Magnepan 20.1 Haven

by gmorris on Done For Now

Description

My relatively modest system was carefully assembled over many years (I have been in the so-called high-end for over 30 years). I am a tweaker who works at optimizing the performance of each component. I do not believe that spending MEGA$$ is necessary for creating a musical sounding system. To wit: I have listened to some super expensive systems that were great in Hi-Fi sound reproduction but missed the mark in terms of musical satisfaction. Careful selection and matching of components can optimize the synergy and performance of the total system. My system has wideband response from about 16Hz up to beyond the upper limits of my hearing capability. The sound is very smooth, robust, balanced and detailed with a see-through huge soundstage. Bass is very defined and tuneful. The overall sound is very musical and engaging. My dedicated listening room is 26x16x8.5 (ft)

Recently, I replaced my Magenpan 3.5s with the magnificent 20.1s, my last speaker purchase. These are massive compared to the 3.x series, and required 2 persons for the installation. The 20.1s are a music lover’s dream. They are musical, smooth, dynamic and very revealing coupled with panoramic sound staging. The bass is full and fast.

I am actively bi-amping the 20.1s, as I did the 3.5s, using the Marchand XM-126s with ARC VT100 MKII for the treble/midrange and Kenwood L07M mono-blocks on the bass of my 20.1s. The xover points replicates the crossover settings utilized by Magnepan for the 20.1 internal xover: Low pass 18dB/Octave @ 108hz (Buterworth) and High pass 6dB/Octave @330hz. I am also using a stereo pair of Sunfire Signature subwoofers that are driven directly from my ARC LS25 preamp. Setting up of the system still required much experimentation, although it was made easier due to my previous experience with the 3.5s. But the final results are very satisfying as the integration and blending of the system is now virtually seamless.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 26’ × 16’  Large
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • Sony SCD-1
    Modified with Audiocom Superclock3/PSU3. Improvements due to the new clock and PSU are dramatic. Much more detail and transparency, more liguid analog-like presentation
    • Oppo Digital BDP-105D Universal Player
    Excellent performance from a budget unit. Out-performs my Sony SCD-1
    • Harman Kardon Citation 14
    FM only tuner. had for about 30 years. Very warm smooth analog sound with big sound stage
    • Oracle Audio Technologies Delphi MKV SE
    Special Granite Base and Turbo power supply. Sits on a granite shelf. This is a very underrated table. Great transparency, excellent bass control. Very quiet mechanically.
    • Graham Engineering Phantom B44 Picture
    Incredible sounding arm. Super dyanmics, control and transparency: Black with chrome and Custom mount. It excels in all musical categories. With the upgraded bearing the perfromance goes up a notch:The overall presentation is less mechanical, smoother, and noticeably more relaxed with greater musical flow, coherence and refinement. In particular, voices, strings and piano are more natural sounding.
    • Lyra Kleos
    Kleos rerplaces my Helikon, which it surpasses with improved performance across the audio spectrum
    • Lyra Helikon
    High output version. This is a versatile cartridge which merges technical prowess (speed, detail, etc) with a creamy musical midrange
    • Audio Research PH-2
    Internal damping devices on PS and curcuit board and ERS cloth below PS. This is the sleeper ARC component. It kills the PH3SE. It is very neutral, dynamic and transparent. I have no urge to replace it any time soon. Performance stepped up to another level after installing an IEC connector and using a Revelation Audio Labs Precept II Power Cord. Soundstage is transparent, panoramic and 3D. Musical textures are rich and inviting with 100 ohm loading. Repalced coupling caps with Dynamicaps, and the input 100 ohm resistors and loading resistors with low noise TX2575 resistors. Improvement in transparency, soundstaging, robustness and dynamics
    • Audio Research LS-25
    MKI version with NOS 6H23 6922 tubes. With the NOS tubes it equals the LS25 MKII in dynamics and bass articulation, but exceeds the MKII in terms of liquidity and musicality. Recently replaced 6H23 with Quartets of Mulllad E88CC and Telefunken E88CC vintage tubes. Elevated sonics to another level
    • Marchand Electronic Tube X-over XM-126s
    Balanced XLR I/O option with stepped attenuators for level control. Replaced 7 stock 12AX7 with Mullards (1960) 2 12AT7 with Mullard M8162 CV4024 (1983). The Marchand is very transparent and introduces no easily detectable grain or electronic artifacts. It is dead quiet with the noisy fan turned off. This is an excellent crossover and has brought me much closer to the music. Replaced the factory FM modules with sets comprising Rel Caps RT capacitors and TX 2575 low noise resistors: tremendous improvements across the audio spectrum, with increased resolution and dynamics
    • Audio Research VT-100 mkII
    With NOS 6H23 6922 input tubes. The VT100 MKII is a classic amp. It is one of best sounding amps ever made by ARC irrespective of price. It is a keeper. Replaced the SV 6550Cs with Tung-Sol KT120s. Major improvement in all categories, especially the feeling of ease due to the greater headroom. More control and power in the bass, bigger, better soundstaging, better dynamics, smoother more extended highs.
    • Kenwood L0-7M
