Synergy Between Magicos5 With Pass Labs X350.5

What about speaker placement or room treatments? That could definitely help with the overall sound. In my limited experience room interactions will have a bigger impact on sound than equipment or cables.

Hi Ruti,

I see. Well, in any case the 350.5 should be able to drive the Magicos as Doug99 said. On paper mind you. As far as sound quality, that's a matter of taste of course, so you definitely need to audition. Auditioning in general will really answer your questions.

I've been toying with the idea of changing out my speakers, Paradigm S8s (v3), for Magico S3s or S5s. FWIW, I had a long conversation with a Magico tech guy about a month ago about whether my amp, an ARC Ref 150 (150 wpc), has enough juice for the Magicos. The response was a "qualified" yes. The qualification related to room size. In my case, my finished basement sound room is 15" x 22' x 7'. The rep thought I'd be just fine.

Overture, Magico's East Coast dealer, offered to set me up for an audition using a Ref 150, which I assume they have laying around. If Overture's kind offer was to use my amp ... they can forget it. It's a widow maker trying to move it around.

As I seem to recall from my readings and the conversation I had with Magico, others have commented about the Magico sound is dry. But, FWIW, Magico explained that one reason may be that the S5s, and presumably the S3s, have vanishingly low distortion stats. Plus, the S5's frequency response, impedance curve and phase angle plots are ruler flat. In other words, they don't add anything to the music. I personally have no view because I never listened to them.

I know ... I know, stats are not what make a great speaker. It's how the beasts sound. Gotcha!! Still ... if Overture can set me up for an audition with a Ref 150, I just may take them up on their offer.

BIF

Did you get Magico yet??

Haven't had a chance to audition the Magicos yet. Thinking about another angle ... phase coherence. See A'gon thread running titled "Sloped Baffle." Very interesting stuff.

And the answer to the question not asked yet is "No." The Q: Are Magicos phase coherent?

The answer the next question not asked yet is "I don't know." The Q: Is phase coherence important?

Thinking about a not-inexpensive gizmo made by DEQX that allegedly corrects phase incoherence. A major concern for me is that the device is inserted between the preamp and amp. Claims of "gain on the wire" just don't convince me. An artifact is an artifact.