My God, man, with a system like that what choice would they have? I can’t imagine anything but exceptional....
Ordered Magico S5 MK II traded S5 MK I - Thoughts - Feedback - Anyone here them?
There are no local ones to hear and I loved my Magico S5 MK I so I went for it and ordered them.
Traded my S5 MK I and a few other items. Ordered from Scott Walker Audio in Anaheim CA. They are awesome.
Would love all feedback, idea’s criticism etc.
Some have said they are way better others said only a little difference. The change cost an awful lot so hopefully they are good. They are about 4 weeks out and wanted to ask you guys thoughts. Sorry for the hear/here typo :)
Thank you
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
From Audiogon Virtual System page:
Associated Equipment:
* Digital:
- DAC: Bricasti Design M1 Special Edition DAC;
- Digital Transport: Bricasti M1 Built-In Ethernet Network Player,
* Analogue:
- Turntable: VPI Aries Limited Edition 3D,
- Tonearm: 10.5 Inch Printed 3D Arm,
- Cartridge: Denon DL-S1,
* Preamplification:
- Linestage: Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 Reference Preamplifer, Step Up Transformer: Bob’s Device Cinemag 1131
* Amplification:
- Power Amplifier: Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
* Loudspeakers:
- Transducers: Magico S5 MKII Reference Loudspeakers MCast Pewter,
* Power Supplies:
- Power Supplies: Uptone Audio JS-2 (2-Rail) Linear Power Supply, The Linear Solution LPS-912 LPS, Breeze Audio 12v Linear Power Supply (2-units), iFi Audio iPower 9V DC Power Supply
* Audio Network Server Hardware/Software:
- Servers: Small Green Computer SonicTransporter, Storage: WD My Cloud 12v 2TB NAS,
- PC: Qotom 190S Dual-Port - Baytrail J1900 12v Micro-PC
- Network Switch: The Linear Solution OCXO Audiophile Switch,
- Audio Software: Windows 10 Pro, Audiophil Optimizer, ROON 1.4, Fidelizer 8.0 Pro, JPlay, JRiver MC23,
Sonic Orbiter.
* Cables:
- Interconnect Cables: Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion XLR 2.0M, Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion XLR 1.5M, Darwin Ascension RCA 0.5M,
- Speaker Cables: Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion 2.5M Spades,
- AC Cables : Kubala-Sosna Emotion 2M (3-cables) Nordost Heimdall - 2 2.0M (2-cables), Verastarr Grand Illusion II 1.5M, Elrod EPS-2 Signature 1.0M,
- DC Cables: Gent Audio Custom DC Cables (Canare/Oyaide) (6),
- USB: Audiocadabra Ultimus3 Double-Headed Solid-Silver USB Cable, Curious Cables 200m Regen link, Uptone Audio USPCB A/B Adapter
- Digital: Black Cat Silverstar 75 BNC/RCA, MIT Terminator-3 RCA, DH Labs Silver Sonic D-75 RCA (2), Tara Labs Prism 100dx-1 Tosilink.
- HDMI: AudioQuest Chocolate 1.0M, AudioQuest Forest 3.0M, Ethernet: AudioQuest Vodka RJ/E 1.0M, AudioQuest Forest RJ/E 1.0 (2), Cardas Clear RJ/E 0.5M, The Linear Solution Custom RJ/E 1.5M.
* Sundries / Accessories: Solid Tech Hybrid 3+3 Shelves Audio Rack w/White Shelves and Silver Pillars, Solid Tech Rack of Silence Amplifier Stand, SRA Ohio Class Isolation Platform, Symposium Acoustics Svelte Plus Isolation Platform, Isoacoustic Iso-pucks (8), Weizhi Precision PRS-6 Power Distributor ; Red Dragon Audio Ceramic Cable Elevators (4), EdenSound Brass Vibration Weights (8), Bright Star IsoNode Footers, DROK USB Multi-meter/Tester, PS Audio Noise Harvesters (6), Furutech GTX (R) outlet, Oyaide R1 Beryllium AC Wall outlets (2) ; Blue Circle Audio The Yalu Balula (2)
- Fsmithjack
Traded my S5 MK I and a few other items. Ordered from Scott Walker Audio in Anaheim CA. They are awesome.
Would love all feedback, idea’s criticism etc.
