800D's HTM1D & MC1201's

[misterdoggy]

Its been a few days, how are your new toys working out for you mr doggy?

McDoggy is happy to report a grin from cheek to cheek with happiness

Things are really coming around. Yesterday I listened to James Taylor and the guitar strumming was as if it was 100% real.

The Bass has really started to shine and is equal to or better already than the 501's before. Tighter. Cleaner a bit dryer. Very nice indeed. I think another week and it will be heaven.

I would not have believed it, but it really has changed and keeps evolving.

I would never change B&W for SF, but if I "could" ever change, it would be SF as the woodwork is gorgeous, but for the sound I prefer B&W

[wettou]

Surprised? They are nice speakers to behold and I wouldn't hesitate to list them at the top if I were shopping around for alternatives. Having spent a good deal of time with them I have come to learn their strengths and weaknesses. It’s unfortunate that their disadvantages tip the scales.

RebelMan, Which Sonus Faber did you experience and what where the short falls?

I am looking at the Stradivaru Homage (http://www.sonusfaber.com/eng/home.html)

Cremona where ok but no were near B&W

[misterdoggy]

What you need is SF woodwork on B&W speakers with B&W electronics

[beden1]

McDoggy is happy to report a grin from cheek to cheek with happiness

Things are really coming around. Yesterday I listened to James Taylor and the guitar strumming was as if it was 100% real.

The Bass has really started to shine and is equal to or better already than the 501's before. Tighter. Cleaner a bit dryer. Very nice indeed. I think another week and it will be heaven.

I would not have believed it, but it really has changed and keeps evolving.

I would never change B&W for SF, but if I "could" ever change, it would be SF as the woodwork is gorgeous, but for the sound I prefer B&W

Are you noticing any difference in the center channel with the different amps, from the sound you heard before with the three 501's?

[Relentless]

i know so many B&W owners who have Sonus Faber as their second choice for speakers. :scratchhead:

I am supprised that Willson Watt Puppys wouldnt be up there with 2nd choice in the price range of the 800D's. Or is Wilson to B&W like Greenbay to a Bears fan...You hate them no matter what

[misterdoggy]

Are you noticing any difference in the center channel with the different amps, from the sound you heard before with the three 501's?

Beden

Its too early for conclusive statements. You know in HiFi things evolve and you have to become familiar before you make final impressions. My First impression was I found the 1201's lacking in Bass. Now that has changed.

When they first came I could take out the center channel and all the bass left with it. Now I can take out the center channel and there is no difference. Funny Huh.

Things are improving daily and it could very well end up with the Fronts outshining the center. Not yet though but fast approaching. I wouldn't have believed it possible. World of HIFI ..... :T

[DM3000 Owner]

I am supprised that Willson Watt Puppys wouldnt be up there with 2nd choice in the price range of the 800D's. Or is Wilson to B&W like Greenbay to a Bears fan...You hate them no matter what

Sonus Faber, Wilson, JM Lab, Eggleston, Revel, all worthy contenders (I've only heard the Wilsons and the Revels). I see many WP owners on Audiogon who were former 802 owners. :E

[cossie0]

Have anyone compared a set of Monitor audio Platinum PL300 to the 802d's. The detail on the ma's is supposed to be stunning and the build quality looks to match the B&W's and the SF's.

[Indytown]

Beden

Its too early for conclusive statements. You know in HiFi things evolve and you have to become familiar before you make final impressions. My First impression was I found the 1201's lacking in Bass. Now that has changed.

When they first came I could take out the center channel and all the bass left with it. Now I can take out the center channel and there is no difference. Funny Huh.

Things are improving daily and it could very well end up with the Fronts outshining the center. Not yet though but fast approaching. I wouldn't have believed it possible. World of HIFI ..... :T

misterdoggy,

Are you saying that you think the center is a better sounding speaker than a pair of 800D's. :scratchhead:

[misterdoggy]

Indy

The Center is an HTM1D and that baby is one great sounding speaker

It has 3 Bass speakers, albeit smaller than the 800D's but a lot of Kick. The form of the HTM1D is great for Bass and it holds its on.

In fact at the very beginning it was the only Bass really present. Now that is firmly over and the 800D's now outshine the HTM1D.