    L07M monoblocks for powering bass panels of MG 3.5. Modified connectors and PC. The Kenwood amps are very smooth and musical, in spite of their solid-state character, which helps in facilitating blending with the ARC VT100 MKII. Additionally, the L07Ms have great bass control and definition.I had this amp in my closet for about 20 years before using for biamping my MG3.5
    • Magnepan MG-20.1
    Cherry with Natural white
    • Magnepan MG-3.5r
    Modified: Internal wiring with Discovery hook-up cable by magnepan. Caps also replaced with PPMF. Also bypassed tweeter attenuators and fuses. Approximates the performance of the expensive fullrange speakers when biamped and used with stereo subwoofers
    • Sunfire Sunfire Signature
    Stereo pair of Sunfire Signatures on Auralex bass stands. These when properly placed and configured produces fast, tight and musical bass (no boomy bass here)
    • Revelation Audio Labs Paradise Cryo-Silver™ Reference
    With XLR connectors. Improved resolution, refinement, dynamics, excised grit and bloat. Excellent cable
    • Transparent Ultra XL
    Balanced interconnect from Marchand x-over to VT100 MKII (15 ft)
    • Analysis Plus Oval Crystal 8 (Balanced)
    Three pairs (3): with XLR - 1M from SCD-1 to LS25, 1M from LS25 to Marchand, 0.5 meter from PH2 to LS25. These cables are neutral, detailed and transparent with a robust midrange
    • Mogami Neglex 2534
    XLR to RCA terminations (20 ft) from Marchand to Kenwood monoblocks
    • Monster MSeries M35I SW HT
    Subwoofer interconnects from LS25 to Sunfire Signatures (25 ft)> Sleeper sub cable. Very clean and tight bass control
    • XLO Signature Type 2
    0.5 M from Tuner to LS25
    • Analysis Plus Crystal Oval 8
    Two pairs (2) both T1 spade to Big BFA connectors. These are very neutral, detailed, extended and musical cables. They provide very good bass control and definition
    • Elrod EPS 3
    From RGPC to VT100. Similar to EPS3 Signature but with less bass entension and midrange robustness.
    • Elrod EPS 3 Signature
    From wall outlet to RGPC. Excellent performer across the board: very open, dynamic with excellent bass control and transparency
    • NBS Master III
    Two (2). From Hydra to LS25, from Hydra to Marchand
    • NBS Monitor II
    Supplies power to SCD-1. Synergy with player. Excellent all round performance
    • Shunyata Python Helix Alpha
    From wall to Hydra (6ft, 20 Amp). Replaced a Shunyata Taipan Alpha, providing better all round performance
    • Revelation Audio Precept II
    From Triplite to Oracle turbo PS. These are very coherent musical and dynamic cables. Now using another set with the ARC PH2. Providing a very nice improvement in performance
    • Shunyata Sidewinder
    Two (2): connects 2 RGPC to main RGP
    • Shunyata Hydra 8
    Used for front end components
    • Triplite LC-1800
    Provides power to Oracle turbo PS. It is plugged in my Hydra 8. The extra filtering improves the performance of the Oracle without any negative effects (Oracle tubo PS only draws about 0.25 peak amps)
    • Finite Element Ceraball
    Three sets of four. Under VT100, Marchand XM126s, LS25. these work as advertised. Helped in cleaning up the presentation, especially in the mid-bass. Also noticed improved transparency and smoothness
    • Finite Element Ceraball Universal
    Used under SCD-1. Improved soundstaging, transparency and refinement compared to the replaced BDR cones
    • Richard Grey 400S
    Three (3) RGPC in parallel provide power for amp
    • Corcom EMI/RFI Filter
    Heavy duty filter used with subwoofers
    • BDR Cones
    Three sets of 3. Used under PH2, SCD-1 and Tuner
    • Shakti Stones
    Used under power transformer of VT100 and Triplite
    • Walker Extreme SST
    Used on all connections. Increased the purity, resolution and energy of the system
    • Craig Survival Kit
    Contains, Power booster, Progold, and Preservit
    • Research Labs LP9
    Stylus treatment
    • Research Labs Record cleaner
    Cleaning fluid
    • VPI 16.5
    Record cleaning Machine
    • Target Amp Stand
    Used under kenwoodLO-7M
    • Soundesign Amp Stand
    large amp stand for VT100
    • Target AER5t
    Main Eqiptment rack
    • Target 3r
    SCD-1 Stand
    • Echo Busters Bass Busters
    pair 4 ft corner bass busters in rear corners
    • Echo Busters Absorption Panels
    Pair in both sides of front half of room
    • Room Tunes Half Round
    Pair of 5 ft half round on first third of room on both sides
    • Auralex Venus Bass Traps
    Pair on front wall
    • Auralex Mega Lnards Bass traps
    Pair in front corner of room. Helped in ameliorating a very boomy bass heavy room
    • Auralex Corner Cubes
    Two 1ftx1ft on top of Mega Lnards in front corner.
    • Auralex Corner Rectangles
    1ft squarex 2 ft absorption rectangels in rear of room
    • Auralex Gramma
    Pair of Isolation bases for Sunfire subwoofers. Helped in ameliorating bass boom
    • Hickok Tube Tester 6000A
    Vintage Tube tester in excellent condition
    • Mullard NOS 12AT7 M8162 CV4024 (1983)
    Military Spec 12AT7 (2 tubes for Marchand)
    • Mullard Tubes 12AX7 (1960’s)
    7 tubes for Marchand vintage used tested very strong with excellent balance
    • VPI DB-5
    magic Bricks (2)
    • Townsend 2HD
    Isolation Platfrom for Sony SCD-1
    • Ceramic Cable Elevators
    Glazed
    • Radio Shack Tape Eraser
    Used to demagnetize CDs
    • Hi-Fi Tuning Fuses Supreme
    Used on VT100 MKII. It is indeed directional. it replaced a Classic gold Hi-Fi Tuning fuse. Improved overall resolution. Recently added to the LS25 and the Marchand XM126. Overall system musicality and transparency stepped up a notch
    • Hi-Fi Tuning Silverstar
    Replaced standard fuses in Kenwood L07Ms and Sunfire subwoofers.
    • Hi-Fi Tuning Classic Gold
    Replaced stock fuses in Magnepan 20.1; Sony SCD1; Marchand XM126; ARC PH2, ARC LS25

