So I went down Woodward and spun around to Rochester hills before coming home.
- Saw this guy named Jay at Audio dimensions. He was an audio snob. When I told him I couldn't feel the bass from the Magneplaner .7 speakers, he told me it wasn't real bass if you felt it, it was fake. So I told him I needed more fake bass. Still, those Magneplaners were the best sounding thing I heard all day running off a Rouge Audio Sphinx integrated 100WPC amp. Still wasn't loud enough for me. I think I would be happy with these and a bigger amp, though.
- Saw Pat at Alma's and heard the Martin Logan Summit speakers. I liked the sound, but I am pretty sure I want more sound out of the Martin Logan than I can afford. They had a set of Demo Summits for $8000 (didn't see the amp they ran). I still wanted it louder with more bass.
- Went to Sound Advantage in Rochester and met a part time there named Jeremy (owner Lee(?) wasn't in). After auditioning the Martin Logan's the guy told me he wouldn't recommend getting anything under the $4000 ESL-X's, because I kept complaining about base and volume with their $4000 amp. Doh! Sat in the sound room and listened to the MAC6700. Sounded awesome, even with the Mac speakers. The mid clarity couldn't touch the Magneplaners, though, even with the $10,000 McIntosh speakers with like 20 tweeters in each one. Loved the receiver though!
So I am thinking I need Magneplaners and subwoofers.
Tin - those Amps you recommended - Emotiva - were you talking about the X-series or BasX? I thought those Magnepans needed a little more than the Sphinx was pushing so I was thinking that the A-300 might do the trick (150 WPC and reasonably priced). And if not, I could trade it back in for an XPA-2. Thoughts? Thank you.
-Geoff