The system is really shining

[Indytown]

Indy

The Center is an HTM1D and that baby is one great sounding speaker

It has 3 Bass speakers, albeit smaller than the 800D's but a lot of Kick. The form of the HTM1D is great for Bass and it holds its on.

In fact at the very beginning it was the only Bass really present. Now that is firmly over and the 800D's now outshine the HTM1D.

The system is really shining

I'm glad that is happening. I have listened to the HTM1D several times at dealers and it was good, not as good as a fully broken-in pair of 800D's.
But I can appreciate having a center tri-field set-up, if dialed in it can be quite nice. I'm still of the old school where I like a solid phantom center image for my personal listening. The tri-field I imagine would be nice for having a sweet spot from any part of the room?

[Aussie Geoff]

Mister Doggy,

You must already be planning how to fit in the 3rd 1201 for the centre speaker... Its easy really - hide them behind the speaskers. Who needs to see those big, nasty amps...

Geoff

[beden1]

Mister Doggy,

You must already be planning how to fit in the 3rd 1201 for the centre speaker... Its easy really - hide them behind the speaskers. Who needs to see those big, nasty amps...

Geoff

It's a tough crowd in this forum for sure . . . those big, nasty amps you refer to would have been the centerpiece of entertainment for us in college when the "smoke" filled the air. I'm sure we would not have been able to take our eyes off of them while the music permeated the room! (mesmerizing). :righton:

[Indytown]

It's a tough crowd in this forum for sure . . . those big, nasty amps you refer to would have been the centerpiece of entertainment for us in college when the "smoke" filled the air. I'm sure we would not have been able to take our eyes off of them while the music permeated the room! (mesmerizing). :righton:

smoke, you guys burned fruit flavored incense while listening to the Carpenters also. :B

[beden1]

smoke, you guys burned fruit flavored incense while listening to the Carpenters also. :B

Not at our school at least in the early 70's. I think you're getting confused with those who attended schools like Brigham Young?

And, I bet you thought Karen was hot! :2fingers:

[Russ L]

Indy

The Center is an HTM1D and that baby is one great sounding speaker

It has 3 Bass speakers, albeit smaller than the 800D's but a lot of Kick. The form of the HTM1D is great for Bass and it holds its on.

In fact at the very beginning it was the only Bass really present. Now that is firmly over and the 800D's now outshine the HTM1D.

The system is really shining

Happy to hear the Mc Amps are sounding better.

[misterdoggy]

I'm glad that is happening. I have listened to the HTM1D several times at dealers and it was good, not as good as a fully broken-in pair of 800D's.
But I can appreciate having a center tri-field set-up, if dialed in it can be quite nice. I'm still of the old school where I like a solid phantom center image for my personal listening. The tri-field I imagine would be nice for having a sweet spot from any part of the room?

I was of the Old School ONLY STEREO too. I am still of that belief. Only aided by the center speaker.

If I shut off the Amp to the center speaker and go and sit down, I have to get up and put my head next to the center speaker to make sure its not on.

Only, with the Center speaker there is just more of the center image if you know what I mean. Clearer, more detail.

Actually Trifield combines the 3 fronts, but to a lesser extent with the center speaker. If you look at the Amps meters, the center is being driven at about 2/3's of the L and R.

Mister Doggy,

You must already be planning how to fit in the 3rd 1201 for the centre speaker... Its easy really - hide them behind the speaskers. Who needs to see those big, nasty amps...

Geoff

Here we go again :beer2: I knew it wouldn't be long

Actually I am very happy with both the size and the sound of the center. The 501 is a great Amp.......

It's a tough crowd in this forum for sure . . . those big, nasty amps you refer to would have been the centerpiece of entertainment for us in college when the "smoke" filled the air. I'm sure we would not have been able to take our eyes off of them while the music permeated the room! (mesmerizing). :righton:

Smoke filled rooms Huh ......... At my school smoke filled rooms but no one smoked cigarettes

[Indytown]

Not at our school at least in the early 70's. I think you're getting confused with those who attended schools like Brigham Young?

And, I bet you thought Karen was hot! :2fingers:

Actually the hot chick back then for a while was the actress from the French movie Emmanuelle.

[beden1]

Actually the hot chick back then for a while was the actress from the French movie Emmanuelle.