Comments 82

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Owner
Thanks Mrvordo. I see you also have panel speakers.
How much did each upgrade cost and did you ship your table back to Oracle?
Also could you describe the improvements.

gmorris

Owner
System edited: Replaced, incrementally, fuses in LS25, Marchand XM126 and PH2 with Hi Fi tuning Supreme fuses. The overall improvement in clarity, musicality and sound staging was not subtle. The improvements defy explanation.

gmorris

Owner
System edited: I added the Lyra Kleos over the weekend, replacing my still excellent Lyra Helikon cartridge. I am very pleased with its performance so far. However, I need to optimize the tracking force, antiskating, azimuth and VTA. I will report later on the changes in the sound

gmorris

Owner
System edited: Experimented with a couple xover points and settled on the factory crossover settings utilized by Magnepan: Low pass 18dB/Octave @ 108hz (Buterworth) High pass 6dB/Octave @330hz

gmorris

Owner
Pummill
I would just get a second ML Depth. They blend very well with Planar speakers. Of course, its your call.

gmorris

Owner
Pummill
Thanks for your kind words. I took at look at your system. your room is very beautiful. I am sure the sound is as warm and satisfying as your room. Are you using stereo subs?

gmorris

Owner
I the process of comparing the biamped system with/without the stereo subwoofers.

gmorris

Owner
System edited: Updated pictures of music room with the 20.1s

gmorris

Owner
I finally got around to biamping the 20.1s. I replicated the cross over configuration used by Magnepan: Low Pass - 108 Hz, 18 dB/Octave (Buterworth); High Pass – 330 Hz, 6 dB/Octave (Butterworth). The results are spectacular. The dynamics, bass extension and slam have improved markedly compared to the sound when driven full range by the VT100. Of course, this was anticipated but impressive nonetheless. The system, now unencumbered by the massive external passive cross over played noticeably louder than before without any detectable loss of transparency or the addition of electronic artifacts due to the introduction of an active electronic crossover in the signal path. Clearly, the 20.1s and 3.x series and maggies in general benefit from biamping.

gmorris

Owner
I installed the 20.1s with tweeters on the inside, in approximately the same position as the 3.5s with more toe-in and about 8” farther out into the room. I have decided to have a staged familiarization with them. I want to have a good measure of the sound in my room driven full range with the VT100 mkII without the subs or active cross-over: Next I want to listen to the 20.1s biamped without the subs, and later introduce the stereo subs.

