Main Reference System

by brandonhifi on magnepanbrystonChordJay's AudioAurenderShunyataMutecFaradTownshendAudiowiseGR-Research

Description

Magnepan 1.7i speakers with custom GR-Research crossovers, all 5n silver internal wiring, and WBT-0710-AG pure silver binding posts. Crossover, wiring, and speaker binding post upgrades doubled the sound quality of the maggies. the capabilities of these legendary speakers are nowhere near their potential from the factory with their very thin tinned wiring, magnetic binding posts, and budget crossover parts. Upgrade those parts. Maggies are on Magnarisers on solid marble stands with brass footers. Townshend super tweeters on custom stands with anti-vibration pads provide extreme holographic detail to the 12,000-100,000Hz frequencies.

GR-Research made the custom dual stereo subwoofers with reference amplifiers and isoacoustic footers, gorgeous museum-quality work from the artisans at GR-Research, thank you. Subwoofers are crossed over at 50Hz for smooth roll off the maggie's low-end of 40Hz.

Rack is the Samson by Mapleshade.

Components: Chord Dave DAC with Farad LVL 2 Silver Power Supplies, Chord Mscaler Upscaler, Bryston 14B Cubed Amp, Jay's Audio MK3-CDT3 CD Transport, Aurender W20SE Streamer, and Mutec REF10SE120 Master Clock.

Using 4 Audiowise RF-Stop power filters on Mscaler, OPTO-DX optical isolators, and on my English Electric 8-Switch audio network switch. The Audiowise products are incredible. 

Using 2 Lifepo4 batteries to power the DC input on the Chord Mscaler, and to power both the transmitter and receiver on Audiowise OPTO-DX galvanic optical isolators. There is no blacker cleaner background to hear perfect music in HiFi than Lifepo4 batteries, It is worth the weekly charging because the sound is just mind-blowing. The Aurender W20SE has built-in Lifepo4 batteries. Also, it uses 5 Ghent Audio Gotham quad-shielded power cables for all battery-to-component connections, the best in the world.

I love the Transparent XL BNC cable on my flagship Jay's Audio CD Transport, and the Wave Fidelity Storm reference BNC cable on the Aurender W20SE streamer. Using two Shunyata Sigma V2 75 ohm word clock cables from the Mutec REF10SE120 to the Aurender W20SE, and Jay's Audio CDT3-MK3. Using the Cardas Clear Beyond XLR cables from DAC to AMP, ultra clear huge soundstage on this incredible XLR interconnects. Using 2 pairs of Silver Dragon BNC .5M cables from Moon Audio for Audiowise transmitter and receiver stereo optical galvanization. 

IsoAcoustics Orea Series Audio Equipment Isolators under all speakers, Mscaler, Etude, W20SE, and DAVE. I love these silver pucks.

The holographic soundstage 3D imaging is shocking from this setup. I have yet to hear any system that can reproduce the same transparency, tonal detail, accuracy, instrument separation, and extreme holographicness as this rig at any price point. A fully upgraded magnepan's potential is truly unprecedented.

*Update 12/15/2022: FARAD Level 2 Silver Chord DAVE modification with 3 super 3 power supplies. Also upgraded the Shunyata Everest stand to maple.

*Update 1/9/2023 Mutec REF10 SE120 Master Clock Generator.

*Update 1/25/2023 3 new Cardas ground cables grounding the Chord DAVE, Mutec REF10 SE120, and Jay's Audio CDT3-MK3 to the Shunyata Everest grounding posts. Added 3 Isoacoustic Orea Bordeaux isolators to the Jay's CD transport. New painting over the system, "Debbie Harry" in an incredible 3 dimensional camouflage floral print by local Minneapolis artist Joseph Gallup.

*Update 2/5/2023 Added 6 Wireworld Electra Silver 7 power cables for all components. Added 20 amp Platinum Electra 7 power cables for Shunyata Everest 20 power conditioning main, and the 15 amp version of the Platinum Electra 7 for the main's Chord Etude amp. After 50 hour break-in the silver power cables begin to really blossom with increased spatial holographic detail and transparency. Very happy with this upgrade from Wireworld.