Ah, Emmanuelle! ;x(

But in those days, we didn't watch TV or go to movies that much. We primarily listened to music while indoors.

[beden1]

Smoke filled rooms Huh ......... At my school smoke filled rooms but no one smoked cigarettes

Exactly! A friend of mine had two Marantz 250's with the front meters that were hypnotic during our looooong listening sessions. Thank you McIntosh for keeping those fond memories alive. :T

[Gump]

Here we go again :beer2: I knew it wouldn't be long

Actually I am very happy with both the size and the sound of the center. The 501 is a great Amp.......

McIntosh is offering a pretty spectacular "Trade Up" deal right now. They will give you 75% of the original MSRP on your amp, pre-amp, etc. if you trade up to a more expensive piece. Dats purty sweet :B . Limited time offer.

Sounds like opportunity knocking! :g>

[misterdoggy]

McIntosh is offering a pretty spectacular "Trade Up" deal right now. They will give you 75% of the original MSRP on your amp, pre-amp, etc. if you trade up to a more expensive piece. Dats purty sweet :B . Limited time offer.

Sounds like opportunity knocking! :g>

This is a definite opportunity and many on the Audiokarma McIntosh Forum are talking about it and trading up.

I'm where I wanna be and see no reason to move from here

whew !! ;x(

[Aussie Geoff]

Misterdoggy,

In the next month or so as your 1201s settle in... You will probably find more and more subtle differences between them and the 501.. Nagging things like how much better the midrangeholds up with heavy bass on the 1201... Just that extra touch of smoothness in the all important vocals..

So... I still reckon one more 1201 would be sweet...

Stop those nagging doubts...



Geoff

[misterdoggy]

Misterdoggy,


Stop those nagging doubts...

Geoff

Nothing nagging me except my wife :rofl:

No I'm Cool, really..... I just don't got no place for anything more...

Even in my minds Eye, I am over the top in presentation.

I tell people that come over who don't know anything about it all in French

"Cest un truc de Fou" translates something like this is something a crazy person does.

If I was to add anything else it would need to be concealed. I would build a cabinet or insert in the wall and put everything, as it was never the look, it was always about the sound.

[beden1]

Nothing nagging me except my wife :rofl:

No I'm Cool, really..... I just don't got no place for anything more...

Even in my minds Eye, I am over the top in presentation.

I tell people that come over who don't know anything about it all in French

"Cest un truc de Fou" translates something like this is something a crazy person does.

If I was to add anything else it would need to be concealed. I would build a cabinet or insert in the wall and put everything, as it was never the look, it was always about the sound.

Still . . . your setup looks really cooool! :T

[beden1]

Misterdoggy,

In the next month or so as your 1201s settle in... You will probably find more and more subtle differences between them and the 501.. Nagging things like how much better the midrangeholds up with heavy bass on the 1201... Just that extra touch of smoothness in the all important vocals..

So... I still reckon one more 1201 would be sweet...

Stop those nagging doubts...



Geoff

I nominate Geoff for the "Spend Other's Money Enabler" Award. arty:

[Gump]

This is a definite opportunity and many on the Audiokarma McIntosh Forum are talking about it and trading up(

Yea, I sure wish I had known it was gonna happen a coupla weeks ago. Just sold my MX-135 on ebay 2 weeks ago. Definitely could have used this trade-up deal to my advantage... :cry:

Ordered the Classe SSP-800 yesterday to replace it . Oh well! C'est la vie!

[misterdoggy]

Yea, I sure wish I had known it was gonna happen a coupla weeks ago. Just sold my MX-135 on ebay 2 weeks ago. Definitely could have used this trade-up deal to my advantage... :cry:

Ordered the Classe SSP-800 yesterday to replace it . Oh well! C'est la vie!

Did you sell your 135 well ?

The SSP-800 has hdmi doesn't it ?

[RebelMan]

Yea, I sure wish I had known it was gonna happen a coupla weeks ago. Just sold my MX-135 on ebay 2 weeks ago. Definitely could have used this trade-up deal to my advantage... :cry:

Ordered the Classe SSP-800 yesterday to replace it . Oh well! C'est la vie!

