Best of Absolute Sound and Stereophile Under $5k

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Well I'm back. My "Best of Stereophile" needs to be revised with my latest upgrades. I always felt my speakers (MMG and Q100e) were my weakest link and that has been confirmed. With the addition of the Martin Logan Scenarios and the upgrade REL Strata III, I have more detail and solid bass than I ever imagined was possible on my budget. The Scenarios play much louder with less power required than the MMG. The REL Strata III is much more flexible than the Q100e. In addition, it provides deep bass without the strange noises at higher levels. I cant imagine any other changes that could provide this level of improvement

Components Toggle details

- Rega Planet
15 lbs
- Audio Refinement Complete INT
50w, int, 19 lbs
- Martin Logan Scenario
pair, 8 in cone woofer
- REL Acoustics Strata mkIII
powered, 10 in woof,, 50 lbs
- TDS Passive
Harmonic Enhancer
- Monster Cable M550i
Award winning cable at reasonable price
- Audioquest Type 4+
Stereophile and SoundStage recommended
- Monster Cable AV-200 PowerCenter
AC Noise Reduction and Surge Protection
- Bello AT-484
Steel and glass stand with cable management system

Comments 12

Showing all comments by chams_uk.

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Thanks for the comments and email, Audiovoice. It sounds like the TDS enhances the Planet well.

Aside from the Margules unit (I had 2, sold one, and will put the other in my second system soon), I use the Taddeo Digitsl Antidote II. I have the Active version, incredible unit, best of any post-digital analog processing for me. They aslo make an inexpensive passive version, similar effects, but perhaps rolls off the highs more. Still a nice upgrade to many DVD's, Laserdiscs, or older CD's otu there.

chams_uk January 22, 2003 01:42

Nice setup, I agree. Next step is to upgrade your source, IMO. Planet is very nice and smooth, but it shows its age. Some very nice designs out there for under $1k that should beat it.

How do you like the TDS unit ? I ask because I sold a Margules ADE-24 "Analog Digital" processor to a Planet-owner, he said it was noticably better than stock Planet. I think the concepts of the ADE-24 and the TDS are similar, but the implementations different.

Anwyays, wish you lots of enjoyment from it !

chams_uk January 21, 2003 03:03

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