First Impressions: I was very surprised how well the 20.1s were driven by the ARC VT100 mkII. Presumably, it’s not just the sheer power rating of the amp, but its ability to deliver a quality high current signal that is important in extracting good performance from the 20.1s. It seems a tad more efficient than the 3.5s. The pedigree of the speaker can be easily appreciated even when driven by a single 100W ARC VT100. There is better, more natural tonal balance, more details and greater dynamics most noticeable in the attack and definition on drums.

gmorris

Owner
System edited: Finally added the Magnepan 20.1 to my system. In the process of fine tuning the set up. I will update pictures on my site later.

gmorris

Owner
System edited: Recently, I replaced the factory FM modules (both low-pass and high-pass) with a set that I assembled using Rel Cap RT capacitors and the low noise TX2575 resistors. I am surprised at the extent of the improvement in all musical categories due to this replacement: much better transparency and resolution, more extended and defined bass, treble and more musical shades in the midrange all coupled with tremendous dynamics. Thanks to Norm for his recommendation on replacing the stock modules

gmorris

Owner
Mitch4t:

The integration of the stereo subs is virtually seamless in my system. It required a lot of work and experimentation. General guidelines: keep the subs away from wall boundaries, keep the volume as low as possible, use the lowest possible x over point, and buy a sub with continuously variable phase adjustments. The perceived speed of my bass is not an issue. Base lines are fast and tuneful: there is no apparent delay relative to the main speakers.

gmorris

Owner
Norm:
I did not audition the XM44. I have a preference for tube based electronic xovers. In general, the tube designs that I have auditioned have less grain/electronic artifacts, and greater musicality than the solid state xovers . Also, I have the option of experimenting with various tubes. I selected the XM126 over the XM26 based on its configuration (separate power supply, etc). Hope that helps. Incidentally, I am still very happy with my selection.

gmorris

Owner
I just installed a Shunyata Python Helix Alpha PC on my Shunyata Hydra 8. It replaces a Taipan Alpha. I still need to put on at least 200hrs before critical listening. However, so far I seem to be getting better definition overall. I have all my font-end equipment connected to the Hydra 8.

gmorris

Owner
Baggs2:

Thanks for the kind words.
The granite base was actually made by Oracle as an option for the Delphi MK5. You can order the upgrade directly from the company or via a dealer.

gmorris

Owner
Lapierre:

My 3.5 are about 13 years old. They were modified. Magnepan rewired the speaker with discovery wire and replaced caps with supplied capacitors. Also bypassed fuses and tweeter attenuators

gmorris

Owner
Thanks for your kind words.

How do you like the Analysis Plus Gold cables?

George

gmorris

Owner
Tshulba:

I left a comment on your thread with the URL to Dr Splaskins' review of the Revelation vs the Graham tonearm cable. Revelation Audio has taken a hit in terms of its reported customer service problems (my experiences were all positive). However, its interconnect cables and power cords, are all stellar performers. In terms of sheer performance the phono cable is highly recommended.

gmorris

Owner
Hello Mitch4t:

I guess "better late than never". I have not visited this site for some time. In my system, the ARC VT100 MKII drives the tweeter/midrange of the Maggies. The Kenwoods drive the bass panels. I am using a Marchand XM-126 tube electronic x-over as per my summary above. I am running the Maggies full range. The subs are self-powered.

gmorris

Owner
Recently I added a fourth RGPC to the parallel set powering the amps and subwoofers. There is noticeable improvement especially in the tightening up of the mid-bass. Additionally, the background is quieter and more inner details have emerged. I am very pleased with the overall gain in resolution, which has increased the perception of a larger soundstage with more spatial cues.

gmorris

Owner
Hello Mitch4t:

I have a home theatre system in another room (23x13x8.5). I am using a Panasonic 50" HD plasma monitor with a universal/upsampling player. I prefer keeping my stereo system separate. Thanks for the suggestion.