There will be no regrets my friend! :T

MadDawg, you are correct about HDMI support in the SSP-800.

[Gump]

Did you sell your 135 well ?

The SSP-800 has hdmi doesn't it ?

I did ok with the sale. I would have liked to have done just a littttle bit better. Total satisfaction is such an elusive achievement. :roll: .
Definitely didn't get 75% of the original msrp though!

As James has already mentioned, the SSP-800 is fully equipped with hdmi.

[Gump]

There will be no regrets my friend! :T

James,

When it comes to switching to Classe I have absolutely no regrets, hesitations, reservations, second thoughts, etc.... I couldn't be more happy and excited! Once again, you inspired me to get motivated and helped me make this happen and I truly appreciate it.

As far as the McIntosh trade-up deal goes, it might have allowed me to "work" a little better angle and save me a few bucks, but the outcome would have been the same.

SSP-800 Baby!! I'm off the sidelines and into the game!! :td:

[misterdoggy]

James,

When it comes to switching to Classe I have absolutely no regrets, hesitations, reservations, second thoughts, etc.... I couldn't be more happy and excited! Once again, you inspired me to get motivated and helped me make this happen and I truely appreciate it.

As far as the McIntosh trade-up deal goes, it might have allowed me to "work" a little better angle and save me a few bucks, but the outcome would have been the same.

SSP-800 Baby!! I'm off the sidelines and into the game!! :td:

Go Dude Go :T

[wettou]

When it comes to switching to Classe I have absolutely no regrets, hesitations, reservations, second thoughts, etc.... I couldn't be more happy and excited! SSP-800 Baby!! I'm off the sidelines and into the game!

UPGRADITIS a great disease except for the pocket book :B

[Gump]

UPGRADITIS a great disease except for the pocket book :B

Well, there's always a downside to having a disease.

I think my wife is ready to "cure" me via the Kevorkian method if I keep upgrading this way... 8O

[SRT-10 Viper]

Gump, do you have the classe installed or is it still on order? If installed, tell us more about the SQ, 2 CH, movies... We are all ears.

[Gump]

Gump, do you have the classe installed or is it still on order? If installed, tell us more about the SQ, 2 CH, movies... We are all ears.

Still on order Viper. I'll definitely be sharing my views upon it's arrival and set-up!

[johan]

Are you selling your 800's misterdoggy?

[misterdoggy]

Are you selling your 800's misterdoggy?

Yes they are available in France

Downsizing to 803D's

[wettou]

Well, there's always a downside to having a disease. I think my wife is ready to "cure" me via the Kevorkian method if I keep upgrading this way... 8O

Yes that can happen, just buy her more of what she likes, shoes, dresses....:B

[Gump]

Yes they are available in France

Downsizing to 803D's

Wow, that's a bit surprising....hope all is well with you misterdoggy.

Well, the 803D's are a pretty nice consolation prize...I love mine.

[misterdoggy]

Hasn't happened yet but looks like Im headed that way

We are moving so it makes it easier, more containable, to live with

Heck the 802D's were great and so are, 803Ds and so are the 800D's and the difference between listening enjoyment doesn't have to make enjoying listening to your favorite pieces any less enjoyable

[Race Car Driver]

I saw your HTM1D fs the other day but didnt want to say anything

[misterdoggy]

Yeah I was like the guy in close encounters who kept building the mound in his living room until is WAS his living room. Decided to downsize to probably an htm2d again with 803D's.

[Briz vegas]

Nows the time to deal with those pesky interconnects doggy.......OMG the new kitten has just walked in the room with my silver solder in a small plastic bag and he has plonked it on my lap (siamese retrieve better than gun dogs) nice reminder that I am supposed to be fixing my headphones....and now he has just dropped it on my laptop keyboard. Cheeky little guy. The other night I got string, a receipt, a credit card bill and a sock all in 5 minutes. He wants me to throw them so he can retrieve them and hates being ignored. Sorry - off topic.

.....anyway I reckon Tyr or better will help reduce the separation anxiety from the big boys, or at least form you own opinion with a demo. I'm sold on mine.

[wettou]

Yeah I was like the guy in close encounters who kept building the mound in his living room until is WAS his living room. Decided to downsize to probably an htm2d again with 803D's.

Yes some time less is more :B