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Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
#313369 07/05/10 06:36 AM
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2x6spds Offline OP
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Well, all the components of the budget system I want to put together have arrived. The last is the prettiest, a pair of M3V3s in glossy cherry custom vinyl finish.

[img:center][/img]
Picture from phone camera.

So, out go my M22Tis.
[img:center][/img]

Here is the power section: a Pyramid power supply from Partsexpress.com; a RCC754 preamp from Amazon.com, and a Muse T-Amp from China by way of Ebay


[img:center][/img]

For now the source is the magnificentSony CA9ES CDP

[img:center][/img]

The subwoofer is the Dayton HT120 12" sub from Partsexpress:
[img:center][/img]

Net of delivery charges: The Muse T Amp cost $25.00, the Pyramid Power Supply $25.00, The TCC754 preamp $80.00, Axiom M3V3: $370, Dayton Subwoofer $155; the Sony CA9ES costs about $150 though I will swap that out with something else, and so far I'm using shoe laces for cabling, though I think I'll end up with some Mapleshade Clearview Golden Helix speaker wire and some Tara Labs interconnects.

How does it sound? GREAT. I'll put the multi meter on the output terminals to make sure the units bounced here from the PRC are functioning to spec.


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313370 07/05/10 07:20 AM
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I'd love to hear about the differences in the versions of M3s.

Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
CV #313371 07/05/10 07:31 AM
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I gave away my last pair of M3Tis, years ago. I built this system for a friend and it'll be gone soon.

The V3s are supposed to have a new woofer with a white dust cap, a new cabinet with magnets holding the grill to the speaker and a new tweeter. Mine has the black dust cap, but I've been told it is the new woofer. Mine doesn't have the magnetic grill cover. Mine says M3V2 on the back, but Axiom tells me it's really a V3 And although I can see no difference between the tweeter in the M3V3 and the old M22Tis I'm told it has the new tweeter.

Personally, I think I have a drop dead gorgeous and great sounding pair of Axiom M3V2s. Axiom says they're V3s but I think I hear them laughing.


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313373 07/05/10 01:41 PM
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Very nice system there 2x6spds and everything looks outstanding! I will be interested on your thoughts. Those dayton subs are an awesome bargain and can't wait to here your thoughts on its performance. So you didn't go with the tube pre-amp eh?

I don't think you can call your M3's version 3 either. It would be careless to assume that. No magnetic grilles and aluminum dustcap atleast. Was there any changes to the crossover point since they use a different tweeter and midrange now? Not having the aluminum dustcap of the V3 might be a good thing though because the black contrast with high gloss cherry matches very good - better than the aluminum color which looks bland and out of place.

What do you think looks better? Here is a comparison of the two versions here (scroll down to the bottom picture).

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=310902&page=13

Congrats on the system.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
BlueJays1 #313397 07/05/10 08:06 PM
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Hello Dr. House

I built this system for a good friend of mine who was knocked over by my 2 channel systems - one driven by a Sonic Impact T-Amp through a pair of Michaura M55s (much like the Axiom M22s but substantially more efficient probably because the M55s use the 3/4" Titanium tweeter from the old M2, M1, M0 lineup) and the other driven first by an Antique Sound Labs MG S1 15DT integrated 5wpc tube amp and later by a flagship Kenwood KA9100 silver faced beauty of an amp through a pair of Dahlquist uprgraded DQM905s or big Michaura M66s (like the M50Tis, a pair of Axiom 6.5" drivers and the 3/4" driver).


Anyway, I wanted to use the Antique Sound Labs tube preamp which has some good reviews and costs $350, but I have had serious problems with the customer support or total lack of it from Antique Sound Labs' distributor, Divergent Technologies. The chassis terminals for inputs have all failed - little cheap gold pins come out whenever you remove any interconnect no matter how relaxed the fit (if they fit tight enough to make a connection, they're so tight they pull out the connector pin.

Here is a picture of the rear end of the great sounding Antique Sound Labs MG S1 I 15DT missing its connectors:

[img:center][/img]

Here are some interconnects with the connector pin still inside the interconnect:
[img:center][/img]

So, if Divergent Technologies won't support their product, I can't in good conscience put one of their components into my friend's system, much as I would have liked to.

So, I found an inexpensive passive preamp with good reviews and it sounds great.

Have to take a break now, and I'll post further later.


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313400 07/05/10 08:58 PM
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It is totally understandable not to continue to support them if they don't support their products.

I know previously you were looking at the LD MK III tube headphone amp/pre-amp. I think you would really like that product. The LD MK II headphone amp/pre amp is pretty much exactly the MK III but in a different looking chassis. It is $179 shipped to your door.

http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=816&sid=24948297bf167e53450dd8d2d5499396

PS: Find some interconnects that use Taversoe or Canare connectors at the end. They might do a better job with finicky inputs on equipment and also prevent damaging them. BJC is one store that I know uses them and they offer a 30 day trial period.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
BlueJays1 #313401 07/05/10 09:07 PM
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The little dots are beautiful and owners say they sound great ... but I couldn't fine any little dots with more than 1 set of non-phono outputs.