How is your ARC REF3 with your PH5? Do you have enough gain? I am looking at the REF3 but 12dB gain is not enough for my Helikon.

Take care

George

gmorris

Owner
Thanks Mitch4t:

I appreciate your kind words.

gmorris

Owner
Hi Jtori

Thanks.

I left a comment on your system site. Bi-amping takes the MG 3.x speakers to another level of performance. Dynamaics, base articulation improve significantly. Additonally, all other performance parameters improve. I had my MG 3.5 with stereo subs for about 3 years before biamping. I was surprised at the level of improvement. I had the Kenwood L07s in my closet for over 20 years before trying. the only downside to biamping is the additonal cost of the active x-over and the difficulty involved in getting the right blend. a lot of experimentation is needed.

gmorris

Owner
The performance of the ARC PH2 phono preamp stepped up to another level after I installed an IEC connector and started using a Revelation Audio Labs Precept II Power Cord. The soundstage is more transparent, panoramic and 3D. Musical textures are richer with more inner detail. Additionally, bass articulation, definition and extension are markedly improved with the new cable.

gmorris

Owner
Boycephoto:
Thanks for your comments. Generally (without knowing the details of your listening room) I would start with bass traps in the front corners of the room and then the rear corners. Next would be absorption panels at the first reflection points on the sides of the listening room near the speakers and the front facing wall.

Room treatment made a significant difference in my system. Much more than I would have expected. Resolution, tonal balance, imaging, soundstaging, bass accuracy, etc, all improved substantially after room treatment. Experimentation is required

gmorris

Owner
I recently upgraded the Phantom tone arm with the new bearing. This minor upgrade has surprisingly wrought significant improvements in the performance of an already great arm. Best of all, the upgrade only cost $250 including shipping. Every musical parameter has been enhanced.

gmorris

Owner
System edited: Added Revelation Audio Labs Precept II PC to my ARC PH2 after I replaced the captive PC with an IEC connector. Also upgraded my Phono cable to the Paradise Cryo-Silver™ Reference Phono/Tone Arm Interconnect cable. This cable is a superb performer.

gmorris

Owner
Pummill:
Thanks for the kind words. Congrats on your system. How far are your 3.6s from the back wall and what is the spacing between the speakers?

gmorris

Owner
I recently upgraded my phono/tone arm cable to the Revelation Audio labs Paradise Cryo-Silver Reference. Although it is still not fully broken-in, it is indeed a very musical and transparent cable. Grit, bloat and distortions have been excised, while retaining natural richness and tonal colors.

gmorris

Owner
Snagel;
Thanks for looking. Unfortunatley I do not have any first hand experience of this amp. Sorry.

gmorris

Owner
Hello Sherod;

Yes I love my Citation 14 tuner. I have not updated the caps, etc. It remains stock. However, I plan on replacing the PC and the main RCA connectors. I bought the parts over a year ago, but I have not found the time to do the upgrades.

gmorris

Owner
Rugyboogie:
You need to give the SCD-1 at least 350 hours of break in time before you start hearing its full potential

With my SCD-1, I am using a NBS Master II power cord plugged in a Shunyata Hydra 8 which is fed from a Taipan Alpha power cord.

You may want to experiment with the BDR cones (#3 and #4 combination). Additionally, you may also experiment with the Ceraball.

gmorris

Owner
Rugyboogie:

How is the SCD-1 performing so far?

You need to give it at least 300 hours of break-in before forming any definitive opinions

gmorris

Owner
The Audiocom SC3/PS3 mod (super clock and power supply) improves the redbook and SACD performance of the SCD-1 significantly. There is much greater transparency and resolution of fine details. The soundstage presentation and musical textures are much more "analog sounding". Smoothness and musicality are also much better (reduced digital artifacts). This mod is highly recommended.

gmorris

Owner
Thanks to both Ejlif and Oldie for your kind comments about my system.

George

gmorris

Owner
Gmele:
I used the VT100 MKII on its own for at least 5 years. I was very happy with the results. It produced great soumd with the 3.5s. However, active biamping improves the overall performance.

gmorris

Owner
The trick with the Sunfire subs is to move them away from room bounbdaries as much as possible (corners no!) and try to be easy on the volume control. The Sunfire bass integration with the maggie panels is excellent. I cannot detect the presence of the subs. It required a lot of experimentation with the phase and volume controls.

gmorris

Owner
Thanks for your kind words. My advise to you is to trust your own ears. And take your time in building your system. Try to audition components (including cables) before purchasing.

gmorris

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