*Update 2/20/2023 Added 50AH LIFEPO4 battery on Audiowise OPTO-DX receiver, and 100AH LIFEPO4 battery for dual output on Chord Mscaler, and OPTO-DX transceiver. Cabling is all 7N copper from Ghent Audio. Now instead of 24 hours of charge I get 7 days straight playing with only 5 hour charge times on both batteries on separate LIFEPO4 chargers. Amazing!

*Update 4/3/2023 Installed Magnepan 1.7i's, Bryston 4BST amplifier, and Levricable grand 5N silver speaker cables.

*Update 4/9/2023 Completed the GR-Research crossover upgrade for the Magnepan 1.7i.

*Update 4/24/2023 Added Bryston 14B3 Cubed Amplifier. Added two Olive Trees for aestetics.

*Update 6/25/2023 Added Stereo Subwoofers by GR-Research. Added Cardas Beyond Clear XLR interconnects. Added Townshend Audio Supertweeters.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 25’ × 35’  X large
Ceiling: 16’

Components Toggle details

    • Magnepan 1.7i
    Upgraded GR-Research crossover, pure silver wiring, and pure silver speaker terminals from WBT.
    • Bryston 14B-3 (cubed)
    900 watt dual mono. Upgraded with Audio Magic Masterpiece M-1 12.5amp fuse.
    • Chord DAVE
    DAC/Preamp
    • GR-Research Subwoofer
    12" custom all maple hand-made discreet left and right stereo dual subwoofer configuration using Rythmik A370PEQ subwoofer amps covering a range of 14Hz to 50Hz. Smooth rollover for Magnepan's 40Hz low end. Using IsoAcoustic footers.
    • Chord Mscaler
    Upsampler run completely off grid on LIFEPO4 batteries using Audiowise DC RF-STOP and GHENT AUDIO Gotham quad shield cabling.
    • Jay's Audio MK3-CDT3
    CD Transport connected to Chord Mscaler with the Transparent XL BNC cable.
    • Mutec REF10 SE120
    Master Clock Generator. Using two Shunyata Sigma V2 75 ohm word clock cables to Aurender W20SE, and Jay's Audio CDT3-MK3.
    • Aurender W20SE
    Streamer
    • Shunyata Everest 8000
    Power Distributor connect to A/C wall line using Anticables level 3 20amp power cable.
    • Audiowise OPTO-DX
    Optical Galvanic Isolation between left and right channels run on 2 separate LIFEPO4 batteries filtered on 2 Audiowise DC RF-STOPs.
    • English Electric 8-Switch
    Audio Network Switch, on Audiowise DC RF-STOP power filter, really makes a huge difference.
    • FARAD Level 2 Silver Chord Dave modification
    Three voltages, Three Super3 power supplies all with SR purple fuses and Furutech inlets.
    • Townshend Audio Supertweeters

Comments 10

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Sounds like you have them nicely dialed in. I've long been a fan of Maggies, and have owned MG1s, Tympani IVs, and MG3.5s over the years. Deep bass was their biggest weakness, but I was never able to get the subs I tried at the time to integrate very well. I wish I had the GR subs then. 

Happy Listening. 

jaytor

Owner
@jaytor 

The Maggie 1.7i's I run have upgraded GR-Research crossovers, all 5N internal silver wiring, and WBT silver speaker terminals, they honestly sound over 10 times better than the NX-Studios, not even in similar worlds. The GR subs pair amazingly with the maggies, seamless, highly recommend their full sub build with maple on maple, build quality is literally museum quality, truly astonishing sound and make. Happy listening.

brandonhifi

I'm also a fan of GR-Research speakers. I started with NX-Oticas with triple subs, then the NX-Studios (for my bedroom system), then Line Forces with quad subs (you can see these in my virtual system). 

How would you compare the NX-Studios to your maggies? I imagine that the GR subs work really well with the maggies.

jaytor

It’s important to have matching wood. And a pantheon of philosophers in the background. Nice system!

opera1

Owner
@jmalen123 
Synergy is perfection, the holographic imaging and extreme transparency are breathtaking. This is my favorite album right now. Xylophone ecstasy in the ears.

brandonhifi

Gorgeous system and room. How is the synergy? And what music shines the brightest?

jmalen123

Owner
@grg1120g Yes, Danny Richie says they sound better than any speaker at any price point, been true so far in my experience also.

brandonhifi

Love the system!  Are those the new GR Research NX Studio?

grg1120g

Love the maple!

salectric

Looks great Brandon and a cool bunch of gear!

jond

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