Some have said they are way better others said only a little difference. The change cost an awful lot so hopefully they are good. They are about 4 weeks out and wanted to ask you guys thoughts. Sorry for the hear/here typo :)
Thank you
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
From Audiogon Virtual System page:
Associated Equipment:
* Digital:
- DAC: Bricasti Design M1 Special Edition DAC;
- Digital Transport: Bricasti M1 Built-In Ethernet Network Player,
* Analogue:
- Turntable: VPI Aries Limited Edition 3D,
- Tonearm: 10.5 Inch Printed 3D Arm,
- Cartridge: Denon DL-S1,
* Preamplification:
- Linestage: Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 Reference Preamplifer, Step Up Transformer: Bob’s Device Cinemag 1131
* Amplification:
- Power Amplifier: Pass Labs X250.8 Stereo Amplifier
* Loudspeakers:
- Transducers: Magico S5 MKII Reference Loudspeakers MCast Pewter,
* Power Supplies:
- Power Supplies: Uptone Audio JS-2 (2-Rail) Linear Power Supply, The Linear Solution LPS-912 LPS, Breeze Audio 12v Linear Power Supply (2-units), iFi Audio iPower 9V DC Power Supply
* Audio Network Server Hardware/Software:
- Servers: Small Green Computer SonicTransporter, Storage: WD My Cloud 12v 2TB NAS,
- PC: Qotom 190S Dual-Port - Baytrail J1900 12v Micro-PC
- Network Switch: The Linear Solution OCXO Audiophile Switch,
- Audio Software: Windows 10 Pro, Audiophil Optimizer, ROON 1.4, Fidelizer 8.0 Pro, JPlay, JRiver MC23,
Sonic Orbiter.
* Cables:
- Interconnect Cables: Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion XLR 2.0M, Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion XLR 1.5M, Darwin Ascension RCA 0.5M,
- Speaker Cables: Kubala-Sosna Research Emotion 2.5M Spades,
- AC Cables : Kubala-Sosna Emotion 2M (3-cables) Nordost Heimdall - 2 2.0M (2-cables), Verastarr Grand Illusion II 1.5M, Elrod EPS-2 Signature 1.0M,
- DC Cables: Gent Audio Custom DC Cables (Canare/Oyaide) (6),
- USB: Audiocadabra Ultimus3 Double-Headed Solid-Silver USB Cable, Curious Cables 200m Regen link, Uptone Audio USPCB A/B Adapter
- Digital: Black Cat Silverstar 75 BNC/RCA, MIT Terminator-3 RCA, DH Labs Silver Sonic D-75 RCA (2), Tara Labs Prism 100dx-1 Tosilink.
- HDMI: AudioQuest Chocolate 1.0M, AudioQuest Forest 3.0M, Ethernet: AudioQuest Vodka RJ/E 1.0M, AudioQuest Forest RJ/E 1.0 (2), Cardas Clear RJ/E 0.5M, The Linear Solution Custom RJ/E 1.5M.
* Sundries / Accessories: Solid Tech Hybrid 3+3 Shelves Audio Rack w/White Shelves and Silver Pillars, Solid Tech Rack of Silence Amplifier Stand, SRA Ohio Class Isolation Platform, Symposium Acoustics Svelte Plus Isolation Platform, Isoacoustic Iso-pucks (8), Weizhi Precision PRS-6 Power Distributor ; Red Dragon Audio Ceramic Cable Elevators (4), EdenSound Brass Vibration Weights (8), Bright Star IsoNode Footers, DROK USB Multi-meter/Tester, PS Audio Noise Harvesters (6), Furutech GTX (R) outlet, Oyaide R1 Beryllium AC Wall outlets (2) ; Blue Circle Audio The Yalu Balula (2)
- Fsmithjack
19 responses Add your response
Thanks
maritime51 I have been working on it slowly for a decade or so. Thanks for the kindness. |
bdp24 Thanks for the response. All the local to me Magico dealers have the new new insanely good M3's or M6's and the last thing I want to do is hear those monsters and ruin my audio happiness. They also have new and very good sounding A series but no local S5 MK II. Scott Walker Audio is a great Magico dealer but to be fair to them they are in Anaheim, CA and I am on the North Shore of Boston, MA, With a shipping weight of around 300 lbs a pop just not realistic to ask them to send me a pair to demo. I guess maybe I should have asked but I didn't think that would be fair to them but probably should have asked I guess...lol They have been fantastic to work with. They went the extra mile to help make the deal work for me and took multiple trade in's and my salesman Josh has been great. It's a semi complex deal with me shipping my trade gear out there and them having to order me new ones and they have set up all the shipping of my gear to them at strong fully insured discounted shipping rates and they gave me prices on the speakers and my trades to work within what i was trying to accomplish. Best dealer experience I have ever had with any purchase. My post was not meant to gush about Scott Walker Audio but honestly they have been nothing less than fantastic and made for me is a significant purchase a smooth and pleasant experience. |
Congrats @fsmithjack -- having just swapped up from Q3 to M3 (again without having heard the Ms in my system) I know how comfortable you can get trusting that a move up the ladder will work for you -- I'm sure the MkIIs will be a delight Agree on Scott Walker but I will say that one plus of working with a local dealer is that they will handle the installation -- getting 350lb speakers out of their crates and into place is not a one man job and their is an art to how Magico pack and deliver their kit |
Yes I spoke to a couple local dealers but honestly they just seemed kind of disinterested which I found odd? They were like sure just stroke me a check for $40k and and a in a couple months they should be there? They seemed pleasant but disinterested. I had my Magico trades and I wanted a fair price. Nothing crazy because I wanted brand new but I am not a wealthy person or anything like that - I work 60 hours per week and have 3 kids so just wanted a fair price. Scott Walker Audio right from the beginning you could just tell were very interested in trying to work with me to make the deal work for both of us. They offered me a fair trade in and a fair price and were pleasant, responsive and they were interested in selling speakers. I mean I was a stone cold buyer. Easy sale, I owned the prior generation speaker and was looking to get the new current generation. Just give me a fair trade and a fair price and done deal. How is that a hard thing to do? I had to go all the way across the country to but I am not complaining because Walker Audio is great and I am thankful for them but there is more going on than the economy that is effecting dealers. Honestly, the first thing a dealer needs to do is act like they care and want to do a deal. If they don't they should pretend. To act disinterested will turn a stone cold buyer like me into a shopper and quickly. |
