generation can make contact.
What I'm trying to say is I wanted to treat myself to a really good sound system. No cost barred but I wasn't going down the 1/10 better sound, 10 times the price path.
A really good sound system to me means really good speakers first, followed by a decent amp. A decent amp was easy, something that didn't have personality but simply transcribed without editorializing on what was presented to it. The C370 is the perfect no-ego amp.
I wanted the same from the speakers. No editorializing, no interpretation. I wanted them to be a transparent conveyor of the medium. No more no less.
The M60s have done exactly that. They have performed the hardest act of all, disappearing from view, right in front of your ears. You close your eyes, you lean back in your chair and cross your arms behind your head. You are in the middle of the music; center stage, first row.
Life is like a minefield; you can really screw up. I could just as easily have bought some crappy speakers for the same $ and forever made an excuse they were OK. I didn't. I got Axioms an I've never regreted it. It's like having a Ferrari instead of a Chevy in your garage :-)
Mariss