I would have loved to put one of those beauties into this system!


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313403 07/05/10 09:17 PM
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It may be that the RCA jacks are poorly designed on that particular device, but those Monster Turbine plugs are known to do that to many manufacturer's equipment.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
ClubNeon #313415 07/05/10 11:02 PM
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Yes, Monsters dug up from the deep end of a cable box, Tara Labs Prisms, Radio Shack Fusions ... I've managed to pull the guts out of the Antique Sound Labs SET tube amp with each of them.


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313426 07/06/10 01:55 AM
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That looks like a fun project. I like a little more beauty in my components though. smile

Have you ever seen a Miniwatt amp or a Glow Amp One? A lot more than the amps you picked, but good entry tube amps.


M3 and
M80
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
Lampshade #313428 07/06/10 02:18 AM
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2X6spds, would the Antique Sound preamp be worth the time and effort, to take it apart, and re-solder the RCA's better? or is the plastic housing not adequate to support the RCA connection?

Dr. House, those little dot products do look nice, thanks for sharing.

Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
dakkon #313441 07/06/10 05:06 AM
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Tash Goka says they improved the chassis input RCA jacks on their newer units. I'm not sure how to fix my amp since the parts seem unique, a tiny ceramic donut (the red and white things), the gold sleeves with the two pins ... I'd hate to think my amp is a throw away because the distributor doesn't stock or have access to replacement parts.

I'll call Kevin Scales at Upscale Audio, who used to carry ASL components and see if he can help. I sure lost all respect for Divergent Technologies even though they carry 2 of my favorite audio toys - the Reference 3a speakers and the Antique Sound Labs tube amps and preamps.

"Maybe you can find someone who can fix it" doesn't qualify as customer support in my book.

All that having been said, the ASL MGS1 15DT is an incredibly sweet sounding amplifier - when it worked it was my favorite amp I've ever owned. I have bunch.

I suppose as a last resort, I could cut out the plastic housing remove the input chassis terminals and cobble something new from Partsexpress or Madisound in its place.

Last edited by 2x6spds; 07/06/10 05:10 AM.

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Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
Lampshade #313472 07/06/10 03:31 PM
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Hi lampshade
I'm trying to keep the totall cost under $1000. A nice tube amp would be the perfect upgrade.

Originally Posted By: Lampshade
That looks like a fun project. I like a little more beauty in my components though. smile

Have you ever seen a Miniwatt amp or a Glow Amp One? A lot more than the amps you picked, but good entry tube amps.



Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313476 07/06/10 03:57 PM
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Here is some audio jewerly to go along with your system.

http://www.bestdealcables.com/



I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
BlueJays1 #313735 07/08/10 05:39 AM
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2x6spds Offline OP
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Those are some terrific deals, Dr. House. I bought a bunch - 4 pair of interconnects, some sub cable and speaker wire. Great prices, looks good.

Thanks.


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
BlueJays1 #313740 07/08/10 05:57 AM
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Originally Posted By: Dr.House
Here is some audio jewerly to go along with your system.

http://www.bestdealcables.com/


Agreed, good site to know. Something about cloth wrap that I really dig.

Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313750 07/08/10 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted By: 2x6spds
Those are some terrific deals, Dr. House. I bought a bunch - 4 pair of interconnects, some sub cable and speaker wire. Great prices, looks good.

Thanks.


Great stuff 2x6spds. Make sure to post some pics of these beauties when you receive them grin cool . The build quality and aesthetics of these cables I like a lot. The pre-terminated speaker wire I especially like with that added touch of the heat shrink tubing. Did you go bananas or spades?

Also let us know how the connectors used fit on your equipment and speakers.

Enjoy!


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
BlueJays1 #313775 07/08/10 05:07 PM
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I be banana man.


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313778 07/08/10 05:21 PM
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A word about this excellent 2 channel budget system.

I haven't had a chance to sit down, with a scotch and water and listen to CDs until I fall asleep, but I have listened to the Verve CD recording of Stan Getz/Jobim and Loreena McKennett's soaring "Elemental." The Verve recording gets a bit chesty but listening to The Girl from Ipanema on this system is just great. Elemental is my favorite Loreena McKennet album, and Loreena McKennet is my favorite Celtic witch. The highs are pure and beautiful, the mids are lush and the bass (helped by the sub) strong clean. The M3s are very easy to integrate with a sub. They are spectacular speakers.

This 2 channel system came in under $1000 and I am really happy with it.


Enjoy the Music. Trust your ears. Laugh at Folks Who Claim to Know it All.
Re: Excellent 2 Channel Budget System
2x6spds #313948 07/10/10 04:21 AM
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Originally Posted By: 2x6spds


This 2 channel system came in under $1000 and I am really happy with it.
That's what we like to hear smile


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
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