Thanks
folkfreak
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ohlala I have a friend that loves his S3MKII. At first when I bought my S5 MK I they seemed bright to me also but it was my HiDiamond speaker cables. I switched to the Kubala-Sosna Emotion cables and they are amazing. I do think their high resolution can highlight weakness in your system and they may get blamed for something that isn't their fault. They just speak the truth of is put in front of them. Bright in then bright out. |
ebm Thanks so much! That is exactly what I am hoping they are. Thanks |
Frank, congratulations once again on your new S5 Mk2’s. I also upgraded from S5 Mk1’s to the Mk2’s, and haven’t regretted it. The Mk2’s are better than the Mk1’s across the board to my ears. I second Ebm’s comments, and would add they have more inner detail, as well as better imaging & off-axis response. Interestingly, the Mk2’s have the exact same midrange drivers as the M3 (part No: MAG6004RTC), which is an improved version of the midrange in the MPro. In regard to feedback, ideas etc. I’ve heard that the Pass amps pair well with ARC tube preamps such as the Ref 6, though i’ve only heard the X250.8 paired with an XP20 preamp, and not with Magico speakers, so I can’t validate that claim. Your system is voiced quite differently from mine. I run a Vitus SIA-025, SCD-025Mk2 cdp & Jorma Prime and Statement cables. That is a great combo, so i’m a happy camper. Though I plan to upgrade to the Vitus SIA-030 after it debuts at Munich next year. That should be a big upgrade from the already excellent 025. I also plan to upgrade to S Pods in the near future - an easy recommendation. |
UPDATE: So my new Magico S5 MK II Speakers that I ordered on November 11, 2018 were delivered and installed in my room 3 days ago and I am psyched. I never ordered speakers brand new and had them made for me before this way just like I want them so the wait was not fun but the idea and process sure was. They sound totally different then original S5 which is kind of odd. They look similar but sound nothing like the originals. They have totally different drivers, cables, crossovers and the cabinet looks similar but is totally different so I guess it makes sense but I was thinking more of a evolutionary sound then a totally different sound but they are nothing like the old ones. Still burning them in and will be for the next month or so but they are awesome and I am psyched. For the amp choice I decided to go with Pass Labs XA160.8 Mono-blocks because I love the Pass sound and the company so hopefully they are just a nice upgrade from Pass X250.8. I appreciate the info and help on this thread. |
With all due respect, I would have posed this question before having bought the new speakers ... that's an awful lot of dough to spend on an unknown quantity, regardless of its familial relationship to your existing Magico's. At a minimum, perhaps there was somewhere local you could have auditioned them to determine whether you liked them? Nonetheless, I hope the speakers are everything you hope for, and that you enjoy them for many years. |
Has Magico come up with anything like a grill to protect that tweeter from being poked? I was talking to somebody at Goodwins last year about that exact thing, and he said, "Oh yeah...that happens more often than ya want to know." A small barbed wire fence maybe...tiny helmet over 'em when not in use...a document signed by every party guest that makes them liable on case of a drunk stumbling incident...something... |
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rib61 Yes there was some risk for sure but I’ve owned Magico’s for years and I have faith in the company. Every every new model has been significantly better than the prior so I was all in. No local dealers had them in their showrooms. They are all full of the all new and red hot and super expensive M series speakers made out of carbon fiber which is awesome but way out of my price range. Heck just the S5 MKII’s was a gigantic purchase for me. I’m a raging Audiophile but I’m a working man and not a wealthy person and it was a steep buy for me but I love the hobby. I usually buy used but I had trade in’s, etc and wanted my own brand new pair of Magico’s so I went for it. I am very happy I did but it is a very difficult speaker sound wise. Looks wise they look alike. It has so much more preciseness to it. It really delineates the musicians and separates everything so well it is so much more open and extended and airy and dynamic. Even not even close to being broken in this speaker has a level of precision and speed that the original never came close to duplicating. It’s not only another level but another speaker. It is so different. Hard to describe! |
Wolf_garcia The Magico S5 MK II Speakers come with very nice grill protectors just like you listed. They are easy to put on and remove and cover the entire front of the speaker protecting all the drivers and are held on by Maginets that have thin soft felt over them to protect the speakers metal facing. They look and work great but sound much better off. The only MK I only had 4 magnets in the 4 corners and the nice one have 8 magnets that work much better and was a nice improvement. Thanks |